ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Wow, thanks for the huge response to yesterday's request for mailbag fun. I got to as many of your questions and comments as I could, in some cases using one as a representative sample for many. I'll get into a perception issue first and then dive into the rest.


Kevin from Milwaukee writes: You come from covering the Vikings, are you kidding? The last thing that people are going to listen to are comments posted against Favre coming from a past viking reporter. ... go back to covering the Vikings.

Kevin Seifert: Kevin (nice name), I can tell you without hesitation that your concerns are shared by many Wisconsinites and Packers fans. The truth is, yes, I did cover the Vikings for the past nine seasons while working at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. I can also tell you without hesitation that I am not a Vikings fan, nor did I pick up any anti-Packers feelings during my time in Minnesota. Based on some other mailbag contributions, I think readers in Minnesota would, uh, agree.

You are under no obligation to agree with anything I write, and I won't pretend to tell you I know as much about the Packers (yet) as I do about the Vikings. But I can promise you there is no built-in bias for or against any team in the division. That's a pretty standard part about this job.

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Nick from Portsmouth writes: Do you think the Bears made a big mistake by not drafting Brohm or Henne or any QB in the draft this year (especially since they seemed to drop in the draft)?

Kevin Seifert: I guess I would have liked to see the Bears at least give themselves something more to build on than Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman. It's always possible that one of them will take hold of Chicago's job permanently. But based on past performances, it would have been a smart move to have a Plan B under development. That way, they have something to build on if neither Orton nor Grossman work out. Worst-case scenario: They have a good young quarterback behind a good starting quarterback.

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Jeremie of Killeen, Texas, writes: Does it appear that the Bears are going to start Kevin Jones or do you think they will place Matt Forte into the starting role.

Kevin Seifert: It's hard to imagine Jones being ready for contact at the beginning of training camp. He's only six months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. The best-case scenario is that he gets medical clearance midway through the preseason. It's always possible that he could begin the season as the starter, but it seems much more likely that Forte will get that chance first.

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Juergen of San Diego writes: Long time Packer fan wondering why the media has NOT mentioned the MADDEN CURSE when talking about Favre. Hasn't this curse already begun? I would like to see #4 play one or two more years by the way, with the Pack!

Kevin Seifert: Actually, ESPN.com's James Walker has written about that. A bit tongue-in-cheek, but if you're a conspiracy theorist, it's hard to ignore.

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Randal of Cambridge, Minn., writes: Kevin, You seem pretty sure that the Vikings are not interested in Favre, even if he was given his freedom. Would this behind the scene knowledge (of non interest)help the Vikings case? Would the NFL ask for this type of info?

Kevin Seifert: I'm sure the Vikings would tell the NFL the same thing, but there of course is no way to prove or disprove it unless someone put it in writing. (Check those e-mails!) In general, it probably won't matter to the NFL if the Vikings really wanted to sign Favre or not. If the league believes the Vikings tried to sway any part of his decision-making process, then it's tampering.

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Nick of Toledo, Ohio asks: Kevin, What kind of impact do you think Kevin Smith and Gosder Cherilus will have in the Kittens' offense this year? Will they be able to sell the run? At all? Maybe just a little bit? Thanks. -Nick

Kevin Seifert: Nick, I assume you are talking about the Lions. (Sorry, I'm still learning.) It's fair to say that both guys are going to have a chance to play a lot. Tatum Bell is going to start at running back but Smith will get every opportunity to get on the field. My guess is that the running game is going to be a work in progress. The Lions are transitioning their offense from Mike Martz's passing attack to a zone-blocking scheme, and that takes time.

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Andrew of Kalamazoo writes: Does Detroit have the right personnel on the O-Line to make their new running ambitions a reality? Tatum Bell and Kevin Smith both seem adequate and capable backs, but does Detroit have the right talent blocking upfront to open holes for them?

Kevin Seifert: They've got adequate personnel. The big thing is teaching linemen how to function in a zone scheme. Most teams have some zone plays but not many feature it exclusively. It's a different concept and will take some getting used to.

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Tyson from Cincinnati writes: With the addition of Kevin Jones at running back and second round draft pick Matt Forte, do you see the bears as one of the top running teams in the NFC North?

Kevin Seifert: I'd rank them third, behind the Vikings (Adrian Peterson, et al) and the Packers (Ryan Grant). But I do think it was a smart move to pick up Jones as low-risk insurance for Forte.

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Corey of Washington, Iowa, writes: I believe the NFC North is going to be a lot better than in previous years. Obviously the Vikings are looking really good, and Green Bay has all the pieces. If Chicago's O-Line is improved and gives any QB some time to get the ball into players hands they can ermerge as a tough team to beat with their defence and Devin Hester. Your thoughts?

Kevin Seifert: I'd say that viewpoint falls on the optimistic side of things but isn't too far-fetched. I've thought the Packers were the team to beat in the division, but now I want to see how this Favre drama will affect them. It's hard to get too excited about the Bears until you see how their quarterback situation shakes out. Their defense can be good but it doesn't look as dominant as the one that carried the Bears to the Super Bowl two years ago.

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Jon from Milwaukee writes: Kevin, the Favre saga is enough to make a fan from Wisconsin curl up and wish it was Bucks season. Am I missing something or would the logical solution be for split playing time?

Kevin Seifert: I don't think Favre would buy into that. The way things have gone, the only solution -- logical or otherwise -- might be for Favre and the Packers to part ways permanently.

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Andrew of Perth, Australia, writes: With all the talk about Favre going to the Vikings, I wonder where that would leave Booty, who I believe would be the Vikings QB of the future. I'd hate to see the Vikings lose a potential great long term QB for a guy who's only got a year or two left in the tank. How many QB's would the Vikings carry this season? Wh
o are the odd men out?

Kevin Seifert: The tampering charges pretty much wipe out any chance of Favre going to the Vikings. If I had to guess, they will keep three quarterbacks this year: Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte and John David Booty. The Vikings like Booty's potential in the West Coast offense but they consider Jackson their short- and long-term answer.

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Alex of Excelsior, Minn., writes: Hey Kevin, Big reader of your blog when you worked for the strib, and continue to read your blog now. I have closely followed the vikings for a while now. After seeing how childress has approached things, I have come under the impression that he is a smart man, and there is no doubt he seems to know a lot about league policies, and what he can and can not do. You obviously would know more about this seeing as you did such a fine job here. Do you really think childress would actually talk to favre, or knowingly allow bevell to help favre plan a way to get to the vikings? It seems more to me like the packers are trying to make a case as why they cannot simply release favre, while dragging their division rival (and possible landing spot for favre if released) into this mess. I'd like to read your thoughts about the matter, because you would know best since you have been covering the vikes for so long. Keep up the good work. Alex coming from the mystic waters of lake Minnetonka

Kevin Seifert: Thanks, Alex. Too kind. You make some good points about Brad Childress and this whole situation. Knowing how the San Francisco 49ers were implicated in tampering through phone records earlier this year, I can tell you that everyone is on high alert. If Favre cold-called Childress' private phone, maybe he would have picked up. I have no knowledge or information on that, but I guess it's a possibility. I highly doubt that Brad Childress called Favre to talk about coming to the Vikings.

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Michelle S. of Milwaukee writes: I would like to know how other teams feel knowing that ( as of right now) they won't have to face Brett Favre on the field? Is the "threat" gone in their eyes?

Kevin Seifert: I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that Favre's retirement brought cheers from all three opposing teams in the division.

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Jason of Huntsville, Ala., writes: Given that the Bears dominated the NFC two years ago, and were clearly ravaged by injuries and bad luck last year, why is it that so many refuse to give the Bears a fighting chance in the NFC, let alone their division? Won't their defense and special teams still carry the team through?

Kevin Seifert: Two words: Orton and Grossman. Until they get the quarterback situation straightened out, not many people are going to believe. It's the most important position in sports.

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Kevin of Syracuse, N.Y., writes: With the lack of talent at WR do you think Chicago will open up the TE game? They do have one of the most underrated TE (Clark) and a great young guy in Olsen.

Kevin Seifert: Absolutely. I think Greg Olsen could emerge as the best tight end in the NFC this season if the Bears have a quarterback that can find him.

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Andrew of Lafayette, Ind., writes: Minnesota has spent the last two seasons putting to rest the myth that running the ball and stopping the run were sufficient conditions for making the playoffs. Has the passing game (and the pass defense) of the Vikings squad improved enough for them to break out this season, or will it be another season of grind-it-out mediocrity?

Kevin Seifert: Good question, Andrew. I think the Vikings have made a concerted effort to be better in the passing game, but the running game will still be their strength. Tarvaris Jackson will be better, and he has a better target in Bernard Berrian. Likewise, their defense should get a bit better against the pass but will hang its hat against the run. Safety Madieu Williams is pretty good in coverage, and of course Jared Allen should improve the pass rush.

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Tyler of Wayland writes: Do you think the lions will start to put 2nd round pick drew stanton into their offense this year and get rid of kitna?

Kevin Seifert: It's not out of the question, Tyler, if the Lions' season goes south. It would be nice to know if Stanton can be counted on in 2009.

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Ismael of Bakersfield, Calif., writes: Why is Rod Marinelli getting a free pass? The only positive one the team was the offense and he ran Martz out of town! The Lions D, which was the leagues worst, continually put the Lions in bad situations forcing Martz to rely almost solely on the pass. I think Rod and his son in law coordinator have been getting off way to easy for last years disastrous second half. What do you think?

Kevin Seifert: Rod Marinelli isn't really under fire yet for two reasons: First, fair or not, most people seem to blame GM Matt Millen for most of the Lions' problems. Second, Marinelli had a huge rebuilding project to do in the locker room and he seems to have made at least some progress in that regard. If ever a coach deserved five years to turn around a franchise, it's Marinelli with the Lions.

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Clay of Huntington Beach writes: There has been a lot of talk about Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and the offense, but I want to know about the Pack's Defense. With every starter returning (save for Corey Williams) and young players such as Atari Bigby, Nick Collins, and Tramon Williams getting more experience under their belts, shouldn't this defensive unit improve upon their great season last year? Not to mention we added LB Brandon Chillar, who from what I've seen is a better blitz specialist than Brady Poppinga, which is what we are looking for.

Kevin Seifert: I agree. I think the Packers have a good, sound team all-around and that obviously includes the defense. They were working on getting more aggressive during minicamp and you can expect more blitzing from Nick Barnett and some of the other linebackers.

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Tom of Lansing, Mich., writes: Will the Detroit Lions abandon the run early this year?

Kevin Seifert: Only when they fall behind. I really think Marinelli and Jim Colletto, the new offensive coordinator, are committed to a balanced offense.

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Ty from Seattle writes: My money is on Grossman to come out of this QB battle Victorious! Your thoughts?

Kevin Seifert: You're one of many who have asked a variation of this question. Some people in the league actually think Orton will win it, for what it's worth. They think Grossman has too much baggage and needs a fresh start, and that Orton -- while not flashy -- might be able to get the job done with more consistency.

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Ed of Columbus, Ohio, writes: Are fans who complain about the yearly Favre retirement "soap opera" over reacting? How can that possibly effect their lives; like it's personally upsetting or something?

Kevin Seifert: I think it's fair to say Favre has a special place in the hearts of a lot of people in
Wisconsin and around the country. Those people were just getting used to the idea of football without him for the first time in 16 years, and now are getting teased. They will be able to live their lives, sure, but it's an emotional thing that you probably have to experience close-up to understand.

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Russell of Spokane, Wash., writes: What do you think Minnesota would do with Birk and Sharper on their last year of their contracts?

Kevin Seifert: Nothing will happen until after the preseason at the earliest. It seems like the team has made plans to move on without both players. The Vikings drafted a center out of Notre Dame, John Sullivan, and also have right tackle Ryan Cook as an option there. And their top pick of this year's draft was safety Tyrell Johnson, who seems an obvious replacement for Sharper. Stranger things have happened, though.

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Bob of Chicago writes: What is potentially more disruptive to a Super Bowl contending team? Renaming your starter back to one of the most durable, Hall of Fame, record-setting quarterbacks coming off one of his best seasons ever and hurting your backup's feelings because you got his hopes up... or Replacing your Hall of Fame starter with an unproven, injury-prone quarterback who, if he fails either by performance or injury, only has an even less-experienced rookie replacement, thus sending an entire team and its Super Bowl aspirations into disarray, resulting in the demise of the team's entire coaching staff and management when fans are outraged at the callous release of an all-time legend and its results? Which scenario do you consider more potentially disruptive? If Ted Thompson is really concerned about what, as he claims, is best for this team long-term, he will rename Favre the starter for one more year.

Kevin Seifert: That's an interesting way to look at it, Bob. I guess the Packers would respond that some year, whether it's now or 2009 or 2010, they will have to replace Brett Favre. They hope to have Super Bowl aspirations in all of those years. You have to take the plunge sometime, and they have decided it's now.