Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
The 2008 regular season started Thursday night, but all four teams in the AFC North begin on Sunday. So with 48 hours remaining until the division kicks off its slate of games, let's see what's on the mind of ESPN.com readers.
As always, thanks for the questions and comments. You can send all feedback here.
Matt from Cary, NC writes: Hey James -- why did the Deltha O'Neal cut fly so far under the radar? Everyone is making a big deal about Rudi Johnson and Willie Anderson, but the one I saw that seemed odd was O'Neal. And what happened? He was snatched up by New England within a couple of days. As a Steeler Fan, I say, cut the whole team up, but geez... I wonder why Bengals fans aren't even remotely interested in this cut.
James Walker: Greetings, Matt. O'Neal's play had dropped off significantly since his playoff and Pro Bowl year in 2005 when he had 10 interceptions. Since then O'Neal had just two picks total in the 2006 and 2007. And with a solid pair of young corners in Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph, Cincinnati's brass saw him as an overpaid backup. The same, to a degree, was the way the Bengals viewed tackle Willie Anderson and tailback Rudi Johnson, who were likely heading in the same direction. The team saved approximately $9 million in salary between the three players.
Will from Tampa writes: Is the Browns front office on vacation? Ricky Manning and Deltha O'Neal both got cut within the past week or so--how is it that neither ends up in Cleveland? The secondary has been terrible all preseason and could be the thing that holds the team back this year. How can they be considering an overpriced, well-past-his-prime Ty Law, but not make any attempt to grab either of these guys?
James Walker: Will, no one knows for sure if the Browns made an attempt at O'Neal or Manning Jr. But the biggest surprise for me was Cleveland didn't try to land former Denver Broncos cornerback Domonique Foxworth. The Atlanta Falcons gave up a seventh-round pick for Foxworth, which looks like a steal. He backed up Champ Bailey and Dre Bly in Denver and could have helped Cleveland's secondary immediately.
Derick Young Casper, WY: JW, how have you been doin? I see you work late with some of these blogs, thanks. Question for you; Do you think, at all, that the current Steel Curtain is good as the guys from the mid 90's. Maybe we will have to wait and see but it looks good with Woodly, Timmons, Foote, Farrior, & the beast Harrison. Thanks again!
James Walker: Thanks for the kind words, Derick. From the phrasing of your question, I'm assuming your focus is on the linebackers. And I would give the mid-90s linebacker group of Kevin Green, Greg Lloyd, Lavon Kirkland and Chad Brown the edge right now. This year's group has some awfully young talent in Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley that still needs to be developed. I would even say James Harrison is a little raw as a second-year starter, despite making the Pro Bowl in 2007.
Cory from Cincinnatti writes: I know that the bengals have had their legal issues but could we possibly win the division with what we have?Also could
Chris Perry have a breakout year this year?
James Walker: Not many people feel the Bengals will win the division, Cory, and I'm one of them. I picked them to finish last in the AFC North because the team has a lot of holes, particularly on defense. Chris Perry has always shown that he can be a good player if he can stay healthy. But I'm still waiting for that to happen before I will vouch for him as a breakout player.
Reader from Columbus Ohio writes: James, do you think Marvin Lewis and the Bengals brass are disappointed with their wide receiver draft picks or did they not expect them to contribute until late this yr or next yr?
James Walker: Disappointed may be too strong a word at this point because they're rookies that have yet to play in a regular-season game. But the team realizes neither player is ready to make the major impact. The Bengals really took a risk with Jerome Simpson. I talked to two NFL sources over the past three months about Simpson and neither had him rated as a second-round prospect, which is where the Bengals selected him. He may very well develop in time but he's been slow to adjust to the NFL game. Before his injury, Caldwell was doing a decent job, about what you would expect from a rookie third rounder. But both right now are inconsistent, and that's part of the reason they brought back Chris Henry in a controversial move.
Will writes: James, I've been reading a lot about Santonio Holmes having a break out year. I'd like to see what you think about Nate Washington. I may be wrong but this looks to be his third year of playing in the league as well and he showed a good deal of promise later in the year last year. Now that he's the clear cut 3rd option at WR do you think we can expect a break out year from him as well compared to what he normally contributes?
James Walker: Good question Big Will. Washington was good enough to hold of rookie Limas Sweed for the No. 3 receiver job in training camp, which is a credit to Washington. He's always been solid but he has some physical limitations with his size and leaping ability that Sweed possesses. Washington will hold Sweed off for as long as he can, but eventually his time will come to take over the job once he learns the NFL game.
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.
