FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

For today’s Tavern, we continue our division by division breakdown of each NFL team and what questions each team faces heading into next month’s draft.  Today: The AFC North.

Click HERE to read the breakdown on the NFC East.

Click HERE to read the breakdown on the AFC East.

AFC NORTH QUESTIONS BEFORE THE DRAFT

       BALTIMORE

1.    Who will replace the departed Bart Scott at the Will linebacker position?  Will it be Tavares Gooden, the third-round pick in ‘08? 

2.    Can the Ravens expect another year from Willie Anderson at right tackle? 

3.    In spite of all the fanfare and solid play of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, the Ravens’ passing game was lacking.  Will adding a playmaker help improve this area?  The Ravens ranked 25th in first downs through the air. 

4.    Can they repair the defensive line and add more youth in the rotation?  Kelly Gregg is coming off the injury and Trevor Pryce was not effective at the end of the year. 

5.    Can Orlando Pace solve the Ravens’ depth problems on their offensive line, and will he sign a reduced deal? They’re talking to Pace with some seriousness.

            CINCINNATI

1.    Can the offensive line show improvement and protect the passer?  Last year, the Bengals allowed 51 sacks and struggled to control the line of scrimmage. 

2.    Is Cedric Benson really the cure to their run game?  He averaged 3.6 yards per rush last season. Was he hindered by the lack of line play or his lack of burst and acceleration?

3.    Can anyone rush the passer?  The Bengals’ defense recorded only 17 sacks last season.   

4.    Can they get any production from the tight end position?  Reggie Kelly averaged 6.5 yards a catch last year and has seen better days as a full-time starter. 

5.    Will Carson Palmer be his 2005 self?  Or will he be the 2008 Carson Palmer?

            CLEVELAND

           

1.    Who will be the starting quarterback and is he already on the team?  Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson threw at a 50-percent completion rate and are not accurate.  Who can win the job, or will the Bengals draft a quarterback?

2.    Who can rush the passer?  The Browns lack speed at linebacker and lack the ability to get pressure on the passer.  Another team with just 17 sacks.

3.    Who can run at linebacker?  When the middle of your defense is slow, your defense looks slow.  The Browns lack speed at inside linebacker, and having Eric Barton doesn’t improve this area.   

4.    Another team for Hank Poteat (it’s good to have friends in high places), but the Browns still need a corner.  Do they have a corner who can cover man to man?

5.    Who will be the starting right tackle?  The Browns need one, and unless they sign John St. Clair, it will come from the draft. 

            PITTSBURGH

1.    Can they win again with poor offensive line play?  The Steelers won the Super Bowl in spite of their line, not because of it. 

2.    Who will replace Bryant McFadden as a versatile corner?  McFadden got better under Mike Tomlin.

3.    Six of the 11 starters on defense are older than 30.  Where will the depth come from at all levels of the defense?

4.    Who can handle the Nate Washington role?  He was an inconsistent catcher, but he served a great role clearing out the defense down the field. 

5.    Can anyone punt?  The Steelers overcame a lot to win the title, and they’ll need to find a new punter.