Dawgs By Nature

In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at the retirement of a former Browns offensive coordinator, what the Dolphins' recent hiring means for Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and a couple of keys to a Ravens victory.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Bruce Arians Retires

After being with the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2004, including the past four years as the team's offensive coordinator, Bruce Arians has retired from the NFL (although other reports indicate that it might have been more of a "forced" retirement). Prior to coaching with the Steelers, Arians was the Browns' offensive coordinator for three years under former head coach Butch Davis. Now, the Steelers will have to search for a replacement in the next couple of weeks. I'd say that more fans than not in Pittsburgh are happy to be getting a new coordinator on board.

Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Zimmer Doesn't Get the Dolphins Job

After Mike Zimmer was an early favorite for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching position, the job ended up going to Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. That doesn't mean Zimmer won't be hired elsewhere, but his chances of landing a job are slimmer:

TAMPA BUCCANEERS
As of this posting the Buccaneers aren't expected to make their hire until early next week at the earliest and may continue through the week. Additionally the team may add to their lengthy list of candidates when the NFL's Conference Championships games are completed on Sunday.

Along with Zimmer, the coaches that Tampa Bay is looking at includes (but is not limited to) former Packers head coach Mike Sherman, Packers quarterback coach Tom Clements, Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, former head coach Marty Schottenheimer, former Vikings head coach Brad Childress and possibly defensive coordinators Jerry Gray (Titans) and Perry Fewell (Giants).

The Colts are also a candidate.

Baltimore Ravens: Three Keys to Victory

Baltimore beating the Patriots? Please, don't let it happen. If the Ravens are to pull out a victory, though, the Beatdown lists three keys that are necessary for that to happen, starting with a pass rush.

The New England Patriots have been built around one player, Tom Brady. It is imperative that Baltimore is able to get him out of his comfort zone this weekend using primarily their front four. Cory Redding, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and Terrence Cody will have to find ways to collapse the pocket and keep Tom Brady guessing as to where the pressure will be coming from. There will be times to blitz and times where these four players will be counted on to do the job.