AFC North mailbag: More on Ravens' request

March, 23, 2009
Mar 23
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By James Walker

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

Let's see what's currently on the minds of AFC North readers.

Steve from Milltown, NJ writes: James, love your work as always. Regarding the "Ravens Request", I understand their "reasons" for making the request, but I can't help but wonder if maybe the real reason is because they always LOSE when the play the Steelers in Pittsburgh during prime time? Any way you look at it, this seems to be in bad taste for such a "tough" organization. What happened to being willing to play a team anywhere, anytime?

James Walker: The Ravens surprised me with this one, Steve. They have to play at Heinz Field at some point next season, and I'm not sure, realistically, there is much of a difference playing on the road during the day or at night. I could be wrong, but I believe this has something to do with the Ravens wanting no part of watching Pittsburgh's championship ceremony that will take place before the prime-time season opener. Baltimore probably got a sense it would be slated for that Week 1 game and used the time of the contest as a convenient way to get out of it. The Ravens were so close last year and probably don't care to relive the triumph of their biggest rival to start a new season. It is a fact that Baltimore played in Pittsburgh two years in a row in night games. That is leverage the Ravens have. But I think in some ways this stokes the fires even more with the NFL's most underrated rivalry.


Cody from Kent writes: Hey James, let's get right to business as I'm sure your a busy man. With the Cleveland receivers falling like flies, what do you think the chances are of maybe taking home-town favorite Brian Robiskie in the second round? or possibly even looking into Torry Holt or Marvin Harrison to give experience to our younger receivers? Thanks for reading and keep up the good work.

James Walker: Drafting a receiver is more likely, Cody. The Browns were probably going to address the position at some point in the draft even before Donte Stallworth's legal woes. This latest development just makes it more urgent. Robiskie caught the eyes of a lot of teams--not just the Browns--with a strong combine. With two second-round picks, he is a possibility.


James from League City, TX writes: With Shaun Rogers feeling "dissed" by Mangini is there a chance he will be dealt? I'm a Texans fan and was wondering what the possibility was of him coming back home to Texas.

James Walker: Rogers is one of the few players not available in Cleveland, James. It's a combination of his importance to the defense and the type of cap hit the Browns would take to trade him. So it doesn't make football or business sense. I expect both sides to slowly iron out their differences between now and September.


Charles from Cincinnati writes: What's going on with the Cincinnati and Roy Williams deal? I know he came to visit but can we expect to see him in orange and black next season for sure?


James Walker: No, it's not for sure, Charles. Williams visited the Bengals last week because of his connection with defense coordinator Mike Zimmer. Cincinnati liked what it saw, but Williams left town with no deal in place. He probably will talk to other teams before making his final decision. But Cincinnati is certainly on his radar.


Paul Brady from Elkton, MD writes: Hey James, I don't want to sound like everyone else, but I really love to follow your blog. I was looking over the new rules that are being proposed and I could not help but notice that two of the new rules directly target the Steelers. You have already addressed the "Hines Ward Rule". But should the other rule about illegalizing hits lead by the shoulder be called the "Ryan Clark Rule"? The two hits that I thought of when I heard that new rule was the ones on Wes Welker and Willis McGahee.

James Walker: Thanks for the kind words, Paul. I am actually against changing both rules. Football is a contact sport and these type of hits were fair game for decades. Why are they not fair now? Player safety is important. But there have been more than enough rule changes in the past several years to help with safety. At some point the changes become too much and makes the NFL a less physical game.

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