BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens return to the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills looking to course correct after a disappointing 8-8 season. It's hard to believe this team won the Super Bowl two seasons ago, and the team is going to need a lot of things to fall into place in order to re-establish itself as a playoff team much less a title contender. The defense (12th in both points and yards allowed) was solid but is no longer elite. Meanwhile, the offense struggled (25th in points scored 29th in yards gained) and faces questions at both running back and receiver.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 7 -- San Francisco 7:30 pm
- Aug 16 -- @Dallas 7:00 pm
- Aug 23 -- Washington 7:30 pm
- Aug 28 -- @New Orleans 8:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Will Gary Kubiak fix what ails the offense? -- The Ravens averaged more than 400 yards of offense once Jim Caldwell replaced Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator late in the 2012 season, but Caldwell's play-calling was far less effective in 2013 and it cost him his job. Enter Gary Kubiak, fresh off a long stint as the Texans head coach, who will implement a system that combines the principles of the West Coast offense with a concept-based approach most notably associated with the Erhardt-Perkins family tree.
- Ray Rice's status -- Ray Rice was a shell of himself last year (3.1 yards per rush, 660 yards in 15 games) and is possibly facing a lengthy suspension for assault on his (then) fiance. Assuming Rice misses time, what is his value in redraft leagues? Will Bernard Pierce show more in 2014 than he did in 2013 (2.9 yards per rush) and, if not, do the Ravens give Lorenzo Taliaferro a shot at the job?
- Does Steve Smith have anything left in the tank? -- The Panthers didn't think so, but Baltimore is hoping a change of scenery is what the 35-year old needs. Smith failed to break the 70-yard mark in any game last season, and has clearly lost a step. If Smith isn't the player Ozzie Newsome hopes, will 3rd year Marlon Brown get a chance to build on last year's improved play?
- How quickly can the rookie defenders contribute? -- Baltimore would love it if ILB C.J. Mosley and DE Timmy Jernigan earned starting roles in the preseason; but nothing is guaranteed. Strong camps by the 1st (Mosley) and 2nd (Jernigan) rounders would go a long way toward shoring up last year's overrated defense.
- Finding a free safety -- Matt Elam is moving to strong safety which creates an interesting camp battle at free safety between veteran Darian Stewart and rookie 3rd rounder Terrance Brooks.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bengals finished 11-5 and field top 10 units on both sides of the ball (6th in points scored, 5th in points allowed). Unfortunately the team fell short in the playoffs with a 27-10 drubbing by the San Diego Chargers. As Cincinnati heads to Paul Brown Stadium, head coach Marvin Lewis will have two new lieutenants by his side as Jay Gruden (Washington) and Mike Zimmer (Minnesota) both accepted head coaching positions.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 7 -- @Kansas City 8:00 pm
- Aug 16 -- N.Y. Jets 7:00 pm
- Aug 24 -- @Arizona 8:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- Indianapolis 7:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Hue Jackson's offensive philosophy -- Hue Jackson promised a great commitment to the run game after taking over as offensive coordinator. That sounds great in theory but the Bengals ranked 8th in rushing attempts last year and improving on that total will be more about game script than philosophy. Jay Gruden was credited with turning Andy Dalton into a viable fantasy option, can Jackson do the same?
- Andy Dalton's status -- Andy Dalton wants a contract extension yet it's unclear whether the Bengals are of similar mind. Dalton has been a productive starter with a winning record, but many observers question whether he can ever carry a team to a Super Bowl. Dalton's contract status will be a topic of conversation in the coming months unless he and his agent cut off talks (as Joe Flacco did two years ago before playing well enough to earn a monster extension).
- Will Giovani Bernard have to share the load? -- Bernard finished RB13 in PPR formats last year (1,209 total yards and 8 touchdowns) in a part-time role yet most fantasy owners expect more in 2014. Are the Bengals going to keep BenJarvus Green-Ellis on the roster? If not, will rookie Jeremy Hill be slotted into Green-Ellis' role?
- Does Tyler Eifert take the next step in 2014? -- Eifert came into the league with much fanfare but savvy fantasy owners know that rookie tight ends rarely make a mark. Eifert only caught 39 receptions for 445 yards and 2 touchdowns last year, but the coaches seem no less convinced of his future stardom. Is this the year he vaults into the league's elite? Does Jermaine Gresham's presence on the roster keep Eifert hamstrung for another year?
- Bodine vs. Robinson -- The Bengals lost Kyle Cook this offseason, but shouldn't skip a beat as 3rd year Trevor Robinson is as good, if not better. Robinson won't be handed the job without beating out rookie Russell Bodine -- a player the Bengals traded up to acquire.
- Filling the gaps on the defensive line -- Geno Atkins is recovering from a torn ACL and his status remains uncertain, at least to start the season. The Bengals need to find a permanent replacement for Michael Johnson and will give 2nd year Margus Hunt every opportunity to displaced Wallace Gilberry from the job.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Browns were expected to struggle given the quality of their divisional opponents, and the 4-12 record was certainly not what the Cleveland faithful were hoping to see. Owner Jimmy Haslam decided to clean house, blowing out the entire coaching staff including Rob Chudzinski -- after one season. Mike Pettine takes the helm after one season as defensive coordinator in Buffalo (and many years as Rex Ryan's defensive lieutenant before that) and brings Jim O'Niel with him as defensive coordinator. On offense, the Browns jettison Norv Turner in favor of Kyle Shanahan -- which means a change in offensive philosophy from the Air Coryell camp to a West Coast offense.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 9 -- @Detroit 7:30 pm
- Aug 18 -- @Washington 8:00 pm
- Aug 23 -- St. Louis 8:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- Chicago 8:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Kyle Shanahan's offense -- Shanahan has evolved his play-calling over the years to combine concepts-based passing with the core tenets of the West Coast offense. He also favors the same (successful) zone-blocking ground game made famous by his father in Denver. Browns fans should take heart in the fact Shanahan's offenses have finished in the top 10 in four of six seasons.
- Johnny Manziel vs. Brian Hoyer -- Manziel is the splashy acquisition, the larger than life personality that Browns fans are desperate to see lead their team back to prominence. Hoyer is the quiet workman-like signal caller who looked the part briefly in 2013 before tearing his ACL. It's hard to imagine Manziel sitting on the bench throughout the season, but the coaches may prefer Hoyer to open the year for many reasons; not the least of which is keeping Manziel-Mania in check.
- Josh Gordon's status -- By now Josh Gordon's violation of the league's substance abuse policy is well known, but what's less clear is the length of his suspension. Fantasy owners seem prepared for a year-long suspension, and the Browns front office has done nothing to hint at a more optimistic outcome. If Gordon's suspension is shorter than expected, expect his fantasy ADP to skyrocket considering he was the league's best receiver in 2013.
- Who starts at receiver? -- Josh Gordon is irreplaceable yet the Browns need to field a starting receiver tandem. Andrew Hawkins comes over from rival Cincinnati but seems best suited for a slot role. Miles Austin is vying to reclaim significance after several forgettable seasons in Dallas. Nate Burleson is past his prime, but can't be discounted in this crop of also-rans.
- Ben Tate vs. The Field -- When Ben Tate signed in Cleveland the initial reaction was to vault Tate into the fantasy RB2 tier under the premise he would be the workhorse in a run-heavy offense. Yet Tate's injury history, combined with the Browns' decision to add rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, have many questioning whether the Browns will use a committee approach instead.
- Installing Pettine's complex, hybrid defense -- O’Niel and Pettine plan on bringing their penchant for multiple schemes to a defense that has added a ton of talent this offseason. The team will feature multiple fronts (i.e., 4-3, 3-4, 5-2) and the defensive backs will be expected to play both man and zone interchangeably.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers finished the season 8-8 for the second straight year, which would have most head coaches on the hot seat; but the Rooneys are old school and Mike Tomlin is probably not feeling the pressure as the team head back to St. Vincent College for training camp. 2013 was a tale of two seasons, with Pittsburgh starting the season 2-6 and then finishing the season 6-2. The Steelers head to camp with plenty of room for improvement on both sides of the ball. The offense (16th in points, 20th in yards) really has to improve a ground game that's become a non-factor (27th in yards, 29th in yards per attempt) while the defense -- usually the hallmark of the team -- was decidedly mediocre, too (14th in points allowed, 13th in yards allowed).
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 9 -- @N.Y. Giants 7:30 pm
- Aug 16 -- Buffalo 7:30 pm
- Aug 21 -- @Philadelphia 7:30 pm
- Aug 28 -- Carolina 7:30 pm
What We're Watching
- Is the no-huddle the answer? -- Ben Roethlisberger and OC Todd Haley have had their difficulties finding common ground, yet the team seemed to find a new lease on life in the second half of 2013. One of the major changes was Haley's willingness to use the no-huddle and allow Roethlisberger more freedom to adjust at the line. There's reason to believe the team will get off to a more productive offensive start this year.
- Is Le'Veon Bell's low yards-per-rush a concern? -- Bell notched 1,259 yards and 8 touchdowns in 13 games last year on his way to a RB14 fantasy finish. Yet his critics note the meager 3.5 yards per rush average and wonder if Bell needs volume to be productive. Yet we have to remember Bell missed the first three weeks with a foot injury and played through pain in the early weeks of his return. As long as Bell is a steady participant in training camp, fantasy owners are going to give him the benefit of the doubt on draft day.
- Martavis Bryant vs. Markus Wheaton -- Emmanuel Sanders wasn't an ideal replacement for Mike Wallace last year, and now the Steelers are again looking for someone to line up opposite Antonio Brown (who has emerged as one of the league's best). The top candidates are 2nd year Markus Wheaton and rookie Martavis Bryant. Both have eye-popping athleticism but have yet to produce at the NFL level. Whoever wins the starting job is going to be a compelling fantasy sleeper given the Steelers pass-happy attack.
- Right tackle battle: Adams vs. Gilbert -- Kelvin Beachum displaced Mike Adams at left tackle, and now Adams will compete against Marcus Gilbert for the right tackle job. While neither Adams nor Gilbert are elite talents, it speaks well of the Steelers line (after several down seasons) that one of these two players will end up the swing tackle.