By The Associated Press

A closer look at the Bengals' conference rivals as training camp begins.

Cleveland Browns

2002 record: 9-7 (AFC wild card)

Camp starts: Sunday (rookies); Thursday (veterans)

Where: Cleveland Browns Training Facility, Berea, Ohio

Who's new? C Jeff Faine, the team's first-round pick will start from Day 1. Unfortunately for the salary cap-strapped Browns, they could do little on the free-agent market, unless you count slow LB Barry Gardner, formerly of Philadelphia. We don't.

The buzz: They did nicely to squeak into the playoffs last year, but the story of camp will be bust-in-waiting Tim Couch trying to hold off wonder-backup Kelly Holcomb (429 yards, 3 TDs in playoff loss at Pittsburgh) for the No. 1 quarterback spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers

2002 record: 10-5-1 (AFC North Division champion)

Camp starts: Friday Where: Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa.

Who's new? SS Troy Polamalu, the team's first-round draft pick, should step in immediately for the departed (and verbose) Lee Flowers. Polamalu needs to bring some consistency to a secondary that doesn't come close to matching the star power of the Steelers' front seven.

The buzz: Coach Bill Cowher deserves credit for keeping this team in postseason contention every year, especially with Band-Aids at quarterback every year. Is Tommy Maddox really the answer? And isn't it time for "The Bus," RB Jerome Bettis, to head for the garage? For good?

Baltimore Ravens

2002 record: 7-9

Camp starts: Sunday

Where: McDaniel College, Westminster, Md.

Who's new? The Ravens used first-round picks to select NCAA record-setting sack man Terrell Suggs and QB Kyle Boller. They're branded as the future, but you won't have to wait too long to see them.

The buzz: Coach Brian Billick did an admirable job with the league's youngest team last season, and it definitely won't hurt to get LB Ray Lewis back after missing the final 11 games of '02 with a bum shoulder. If Boller looks the part in training camp, don't expect the Ravens to piddle around much more with QB Chris Redman, who had his chance last season.

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