ESPN

Hassan,Baltimore,Md

What's up Ralph,What's your take on the Clarett situation and how does the NFL players feeling about the situation.

Ralph Wiley

  (3:04 PM)

R-Dub is officially in the House, Hassan and All You Pilgrims. Great question. You can hear running backs with tenure like Dorsey Levens and what-not grumbling already, beacuse, in essence, the kid is competition for one of their jobs. He'll do well, more sooner than later. He's only a year earlier than Herschel Walker and Barry Sanders, if he gets to go into the draft; and as we said on Voices, a runner is not a learned position; either you can make guys miss, or you can't; if you have Clarette for five years, the last four of thoses should be good to you; actually three -- scratch another one due to injury, from bearing up under the increased tonnage; but hey, it's the smart move. Guess Clarett (and Jim Brown), like Tessio in The Godfather, was always smarter.

Mike, New York, NY

Ralph, totally agree with your take on Warren re: cheap shots as well as the stupid hit on Culpepper, but have a big problem with your take on the Northwestern coach. How many people go for a elbow shot to the throat - I've never seen the move and the fact that you think an asst. coach would do it intentionally is idiotic. I have seen the tape as have you and am lost at to how you could think he was trying to hit the quarterback. Why would he hit the quarterback intentionally after his defense recovered the QB's fumble. You have to read the situation and both the appearance and setting for that hit were unintentional.

Ralph Wiley

  (3:09 PM)

I feel you, Mike, but the guy had no business on the fieldl; you don't go out on the field and "congratulate" your player during play; just from watching the tape, maybe he wasn't trying to hit Chance Harridge (if you say so), but he did hit him, and he was someplace where he has no business when he did it; QB Harridge should have called a rollout power sweep or option left on the next play, told his OL was he was doing, and pulled a Jackie Robinson, found Coachie on the sideline and just flat run him over. But, having said that, I'm a total pacifist.

Mike(Sacramento)

Hey Ralph, first off, great job filling in for Jim Rome last week. My question is, do you think the Skins are playoff contenders or pretenders, or is it too early to tell? They are 2-1 and haven't played more than 2 good quarters of football in each game, if they can make it 4 quarters a game, I think a wildcard is possible.

Ralph Wiley

  (3:13 PM)

R-Dub thanks Mike; R-Dub thinks Mike is a long way for Hail to the Redskins country; R-Dub thinks 'Skins are not strong down the middle on D, @ DT and middle LB (the gravedigging Trotter will be exposed in passing game, no matter what down he's in there on); I thought the sdafeties were weak, but that SC guy has played well, and No. 41 knocked out Fred Smoot in practice the other day. He gets props for that alone. Still, tough game to lose at home to the Jints, and for some strange reason Dub thinks Iggles ain't dead yet.

Abe Froman, Chicago

I have this ongoing debate with many of my friends about the historical significance of the 1985 Chicago Bears. We all agree that the 85 Bears were slightly more important than the creation of the United Nations, but just slightly less imporant than the Civil War in its entirety?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:18 PM)

Yes, the '85 Bears DEFENSE was more important than the creation of the United Nations, but the offense was right up there with oh, the Jamaican Bobsled Team. Chi-town helped give us The Blues, but I think the Civil War is a stretch, even for that D, although Stonewall Jackson didn't give Ironpants Grant near as much trouble as Buddy Ryan would've. Think your '85 Bears were better on D than "00 Ravens, or '02 Bucs? Maybe in scheme. Not in personnel. But not in fun, either. You'll never have another year like that, Abe. But at least you're not a Cubs or White Sox fan. Oops. Sorry. Baseball spillage.

MARSHFIELD WI

How can you call Warren Sapp the best defensive player in the league? What has he done lately?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:19 PM)

Gee, I dunno. Won a Super Bowl?

Jay, Jax, FL

Ralph, Who is the better back Jamal Lewis or Priest Holmes? Also, how do you stop the Chiefs and what team has the best "D" to do that? Thanks.

Ralph Wiley

  (3:23 PM)

"Is there no one on this planet who can even challenge me?" -- General Zod. I guess so, Zod. Jay just did. At the end of the day, Jay, I have to say Priest, because of how good he is inside red zone, inside the five. I haven't seen a back with his nose for the goal line, and how to get there, since Marcus Allen; a lot of guys want to get there; Priest knows how. Having said that, Jamal Lewis is a bear, a Beast-Man, with 4.3 speed; him behind Woolly Mammoth Jonathon Ogden is the surest way to five yards in the League.

Ty, Baltimore,Md

Tyrone Willingham has a lot of pressure on him..do you think change the O from "west coast" to the "option"...that what is qb does best....or do he change QB's with a o-line that is having a problems as well.

Ralph Wiley

  (3:28 PM)

Normally, I'd say I don't do college. But OK, this one time. . .Carlyle Holliday, as a QB, has no instinct for the position at all, not as a passer, and is pretty much stank garbage, playing not to make mistakes; yet he has all the experience; either they go button-down shoe and run him, or they have to get him out of there; if he wants to play pro, he's a DB, or WR (this is why I don't do college; I don't think it's fair to criticize a young volunteer labor force; it's like going to Thailand and complaining that they are stitching the Nikes together fast enough). At the same time, you can't win with a true freshman QB like B Quinn, no matter. Willingham obviously red-shirted his first class of recruits; I think not getting Chris Leak, who went to Florida, damaged him. But he knows what he's doing; it just won't look like it at times this year. . .

Jose (McGuire Air Force Base, NJ

RDub...What up? Gotta see your take on this. Do you think the Jints are one of the ELITE teams out there? I think they are and once they settle down in the secondary they can rival the Bucs for NFC supremecy. What you think???

Ralph Wiley

  (3:30 PM)

Jose, I think you can drink the Kool-Aid and then wait to see if your stomach starts hurting. It may. It may not. Something about Jints says, "Juuuust a bit outside."

Matt (Boston, MA)

Ralph, I know Brunell's injury is the excuse for Leftwich starting this week, but honestly I think Brunell has played very, very well considering the cast he has around him. Do you think he's getting a fair shake?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:32 PM)

Wayne Weaver is losing butts out of seats at All-Tell; that's a no-no. Plus Brunell is legitimately nicked; plus Leftwich may in fact be a prodigy; I just wish Brunell could have been traded to a contender before the season began. Always liked him. To me, he's better than Gannon, Kurt Warner, Vinny Testaverde. . .

Andy (Philadelphia)

Collins, Barber, and Toomer are all in the top 5 in yards for their positions. Why isn't anyone talking about them??

Ralph Wiley

  (3:35 PM)

Being in Philly, you'd better not talk about them too much yourself, Andy.

Bob (Syracuse, NY)

Who's better after a year in the NFL, Freeney or Peppers?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:36 PM)

Two good ones. I'd take Peppers for total play, but Freeney comes off tha edge like gangbusters, doesn't he?

Alex Franks San Diego

Have you ever actually seen Staci Pressman. We've got a pool out here that says her picture is akin to pictures in a Vegas escort rag: She's really an eysore right?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:38 PM)

Hate to stomp on your sour grapes, Alex, but I do believe Stace could play for you. But, exactly how is that relevant?

Alex Franks -SD

Jake -Arizona Bum, Denver Super Hero: Steve Young -Tampa Bum, San Fran Super Hero: -how special is a quarterback without a running back?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:40 PM)

Hye; how'd you get in here agin, Alex; you need to go out and play the lottery. Put it this way: John Elway, the greatest QB I ever saw, never won a Super Bowl until he got a All-Pro RB on his side.

Larry, Greensboro, NC

R-Dub, what's going on? Quick question. Let's say you're starting a team, and you can have one player to start your team. Who would you take and why?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:42 PM)

That's the spirit! I'd take either Ray-Ray, a dominant pass-rusher, a shut-down corner (only two of those in captivity) -- that is, if I couldn't have Mick the Quick Mike Vick!

Grunt, Washington, DC

R-dubb, thanks for picking my Titans to go all the way, but I have more pressing matters to ask you about. Who do you start this week between Ramsey and Bulger for fantasy? I've had Ramsey on my bench the last two weeks, expecting Bulger to blow up?but Ramsey keeps beating him. Will this week be the same? I'm worried about Bellicheck's D, even though it's all beat up. But I'm also worried about the Cardinals' D (did I just say that?) that stunted Favre last week. I need to win. I'm the commish. Help. In all your infinite wisdom, who gets the call this week.

Ralph Wiley

  (3:44 PM)

Play Ramsey this week, then sit him for a while as Bulger heats up; especially sit Rammer against Tampa. I'll write a fantasy column before the season's out..

Lars (Madison)

RW, any truth to the rumors you've got a cameo in Andre 3000's upcoming movie?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:48 PM)

Sadly no. But we're working on some good movieland stuff anyway. The buzz on Outkast's latest effort has even reached hopelessly out-of-touch outbackers like me

Cory (TN)

R-Dub, do you think that Steve McNair and the Titans are the best team in the league right now?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:49 PM)

R-Dub thinks what really matters, Cory, is who is the best team approximately 3 1/2 months from now. But, in a word, no.

Mike(Sacramento)

Ralph, better Superman villian: General Zod or Nuclear Man?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:51 PM)

Not close. Clearly Terence Stamp as Zod. Doesn't get any better than E.G. Marshall, as the President, on knees and quietly saying in prayerful submission to a high power, ". . .oh God." Then T-Stamp correcting his pronunciation ". . .Zod."

Jack Knoxville, TN

R-Dubya, do you think Marcel Shipp "Happens" will get the bulk of the carries in the second half because it is apparent that Emmitt Smith is cooked?!

Ralph Wiley

  (3:53 PM)

Jack, Emmie's in a world of hurt either way

SkinsFan, L.A

What's up Ralph! Do you see Ladell Betts developing into a 1000 yard running back and sometime in the future?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:55 PM)

I like Betts. Hits up in there quick, got a little junk in his trunk (leg drive and power, OK guys?), got a nice change. He and Trungie may be able to haul the load.

Nate, Olney

So who will be the best team 3 1/2 months from now? Miami and Tampa Bay!!

Ralph Wiley

  (3:56 PM)

It's already down to four teams teams in the AFC: KC, Tennessee, Miami, Denver.

Kealy Ryan, NJ

R-DUBB, is there anyt quarterback in the legue you;d rather have right now than air mcnair? Regardless of injury hes unstoppable. Who else do you think rounds out the truly legit quarterbacks in the legue,now that warner and favre are looking dreadful?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:04 PM)

I'll give you my top 10 QBs; you can Kealy-haul the rest of 'em! (That was bad)F0r the next ten years. 1. McNair2. Manning3. Vick.4. McNabb5. Snake6. Joey H. (rising fast) 7. Leftwich8. Brady.9. Culpepper10. Boller,. Palmer (I guses) and Ramsey, believe it or not. Throws a very nice ball.If I had to win a game tomorrow (okay, after October).1. McNair2. Vick3. Favre4. Manning5. Trent Green6. Snake7. Brady8. Front-running Kerry Collins9. Aaron Brooks10. Daunte Culpepper

Brad (Kansas City)

Where's the toughest place to play for teams on the road in the NFL?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:08 PM)

Actually, football is a road warrior's game; you come to town with your 50 men; it's you against the world; it's very much like the scene in Germania at the beginning of "Gladiator." And if you're better, you're better, no matter where you are. "People ( screaming fans and opposition) should know when they're beaten." Maximus says, "Would you? Would I?" Arrowhead is a btich, so is Mile High; Philly and DC used to be harsh, but the new stadiums take some of the oomph away; Tennessee may the toughest place at this moment; they pack it in and go nuts for the Freak.

Kdog(Boston)

Does using the term Pimp Slap bother you?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:10 PM)

"Tattaglia was a pimp; he could've never outfought Santino." That quote from Don Vito tells you all you need to know about the way a man feels about pimps. We're talking football here today, Mack Daddy.

Leo, Las Vegas

My co-worker and I place a bet, without injury, who will have more total yardage, Marvin Harrison or Chad Johnson? I took Harrison. What are your thoughts?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:13 PM)

Sneaky bet, hope you didn't give odds; teams will double Harrison constantly; see what Reggie Wayne on the other side did last week? Hear Chad Johnson is real; but he's got youth going against him; it'll be an interesting year for you two, Leo. You might want to play a little Texas Hold 'Em on the side, just in case. Try to find a guy named Norman Chad and play him.

The sausage king of Chicago

If I'm the only to pick up on the abe froman joke thats ok! Good to know Dub is in house wheres has dogg been latley? Are the Bears going to get killed on monday or should I actually watch the game?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:15 PM)

The Dog is never too far away from R-Dub. You can watch, they won't get killed, they're professionals; they'll lose, but they won't get killed; I think the Bears should blow whole thing up, uniforms, stadium, staff, everything, join the 21st century; no town is more nuts for football than Chi.

JB from NC

Whoa! R-Dub you left me cold. Where is the heck is Tommy Gun Maddox on the list of 10? Can the boy please get some love somewhere?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:16 PM)

Apparently not from John Elway, or me.

Ferris Bueller

Kerry Collins has been consistent for the last 3 years in NY, he may be a system guy but he's no runt runner.

Ralph Wiley

  (4:16 PM)

Sure he is. He runs Tiki all the time.

Ron (Calabasas, CA)

What's your take on Schottenheimer suspending David Boston?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:18 PM)

Never liked Boston's game. To me, he's a tight end, posing as a WR; his arms might impress the honies, but I guarantee you, the cornerbacks don't really care. . .

Dan (Charlottesville)

RW, I can't sit here and watch you not give props to my boy Drew Bledsoe... Probowl last year, highest passer rating in the league through two weeks, has a bad week in Miami and you don't even have him in your top 10?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:20 PM)

Hey, Skip Bayless says he has a high weenie factor. At least I didn't go that far. At least I had him in my top ten of QBs if I had to win a game now -- wait a minute -- no I didn't. Sorry about that, Danner. . .

Chris (Bridgeport, ct)

I want to know your thoughts on jay fiedler. Im a rare dolphins fan who thinks they can a super bowl with him as qb. He reminds me a little bit of phil simms. thoughts?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:21 PM)

No Chris, you DON'T want to know my thoughts on Jay Fiedler, not if you're a Dolphin fan. Nothing against Fiedler, particularly, except that he's a back-up.

Tiki Barber

Oh Yeah? Well.....Yo Momma!!

Ralph Wiley

  (4:23 PM)

Yeah?l Both y'alls mama. Wait a minute, what am I saying, that isn't really TIki. . .

Alex Franks SD

What does this experience look like on your side?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:25 PM)

Like the blow-the-bridge- with-the-troop-train-on-it scene in "The Bridge Over the River Kwai." ". . . Madness!. . .Madness!"

Stoner Pottman (Amsterdam)

Ralph. I think you're a racist. You're one of those black guys who will use the race card at any chance possible.

Ralph Wiley

  (4:26 PM)

Just like I used it here, right? Right.

Matt (Boston, MA)

Hold on there a sec...4 teams in the AFC...and the Colts aren't one of them? Last time I checked they were 3-0 and drubbed the Titans pretty badly...

Ralph Wiley

  (4:27 PM)

It took long enough for somebody to catch that, Mike. Good call. I think they may be a year away from being ripe. I'm already picking them not only to go to the Super Bowl but to win it in January of 2005

john (des moines)

how does alex keep getting in there?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:28 PM)

hell if me and you know, John.

Jaron - Arizona

What type of music do you listen to?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:29 PM)

love all good music, regardless of genre; would take too much time and this is the wrong place. Beethoven. Kinf of Blue. Tupac. Blue Bayou. Orbison. A Love Supreme. Motown. Stax. Back to ball.

JB from NC

R-Dub the Tiki comment had coca cola coming out of my nose and on to my keyboard. Hard to look smooth choking on a soft drink - thanks I hear you on Maddox, does that mean Steelers strictly 2nd tier again this year? (even with Hines, Plax, and Antwann and the revitalized D???)BTW - Brady was the right guy at the right time, and that time was yesterday. He never could carry Drew's strap.Out -

Ralph Wiley

  (4:31 PM)

I fel you, JB; but I won't be wiping off your keyboard any time soon. Less than great QBs can help teams go to Super Bowls, and occasionaly win one, if the rest of the team is strong enough. You're in the hunt, especially since you've just flushed your nasal cavity with a strong solvent.

Mike from Cincy

Is Tyrone Calico worth keeping on my fantasy team? Been a bit quiet so far..

Ralph Wiley

  (4:33 PM)

No, Stevie will spread it around; you're a year early on Calico, as far as a fantasy player goes, although he will make some plays to help get Tites to AFC title game.

Sean NYC

What do you think of the Knicks this year? Your man Frank Williams is healed, Lampe could be huge and Sweetney is the sweetness....

Ralph Wiley

  (4:35 PM)

Frank hurt me by developing slowly. It'll take him a while to get back into my good graces. But Lampe I love. That guy, after what happened to him draft night, will let trucks run over him for Knicks, considering Shaq, that's what it amounts to. . .back to the NFL. The NFL totally rules, pilgrims.

T-Rex Attleboro, MA

Do you think the "Play Book: By West Coast Offense" will be in the trash by the half way point? I mean what ever happened to 25-30 rushing attempts, the NFL has gotten "pretty" on us. I smell NBA "More Scoring, More Ratings" type conspiracy here. Plus: Who's the baddest DB to ever live?I say tie: Wes Hokpins and Andre "Dirty" Waters both of the Iggles.

Ralph Wiley

  (4:37 PM)

T-Rex, you loved those '90 Iggles, huh? But not close on your DBs. Night Train Lane, Kenny the Maniac Houston made those two guys look like the Twins. And you know which Twins I mean. . .

eric (atlanta)

Wasn't clifton in pursuit of a play,making the cancellation of gravity "warn" put on him...perfectly legal?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:39 PM)

"Warn" Sapp gets absolution on this one; technically, the ball was still in play, and conceivably, interceoption returner could have cut back across the field, where Clifton would've been in position to tackle him -- but not after Warn finished with him -- it was a hard play, a tough play, a Chuck Bednarik-type play. But there is no doubt that it was football play, not crime. I've seen crime, and crime don't play.

Micheal Jordan

can u give me a job?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:41 PM)

No, you arrogant strutz. Signed Abe Pollin.

Nick (Detroit)

Thoughts on Joey Harrington at this point in his NFL career?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:43 PM)

Nicky, where you been, since Adam Sandler played you (badly, I might add) in that movie? LOVE Joey Harrington. Badly wanted Spurrier to get him, so then Ol' Ball Coarch wouldn't have had any excuses. I just think Joey has the whole package and it's just a matter of time. . .

Timothy Taylor

Liked your column about Warren Sapp and cheap shots. The Clifton hit didn't bother me. But when Sapp injured Jerry Rice, he didn't grab him by the collar, as you write. Sapp yanked Rice down by the face mask and a personal foul was called on the play. Doesn't make it a cheap shot. When you're trying to tackle Jerry Rice in his prime, you grab on to anything you can. But it wasn't a clean or legal hit, either.

Ralph Wiley

  (4:52 PM)

Sapp walks the line. And the edge.

Mike from Cincy

Another fantasy football question...how about Boldin from AZ? Worth hanging on to? I realize he had the monster first week, but that was against Detroit

Ralph Wiley

  (4:53 PM)

Him I'd keep. And play. Blake looks for him.

Bill (Omaha)

Ralph, I say Donnie Mac gets his mojo back

Ralph Wiley

  (4:54 PM)

This isn't Bill; this is Martha Reeves, from Martha and the Vandellas; signing "Jimmy Mack, When Are You Coming Back?" C'mon, Philadelphia, let's all join in!

earl jersey city

is there a santa claus?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:55 PM)

Not one that doesn't get booed in Philly.

Gil Rogin (NYC)

You've been doing this for two hours. That's not how things would run at Time Inc.

Ralph Wiley

  (4:56 PM)

This may be the all-time funniest post I ever read, only it's an inside joke and nobody else would ever get it; if this really is Gil Rogin -- fooled ya, didn't I?

junglebutt, the hammer, on

do you think T.O will come to the lions as a free agent?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:57 PM)

Yeah. When Paulie goes to the mattresses with Clemenza.

Jamis(KC)

Can the Chiefs D keep it up?

Ralph Wiley

  (4:59 PM)

Going out to KC and Arrowhead for the Buffalo game to see for myself; it's been a while, think I head west and turn neither right nor left, just stop when everything's up to date, and I see Dorothy and Toto, right?

John(Boise)

Ralph, what is your opinion on the use of Indian names for sports teams? I don't think they get any respect and if it were any other race it wouldn't fly.

Ralph Wiley

  (5:01 PM)

I know "Redskins" is pretty horrible, and befitting that putz, George P Marshall.

Jamis(KC)

How good is Dante Hall? Can he successively double as a returner and a # 3 receiver?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:03 PM)

Forget receiving. He reminds me of the Super Gnat, Nolan Smith. Remember him in M*A*S*H? Or against the Raiders? Wasn't he great. Hall's like that, which is a very high compliment to Hall. Watch out for those big semis rumbling by on I-70 though, Little Man. They'll break you up.

Ralph Wiley

  (5:03 PM)

Forget receiving. He reminds me of the Super Gnat, Nolan Smith. Remember him in M*A*S*H? Or against the Raiders? Wasn't he great. Hall's like that, which is a very high compliment to Hall. Watch out for those big semis rumbling by on I-70 though, Little Man. They'll break you up.

Lance (Carlsbad, CA)

Another marathon chat, RDub....props.Is Brees a good enough QB when paired up with LT to keep the Chargers in the mix over the next couple years?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:05 PM)

We're inside 50 min. left. My chatters are so eclectic, they ask such good question, the time flies, and if you don't mind, it don't matter. Boston was a misuse of $. And I'm sorry, but Marty is not the answer.

Sean NYC

Do you give credit to the argument that Urlacher is soft? Where does he stack up against Ray Lewis and Takeo Spikes?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:06 PM)

A step-and-a-half behind Ray; a half-step ahead of Spikes on speed, but a half-step behind him on power and irritability.

Sean NYC

Dub- Where do you rate Urlacher against the current breed of sideline to sideline LBs? Also- Kind of Blue or Birth of the Cool?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:07 PM)

Kind of Blue. All Blues. Like Mozart's "Ein Kliene Nachtmusik," it is perfect music.

blackflag (detroit)

Don't you think David Letterman is way better then Jay Leno. Great work on the Rome show btw.

Ralph Wiley

  (5:10 PM)

What I think is that the cycle is right for a new great comedian to come around; most of the funniest guys are long in the tooth, Robin Williams, Bill Murray, (Richie Pryor near-dead) Letterman (Steve Martin is not funny to me at all). Chris Rocks, but after that, will the next great comedian please stand up? Cmoic View on BET makes me want to barf and hurl and stuff.

Robert (Oakland)

Ralph- Which writers would you claim had an influence on you?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:16 PM)

Wow, Rob, getting all deep on me up in here, eh? Mark Twain, number 1, with a bullet. I know I'll never catch him, climb that high, and I'm cool with it -- grrr. I can do what I can do. Zora Neale Hurston, for the humor like with Twain satiric content , the "can you believe this s***?" attitude, then James Baldwin, then Ring Lardner. Very very few sportswriters influenced me. Liked Ron Fimrite's stuff a lot when I was coming along; Jim Murray's, Red Smith was elegantl; liked Dan Jenkins' stuff; most of the time liked Roy Blount Jr's. stuff, but I wouldn't say any of them, with the exception of Fimrite, influenced me. You know who was sneaky, easy good, good without trying almost? George Plimpton. Wrote a book callde "Shadow Box," probably as good as "Serenity." Just died, to show what writing does to you. . .

Rob, Clubman - San Diego, CA

Hey Ralph, ALWAYS been a big fan since i saw you at a book signing in philly (used to live there, thankfully ESCAPED). Will you ever get your own tv show so the world can see your genius..?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:19 PM)

Write IMMEDIATELY to Mark Shapiro, c/o ESPN Original Entertainment. . .wait a minute, is that you, Ma? I told you. . .

Kevin (Jacksonville)

Hey Ralph. How do you see Byron Leftwich performing on Sunday? Also, look into your crystal ball and tell me this: Twenty years from now will he be remembered for being a success or bust?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:20 PM)

If I could take three young QBs under age 25, no doubt in my mind they would be Vick, Joey Harrington, and Byron Leftwich.

Bill (Orlando)

I wish I knew some Dune stuff so you'd answer a TMac question. I'll try straight query: What does he add to his game this year? True team leadership? End-of-game clutch? Shut-down D?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:23 PM)

You answered your own question, Bill, and without any of my favorite Dune (David Lynch movie version) references. The True team leadership and end-game clutch is what he lacks -- although let's say this, Detroit's D last year made a lot of people look bad. T-Mac was still the only real match-up Kobe Bryant had. T-Mac still has growing to do, not quite ripe at end of last year. This year -- who can say?

HSU

Pollard or Clark?Pac or Biggie?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:23 PM)

Pollard AND Clark. For me, I say Pac.

keith jordan

BILL ROMANISKI (HOMO RO ) IS THE BIGGEST CHEAP SHOT ARTIST OF ALL TIME MAYBE

Ralph Wiley

  (5:26 PM)

Keith you had a great post going there until that last maybe. It was firm, it was authoritative; then you had to go and ruin it with "maybe." It's like you tell your girl friend, "Kneel before me!" then add a tremulous, "I mean, if you want to. . ."

Sam (Oakland, CA)

Warren Sapp didn't drag Jerry Rice down by the collar. He dragged him down by the FACEMASK, and he was assessed a 15-yard penalty. The hit on Clifton was clean, I agree--but he ended Flash-80's career dirty.

Ralph Wiley

  (5:30 PM)

Twenty-five minutes and counting pilgrimsI admit, Warren makes plays that are on the fence -- but he wasn't the first guy to try to tackle Jerry Rice -- the great Jeerry Rice, not that guy out there today -- and grabbed ahold of whatever he could get. I admit, I had to overcome a perception about him after that play. Can Sapp play dirty? Yes. No doubt. Does he? Hmmmm.

Paul Worcester, Mass

Do you speak as bad English as you write ? I cannot follow you verbiage. Thanks for making me and other educated Americans dumber.

Ralph Wiley

  (5:31 PM)

I make you insecure and frightened, don't I? Don't worry; I've baffled better editors than you.

john (gaithersburg,MD)

considering the fact that no club has been allowed to scout clarett and the fact that he only play 3/4 of a season last year at ohio state, in your opinion what is the basis for his claim that he would have been a first round draft pick in 2003?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:34 PM)

uh, the national championship game last January, when MC was the best running back on the field; Ohio State, because he helped, beat superior Miami team. It's a small thing, true, but it led me to this hunch, this leap of logic. . .I'm psychic!

Ken, Minneapolis

R-Dub...you rock. How good can the Vikes be this year? I say they shock the world real New England like...or Jesse like... take your pick...

Ralph Wiley

  (5:35 PM)

Claiborne makes so much difference in the Vikings defense; and O. Smith is a good-looking runner; it helps they are in a dogmeat division; of course, when your QB gets his back broken, it doesn't help.

Mayne * Bay Area

Raiders or Niners?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:37 PM)

Since I've been in the buisiness covering them, they've won a total of 8 Super Bowls, five for 49ners, 3 for the Raidess. They won't be making in 9 this year.

Johan (Stuttgart, Germany)

MJ '93 v. Kobe '03 Winner out, win by 2, to 11. Who wins and why?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:41 PM)

Johan! Can we ship Ah-nold back over there to you, C.O.D? Kobe does not yet have the mental wherewithal to handle Jordan in his prime. Jordan's will would break him. Having said that, I think Kobe's physical skills may be superior, he has more equipment, taller, etc., and he probably is a better deep shooter; but right now, it's all sort of moot, isn't it?My man, Johan!

John Albany NY

The comedian in the Sapp commercial (and in the hockey commercial with Jeremy Roenick) is Tracy Morgan.

Ralph Wiley

  (5:43 PM)

Then Tracy Morgan is one funny dude, in a Street News kind of way. T-minus 14 minutes and counting, pilgrims. . .

JP (Seattle0

No love for the West Coast? Give this pilgrim your feel on the Seahawks

Ralph Wiley

  (5:46 PM)

My problem is, I haven't seen them over an entire game yet, just highlights, so my jacket on them is limited. Koren Robinson is crystal, though, no doubt about; always did love his game. Curious about that Safety Ken Hamlin; at first I thought people were saying Ken Hamblin; who used to be a radio shock-jock; I'd like to see him in an NFL secondary, getting lit. We'll have to hold off on the SeaDogs.

Haden (Boulder, CO)

Arnold's from Austria.

Ralph Wiley

  (5:47 PM)

I think they'd accept delivery on him in Germania, though, if they'd sign. . .

JP (Seattle)

I can't believe you answer that idiot Paul from Wooorchester, but won't talk about my 'Hawks!

Ralph Wiley

  (5:48 PM)

I can't believe it either. But there it is.

matt (lost wages)

R-dub where u from and which NFL team do you call yours?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:50 PM)

Follow great players more than teams. Not even great players all the time, just favorite players, interesting players. Covered Raiders, Niners, got started on them. Went to DC in time for 2 Super Bowl run, 88-91. Now down here in Florida with Tampa and what-not. The good teams seem to follow me around. Or something like that. That's my version of it.

hotcarlz (windsor)

i need to know if you can smell what the rock is cooking?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:51 PM)

I don't know, but didn't the NFL pour some water on the Rock's smoking? No, you know YOUR role, Jabroni. . .

Lars (Madison)

You sound like Richard Wright, listing all your writing influences like that.

Ralph Wiley

  (5:54 PM)

I didn't list nearly all, Lars, just the more powerful influences, but I am nothing like Richard Wright, except I know some of the territory he went over. Nothing like him, although Black Boy and Uncle Tom's Children are fine books I feel. Personally I was not as impressed with his Native Son. But then, I suppose the point is, I wasn't there at the time. There's the difference.

Mike Washington DC

Hey Ralph, why do you talk so weird... Who are you and where did you come from?????

Ralph Wiley

  (5:56 PM)

Good question. I'll think about that one, try to have an answer for you next time. OK pilgrims, one more, and it's ball game. I'm shutting it down.

matt (lost wages)

Dub! C'mon man I know you're not supposed to have a team and what not because you're a member of the media butyou don't pull for anyone?

Ralph Wiley

  (5:58 PM)

I think in any given game, or most every game, you decide which team you think should or shouldn't win, whether on their own merits, or by how it will affect the team you actually root for. All I know is:THE NFL TOTALLY RULES SPORTS!The question is, what does that say about us? Chew on that one, pilgrims. I'm out.. Thanks for making my day once again.