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From now until the start of training camps in late July, I will take some time off. This week will be one where I'll be leaving the blog in the capable hands of our editors, who will keep you informed with all the latest news. When I return, I wil...

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have competition at running back and outside linebacker this year, although I believe rookies Le'Veon Bell and Jarvis Jones will win those jobs. The most wide-open battle in Pittsburgh is in the return game. The releas...

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden told The Plain Dealer that he wasn't given any advance warning that the team was going to sign Brian Hoyer, and that he hasn't been told of Hoyer's role. "It's part of this business, and if you start wor...

ESPN's Jeffri Chadiha takes the stance that linebacker Rolando McClain made the "smart" move by announcing his retirement this week. "This is a man who needed many things to go right just to have a chance at success in Baltimore," Chadiha wrote. "...

For the past two weeks, the AFC North blog has ranked the positions in the division. Some positions were easy (running back was straightforward) and others were not (wide receiver and secondary were the toughest for me). To review all of the posit...

A look at key players for each AFC North team who are coming back from injuries: Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback Lardarius Webb. The Ravens need their top cornerback to return to his old form, especially with Cary Williams going to the Eagles in free...

By now, everyone knows the Cleveland Browns agreed on a two-year contract with quarterback Brian Hoyer. The question that remains is Hoyer's role. My take on Hoyer is he's a notch below backup quarterback Jason Campbell but probably better than mo...

While the other teams in the AFC North are preparing for minicamps next week, the Cleveland Browns have been busy on and off the field during their workouts this week. The Browns signed two players (see below) and welcomed guard Jason Pinkston back t...

Here are some highlights from our weekly AFC North chat ... Jesse [via mobile]: Is Antonio Brown a No. 1 receiver? Jamison Hensley (ESPN): There are different levels of No. 1 receivers in the league. Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green are 1A. Vincen...

This is a statement issued by linebacker Rolando McClain to explain why he decided to retire Wednesday: "Clearly, my decision to retire has raised some questions. Quite simply, I love football, but I have decided at this time it is in my best inte...

I know everyone was holding up their plans for the summer until the dates and kickoff times for the preseason games were finalized. All times are ET. So here you go: CINCINNATI BENGALS Thursday, Aug. 8: at Atlanta, 8 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Au...

Some good news from Browns minicamp Thursday: guard Jason Pinkston is back on the field. This marks the first participation for Pinkston since he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung on Oct. 19. He was cleared medically last month, but he s...

The AFC North is finishing up the position ranks today, and I will have a wrap-up on all of the rankings Friday. Let's look at special teams, and the rankings are based on specialists and not coverage or return units as a whole. 1. Baltimore Raven...

Cleveland Browns general manager Mike Lombardi recently spoke about the team's focus on building first-half leads. "If you can't effectively throw the ball, if you can't get the lead ... early in the game, if you can't rush the passer, then you're...

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam denied he had any knowledge of rebate fraud by his family-run truck-stop business. "Absolutely not. I will say absolutely not," Haslam said Thursday morning at a trucking company seminar, via The Plain Dealer. "I was not ...

The theme of Thursday's wake-up call is former players. Even though they're gone, they still generate interest. Other than the item on the Cincinnati Bengals, it's time to revisit some names no longer on an AFC North roster: RAVENS: The Baltimore ...