NFL team reports: AFC North breakout players

BALTIMORE RAVENS
FS Tom Zbikowski(notes). He has been filling in for Pro Bowl S Ed Reed(notes), but this kid won’t go easy when Reed comes back from his hip injury. Zbikowski hits a ton and is fearless. He lacks great speed but is a good tackler and can hang around the line on early downs to stuff the run. Zbikowski is tough and hard-nosed. He has the discipline Reed lacks.

CB Lardarius Webb(notes). He’ll miss time because of offseason knee surgery, but he’ll play well when he returns. Webb has good nfl throwback jerseys
speed and can close well. He might be the team’s only cornerback who can play bump-and-run coverage. Webb has great athletic talent and an outstanding vertical leap. He’ll have a good season this year and a great one in 2011. Yes, he is that good.

RG Marshal Yanda(notes). There is nothing pretty about Yanda, but he has brute strength and great explosion off the ball. He runs well, can trap block and can make blocks into the second level. He gets good position, a must because of his short arms. Yanda is a throwback to the old days. He plays with a rugged, kick-butt style.
CINCINNATI BENAGLS
OLB Michael Johnson. He has a chance to become a double-digit sack artist because of his enormous talent. Johnson is blessed with size, speed, range and the versatility to play linebacker, end or tackle. He has improved his upper-body strength and kept his explosive first step. He uses his long arms to get separation and his speed to pressure the QB.

RB/KR Bernard Scott(notes). He gained 892 all-purpose yards as a rookie but is eager to play a bigger role. Scott’s speed, quickness and acceleration make him a dangerous weapon in the open field because he’s able to make defenders miss. There are durability concerns because of his lack of size, but he is an ideal change-of-pace back.
WLB Keith Rivers(notes). He was solid in 2009, generating 101 tackles to go with one sack, one interception and two pass breakups. Now, he wants to be spectacular. In order for this big, fast, rugged defender to make a bigger impact, he must trust his instincts and quit worrying about being so precise. —Chick Ludwig
CLEVELAND BROWNS
C Alex Mack(notes). A 2009 first-round pick, he went through the usual rookie struggles but held up through 16 starts and gained valuable experience. Given his own diligent offseason work and his new union with veteran QB Jake Delhomme(notes), his expected climb to elite status figures to authentic nfl jerseys
accelerate. Mack has been a key to the offense’s strong showing in preseason games.

RB Jerome Harrison(notes). Under Romeo Crennel, Harrison never saw the field enough to do more than show periodic bursts of electricity. In his first year under Eric Mangini, there was little choice but to play him after Jamal Lewis(notes) went on I.R. Now, coming off a 561-yard explosion in his last three games, and with Lewis gone, this compact back should have a solid shot at breaking 1,000.

CB Eric Wright(notes). He has displayed signs of greatness but has been stuck in secondaries with too many holes. Now, with veteran CB Sheldon Brown(notes) and rookie CB Joe Haden(notes) added, Wright has a supporting cast that should help him thrive. Wright has three vital ingredients: Speed, confidence and experience. —Steve Doerschuk
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
WR Mike Wallace(notes). He had a surprisingly productive rookie season, catching 39 passes with six touchdowns and averaging a team-best 19.6 yards per catch. With the departure of Santonio Holmes(notes), Wallace will start at split end—the team’s catch-and-run position—and be more responsible for big-play possibilities.
ILB Lawrence Timmons(notes). His first year as a starter was plagued by two high ankle injuries that robbed him of explosiveness and affected his production. But Timmons is “ridiculously talented,” in coach Mike Tomlin’s words, and has the speed and closing ability to be a disruptive player. He was the team’s best player in camp, a Pro Bowl player waiting to happen.
DE Ziggy Hood(notes). Last year’s first-round pick nfl jersey authentic
should play more all along the line this year. Hood is quick and strong and can play all three positions, including nose tackle. Hood will not start in 2010, but the coaches want to use him more to spell DEs Aaron Smith(notes) and Brett Keisel(notes). —Gerry Dulac