AFC East
This AFC North look is the second of our division-by-division breakdowns of the training-camp battles for all 32 teams:
Baltimore Ravens
Kyle Boller vs. Troy Smith vs. Joe Flacco, quarterback
When Steve McNair suddenly retired, it left the Ravens in a scramble to find a starter. Boller has experience starting, but has he ever showed enough to warrant another chance? Smith has raw ability and has impressed the coaches, but he's on the small side. The Ravens craved Flacco enough to trade back into the first round to get him in April. They love his arm.
Edge: Boller. He's done it before.
Opening day starter: Boller. But he will have a short leash. Smith will push him hard and the Ravens coaches liked what they saw from him during the offseason.
Cincinnati Bengals
Marvin White vs. Dexter Jackson vs. Chinedum Ndukwe, safety
Two of these three will start. Jackson is the veteran of the group, a former Super Bowl MVP with Tampa Bay, but the Bengals love the youth with White and Ndukwe. Both played well as rookies last year. Both are big hitters. Jackson gets by on his smarts and range.
Edge: Hard to say.
Opening day starters: White and Ndukwe. You can never have enough youth on defense.
Cleveland Browns
Andra Davis vs. Leon Williams, inside linebacker
Both Davis and Williams saw quality time last year, but only one can start. Davis has been the starter the past four seasons and has been underrated. But Williams is more athletic.
Edge: Davis. He's got the experience.
Opening day starter: Williams. It will be hard to keep his athletic ability on the bench.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Lawrence Timmons vs. Larry Foote, inside linebacker
Foote, the incumbent, complained during the offseason that the coaches wanted Timmons to take his job. There's one way to fix that: Outplay him. Foote is a good player, but Timmons has a chance to be a great one. He was an explosive player at outside linebacker at Florida State but didn't play much as a rookie last season.
Edge: Foote. It will be hard to get him off the field.
Opening day starter: Foote. He's steady, if not spectacular. Timmons might take it by the midway point, though.
