The Bengals took a step in the right direction in 2011. And if they play their cards right, they will have a very bright future. I'm glad that owner Mike Brown swallowed his pride and traded Carson Palmer for the Raiders' draft picks. I hope it hopes out for Cincinnati, as this could be the foundation of this decade. After all, remember when Mike Ditka traded away all of the New Orleans Saints picks to the Redskins to get Rickey Williams? Look how that worked out. The Redskins are still a horrible team and it took the Saints about 10 years to finally become a real championship contender. The Bengals have a great defense and what could be a very dangerous offense in time. What I'd like to see next? Continue cleaning house...and find a new running back who won't get himself arrested and suspended.
Detroit Lions:
Like the Bengals, the Lions took a step in the right direction. Matthew Stafford may not have been voted into the Pro Bowl, but he is already an elite quarterback in my mind. Calvin Johnson emerged as a top wide receiver and the defense looks very respectable. There's just a few issues to address. The main issue is running back. Kevin Smith looked great but his health may always be a concern. Once Javhid Best returns, both backs will be very valuable to Detroit. And to save on both their bodies, perhaps the Lions should consider adopting a New Orleans backfield and rotate their backs. It might take a New Orleans approach to challenge Green Bay in 2012.
Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons may have taken a step back. Things looked sketchy to me since their embarrassment in Chicago in Week 1 and things still looked bad last week against the Giants. On defense, their secondary needs work. On offense, I think it'd be consistency. When healthy and in the game, Roddy White and Julio Jones made a great double threat. And Harry Douglas could be thrown into the mix to make a triple threat. But now it's time to start thinking about replacements for Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner. Tony may have one more season left, and Turner is about to hit 30, an old man in running back terms. I wasn't overly impressed with Jacquizz Rodgers but I would have to see him get more carries in 2012 before I decide if he's starter worthy or not. The talent is there for Atlanta.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Health is what doomed the Steelers in Denver. One could just chalk it up to bad timing with Ben Roethlisberger's high ankle sprain, Rashard Mendenhall's torn ACL and Ryan Clark sitting out due to his health. There's not too much I see for the Steelers to do, unless they start thinking about grabbing younger players to this aging defense. Not to mention, fixing their offensive line. Maybe even think about a young workhorse to take over for Mendenhall.
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