The most compelling scene from last season’s came when former coach Hue Jackson and former offensive coordinator Todd Haley discussed/debated/argue whether veteran players should get days off during training camp.The exchange was sparked by former running backs coach Freddie Kitchens Will Grier Jersey , the same Freddie Kitchens who is now the head coach. Kitchens explained during the coaches’ meeting the importance of having as many players available for practice as possible.“I think, for the new coaches here, we’re not taking guys out because they’re special or anything like that,” Jackson replied. “We’re taking them out for preventative measures and normally the team has understood that. . . . Duke [Johnson] has had a history of pulling [muscles] and if we end up losing him or missing him, it doesn’t help us. Guys, this is all for preventative measures.”Apparently, something sunk in for Kitchens, because he gave receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry the day off from mandatory minicamp.“It is more preventive than anything,” Kitchens told reporters on Thursday. “Everything is OK with them. We do not play any games in the spring. I am not being funny; it goes back to our voluntary issue. Even when they are here and it is mandatory http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/christian-miller-jersey-authentic , we are going make sure that we take care of our players until they start counting. That does not mean that they are going to work their ass off when they are here, but we are not going to be stupid. We are going to take care of our guys when they are here.”So maybe Kitchens and one of his assistants had the same conversation that was had a year ago, and maybe Kitchens dusted off this observation from Jackson: “I used to sit in the same chair you guys sit in and I used to feel the same way. I just wanted to kill them, OK? Until all of a sudden I sat in this chair and then they’re not there, and you don’t get them to practice, and you can’t get them through, and then you don’t have them for three weeks. And I’m not living in my fears, that’s real. And I think we all can appreciate that.”Kitchens apparently appreciated it, if not at the time at some point since then. Considering what happened in the rain at Cleveland last Sunday Jordan Scarlett Jersey , the rugged AFC North looks like it will be wide open.So Thursday night’s visit to Cincinnati by Baltimore takes on an extra bit of importance, even in mid-September, after the division-favorite Steelers stumbled and bumbled to a 21-21 tie against the Browns.The Ravens were all over Buffalo from the start as Joe Flacco recaptured some of that 2012 championship form and the defense destroyed the Bills. The Bengals fell in a big hole at Indianapolis and showed far more gumption than usual by climbing out of it to win.Two teams many projected as also-rans for 2018 delivered some impressive opening performances.“That game is behind us,” Ravens safety Tony Jefferson says. “Although it’s great to have momentum, it’s over with. It’s a new week. This is a division opponent; they know us very well and we know them very well.”Perhaps. But these Bengals seem to have a resilience not seen often in recent seasons, though Cincinnati did show such moxie in the previous meeting with Baltimore.The Ravens ended the season hosting the Bengals and fell 31-27 on Andy Dalton’s 49-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd with 44 seconds left. That eliminated Baltimore from the playoffs and sent Buffalo into the postseason.The Ravens, ranked No. 9 in the AP Pro32, and No. 16 Bengals are pick-em at Paul Brown Stadium. It’s hard to fathom that Pro Picks is predicting Cincinnati will start the season 2-0. But that’s where we’ll go.BENGALS, 21-20KNOCKOUT POOLWe warned everyone last week that we aren’t very saintly in these things David Montgomery Jersey , and New Orleans’ flop proved that. We’re obligated to keep trying and will go with the LA RAMS.No. 28 Oakland (plus 6) at No. 14 DenverNot exactly Orange Crush defense, but Broncos will put Mile High hit on Jon Gruden’s Raiders.BEST BET: BRONCOS, 23-13No. 3 Minnesota (plus 1) at No. 6 Green BayNo miracle finishes for A-Rod and Pack this time, though this isn’t much of an …UPSET SPECIAL: VIKINGS, 27-20No. 1 New England (minus 2) at No. 5 JacksonvilleAFC championship game rematch — and perhaps harbinger for January. No revenge for Jaguars.PATRIOTS, 27-16No. 7 Kansas City (plus 5 1-2) at No. 11 PittsburghSteelers fall behind even more in AFC race and Chiefs prosper.CHIEFS, 26-24No. 19 Los Angeles Chargers (minus 7) at No. 32 BuffaloBills can’t possibly be as bad as they looked in opener. Or maybe they are.CHARGERS, 27-10No. 31 Arizona (plus 13) at No. 4 Los Angeles RamsCardinals can’t possibly be as bad as they looked in opener. Or maybe they are.RAMS, 26-10No. 30 Detroit (plus 5 1-2) at No. 23 San FranciscoLions can’t possibly … you get it.49ERS http://www.bearsfootballauthentics.com/riley-ridley-jersey-authentic , 20-17No. 18 Miami (plus 3) at No. 17 New York JetsBattle to keep pace with Patriots in AFC East — at least through two weeks.J-E-T-S, 23-21No. 8 Carolina (plus 5 1-2) at No. 10 AtlantaRed zone scares Falcons, strange occurrence for a team wearing that color.FALCONS, 20-17No. 2 Philadelphia (minus 3) at No. 15 Tampa BayIf Buccaneers win this, time to re-evaluate.EAGLES, 21-20No. 29 Indianapolis (plus 5 1-2) at No. 12 WashingtonRedskins were as pleasant a surprise as Bucs last week. Revival continues in DC.REDSKINS, 26-19No. 27 Cleveland (plus 8) at No. 13 New OrleansWho thought Saints would be more embarrassed team in opener than Browns?SAINTS, 27-15No. 24 New York Giants (plus 3) at No. 25 DallasNBC and NFL love this as prime-time matchup. Hey, they both are 0-1 Shareef Miller Jersey , guys.COWBOYS, 17-16No. 21 Seattle (plus 3) at No. 22 Chicago, Monday nightBears need to put Lambeau collapse behind them.BEARS, 20-16No. 20 Houston (no line) at No. 26 TennesseeTough start for banged-up Titans.TEXANS, 23-13