Steelers Rivals Looking To Fill Holes Via Draft
AFC Central Foes Seek Defense First
By Jerry DiPaola

The Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens enter the last year of the AFC Central (before expansion and eventual realignment) with several curiously apparent holes on both sides of the ball. Picking last -- or close to it -- in each of the seven rounds won't provide a lot of immediate help, either.

The Ravens entered free agency with 29 players whose contracts had expired, including 14 who are unrestricted, and other key starters who are approaching the ends of their careers.

The biggest need was on the offensive line where right tackle Harry Swayne is 36. The Ravens will attempt to replace Swayne in free agency, but they also might take a look at Michigan tackle Jeff Backus in the first round of the draft.

The Ravens are like the Steelers in that they will carefully scrutinize the defensive tackles in the draft. Returning starters Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams are effective in keeping blockers away from the Ravens mobile linebackers. Middle linebacker Ray Lewis is one of the fiercest defenders in the NFL, but he is able to run free to the ball because Siragusa and Adams serve as shields for him.

But Siragusa will be 34 next season and he has creaky knees supporting his 340-pound frame. Adams, who is entering his eighth season, is occasionally difficult to motivate.

On offense, count on Ravens coach Brian Billick's ego getting the better of him and the team deviating slightly from the conservative attack that led it to a championship in Super Bowl XXXV. If so, the Ravens need another quality wide receiver to supplement Qadry Ismail and Travis Taylor.

After replacing quarterbacks Trent Dilfer and Tony Banks with Elvis Grbac and last year's No. 3 pick Chris Redman, the Ravens won't use a high-round pick to take a quarterback.

Here is a look at how the other Steelers rivals will address the draft:

TENNESSEE TITANS

The Titans are only one season removed from a Super Bowl berth, and they don't have a lot of desperate needs in the draft. But they will target a defensive end, wide receiver and cornerback.

After losing Kenny Holmes to the defending NFC champion New York Giants, defensive end becomes a top priority. It's an important position for the Titans because the end opposite Jevon Kearse must keep blockers occupied to free Kearse to rush the passer.

A bigger need, though, probably is wide receiver where brittle veterans Yancey Thigpen and Carl Pickens were released. Derrick Mason signed a five-year, $20 million contract to return to Nashville, but Kevin Dyson is coming off major knee surgery.

Also, count on the Titans to pick a cornerback, especially if some of the top ones -- Ohio State's Nate Clements, Wisconsin's Jamar Fletcher or Mississippi State's Fred Smoot -- slip to the 29th pick, as expected.

A lack of depth in the backfield, at tight end and on the offensive line is also a problem the Titans must fix. Pro Bowl guard Bruce Matthews, who hasn't missed a game since 1987, is entering his 19th season. Someday soon, the Titans must replace him.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

After cutting 15 veterans to get under the salary cap, the Jaguars have many needs to address in the draft. But they will concentrate on the offensive line and linebacker.

The team probably will do without four former starting offensive linemen, including ex-Steelers Leon Searcy and Brenden Stai and Todd Fordham and Jeff Smith.

If Florida offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker slips to the 13th pick, coach Tom Coughlin won't waste time in selecting him. Walker, 6-4, 310, is unique among young offensive linemen in that he is a polished pass blocker, coming from Florida coach Steve Spurrier's pass-first attack.

The Jaguars probably will take a linebacker with their second pick, and pluck a guard in the third round.

Don't be surprised if Coughlin chooses a punter with his final pick in the seventh round. Veteran Bryan Barker probably is moving on in free agency.

The real trick will come after the draft in trying to sign these guys. About a month ago, the Jaguars were only $149,000 under salary cap.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Bengals had an AFC-low 26 sacks last season, so it would be folly for the team to ignore the top defensive ends in this draft.

But they are scrambling to find able bodies to play offensive tackle after Rod Jones proved unworthy and former Steeler John Jackson, 36, was given a two-year contract.

Almost everyone who follows the draft would be shocked if the Bengals fail to draft Texas offensive tackle Leonard Davis. Davis, 6-foot-6, 365 pounds, combines size, strength and quickness better than any player in the draft. Interestingly, he is one of 20 children and his brother Charlie played defensive line for the Steelers in 1974.

New offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski has inserted several multiple-wide receiver sets in the attack, so the Bengals will look for a game-breaking pass catcher to combine with veteran Darnay Scott, who is coming back from a broken leg, and second-year players Peter Warrick, Ron Dugans and Danny Farmer.

The Bengals tried five different cornerbacks in the starting lineup last season, including rookies Mark Roman and Robert Bean, and seven in 1999. It's time to find a fixture at the position.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

If the Browns don't use most of their picks on offense, no one in a position of power is paying attention. After taking Tim Couch with the first pick two years ago, quarterback is the only position on offense that appears settled.

The Browns have used two No. 2 picks and a No. 3 on Kevin Johnson, Dennis Northcutt and JaJuan Dawson, but expect Michigan wide receiver David Terrell to join them as the third overall pick.

The Browns also need a running back, and will think long and hard about taking Deuce McAllister with the third pick. Ultimately, they will decide that Terrell is the better value.

The offensive line is in shambles, and the Browns were foiled in their attempt to sign restricted free agent tackle/guard Waverly Jackson. The Indianapolis Colts matched the Browns contract offer. Expect the Browns to draft a guard on the first day.

Jerry DiPaola is a sports writer with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.