AFC North Stuff, Things and Junk

Rookie minicamps are over.  Mandatory minicamps begin in roughly a month.

It’s time for a loose conglomeration of random links to articles about our beloved division! Yay!

Enjoy.

• Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is upset and feels a deal won’t get done anytime soon.

My Take: Get over it, Trey.  This is simply how the Bengals do business – shorting defense for offense.  You probably won’t get either a new deal or trade this season, so unless you’re prepared to sit out, just play out your contract and leave.  It’s what professionals do.

• Browns owner Jimmy Haslam really wants a new stadium, and is willing to go to bat with state officials to secure state funding.

My Take: I have never personally visited Huntington Bank Field, but I know the era it was built in well, as the rest of the AFC North also upgraded or built stadiums within five years of each other.  And none of the other teams are proposing a new stadium at this point.  Your call, Ohio taxpayers.

• The Ravens will face both of their playoff nemeses in the regular season this year.

My Take:  It wouldn’t surprise me – or anyone – if the Ravens sweep both games, then fall to either opponent in the playoffs…again.  Whatever gaudy numbers they’ll put up in the regular season are largely irrelevant, and the team surely knows it.

• In addition to moving WR George Pickens in trade, the Steelers made some other quiet moves this week.

My Take: Nothing exciting here except possibly the addition of Sermon, who’s a capable backup in what’s becoming a crowded RB room.

Next time…