Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
As always, feel free to send your offseason questions here.
Craig from Lakewood writes: Browns sign TE Royal from Buffalo, DE Mosley from the Jets and are working on a deal with LB Bowens from the Jets. Any reason to get excited about these guys or are we just looking at players who are filling space for future draft picks?
James Walker: Craig, don't forget about Eric Barton. I think the common denominators in these players are that new Browns coach Eric Mangini is picking up/interested in free agents he is most familiar with. C.J. Mosley, Barton and David Bowens are all "Mangini guys." Plus, Mangini coached against Robert Royal twice a year as a division rival with the New York Jets. These are not flashy additions, but they are players Mangini feels can help change the culture in Cleveland quickly.
Mike from Chicago writes: Who do you see as the Steelers 4th wide receiver this year? With the departure of Nate Washington our depth at WR looks a little weak. Do you envision the Steelers taking care of this via the draft? Personally, I would like to see them mold Dennis Dixon into an Antwaan Randle El type receiver.
James Walker: Free agency and the draft are always options, Mike. But right now Dallas Baker has the inside track as the No. 4 receiver. Baker has quietly had solid training camps in Pittsburgh but has fallen victim to the numbers game. I don't see Dixon training to be a full-time receiver next season, although he could see action there in spurts. Pittsburgh is still trying to see if Dixon can be groomed into a backup quarterback first.
Ryan from Cincinnati writes: Is there any chance the Bengals address their blaring needs of OL in free agency? Or has mike brown once again cheaped his way through another offseason of not addressing the most important area of the team? I know, I know the draft is coming. However starting an rookie LT (6th pick, if mikey doesn't screw it up) and rookie C (2nd round pick, again if mikey doesn't screw it up) kind of worries me... your thoughts?
James Walker: The draft is the best way at this point, Ryan. It is stocked with very good offensive linemen at just about every position, including tackle which is what the Bengals need. History has proven that rookie linemen can have success in the NFL. The past two years Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns and Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins significantly improved their respective units as the first linemen taken.
Not Steiny from NYC writes: Hey James. What impact do you think the looming 2010 uncapped year will have on the AFC North?
James Walker: Not Steiny? This is either a joke or Steiny, a Jets fan, has drawn some animosity in our AFC North community. Either way this is a great question. If the uncapped year takes place in 2010, I don't think it will impact the division too much for one season. Most players throughout the league are signed to long-term deals. Pittsburgh has a strong free-agent class next year and could be outbid for some players, but that's nothing new for the Steelers even with a cap. If the NFL goes without a cap for more than one season, then you will see a much larger impact.
Jorge Medina from Aguadilla, PR writes: Hi James! Yes, Steelers Nation goes far and beyond the 50 states...I'm a little nervous with the steelers being so slow on getting some punch in the O-line. I agree that should be better this year but lets be real, we need help. A couple of names that may bring that 'kick' to our o-line are Harvey Dahl and Khalif Barnes. Your thoughts on them and thanks for the opportunity.
James Walker: Jorge from Puerto Rico, I suppose you're part of the non-50 states division of Steeler Nation, correct? It's a safe bet Pittsburgh will not make a major run at offensive linemen in free agency unless someone becomes an incredibly good bargain. Pittsburgh feels comfortable with what it has. The Steelers retained the same starting five from their Super Bowl XLIII victory, which I don't necessarily agree with. But my hunch is they will search for younger players to develop through the draft and add depth.
Austin from Charleston, SC writes: Hey James, thanks for getting to my draft question. So as a follow up, do you think the Ravens will take Maryland native (who happened to be the fastest receiver at the combine) Darrius Heyward-Bey?
James Walker: Darrius Heyward-Bey is on Baltimore's radar, Austin. Many disagreed with my opinion that the Ravens should make a run at Terrell Owens. I thought for one or two years Owens would be worth the risk to make a Super Bowl run. But this could also be a sign that the Ravens are really impressed with this year's class of rookie receivers, and they should be. Baltimore should have a lot of solid options at that position in the first two rounds.
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AFC NORTH SCOREBOARD
Sunday, 11/29
1:00 PM ET Cleveland Cincinnati 8:20 PM ET Pittsburgh Baltimore