afc north

NFL Draft grade for the AFC North

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NFL Draft (2)

NOTE: NNR Tonight explores the Browns roster after the 2014 NFL Draft.  Join us on 6 PM EDT.
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In my opinion it is useless to grade a draft before the players have spent 3 seasons in the league. As a result, here are my grades for the AFC North in the 2011 draft.

Cleveland A

While the Browns ended up with a number of keepers, only one was a pro bowler.

21 Phillip Taylor DT Baylor – Solid starter that needs to get in better shape.

37 Jabaal Sheard DE Pittsburgh – Starter but suffered due to the change to a 3-4

59 Greg Little WR North Carolina – Starter that drops a lot of balls and should be replaced.

102 Jordan Cameron TE USC – Pro bowl starter

137 Buster Skrine DB Tennessee-Chattanooga – Undersized nickle back.

150 Jason Pinkston T Pittsburgh – Decent starter with a recent history of injury.

Cincinnati B+

The Bengals had fewer players make the team but they became part of a 3 time playoff team.

4 A.J. Green WR Georgia – All pro and one of the best in the league.

35 Andy Dalton QB Texas Christian – Under achiever that … Read more at FryingPanSports

Can The Browns Breakthrough In The Tough AFC North?

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In 2013, the AFC North enters the season as possibly the toughest overall division in the NFL. The division boasts the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the all-time Super Bowl leaders and a popular Super Bowl sleeper pick in 2013. Oh, they also have the Cleveland Browns, who are young and improving, but still waiting for a true breakout season. So can 2013 be the year they start to contend for the playoffs?

Whenever a team is forced to start a rookie quarterback and running back, they are in for a somewhat long season. Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson did a pretty good job in 2012, but they did not have enough help to get them anywhere. With a year under their belt, things could be better for them, with Richardson particularly being seen as someone who can do a job for your team in fantasy football 2013.

After an off-season full of changes at the management and coaching level, the team seems to be quickly adjusting to the new way of doing things. They also have a young core that continues to grow, thanks to quite a few high draft picks in a row. New head coach Rob Chudzinski, along … Read more at FryingPanSports

Paul Banks and Samantha Bunten join me for NNR Podcasts

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SBurton

 Paul Banks of Sportsbank.net and Chicagonow.com joined me to talk about the NFL, league drug policy and the Browns.

Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports joined me to talk Browns, AFC North and some Tribe talk as well. We also announced that she will be my co-host for the Browns Monday analysis shows this season. Those of you that are regulars know she brings an insight, and sense of humor that is critical to withstand another nail biting year following the Browns.

On Wednesday former Browns QB Kelly Holcomb is scheduled to join us for a special podcast about the mobile QB. Be sure to join us for all of these on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com/. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at https://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. He also edits . To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.… Read more at FryingPanSports

My Fearless League Predictions

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It is time again for my fearless attempt (note:  no dart boards were injured during this exercise) to predict the outcome of the 2011 NFL Season.  I know that some of you will doubt my crystal ball but it seldom fails me (except when it needs repair which happens around this time every year).

AFC East

  1. Pats –
    This team has struggled in the playoffs but always has a great regular
    season.  This year it will get to the AFC
    Championship game.
  2. Jets – I wonder how good the O will be because I
    am not sold on QB Sanchez.
  3. Dolphins – This team is without a QB and it will
    show.  Daboll is the OC which is good
    news for the TE’s.
  4. Bills – This team is going to be in the running
    for the 1st pick QB Luck.  But
    will they be willing to pay enough to sign him if they get the 1st
    pick.

AFC North

  1. Steelers – They have a D older than the “over
    the hill gang” of Redskin fame and the window to winning is closing because of
    it.
  2. Ravens – They just can’t seem to find a way beat
    the
… Read more at FryingPanSports

Tonight on the radio version of News, Notes and Rumors

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 At 6:20 Tony Williams of the Metro New York Paper joins me to talk about the NFL and what he saw in the dress rehearsal in week 3.

At 7:15 715 Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com and PFTalkNBC sports joins me to talk about the Browns and the AFC North.

Join us by logging on to https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ or .

You can be part of the show by calling the Herbalife Hot Line provided by Drew Elkins at 216-539-0607.  If you mention you heard about Mr. Elkins on NNR he will give you a discount on your first order.  Call him at 614-906-2321.

Please also visit Mr. Eller’s group website and sign up for the free newsletter.

Also please visit https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nfl_retiree_rightsandbenefits/ and let the NFL and NFLPA know how you feel about the needs of the retired players.  Thank you in advance.

I would like to thank Miller Beer for their support of our military.  They donate 10 cents for each bottle cap or pull tab returned to them to give our best and bravest tickets to games and other diversions which they so badly need.

lso we support the USO for all they do in taking care of not only … Read more at FryingPanSports

Questions in the AFC East and North training camps.

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AFC North Training Camp

Note: We will look at all the divisions of the NFL with this same point of view over the next few issues of Fryingpansports.com.

AFC East

Bills

  1. How effective with the QB play be? Trent Edwards is the leader going into camp but watch out for former 2nd round pick Brian Brohm. He has the talent to be a starter and Edwards has problems in the clubhouse.
  2. “RB? We don’t need no stinkin’ RB!" Marshawn Lynch started his career strong but has made more news off the field than on it in the last 2 years. The Bills took RB C.J. Spiller with their 1st pick but did Lynch get the message? No and Spiller starts.

Dolphins

  1. How good will the D be after losing some key players? DT Jason Ferguson retired and they cut LB Jerry Porter and S Gibril Wilson. The D played pretty well last year. Will it survive the losses?
  • How much will RB Ronnie Brown be able to contribute? In addition to an injury last year he faces a DUI issue. The Wildcat is much more effective with both RBs in the backfield.

  • How far has QB Chad Henne come or will former starter Chad

    • … Read more at FryingPanSports