AFC North Future Bets

The AFC North is a tough division that has been ruled during recent years by two teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.  But ever few years the Bengals come in flexing their muscles like last year.  With a tough division like this, it is hard to pick the division winner.  One thing is normal though, it isn't always the favorite. 

AFC North Favorite

For the last 10 years, everyone has touted the Baltimore Raven's defense. Now people are crowning Joe Flacco as the next franchise quarterback. With a big play running back in Ray Rice and the addition of Anquan Boldin there is no shock to learn that the Ravens are the favorite to win the AFC North at -195. But Flacco does have issues when being hurried and the defense is old and hurt. Free safety Ed Reed is on the PUP list and out for the first 6 games of the season and Domonique Foxworth went down the other day for the season after tearing his ACL. Those question marks makes me weary to lay money on a team in such a physical and tough division.

AFC North Vaule Bet

Even before the Cincinnati Bengals signed Terrel Owens, they were a nice pick at +350. Cedric Benson rushed for over 1200 yard last season when teams stuffed the box with 8 players. Now that T.O. in on the team, teams will not be able to focus as much on the run and only Chad Ochocinco. The signing of T.O. brought the line down to +300. With a defense that ranked 4th in yards allowed last season, the Bengals are a great value bet to repeat as AFC North Champions.

Terrell Owens Signs $2M Deal with Cincinnati

The Terrell Owens saga ended yesterday evening with the announcement that he agreed to a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The deal will strengthen the passing attack for the team that won the AFC North last season.

Addition to Offense

The addition of T.O. gives quarterback Carson Palmer two explosive wide receivers. They already have a running game with Cedric Benson, but teams loaded the box last year while double teaming Chad "Johnson" Ochocincho. T.O. will give the team an improved aerial assault but will also give the running game more room.

T.O. Contract

T.O. signed a one year $2 million contract with the Bengals. He could earn a total of $4 million with incentives. There are six incentives in his contract each equaling around $330,000. This bonus money is performance based and will be paid when and if he:

1. Has 60 receptions
2. Has 100 receptions
3. Has 900 yards
4. Has 1300 yards
5. Has 10 touchdowns
6. Has 14 touchdowns

Chad and T.O. are good friends off the field, but it will be interesting to see if anything changes when T.O. is close to his incentives.

The Terrell Owens Market

Terrell Owens might be 36 years old, but he is still a talented wide receiver.  All of his antics are now costing him a job - or so it seems.  The wide receiver is one of the the highest profile free agents and no one has really been looking into his direction until recently.  Both the St. Louis Rams and Cincinnati Bengals have recently been talking with T.O.

St. Louis Rams Interest in Terrell Owens

This relationship has me scratching my head. T.O. can still help a team get over a hump to be a true contender. T.O. has said many times he wants to play for a contender. Also, the Rams have a rookie quarterback as the new face of a rebuilding franchise. The last thing this kid needs is a needy prima donna receiver yelling in his ear. This seems to be counterproductive for both T.O. and especially the Rams.

Cincinnati Bengals Terrell Owens Free Agent Signing

This makes more sense than the Rams. Though the players on the team have been the downfall in recent years, at least they know how to handle a receiver such as T.O. Also, T.O. and Carson Palmer have been working out together during the offseason. Having the duel threat in T.O. and Ochocincho would be deadly combination that could propel the team past the first round of the playoffs.

Cinciannati Team Report

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming into the 2010 NFL season as the reigning AFC North Champions.  They left the playoffs with a disappointing early exit.  The 2010 team should look a little different than the team that won the AFC North last season, and in a good way.

Offensive Report

The Bengals were busy retooling their offense in the offseason.  Larry Johnson jumping ship to the Redskins was really nothing with Cedrick Benson playing like a fulltime starter.  Benson averaged only 3.5 yards last season, but that was behind a crippled offensive line.

The main difference to the Bengal's offense is the overhaul of the wide receiving corp.  They still have front man and performer Chad Ochocinco but added Laveranues Coles.  This should increase the deep balls that Carson Palmer will be throwing this year.  Just wonder how happy Ochocinco will be while he loses touches. 

Defensive Report

Cincinnati is expected to blitz more this year.  Rey Maualuga is in his second year and Tank Johnson will add more power to the defensive line.  They are hoping that attention will be taken away from other defensive lineman Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom by safety Roy Williams. 

Cincinnati needs the blitz more.  There defense recorded only 17 sacks all season last year, which ranked 30th.