Printed in FD Dec 26^th 2002

Title: Hey FD, it’s not grim up North.

Sir – Although, as a Ravens’ fan, I have no love for the rest of the AFC North teams, I do have respect for the Steelers and Browns (to a lesser extent the Bengals).

Before the playoff party starts, I want to redress the wrong that has been done to our division. Throughout the regular season I have observed that FD contributors have ‘dished dirt’ on the AFC North teams – arguing that we are the worst AFC division if not the whole NFL, and nor really fit to have any playoff place.

I am not suggesting that we are that best – clearly the NFC South teams have the prize of best division.

I will not bore you with the stats; any FD reader can look at the results. We have collectively played the best division – and our results reflect that fact. I merely wonder how good the other AFC teams would have done if they had to play the NFC South this year – for example the AFC East has dined-out on the poor NFC North 0-4 verses Green Bay but 10-2 against the rest!

I am sure that you have some sort of reason for this apparent trend, the ‘Old Central’ teams have never been the glamour boys in your eyes, and I’m sure that Sky match selectors have historically had a similar view.

This is the NFL – you are allowed to tackle and hit people!

Dave Cressey

UK Ravens