AFC North Notes: Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Browns

Browns GM John Dorsey explained the decision to trade RB Duke Johnson to the Texans. 

“I do want to wish Duke the best,” Dorsey said on News 5′s pregame show Thursday night, via Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal. “With regards to that, we sat; we waited; we were patient; and at the right time, there was a deal on the table that we probably should have taken.”

Despite maintaining that they had plans for Johnson this year, Dorsey says he’s “very comfortable” with their running back group moving forward. 

“I’m very comfortable with what we have in the running back room right now, but what we do is we look all the time for all types of players,” Dorsey said. “We will not rest until we find the best 53 we possibly can.”

Ravens

Ravens K Kaare Vedvik is a trade candidate worth keeping an eye over the next few weeks, as Baltimore is clearly set at the position with Justin Tucker.

Vedvik is well aware of the fact he could be traded, but says it’s not something he’s stressing about.

“I don’t really ever think about that,” Vedvik said, via ESPN. “I’m focused on playing the game. That’s it. Teams that are interested, they talk to coach, the head honcho. I’m just going to play the game.”

• Jeff Zrebiec of the Athletic updated his 53-man roster projection for the Ravens following their first preseason game. 
• Some of the notable roster cuts for the Ravens, per Zrebiec, include QB Joe Callahan, RB Kenneth Dixon, WR Michael Floyd, DL Gerald Willis, OLB Shane Ray, CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste and K Kaare Vedvik. 

Steelers

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger mentioned that he’s “really excited” about what they have at receiver this year, despite trading away Antonio Brown during the offseason. 

“I’m really excited about what we have,” Roethlisberger told Chris Simms of Pro Football Talk. “JuJu [Smith-Schuster] just keeps getting better and I’m excited for what he’s going to do, especially with a new challenge. Every year he’s presented with a new challenge and he’s answered the bell.”

“I’m excited to see what [Donte] Moncrief [does],” Roethlisberger added. “I’ve been really excited about him. We got a battle inside between him, Eli [Rogers] and [Ryan Switzer], two guys who are really fun to watch work. James Washington has shown improvement. He’s lost weight, gotten faster, and [is] making plays.

“There’s going to be a lot. There’s some catches that went to Oakland that are going to have to get dispersed among a lot of guys. Not one guy and that’s going to be the thing, it’s not one guy who needs to pick up the slack. It needs to be everybody, and that includes me. Making sure every guy gets the ball and make sure I don’t try to do too much.”

• Judy Battista of NFL Media mentioned that Steelers first-round LB Devin Bush is already calling the defense and GM Kevin Colbert has been “gushing” over him as a player: “They love everything about him,” Battista said of Bush.