The temperature on my dashboard read 90 degrees as I drove into the office this morning, yet I've got football on the brain.
We're already talking about our training camp coverage plans, and I've dived back into my box to locate the most detailed maps of the East and Midwest that I can possibly find.
Yes, I know there are GPS systems that will do the work for me, but where's the fun in that? Where's the adventure? Don't you need a little danger and anxiety from time to time?
I personally like the occasional inevitable wrong turn that comes with viewing an outdated map. Some of the best dive restaurants and most interesting conversations are found on those wrong turns. I can't wait to chronicle this year's tour for you.
In the interim, I'm circling back to the locker rooms to present a division-by-division look at off-season movement. This time out, I'm reviewing the teams of the AFC North. New running backs and the loss of a familiar face on the sidelines highlight the discussion.
Baltimore Ravens
In terms of personnel moves, the most significant overhaul occurred in the backfield. Brian Billick opted to bring in a younger, speedier primary back in Willis McGahee. Longtime tailback Jamal Lewis signed with the division rival Browns (see below). McGahee should benefit from the improved offensive line over his starts in Buffalo (3.8 yards per carry in back-to-back years) and take full advantage of the big push upfront from Jonathan Ogden and company. His ability to break long runs once he hits the second level gives the team a speed element that wasn't there with Lewis. With Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams spreading the field, McGahee will have the opportunity to take on linebackers in the open field. I like his chances.
The team also absorbed the loss of crushing fullback Ovie Mughelli, who was signed away as an unrestricted free agent by the Falcons. The team re-signed running back Musa Smith, a player lost for much of 2006 with an injury. It's possible that he works into the mix as a part-time ball carrier and primary blocker for McGahee this summer.
The always potent Baltimore defense lost part of its imposing middle when Adalius Thomas joined the Patriots. His departure will put some pressure on a re-invigorated Ray Lewis to make even more plays, a challenge that the veteran linebacker seems more than happy to taken on. To say that his loss won't have an impact on this unit, at least initially, would be ludicrous. But, there are ample playmakers on this squad to minimize the damage and keep them at the head of the pack.
Cincinnati Bengals
I shan't make this a lengthy discussion about the continuing problems off of the field in Cincinnati. Suffice it to say, the list of Bengals making headlines for all of the wrong reasons has been lengthy.
Of course, fantasy owners are particularly interested in the fallout from the suspension of Chris Henry, hoping that he walks the straight and narrow path en route to a return to the field in the second half. In the interim, the team will work to find another deep option for Carson Palmer, most likely Tab Perry. Henry is a player to stash away on your bench in deeper leagues as you await his return to the squad.
In terms of personnel, the team did not undergo a major overhaul this season. There were a few departures on the defensive side of the ball and one hole left in the offensive line. The Patriots signed two members of the 2006 squad, cornerback Tory James and wide receiver Kelley Washington. Several other members of the defense moved on to new destinations. Sam Adams was released, finding new life in Denver. Safety Kevin Kaesviham signed a big deal with New Orleans, and linebacker Marcus Wilkins joined the Falcons. The largest departure on offense, literally and figuratively, was that of lineman Eric Steinbach, particularly with lingering concerns about the health of tackle Levi Jones.
Marvin Lewis obviously has the skill position players to make a run for the playoffs this year if this squad can fall in line. Training camp can't start soon enough.
Cleveland Browns
Romeo Crennel is looking for a spark in the Cleveland locker room this season as he battles to bring the team back to respectability. The team made some noise by bringing in a hard-nose runner in Jamal Lewis, but the first day of the draft clearly weighs heavily on most minds. Brady Quinn may get the endorsements and more scrutiny in camp. However, Crennel is pinning his future in Cleveland on the broad shoulders of Joe Thomas as the next great NFL lineman.
If Thomas and off-season acquisition Steinbach can get a push up front, life for Brady Quinn or Charlie Frye will be made easier, and the team will be able to establish a more consistent running game with Lewis. He complained about his workload at time in Baltimore, and he should most certainly see ample carries in Cleveland. With the health of LeCharles Bentley still up in the air, the team signed Seth McKinney to add depth to the line and re-signed veteran Hank Fraley.
The team lost several members of the defense, most notably three members of the secondary (Brian Russell and Ralph Brown to the Seahawks and Cardinals, respectively, and Daylon McCutcheon failed his physical). Cleveland replaced them with Mike Adams from San Francisco and Kenny Wright from Washington. One other sizable addition to the defense was made when the team signed Robaire Smith from Tennessee. His addition will shore up the defensive front and slow down opposing running games.
Pittsburgh Steelers
For the second straight year, the Steelers lost a prominent face of the franchise with the departure of Bill Cowher. This unit forges a new identity in 2007 under the direction of Mike Tomlin and without assistant coaches Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt. As such, we're witnessing a complete retooling of both the offensive and defensive schemes during off-season workouts.
However, the changes in player personnel were relatively few for Pittsburgh this off-season. The team re-signed most of their free agents, most notably running backs Verron Haynes and Najeh Davenport, wide receiver Nate Washington (watch him in the four-receiver set) and linebacker Arnold Harrison. Max Starks also returns to the offensive line to keep things moving for Willie Parker.
Pittsburgh signed former 49ers and Jets tailback Kevan Barlow to compete with the aforementioned duo of Haynes and Davenport for the backup role to Parker in the backfield. The Steelers also added Sean Mahan for the offensive line and Nick Eason for the defensive line rotation in Tomlin's scheme.
Naturally, there is always some attrition with a change at head coach, but the fallout was relatively small in Pittsburgh this time around. The Steelers waved goodbye to mercurial linebacker Joey Porter, who signed on with the Dolphins. The coaching staff is hopeful that their prized draft choices will be ready to step into his place. The team will try out punters in camp, and Jeff Hartings retired. Otherwise, this team is ready to rebound from a rough 2006 campaign.
Mike Harmon is a fantasy contributor for FOXSports.com. He has authored two books, The Savvy Guide to Fantasy Sports and The Savvy Guide to Fantasy Football. Read his blog for more analysis. Have a question a question or comment? , and the best ones may appear in his show or column.
