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Phil in Rochester, N.H., writes: I find it funny that all the Pats fans seem to think that Brady's injury is the cause for the 2008 season so far. I am convinced that the Patriots team we see on the field today is far more deficient than last years. So here's my qustion. Would they have a loss yet this year if Brady was healthy? I think they may still have lost both those games considering their lack of running game and jurrasic park aged defense. They had a great run, but the fan's up here need to let it go... And yes i root for "America's Team" The Cowboy's

Tim Graham: Sorry for your season so far, Phil. As for your question on the Patriots sans Brady, I think you very well could be right. As much as everyone got wrapped up in the undefeated regular season, the Patriots did dodge several bullets along the way. A 4-2 record with Brady still sounds about right, but it certainly would be a much more optimistic 4-2 than what they've accomplished with Matt Cassel.

Simon in Brooklyn writes: Tim, today's chat must have been a recored low for people attempting to insult you in one way or another. Maybe they're realizing you do good work, but nonetheless it isn't as fun.

Tim Graham: I think part of the reason my chats are popular is because people take pleasure in turning me into a piñata.

James in Boise, Idaho, writes: I am originally from western NY. I have been a Bills fan since I was about 2 years old. I was just wondering why after a 5-1 start, people still aren't giving the Bills ANY respect. It seems to me that everyone would rather talk about the Cowboys falling apart, or the Dolphins weak "wildcat" offense, then talk about Buffalo and how they are developing into a major contender in not only the AFC, but in the NFL. What do you think?

Tim Graham: I know this is going to sound dismissive, but that's the way it is. First, though, I must disagree with your assessment the Bills aren't generating any respect. They've been getting love from the national media for a few weeks; it merely has been eclipsed by bigger story lines.

Look, the New York Giants won the Super Bowl and still couldn't get more attention than the Cowboys throughout the offseason. Even if the Bills were to win a title, most people across the country would care less about them than they would about the Cowboys not making the playoffs.

Rudy in Las Vegas writes: Seems like the Dolphins can probably muster about 6 or 7 wins this year, do you think they will be able to contend for the playoffs next season and when do you think they can be a legitimate Super Bowl contender again like they used to be during the good ol' days year in and year out?

Tim Graham: Miami's problem for the next few seasons is Buffalo's emergence. The Bills not only are good, but also their core players are young. Quarterback Trent Edwards, running back Marshawn Lynch and middle linebacker Paul Posluszny all are in their second seasons. Donte Whitner is in his third. They went into the season with only one player with double-digit years of experience.

But the Dolphins undoubtedly are on the upswing. They'll need two more draft classes before they're truly back in the divisional mix. This year's free-agency class illustrates how difficult it can be to rebuild that way. Of the 19 free agents the Dolphins signed before the draft, six are on the team, and left guard Justin Smiley is the lone starter.

Susan in Colchester, Vt., writes: Can you tell us what the grey field markings at Gillette stadium represent?

Tim Graham: What you noticed was the NFL's worst on-field logo. Why is it bad? Because nobody can figure out what it is just by looking at it, and the design has no intrinsic appeal.

What that Gillette Stadium logo is supposed to be is a depiction of the venue's signature lighthouse and bridge -- gorgeous elements when you see them in person -- behind the north end zone.

Shawn in Wilmington writes: I've been a life long bills fan and i'm overhwelmed right now and feel amazing with their current success. I still can't help but feel uneasy. How far do you see this Bills team going and what do they need to focus on to finally make the playoffs and make a big run in it?!

Tim Graham: Chill, Shawn. Rather than gnaw on your fingernails until the cuticles bleed, be sure to enjoy the Bills' season. Soak it in. Cherish each down. After the final gun, win or lose, look back on a nice three-hour diversion.

With that advice delivered, the Bills are a playoff team. An epic collapse or a couple devastating injuries would need to befall them not to make the postseason. Their start has been too forceful, and, simply put, they're good. Making a deep run will depend on a few factors. A first-round bye and home-field advantage for at least one game would put them in magnificent position.

Daniel in Clarksburg, W.Va., writes: Tim, I just had a question for you. Why has Tom Brady always been considered "one of the greats" when it was his kicker (in the snow, in the Super Bowls) that won those games? Also, wouldn't a QB like either Mannings, McNabb, Brees have also excelled with that great O-line? We have seen what happens to Brady when you even breathe on him and he can't just stay in that pocket all day. Maybe I'm just a hater, but I still think without the stupid tuck rule in the '01 Championship game....the legend of Tom Brady never exists. I was just wondering what your comments are on those facts. Thanks.

Tim Graham: All valid points, Daniel. But I'll have to side with your subconscious suspicions: You're a hater.

Yes, all of the quarterbacks would have excelled with Brady's offensive line, but you named some superstars there. Brady went 18-1 last year as was sacked 21 times with the same line that has dumped Matt Cassel 26 times already this year. So it's not all about the line. The other point I like to make regarding Brady's impact is that he won Super Bowls without any star receivers. Once he got help in Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the Patriots rewrote the record book.

Ben in Washington writes: How is JP Losmans relationship with the organization, coaches, and Trent Edwards? Any chance he signs with Buffalo, does Buffalo want him?

Tim Graham: There is next to zero chance J.P. Losman will re-sign with Buffalo. He's convinced he deserves to be a starting quarterback, and he's still bitter the coaches went with Edwards over him. As for how well Losman relates to the organization, the wa
y it has been described to me is "they respectfully tolerate each other."

Yunier in Miami writes: love the work u do.i have a couple of questions like who do you think the dolphins will get from free agency for next season and when do you think the dolphins put in rookie qb chad henne?

Tim Graham: Thanks for the nice words, Yunier. It's too soon to know for sure what the Dolphins will try to do in free agency. Much of it will depend on internal evaluations down the homestretch and what they think they can cull from the draft. But the areas where they need of the most help are receiver, secondary and offensive line depth.

In regard to Chad Henne, I'm not sure if they'll give him the starting job this year unless Chad Pennington gets hurt. But I would expect Henne to get some opportunities late in games.

Joey in Brooklyn writes: who has a better offensive line the jets or dolphins? also who do you think is the better center mangold or satele?

Tim Graham: The top O-line in the AFC East belongs to the Jets. As for which center is playing better, both Samson Satele and Nick Mangold are having nice seasons. I'm going to call on the Wilfork Test. The Dolphins ran all over the Patriots and their Pro Bowl nose tackle, Vince Wilfork. The Jets didn't. So I'll go with Satele.

Josh in Virginia writes: As an avid Miami fan, I am both pleased and annoyed by the Wildcat. Now I understand that I did spark new life into our offense; but everytime I talk football to a non-Dolphin supporter they attempt to blow off Miami's improvement. They claim our offense is only producing because of the Wildcat. When in truth, our line has improved significantly, Pennington's precision passing demands a defenses awareness, and Ronnie is running with more confidence than ever. So my question is, do you believe Miami's offense is only as good as its Wildcat?

Tim Graham: I do not believe the Dolphins' offensive success is based solely on the Wildcat and have written several articles about how unfortunate it is the exotic scheme is overshadowing much of what the Dolphins have done.

With the exception of one long pass to Patrick Cobbs, everything Chad Pennington has done is outside Wildcat parameters. Ronnie Brown has busted several nice runs out of orthodox formations. Miami has moved the ball effectively without gimmickry.

Lee in Pittsfield writes: Jerry Jones should call Bill Cowher and offer him the head coaching job today. Problem solved!

Tim Graham: I think the Cowboys want their problems solved this year. A coaching change isn't going to cut it. They need to pull out of their nosedive with what they have.

James in Rochester, N.Y., writes: Tim, I'm sure I'm not the only one asking this, but after this weekend, is Edwards a legit contender to go to the Pro Bowl? After watching what happens when he's not in (Arizona loss), he's the obvious MVP of the team. But can he get enough recognition to make it to Hawaii?

Tim Graham: Trent Edwards absolutely is a Pro Bowl candidate. Even though he has thrown only five touchdown passes, he owns the NFL's fourth-best passer rating and is leading one of the league's best teams. But I don't think the loss to the Arizona Cardinals had much to do with Edwards not being on the field. The Cardinals crushed them.

Steve in St. Catharines, Ontario, writes: After the Bills played a great game, beating the favored Chargers, what do you see happening next for them? Can they go 3-0 in division games the next three weeks, meaning they will be 8-1 heading into Monday night?

Tim Graham: This question also came up in my Friday afternoon chat. I do not see the Bills heading into their Monday night game 8-1. That's not to say they can't win each of those games against the Dolphins, Jets and Patriots. The Bills very well might sweep their first tour of the AFC East. But that's a difficult proposition just because everybody is so competitive.

Scott in Las Cruces, N.M., writes: Hi Tim! Great stuff I read your blogs all week. Do you see Miami, with our undersized (Ginn) and overpaid (Wilford) WRs and our already talent-deprived and now injured secondary with any chance to win this weekend?

Tim Graham: I appreciate the kudos, Scott. Much thanks. The Dolphins absolutely have a chance to win. Cornerback Will Allen will need to shut down Bills receiver Lee Evans, and the Dolphins will need to establish a running game (unlike last week against the Baltimore Ravens) so Chad Pennington can mix in some well-timed passes. But I still predict the Bills will win.

Jeff from Parts Unknown writes: It is fun again to be a Bill's fan and the Sabres (HOCKEY for you Miami fans) are helping the atmosphere around here as well. That being said, we haven't even played a division game yet. There seems to be a lot of complaining about this year's schedule from different teams. San Diego is in the midst of a ridiculous traveling schedule. Do you see the NFL addressing some of the quirks that happened this year?

Tim Graham: Quirks will happen every year. There has been plenty of grousing from San Diego about the schedule, but I think the Bills like their setup. If nothing else, teams that have opened divisional play so late in the season historically do well. Here's an Oct. 7 blog I wrote on that topic.

Since realignment in 2002, only five teams have played their first divisional game in Week 7 or later. Four of them went 4-2 or better in divisional play and finished in first place. Two went to the Super Bowl.

Tom in Plano, Texas, writes: Thank you for being accessible, Tim. I have never heard of a "wildcat" offense until this year (and apparently NE hasn't either). It seems that Baltimore had an answer for it last week. Where did this formation come from and has it been used in the NFL before this year? BTW - Go Bills!

Tim Graham: The Wildcat is a version of a primordial football formation called the single-wing, which was last used as an every-down offense by the 1947 Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL and college teams intermittently have used it as a change-of-pace play, but it has been kept alive mostly at the high school level. The late Ken Keuffel was the godfather of the single-wing and wrote two books about it.

The Dolphins got their Wildcat idea from quarterba
cks coach David Lee. He ran it at as Arkansas' offensive coordinator after predecessor Gus Malzahn installed it to maximize Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Likewise, the Dolphins were looking for creative ways to get Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the field together.

Jose in Washington D.C. writes: Has anyone else noticed that in one year as "GM" Marv Levy drafted Pos, Lynch, & Edwards?

Tim Graham: Nope. Not until you mentioned it. Not one person noticed.

Anthony from Parts Unknown writes: Hey Tim one burning question i have been itching for an answer this year,will my Jets make the playoffs plain and simple can you get back at me with that one,thanks for your time.

Tim Graham: I'm harboring serious doubts about the Jets making the playoffs. They were one of my preseason wild card picks because of their solid line play on both sides of scrimmage, but last week's overtime loss in Oakland was discouraging. With the Bills out to such a great start and the Patriots refusing to flag, the Jets appear to be on the outs.

Carlos in Mexico City writes: Hi Tim, How far do you think the Jets are going this season, with Favre getting used to his offense, and with their EASY schedule?

Tim Graham: As mentioned in the above response, I'm not bullish on the Jets' postseason hopes. They seem to be spinning their wheels. But I'm not going to count them out. While the offense has looked erratic to date, there still is more than half a season left.

Dwight in Niagara Falls, N.Y., writes: who is gonna be the more popular guy in buffalo this year, thomas vanek or trent edwards?

Tim Graham: Buffalo fans always have had a difficult time connecting with European players, so I'll say Trent Edwards, hands down. Edwards is an All-American boy, and football almost always comes first in Buffalo. But if you would've asked whether Buffalo would embrace Edwards or Sabres goalie Ryan Miller more, that would be a much tougher choice. But I'd still go with Edwards.

Alex in Long Island writes: How could people call Maroney a bust? His first year on the Pats he was the man, looked like a great pick up. Last year, no need to run with Brady, Welker and Moss. He's injured this year and everyone figured out how to compete with the Pats and shut them down. I don't even like the Pats but Maroney would be a great pick up for any team.

Tim Graham: I don't believe Maroney is a bust either, but I think the reason many would consider that notion is because of the running backs drafted after him (Joseph Addai, Maurice Jones-Drew) and because he was viewed as a major reason the Patriots offense would be fine without Tom Brady. When Maroney didn't produce, Patriots fans had drafter's remorse.

Kevin in Rochester, N.Y., writes: Hey Tim, just wanted to say i read alot of your blogs and articles and enjoy your perspective on the NFL. I was just wondering how good u think the bills really can be this year? im obviously a bills fan and was wondering how u stack them up against thier division opponents and whether or not u think they can make a run in the playoffs. Thanks!!

Tim Graham: Thanks for reading, Kevin. Glad you enjoy the blog. After seven weeks, the Bills are the best team in the AFC East. They deserve their 5-1 record. But a couple of key injuries could change their outlook in a hurry, making it difficult to predict how they might match up with the Tennessee Titans or Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. That said, the Bills are capable of reaching the Super Bowl.

Mr. Anonymous in South Padre Island, Texas, writes: Having been born and raised in KC, I am a life long Chiefs fan, now living on the Island and subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket so to catch the games. MY question is can you come up with any reason, excluding pure appathy, that would allow Chiefs current owner, Clark Hunt, to allow the travisty in KC to continue much longer? To me it is beyond all comprehension. I am interested in your thoughts.

Tim Graham: This question would be answered much more insightfully by AFC West blogger Bill Williamson. Although I hear some whispers here and there, I mainly have an outsider's perspective on the Chiefs' situation. Based on my cursory knowledge, the mess won't go away until there's a change at general manager -- at minimum.

Kelly in New Jersey writes: Firstly, I appreciate you posting my frustrating email last week. I was quite upset over that loss, but I'm as devoted a fan as any Dolphins fan you can find outside of Miami. Secondly, I understand you chose Ronnie Brown as the best and most dangerous running back in the league. Just out of curiosity, but did the other contributing writers give you "crap" for it? I'm sure that Ronnie Brown may be an obvious choice for one of the top 10 backs in the league; however, I realize that many opinions of writers are influenced by either their home teams, homers, or the media hype towards players such as LT (highly regarded as the best back in the league). Ronnie Brown does not get the hype so I feel Brown does not get a chance to be argued. Thirdly, I believe Ronnie Brown can make an argument as a top 5 back with enough potential to dethrone LT as the best running back in the league. Brown can do anything LT can do: run, catch, block AND pass. In addition, it's amazing how Ronnie Brown is playing the way he is just 11 months after knee surgery; most backs aren't "themselves" until at least the 2nd half of the year or the 2nd year following surgery. Finally, like I had asked, did any of the other contributing ESPN writers give you "crap" for choosing Ronnie Brown as the best back in the league? Brown is a legit argument.

Tim Graham: No crap was given. No crap was received. We were crap-free.

Here is how that particular Hot Read debate was assembled. Our editor sent out a group e-mail asking all of us the following questions: Who is the best team in the AFC? Who is the best team in the NFC? Who is your MVP? Who is the best running back? Who won the Brett Favre trade?

My answers at the time were the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Drew Brees, Ronnie Brown and the Jets.

A day later, I received an e-mail assigning me with stories to make the case for Brown and the Jets winning the Favre trade. But there was no back-and-forth among the writers on these topics at all.