This is the second of an eight-part series on the offseason moves in the NFL. Today's

installment covers the AFC North.

The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers went into a season as reigning Super Bowl champions it

began with their quarterback almost getting killed in a motorcycle accident and ended with an

8-8 record, no playoff appearance and head coach Bill Cowher's resignation.

There won't be a Super Bowl hangover this time, not if third-year coach Mike Tomlin has

anything to do with it. He wants the team to stay hungry, but he knows it will take more than

that to defend its championship.

"It's not hunger that drives me, it's not hunger that needs to drive our football team,"

Tomlin said at the NFL owners meetings. "Hunger and thirst are things that can be quenched. We

have to be a driven group, we have to seek greatness. I think driven is a more appropriate

word, it's a word I tend to use with them as we prepare for '09."

The Steelers may not repeat as Super Bowl champs, but they are still the team to beat in the

NFC North. The Ravens figure to be the primary competition again, provided they overcome some

significant personnel and coaching losses.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati and Cleveland will battle to stay out of the division cellar.

If the Bengals' draft picks and free agent acquisitions pan out they could double last year's

four-win output. New Browns coach Eric Mangini will have to work some magic to avoid another

losing season.

Here's a review of the offseason moves in the AFC North:

Pittsburgh: Super Bowl champs are driven to repeat.

Baltimore: Lost key pieces, but still pretty good.

Cincinnati: Season depends on Palmer's health.

Cleveland: Looking at another season in the cellar.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Key gains: DT Evander Hood (Missouri), G Kraig Urbik (Wisconsin), WR Mike Wallace

(Mississippi), WR Shaun McDonald (Lions), CB Keiwan Ratliff (Colts).

Key losses: ILB Larry Foote (Lions), QB Byron Leftwich (Buccaneers), WR Nate Washington

(Titans), OT Marvel Smith (49ers), CB Bryant McFadden (Cardinals), S Anthony Smith (Packers).

Breakdown: Releasing Foote clears the way for 2007 first-round draft pick Lawrence

Timmons to start. Hood and Urbik add depth on both lines. McDonald and Wallace give the

Steelers more speed at receiver. Ratliff offsets McFadden's departure. Johnson is insurance

for Daniel Sepulveda, who is returning from a major knee injury.

Key questions: Can Tomlin keep team focused on another title run? Will the offensive

line, which yielded 49 sacks in 2008, protect QB Ben Roethlisberger better? Is Timmons ready

to replace Foote, who started every game the past five years?

Baltimore Ravens

Key gains: C Matt Birk (Vikings), CB Domonique Foxworth (Falcons), OT Michael Oher

(Mississippi), TE L.J. Smith (Eagles), DE/OLB Paul Kruger (Utah), CB Lardarius Webb (Nicholls

State), ILB Jason Phillips (TCU).

Key losses: C Jason Brown (Rams), ILB Bart Scott (Jets), CB Chris McAllister

(released), S Jim Leonhard (Jets).

Breakdown: The Ravens re-signed MLB Ray Lewis and franchised OLB Terrell Suggs, but

couldn't afford to keep Scott. The draft and free agency brought pass-rushing depth and filled

needs at cornerback, linebacker and tight end. Birk, a perennial Pro Bowler, and Oher were

important O-line additions.

Key questions: What will QB Joe Flacco do for an encore? How much longer can Lewis play

at an All-Pro level? Will the defense miss Scott and coordinator Rex Ryan, the Jets' new head

coach?

Cincinnati Bengals

Key gains: WR Laveranues Coles (Jets), S Roy Williams (Cowboys), OT Andre Smith (Alabama), MLB Rey Maualuga (USC), DE Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech), TE Chase Coffman (Missouri), DT Tank Johnson (Cowboys), C Jonathan Luigs (Arkansas).

Key losses: WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Seahawks), OT Stacy Andrews (Eagles), OT Levi Jones (released), QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Bills), C Eric Ghiaciuc (Chiefs).

Breakdown: QB Carson Palmer returns from elbow surgery, but one of his best receivers

have either left via free agency (Houshmandzadeh) and another wants to leave (Chad

Ochocinco). The hope is Coles will make up for Houshmandzadeh's absence. Smith and Maualuga

headline a draft class full of boom-or-bust prospects. Williams adds physicality to the

secondary.

Key questions: Will Palmer's repaired elbow hold up? Will Johnson's unhappiness affect

his production? What will Coles contribute? How many rookies will have an immediate impact?

Can Smith start at left tackle as a rookie?

Cleveland Browns

Key gains: C Alex Mack (California), WR Brian Robiske (Ohio State), WR Mohamed

Massaquoi (Georgia), DE Kenyon Coleman (Jets), ILB Eric Barton (Jets), CB Hank Poteat (Jets),

OT John St. Clair (Bears), TE Robert Royal (Bills).

Key losses: TE Kellen Winslow II (Buccaneers), S Sean Jones (Eagles), ILB Andra Davis

(Broncos), OT Kevin Shaffer (Bears).

Breakdown: The Browns traded away a big weapon in Winslow. They were expected to move

WR Braylon Edwards as well, but held on to him after drafting two wideouts. Millions were

saved by trading down in the first round from No.5 to No.21 and getting Mack, the draft's

top center. New coach Eric Mangini brought in several veteran Jets defenders who are familiar

with his system.

Key questions: Will Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson or former Jet Jay Ratliff start at

quarterback? Are Edwards trade rumors dead? Did the Browns do enough to help the NFL's

26th-ranked defense?

Next: AFC South.