Time has been short, so rather than my typical blathering, I’ll leave you with a few pertinent AFC North links. Stay tuned for my season previews in a week or two.
Baltimore Ravens:
- QB Lamar Jackson and CB Marcus Peters returned to practice Monday. With Jackson’s mobility as the defining staple of his game, the Ravens will go as far as his soft-tissue groin injury will take them.
- The team appears to be moving on from recently-released S Earl Thomas. Interesting to note little emotion on the part of the team, which may indicate what Thomas’ status in the locker room actually was.
Cleveland Browns:
- Head coach Kevin Stefanski’s sample accounted for one of the 77 league-wide false-positive COVID-19 tests revealed this weekend. This sort of massive testing blunder could severely damage rosters if it continues.
- Rookie OT Jedrick Wills is progressing, but will face his stiffest tests against premier pass rusher Myles Garrett. That ought to get him up to speed in a hurry…or ruin him emotionally.
Cincinnati Bengals:
- 2018 seventh-round WR Auden Tate has been turning heads in camp. Of course, Tate has had extended opportunities due to injuries to starting WRs A.J. Green and John Ross, so his roster status remains in question after those two return.
- The Bengals have been impressed with a number of camp participants. Here’s a few, and why they’re doing well.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
- The Steelers hope to improve on their 31st-ranked passing attack in 2019, and new TE Eric Ebron should help. Let’s be honest – ANY addition at TE would’ve helped, considering the marked lack of production there last season.
- SteelerWire asks: Is Mason Rudolph the Steelers’ QB of the future? I ask: Are you kidding? Unless Rudolph shows some degree of pocket presence or a much more defined ability to push the ball downfield, the answer would appear to be a resounding “no”.
Enjoy the week!
Big Dick Wayne
Eat it.