AFC North notes from league office

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- AFC North team notes released this morning by the NFL public relations staff:

BALTIMORE: JOHN HARBAUGH, the third head coach in franchise history, will usher in a new era in Baltimore in 2008. Harbaugh has brought on board CAM CAMERON as offensive coordinator and longtime Ravens assistant REX RYAN returns as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. “There are three qualities we wanted from each coach we hired,” says Harbaugh. “First, good people with great character; second, outstanding teachers; and third, football expertise. I believe we got all three qualities with each coach." ... Cornerback SAMARI ROLLE teamed with ALAN FANECA of the Jets and GEOFFREY POPE of the Giants to participate in the 2008 National Walk for Epilepsy this past weekend in Washington, D.C. The walk is designed to support the Epilepsy Foundation, which is the national organization leading the fight against the illness.


CINCINNATI: Tight end NATE LAWRIE and safety CHINEDUM NDUKWE took part in the 2008 NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program this spring. Ndukwe, a second-year player from Notre Dame, values the program, which prepares NFLers for their post-playing business careers. "This is a great opportunity that the NFL provides," he says. "It is basically free education from top professors -- something that other people pay a lot of money to get. I have a strong interest in business and business strategy, and we examined a lot of things, like case studies, that should help me a great deal." ... The Bengals signed UFA defensive end ANTWAN ODOM from Tennessee to help bolster their pass rush and run defense in new defensive coordinator MIKE ZIMMER’s schemes.


CLEVELAND: Finishing last season with a 10-6 record and falling short of a playoff appearance, the Browns have been movers and shakers this offseason. Their first order of business was re-signing head coach ROMEO CRENNEL, who is now under contract through 2011. On the player front, Cleveland acquired two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle SHAUN ROGERS from Detroit and DT COREY WILLIAMS from Green Bay, both via trade. ... Cleveland also added UFA wide receiver DONTE’ STALLWORTH and re-signed Pro Bowl quarterback DEREK ANDERSON through 2010.


PITTSBURGH: Head coach MIKE TOMLIN will be the keynote speaker on May 11 at the commencement ceremonies at the College of William and Mary, his alma mater. Tomlin was a three-year starter at wide receiver and set the school record for yards per catch (20.2 avg.) in a season. ... Coming off his first Pro Bowl season and a career-high 32 touchdown passes, the Steelers have rewarded quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER with a new contract. “I am really happy to know that I will be wearing a Steelers uniform for the foreseeable future because my intention all along was to stay in Pittsburgh,” says the 26-year-old signal-caller. “We have the greatest organization and fan support in the NFL and I’m looking forward to winning more Super Bowl titles that we can celebrate together."