James Walker

  (4:00 PM)

How is it going, AFC North fans? Let's chat about the division.

kevin (Chesapeake, Va.)

To help the chat out let's get this question out of the way early.-In your opinion, who's a better Safety, Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed?

James Walker

  (4:00 PM)

Troy Reed. Thanks, Kevin. Now let's get started.

Tim K (Tampa, Fl)

What the heck happened to E Sanders and Keenan????? At least Pouncey and Dwyer showed up in Co......

James Walker

  (4:02 PM)

This is what happens to young players. They are inconsistent and hard to count on week to week. That's why a lot of coaches try to avoid playing them in favor of veteran players. I'm a little concerned about Lewis' reaction after the game, but I still think both players have talent.

Tim K (Tampa, Fl)

Decent Tix's here in Tampa for the home opener with the Brownies are going for around $20.00!!!!! Wasn't planing on going But.......

James Walker

  (4:03 PM)

Really? That's a bargain. It's NFL football no matter what two teams are playing.

Tim K (Tampa, Fl)

So who gets A Bryant's roster spot in Cincy????

James Walker

  (4:04 PM)

It means Quan Cosby is certainly safe. Now it's really up to who gets that sixth and final spot between Matt Jones, Jerome Simpson, Dezmon Briscoe and Maurice Purify. I'm leaning towards Simpson, because of his potential and draft status. Jones would be my next pick, Briscoe to the practice squad.

Tim K (Tampa, Fl)

Hey James, do we finally have some "Clarity" on the QB situation for the 1st 4 (5 or 6) games????

James Walker

  (4:07 PM)

I think we have the exact opposite. None of Pittsburgh's QBs outside of Ben Roethlisberger played very well Sunday. Charlie Batch did fine until the pick six, but he's not in the running. But Dixon or Leftwich need to step up soon if they want the job.

cboogie (DC)

why would the bengals release Antonio Bryant now?to help him make another team or to get another guy in the slot?

James Walker

  (4:09 PM)

It's a combination of things, but the two biggest were health and no salary cap. Bryant's knee did not heal properly. The Bengals assumed that it would. How he passed a physical remains a mystery. But with the uncapped year, the Bengals could cut ties without penalty besides what was already promised up front in the contract (reportedly $8 million). Had Cincinnati waited until next year, the team could've taken a cap hit for the life of the contract.

mike (columbus)

Hey James,with the Browns offense being able to move the ball and put up points,and they defense being torched so much,maybe they can throw the ball 30 times a game and just try to out score everyone. your thoughts.

James Walker

  (4:11 PM)

I don't think trying to win shootouts is a good idea for the Browns, Mike. The Browns are built to be more of a grinding team: Run the football and play smart, tough defense. I don't feel they have the talent to win games consistently every week. But if the Browns and QB Jake Delhomme play smart, they could give some teams headaches.

Mike (Madison, WI)

What do you expect out of Jermaine Gresham this year?

James Walker

  (4:13 PM)

I like Gresham and actually predicted that pick before the NFL draft. He's looks fluid as a receiver and has the ability to be a good blocker. He just needs to keep working on it. In the short time I've seen him, he's already getting better at it. I think Gresham and Shipley are two rookies that will help Cincy right away.

Robert (Columbus)

How concerned shoud we be abot Jerome Harrinson's fumbling problem?

James Walker

  (4:16 PM)

That's a good question, Robert. I tend not to knee-jerk about anything that happens in the preseason. So I'm not that worried right now. The bigger concern for me is a lot of Browns are fumbling and turning over the football. They've had eight turnovers in the past two preseason games. Cleveland cannot win games that way.

Ped (Cleveland)

You think Browns could be a suprise and not finish last?

James Walker

  (4:17 PM)

Any team can be a surprise in the NFL. But I don't see the Browns doing it. I still think they are a year or two away. I'm picking them fourth in the AFC North.

russ (cincinnati)

which kicker is going to make final roster nugent or rayner

James Walker

  (4:18 PM)

Too close to call. In my time in camp, Rayner was just ok and Nugent was hurt. So I couldn't get a solid read with my own eyes. I think both Cincinnati's and Baltimore's kicking battles will go down to the wire.

john (cincinnati)

how good or bad do you think the bengals will be this year?

James Walker

  (4:19 PM)

I'm picking the Bengals to finish second in the AFC North this year.

Baller (Bmore)

JW,What's the chances Ravens sweep division this year?

James Walker

  (4:21 PM)

I don't see it. I like Baltimore. But the Ravens have struggled big time against the Bengals and Steelers in recent years. I'm surprised the amount of Ravens fans who ignore that.

Nick Hatfield (Fort Wayne, IN)

How many teams do you think make the playoffs from the North?

James Walker

  (4:22 PM)

I haven't made those picks for the entire NFL, yet but I will soon. Usually it's hard to get three teams in the playoffs from one division.

Jonathan (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

so that means you think Pittsburgh is going to be in third? Seems pretty far down there!

James Walker

  (4:24 PM)

Yes. I'm picking Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, then Cleveland. I've waited until I've seen all four teams up close in training camp, and now I've made my prediction.

James Walker

  (4:25 PM)

We will have them all up soon, starting this week on ESPN.com.

Lyle (Charlotte)

If the Steelers end up being the Steelers of recent years and become a Super Bowl contender it will be because of why?

James Walker

  (4:28 PM)

They first would have to play well without Ben Roethlisberger. The defense has to be elite again and stay healthy, and Ben has to play lights out this year. If all of those things happen, they have a shot.

James (Dallas, TX)

Could the Browns win the NFC West?

James Walker

  (4:29 PM)

It would be much easier to compete out there, although they did lose to the Rams in preseason. (I know it doesn't count.)

Chris (Dayton)

As of today, if you had to choose between the Bengals' receiving corps and the Ravens' secondary in their week two matchup who do you give the edge to?

James Walker

  (4:30 PM)

Cincinnati's wide receivers. A lot of depth, where Baltimore does not have much depth in the secondary.

Alan (Baltimore)

Who will win the Ravens vs Jets game?

James Walker

  (4:31 PM)

I'm not sure if I'm doing picks in the AFC North blog this year. If I do, I will probably make the pick next week. Good game.

Cincyfan (Columbus, OH)

What do you think is going to happen to Troy Smith?

James Walker

  (4:33 PM)

If the Ravens don't get a good offer to trade him, they will keep him as the No. 3 QB.

john (cincinnati)

what are you basing your bengals 2nd in division pick on?

James Walker

  (4:35 PM)

A lot of depth...Big Ben's suspension...improvements in the passing game...tough defense...by far the best two CBs in the division.

Mike (OH)

What team in the North has the nicest set-up for training camp?

James Walker

  (4:36 PM)

Just my opinion, but I like the setup in Latrobe and Westminster.

Kevin (OH)

JW, love the blog...who's been the biggest surprise (or disappointment) in the preason?

James Walker

  (4:39 PM)

Browns QB Jake Delhomme has played very efficient football. I don't think the Browns could ask for a better preseason. They just need it to continue.

Randy (Cleveland, OH)

James, how do you see the Browns' secondary situation shaking out? Will Joe Haden be primarily a nickelback or do you see them moving Sheldon Brown to safety?

James Walker

  (4:40 PM)

Haden will start the year in the nickel. He still has a lot to learn. Eric Wright is playing well and Sheldon Brown has been steady as the starters. So there is no reason to mess with that right now.

Cincyfan (Columbus, OH)

What rookie defensive player has impressed you the most?

James Walker

  (4:43 PM)

Terrence Cody and Geno Atkins so far. Two more good, young pluggers added to the AFC North. No surprise there.

Brian (Dover)

James,Great work. Who can the Steelers least afford to lose on each side of the ball?

James Walker

  (4:44 PM)

Troy Polamalu on defense and Ben Roethlisberger on offense. We wrote about Polamalu being hard to replace last week. Check it out.

Brian (Dover)

Do you get to a division game each week?

James Walker

  (4:45 PM)

Yes. Two in Week 1. I will be at Atlanta@Pittsburgh Sunday and Ravens@NYJ Monday night. If you see me at the games, say hello.

Rich (Bellevue, WA)

What will the Steelers do with Hartwig?

James Walker

  (4:48 PM)

I expect the Steelers to keep him and try him at guard. If that doesn't work, he can be the first backup off the bench at C and G. The only reason to cut him will be financial, because he's being paid starter money still.

Deanna (MN)

James, who are the 3 best OL for the Steelers?

James Walker

  (4:50 PM)

Max Starks, Maurkice Pouncey and Chris Kemoeatu. I haven't seen enough of Flozell Adams to really make a determination, but he's been up and down so far.

ralph (las vegas)

How did Keenan react after the game? Did not here anything about it.

James Walker

  (4:52 PM)

Lewis reportedly punched and shattered a glass sign, which caused a scene because players had to walk around the broken glass on the way out. Mike Tomlin was not happy about it.

James (Baltimore, MD)

Do expect terrell suggs to return to pro bowl form this year?

James Walker

  (4:55 PM)

I like what I see from Suggs so far. He's been dominant at times, particularly in the Redskins preseason game. As long as he stays in good shape, Suggs will be a force.

Wayne (Baltimore)

you answered which team had best training camp set-up. Which team has the best training complex for regular season? Its the Castle in baltimore, right?

James Walker

  (4:57 PM)

Hard to beat The Castle, Wayne. You are correct.

Adam (DE)

Does the long snapper have any other purpose, or do teams carry them just for that function?

James Walker

  (4:59 PM)

Interesting question. Long snappers are "specialists" just like kickers and punters. It's a skill very few players have. You saw recently when Steelers OLB James Harrison tried to snap in a game, it wasn't pretty.

James Walker

  (5:00 PM)

Not many NFL players can punt or kick field goals, either. Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco is pretty good at kicking, though. He's an exception.

James Walker

  (5:00 PM)

Ok, everyone, thanks for your time. Remember to check out the AFC North blog for constant updates.