Here's some highlights from this week's AFC North chat. A lot of the talk centered on running backs in the division. If you want a full transcript, you'll have to ask very nicely and then click on this link.
Chris Fiegler (Latham, NY): What AFC North teams will have the best passing yards & the best rushing?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Passing: Steelers. Rushing: Ravens. I know this isn't surprising. But you can't go against Roethlisberger and those receivers. And you can't go against Ray Rice and Vonta Leach.
Sean (New York): Hey Jamison. Thanks for all the great work. Let's say July 16th passes and Ray Rice hasn't been signed to a long term deal yet. What are the possibilities as to what can happen then?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): If no deal is struck by July 16, Rice has to play under the franchise tag this season. No long-term deal can be reached until after the season. I expect Rice to sit out of training camp and report sometime in the middle of the preseason so he'll be ready for the season opener.
Ravenous128 (Columbia, MD): Helloooo Jamison. Given the not-so-gradual shift in the NFL towards a passing league, how well do you think the respective AFCN secondaries will fare this season? Who needs improvement there and why? Thanks!
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): I think all of the secondaries in the AFC North can be top-10 ones in the NFL, which is why these defenses were so strong last season. Here's my question for each secondary ... Bengals: Can Mays hold up as the strong safety? Browns: Is Hagg ready to be the starting free safety? Ravens: Can Jimmy Smith live up to expectations this year? Steelers: Who is going to emerge as the No. 2 CB?
Andre (Canada): How do you see the Steelers handling Rashard Mendenhall's return during the season? Do they throw him into the fire or give him a couple carries a game and take it easy on him?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Mendenhall's return will be based on two things: How Redman is faring in his absence and how Mendenhall is looking in practice when he returns. If Redman is doing well, Mendenhall might not have much of a role when he's ready. But if the Steelers' run game is struggling, Mendenhall could be viewed as a much-needed lift.
David (West of that dump in PA): How do you think Trent Richardson will fare against tough AFC North defenses?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): It's not going to be easy for Richardson to go against the likes of run defenses in the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals. But the Browns will be committed to the run after moving up to draft Richardson at No. 3 overall. He's my favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year this season.
Brian (Dover): Which running backs make the 53-man roster in Pittsburgh?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Redman, Dwyer, Rainey. Mendenhall on PUP and Batch or Clay on practice squad. Maybe Clay finds his way as the 52nd or 53rd player.
Sean (New York): Sorry I have a follow up: What would be the point of Rice sitting out until the middle of pre season if he would have no choice but to play under the tag after July 16th?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): It would be in Rice's best interest to sit out. If you're on a one-year deal (which is what the tag is), you don't want to expose yourself to more hits in training camp and possibly get hurt. It's not being selfish. Just being smart.
Greg (NJ): With Richardson as the workhorse, how do you see the rest of the Browns' backfield shaping up?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson will be the backups. Hardesty should get the second-most carries behind TR and Jackson will get his playing time as a third-down back.
Brian (Greensboro, NC): With the stoutness of the defenses in the AFC North, and Trent Richardson's physical running style, I don't think he lasts more than five years. You?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Jamal Lewis lasted longer than that and he had a physical running style.
Nick W (Harrison, OH): Do we get to see more double tight end sets out of the Bengals this year? This is the first time we've had two good pass catching tight ends at the same time.
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Orson Charles impressed Marvin Lewis with his pass-catching ability in minicamps. So, a lot of double TE formations should be in Cincy's future.
Corey (Hungover in SoCal): Jamison, it's ok to admit your a closet Steelers fan! We give warm welcomes.
Jamison Hensley (ESPN):I thought all Steelers fans consider me a Ravens homer. This debate is more confusing than the Troy Reed one.
Chris Fiegler (Latham, NY): What AFC North teams will have the best passing yards & the best rushing?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Passing: Steelers. Rushing: Ravens. I know this isn't surprising. But you can't go against Roethlisberger and those receivers. And you can't go against Ray Rice and Vonta Leach.
Sean (New York): Hey Jamison. Thanks for all the great work. Let's say July 16th passes and Ray Rice hasn't been signed to a long term deal yet. What are the possibilities as to what can happen then?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): If no deal is struck by July 16, Rice has to play under the franchise tag this season. No long-term deal can be reached until after the season. I expect Rice to sit out of training camp and report sometime in the middle of the preseason so he'll be ready for the season opener.
Ravenous128 (Columbia, MD): Helloooo Jamison. Given the not-so-gradual shift in the NFL towards a passing league, how well do you think the respective AFCN secondaries will fare this season? Who needs improvement there and why? Thanks!
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): I think all of the secondaries in the AFC North can be top-10 ones in the NFL, which is why these defenses were so strong last season. Here's my question for each secondary ... Bengals: Can Mays hold up as the strong safety? Browns: Is Hagg ready to be the starting free safety? Ravens: Can Jimmy Smith live up to expectations this year? Steelers: Who is going to emerge as the No. 2 CB?
Andre (Canada): How do you see the Steelers handling Rashard Mendenhall's return during the season? Do they throw him into the fire or give him a couple carries a game and take it easy on him?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Mendenhall's return will be based on two things: How Redman is faring in his absence and how Mendenhall is looking in practice when he returns. If Redman is doing well, Mendenhall might not have much of a role when he's ready. But if the Steelers' run game is struggling, Mendenhall could be viewed as a much-needed lift.
David (West of that dump in PA): How do you think Trent Richardson will fare against tough AFC North defenses?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): It's not going to be easy for Richardson to go against the likes of run defenses in the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals. But the Browns will be committed to the run after moving up to draft Richardson at No. 3 overall. He's my favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year this season.
Brian (Dover): Which running backs make the 53-man roster in Pittsburgh?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Redman, Dwyer, Rainey. Mendenhall on PUP and Batch or Clay on practice squad. Maybe Clay finds his way as the 52nd or 53rd player.
Sean (New York): Sorry I have a follow up: What would be the point of Rice sitting out until the middle of pre season if he would have no choice but to play under the tag after July 16th?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): It would be in Rice's best interest to sit out. If you're on a one-year deal (which is what the tag is), you don't want to expose yourself to more hits in training camp and possibly get hurt. It's not being selfish. Just being smart.
Greg (NJ): With Richardson as the workhorse, how do you see the rest of the Browns' backfield shaping up?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson will be the backups. Hardesty should get the second-most carries behind TR and Jackson will get his playing time as a third-down back.
Brian (Greensboro, NC): With the stoutness of the defenses in the AFC North, and Trent Richardson's physical running style, I don't think he lasts more than five years. You?
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Jamal Lewis lasted longer than that and he had a physical running style.
Nick W (Harrison, OH): Do we get to see more double tight end sets out of the Bengals this year? This is the first time we've had two good pass catching tight ends at the same time.
Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Orson Charles impressed Marvin Lewis with his pass-catching ability in minicamps. So, a lot of double TE formations should be in Cincy's future.
Corey (Hungover in SoCal): Jamison, it's ok to admit your a closet Steelers fan! We give warm welcomes.
Jamison Hensley (ESPN):I thought all Steelers fans consider me a Ravens homer. This debate is more confusing than the Troy Reed one.
- ESPN AFC North Blogger
- A University of Maryland graduate
- Lives in the Baltimore area with his wife
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife and son.
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