The jury is still out on who got the best of the Champ Bailey-Clinton Portis trade between Washington and Denver. Portis (above) leads the NFC with 593 yards rushing. Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

"I can't believe how vicious some of these are," Andrew said. I told him to send them along anyway, and then, guess what? They weren't vicious at all, at least compared to those of the old days. Oh no, I'm not lamenting the neutering of the rippers, but gosh, what didn't they used to nail me on?

You're a winehead, a weedhead, a deadhead, senile, drugged out, whacked out, fogbound ... I can find at least two of those that aren't true. In the past I've led with the rips, the vicious ones first, kind of like eating the vegetables quickly and saving the roast beef for later. So let me look through this and see which mailbaggers are really upset about something, and those individuals will step to the head of the line. Can anything be more fair?

From Phil of Tucson -- "Just a comment on this week's power rankings. You really, really hate the Redskins, don't you?" Sure do. They broke up my first marriage. Turned my kids against me. Used to steal my lunch money when I was a small child. OK, Phil, stop kidding around, let's get serious here. In my preview stuff I said that they really got the better of the Portis-Bailey trade. History still has to decide that one. When they opened with a victory over Tampa Bay I had them at No. 10. Since then, when it became painfully obvious that Mark Brunell is an anchor that is dragging this team down, down, down, I've had them in the lower echelons. They're 2-4. Their victories came over the Bucs and Bears, each with one win apiece. Where am I supposed to rank 'em, top 10?

The rip that I thought would be the longest and loudest never arrived, or at least Andrew didn't forward it, which means that if there was one, it was an isolated case without major support. I'll supply it myself. How the hell could you actually raise the Titans five places after they got nailed to the wall by Houston? The answer is so wishy-washy that I'm glad I never had to use it, and since I never had to, I won't, which will leave you guessing, and that's tough.

"That will never never do and you know it," the Flaming Redhead says.

OK already. As pointed out, sometimes you get pinned, when you try to maintain the integrity of the board. I had to rank the Titans higher than the Packers, whom they killed. Ditto the Pack over Detroit, and now we're in never-never land. This will clear up in a week, two at the very most, I promise.

"What do you have against the Vikings?" says Rob of Morristown, N.J., and how'd you know I played for the Colonials? Were you, possibly, a teammate? Remember that game in the field off Route 10, and our right tackle who went bonkers because the ref threw him out, and he was thrashing around on the sideline and they had to hold him down? And I wound up going the whole way in his spot, and Big Daddy Gaston ran a million yards on their ass, and afterward we had to forfeit the game because we used an ineligible player? What was your question again? Oh, the Vikings? I hate their defensive scheme. Soft, soft, soft. You're right, I always look for the upset when they're playing anyone, but I do right by them in the rankings, don't I? By the way, that 1968 game was the last I ever played in my life, my swine song.

"Doc, are you nuts?" writes Andrew of Gaithersburg, Md., and that's the way I like to get into a question, not through any backdoors. Andrew's point is that the running game, not Vinny Testaverde, is the downfall of the Cowboys, as any fool knows. Well, it contributes, and you can throw all the passer rating numbers at me you like, but whereas a running game can be fixed, when a quarterback neither has the arm strength nor the staying power to go the full 60, then it's more of a major problem.

Two letters about the Ravens' ranking, which means, in our special code, that there were at least 16 concerned, e-mailing fans, maybe more. To Tom of Bel Air, Md., and Kurt of Baltimore: You're right, they beat Pittsburgh, but those were the Tommy Maddox Steelers. OK, the Bengals' victory was impressive, but that Redskin game was a pretty sorry show. KC crushed them fair and square. The Chiefs were, and are, a better team, I believe. But they've also got a crummy record, so I can't rank them too high, and since Baltimore has to be ranked below them, the Ravens have been forced to take up residence in a nasty neighborhood. This will change, as I've explained.

Can you believe that this ends the major rips, although there are a few quibbles? Joe of Kennesaw, Ga., wants me to clarify his belief that a wham block involves something delivered by a man in motion. This is basically true ... generally the motion H-back or tight end. In the old single-wing days, before the wham got its colorful name, this block was thrown by the, well, the blocking back, also known as the quarterback. If you can, you ought to look at some of that old single-wing footage. A very pretty thing, and a good blocking back, who also did a lot of trapping, could really unzip people.

Brian of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a Reuben Droughns fan, as I am. He has noticed that the DEs seem to be playing the run better. Better coaching, or worse blocking? Both. OT techniques have been suffering every since these guys got in the 500-pound range. Obviously the ends, who are in the 270-pound neighborhood, can't take them on head up, but I really think they're being coached more to come down against the run instead of taking an upfield rush every time and sailing off into the stratosphere. I still see off-tackle runs in which no block needs to be thrown because the end has taken himself out of the play, but I don't think the upfield guys are as much in vogue now as they used to be. On the subject, have you seen the Colts' Dwight Freeney do anything special this year?

Thanks to Jerome of El Paso for kind words. Please include Marcus Washington in your list of defensive Redskins who are really coming through this year. Glad you see the same good things in Fred Smoot that I do.

Another Smoot fan, Kwame of Queens (Queenie of Kwams?), adds this depressing note: "I was going to send you an e-mail about him a few weeks ago but was scared you would make fun of me the way you did about Santana Moss last year." Oh, man, I apologize. I'm not in the business of making fun of people. If I did, then I'm really sorry. This is really depressing. Linda, pour me a drink, honey. Kwame also would like to draw attention to the Jets' rookie safetyman, Erik Coleman, and second tight end, Chris Baker. I've liked Coleman from the go. What's there not to like? Baker seems to be taking over Anthony Becht's spot, doesn't he? Certainly a better blocker. Once again, I'm sorry. What did I say, anyway? I can't remember from one time to the next. Usually I only take shots at the mean guys, and that's after they've taken one at me first.

	MAILBAG Dr. Z will answer select user questions each week in his NFL mailbag. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Thanks to Matt of San Antonio. His question -- can I remember a time when the line was so clearly drawn between the good teams and the bad ones? Yeah, in the old days. People forget how bad the really bad ones were. I've used this statistic a million times, but it kind of illustrates this point. In their eight year playoff run (1972-79), the Steelers' record against teams that wound up under .500 was ... get ready ... 50-1. Roll Matt tape, take two -- five good, cheap red wines, please, available in most stores. The answer is supplied by Tom Yackeren of Rockaway, N.J., who is our E-mailer of the Week because he has taken the burden off poor old tired Dr. Z's shoulders. Two Zinfandels, both in the range of $10 or slightly above -- Bogle and Biale. To that I can add the Syrahs and blended reds of Cline Cellars.

Our gold medal e-mailer is not through yet. He's a big Kevin Mawae fan and defies me to name three centers who have been better over the last few years. Denver's Tom Nalen, KC's Casey Wiegmann, Green Bay's Mike Flanagan. Not that they're really more talented. I just felt that they hustled more. This year Kevin's really been working hard, and I haven't seen one in his class.

I always like to receive e-mails from English fans, unless James H. of London is an American who just happens to be living over there, then it's signals off. The best capsule comment I ever heard about football as a game came from an English fan I talked to in the stands at Wembley during the 1983 Cardinals-Vikings exhibition game. I asked him why he liked football.

"I like chess," he said, "and football is like a chess game with the board coming to life every 30 seconds. And each time you're presented with a new problem. It's fascinating."

James is a Giants fan and appreciates my comments about their blocking tight end, Visanthe Shiancoe. But please, he says, do not overlook the third tight end, Marcellus Rivers, a demon on special teams. You're absolutely right. You win with people like this.

Troy of Durant, Iowa, suggests that I keep an eye on Detroit DT Shaun Rogers. Both eyes, actually, since he weighs 345. I put him on my all-pro check list before the season even started because Matt Millen told me he's ready to make his move. Then I watched him against Philly and thought he had a disappointing game. It happens. One swallow does not a full drink make. Naturally I'll be checking him closely against the Giants.

Complimentary stuff from Erik of Pittsburgh, and I thank you. Agrees with me about Tony Richardson vs. Ray Lewis. Agrees with my feelings about the vapid coverage offered by ESPN. Highly recommends the tape analysis provided by Merrill Hoge, and again, I agree. You can add Ron Jaworski to that, Erik.

Scott of Centerport, N.Y., would like me compare the Patriots current nose tackle, Vince Wilfork, with last year's man in the middle, Ted Washington, now a Raider. Washington was more skilled, Wilfork has improved every week and he needs less relief time. This year it's no contest. Wilfork is active. Big Teddy's doing zero.

Andy of St. Paul, Minn., credits the success of the Minnesota runners, including Mewelde Moore, whom I praised so highly, to the proficiency of the offensive line. Oh, it's good all right, with one exception. I don't like LT Bryant McKinnie at all, and he was drafted higher than any of them. I think you'll agree that Moore is really special, though. If they wanted to be really clever, they could showcase him now, sit him down behind Michael Bennett when he returns and then trade him next season. Except that they might find they've given someone a budding super star who could turn out to be better than their own guy. Put it this way. On third and three, who would you give the ball to, Moore or Bennett?

Arturo of Monterrey, Mexico, is saddened by the fact that I couldn't find anything positive to say about any Bengals. Well, I kind of did about Justin Smith. The problem is, and I didn't want to include it in the piece, that after two looks, I just couldn't find anyone who really impressed me. Chad Johnson, my favorite Bengal last season, is in kind of a slump, isn't he? He asks if Carson Palmer will get the hook in favor of Jon Kitna if he continues to struggle. It would seem logical, but then Marvin Lewis would have to go into a serious backstroke because he has said so many times that this wouldn't happen.

Here come the Rams. And a pair of thank you's to Stephen of North Vancouver, B.C., and Bart of Washington. Steve asks -- why was Mike Martz willing to do a quick switch from Warner to Bulger, but he's dragging out the Marshall Faulk to Steven Jackson thing? Bart wants to know what will be next year's approach, if Jackson really replaces Faulk? First of all, Martz dragged out the Warner-Bulger thing, too. Warner got his job back as soon as he supposedly got over the broken finger two years ago. Last season, going into the Giants opener, Martz told Fox's Pam Oliver, on camera, than Warner was his quarterback to the bitter end, come hell or high water. The high water arrived next week and lasted all season. Running back is a different position. You can alternate them, or use them together, but you can't do that with QBs. Jackson might be a slight improvement in the running game, but no back was the pass-catching threat Faulk was. Repeat, was. He dropped a couple against Seattle, remember? They won't be able to put Jackson in the slot and run him downfield as effectively as they did with Faulk. But who says Marshall will be gone? Maybe he'll be a third down passing-situations back.

Keep your eye on Danny Clark of the Raiders, says Seth of Castro Valley, Calif., and thanks for your compliment. No, Seth doesn't say the thanks part, that's me saying it. He's the Danny Clark guy. We got that all straightened out now? Clark's a pretty active hitter. Reminds me a little of Atlanta's Chris Draft, although I don't think he's as good. Damn, why didn't I include Draft as one of my Falcons' guys?

Dave, a Brown alumnus from L.A. ... actually from Providence (Al Forno, great spot, huh?) and now living in L.A ... wants to know who's the best Ivy Leaguer in the last 30 years. Darn it. How about giving me 60? Then the answer is Sid Luckman from where the Lions roar. Given the time restraint, I'd say ... and I know I'm going to overlook somebody ... Calvin Hill of Yale.

Part two concerns terminology. What's the difference between a tailback and a halfback? None. They're both anachronistic terms that I interchange, preferring both to the current "running back." I like to use old terms I'm comfortable with, such as "taxi squad" instead of the current, ugh, "practice squad." What's the difference between split end and flanker? The flanker, known as the Z receiver, is on the tight end's side, the split end, or the X, is on the open side.

Here's a hot one from Paul of New Orleans -- "I know you don't like receiving compliments much," is the way he begins, but it gets better. In lieu of compliments, he is offering a dinner for two, for the Redhead and myself, at the Commander's Palace, including all the shrimp remoulade we can eat. Yeah, in my dreams that is being offered. Paul, I like compliments just as much as the next fella does, and what you said about my work is very gratifying indeed. My opinions get ripped a lot, but at least they are my own.

Good night and God bless you, and yes, Ella Brennan's wonderful restaurant is our favorite in New Orleans.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Paul Zimmerman covers the NFL for the magazine and SI.com. His Power Rankings, "Inside Football" column and Mailbag appear weekly on SI.com.