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[Davicster]

Bengals looking to add missing pieces

Scouts Inc.

Scouts Inc. has evaluated the team needs for all 32 NFL teams. Here's a breakdown of the AFC North.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The contract WR Hines Ward signed during the season not only tied up the Steelers' most intriguing unrestricted free agent, but also set the bar for the team's other free agents. None of those players are in Ward's class, but several will command plenty of attention on the open market. Because the front office judiciously chooses which players to keep and rarely overpays, Pittsburgh is always in good salary-cap shape. However, the team will pay for the right guy. The big question is how many of the free agents will be willing to accept less money to stay in Pittsburgh.

Bettis

Running back: With Jerome Bettis headed for retirement and Duce Staley being a possible salary-cap casualty, Willie Parker and Verron Haynes might be asked to carry the load. As a result, Pittsburgh will need a big, physical interior runner to complement Parker. Keeping Staley would diminish this need.

Wide receiver: Ward is an excellent No. 1 receiver, but the Steelers lack a quality No. 2. Antwaan Randle El and Cedrick Wilson are good, versatile players, but both fit better as slot receivers, or working in three- and four-receiver sets. Adding a legitimate starter here would turn this group into one of the league's deepest.

Center: He has been a great player, but starter Jeff Hartings, 34, is showing more health and durability problems. Backup Chukky Okobi doesn't seem to have the potential to start in the future. The team needs to bring in a player who can challenge Hartings by 2007, preferably someone who can also play guard.

Defensive end: Starter Kimo von Oelhoffen and Aaron Smith are stud 3-4 ends, but can't go on forever. Von Oelhoffen is 35, and depth at this position is shaky. A young, physical run stuffer and inside penetrator who can be groomed quickly would be ideal.

Hope

Free safety: Starter Chris Hope has been solid and is a nice complement to SS Troy Polamalu, but the Steelers have little depth behind him. Backups Tyrone Carter and Mike Logan aren't playmakers, or even serviceable starters. Pittsburgh could use an athletic, developmental free safety who can back up Hope and dominate on special teams.

The Steelers have at least five unrestricted free agents they would like to re-sign, but the organization won't overextend itself to keep them. Randle El, Hope, von Oelhoffen, DE Brett Keisel and CB Deshea Townsend all are solid contributors and valuable locker room guys. As good as this team is, an offseason of free-agent losses could drastically deplete its depth. Pittsburgh probably will concentrate on keeping its own guys, restructure some contracts and avoid jumping head-first into the free-agent market.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati has done a good job of tying up key players to long-term contracts. That means the team has plenty of money to spend and no need to panic. All of the Bengals' unrestricted free agents are solid -- but replaceable -- role players. The team's free-agent dollars likely will go toward the defense, particularly up front. They won't spend lavishly, but expect the Bengals to identify several key players and aggressively pursue them. The organization finally has enjoyed enough on-field success to attract free agents.

Thurman

Defensive tackle: Because Cincinnati's defense simply can't stop a powerful running game, the team desperately needs an interior clogger to occupy blockers and protect MLB Odell Thurman. Starter John Thornton works hard, but would be better suited to a No. 3 role in the rotation. A player who can attract double-team attention would be ideal.

Safety Starting SS Ifeanyi Ohalete misses too many tackles, and backup Anthony Mitchell is basically a special teams player. Both are free agents who likely won't return. The status of incumbent starters Kim Herring and Madieu Williams, who missed most of 2005 because of injuries, is up in the air. The Bengals need an athletic safety who can cover and tackle.

Tight end: As potent as Cincinnati's passing offense has been, it still lacks a playmaking tight end. Starter Reggie Kelly is a blocking specialist, and backups Matt Schobel and Tony Stewart are unrestricted free agents. None are difference makers. An effective pass catcher at the position could make the Bengals' offense virtually unstoppable.

Defensive end: It has been years since the team had a premier edge rusher capable of double-digit sack production. Duane Clemons and unrestricted free agent Carl Powell are slowing down, and Robert Geathers is mostly a run stopper. Justin Smith, the starter on the left side, is solid, but needs a bookend partner who can provide more big plays.

O'Neal

Cornerback: Starters Tory James and Deltha O'Neal are big-play ballhawks, but neither is a true shutdown corner. Backups Rashad Bauman, an unrestricted free agent, and Keiwan Ratliff aren't ideal starters. Cincinnati needs a speedy man-to-man cover corner who can play immediately in nickel packages and eventually replace James.

Given the fact that most of their stars are under contract and their unrestricted free agents are role players, the Bengals can afford to be big spenders this offseason. However, many of their free agents are valuable contributors on special teams. With QB Carson Palmer recovering from major knee surgery, re-signing backup QB Jon Kitna -- who wants a starting role -- suddenly becomes very important. Expect Cincinnati to be prudent in free agency, concentrating mostly on upgrading the middle of the defense.

Cleveland Browns

A year ago, Browns GM Phil Savage attacked free agency, adding several starters in his first year on the job. He still seems to be making the decisions, but a power struggle could stunt this club's growth. Cleveland's defense remains behind the offense and still is in the midst of a transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme. Expect the team to selectively fill holes, but a spending spree isn't likely. The Browns might focus on re-signing their own talent, but the franchise needs an epic offseason in free agency and the draft to make significant progress.

Nose tackle: All of Cleveland's NFC North rivals feature physical between-the-tackles rushing attacks, but the Browns lack an anchor in the middle. Ethan Kelley and Jason Fisk are hard workers, but both lack the size and power to stack at the point of attack. No position is more vital to the success of a 3-4 scheme.

Kenard Lang

Outside linebacker: In a 3-4 defense, the pressure must come from the outside linebacker position. The Browns turned in the league's worst pass-rushing output last season. Kenard Lang could be a salary-cap casualty, and Matt Stewart isn't an impact player. Chaun Thompson has upside because of his youth and speed. The team would love to find an explosive player to team with Thompson.

Offensive tackle: Left tackle is a problem spot. Starter L.J. Shelton likely will return, but he isn't quick enough to play on the edge. RT Ryan Tucker is in the twilight of his career, and the only interesting backup is Nat Dorsey, who has excellent size and strength. A starter on the left side with good pass-protection skills would help.

Defensive end In Cleveland's defense, the ends must be physical at the point of attack. Unrestricted free agent Orpheus Roye is a good player, but might be too expensive to keep. The other starter, Alvin McKinley, wears down and would be more effective in a rotation. Depth is shaky. A starter is needed, especially if Roye leaves.

Andruzzi

Guard: Both starters, Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman, have injury and durability issues. The team's top backup, Mike Pucillo, is an unrestricted free agent who probably will return. The Browns need a guard who is good enough to replace either Andruzzi or Coleman.

The health of two players will affect Cleveland's offseason personnel moves: TE Kellen Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards are playmakers who, if all goes well, should be ready for training camp. The team won't commit big money to him, but bringing back unrestricted free agent WR Antonio Bryant as insurance is important in light of the injuries. Re-signing Roye, who fits well in the 3-4, also is a priority. If the Browns don't draft on offensive tackle in the first round, they likely will bring back Shelton. This team desperately needs a strong draft and smart midlevel free-agent acquisitions.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore has some crucial choices to make this offseason. Most important, the team must decide what to do with RB Jamal Lewis, who is an unrestricted free agent. The Ravens could give him a new long-term contract, which is unlikely, or designate him their franchise player. Another option would be to let Lewis go and insert RB Chester Taylor as the starter. Baltimore has a lot of free agents -- several of whom the team would like to re-sign. The front office, which is dealing with a limited budget, must make astute decisions.

Brown

Right tackle: The team needs an immediate starter to key the run game. Orlando Brown is near the end and lacks athleticism. Tony Pashos has upside, but isn't consistent enough yet. In a perfect world, the Ravens bring in a starting right tackle and are able to groom backups Pashos and Adam Terry to eventually replace fading LT Jonathan Ogden.

Defensive tackle: Starter NT Maake Kemoeatu is an unrestricted free agent, and Kelly Gregg might be better off playing end in a 4-3. The Ravens need a big, physical guy who can eat up blockers and protect the linebackers, but is also quick enough to penetrate. This position is key to the 3-4 scheme.

Guard: LG Edwin Mulitalo is slowing down and has no obvious successor. Baltimore's run game requires a big, aggressive interior mauler. The team needs to add a player who can either start immediately, or back up Mulitalo for a year and take over in '07. Depth here is nonexistent.

Lewis

Inside linebacker: Aging Ray Lewis is coming off a season-ending leg injury. Younger inside linebackers Tommy Polley and Bart Scott did a nice job filling in last season, but both are unrestricted free agents. The Ravens probably will bring back one of the two, but they need a young bruiser to groom as Lewis' eventual replacement.

Running back: Jamal Lewis has a 2,000-yard season under his belt, but injuries and off-field concerns make franchising him a bit risky. The team could let Lewis walk and keep Taylor, also an unrestricted free agent, but Taylor lacks the size of an every-down back. Expect Baltimore to draft a young power back to groom behind Lewis or Taylor.

It won't be a shocker if the team says good-bye to Lewis and re-signs the younger, cheaper Taylor. Another problem spot is inside linebacker, where the Ravens must choose between unrestricted free agents Polley and Scott (bet on Scott). DE Anthony Weaver and DT Kemoeatu are priorities (at the right price), but the rest of the team's free agents are expendable. The front office must improve the middle of the defense and upgrade the aging offensive line. And if those issues weren't enough, there is the quarterback dilemma: Is QB Kyle Boller the solution? Many tough decisions, and not much money to spend.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider.

[andybren]

However, many of their free agents are valuable contributors on special teams.

Good point. But then most of them won't be tempted away with competing offers. QB is the only real question mark.

[HairOnFire]

Pittsburgh probably will concentrate on keeping its own guys, restructure some contracts and avoid jumping head-first into the free-agent market.

Sounds familiar. Seems successful. So I wonder if the plaid shirt wearing fat fans of Pittsburgh complain as much about what there team doesn't do in free agency as so many Bengal fans do.

We're weird.

[BengalsMan3203]

Are we AFC, not NFC?

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

"Defensive end: It has been years since the team had a premier edge rusher capable of double-digit sack production. Duane Clemons and unrestricted free agent Carl Powell are slowing down, and Robert Geathers is mostly a run stopper. Justin Smith, the starter on the left side, is solid, but needs a bookend partner who can provide more big plays."

Geathers is mostly a run stopper? Since when? He had a horrible year this year, but last year he was used as a pass rusher and did pretty well. For some reason, they moved him inside a lot this year which I found odd.

[derekshank]

no offense to Geathers... but if we can get Tamba Hali from Penn State, we have to pull the trigger in the first round. I heard Mel Kiper talking about Ngata taking off plays, and saying that it wasn't a big deal, because all d-linemen have to do it in college to pace themselves.

He said Dwight Freeney was one of the only linemen he could remember that gave full effort every play without wearing down... and then said, "and Tamba Hali does it too."

Everyone said Freeney couldn't do it because of his size... and people are saying the same thing about Hali... but if we can get a Freeney quality player to play the end for us... we have to get it done.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I think safety and DT are far more important than DE for round one.

[derekshank]

I think safety and DT are far more important than DE for round one.

Well, I would hope that DT is addressed in FA. I'd agree that DT and SS are bigger needs... but when a big difference maker is there in the 1st round, you have to take him... especially when DE is still considered a need... even if not as urgent.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I think safety and DT are far more important than DE for round one.

Well, I would hope that DT is addressed in FA. I'd agree that DT and SS are bigger needs... but when a big difference maker is there in the 1st round, you have to take him... especially when DE is still considered a need... even if not as urgent.

We are on the same page, but pending combine results, I think there will be difference makers at SS, DT, CB, TE, AND DE when we pick.

It's a deep draft this year.

[Spain]

Marvin said he is going after a big boy and a safety that can cover. We will have this done in FAs. Who are Marvins guys dont know. I would guess Maake would be the best big man. Arhuleta the best SS.

Oh geathers slides in when water boy rushes. Nbt.