Chat Rewind: Why ignore Ray Rice?

If you missed today's AFC North weekly chat, don't start cursing loudly at work. I have some highlights for you. Just slip me a 20 when you leave.

Ryan (Fla.): You see Torrey Smith busting out to a good year as season wears on for Ravens?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN): My prediction was that Torrey Smith would end up being the No. 1 receiver. He had such a good offseason and training camp. It's only two games, so I'm not going to change my prediction yet. It took him some time to get started last year as a rookie as well.

Ted (Baltimore): Jamison, how long before we see Rashard Mendenhall in the starting running back position for Steelers? You think he can overcome injury and be a solid performer? Steelers could use him back there!

Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Never a big Mendenhall fan. He really ran timid last year. Mendenhall showed no patience for holes to open inside and wanted to bounce everything to the outside. The Steelers' best option, in my opinion, is Jonathan Dwyer. But this is a position that the Steelers need to address next offseason.

Auto4Short (Homersville OH): JH, the Bengals have looked awful these past two games. When our injured cornerbacks return, Carlos Dunlap returns, and Dontay Moch gets off his suspension, can this defense turn it around and have us headed to back to back winning seasons?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN): The key is getting Carlos Dunlap back. Before his injury in the preseason opener, he was the best defensive player that I saw during my AFC North training camp tour. The problem with Dunlap has always been injuries. The cornerbacks have looked old early this season. Getting Dre Kirkpatrick back, whenever that will be, will be a boost as well.

Andy in Hagerstown (Maryland): Jamison, why oh why do the Ravens do this to themselves??? Last year the Ravens lost to the Jags, Seahawks and Chargers with Rice running 10 times or less. In Philly, Rice was averaging over seven yards a carry and they just stopped using him. I don't know if Cam Cameron is to blame or not, but the offense still appears to be dysfunctional. What are your thoughts?

Cole Jamison (Newark Delaware): Why do the Ravens like to not give the ball to arguably one of the best running backs in the NFL? It seems like in almost every game once Ray gets the ball 10 times they just completely stop running him.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Cole and Andy, it looks like you're both on the same wavelength here. When it comes to Rice, it seems like the Ravens try to be too cute and use him as a decoy. It worked against the Bengals, who were keying everything on Rice. At some point, the Ravens have to give it to the player who is a threat to take it to the end zone every time he touches the ball. It amazes me that the Ravens go such long stretches without getting the ball to Rice.

Michael (Cincinnati): Congratulations to you and your family on the new arrival. Now, do you really believe the Browns are the worst team in the league?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN): In my power rankings, I have the Browns at No. 29. So, I don't think they're the worst team in the league. Based on the first two games, they are better than the Raiders, Chiefs and Jaguars.

Greg (Jersey City): Do you see Brandon Weeden's next game being more like Week 1 or Week 2?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Depends on whether the Browns can keep Mario Williams off Weeden. Throwing under pressure is Weeden's biggest challenge.

Andrew H (Baltimore): Who will have the better game? (Joe Flacco or Tom Brady) and (Andy Dalton or RG3)?. This is also a Fantasy Football question.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN): My ranking would go like this: Brady, Flacco, RG3 and Dalton. Of course, there is a disclaimer: I'm awful at fantasy football.