BALTIMORE RAVENS
2003: 10-6, first place; lost to Tennessee in wild-card playoff.
Coach: Brian Billick (6th year).
Key additions: CB Dale Carter; WR Kevin Johnson.
Key losses: WR Marcus Robinson; CB Tom Knight.
First-round pick: None.
Key issue: How’s this for upheaval? RB Jamal Lewis faces a Nov. 1 trial on drug charges. Would-be WR Terrell Owens complained his way to Philadelphia. CB Chris McAlister just showed up and wants a raise. DB Deion Sanders is making a comeback. QB Kyle Boller struggled last year, but savior Anthony Wright is out for the season. Meanwhile, the rest of the division has made off-season strides.
Playoff outlook: Very good.
–KRT, TRIBUNE
CINCINNATI BENGALS
2003: 8-8, second place.
Coach: Marvin Lewis (2nd year).
Key additions: OG Bobby Williams; LB Nate Webster; S Kim Herring; CB Deltha O’Neal; OL Larry Moore.
Key losses: RB Corey Dillon; CB Jeff Burris; FS Mark Roman; CB Artrelle Hawkins.
First-round pick: RB Chris Perry.
Key issue: Is quarterback Carson Palmer ready? Palmer, the top overall pick in 2003, sat on the bench last season as Jon Kitna had a career year. Coach Marvin Lewis will give Palmer plenty of freedom, and the former Southern California star should reward his coach’s confidence with a solid season.
Playoff outlook: Good. They still don’t have enough vs. the run. O’Neal helps pass coverage, but he’s hurt.
–KRT, TRIBUNE
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2003: 6-10, third place.
Coach: Bill Cowher (13th year).
Key additions: RB Duce Staley; CB Willie Williams; P Chris Gardocki.
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Key losses: LB Jason Gildon; CB Dewayne Washington; RB Amos Zereoue; TE Mark Bruener; FS Brent Alexander.
First-round pick: QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Key issue: Can the secondary hold up? Pittsburgh has a solid pair of safeties in Troy
Polamalu and Chris Hope. Cornerbacks Deshea Townsend and Chad Scott, along with second-round pick Ricardo Colclough, could determine whether the Steelers will be contenders.
Playoff outlook: Fair. Although it’s hard to imagine QB Tommy Maddox or Roethlisberger taking this team to the playoffs.
–KRT, TRIBUNE
CLEVELAND BROWNS
2003: 5-11, fourth place.
Coach: Butch Davis (4th year).
Key additions: QB Jeff Garcia; DE Ebenezer Ekuban; LB Warrick Holdman; DE Jamal Reynolds.
Key losses: QB Tim Couch; RB Jamel White; P Chris Gardocki.
First-round pick: TE Kellen Winslow.
Key issue: Signed after being jettisoned by San Francisco, quarterback Jeff Garcia is starting to show his age (34). Cleveland has less of a supporting cast than the 49ers. The offensive line is limited, which could force Garcia to spend more time running.
Playoff outlook: Poor to fair. They like RB Lee Suggs, but the defense will be tested in the opener when Raven Jamal Lewis tries for a third straight 200-yard day.
–KRT, TRIBUNE