Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
As always, send any questions you have to our AFC North inbox. Let's see what's on the minds of AFC North readers this weekend.
Jason Mills from Knoxville, TN writes: Hey Walker! It's been a while man. I had a question regarding Mewelde Moore for the Steelers. He proved to be a viable asset to the Steelers, but with the return of Rashard Mendenhall and the drafting of Frank "The Tank" Summers will his role be even more limited than previously expected?
James Walker: Good question as usual, Jason. Moore's role shouldn't diminish all that much this season. Pittsburgh's coaching staff considers him a secret weapon on third down, and a guy who comes in and does whatever it takes to move the chains. What will change is his opportunity to be a featured back, which happened for a few games last year due to injuries. That is where Mendenhall would come in, if necessary, in 2009. Summers still has to earn a role on the team. Based on his build, he looks like he could help Pittsburgh in short-yardage situations, where the team struggled last year.
JMo from Bed-Stuy writes: James, what's your take on the talent level of the incoming Jets to the Browns, particularly regarding the defense?
James Walker: I would first need to see these players in game situations, JMo. But my initial impression is most are solid but not spectacular acquisitions. Safety Abram Elam, cornerback Hank Poteat, linebackers David Bowens and Eric Barton and defensive linemen C.J. Mosley and Kenyon Coleman should not be mistaken for Pro Bowl players. But they are smart and will do their assignments, which are qualities Browns coach Eric Mangini looks for. Quarterback Brett Ratliff looks decent in the practices I've seen -- he had a great deep ball to Syndric Steptoe Wednesday -- and is the No. 3 quarterback behind Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.
Brian from Pittsburgh writes: I've heard a lot of commentators jump on the Bengals bandwagon as a potential sleeper this offseason. Their D is good, but are they going to score?
James Walker: I'm in that group also who believes the Bengals have sleeper potential, Brian. The assumption is that the return of quarterback Carson Palmer will make a world of difference in Cincinnati's offense. Last year, the team couldn't score because its quarterback (Ryan Fitzpatrick) rarely completed a pass longer than 15 yards. But in that time, the defense learned how to carry the team last year, and that could pay dividends down the road.
Cliff from Baltimore writes: Hey James, I have a question about the Baltimore Ravens' running game. The team moved LeRon McClain to fullback full-time because they didn't feel the need to resign Lorenzo Neal. What does this mean for the Ravens' power running game? This leaves Ray Rice, (a presumably in-shape) Willis McGahee, and Cedric Peerman to run the ball 90% of the time. They are all quick and shifty backs, McGahee probably less so. So does this mean the offense isn't going to grind out wins by pounding the rock? What could Cam Cameron and John Harbaugh's intentions be?
James Walker: The Ravens are going to run the football effectively, Cliff. It is a big part of what they do. Unless the Ravens sign a fullback late this summer, I think what you're going to see this year is less carries for McClain, and more going to traditional tailbacks like McGahee and Rice. Baltimore is still going to go with a committee of rushers. Unless someone gets really, really hot, I doubt you're going to see enough carries for one player to gain 1,200 yards this year. But you're probably going to see a couple rushers gain 600-800 yards and one in the 400-yard range.
Mark from Elkton writes: Why not have the Pro Bowl in London? That way there's less pressure on the league to play a regular season game there. London has to be more appealing to the players then Florida and maybe even Hawaii and plus the English fans who really care about American football have the chance to see a game. That's my idea.
James Walker: I disagree with this idea, Mark. The Pro Bowl is for the players, and the response I've gathered is the teams and players that already made the trip to London view it as a chore. Players often bring family members and friends to the Pro Bowl as a bonus, and organizing plans to London would be more difficult than Hawaii or Florida. Plus from a league standpoint, we all know the actual Pro Bowl is not high-quality football. If the league wants to generate interest and promote the brand to other parts of the world, sending a sloppy, half-hearted, poorly-played exhibition version of the sport is probably not the best idea. It wouldn't be the best example of how great a game it really is.
Josh from Erlanger, KY writes: James, do you think Greg Ellis can come into the Bengals defensive rotation and be an immediate impact? I know that him and Mike Zimmer have a history and that he had a Pro Bowl season a couple of years ago but with him being 33 yrs old, will he have anything to offer? Also, do you think he would be a starter if he does end up with us and where do you see Zimmer playing him? At defensive end or outside linebacker?
James Walker: Josh, the Bengals have enough good, young linebackers. So if Cincinnati has interest in Ellis, it's likely as a defensive end. Ellis is definitely available. But I have not heard anything specific with the Bengals. I think the natural tie in with Zimmer is leading to the early speculation.
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