NFL Offseason Preview: AFC North
By: Dakota Arturo
2014 Season Summary
In 2014 the AFC North was seen by many as the NFL’s premier division. Going into Week 15, every team had a winning record. The Browns even led the division at 6-3 after a 24-3 win in Cincinnati Week 10, but late season offensive struggles caused them to drop 6 of their last 7 games. Cincinnati took that lead back two weeks later and didn’t look back. That is until Week 17 of course. Pittsburgh’s 27-17 Week 17 win over the Bengals secured a division title and handed Pittsburgh the AFC’s #3 seed. Cinci ended up with the #5 seed while a typical end-season San Diego Charger meltdown enabled Baltimore to sneak in with the #6 seed. Le’Veon Bell’s knee injury handed the Ravens an easy wild card round win at Heinz Field, and Andy Dalton shat the playoff bed once more, making it four consecutive “one-and-out’s” for Cincinnati. Baltimore’s season (and the AFC North’s for that matter) ended 6 days later at Foxboro, 35-31.
Salary Cap/RFA Understanding
Before diving into each teams unique roster situations, one must develop a basic understanding of the NFL’s salary cap structure. On March 10th the NFL league year is set to begin and teams must sit underneath the eventual cap number. Only the 51 highest paid players on each roster will count against this cap number. So how does this cap number work?
On December 9 NFL teams were informed that the 2015 salary cap would sit between $138.6mil and $141.8mil. Last seasons projections were slightly under-calculated, so that number may end up greater than expected. This is just the NFL salary cap though. Each team has their own Adjusted Cap number. The equation to calculate this number is:
Adjusted Salary Cap = Base Salary Cap + Carryover +/- Adjustments
Adjustments are rather miniscule so don’t need to be explained, but carryover has great importance. Carryover is simply unused cap space from the team’s previous season, space that can be used now. As you will find out, this gives quite the advantage to lower market teams like the Bengals and Browns.
Finally, you’ll notice that each team has not only their usual free agents but also restricted free agents (RFA). So what is a restricted free agent? RFA is a description given to free agents who have only 3 accrued seasons – 6+ games on active/inactive roster or IR/PUP – under their belt. With RFA’s, teams must give one of four predetermined qualifying offers to the player by April 24th. Other teams are allowed to make an exceeding offer to the player, but the players’ former team is allowed to match the offer by April 29th. Depending on which qualifying offer is chosen, the player’s former team may be entitled to draft pick compensation. Here are the 4 possible qualifying offers:
- Right of First Refusal Only (No draft pick compensation)
- Right of First Refusal and Draft Selction at Player’s Original Draft Round
- Right of First Refusal and One 2nd Round Draft Selection
- Right of First Refusal and One 1st Round Draft Selection
The minimum salaries allowed for each of these offers (in 2014) were $1.323mil, $1.431mil, $2.187mil, and $3.113mil, respectively. Players who’ll likely receive one of the latter two offers include Browns S Tashaun Gipson, Browns ILB Craig Robertson, Ravens CB Anthony Levine, Ravens K Justin Tucker, and Bengals OLB Emmanuel Lamur.
Finally before we delve into each AFC North squad, it’s important to understand the franchise and transition tags. A Franchise Tag can be given to any impeding free agent. It’s basically a 1-year deal that earns the player either 120% of his previous seasons salary or the average of the top 5 paid players at his position, whichever is greater. Steelers OLB Jason Worilds was a recipient of the franchise tag last offseason.
Then there is the Transition Tag. This tag also equates a 1-year contract, but the salary is determined by the average of the top 10 paid players at the recipient’s position. Browns C Alex Mack received this tag last offseason. Candidates to receive either a franchise tag or a transition tag include Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham, Steelers OLB Jason Worilds, and Browns TE Jordan Cameron.
Now lets dive into the offseason question marks facing each AFC North squad.
4. Cleveland Browns (7-9, 4th)
2014 Season Summary
Cleveland got off to a surprising 6-3 start placing them atop the AFC North at the season’s latest point since the 1990’s. The offense then fell off, putting up a meager 12.8 PPG thereafter. Even sadder was ~120 passing yards/game averaged from Week 14-17, most of which occurred with Johnny Manziel under center. WR Josh Gordon’s return didn’t go as planned and Manziel’s rookie season was a complete disaster. Cleveland has a lot of holes to fill, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but a friendly cap situation combined with 2 1st round pick (#12 & #19) give GM Ray Farmer a lot to work with.
Moves Already Made: Named Joker Phillips WR Coach, Named John Defillipo OC, DC Kyle Shanahan resigned, Cut OG Pat McQuistan
Future Contracts Signees: Calvin Barnett (DL), Karim Barton (OL), Braxton Cave (C), Travis Coons (K), Kevin Cone (WR), Kendall James (DB), Jacobbi McDaniel (DL), Keith Pough (LB), Carey Spear (K), Christian Tupou (DL)
Top Unrestricted Free Agents
1) Jordan Cameron (TE)
2) Brian Hoyer (QB)
3) Jabaal Sheard (OLB)
4) Buster Skrine (CB)
5) Miles Austin (WR)
The Rest: Sione Fua (DT), Jim Leonhard (S), Marlon Moore (KR), Ahtyba Rubin (DT), Ryan Taylor (TE), Tyler Thigpen (QB)
Restricted Free Agents: Tashaun Gipson (S), Ishmaa’ily Kitchen (DT), Craig Robertson (ILB)
Projected Salary Cap Space (ESPN): $49,892,486 ($18,908,285 carryover)
The Cleveland Browns sit in 2nd or 3rd, based on projections used, in salary cap space, trailing only Jacksonville. This comes even after last years free agent splurge that netted the team Karlos Dansby, Donte Whitner, Ben Tate, and Andrew Hawkins. The Browns rarely approach their cap limit, but I’d expect at least a few key free agent acquisitions in the upcoming months. Free agent’s TE Jordan Cameron and CB Buster Skrine will probably see long term deals thrown their way as well as RFA S Tashaun Gipson.
Potential Cap Casualties: None
Ranking behind only Jacksonville and Oakland in available cap space, Cleveland is in no need of salary relief. If this were any other team, DE Desmond Bryant ($7mil cap number) and TE Jim Dray ($1.9mil cap number) would warrant consideration, but again, no need to cut anyone. While both are overpaid, Dray helps with TE depth, and Bryant’s elite tackling ability leads to steady production.
Positions of Need
1) WR: Josh Gordon’s career in Cleveland may be over after his third run-in with the NFL earned him a suspension for the entirety of the 2015 season. Miles Austin is set to hit free agency and likely won’t return to Cleveland. Abilene Christian UDFA Taylor Gabriel was a pleasant surprise, totaling 621 receiving yards in his rookie campaign, and 2014 free agent signee Andrew Hawkins led the team in receptions and yards, but both figure to be #3/slot receivers. Hawkins, Gabriel, and Travis Benjamin give Cleveland formidable depth at the WR position, but a star #1 WR is desperately needed for whoever lines up under center in 2015.
2) TE: Cleveland tried to lock up Jordan Cameron last offseason, but Cameron’s demands were in line with the 5/$38mil Jared Cook received last offseason, a sum Cleveland wasn’t comfortable doling out. Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge provide solid depth, but this offense is in dire need of playmakers at skill positions, TE included.
3) 3-4 DE: Not the biggest need, but definitely an area the Browns could improve on. Desmond Bryant has been solid since signing with Cleveland in 2013, but Billy Winn is seen as the only replacement level guy among the front seven. The defense is already solid at every position, so adding a DE would just make the D that much more dangerous.
4) QB: Brian Hoyer is set to hit the free agent market, and no one knows how Johnny Manziel is viewed in the eyes of new OC John DeFilippo. Manziel has checked into rehab for “getting after it” too much, so the need at the QB position is entirely dependent on Manziel growing up.
5) RB: If I could list WR again I would. Cleveland actually has a pair of impressive rookie RB’s in Terrance West and UDFA Isaiah Crowell, so RB isn’t the biggest need. West, the rookie 3rd rounder out of Towson, led the team in rushing, but it was UDFA Isaiah Crowell (607 yds, 8 TD) who really turned heads. If the Browns can find a mid-round RB they like, a need at the position will be postponed for at least 4 years.
Potential FA Targets
WR: Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, Michael Crabtree
TE: Julius Thomas
DE: Jared Odrick, Nick Fairley
K: Matt Bryant, Stephen Gostkowski
Potential Round 1 NFL Draft Targets
1.12: Kevin White (WR, West Virginia), Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama), DeVante Parker (WR, Louisville), Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson), Danny Shelton (NT, Washington)
1.19: DeVante Parker (WR, Louisville), Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Missouri), Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State), Maxx Williams (TE, Minnesota), Bud Dupree (OLB, Kentucky)
3. Baltimore Ravens (10-6, 3rd)
2014 Season Summary
A 3rd place finish didn’t stop Baltimore from advancing further in the playoffs than any other AFC North squad. Baltimore traveled to Pittsburgh and handed a 30-17 whopping to the Steelers before Tom Brady’s 23-yard TD pass late in the following week’s contest sent Baltimore home. DT Brandon Williams emerged as one of the division’s best interior lineman while rookie ILB CJ Moseley led the team with 133 tackles. The Ravens carry the division’s best front 7 into the offseason.
Moves Already Made: Named Chris Hewitt DB Coach, Named Matt Weiss CB Coach, Named Richard Angulo TE Coach, Named Marc Trestman OC, Released NT Terrance Cody
Future Contract Signees: Marcel Jones (OT), Richie Leone (P), Quinton Pointer (DB), Allen Reisner (TE), Konrad Reuland (TE), Kiero Small (FB), Austin Spitler (LB), Zach Thompson (DE), Keith Wenning (QB)
Top Unrestricted Free Agents
1) Justin Forsett (RB)
2) Torrey Smith (WR)
3) Pernell McPhee (LB)
4) Darian Stewart (S)
5) Owen Daniels (TE)
The Rest: Antoine Cason (CB), Morgan Cox (LS), Danny Gorrer (CB), Jeromy Miles (S), Will Rackley (OG), Jah Reid (OT), Aaron Ross (CB), Tyrod Taylor (QB)
Restricted Free Agents: Kamar Aiken (WR), Christo Bilukidi (DL), Chris Greenwood (CB), Lawrence Guy (DE), Will Hill (S), Anthony Levine (CB), Justin Tucker (K)
Projected Salary Cap Space (ESPN): $1,419,413 ($5,791,927 carryover)
Baltimore is stuck in a difficult cap situation, so don’t expect them to be free agent players. Fortunately CB Jimmy Smith comes off the IR and many of the remaining voids can be filled via the draft.
Potential Cap Casualties: Chris Canty (DT)
Whether he is cut before or after June 1, the date when salary cap accounting rules change each year, Canty would free up $2.66mil of cap space while taking up $666,668 in dead money. Canty was a starter along Baltimore’s front line, but started seeing fewer snaps towards the end of the season as rookie DT Timmy Jernigan emerged. Following the Ravens’ Divisional Round loss to New England, Canty stated that he was contemplating retirement, so that could make the decision easier for the front office.
Positions of Need
1) WR: This one is as obvious as they come. Steve Smith had himself a fine first half of the season, but showed signs of aging as the season wore on. He’ll be 36 by the time training camp starts up. Behind him Torrey Smith, who simply can’t shed the “deep threat only” tag, had a disappointing season and is set to hit free agency. Behind them are two unknown 2nd year wideouts, Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown, and kick-return specialist Jacoby Jones. Joe Flacco is in dire need of a go-to guy, or two.
2) CB: Another obvious choice here. Star CB Ladarius Webb battled injuries all season and is set to make $12mil next season, far more than he’s worth. Jimmy Smith only played in 7 games due to injury, and the secondary went as he went. Following Ben Roethlisberger’s 6 TD performance against Baltimore in Week 9, the Ravens’ front office cut CB’s Chykie Brown and Dominique Franks. The CB situation was so bad that they plucked CB’s off the waiver wire and plugged them into the starting lineup.
3) RB: Ray Rice’s career in Baltimore is done and free agent revelation Justin Forsett is back on the free agent market. 2012 3rd rounder Bernard Pierce, who was meant to tandem with Ray Rice, has shown next to nothing, and rookie RB Lorenzo Taliaferro remains a question mark. If Baltimore is unable to retain Forsett, look for them to address the position via the draft.
4) FS: Starter Darian Stewart led all Ravens defensive backs with 53 tackles while backup Jeromy Miles produced in limited time. Unfortunately both are free agents, so the cash-strapped Ravens may be looking elsewhere if they fail to bring back Stewart.
5) QB: No not Joe Flacco, I mean backup. Backup QB Tyrod Taylor is a free agent, so the position needs to be addressed. Taylor didn’t attempt a pass all season, but observers were impressed with his preseason play, so look for Baltimore to bring back Flacco’s main clipboard holder.
Potential FA Targets
WR: Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, Denarius Moore
CB: Patrick Robinson, Chris Culliver, Walter Thurmond III, Brice McCain
Potential Round 1 NFL Draft Targets:
1.26: Melvin Gordon (RB, Wisconsin), Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia), Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Missouri), Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State), Devin Funchess (WR, Michigan), Marcus Peters (CB, Washington), Kevin Johnson (CB, Wake Forest),
2. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1, 2nd)
2014 Season Summary
Cincinnati’s 8-3-1 start basically clinched them the division by Week 13, but two late losses against the Pittsburgh Steelers pushed them into postseason play on a low note. As usual the Bengals failed to escape the initial round of the playoffs, making it four consecutive seasons they’ve done so. Andy Dalton threw for just 155 yards in that 26-10 defeat to Indianapolis. On a positive note, WR Mohamed Sanu and rookie 2nd round RB Jeremy Hill established themselves as key offensive weapons. The offensive line only surrendered 21 sacks, yet Dalton threw 17 interceptions himself. The Bengals continue to carry a roster loaded with talent, yet struggled to advance beyond the first round once again.
Moves Already Made: Matthew O’Donnel (OT) signed to 1-year contract, Kevin Brock (TE) signed to 1-year contract
Future Contract Signees: Emmett Cleary (OT), LJ Fort (ILB), Dan France (OT), Kwame Geathers (NT), Isaiah Lewis (S), Onterio McCalebb (CB), Jake Murphy (TE), Tevin Reese (WR), Eric Ward (WR)
Top Unrestricted Free Agents
1) Jermaine Gresham (TE)
2) Clint Boling (OG)
3) Rey Maualuga (ILB)
4) Terence Newman (CB)
5) Mike Nugent (K)
The Rest: Jason Campbell (QB), Taylor Mays (S), Marshall Newhouse (OT), Cedric Peerman (RB), Dane Sanzenbacher (WR), Alex Smith (TE), Brandon Tate (WR), Eric Winston (OT)
Restricted Free Agents: Emmanuel Lamur (ILB), Devon Still (DT)
Projected Salary Cap Space (ESPN): $32,802,385 ($8,697,310 carryover)
Cincinnati may have the NFL’s best salary cap situation. They have a roster loaded with talent and high end draft picks, plus loads of money to spend in free agency. Maualuga, Boling, and possibly Emmanuel Lamur will be locked up long term. But Cinci has more than enough money to settle internal matters and still hit free agency hard. Look for the Bengals to be competitive with most top free agents.
Potential Cap Casualties: Chris Carter (OLB)
Carter signed with Cincinnati in December after being cut by both Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. He was signed strictly for depth and registered just 3 tackles on the season. With tons of cap room, Cincinnati is in no rush to get rid of slightly overpaid players, but cutting a useless player like Carter seems like a no-brainer. The move would save the Bengals $745K.
Positions of Need
1) QB: Hear me out here. Cincinnati is a team with tons of cap space and talent at nearly every position. Every year they are a good bet to reach the playoffs yet teams always knock the Bengals out in the first round. At some point you have to place blame on your quarterback. If Andy Dalton doesn’t show improvements in the near future, I’d expect Cinci to stay in the “one & done” vortex. You know it’s bad when you have ~10% of your cap space dedicated to a signal caller with nearly as many INT’s (17) as times sacked (21). Jason Campbell is a free agent, so unless Cinci’s front office sees anything in AJ McCarron, a 1st round QB should be considered in the near future.
2) DT: You could make the case for DE being slotted here. Geno Atkins should bounce back from a down year, but Domata Peko is on the decline and Devon Still is approaching wasted-pick territory. With tons of money to spend, look for Cinci to be big players in free agency on the defensive line.
3) DE: Carlos Dunlap is solidified as the LDE after compiling 66 tackles and 8 sacks last season but the other side of the line remains unfilled. Wallace Gilberry saw most time opposite of Dunlap yet only registered 1.5 sacks, a key reason behind Cinci’s pass rushing woes. Behind Gilberry sits 2014 3rd rounder Will Clarke and 2013 2nd rounder Margus Hunt. Both should be given every opportunity to prove themselves, especially Hunt. I was pretty high on Hunt coming out of SMU, simply because he was and is a physical specimen with little football experience. The Bengals knew they were dealing with a project after selecting him 53rd overall, so don’t be surprised if Hunt emerges in 2015. But one can’t rely on unproven players like Hunt and Clarke – especially after finishing dead last in football with 20 sacks – so look for Cincinnati to be active in free agency and on draft day in search of a pass rusher.
4) WR: If Cincinnati addresses the QB position (which seems unlikely for another year) then this isn’t really a need. Marvin Jones returns to the 53-man after ankle injuries derailed his 2014 campaign and Mohamed Sanu has solified himself as a viable #2/3 WR. AJ Green also remains among the NFL’s best wideouts. But if Andy Dalton is your QB, weapons need to surround him if Cinci wants to escape the 1st round of the playoffs.
5) LG/MLB: Technically both are legitimate needs, but I fully expect MLB Ray Maualuga and LG Clint Boling to be re-signed. Maualuga really came on towards the end of the season and Boling provided flexibility by playing along the line.
Potential FA Targets
WR: Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, Michael Crabtree
DE: Justin Houston, Jason Pierre-Paul, Brandon Graham
DT: Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, Henry Melton
Potential Round 1 NFL Draft Targets
1.21: Malcolm Brown (DT, Texas), Vic Beasley (DE, Clemson), Bud Dupree (DE, Kentucky), Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Missouri), Devin Funchess (WR, Michigan)
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5, 1st)
2014 Season Summary
The rocky road season Pittsburgh fans were put through ended with “what could have been”. After rookie 4th round WR Martavis Bryant emerged midseason, QB Ben Roethlisberger produced two consecutive 6 TD games and the offense took off from there. Second year RB Le’veon Bell emerged among the leagues best, and WR Antonio Brown established himself as a top 3 NFL WR. Once Pittsburgh had clinched a playoff spot after Week 16, Vegas placed their SB odds at 18/1, an absolute bargain some claimed. Then came Le’veon Bell’s hyperextended knee on a Reggie Nelson hit just days later. Bell missed the Steelers’ opening playoff game against Baltimore and Josh Harris/Dri Archer/Ben Tate failed to fill the void, leading to a 30-17 first round exit at the hands of the division rival Ravens.
Moves Already Made: DC Dick LeBeau resigned, Keith Butler named DC, Greg Warren (LS) signed to 1-year contract, Brad Wing (P) re-signed to 1-year contract
Future Contract Signees: Rob Blanchflower (TE), Kevin Fogg (CB), CJ Goodwin (WR), Ethan Hemer (DE), Howard Jones (OLB), Joe Kruger (DE), Alejandro Villanueva (DE)
Top Unrestricted Free Agents
1) Jason Worilds (OLB)
2) James Harrison (OLB)
3) Brice McCain (CB)
4) Arthur Moats (OLB)
5) Ike Taylor (CB)
The Rest: Will Allen (S), Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR), Michael Palmer (TE), Matt Spaeth (TE), Ben Tate (RB)
Restricted Free Agents: Antwon Blake (CB), Robert Golden (S), Will Johnson (FB)
Projected Salary Cap Space (ESPN): -$839,933 ($778,469 carryover)
As always Pittsburgh is stuck in an ugly cap situation that will bar them from becoming free agent players. Cutting Polamalu and Thomas plus locking up Ben Roethlisberger should ease that cap number, but Pittsburgh has a lot of work to do.
Potential Cap Casualties: Troy Polamalu (S), Cam Thomas (DE)
As always, Pittsburgh is scrambling to free up cap space, thus we can expect at least one notable cut. After the 2013 season, James Harrison fell victim to this, and last offseason saw LaMarr Woodley’s Pittsburgh tenure cut short. Most Pittsburgh fans are expecting Troy Polamalu to be next. The NFL’s 16th highest paid safety struggled to stay healthy during the duration of his latest contract, and has lost more than a few steps. Even without a viable replacement in sight, releasing Polamalu is a must. Pittsburgh would knock $6mil off their 2015 cap number, and another $5.75mil off the 2016 cap number (if released after June 1st). Unfortunately $4.5mil in dead money would be spread over the remaining two years of the contract, but the move is a must. Cam Thomas is the only other likely cut on the roster. Thomas was a below replacement level defender throughout the season until rookies Daniel McCullers and Stephon Tuitt began cutting into his playing time. Expect Thomas to be cut within the next few weeks, freeing up $2mil (w/ $500K dead money) in cap room for 2015.
Positions of Need
1) OLB: Your average “yinzer” would disagree with this placement. Every year Steelers fans demand that a CB is taken in Round 1, yet it never happens. Pittsburgh’s defense is dependent on a good pass rush. So when you lack an ’09 James Harrison or LaMarr Woodley, you better go get one. Harrison, Arthur Moats, and Jason Worilds are all free agents. It’s hard to expect Harrison to go through the yearly grind once more with his worn down body. Moats, while productive, is more of a situation guy/depth filler than starter. Worilds can be franchise tagged again, but that cost would probably exceed $13mil and Worilds simply isn’t worth that. Finally there’s 2013 1st round pick Jarvis Jones. When players don’t fully break out in their beginning two seasons, you at least see glimpses. With Jarvis Jones I really haven’t seen anything. The light needs to turn on because Pittsburgh badly needs someone to get after the opposing QB.
2) CB: It probably won’t occur on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, but Pittsburgh may finally address the CB position. Ike Taylor and Brice McCain are free agents while Antwon Blake is a restricted free agent. Big Play Willie Gay is undoubtedly Pittsburgh’s best corner, yet only has a year left on his contract. Personally I see OLB as a bigger need because Cortez Allen is primed for a bounce back season. Allen could be cut, but $5.4mil in dead money would be evenly distributed between 2015-2018, so it isn’t happening just yet.
3) SS: Troy Polamalu has reached the end of his road. Unless he takes a pay cut, his days in Pittsburgh are numbered. Backup SS Shamarko Thomas – Pittsburgh traded a future 3rd rounder to grab him in the 2013 4th round – is literally always injured, and surrenders playing time to Will Allen even when healthy. Allen, listed as a FS but Polamalu’s real backup last year, happens to no longer be under contract, so expect a FS to be brought in this offseason.
4) RB: We saw this deficiency exposed first hand in Pittsburgh’s 30-17 Wild Card loss to the Ravens. Le’veon Bell has established himself among the premier backs in the league, but he can’t play every single snap. Plus a 2-game suspension may be handed down to him promptly for his DUI. Ben Tate is gone, and shouldn’t dare to look back. Dri Archer isn’t a true RB and needs to carve out a Dexter McCluster-type role if he wishes to see playing time. Josh Harris seems like a good #3 back to have on the squad, but competition is badly needed in Pittsburgh behind Le’veon.
5) TE: Taking a TE early would be more of a luxury selection; much like Rashard Mendenhall was in 2008. Re-signing Matt Spaeth to another 1-year deal postpones the need for another season. But Pittsburgh could knock two birds with one stone if they target a TE early on draft day. Replace Spaeth and begin grooming that player behind the 32-year old Miller.
Potential FA Targets
RB: Roy Helu, Knowshon Moreno
OLB: Sam Acho, Jabaal Sheard
CB: Kyle Wilson, Davon House
Potential Round 1 NFL Draft Targets
1.22: Maxx Williams (TE, Minnesota), Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson), Bud Dupree (OLB, Kentucky), Owamagbe Odighizuwa (OLB, UCLA), Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State), Landon Collins (SS, Alabama)