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James Walker

  (4:00 PM)

Welcome to another AFC North chat. Let's get right into some questions.

Kelly Ann (Bushkill PA)

What do the Ravens need in the fiurst three rounds of next year's Draft to improve?

James Walker

  (4:02 PM)

Kelly Ann, I envision to Ravens taking a hard look at their secondary in the draft. They can definitely use corners, and maybe another pass rusher to help get to the quarterback.

Jacob (Syracuse, Ny)

What is the likelihood that Holmgren would actually come to Cleveland?

James Walker

  (4:05 PM)

It's early, but I would put it at 40 or 50 percent. I think the biggest thing for Holmgren right now is to get his name out there and drum up interest. If another franchise comes calling, it's will be easy for him to pass over Cleveland for a more stable team. But if the Browns are the only choice, then Holmgren could land there next year.

matt (cincinnati)

Hi, James I was wondering if the Bengals lose this week will they still make the playoffs in your opinion. Also how good do you think the Bengals really are?

James Walker

  (4:07 PM)

I don't think the outcome of Sunday's game will impact the Bengals or Steelers in terms of making the playoffs. One may get a wild card and the other could win the division. But I think both will get into the playoffs. They are both legit teams that no one will want to face in January.

Justin (Cincinnati)

James love the blog! Since Chris Henry was lost during the Ravens game who do you see emerging as the 4th receiver? Right now Carson seems set on Maurice Purify. Others feel it may be Quan Cosby. But do you think we may finally see Jerome Simpson in action, so all this "bust" talk will go away?

James Walker

  (4:10 PM)

Purify has a chance because he is a decent special teams player. The No. 4 receiver will only play a limited amount of snaps, so to be active coach Marvin Lewis may want more from that position. I haven't seen enough of Cosby to know if he can fill the role. Simpson hasn't shown much of anything in his two years in Cincinnati.

brianbaker252 (derby, ks)

Do you think the Steelers O-line has really found it's groove? It's been rough going, Mendenhall has been great as of late, but do you think they have fixed most of the problems?

James Walker

  (4:12 PM)

If the offensive line plays as well as it has the past several weeks, the Steelers are suddenly a team without a glaring weakness. Pittsburgh last year had trouble running the ball consistently, but that hasn't been the case this year since Rashard Mendenhall took over. Offensively this year's team is better.

Big Hustle (Newport News, VA)

Sup J. Walker!? Which defense do you think has the edge in Sundays HUGE AFC North battle between my Steelers and the bengals? Usually everyone would say Pitt buy cinci has been playing very good defense this year. Good take your pick question huh? lol

James Walker

  (4:14 PM)

If Troy Polamalu is 100 percent, which it looked that way Monday night, I would give the edge to Pittsburgh's defense. But I think both defenses are playing really well this year.

Kevin (Solon, Oh)

Do you think the Bengals vs Steelers game will come down to who can establish the run, since both teams have very strong run defenses?

James Walker

  (4:17 PM)

That's what it usually comes down to this time of year. A major reason the Bengals swept the Ravens is because Cedric Benson ran all over Baltimore's defense. If you do that, your chances of winning greatly increases.

darren (san antonio)

james i really want the bengals to win sunday.....pick against them for me?

James Walker

  (4:18 PM)

I'll keep that in mind Darren. I haven't had much success predicting Bengal wins and losses this year.

BT Thompson (Cincinnati)

How will the Monday Night Game affect the Steelers against the red hot Bengals?

James Walker

  (4:20 PM)

I think it all evens out because the Steelers are at home. If they had to play on the road twice in six days, it would be more of an issue.

SteelCityTA (Tha Burgh)

james i really want the Stillers to win sunday.....pick against them for me?

James Walker

  (4:21 PM)

I'm actually pretty good predicting Steelers' games this year, and the Ravens and Browns. But that's besides the point.

Markiyan (Kyiv, Ukraine)

Hello James, finally beat the time difference to ask a question here! SI's Peter King suggested that Larry Johnson, released by the Chiefs, would be a good fit with the Steelers as a replacement to "crumbling" Willie Parker. Two questions. 1. Do you think that LJ would be a good fit for a franchise with values like the Steelers? (I don't). 2. Does Parker really have nothing left in the tank? Or is it just the turf toe that slows him down. Mendenhall needs a sub from time to time (can he really endure 22-27 carries each week?). OK, sorry for so many questions!..

James Walker

  (4:25 PM)

I don't see Willie Parker returning to Pittsburgh next year. So the Steelers will be in the market for a veteran backup to Rashard Mendenhall. However, I don't feel Johnson is a good fit.

Jeff (West Deptford NJ)

Do you see the ravens making the playoffs even if they win 10 games?

James Walker

  (4:27 PM)

If the Ravens win 10 games, that means they will have to go 6-2 the rest of the way. It's not impossible but definitely a challenge. Last year it took 11 wins to get in, so you really don't know year to year. Baltimore does own a tiebreaker over the San Diego Chargers if it ever comes down to that.

The Wolf (Cleveland)

Do you see Browns owner Randy Lerner hiring the "credible leader" that he wants to run the team before the season ends or in the offseason?

James Walker

  (4:30 PM)

I don't see anything happening until the offseason. I could be wrong, but my guess is these last eight games will help determine what kind of direction the team is going.

Kyle (Austin)

What do you think of Fanene stepping in for Odom? He's on pace to have at least 7 sacks and he wasn't a starter at the beginning of the season. He's no Odom, but I've been impressed so far and he seems to be getting better and better. Thoughts?

James Walker

  (4:32 PM)

He needs to just keep his helmet on at the end of games. Other than that, he's doing fine.

Steve (Harrisburg)

Are you going to be at both AFC North battles this week?

James Walker

  (4:33 PM)

Yes. This is a huge week for the division. I get to see all four teams play in a 24-hour span.

Shane (Los Angeles, CA)

True or False: AFC North sends 3 teams to the playoffs this year.Only competition for a wildcard outside of the division appears to be coming from (suprisingly) the AFC West with the resurgent Chargers.

James Walker

  (4:34 PM)

I've said all year that getting three teams from the same division to the playoffs is difficult. So I'm holding firm to that prediction. False.

fulltime (Syracuse)

Does the League wish they could reschedule Monday Night games since the brownies are now at the bottom of the league?

James Walker

  (4:36 PM)

That happens every year around this time. So you're going to have some poor matchups from time to time on Monday night. But you can't mess with a team's schedule and change the date of the game.

Paul (Baltimore, MD)

Do you think the Ravens vs. Steelers game on Sunday night November 27th will stay a night game? I think it will be a huge matchup, I hope the flex schedule doesnt ruin it.

James Walker

  (4:37 PM)

Chances are that will stay a primetime game.

sam (Washington, DC)

James, you touched on this earlier. Why do you think Jerome Simpson of the Bengals can't seem to make it? Is he not physically able to run the routes, or is it a mental thing? Does he not understand the offense?

James Walker

  (4:39 PM)

I just never thought Simpson was very good from the first time I saw him. Some receivers take longer to develop than others. But Simpson was taken from a small school and the Bengals reached on him. He's having a hard time adjusting to NFL competition.

chris (stratford ,ct)

Can the owner fo the Browns afford to keep paying people not with the team? How deep are his pockets? Who would you play at quartback? Thanks

James Walker

  (4:43 PM)

Randy Lerner, like most NFL owners, does have deep pockets. But at some point it becomes silly to keep paying people not to work. At this point I would play Brady Quinn at quarterback, and it looks like the team is heading in that direction this week.

sam (Washington, DC)

Do you see any improvement in the Bengals tight ends? Are they still looking to make changes at the position?

James Walker

  (4:45 PM)

I think the team just has to stick with what it has. J.P. Foschi is doing ok catching the ball and Daniel Coats is a good blocker. So the Bengals don't have the ideal tight end in one player, but between the two Cincinnati has a decent enough combo.

Jay (Dayton OH)

James, with Miami's turnaround coming faster than expected, what would the chances be that Bill Parcells would be interested in Cleveland being his next project?

James Walker

  (4:48 PM)

The Bill Parcells rumors have been baffling to me. I haven't heard any connections there, and I'm not sure why Parcells would want to take over Cleveland for Miami. I think this is just rumor.

Tim K (Tampa, Fl)

Realistic chances they approach Cowher in Offseason to take over the Brownies??? As a Steeler fan I just don't see it......

James Walker

  (4:51 PM)

Bill Cowher to the Browns is almost zero percent. He would want complete power also.

RJ (Pittsburgh)

Who do you think the Steelers will target will the 32nd pick in the draft this year?

James Walker

  (4:53 PM)

Are you sure Pittsburgh will have the 32nd pick?

Tim K (Tampa, Fl)

Josh Cribbs going anywhere in the Off season??? He deserves better...... they could get something for him and you can't really build a team around a return man- can you???

James Walker

  (4:55 PM)

All indications are that Josh Cribbs will remain a Cleveland Brown. He is definitely underpaid, and I anticipate the team compesating him in the offseason.

James Walker

  (4:55 PM)

All indications are that Josh Cribbs will remain a Cleveland Brown. He is definitely underpaid, and I anticipate the team compesating him in the offseason.

James Walker

  (4:55 PM)

All indications are that Josh Cribbs will remain a Cleveland Brown. He is definitely underpaid, and I anticipate the team compesating him in the offseason.

Josh (Toronto)

Should Lardarius Webb be given a chance to start in Baltimore?

James Walker

  (4:58 PM)

I'm not sure the Ravens want to throw a rookie out there. These are must win games now for the Ravens. And although Webb may be aggresive, he is still learning the NFL game and is probably prone to make mistakes.

James Walker

  (5:00 PM)

Everyone thanks for the time. Don't forget to check out the AFC North blog during the week in preparation for another big slate of games in the division.