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Let's see what's in the weekend mailbag.

Brian from Conshohocken, Pa., writes: How much more will RB James Davis be a factor in the Browns' offense with Montario Hardesty's knee injury?

James Walker: Hardesty's season-ending injury took Davis off the bubble. But Hardesty's role in the offense would have been bigger. They are two different running backs. Hardesty had the talent to be an every-down back who eventually could have pushed for a starting job. Davis is more of a change-of-pace back who will get significantly less playing time. The Browns will still run the ball well this year, but Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis will get the majority of the carries.

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Eric from Princeton, N.J., wants to know if the Cleveland Browns will be interested in former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Antonio Bryant.

Walker: I don't foresee any interest in Bryant from the Browns or anyone else until he gets healthy. The fact the Bengals completely gave up on him indicates it could be a while before Bryant sees the field again.

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Eric from Chicago writes: With the recent release of Bryant, will the Bengals sign another wide receiver or are they set with the group they have?

Walker: The Bengals are set. Even after Bryant's release, they still have tough decisions at the position. The team has to choose between Matt Jones, Jerome Simpson, Maurice Purify and Dezmon Briscoe. Cincinnati can only keep one (maybe two) from this group. But the team doesn't need to look outside for additional help.

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Richard from Beijing writes: Is there some particular reason the Ravens are grabbing up former University of Maryland cornerbacks?

Walker: Some of it is coincidence. Domonique Foxworth was a free agent and Josh Wilson were available via trade at the right time for Baltimore. But the Ravens naturally have a good relationship with the University of Maryland, because of the location. It's nearby, easy to scout, and many of their players grew up in Ravens' territory and know about the team.

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Lenny from Hollywood, Md., writes: Random question but do you think Jamal Lewis is a Hall of Famer?

Walker: I don't have a vote, so I usually avoid these questions. But an educated guess is Lewis doesn't get in. It still shouldn’t take away from a great career.

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Comment and complaint department

We have plenty of comments and complaints from our community this week.

Jay from Dublin, Ohio, writes: James, no way the Steelers go 1-3 without Big Ben. The Steelers defense is loaded and will help grind out a close game with Atlanta. Remember without Troy Polamalu and Big Ben we had the Ravens beat in Baltimore. Worst-case scenario is 2-2, and I wouldn't count us out against Tennessee. I am not convinced Vince Young is the real deal, and we know Chris Johnson isn't going to run on the Steelers’ D.

Will from Nashville, Tenn., writes: I feel like the Steelers as an organization should uphold the six-game suspension. It would be a good message to send players and fans that their standards are higher than what the league imposes. It also says that appropriate punishment for personal mistakes is more important than playing time and a winning season. Current good behavior should not be able to make up for previous appalling actions.

Rhonda Pierce from Illinois writes: I am Pittsburgh born and bred. I love my Steelers, but Ben's suspension should not have been reduced. His success and our franchise's history and image mandated that Ben demonstrate more responsibility and appreciation for the team and city. His behavior has forever tarnished the gold in the Black and Gold dynasty. I believe Leftwich's injury played a role in the Roger Goodell's decision, because not enough time has elapsed for the commissioner to know if Ben has really changed. How will he conduct himself in the offseason is the question? More than one "sexual" incident is more than one too many.

Zack from Middletown, Conn., writes: You know what I like about other fans in the AFC North? The way Ravens fans think Tom Zbikowski will step in for a Hall of Famer and there will be no drop off; the way Steeler fans think that Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon are actually quality QBs; and the way Browns fans think that Jake Delhomme is actually good. Bengals may have their issues. But they aren't replacing Pro Bowl [level] talent with guys who are washed up and were never that good in the first place. All they've done is add young talent and veterans for depth without losing key pieces.

Luke from Cincinnati writes: Why can't my Bengals get any love? I understand the Ravens and Steelers are great, but c'mon! We bring back basically everyone on a top five defense that's only going to get better and have appeared to strike gold with Adam Jones at the nickel. And on offense we add Jordan Shipley and T.O. to surround Carson Palmer with a great receiving core AND a great running game. This is the same team that swept the division last year, and were going to be even better this year!

Jason Myers from Baltimore writes: Hey, JW! How come you never point out the obvious to Bengals fans? They're always commenting about how they swept the division last year and that they're the defending AFC North champs. But it seems that they forget how they got bounced in the first round of the playoffs last year. Will you please tell them to win a playoff game first and then they can talk a little trash. I mean, seriously, as a Ravens fan I don't care if the Bengals sweep us every year as long as we continue to win in the playoffs and they continue to be...well...the Bengals.

Ben from Pensacola, Fla., writes: What is it about the Ravens' offense that is so stacked? Joe Flacco hasn't been anything better than solid and has been flat-out terrible in the clutch (especially in the playoffs). Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason are a good possession duo, but neither screams downfield threat. Mark Clayton and Donte' Stallworth have never done anything worth noting on the field and, frankly. aren't good players. Todd Heap is still a nice TE but the rest of the group are rookies. There's a very good stable of RBs but you can't give them all the ball or even have them all on the field at one time. Two strong possession WRs and a TE to go with a good running game isn't a stacked offense. Talk about overhyped.

Shaneeka from High Point, N.C., writes: Hey James, you want to know why Ravens fans are not allowing the teams recent record vs. division rivals to rain on the teams Super Bowl hopes? It’s because the Ravens have been to the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years, including back to back trips. So the Ravens poor showing vs. division rivals have not cost them playoff berths and once the playoffs start, as the Cards showed in 2008 and the Jets last season, it’s anyways game. So, no we don’t care about Carson Palmer's winning record vs. the Ravens, nor do we care that the team has only beaten Pittsburgh once in two years. Neither of them kept the team out of the postseason. To think that it would now is pushing it considering the Bengals history and all the drama Pittsburgh has gone through this offseason.

Kovacs from Santa Monica writes: We knew the Browns would have a tandem backfield, it just looks like a different tandem. I do think Peyton Hillis should start. He's endeared himself to the team and is great out of the backfield. He also seems like a guy that you'd love to get going early with his physicality to wear a defense down. Then bring in Jerome Harrison to gash a defense with his speed late in the game.

AFC North Homer of the Week

Darryl from Oakland, Calif., writes: I'd rather have Dennis Dixon than Matt Ryan. I know you disagree, but I'll check back after Week 4.

The AFC North was in the police blotter this offseason. All four teams had players facing suspensions for violating the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies.

The problem is the league doesn't have clearly-defined guidelines for infractions. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is ruling on a case-by-case basis, which has sparked debate.

Here is a recap on Goodell's rulings in the AFC North:

Shaun Rogers, DL, Cleveland Browns

Violation: Rogers was caught with a gun at a Cleveland airport.

Penalty: Fined one game check (approximately $400,000)

Skinny: Rogers says he made an honest mistake, and the NFL obliged by not suspending him. But the stiff penalty of a game check makes a point that gun infractions are serious, even if it's accidental. Rogers is appealing the fine.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Infraction: Roethlisberger faced his second allegation of sexual assault in less than a year in Milledgeville, Ga.

Penalty: Conditional six-game suspension

Skinny: This was the harshest penalty by far in the division, and the biggest public criticism against the NFL is that Roethlisberger was never charged. But Goodell didn't act last year following Roethlisberger's first sexual assault allegation and was clearly peeved the second time around. Lately, Roethlisberger has been on his best behavior, and the suspension likely will be reduced to four games.

Cary Williams, CB, Baltimore Ravens

Infraction: Williams was suspended for an unknown family situation while with the Tennessee Titans last year.

Penalty: Two-game suspension

Skinny: It's hard to make sense of this without many details. But Williams is having a decent preseason and could've helped Baltimore's ailing secondary.

Maurice Purify, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Infraction: Purify was arrested in northern Kentucky for disorderly conduct.

Penalty: One-game suspension

Skinny: Although this infraction is relatively small compared to others listed, Purify has been in trouble with the law before. This suspension likely ends any chance of Purify making Cincinnati's 53-man roster.

Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals

Infraction: Benson was involved in a bar fight last May in Austin, Texas.

Penalty: None

Skinny: The NFL determined Benson was not the aggressor and didn't suspend him. The details seemed sketchy from the start, but Benson's past infractions put him at risk by the NFL.

Rey Maualuga, LB, Bengals

Infraction: Arrested for DUI after crashing into two cars and a parking meter in February.

Penalty: Fined two game checks and a portion of signing bonus

Skinny: This was Maualuga's first violation with the NFL. So the league decided to fine the linebacker but not cost him any games. Maualuga also went through an offseason rehab program and says he's learned from his mistakes.

As you can see, there isn't much consistency, as the penalties range all over the place.

It's difficult to outline every potential infraction. But it may be wise for the NFL to spell out the most prevalent cases (DUI, assault, weapons charges) and provide a definitive penalty range for each violation.

Until it's clearly explained in writing, the public will continue to question whether each judgment call by Goodell is too harsh or too lenient.

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Maurice Purify has been suspended for one game to start the 2010 season, the NFL announced Monday.

Purify violated the NFL's personal conduct policy in May after he was arrested for disorderly conduct in northern Kentucky. He's one of Cincinnati's top special-teams players but is already on the roster bubble due to the Bengals' depth at receiver.

The one-game suspension to start the season won't help Purify's case in Cincinnati. NFL teams have to finalize their 53-man rosters by Saturday.

The Cincinnati Bengals had plenty of competition at wide receiver even before they re-opened negotiations with free-agent Terrell Owens. So what happens to receivers on the bubble in Cincinnati if Owens is signed?


The Bengals likely will carry six receivers on their 53-man roster this year. That number may increase to seven with consideration given to special teams, but it's not expected. Therefore, with the possible addition of Owens, five players would be slotted into those six roster spots, making for a very tight competition this summer.

Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, Andre Caldwell, rookie Jordan Shipley and potentially Owens would be locks to make the team. That leaves players like Matt Jones, Jerome Simpson, Quan Cosby, Dezmon Briscoe and Maurice Purify essentially battling for one roster spot, barring injuries.

Either way, the Bengals would end up with quality depth at wide receiver. But by potentially adding a proven veteran like Owens, they could also let a player get away this summer with some potential.

Who's in and who's out?

Here's a look at which receivers are a lock and which are on the bubble:

Chad Ochocinco: Lock

Antonio Bryant: Lock

*Terrell Owens: Lock

Andre Caldwell: Lock

Jordan Shipley: Lock

Matt Jones: Bubble

Quan Cosby: Bubble

Jerome Simpson: Bubble

Dezmon Briscoe: Bubble

Maurice Purify: Bubble

*Bengals are in negotiations with Owens.

Here are the most interesting stories Saturday in the AFC North:

• Once near the top of the NFL, jersey sales for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's jerseys have quickly dropped out of the top 25.

Morning take: I was in Pittsburgh for three days last week and didn't see one Roethlisberger jersey. I wonder if his jersey is cheaper than this one.

• Anquan Boldin is looking good in the Baltimore Ravens' offense.

Morning take: Boldin should be a great fit and the best offensive weapon to date for quarterback Joe Flacco.

• Cincinnati Bengals receiver Maurice Purify pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct in Campbell County (KY.) District Court.

Morning take: The preliminary hearing for Purify is set for May 20. The sooner he can move past this, the better.

• Here is a look at the Cleveland Browns' projected starters on offense.

Morning take: It's not an overwhelmingly impressive group. But if they can run the football, they have a chance to cause some problems.

Here are the most interesting stories in the AFC North:

• The Cincinnati Bengals and the AFC North added another arrest this week. This time it's Bengals backup receiver Maurice Purify.

Morning take: Here's the same response I gave to the others.

• Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, who contemplated retirement, recently had hip surgery and will not participate at this weekend's minicamp.

Morning take: The Ravens are confident that Reed is returning and didn’t alter their draft plans, which is further proof of that.

• Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler has a lot of talent to work with.

Morning take: I'm still a bit baffled why Pittsburgh drafted two OLBs in the first four rounds last month. But Butler should definitely be happy about it.

• Here is more info on Cleveland Browns rookie safety and fifth-round pick Larry Asante.

Morning take: Asante worked his way up from junior college to Nebraska, where he became one of the Huskers' top defenders. The Browns hope he continues to improve.

Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker

The Cincinnati Bengals signed eight players to their practice squad Sunday.

The full list is as follows:

• TE Darius Hill
• HB James Johnson
• S Corey Lynch
• DT Clinton McDonald
• FB Chris Pressley
• WR Maurice Purify
• OG Jason Shirley
• LB Dan Skuta

Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker

Biggest surprise: Although I suggested this strategy as a possible solution earlier this week, I was still surprised to see the Bengals take my advice and cut two fullbacks in order to keep both DeDe Dorsey and Brian Leonard. Cincinnati now has four active tailbacks with Dorsey and Leonard to go along with starter Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott. All four have been solid in the preseason. Jeremi Johnson is the only fullback on the roster as the team cut both Chris Pressley and draft pick Fui Vakapuna. But Leonard is versatile and has the ability to be the backup at both fullback and tailback, which factored into the final decision.

No-brainers: Safety Marvin White had some potential, but coming off a major knee injury he got off to a slow start this year and fell behind a deep group of safeties in Cincinnati. Former 2008 draft pick Corey Lynch certainly wasn’t a no-brainer, but it was pretty clear that rookie free-agent safety Tom Nelson beat him out for one of the last roster spots. Receivers such as Freddie Brown and Maurice Purify never had a chance in Cincinnati, because the Bengals are just too deep at that position.

What’s next: With first-round pick Andre Smith recovering from a broken bone in his foot, the Bengals may scan the wires to see if an intriguing prospect or two surfaces on the offensive line, particularly at tackle. Cincinnati also wouldn't mind retaining some of its younger players on the practice squad, such as Vakapuna and Pressley. Otherwise, the Bengals are set at most positions and shouldn’t have a lot of turnover before the start of the regular season.

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

GEORGETOWN, Ky.--The Cincinnati Bengals held their first full-contact practice of training camp Sunday.

Here are several notes and observations:

• Let's start with Cincinnati's most important player: Carson Palmer. The starting quarterback missed his second straight practice with an illness. Specifically, Palmer is suffering from flu-like symptoms, according to a source. I'm told it doesn't appear to be anything serious, and Palmer should be back on the practice field soon.

• The famous (or infamous) "Oklahoma drill" made its 2009 debut in Bengals practice. For those unaware, this is an old-school football drill where a blocker goes head-to-head with a defender, who then tries to shed and tackle the ball carrier. Among the highlights was a pancake block by receiver Maurice Purify on safety Roy Williams, who didn't like the result and started a scuffle, and Bengals center Kyle Cook, who won his drills against Rey Maualuga and Domata Peko.

• Receiver Jerome Simpson had his best day of training camp Sunday. Simpson, who has struggled with drops and poor routes this offseason, made several nice catches in team drills and finally flashed some of the ability that made him a second-round pick in 2008.

• Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is experimenting this summer with an interesting wrinkle in sub packages. Instead of playing a cornerback in the nickel, Zimmer is moving safety Chris Crocker into that role and bringing in an extra safety -- in this case Chinedum Ndukwe -- on the back end. The Bengals like all three of their safeties in Crocker, Ndukwe and Williams, who all have different strengths. Williams and Ndukwe are currently battling for the starting strong safety position. But with this nickel alignment, Zimmer can have all three of his safeties on the field.

• Overall, I've been impressed with rookie third-round pick Michael Johnson. Scouts believe the defensive end has first-round ability but third-round motivation. In training camp thus far Johnson looks motivated. He did well in the Oklahoma drill, getting the best of offensive lineman Evan Mathis, and he's also flashed ability throughout the weekend with some quick moves in pressuring the quarterback.

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

Crowded field The Bengals have 11 receivers most likely fighting for five roster spots. Player, Experience • Chad Ocho Cinco: 9 seasons • Laveranues Coles: 10 • Chris Henry: 5 • Andre Caldwell: 2 • Jerome Simpson: 2 • Antonio Chatman: 7 • Quan Cosby: rookie • Mario Urrutia: 1 • Maurice Purify: 1 • David Richmond: rookie • Greg Orton: rookie

Who will be the odd man out at receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals?

The Bengals have 11 players at the position vying for a limited number of spots on Cincinnati's 53-man roster. Most NFL teams will keep about five receivers active in the fall.

Laveranues Coles and Chad Ocho Cinco are locks as starters. That likely leaves three active roster spots for eight remaining receivers.

Chris Henry, Andre Caldwell, Jerome Simpson and Antonio Chatman played last year and have to be among the favorites. Chatman could be on thin ice this summer or latch on as a sixth receiver because of his return skills. But the Bengals may need that roster spot and look elsewhere for help on special teams.

Chatman cannot be retained on the practice squad because of his seven years of NFL experience, so he might fall victim to the the numbers game.

A young, inexperienced group of Quan Cosby, Maurice Purify and Mario Urrutia are behind them and will have an uphill climb. But if any of these players has an outstanding camp, perhaps Cosby, it could force another difficult decision at receiver for Cincinnati's coaching staff down the road.