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The Bengals and Browns have played bridesmaids to the Steelers and Ravens for an eternity.
Since 1991, the Browns have had only three winning seasons, the Bengals two. Things were so bad in Cleveland, the city lost its original team to Baltimore.
Tuesday's surprising Carson Palmer trade offers hope that the futures of both franchises might be changing.
In exchange for Palmer, the Bengals picked up a 2012 first-round pick and a second-rounder in 2013 that could become a first-rounder if the Raiders reach the AFC title game in either of the next two seasons. The Browns received five draft picks, including a first- and fourth-rounder in 2012, from the Falcons in the Julio Jones draft-day deal in April. The potential of five first-round picks going to these franchises in 2012 and 2013 offers hope that two or three years down the line, the power structure within the AFC North might change.
The rosters in Pittsburgh and Baltimore are getting older. The Steelers have eight defensive starters in their 30s. The Ravens' Ray Lewis and Ed Reed can't play forever, can they?
How the Bengals and Browns handle the next two drafts will determine the timetable for them to be on an even playing field with the Steelers and Ravens. The first order of business is seeing how quarterbacks Andy Dalton (Bengals) and Colt McCoy (Browns) stack up against Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers and Joe Flacco of the Ravens.
If Dalton and McCoy are good enough to compete, then those picks can be used to add playmakers around the quarterbacks. The Bengals have the edge over the Browns in that regard. Wide receiver A.J. Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham are exceptional young playmakers. The Bengals also hold a slight edge on defense, ranking second in yards allowed (278.5) under coordinator Mike Zimmer. The Browns, who switched to a 4-3, rank seventh (321.8 yards allowed).
There are some around the league who believe Dalton might become a star. For a rookie, he's exceptional managing the game and is completing 62.4 percent of his passes. McCoy has struggled in his second year and is completing only 55.8 percent this season.
The key is whether both have the arm strength to survive in November and December games in the open-air conditions of the four AFC North cities. The Steelers and Ravens thrive in those elements because Roethlisberger and Flacco can throw successfully in wind, rain and blustery conditions. To win in the AFC North, quarterbacks have to hit the sideline throws and fire deep completions.
But if the Bengals and Browns find out their quarterbacks are better suited for indoor stadiums, they still have the draft choice clout to find other solutions. Regardless, there has to be optimism about the futures of the Browns and Bengals.
The Bengals and Browns have played bridesmaids to the Steelers and Ravens for an eternity.
Since 1991, the Browns have had only three winning seasons, the Bengals two. Things were so bad in Cleveland, the city lost its original team to Baltimore.
Tuesday's surprising Carson Palmer trade offers hope that the futures of both franchises might be changing.
In exchange for Palmer, the Bengals picked up a 2012 first-round pick and a second-rounder in 2013 that could become a first-rounder if the Raiders reach the AFC title game in either of the next two seasons. The Browns received five draft picks, including a first- and fourth-rounder in 2012, from the Falcons in the Julio Jones draft-day deal in April. The potential of five first-round picks going to these franchises in 2012 and 2013 offers hope that two or three years down the line, the power structure within the AFC North might change.
The rosters in Pittsburgh and Baltimore are getting older. The Steelers have eight defensive starters in their 30s. The Ravens' Ray Lewis and Ed Reed can't play forever, can they?
How the Bengals and Browns handle the next two drafts will determine the timetable for them to be on an even playing field with the Steelers and Ravens. The first order of business is seeing how quarterbacks Andy Dalton (Bengals) and Colt McCoy (Browns) stack up against Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers and Joe Flacco of the Ravens.
If Dalton and McCoy are good enough to compete, then those picks can be used to add playmakers around the quarterbacks. The Bengals have the edge over the Browns in that regard. Wide receiver A.J. Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham are exceptional young playmakers. The Bengals also hold a slight edge on defense, ranking second in yards allowed (278.5) under coordinator Mike Zimmer. The Browns, who switched to a 4-3, rank seventh (321.8 yards allowed).
There are some around the league who believe Dalton might become a star. For a rookie, he's exceptional managing the game and is completing 62.4 percent of his passes. McCoy has struggled in his second year and is completing only 55.8 percent this season.
The key is whether both have the arm strength to survive in November and December games in the open-air conditions of the four AFC North cities. The Steelers and Ravens thrive in those elements because Roethlisberger and Flacco can throw successfully in wind, rain and blustery conditions. To win in the AFC North, quarterbacks have to hit the sideline throws and fire deep completions.
But if the Bengals and Browns find out their quarterbacks are better suited for indoor stadiums, they still have the draft choice clout to find other solutions. Regardless, there has to be optimism about the futures of the Browns and Bengals.
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