Camping in the AFC Central

Here's a look at key questions (and maybe an answer or two) facing each team in the AFC Central midway through training camp.

BALTIMORE
Questions: Do QB Steve McNair and an aging, yet effective defense have enough left to contend for a championship? Will RB Willis McGahee be able to seemlessly integrate into the Ravens' offense.
Answers: Yes, but given contract statuses of players such as Terrell Suggs and the ages of McNair, T Jon Ogden, WR Derrick Mason, MLB Ray Lewis and CB Samari Rolle, their window of opportunity is closing. ... McGahee is far more versatile than Jamal Lewis, particularly in the passing game, so he will give the Ravens more options.

CINCINNATI
Questions: Will the Bengals' defense be even remotely competitive? How much will the team's off-the-field problems affect the on-field product?
Answers: No. The line is small and old, and the back seven, though getting more athletic, lack experience. The off-the-field problems really hurt, no question about it. WR Chris Henry is out half the season and LB Odell Thurman might miss another full season, if he ever returns to the league.

CLEVELAND
Questions: How much will rookie QB Brady Quinn and free-agent acquisition RB Jamal Lewis help the Browns' offense? Is there any hope of this team even reaching .500?
Answers: The real question might be how will a vastly upgraded line, which includes rookie T Joe Thomas, free-agent G Eric Steinback and C LaCharles Bentley (injury), helps the offense. Quinn will play at some point, and Lewis offers a big upgrade. The Browns have more playmakers on both sides of the ball than they're given credit for (TE Kellen Winslow, WR Braylon Edwards, LBs Kamerion Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson and S Sean Jones), and they will surprise some teams. 8-8 seems like a stretch, but it's not impossible.

PITTSBURGH
Questions: Which are the real Steelers, the Super Bowl champs from 2005 or last season's 8-8 disappointments? How much will they miss Coach Bill Cowher, and LB Joey Porter for that matter?
Answers: It all depends on QB Ben Roethlisberger. If he's healthy and poised, the Steelers will have a balanced offense and be a postseason threat. If he regresses, they're in big trouble because RB Willie Parker can't carry them. They will miss Cowher's experience plenty. Porter is on the downside of his career and clearly was becoming a distraction, albeit a talented one. The Steelers always find a way to plug holes in their D.