Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
We appreciate the feedback, as always.
Here is what ESPN.com readers are saying about the AFC North:
On Troy Smith ...
Percy from Baltimore writes: Thanks for your open letter to Troy Smith. I HOPE that he reads it. You hit the nail right on the head! Here's hoping he steps up. (It would be nice for the Ravens to send Boller packing.)
Dwight Flemming writes: I think that Troy Smith will do just find this preseason and earn a starting spot on a team who is not known for scoring alot, and he comes from a originazation (OSU) in which they put up alot of points on the broad he is also a great step up in the pocket passer and can kill u with his speed. Troy Smith will be a great fit for the Ravens in 2009 season and many season's to come
Karen from Baltimore, MD writes: Thanks Mr Walker! We need someone to help wake-up Troy. You're correct - the QB job should be his to lose. Problem is, there's no one else more qualified to lose it to! GO TROY...GO RAVENS...Seize the day on Saturday, please don't let us watch another horrifying season of Kyle Boller's fumbles!
Drew from New Philadelphia writes: I'm pulling for Troy. I can't believe he has been given the cold shoulder the way he has. It's a shame.
On Madden 2009 ... John from DC writes: Hey James, great blog, I check it every day. I am a huge Steelers fan and want to give you some advice on using them in Madden as you asked for in your most recent post. The key to the using Big Ben, as in real life, is his elusiveness. Drop back in the pocket and then roll out at will, he is definitely fast enough to buy that extra second or two that will make getting the ball to our 'smallish' receivers that much easier. Ward has excellent hands and Holmes is blazing fast. The best running play to run with the Stulers is a weak side counter where you actually motion the tight end to the weak side, making it the strong side. Misdirection is great for Fast Willie Parker. On defense, you are 100% right, Polamalu is all you need. Blitz him and see him fly by the slow offensive tackles and crush the quarterback or drop him back in coverage and make pick after pick with his amazing recovery speed. Hope this helps!
Ben from Cleveland writes: I think Big Ben is more of a scramble quarterback in madden. I am a beast at Madden though. I don't want to make you look like the Dolphins or anything.
James Walker: The 1972 Dolphins or 1984 Dolphins? Either way Ben, don't sing it, bring it!
On the Steelers defense ... Jeremy from Evansville writes: Mr. Walker, I would like to address the following issue with the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. In several articles and in your AFC North Blog, you comment: Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes the Steelers, which boasted the NFL's top defense last season, gave up two early touchdowns in Thursday night's 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Morning take: The defensive veterans shrugged off last week's porous performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. And although it's not a good practice to overreact to preseason games, two straight sub-par weeks are starting to raise eyebrows in Steel Town. What you must realize this is exactly what Steelers Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau does every preseason. He does not show his genius in the preseason so others teams do not grow accustomed to his arsenal of defensive plays and elaborate defenses. That is why the Steelers defense has looked like vanilla these last two weeks. I would like you to address this issue in one of your next blog entries. I love your work Mr. Walker, and I love reading it. This may not seem like a worthy blog entry to you, but it is the truth and I would like to see you at least mention the fact that Lebeau does not want to reveal anything about his defense. Thank you, Jeremy Kohlman
On Brett Favre (really? This is the AFC North blog, right?) ...
Arlene Bartz writes: I have a comment on the Monday Nite football gamem with the Packers. We all know Brett Favre was a great QB, but the point is, he is gone, and we got quite sick of hearing about Brett thru the whole Monday Nite Football game, We are hopeing this dont go on all season,,,, We do have a new QB and lets give him the credit he deserves, so that he may play better ball....Thank You... I do reside in Wisconsin...
On yours truly ... Bob Finnan from Medina writes: You're my hero
James Walker: Thanks, Bob. Your check is in the mail.
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after three seasons covering the Cleveland Browns for the Columbus Dispatch. He also covered the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Cavaliers at the Dispatch. Walker grew up in Hyattsville, Md., before attending Temple University, graduating in 2001 with a B.A. in communications and mass media. He resides in the Cleveland area.
