AFC North Chat wrap

I hunt manatees · Dec 19, 2005

with Jeremy Green....

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=10202

Jeremy Green: (12:31 PM ET ) Hey everyone - lets go with the NFC North. I have picked this as my first question because it is important to Pittsburgh fans.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Chad (DC): Is it true that if Jax loses 1 game and SD and Pitt win out. SD gets the 5th seed in a three-way tie-breaker and jax gets the 6th based upon head-to-head with Pitt?

Jeremy Green: (12:32 PM ET ) Hey Chad. You are correct. While it ihas been widely reported that Pittsburgh controls its own destiny, this is no accurate. Yes, they need to win 2, but if Jax were to stumble and SD win both, Pittsburgh would lose the tiebreaker.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Jason (Charlotte NC): When will the "Leigh Bodden is decent" stuff end? He has been playing at a pro bowl level the last few games shutting down monster receivers on the road the last few games, and proving to be an outstanding tackler. Leigh Bodden is a star, period.

Jeremy Green: (12:34 PM ET ) Leigh Bodden has the potentialto be a legit #1. He must build on this season though. Leigh has a great work ethic, so I beleive he will have a strong offseason and be a starter at DC for the Browns next season.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>dj (seattle): is boller still the future?

Jeremy Green: (12:35 PM ET ) No - Boller is not the future in Baltimore or anywhere.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>matt;( cincinnati, ohio): My question is now that the bengals are in the playoffs who- dey by the way.. do they honestly have a chance for a superbowl run? And if so, should they make it, can they win it with the struggling run and big plays they give up from there defense?

Jeremy Green: (12:36 PM ET ) Cincy is still a year away from being SB ready. The offensive pieces are in place, but as you mentioned the defense is cause for concern. If they add a run stuffing DT, a pass rushing DE and another Safety to go with Madieu WIlliams next season, they will be SB ready.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Ryan (Buckhead): Jeremy, is there any chance that the Bengals sit Palmer and the Johnsons in the coming weeks?

Jeremy Green: (12:38 PM ET ) No. I think they will see it through. They are the #3 seed right now. They need a Denver loss and that could happen in the last week when Denver goes to San Diego. Until they are told they can't be the #2 seed, they need to play their starters.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>rob (corry, pa): If pittsburgh faces cincinatti in the first round, who wins?

Jeremy Green: (12:39 PM ET ) Cincinnati will. They split the season series, but I think like the last meeting Cincinnati will expose a very average Steelers pass defense.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Sean (Toledo, OH): Are the Browns happy with Frye, and do you see him as their starting QB next year?

Jeremy Green: (12:40 PM ET ) WIthout question he will be the guy next year. He has played well this season and keep in mind he is a rookie who is only being given about half the offense to make things easier on him. Frye will be the starter next year and moving forward into the future.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Alex (MD): do the browns see droughns as a permanent fixture at running back or just until they can develop someone else?

Jeremy Green: (12:42 PM ET ) They see him as a solid starter, but they would like to find a dependable backup to compliment him. Suggs and Green for various reasons have not shown they can do that. They made a run at Chester Taylor last year and I could see them going that route again. They may draft a RB at some point but have so many needs in the front 7 of their defense.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Ben (Norfolk, VA): You say the Steelers have an average pass defense. The Bungles are much worse. If they don't get 3 interceptions in a game they give up 40 points.

Jeremy Green: (12:43 PM ET ) The Bengals have a ton of issues on defense vs. the run and the pass. I have no reason to beleive the TO's won't keep coming though. It is a Marvin Lewis style of play - won he did a pretty good job with in Baltimore and Washington.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Phil (Columbus): Jeremy I disagree with you on the Steelers pass defense. It is solid, but their outside linebackers do not get a consistent pash rush against good lines like the Colts and Bengals. I think Pitt needs to draft a good Big Ten linebacker in the first round next year like Greenway or Carpenter(Hawk will be gone).

Jeremy Green: (12:44 PM ET ) Great point Phil - it is more the rush. Porter and Haagans have not been consistent. Pittsburgh has to blitz to get pressure and that plays right in to the hands of the Bengals and Palmer who has an exceptionally quick release.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Tommy: Shouldn't the Steelers be worried about Cleveland and making the playoffs, not who they'll play IF they make it?

Jeremy Green: (12:47 PM ET ) It is a rivalry game, so yes they should not overlok anyone. I saw the Browns offense struggle yesterday to but points up vs. the Raiders. That does not bode well for them doing much vs. the Steelers defense this week. To beat Pittsburgh you need to go to the air and while I like what I have seen from Frye, Pittsburgh and Dick Lebeau will throw every blitz in the playbook at him this week.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Rich (Columbus): How are Odell Thurman's chances at winning Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Jeremy Green: (12:49 PM ET ) They took a big hit yesterday with that game Merriman had. I beleive he is up to 11 sacks now. Sacks is such a huge number that people talk about when these types of awards come around. Though I don't agree - I beleive Merriman will win the DROY.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Matt: Porter and Haggans are 1 and 2 in Linebacker Sacks!!!

Jeremy Green: (12:50 PM ET ) They play in a 3-4 defense.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Jerry (Annandale, VA): What an awful season for Jamal Lewis! How well will Jamal rebound next year?

Jeremy Green: (12:51 PM ET ) He is still young so I think he will rebound, He has a lot to prove to his critics. He will be doing it in another uniform though. Personally I think he would look real good in the Black and Gold.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Shawn: Where do you believe Jamal Lewis will end up next year? Do you think the Steelers will pursue him?

Jeremy Green: (12:51 PM ET ) Yes - I just said it in another post.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Jesse (Indianapolis): Are the Steelers going to resign Randle El this offseason or are they going to look into free agency for a WR? In my opinion what they lack on offense is a decent #2 receiving option behind Hines Ward.

Jeremy Green: (12:52 PM ET ) They will re-sign him if he takes #3 receiver money. Pittsburgh will not over-pay him because though he is an excellent return man, he is really just a #3 as a receiver and they need more production form that spot opposite of Ward.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>david (hawthorne, nj): how can you say porter and haggans are inconsistant then if they rank 1 and 2 in sacks for linebackers?

Jeremy Green: (12:56 PM ET ) That is incorrrect - Merriman has more. It's not always about the numbers guys - it's about what you see and I do not see Pittsburgh getting consistent pressure. I did not see Palmer getting pressure. I did not see Manning getting pressure. Neith player has had a multiple sack game this season - that tells me they are not getting consistent pressure.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Chris(London): you expect the steelers to pursue lewis. would he be a co-#1 w/ willie parker or would he be the starter. would he take non-starting money?

Jeremy Green: (12:58 PM ET ) I don't think Lewis is going to get the monster deal he thinks he is because of the baggage. He will get a contract with a lot of incentives. I think Pittsburgh would be crazy to not at least investigate him. I think he would start and Parker would be the change up guy.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>jeff (pittsburgh): your argument is incorrect. they are getting more consistent pressure if they have a lot of sacks spread out over many games. the inconsistent guys are the ones who whip poor tackles for 3 sacks in one game and then don't show up for 3 weeks. isn't that logical?

Jeremy Green: (12:59 PM ET ) What I am saying is I have not seen them take a game over. Merriman took a game over this year. Umenyiora, Strahan, ALex Brown, Ogunyele have taken games over. The Steelers pass rush is not feared like it once was.


<HR width="80%" noShade SIZE=1>Ryan (Pittsburgh): If Pittsburgh were to pursue Lewis, then why do they have Duce Staley wating in the wings for the Bus to retire?

Jeremy Green: (1:00 PM ET ) Duce Staley??? He is currently the 3rd best RB on your team. I would upgrade that spot in the off-season.

Jeremy Green: (1:01 PM ET ) Thanks for the questions and I will talk to you guys again next week.

Keith Kidd: (1:02 PM ET ) Let's get rolling with the AFC South.

NFBuck · Dec 19, 2005

Some nice things about the Browns in there. I myself have been suprised how well Bodden has stepped up, definately a pleasant suprise. Charlie has showed a lot to so far. He really stepped up during that final drive yesterday and I think he is going to be the guy to lead this team. If they can just get healthy, the Browns are at least on the right track.

Jaxbuck · Dec 19, 2005

I think Jeremy is a bit overconfident in how easily the Bengals will handle the Steelers.

AFC North Chat wrap

I hunt manatees

in the 'glades with propeller blades

NFBuck

Total Coverage.

Jaxbuck

I hate tsun