James Walker

  (4:00 PM)

Hello everyone. I'm back for a second straight day. Let's try to get to more questions this time.

Carl (Pittsburgh, PA)

Would you put the Steelers of the past five years in the category of a dynasty?

James Walker

  (4:03 PM)

Slow down, Carl. Even if Pittsburgh wins, it's been five seasons. Plus a lot has changed, including the head coach.

Scott (Indy)

Would you call me crazy if I thought the Steelers O-Line has done a decent job this postseason?

James Walker

  (4:04 PM)

Not crazy at all, Scott. The bye week helped this unit more than anyone. The Steelers only allowed one sack to San Diego and four to Baltimore, but a case can be made that at least two were due to Ben's penchant for holding the ball and trying to make a big play.

Liam Cape Cod MA

any chance arizona ca stop or even slow down the pass rushing combo of Harrison and Woodley?

James Walker

  (4:07 PM)

The best way will be to get rid of the football, and that's what Arizona likes to do. Kurt Warner likes his short, quick crossing routes. This goes back to his days in St. Louis. It's hard to blitz when the ball is out so quickly.

Kevin (Pittsburgh)

Yey James, love the blog. Given Palmer's return to the Bengals, the Browns new coaching staff and the already great Ravens and Steelers, how do you think the AFC North will be looking next season?

James Walker

  (4:08 PM)

Hard to tell before the draft and free agency, which often changes the outlook and fortune of teams. But looking at it in January, I see more of the same with Pittsburgh and Baltimore battling for the top spot in the division and Cleveland and Cincinnati still playing catch up.

Javier (Berkeley, CA)

James, has there been further information about the nature of Hines Ward's injury? Is it likely he can make it back for the Super Bowl at full strength? If not, how do you think the Steelers game plan without him?

James Walker

  (4:10 PM)

Javier, Hines Ward has a sprained MCL. It's usually about a 2-3 week injury, depending on the severity. But Ward told me in the locker room Sunday that he will play. "Rain, sleet or snow..." was his quote, I believe.

Matt (Cary, NC)

What positions do you think the Steelers need to shore up in the off season, and do they have any potential free agent issues that need to be addressed?

James Walker

  (4:13 PM)

Matt, enjoy the ride. For now, let the other 30 teams worry about next year. Pittsburgh doesn't need much. I'd be shocked if it didn't upgrade the offensive line, first, then just add depth in other places. The biggest potential free agents are WR Nate Washington and CB Bryant McFadden.

Scott (Indy)

Limas Sweed: is he just pressing out on the field, or is he going to be a bust? You HAVE to make that catch, don't you?

James Walker

  (4:16 PM)

Yes, you have to make that catch. I've talked to Sweed several times throughout the year and I think he struggles by not being a full-time player for the first time in his life really. Some rookies can't get in sync when they only play a few plays here and there. He did bounce back with a big block and a third-down catch.

Matt (Cary, NC)

When the heck will Dick Lebeau get his shot at Canton? I mean, this guy was/is an absolute stud, as a player and coach.

James Walker

  (4:18 PM)

When he retires, Matt. You have to retire for five years to be considered for the Hall of Fame.

Ryan (Cerro Gordo, IL)

I know the Steelers running game wasn't great at all last game, but it was the Ravens defense playing at least. Do you think the Cardinals improved playoff defense will stop the run game like the Ravens did?

James Walker

  (4:19 PM)

The Steelers will have more success running the ball in the Super Bowl. Parker only had 47 yards last week but no one runs on the Ravens. Arizona's defense will feel like a welcomed relief, comparitively speaking.

mark (lebanon, Illinois)

i think even the return of sepulvda will be big next year. Since the steelers play a feild position game. the way he put a reverse spin on the ball is unique in the nfl

James Walker

  (4:22 PM)

Daniel Sepulveda's return will be big, albeit something under the radar. Pittsburgh's defense masks a lot of things, and perhaps the biggest is how inconsistent the punting has been this year.

Dave, New Ken, Pa

Wild Thought, Do you think Tim Tebow would be a good fit in Pittsburgh?

James Walker

  (4:22 PM)

As a quarterback? No.

Alex (Schaumburg,IL)

How do you think Rex Ryan will do his first year as the Jets head coach?

James Walker

  (4:24 PM)

I've said all this year that Rex Ryan is deserving of a head coaching job. I think he's in a great spot in New York, where there is talent on that team. The Jets were considered SB favs in November.

Dan (Blacksburg, VA)

Any chance the Steelers try to get even deeper at running back this off-season?

James Walker

  (4:26 PM)

It's not a priority, Dan. Pittsburgh likes its depth with Parker, Moore, Russell and the return of Rashard Mendenhall. If Mendenhall gets up to speed, the Steelers will be deep.

Henry (Columbus)

James, love hearing you on the Fan here in Columbus, especially with the Common Man and the Torg. Anyway, do you think there is any chance that the Bengals or Browns can be next year's surprise team? I mean, most didn't have the Ravens in the top 2 of the division preseason, let alone going to the conference championship game.

James Walker

  (4:29 PM)

Thanks, Henry. I wouldn't get your hopes up to expect Cleveland or Cincinnati to make a run like Baltimore did this year. The Ravens had a down year, but they knew how to win. They have that blueprint/formula from doing it numerous times before and went back to it. Cleveland and Cincinnati are still trying to figure out what a consistent winner looks like. Plus, those two are competing against two clubs coming off the AFC title game. That's a lot to ask.

Chris (Pittsburgh, Pa)

With the best Wide out in the league (Larry Fitz) and the best safety in league (Trojan Troy) who do you see winning that individual match up

James Walker

  (4:31 PM)

I wouldn't say it's an individual matchup. Ike Taylor will be on Larry Fitzgerald a lot more. But both players will have an impact in this game.

Calvin Johnson (Detroit, Michigan)

Hey James, am I going to get any help out here? Someone to take the double coverage off of me?

James Walker

  (4:31 PM)

No players this week, Calvin. We're talking serious stuff with the Super Bowl. Enjoy the offseason.

Michael Leesburg, VA

How much will Ken Wisenhunt's prior knowledge of Ben's tendencies come into play in the SB?

James Walker

  (4:33 PM)

I think a lot. Ken had Ben his first couple years and helped teach him how to become an NFL quarterback. No doubt, the Whiz knows everything Ben struggles with defensively.

Doug: (Cleveland)

Who starts next year for the Browns - Quinn or Anderson? Does the other get traded?

James Walker

  (4:36 PM)

Derek Anderson is most likely to get traded, so you have to go with Brady Quinn here. But if Anderson stays, it will interesting to see if Mangini will open a QB competition.

Luis (San Diego, Ca)

James, after the great hit that Ryan Clark made to Willis, do you know if he injured his shoulder again, or he was only dissy because of the hit?

James Walker

  (4:39 PM)

Clark was more dizzy from the head-to-head blow. He grabbed his helmet immediately after, not his shoulder.

Khari Clemmons, Philly, PA

Yo J, considering our (Steelers) on-going issue with short yardage run success, wouldn't it be wise to begin to develop Dennis Dixon a package for short yardage/goal line situations? That gives you bootlegs, qb draws, option plays, play action pass without risking injury to Ben. With that package installed, the defense at least has to hesitate just because he's on the field no matter what the acual play call is.

James Walker

  (4:42 PM)

I don't see it, Khari. Pittsburgh has been reluctant to take three active quarterbacks into a game because of Ben's injury history this year (hand, shoulder, concussion). So I don't see them making three QBs active in this game at the expense of another position for the possibility of a trick play.

Matt Lownes New York

Why did the Jets get Rex Ryan and will he give us any "hope" for next season.

James Walker

  (4:44 PM)

First off, Ryan is an excellent coach. That's one reason. But also playing a factor is the fact that New York ran a 3-4, which Baltimore did more of a hybrid of, and Ryan is excellent with his players, which I think New York was looking for after the extremely tight ship of Mangini.

James Walker

  (4:44 PM)

Usually teams will alternate with those type of coaches, although both ways can work.

Steve (Michigan)

If Anquan Boldin gets more involved, The cardinals will definatly win the Super Bowl. I believe he is the Cardinals X-factor on SB Sunday.

James Walker

  (4:46 PM)

Not a bad pick for a X-factor.

Richard (Dallas)

If the Steelers win their 6th ring, are they the best franchise in the nfl?

James Walker

  (4:47 PM)

They will have more rings. If that's your point, then yes.

Scott (Pittsburgh, PA)

Do you see the Steelers doing more blitzes where one or two of the defensive linemen drop into coverage to try and take up the short passing lanes?

James Walker

  (4:50 PM)

For this game, there could be less blitzing on first and second downs. I mentioned earlier that the crossing routes are a big part of Arizona's offense, and that nullifies pressure because the ball is thrown so quickly.

CRad (Baltimore)

Would you agree that the Ravens biggest needs are LT and WR?

James Walker

  (4:51 PM)

I disagree. Cornerback is the team's biggest need, in my opinion.

mark (lebanon, Illinois)

You broke Richard's heart, James

James Walker

  (4:53 PM)

How so?

Anthony, Chicago, IL

Will one good hit on Warner be enough to rattle him? It is fair to say AZ has yet to face a team as physical as Pittsburgh.

James Walker

  (4:55 PM)

Maybe not one. But several could take a toll. Opposing teams know this, but it's not as easy as it sounds. That usually requires single coverage on the WRs to bring extra defenders, which is always risky.

Eric (Sioux City)

You let "CRAD" off easy. Why would the Ravens draft a LT when Gaither is one of the best young talents in the league.

James Walker

  (4:56 PM)

I'm not here to criticize. We're all family in the AFC North. I'm just answering the question, Eric.

Nick (Cleveland)

Given that we've seen Quinn (healthy at least) play against the likes of Denver and Buffalo while Anderson has seen much better defenses the past two years and has even performed well against some of them, do you think it's wise to trade him?

James Walker

  (4:59 PM)

It would be best to trade Anderson, both for the player and the team. Quinn is a first-round pick and fan favorite. Thus, Anderson will never get a fair shake in Cleveland from the team or the fans. The Browns need to make a decision to avoid a QB controversy, but there is a chance they won't, which would be interesting.

Steve (Michigan)

I was disappointed when setting my favorite columnist on ESPN. I couldn't find you. Were you snubbed?

James Walker

  (5:00 PM)

Thanks Steve for the consideration, but I am not a columnist. I cover the AFC North. You can always bookmark my blog if you want one-click access.

Steiny (NYC)

Walker!!!! What's up my man?

James Walker

  (5:01 PM)

Steiny!!! Where you been?

Steiny (NYC)

What are the chances Ward misses this game? Your the man Walker!!!

James Walker

  (5:02 PM)

Thanks, Steiny. Ward says he's playing, so I'm taking his word for it.

Keith (Pembroke, NH)

James, will Charlie Batch be brought back as the Steelers number 2 QB or has Brian Leftwich locked it up for next season?

James Walker

  (5:02 PM)

Batch has a better chance of returning than Leftwich, who could have a shot to be a starter somewhere next year.

Steiny (NYC)

The Ravens Have Three LB's Headed to Free Agency. Can you see any of them ending up with the Jets because Rex Ryan is the new coach?

James Walker

  (5:04 PM)

That's a great question that I haven't thought of, Steiny. Let me make some calls after the Super Bowl and check around.

James Walker

  (5:05 PM)

Everyone, thanks for your time. Check the blog for AFC North news all week and live posts from Tampa next week.