PITTSBURGH STEELERS (13-4)OPEN CAMP: July 26
Youth D.J. Humphries Jersey , Latrobe, PennsylvaniaLAST YEAR: Steelers won second straight AFC North title and third in four years as "Killer Bs" trio
of QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Antonio Brown and RB Le'Veon Bell received plenty
of help from rookie WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and defense that gave up big plays
but also led NFL with 57 sacks. Still, Steelers had trouble when pushed by
quality teams. They let second-half lead get away at home against New England,
loss that cost them home-field advantage in playoffs. And they couldn't find way
to beat Jacksonville, which won at Heinz Field not once but twice, including
divisional playoff upset in which seemingly offensively challenged Jaguars put
up 45 points.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: S Morgan Burnett, LB Jon Bostic, rookie S
Terrell Edmunds, rookie WR James Washington, rookie QB Mason Rudolph.IMPORTANT
LOSSES: Offensive coordinator Todd Haley, defensive backs coach Carnell Lake, WR
Martavis Bryant, S Mike Mitchell, CB William Gay, S, Robert Golden, LB Arthur
Moats.CAMP NEEDS: Steelers promoted longtime QB coach Randy Fichtner to take
over play-calling duties after Haley's successful if occasionally turbulent
six-year stint ended in January. Fichtner doesn't expect to give offense massive
overhaul, though he will be forced to experiment during camp at running back
with Bell unlikely to show while he waits to sign one-year franchise tender. One
year after finding potential star in Smith-Schuster, Steelers hope they've done
it again with Washington after record-setting career at Oklahoma State. Race to
fill injured inside linebacker Ryan Shazier's spot is wide open, with Bostic and
Tyler Matakevich getting first crack at lining up next to Vince Williams.
Secondary is also being overhauled with Mitchell, Golden and Gay
gone.EXPECTATIONS: Steelers once again expected to be class of AFC North. While
Roethlisberger thinks he can play another handful of seasons, Pittsburgh's
window could be closing faster than he anticipated. Front office failed to reach
long-term agreement with Bell, meaning this will likely be his final season in
Pittsburgh. Steelers have proven they can be productive without him
Womens Christian Kirk Jersey , but elite? That's tough sell, putting onus on them to get it done this season. Better play in secondary would help. So
would some consistency at outside linebacker, where Bud Dupree remains enigma as
he enters fourth season.BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-7)OPEN CAMP: July 18, Owings Mills,
MarylandLAST YEAR: Ravens missed playoffs for third straight season, falling to
Cincinnati in finale when victory would have earned Baltimore playoff berth.
Though Ravens posted winning record for first time since 2014, disappointing
finish was takeaway from season in which quarterback Joe Flacco struggled and
defense played well in spurts. Telling statistic from 2017: Flacco averaged 5.7
yards per attempt, more than half-yard less than his previous low for single
season.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: QB Lamar Jackson, WR Michael Crabtree, WR Willie
Snead, TE Hayden Hurst, QB Robert Griffin III, WR John Brown.IMPORTANT LOSSES:
WR Jeremy Maclin, WR Mike Wallace, RB Danny Woodhead, CB Lardarius Webb, WR
Michael Campanaro, defensive coordinator Dean Pees.CAMP NEEDS: Ravens need to
solidify offensive line, because heavy-footed Flacco will need time in pocket to
be effective. Team will determine its starting center in camp, and can only hope
rookie tackle Orlando Brown can shore up right side of line. Best lineman on
team, guard Marshal Yanda, participated in only two games last year, so depth at
that position is must.EXPECTATIONS: Ravens hope busy offseason will help get
them back into playoffs and make some noise in January. General manager Ozzie
Newsome, who will step aside after season
Womens Chandler Jones Jersey , worked hard to get Flacco variety of targets — most notably Crabtree and Snead. New defensive coordinator Don
Martindale promises more aggressive scheme and return to day when Ravens'
defense was nasty and effective. It's uncertain how nimble QB Jackson will blend
into mix, but Ravens spent good deal of time at minicamp finding ways to get him
on field.CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-9)OPEN CAMP: July 26, Paul Brown StadiumLAST
YEAR: Missed playoffs for second straight season. Coach Marvin Lewis got
two-year contract extension despite 0-7 playoff mark, worst in NFL history. He's
entering 16th season with Bengals, who have yet to win playoff game since 1990
season, longest active postseason drought in NFL and sixth longest in league
history. Bill Lazor was promoted to interim offensive coordinator two games into
season and retains role, given freedom to overhaul unit that finished last in
yards. Teryl Austin was hired as defensive coordinator, replacing Paul Guenther,
who joined Jon Gruden with Raiders.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Lazor, LT Cordy Glenn, C
Billy Price, QB Matt Barkley, LB Preston Brown.IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB Vontaze
Burfict (suspended for first four games for violating NFL's policy on
performance enhancers), QB AJ McCarron, C Russell Bodine, CB Adam "Pacman"
Jones, RB Jeremy Hill.CAMP NEEDS: Getting adjusted to Lazor's overhauled offense
and getting new pieces in place on line are overriding concerns. Austin is
expected to stay with similar defense, but there will be competition for spots
in line rotation. Once again, Bengals will spend preseason planning for
Burfict's absence — third straight season he's been suspended by league. Bengals
took gamble and signed TE Tyler Eifert to one-year deal loaded with incentives,
hoping he can add to group that was subpar last season, but he was hurt again
for training camp.EXPECTATIONS: Two straight losing seasons led to significant
drop in attendance at Paul Brown Stadium and reduced expectations for a team in
decline. Bengals will have slightly different look with new coordinators, but
overall direction won't change much. If offensive line isn't significantly
better, redesigned playbook won't much matter. By keeping Lewis for 16th season
despite lack of playoff win, owner Mike Brown gave fans little reason to think
things will be different. Brown would rather stay with coach and coaching
philosophy that are familiar.CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-16)OPEN CAMP: July
26
Womens David Johnson Jersey , Berea, OhioLAST YEAR: Browns hit new low — and that's saying something — by joining 2008 Detroit Lions in infamy as only
teams to go winless in 16-game schedule. Nothing went right. Decision to start
rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer backfired as he led NFL with 22 interceptions.
Browns were better than their record but consistently found way to lose. Team
suffered huge blow when perennial Pro Bowl offensive tackle Joe Thomas tore
triceps in Week 7 and missed remainder of season. General manager Sashi Brown
was fired in December.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: GM John Dorsey, offensive coordinator
Todd Haley, QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Jarvis Landry, rookie QB Baker Mayfield, LB
Mychal Kendricks, QB Drew Stanton, RB Carlos Hyde, DB Damarious Randall, rookie
CB Denzel Ward, rookie RB Nick Chubb, rookie OL Austin Corbett.IMPORTANT LOSSES:
OT Joe Thomas, RB Isaiah Crowell, QB DeShone Kizer, DT Danny Shelton, CB James
McCourty, CB Jamar Taylor.CAMP NEEDS: Coach Hue Jackson has spent offseason
touting Taylor, who led Buffalo to playoffs last year, as Week 1 starter. But
things could change if No. 1 overall pick Mayfield shows he's ready. Plan is to
bring him along slowly, but when have things ever gone as planned for Browns?
Loss of Thomas leaves enormous hole that may take time to fill. RT Shon Coleman
will get first crack, but there are other options, including Greg Robinson,
former No. 2 overall pick by Rams who has been bust.EXPECTATIONS: Owners Jimmy
and Dee Haslam stuck with Jackson despite 1-31 record over two seasons. He's
lightened his load by turning offense over to Haley
Cheap Larry Fitzgerald Jersey , who spent past six seasons running Pittsburgh's high-powered attack. Taylor gives Browns seasoned, proven QB who
could stabilize position, but Jackson will feel heat to play Mayfield. Browns
will be under more national scrutiny as featured team for HBO's "Hard Knocks."
WR Josh Gordon has been on best behavior after years of suspensions. If he can
stay clean and play alongside Landry, Browns could have one of league's most
potent passing games. DE Myles Garrett had solid rookie season, looking to have
monster second year.Bird Droppings: Arizona Cardinals Red and White Practice,
A.Q. Shipley leaves injured, turnout and more Happy Sunday one and all, hope
your weekend has been a good one.The Arizona Cardinals are coming off their
annual Red and White Practice and there is plenty of news coming out o it, so
let’s not waste any time and get right to it.Some Real McCoy Should Help
Cardinals’ Offensive LineOffensive coordinator's new system benefits the pass
protectorsCardinals Use Red And White Practice To Aid Fallen OfficerTeams joins
with 100 Club of Arizona to help family of Tyler EdenhoferConcern For A.Q
Shipley After He Leaves Red And White PracticeDurable center carted to locker
roomAndre Smith's challenge and Bucannon day-to-day#CardsCamp Highlights - Red
& WhiteCatch the top plays from thePost Practice Quick Hits - Red &
White ReaxMike Jurecki and Craig Grialou give you their reactions to the Red
& White Practice at #CardsCamp.NFL, Cardinals countdown: No. 36 MacArthur
LaneHe was a Pro Bowl running back in 1970, played four seasons with the St.
Louis Cardinals and had an 11-year NFL career.WATCH: Larry Fitzgerald has great
recall of his past TD catches | Cards WireNdamukong Suh wants to hit AZ
Cardinals QB Sam Bradford hard“Whether it was when we were rookies when he was
in St. Louis, or when he was any other place. I’ve always looked forward to
going against him.”AZ Cardinals: 3 3rd-year players Steve Wilks wants to step
upRobert Nkemdiche, Brandon Williams and Evan Boehm are in critical stages of
their career.Andre Smith responds to Steve Wilks’ challenge, shows up in shapeHe
began the offseason overweight, out of shape, said Steve Wilks.AZ Cardinals
starting center A.Q. Shipley leaves practice with injuryHe limped off the field
with some leg injury and was carted to the locker room.Arizona Cardinals
training camp: 8 things to know from SaturdayWe catch you up with what you might
have missed if you were not in attendance to the Red and White practice.Patrick
Peterson: 'In position to flourish' in Cardinals' new defense - Arizona
Cardinals Blog- ESPNOpponents have avoided Patrick Peterson, who is eager 'to
get back on the stat sheet' in 2018.A.Q. Shipley of Arizona Cardinals carted to
locker room with injuryA.Q. Shipley was able to walk off the field on his own
but after a brief time in an examination tent was taken to the locker room on a
cart, a towel draped over his head.Pro Football Focus ranks Cardinals defensive
line in bottom halfPro Football Focus has the Cardinals going into the 2018
season having the No. 23 ranked run defense. It also ranks the Cardinals 20th in
pass rush.Rams' Suh: 'I always mark the calendar' for Cards' Sam BradfordEven
eight years later, Rams defense back Ndamukong Suh looks forward to playing
against the player picked before him in the 2010 NFL Draft, Sam
Bradford.Cardinals camp notebook: AQ Shipley carted off field with injuryRookie
running back Chase Edmonds wowed the crowd, while center A.Q. Shipley was carted
off with an injury during the Arizona Cardinals' Red and White practice on
Saturday.
