The Steelers' Hines Ward has 57 catches for 607 yards and six touchdowns this season. AP

MAILBAG Peter King will answer your questions each week in Monday Morning Quarterback: Tuesday Edition. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Now onto your e-mails.

WHAT ABOUT DARRENT WILLIAMS? From Ian of Iowa City, Iowa: "The murder of Sean Taylor is horrifying and sad, but at least his killers have been put behind bars. Darrent Williams was shot and killed on Jan. 1, 2007. To date, no one has been arrested for his murder. Let's hope they can find these guys soon.''

Great sentiment. When I was in Denver this summer, I got the feeling the trail was cold. The Broncos were losing hope the killer or killers would ever be found. A shame.

OF COURSE THEY HAVE A CHANCE. From Rob Lah of New York: "Do you think that the Steelers have any chance to beat the Pats next week? Also, the announcers in the Steelers-Bengal game said that Hines Ward should make the Hall of Fame when he retires. Do you think that he will or should?''

I didn't hear that from John Madden or Al Michaels; not sure those were their exact words. But Ward's the kind of difference-maker who will get serious consideration for the Hall ... at least from me. I love him as a player. He raises the level of his team every week. He'll be hurt by the fact that other receivers will have more catches -- in some cases significantly more. And the Steelers certainly have a chance. Look at the Patriots, two weeks in a row, in close games against teams with a combined record of 9-15. I think Vegas will rethink its two-touchdown line in the next day or two.

THE TERRELL DAVIS CANDIDACY. From Bob Everhart of Bedford, N.H.: "Peter, does the fact that since Terrell Davis' career has ended the Denver Broncos have been able to insert anybody into the running back spot in their lineup and produce a 1,500-yard runner negatively impact TD's chances of getting into the Hall of Fame? It may be unfair to Davis. But it seems like he is a long shot based on this and the length of his career.''

Interesting question. Very good question.

IF THE SOX LOSE ELLSBURY, THEY WILL LIVE TO REGRET IT. From Robert Webber of Springfield, Mass.: "You're obviously a Red Sox guy. If they have to give up Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester for Johan Santana, should they do it?''

No. Ellsbury's going to be a fun, electric, great player anchoring the outfield for the next decade while stealing 50 bases a year with a good on-base percentage. Santana is the best pitcher in the game, arguably, right now. But he'll be 29 next opening day, he has 175 starts under his belt with 1,308 innings pitched. That's a lot of wear on a hard-throwing pitcher. Does he have three years of prime pitching left? One? Seven? And the money you'll have to pay him ... How will Josh Beckett feel after basically winning this team the World Series and then making half what this new import's making?

WHAT TO DO WITH THE DOLPHINS? From Carmen of Manchester N.H.: "Do you think the Dolphins' problems are a direct result of poor coaching this season or did Cam Cameron inherit the Pop Warner team he has now? Who besides Cameron is going to pay the price for their almost inevitable 0-16 season? By the way, I heard the 'Fins couldn't get into their stadium last week because somebody had painted a goal line in front of the players' entrance.''

Funny guy. Or, as Cosmo Kramer once said, Funghi. The Dolphins have to stop stirring it up every single year. Do you realize they've had five different men in charge of their draft room in the last nine years? Stop the madness. Stop the change. Unless Wayne Huizenga is convinced Randy Mueller is a poor choice to lead the Dolphins through the next three drafts and offseason, he's got to leave the team alone and let the current braintrust have a chance. If Huizenga can go steal a great GM like New England's Scott Pioli, I might feel differently. Otherwise, they've got to let the team develop instead of pulling the rug out all the time.

PENNINGTON TO THE CHIEFS MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE NOT TO HAPPEN. From Brady Gomard-Henshaw of Madison, Conn.: "I was wondering if you think a Chad Pennington trade to the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason makes sense or will happen. Herman Edwards and Chad go way back and seemed to develop a very personal relationship. With the Kansas City QB situation being a constant carousel, and now with Kellen Clemens as the heir apparent in New York, this sounds like a great match.''

You're right, especially because the Chiefs won't be willing the pull the plug on Brodie Croyle yet. Smartest idea would be for the Chiefs to throw the Jets a fifth-round pick and get Pennington to Kansas City in time to run with the offense throughout the entire offseason program.

I DON'T SEE THIS HAPPENING FOR ONE VERY IMPORTANT REASON. From Dan of Boston: Can you see Jason Taylor as a Patriot next year? Before you dismiss the idea, Taylor is unhappy in Miami and wants a chance to win. The Pats will be a contender next year and they have a top five pick they can trade away for some more picks. They really don't need to invest that much coin on the top end of the draft and can see them trading away a couple of picks to Miami for Taylor while still having another first-round pick in this year's or next year's draft.''

Dan, I definitely do not dismiss the concept. But I would say this: Miami traded Wes Welker to New England for second- and seventh-round picks last year -- an idiotic move that helped the Patriots distance themselves from the division more than anyone could have figured (except me). Welker's on pace for a 112-catch season. If the Fish trade Taylor to New England (even for, say, a low first-round pick acquired by New England in a deal for their high first-rounder via the San Francisco trade last April), Taylor would be motivated to play for three or four more years. And in that system, where he'd likely be a situational pass-rusher or outside linebacker because he doesn't fit as a base 3-4 defensive end, you could see him getting 13 sacks a year playing 30 snaps a week. If I were the Dolphins, I'd take a mid-second-round pick elsewhere, just to keep him from New England.

DEPRESSION SETS IN BY THE BAY. From Ron, of Burlingame, Calif.: "It's not a question or a criticism, but rather an observation of how depressing it is to follow an irrelevant football team. For nearly two decades, the 49ers were an important NFL presence worthy of national-press attention. Now, they rarely merit a mention in your (or anyone else's outside the Bay Area) column, are never featured on the pregame shows, get assigned the 'D-level' announcer teams, etc. It's terribly depressing, especially with no light at the end of the tunnel.''

I feel for you, Ron. If I'm the 49ers, I make a run at Mike Holmgren to be the GM after the season, if he'd step down in Seattle as coach. He'd be a good adviser to Mike Nolan and good person to help get everything out of Alex Smith that can be gotten.