Numerous media outlets and blogs have been publishing their picks for the best of the AFC North so we figured we’d throw our list into the mix.
Here’s a few things to keep in mind as you read over the list:
We went with a 3-4 defense since that’s what the Steelers play.
We made our evaluations based more on what players have done than what we think they will do. Example: Santonio Holmes could have a better year than Hines Ward by a fair amount, but Hines is ahead of Holmes on our list because he’s proven to be a great WR and hasn’t dropped off much at all.
Honestly, picking some of the offensive lineman was like throwing darts onto a board of names. Email us if we messed up and left somebody good out.
Please now we’re obviously Steeler fans and you are reading this on a Steeler blog so that may or may not influence our choices.
If you have beef with any of our picks, hit up the comments.
Onto the team…
OFFENSE
QB – Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh)
Maybe we’ll catch flack for this, but it’s the easiest choice on the entire team. Carson Palmer had one good year and hasn’t won jack in the NFL. Roethlisberger is the winningest QB ever at this stage in his career. End of discussion.
RB – Willie Parker (Pittsburgh)
The AFC North, typically a power running division, is actually pretty running back deficient. When healthy, Parker is near elite RB status, which is more than an aging Jamal Lewis or a soon-to-be-benched Willis McGahee can say.
FB – Le’Ron McClain (Baltimore)
A good blocker who can play HB in a pinch.
WR – Derrick Mason (Baltimore)
He’s not the most athletic guy, but he’s smart and a great route runner. Mason is in great shape for his age and is one of the more underrated WRs in the game. Him coming back to Baltimore from his brief retirement is a big deal.
WR – Hines Ward (Pittsburgh)
Braylon Edwards is more athletic and Chad Ochocinco is flashier, but like Mason, Ward is dependable at all times, unlike Edwards or Ochocinco. A Ward/Mason WR combo would punish secondary after secondary.
NOTE: [Out of this whole article, this is the only part that we disagree on. Bam likes the reliability and consistency of Ward and Mason. On the other hand, Norm thinks one reliable wide-out is good enough. He think Chad Ochocino needs to be thrown in here because he thinks the only reason he had an off year last year was because there was no Carson.]
TE – Heath Miller (Pittsburgh)
Solid blocker, solid receiver. Money.
OT – Joe Thomas (Cleveland)
Possibly the best young, left tackle in the game today. Easy pick.
OG – Eric Steinbach (Cleveland)
One of the highest paid lineman in the NFL. He’s good, but definitely overpaid a bit. Him and Thomas should be the foundation of that offense.
C – Matt Birk (Baltimore)
Solid veteran who Baltimore can count on to anchor a young offensive line.
OG – Chris Kemoeatu (Pittsburgh)
He’s no Alan Faneca, but was one of the more consistent blockers on a Super Bowl winning team.
OT – Max Starks (Pittsburgh)
We’re open to discussion here. Good tackles are far and few in between in the AFC North. Thomas is great, but name another good left tackle (or right!) in the division? Cincinnati is looking for a replacement to Levi Jones and Baltimore is trying out rookie Michael Oher.
DEFENSE
DT – Haloti Ngata (Baltimore)
One of the best young, down lineman in football. Has been better than Casey Hampton for a couple years.
DE – Aaron Smith (Pittsburgh)
Possibly the most underrated player in the NFL. Could write a textbook on how to play 3-4 end.
DE – Terrell Suggs (Baltimore)
He deserves to be on here somewhere and with the talent of the linebackers in the divison, I’ll move him to defensive end so he can drive QBs nuts.
OLB – James Harrison (Pittsburgh)
Defensive MVP. Beast. Enough said.
OLB – Lamarr Woodley (Pittsburgh)
A bit raw still, but this guy played at a Pro Bowl level last season and will only get better.
ILB – James Farrior (Pittsburgh)
The heart and soul of Pittsburgh’s defense for a long time.
ILB – Ray Lewis (Baltimore)
The best middle linebacker I’ve seen play in my lifetime. He’s on a rival team and I’ve cursed his name many times, but I really do love watching Ray Lewis play football.
CB – Ike Taylor (Pittsburgh)
If he knew how to catch, he’d be one of the top CBs in the league. Still, he does a pretty nice job.
CB – Leon Hall (Cincinatti)
An up-and-comer with big play capability.
FS – Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh)
Easy choice A.
SS – Ed Reed (Baltimore)
Easy choice B. Probably would be the best safety combination ever to play together.
SPECIALISTS
K – Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh)
Has proved he can make big kicks during big moments. Reed has a lot more “clutch” experience than the other candidates.
P – Sam Koch
Dude has a huge leg.
Returner – Joshua Cribbs (Cleveland)
A favorite player of ours…probably because he played QB at Kent State.
