I just finished my portion of the NFL kickoff chat. Let’s take a look at some of the team-by-team highlights:
ATLANTA FALONS
Randy (CT): Hey Pat...GREAT JOB ALWAYS..Going back to your Turner looks better when he's wearing D's down...Is this going to still be the case with the lighter workload??
Pat Yasinskas: Yep, can be. Running Turner 30 times a game isn't the only way to wear down a defense.
Thomas (Savannah): Think the Falcons are comfortable with Dent as starting LB or do they wish they spent a little extra to keep Lofton?
Pat Yasinskas: No, I think they're all set with Dent. Curtis got his feelings hurt, so there was no chance of return unless they paid him $8 or $9 million a year.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Tyler (Greensboro, NC): Do you think the Panthers fixed their special teams, especiallty coverage, enough during this offseason? Seeing those kick/punt return tds in preseason was like last year all over again...
Pat Yasinskas: It was a little scary. Think that's why they went out and traded for Colin Jones.
Phillip (Gramling, SC): what do you think the Panthers will do if Stewart can't play Sunday, leaving Williams as the only RB on the roster?
Pat Yasinskas: Umm, I think you'll see some of Mike Tolbert at tailback.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Lloyd (Baton Rouge, LA): I don't think the Saints D will be as bad as some people think. I'm excited about the D-line, even with Will Smith suspended. Akeem Hicks is going to turn out to be another Jimmy Graham type steal.
Pat Yasinskas: Agree on Hicks. Also think, if healthy, Lofton and Hawthorne will make them a lot better at LB.
Sean (Vegas): Do you think Saints are keeping 5 backs until a team sustains an injury at the position? If so, who do you think will be traded??
Pat Yasinskas: Certainly possible. They're not going to trade Sproles or Ingram. I think Thomas and Ivory are the two that could be candidates.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Me (Philly): How do you feel about Schiano as a coach, will he succeed or be another bad College to Pros coach a la Petrino?
Pat Yasinskas: Think he'll be all right in short term. But he's got to have some early success so that players keep buying in for the long term.
Hanson (DC): Josh Freeman one step forward or another step back?
Pat Yasinskas: I say forward with better coaching and supporting cast.
Here’s the transcript of the kickoff chat, which is still going on with some of our other NFL writers.
ATLANTA FALONS
Randy (CT): Hey Pat...GREAT JOB ALWAYS..Going back to your Turner looks better when he's wearing D's down...Is this going to still be the case with the lighter workload??
Pat Yasinskas: Yep, can be. Running Turner 30 times a game isn't the only way to wear down a defense.
Thomas (Savannah): Think the Falcons are comfortable with Dent as starting LB or do they wish they spent a little extra to keep Lofton?
Pat Yasinskas: No, I think they're all set with Dent. Curtis got his feelings hurt, so there was no chance of return unless they paid him $8 or $9 million a year.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Tyler (Greensboro, NC): Do you think the Panthers fixed their special teams, especiallty coverage, enough during this offseason? Seeing those kick/punt return tds in preseason was like last year all over again...
Pat Yasinskas: It was a little scary. Think that's why they went out and traded for Colin Jones.
Phillip (Gramling, SC): what do you think the Panthers will do if Stewart can't play Sunday, leaving Williams as the only RB on the roster?
Pat Yasinskas: Umm, I think you'll see some of Mike Tolbert at tailback.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Lloyd (Baton Rouge, LA): I don't think the Saints D will be as bad as some people think. I'm excited about the D-line, even with Will Smith suspended. Akeem Hicks is going to turn out to be another Jimmy Graham type steal.
Pat Yasinskas: Agree on Hicks. Also think, if healthy, Lofton and Hawthorne will make them a lot better at LB.
Sean (Vegas): Do you think Saints are keeping 5 backs until a team sustains an injury at the position? If so, who do you think will be traded??
Pat Yasinskas: Certainly possible. They're not going to trade Sproles or Ingram. I think Thomas and Ivory are the two that could be candidates.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Me (Philly): How do you feel about Schiano as a coach, will he succeed or be another bad College to Pros coach a la Petrino?
Pat Yasinskas: Think he'll be all right in short term. But he's got to have some early success so that players keep buying in for the long term.
Hanson (DC): Josh Freeman one step forward or another step back?
Pat Yasinskas: I say forward with better coaching and supporting cast.
Here’s the transcript of the kickoff chat, which is still going on with some of our other NFL writers.
Pat Yasinskas | email
NFL- ESPN NFC South Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2008
- Began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990
NFC SOUTH SCOREBOARD
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
You must be signed in to post a comment