ESPN draft guru Todd McShay provided a special treat for NFL draftniks Wednesday. McShay projected a two-round mock draft for each team.

Here is how McShay views the AFC North:

Cincinnati Bengals

McShay’s picks: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia (No. 4); Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State (No. 35)

Analysis: McShay remains consistent from his previous mock draft in picking Green for Cincinnati, but I don’t agree with this selection. It’s very risky drafting a receiver No. 4 overall when you have a variety of needs. This also is assuming quarterback Carson Palmer will return to throw to Green, which is not a slam dunk. The Bengals would be wise to get a pass-rushing defensive end in the first round and look for a quarterback in the second or third round as insurance. A combination of a receiver and defensive tackle doesn’t help Cincinnati all that much.

Cleveland Browns

McShay’s picks: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (No. 6); Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (No. 37)

Analysis: This would be a solid tandem to help Cleveland’s new 4-3 defense under Dick Jauron. The Browns need defensive linemen, and Bowers could be plugged in right away as a starting defensive end. Bowers has top-five ability, but recent knee surgery may allow Cleveland to get him at No. 6. With cornerback Sheldon Brown slowing down, Smith’s youth and athleticism would make him a good pupil. Smith is talented but comes with character concerns, which is why he may be available in the second round.

Baltimore Ravens

McShay’s picks: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State (No. 26); Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland (No. 58)

Analysis: I like McShay’s train of thought for Baltimore. I believe Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan would be a more versatile fit for the Ravens, but Heyward also is talented. The Ravens need help getting to the quarterback and taking pressure off their secondary. Baltimore has expressed a lot of interest in Smith and likely would be pleased if he’s still available at the bottom of the second round. Smith has good speed and could complement Baltimore’s possession receivers Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason.

Pittsburgh Steelers

McShay’s picks: Orlando Franklin, G, Miami (No. 31); Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia (No. 63)

Analysis: This combination would fill Pittsburgh’s two biggest needs, which are offensive line and cornerback. But in McShay’s mock draft Texas corner Aaron Williams and Smith are both on the board at No. 31. If that’s the case, I think Pittsburgh takes a cornerback in the first round. The Steelers are very thin at the position, and it’s unknown if pending free agent Ike Taylor will return. This draft is stocked with offensive and defensive linemen, and Pittsburgh could probably find good prospects in the second round and beyond.

Updated Feb 24, 2011 2:45 PM ET

LAS VEGAS

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones was sentenced to one year of probation Thursday for his role in a 2007 altercation outside a strip club that ended with three people being shot, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

The incident at Minxx in Las Vegas occurred during NBA All-Star Weekend, where numerous athletes usually gather. Jones, 27, had entered the club with his entourage and threw hundreds of $1 bills in the air.

The confrontation reportedly occurred when some of the strippers started picking up the money, and Jones objected. He was kicked out of the club, and the shootings occurred a short time later.

A bouncer, Tommy Urbanski, was among the wounded and ended up paralyzed from the waist down. The club’s owner claimed at the time that Jones knew the alleged shooter, Arvin Edwards, but Jones said he did not.

Jones pleaded no contest in December 2007 to conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, after agreeing to testify against Edwards.

The former West Virginia Mountaineer will also have to perform 200 hours of community service, take an anger-management class and submit to random drug tests.

Edwards is set to be sentenced May 31 after submitting an Alford plea to one count of attempted murder with a deadly weapon. An Alford plea means a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict.

According to reports, Edwards tried to extort money from Jones after the shooting, but the one-time Pro Bowl cornerback denies ever paying him.

Jones has had a troubled NFL career, marked by at least five arrests, since the Titans selected him sixth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. A few months after the shootings, the NFL suspended Jones for the entire 2007 season.

In 2008, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Jones, who was then playing for the Cowboys, for six more games after Jones was involved in a fight with his bodyguard at a Dallas hotel. The incident did not result in Jones’ arrest.

Read more.

CINCINNATI, Feb. 3 (UPI) — Jay Gruden, a former United Football League head coach, has been hired as offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL team said Thursday.

Gruden is the younger brother of Jon Gruden who was the head coach at Tampa Bay and Oakland and is currently a television commentator. Jay Gruden is replacing Bob Bratkowski, who was fired this week after 10 seasons with the Bengals.

Jay Gruden coached the UFL’s Florida Tuskers last year and was moving to the league’s franchise in Virginia when the Cincinnati opportunity came up. He previously was on Jon Gruden’s staff at Tampa Bay.

“We are excited to have Jay join us and give us a new direction offensively,” said Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis in a news release. “He has proven himself a consistent winner in a variety of positions and has earned tremendous respect in the coaching profession. He’s going to provide the energy and attacking style that will best suit our offensive skill players and quarterback.”

Updated Feb 3, 2011 1:37 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals have hired Jay Gruden as their new offensive coordinator succeeding Bob Bratkowski, who was fired earlier this week.

Gruden, 43, coached for seven seasons (2002-08) in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning a Super Bowl championship ring in 2002. He also ranks among the most outstanding players and coaches in the history of the Arena Football League, having won four league championships as a quarterback and two as a head coach. In 18 AFL seasons as a player and head coach, he never missed the playoffs.

“We are excited to have Jay join us and give us a new direction offensively,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “He has proven himself a consistent winner in a variety of positions and has earned tremendous respect in the coaching profession. He’s going to provide the energy and attacking style that will best suit our offensive skill players and quarterback.”

“This is something I wanted to get right, to take the time to make the best decision,” Lewis said, “and I appreciate the support I got from (Bengals president) Mike Brown in the process. The offense is where we need to show improvement, and when we do, we’ll show that this team is ready to win the division again like we did just a year ago. Our defense is strong and still improving, and one thing we did in 2010 was to develop a number of very promising new players. Jay is a key addition to this process.”

In 2010, Gruden was head coach and general manager of the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He led the Tuskers to the UFL championship game, where they lost to Las Vegas. In accepting his new position with the Bengals, he resigns as head coach of the UFL’s new Virginia franchise. He had been hired to that job this past Jan. 12, after the Tuskers ceased operations.

Gruden was in Cincinnati on Tuesday and Wednesday, and returned late Wednesday to Orlando, Fla. He will be back in Cincinnati next week.

“I expect great things with the Bengals,” Gruden said. “I intend on bringing a great attitude and work ethic. We’ll build off the strength this offense has developed and add a system to challenge everyone in the building. I thank Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown for this opportunity, and I look forward to working with a great offensive staff.”

Gruden is the younger brother of Jon Gruden, the former NFL head coach with Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Born in Tiffin, Ohio, Jay Gruden played four seasons at QB for the University of Louisville (1985-88), including three years as the starter. He was a two-time team MVP and ranks fourth in Cardinals history in completions (572), passing yards (7024) and touchdown passes (44). He played QB in the Arena League for six seasons (1991-96) with the Tampa Bay Storm, winning four AFL titles and posting numbers as the league’s all-time leading passer.

He was head coach for the AFL’s Orlando Predators for nine seasons (1998-2001 and 2004-08). He led the team to four championship game appearances, with two league titles, while compiling an 93-61 record (.604 winning percentage). During his two-year hiatus from coaching the Predators, in 2002-03, he returned to the playing field as Orlando’s QB, leading two playoff seasons.

In 2002, Gruden accepted a position as an offensive assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking on a dual role as he also continued his AFL exploits during NFL offseasons. He worked for seven seasons (2002-08) under his brother Jon, who was Bucs head coach. He contributed to three divisional championship seasons, including the 2002 campaign that saw the Bucs defeat Oakland 48-21 for a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

In 2009, Gruden was offensive coordinator for the UFL Tuskers, helping them to an unbeaten regular season with a league-best 30.5 scoring average.

The Cincinnati Bengals are turning to Jay Gruden to guide their offense, the team announced Thursday. Longtime offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski was fired on Monday.

The Bengals’ decision to hire Gruden was first reported by Profootballtalk.com.

Coach Marvin Lewis said Thursday that Gruden, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, will help bring energy and an attacking style to the offense.

Gruden, the younger brother of ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, was an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002 to 2008 while his brother was the coach.

He coached the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League in 2010 after leading the UFL’s Florida Tuskers in 2009. He also has coached in the Arena Football League, winning AFL titles with the Orlando Predators in 1998 and 2000.

The 43-year-old Gruden was a quarterback at Louisville, throwing for more than 7,000 yards and 44 touchdowns from 1985 to 1988. He also was a quarterback in the AFL, guiding the Tampa Bay Storm to four titles between 1991 and 1996. He also played for the Predators, resigning as coach to return to the field. In the league’s 20th anniversary, Gruden was named No. 4 on the AFL’s list of its top 20 greatest players.

Bratkowski’s firing came two weeks after quarterback Carson Palmer asked to be traded because of the franchise’s futility. The Bengals have only two winning seasons in the past 20.

Bratkowski had been the offensive coordinator since 2001, two years before Lewis took over as coach. The Bengals reached the playoffs in 2005 with a balanced offense that featured Palmer and a core of young receivers. Knee and elbow injuries limited Palmer the next few years.

The Bengals made it back to the playoffs in 2009 after switching to a run-based offense that Lewis preferred. Their inability to throw the ball successfully in the playoffs prompted yet another philosophical switch — Cincinnati signed receiver Terrell Owens at the start of training camp last July to team with receiver Chad Ochocinco.

The Bengals threw the ball a lot more and won a lot less, dropping 10 straight games. Owens complained about the coaching and said he wasn’t getting the ball thrown his way enough. Running back Cedric Benson said the team made a mistake by going away from the run-first philosophy that got it to the playoffs in 2009.

The season ended with Lewis, whose contract was up, unsure whether he wanted to stay. After two days of discussions with owner Mike Brown, Lewis decided to stick around, despite no significant changes in how the franchise operates.

After Lewis agreed to return, Palmer told Brown he wanted out. Brown said he’s not inclined to trade the franchise quarterback.

Cincinnati finished in the top 10 in rushing when it made the playoffs in 2009, but had the 26th-ranked passing game. That led the Bengals to draft tight end Jermaine Gresham and receiver Jordan Shipley and sign Owens, looking to throw the ball more effectively.

The passing game improved to 13th in the league last season, but the running game fell to 27th as the Bengals often found themselves throwing the ball to try to catch up.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.