All four AFC Central Division teams have won titles in the last five years. No other division can boast such balance, yet this is not a realistic indication of its strength. The Browns haven’t seen .500 since 1989. The Oilers are in eclipse without Warren Moon. The Bengals are candidates for the No. 1 draft pick for the second year in a row.
That leaves the Steelers, who couldn’t beat the Oilers last year.
If running back Barry Foster is fully recovered from a nagging ankle injury that ruined his 1993 season, the Steelers are strong contenders not only in their division but for the conference title as well. It took Joe Montana’s heroics to oust them from the playoffs last year in overtime despite their 9-7 record and Foster’s injury.
Not only did the defending champion Oilers trade away Moon and lose defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, they lost most of their defensive front along with most expectations they will make the playoffs for the eighth year in a row.
The pressure is on in Cleveland, where coach Bill Belichick is due for a winner after three years of rebuilding.
The only pressure in Cincinnati likely will come from rookie pass rusher Dan Wilkinson, the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Coach Bill Cowher has the power to gain home-field advantage and make a run at the Super Bowl. Foster is backed up by impressive rookie Bam Morris, and the addition of No. 1 rookie Charles Johnson appears to have turned the receiving corps into a threat.
Quarterback Neil O’Donnell is good enough to win it all, provided he has the running game behind him. The offensive line is solid even without troubled guard Carlton Haselrig. Tight end Eric Green, unsigned through training camp, is a key.
The Steelers were seventh in the league on offense and even better on defense, finishing third with a unit that boasts the MVP, cornerback Rod Woodson. End Ray Seals from Tampa Bay is supposed to bolster a defensive line that is only average, but the linebacking, led by Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene, is outstanding.
Special-teams breakdowns cost the Steelers dearly last year, so they fired their special-teams coach. If that’s the only thing keeping the Steelers from a Super Bowl, they have fewer problems than most.
Cleveland Browns: After three years of losing, Belichick is still relying on old Giants. His linebacking is now in the hands of Pepper Johnson and Carl Banks. An old Brown, running back Earnest Byner, has been welcomed back.
If they are to win, of course, it will be the defense that does it, not quarterback Vinny Testaverde. There is plenty of talent on defense, starting up front with unsung performers such as Rob Burnett and Anthony Pleasant, potential performers like Dan Footman and Bill Johnson and proven performer Michael Dean Perry. Safeties Eric Turner and Stevon Moore are a good duo flanked by new corners Don Griffin of the 49ers and No. 1 rookie Antonio Langham.
Testaverde’s job is to keep out of trouble, formidable enough considering his track record. If Eric Metcalf is turned loose, all should be well.
After last year’s bizarre midseason sendoff of civic celebrity Bernie Kosar with the team 5-3, the Browns finished 2-6, scoring more than two touchdowns only once. Derrick Alexander, another first-round pick, could help.
A failure to improve will signal owner Art Modell that it’s time to create some excitement in an excitable town.
Houston Oilers: Cody Carlson has waited eight years for this moment, longer than even the most patient of suitors. Now, Houston is likely to shrug and think, “Is that all there is?”
Gone with Moon are several other stars, such as rush men Sean Jones and William Fuller, guard Mike Munchak and linebacker Wilber Marshall. The Oilers have added an offensive coach, Dick Coury, to help (protect?) Kevin Gilbride and a tight end, Pat Carter, to provide a change of pace from the run-and-shoot. Ex-Ram Carter has looked good in an offense that might take better advantage of running-back find Gary Brown.
Ex-Bear Jeff Fisher has taken over the defense from his former guru, Ryan, who had more weapons. Tackle Ray Childress remains, surrounded by strangers. Micheal Barrow is an emerging force at linebacker, and the secondary, led by cornerback Cris Dishman, is outstanding.
Carlson still has Haywood Jeffires, Ernest Givins and Webster Slaughter as targets, but it’s difficult to imagine anything being the same.
Cincinnati Bengals: Coach David Shula brought in quality help in offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet from the Jets and defensive coordinator Larry Peccatiello from the Redskins, but will coaching be enough?
Quarterback David Klingler is a man on the spot. He appears to have some decent weapons in receiver Carl Pickens and running back Harold Green, but Green averaged only 2.7 yards a carry last year. This would point to problems on the offensive line, where injury has forced change all summer.
Wilkinson should stabilize the defensive line, where last year’s No. 1, John Copeland, will benefit most. Tim Krumrie, 34, is still playing, even though the Bengals switched to a 4-3. Linebackers James Francis and Steve Tovar are good, and newcomer Louis Oliver from Miami must provide spark at safety.
