Normally, we stay away from ESPN chats (and back-to-back ESPN posts, quite frankly), but with the next month officially the NFL's dead period - even Peter King's not writing! - we're desperate for anything football-related. So, this morning we joined in the Sportsnation chat with Scout's Inc.'s Matt Williamson. Sadly, our question about the density of the fibers in Randy Moss's hamstrings went unanswered. But we did gather enough material to make a few observations.
Question #1 - Carl: VA: do you see clinton portis being an injury risk this year?
Matt's answer: For sure. I love him when healthy, but he has taken a pounding over his young career and isn't the biggest guy in the world. His explosivenss seems to be waning and like you said-he is now a major durability concern. Washington would be wise to give Betts 1/3 of the carries or so.
Our answer: Just a third of the carries? Betts had 1,100 yards in only nine starts last year! The Skins need to ship Portis to Atlanta for Warrick Dunn, sign Kurt Warner, and recreate the Greatest Show on Turf with Dunn playing the Faulk role. With Betts, Dunn, Moss, Randle-El and Lloyd we see no reason the Skins wouldn't average 30 a game. Maybe.
Question #2 - Mike (Boise): I'm rollin' with Nolan!!!! The Niners have to be at least 9-7 don't they? I mean, Frank Gore might get towards 2000 yards this year!!
Matt's answer: Hey, I love Gore. 2K is pretty steep, but I feel ya. Maybe 9-7. I said 8-8ish. I don't see 10 wins though.
Our answer: 2,000 yards? No way. Darrell Jackson and Antonio Bryant aren't enough to keep teams from stacking the box against the Niners, and Gore is no Barry Sanders. Remember, the NFC's number two seed last year had 10 wins. Ten! Even if San Fran only goes 9-7 they'll probably get a home playoff game.
Question #3 - Jeremy, Louisiana: Do you think the defensive additions the Saints made in the offseason improve their 10-6 record from a year ago and get them to the Super Bowl this year?
Matt's answer: No. I like the Saints and have all the respect in the world for Payton and Brees in particular, but I still worry about their overall D and think that the O can't play any better than it did last season. The WRs are very young and could fall back to earth a bit.
Our answer: This year, the Saints will be playing a first-place schedule and the only upgrade they made to their most glaring weakness was signing an ordinary Cover 2 corner (Jason David) to a contract worth four times his market value. We can see the Saints making the Super Bowl, if only because the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year - the Bears - lost its best offensive weapon and still has Rex Grossman under center.
Question #4 - David [Farmington, Maine]: How do you think Randy Moss will play by brady's side, in 2007-2008?
Matt's answer: I love the minimal risk of trading for Moss for NE. I expect a very productive seasaon and he should be able to free up the running game, TEs and other WRs in the passing game. I don't think he will post lights out numbers, but his presence will make him productive. I like the move.
Our answer: Minimal risk? Talk to the Eagles about minimal risk. Everyone compares this move to the Patriots bringing in Corey Dillon. It's not the same. Moss has been a malcontent everywhere he's been, and catching 50 balls for 750 yards isn't going to change that.
Question #5 - Pete (Boston): What will Brandon Jacobs be this year? He was unstopable when I saw him carryring the ball last year. Hopefully he starts to take his role serious.
Matt's answer: I am not nearly as high on Jacobs as many other people are and I really worry about that O this season. Tiki's loss will hurt that O in many ways and the OL is extremely thin-bad combination. As for Jacobs, yes, he is unstopable at times, but he isn't real nifty and runs too high. He is a huge target for tacklers. I bet Droughns ends up getting more carries than many think at this point.
Our answer: He's 6-4, so high is the only way he can run. And when a target is 260 lbs., how many people can tackle that target when it's moving at 4.4 speed? Jacobs is a monster, plain and simple.
Question #6 - Crew (Ann Arbor): Wow no Kitna questions yet. What do you think of Kitna predicting over 10 wins for the Lions? I dont think that can happen but I can see more than 6 wins. What do you think?
Matt's answer: Yeah, he's dreaming with 10 wins. That division isnt real tough outside of Chicago and I really like what Marinelli has done to their roster since he arrived, but they still have some major weaknesses. 6 wins seems fair.
Our answer: We don't think the Bears blitz the division again this year. Win it, yes, but not by as much as everyone thinks. We say the Lions go 8-8. Crazy? Yes, yes we are.
Question #7 - Os (Jersey): Matt, you're the man for stepping up and taking my last question like that. But surely, Minny can't be the NFC's worst team, can they?
Matt's answer: What do all of you guys think? Who is the worst team in the NFC? Darkhorse contender for that dubious honor: ATL.
Our answer: Vick's poison and the Falcons are going to struggle, but they're not the NFC's worst team. That would be Tampa Bay. Or Arizona.
Question #8 - Christy: Charlotte, North Carolina: I am really high on Tony Romo future as a Top QB in the NFL. I'm also a huge Terrell Owens fan! No matter what team he's on. Despite all of that I'm not sure if Wade Pillips is the guy who will lead the Cowboys back to the Super Bowl. Help me out Matt. Thanks, Christy! :)
Matt's answer: Dallas is strong-very strong. I love their D this year and they will torment QBs. The OL should be much improved and Romo will also be better. They are a Super Bowl contender in the weak NFC.
Our answer: Tony Romo, Super Bowl QB. God help us all.
Question #9 - Kenton (Indianapolis): Matt, no Colts questions? Is it possible that the offense will be even better this year with the addition of Gonzalez in the slot? I think he's the sleeper pick for AFC R.O.Y.
Matt's answer: Agreed. Perfect fit.
Our answer: Wait, what is the Colts' third-string RB Kenton Keith doing asking questions in an ESPN chat? You're not going to overtake DeDe Dorsey that way, Kenton.
Question #10 - Chris Bob (NYC): Heard a rumor of McNabb to the Bears... Any truth to this?
Matt's answer: Can't see it at all. Philly is a contender.
Our answer: Not this one, again. Didn't we all learn from Jr. Griffey that playing for your hometown team isn't all it's cracked up to be?
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