Chat with Pat Yasinskas

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Welcome to The Show! On Friday, ESPN.com NFL writer Pat Yasinskas will drop by to talk about the NFL season.

While also writing stories for ESPN.com, Yasinskas also contributes to ESPN.com's NFL blog "Hashmarks."

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 and began covering the Buccaneers and the NFL in 1993. A winner of Florida Sports Writers Awards for Best Feature and Best News story in 1997, he is a graduate of Saint Leo University and attended law school before coming to his senses. A native of Dalton, Pa., Yasinskas lives in the Tampa area.

Send your questions for Yasinskas now and join The Show Friday at 2 p.m. ET!

Yasinskas Archive: Columns

Sharell (Raleigh, NC)


Love your work....Is Gruden being impatient because he could be on the hot seat if the Bucs don't make it to the playoffs?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:02 PM)


Hello. Thanks for being here. As you know, I cover the NFC South. Let's try to keep questions to that area, but I'll do my best to answer all questions. Is Gruden being impatient? Absolutely. But that's just Gruden. He does need this game, though because an 0-2 start would put him on the hot seat.

Ronald (Lynchburg VA)


with the bucs o-line being scrambled due to injury do you think jamaal anderson could get his first career sack?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:03 PM)


Possible, but I'd be a lot more worried about Abraham if I were the Bucs.

Ryan (Morgan City, LA)


With Harper and Fujita banged up, will the Saints D manage to keep up the good work the showed last week?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:04 PM)


I think so. Ellis and Vilma are the keys. This can be a good defense.

Phil (NJ)


How do you think Carolina's defense will fare against the Bears and their seemingly resurgent running game?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:05 PM)


I'll be at that game and looking forward to seeing that question play out. Carolina's run D is pretty good. Beason is a tremendous player and I think he'll be the key to slowing the run.

Jeff (Herndon,VA)


With Colston out for a month and Duece looking suspect, are you reconsidering the Saints as your NFC South winner?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:06 PM)


No, I'm not. Still think the Saints have plenty of firepower. But, after seeing Carolina last week, they're going to give them a run for it.

Wally (Los Angeles, CA)


You ranked the Bucs V Panthers as the top rivalry in the NFC South. I personally think that is a weak choice. I figure you discounted Saints v Falcons because of this history of sorry play (even though it is always an intense game) but what about Saints v Panthers, the history is there between the two teams just as far back as with the Bucs. The Panthers have many old Saints pieces in their history (Mills and Delhomme come to mind) and they have the third highest instances of upsets between the two teams over the last decade or so.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:07 PM)


Point taken. But I don't know that the rivalry between Saints and Panthers has ever been very heated. With the Bucs, it has been.

Ryan (Morgan City, LA)


Pierre Thomas...a fluke in the couple of games he's been featured in or a rising star running back?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:08 PM)


Not sure about a star, but definitely a rising player. He's solid in a combo with Bush.

Ethan (Toronto, ON)


Do you think the Bucs are really going to trade Garcia, if so what team do you think will pull the trigger, and what do you think his value is?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:09 PM)


I'm hearing now they won't trade him. Doubt there'd be much value. Who wants to change QBs in the middle of a season, besides the Bucs?

Frank (Medford, MA)


DeAngelo or Stewart the top running back in Carolina at the end of season? Also, how do you think Steve Smith does once he returns?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:10 PM)


I say Stewart. I think Smith will come back very strong. He's had a couple weeks to get fired up.

ray GORDON REID jacksonville florida 32217


question to pat yassinskas at 2.10 PM HI PAT denver OR SAN DIEGO

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:11 PM)


San Diego.

Luis (SB, CA)


Rosario, real deal?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:12 PM)


Yes, he looked very good at the end of last year. He can do things downfield. Panthers haven't had a TE that could do that since Wesley Walls. Jeff Davidson's going to keep Rosario very involved.

Tom Brady (bored)


Hey Pat, as you might've heard I have some down time. Is it ok if I help you with the chat? I have experience with the NFC South. You may recall my team beating Carolina in a Super Bowl once (thank you John Kasay)

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:12 PM)


Please join us, Tom.

Ronald (Lynchburg, VA)


If Derrick Brooks sits out of the game Sunday, who do you think will get the start in his place? Also with Brooks out how do you think the Bucs D will suffer?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:13 PM)


Hayward, but I think Brooks will play.

PT (Franklin, NC)


Pat, Oakland or Kansas City?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:13 PM)


KC

Lemmer (Baltimore)


Am I way off base in thinking that the Bucs don't draft a QB high because Gruden doesn't know how to groom them?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:14 PM)


Could be. I'd hate to see him with the psyche of a first-round QB.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)


What do the Falcons have to do to beat Tampa on Sunday?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:15 PM)


Run the ball and keep pressure off Ryan.

Ryan (Napa, CA)


What's the situation with D. Brooks? Was he just resting, because he's earned the right to, or is he going to be out this Sunday? Also, why doesn't Brooks get more ink as one of the greatest linebackers of all time? I feel he's terribly overlooked and it's about time he gets his due. Merriman gets sooooo much press and he'll never be near the linebacker Brooks is and was.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:15 PM)


Agree. Go back and look at my column archive. I did something on Brooks a few months ago where I said something similar.

Xander (Philly)


Do you see Warrick Dunn's role increasing or decreasing as the season progresses?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:16 PM)


Increasing.

Chris Kc, Mo


Tampa or Atlanta

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:17 PM)


Tampa, but I'm not here to predict.

Sharell (Raleigh, NC)


As a Falcon Fan I am hoping that the Bucs locker room is in total disarray for the game on Sunday. How do you think the team is taken Gruden vs. Garcia. You have to love Turner and Norwood RB tandem.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:18 PM)


Could be, a lot of players aren't happy with the way Garcia's been treated by Gruden. Turner/Norwood is great tandem.

(Raleigh, NC)


Do you see Delhomme having his best season ever?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:19 PM)


Yes, if the running game stays strong.

Tom [philly}


Do you think Caddy will make it back this season?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:19 PM)


I'd guess no. I think smart thing is to wait for 2009.

Mike (Nola)


Pat - Deuce seems to be practicing fully, will he play this week? Why was he "really" kept out of last week's game?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:20 PM)


Saints are being cautious. You'll see him before long. Not saying it will be in his previous role, but you'll see him.

Dan (San Jose)


Fantasy question for you! Rest of season - Titans or Packers Defense / Special Teams? This weekend - Cutler or Warner, Chris Johnson or Matt Forte?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:21 PM)


Titans, Cutler and Forte.

Chad (Savannah, GA)


Drew Brees for MVP?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:22 PM)


Wouldn't surprise me. He's good and he's got a lot of talent around him - even without Colston.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)


Will the Panthers be able to contain Matt Forte and put the ball in Orton's hands?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:22 PM)


That's what they'll try to do. I'm sure they'll put Chris Harris in the box a lot.

Marc (Malden, MA)


There are some thoughts that the Pats might be interested in Garcia.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:24 PM)


Don't see the Bucs parting with him. Besides, Super Bowl's in Tampa. If Garcia went to NE and came back and won the Super Bowl, things would get ugly.

Derrick Shea (cleveland)


who is number one, hot route reciever with coloston gone?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:24 PM)


Probably a combination of Patten and Shockey.

Lou(NY)


Dimitroff and Smith or parcells and sporano?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:25 PM)


On history, gotta say Parcells. But I like the Atlanta combination a lot and think they've got bright future. Arthur Blank got it right this time.

Jason, PA


Will Michael Clayton ever return to his rookie form?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:25 PM)


Not with the Bucs.

Stuart (Wilson, WY)


How big of an impact would the potential resting of Travelle Wharton this week affect the Panthers' ability to run the ball and perform pass coverage against the Bears' defense? Is Geoff Hangartner a reliable substitute based on his history with the Panthers?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:26 PM)


Wharton's underrated. Very solid player. But Hangartner's not bad. Shouldn't be that big a drop off.

Ryan (Morgan City, LA)


From what I saw in the preseason, it looked like Deuce doesn't have any power running left in him. I think, instead of being cautious, the Saints are slowly phasing him out. Your thoughts?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:27 PM)


They definitely want the young legs out there more. But they also know it's a long season and they'll need him at some point. Got to find a way to keep him content.

Kyle (Jean Lafitte)


the water is about 1 foot from comeing over the levee but do u think with the Saints having to move around from the Hurricanes that it will better prepair them for the London game?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:29 PM)


Actually, the Saints already have been through a lot. I think that will help for London. Time on the road pulls them together and makes them stronger.

Bert Raleigh


When Steve Smith comes back do you think the Panthers will start to run more 2 TE sets now that Dante Rosario has started to imerge as a deep threat pass catcher and Jeff King still adds the value of being the better blocker and good hands on the short possession routes? I mean Jake didn't get touched last week and part of that has to come from Jeff King being out there.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:30 PM)


Yes, you'll see a lot of both King and Rosario. King can catch some passes, too.

Chad (Savannah, GA)


Forget the 2 RB system, the Saints could have the 3 RB system and this would keep Deuce from taking a pounding and give the Saints enough inside presence to utilize Bush were he is best, the outside.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:30 PM)


Agree with you totally.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)


How do the Saints gameplan against an unknown system like Washington's?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:31 PM)


Watch film from Skins of last year, but also watch Seattle film from recent years. That's what Zorn's offense looks like.

Jimmy (Toronto)


Please rank these from best to worse for '08: Delhomme, Cassel, Bulger.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:32 PM)


In the exact order you wrote them.

Kevin (Medford, NY)


I am a Saints fan and a Gamecocks fan...but i'd like to know what really happened when Cory Boyd and Aquib Talib got into a fight at the rookie symposium...and what did the Bucs do with Boyd?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:33 PM)


Sorry, but I don't know enough about that incident to comment.

DJ (Minneapolis)


Will Meacham be a factor in NO?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:34 PM)


Yes, I think he will. Not saying he'll start, but he'll play. He's got size and he had a good preseason. He can help this offense.

Xander (Philly)


How many touches will Reggie Bush average per game this year (assuming he stays healthy)?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:35 PM)


I'll go with 14-16.

Lee (Atlanta)


First of all, love the work. But how do you feel about Matt Ryan, especially when he meets a team that can stuff the run?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:36 PM)


We're about to find out. But I like Ryan a lot and think he's going to be good.

Bert Raleigh


One more question for you Pat. A lot of Panthers fans I know were dissappointed with the play of Peppers in week one. Mainly because he didn't get a sack going up against a back up. I say that since they were for the most part able to contain L.T. and it seemed to me that Peppers was dropping back into coverage on quite a few plays that he did one hell of a job. Yeah his stats may be off but he played like the Pep of old. Whats your take of his week one?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:37 PM)


Yeah, he didn't have a sack. But I thought he looked a lot more active and energetic than he did last year. Sacks will come if he stays that way.

Ryan (Morgan City, LA)


Tracy Porter looked outstanding on Sunday. Do you think he was the best CB to come out of a large and talented draft class at that position? (And quite a steal in the 2nd Round, I might add.)

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:38 PM)


I was at Superdome and I was extremely impressed with Porter. Liked his play and his attitude when I talked to him after the game. Very confident kid.

Chris Simms


Hello? What about me? I can win I swear.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:38 PM)


I think you can, too. Good luck with the Titans.

Robert - Vegas


We all know there are at least 5 coaches who are on the hot seat (Rams, 49ers, Raiders, Lions & Bengals - maybe even Chiefs), so what veteran coaches have a legitimate shot at coming back next season for another go around? Is Marty retired for ever? Cowher? Denny Green?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:40 PM)


I don't think Marty's done. I do think Denny Green is. As far as Cowher, I know Carolina's the hot topic. But Fox may not be on hot seat if he wins a few more games. I think Cowher will coach, but I think it will be somewhere else.

Pat (KC)


How realistic is it to see the Rams fix their O-line problems very soon?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:41 PM)


Sadly, not realistic at all. I think Todd Steussie's still available.

Pete (So Cali)


What are your thoughts on Shockey so far? Is is a positive impact?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:41 PM)


Yes, very positive. He's getting the ball and he's happy. And he's going to get the ball even more with Colston out.

Chad (Savannah, GA)


Cowher owns a house on an island just outside of Wilmington, NC. He will wait for the Carolina coaching job to open.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:42 PM)


It's not like Wilmington is right next to Charlotte. It's a 4-5 hour drive.

PT (Franklin, NC)


More to blame for the Raiders horrid performance against the Broncos, Lane Kiffin, Rob Ryan, or Al Davis?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:42 PM)


Al Davis.

Ryan (Morgan City, LA)


In the same vein, what's the current status on Mike McKenzie? When he gets back on the field you may be talking about the Saints having one of the better CB tandems in the league, and what a turnaround that will be from last year.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:43 PM)


McKenzie may be down another week or so. But, yeah, they'll be in very good shape at CB when he gets back - assuming everyone' else is healthy.

Dave, LV


So, does John Fox HAVE to make the playoffs this year in order to save his job?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:44 PM)


Yeah, I think that's probably the case.

tucci, nyc, ny


are the bucs a better team with griese? i saw him play in the pre-season and he looked sharp against the pats. i love garcia, and thank him for a division title last year. but at some point all the minor injuries have to take there toll? i read the articles that call garcia a better athlete. do you believe this to be the case present day?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:45 PM)


I don't think there's much difference between Garcia and Griese overall. Each has their little advantages, but I think they're pretty much the same guy in that offense. Griese, fully healthy, probably is better right now.

CC (Atlanta)


Pat -- Mike Mckenzie isn't good anymore. Hasn't been for 3 years.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:45 PM)


Thought he was their only good DB last year.

Chad (Savannah, GA)


Closest NFL team to where his family is VERY happy at. Look at interviews with Cowher, he truely believes he can have the best of both worlds, professional and personal and Carolina is that best fit for him. As a Saints fan I would HATE to see him in the division because his D's are unbelievable.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:46 PM)


I don't think it'll happen. First, I think Fox will win enough this year to keep his job. Second, I think Cowher might have his eye on something more high-profile.

Anthony, Nashville


When Michael Vick comes back, Falcons release him right away?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:47 PM)


YES, immediately.

Sean (Philly)


I picked up Colston after someone dropped him in a very deep league. I don't need a bye week replacement till week 8, he should be good to go by then right?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:47 PM)


I hear the London game is the target. Don't have sked in front of me, but that's right around Week 8.

Frodo (Middle Earth)


Who is the most personable quarterback you've covered?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:48 PM)


Wow, tough one. Delhomme's tremendous. Buerlein was great. Dilfer was very good. Chris Weinke was the worst.

Jeff Garcia (Bench)


Will Gruden and I ever patch this up? Or will Jon be cheating on me all year?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:49 PM)


Rent to buy. If you've already bought, put your house on the market now.

Adrian (Libertyville IL)


Can we expect big games from Michael Turner like he had in game 1 or was that a fluke?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:50 PM)


220's a lot to expect from him every week. But I think he's a very good RB. Defenses are going to start loading up on the run. Ryan's going to have to play well to keep them honest and give Turner a fair chance.

Sean (Philly)


Could you see Cowher trying to fix the mess that is the Bengals? Or maybe Al Davis gives him free reign.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:51 PM)


Somewhere else ...with a good owner.

Jonathan, Queens, NY


I thought Peppers had a good game Sunday, he should have had 2 sacks though, twice he had Rivers in hand and he got away, what can we expect Sunday?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:52 PM)


Said it before, I thought Peppers looked good and was more energetic than last year. Obviously, the focus is going to be stopping Chicago's run. If they do that, then Pep can get a shot at some sacks.

Dave (Tampa)


Did Galloway look as bad in person as he did on TV? His routes were horrible. Do you think it's only because of no work in the preseason, or is he finally showing his age, or a little of both?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:53 PM)


I think age is catching up to him. Guy like that should be able to come in without a lot of preseason work.

Julius Peppers


Sheesh, do I have to get a sack on every play? Rivers isn't a bad QB..he got away, it happens. Did we win? Of course.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:54 PM)


Hang in there, Pep. Play like you did Sunday and the sacks will come.

petey, ny, ny


who will do more damage this week at TE... Witten or Shockey? With Colston out, I'm thinking he could be relied on more.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:55 PM)


Shockey.

tucci, nyc, ny


more on griese vs the falcons. can i ask a fantasy question. would you start griese vs the falcons d or garrard vs buffalo d? thanks pat! go bucs. lets get the super bowl to the home team this year.

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:55 PM)


Wow, that's a tough one. Hope you have good RBs. My gut says go with Griese, but don't expect much.

Bill Cowher(Carolina)


What high profile job do you think me and my sparkling new teeth are going?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:56 PM)


Let some coaches lose some games first. Be patient. It'll become obvious.

Rick (Salisbury, NC)


Obviously, Atlanta is preparing for Tampa to load up the box and force Ryan to beat them. What type of numbers do you see Ryan putting up this week? And will Turner's opening game look like a fluke?

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:57 PM)


It may look a little like a fluke. As I said, 220's not realistic to expect every week. I think Ryan will have to throw a lot more this week.

Ryan (Napa, CA)


Pat, you are awesome for keeping the chat going this long. Most your ESPN cohorts (esp. baseball) are hardly this thorough. That said, give us full NFC South predictions for this weekend???

Pat Yasinskas
  (2:59 PM)


That said, I'm going to answer two more questions and turn you loose. Saints and Panthers win. Tampa Bay beats Atlanta.

Zac (MN)


Is it a pipe dream that you are talking about Cowher going to the Vikings?

Pat Yasinskas
  (3:00 PM)


That's one to keep an eye on. Not the main one I'm thinking of, but could fit the profile if things sort out that way.

Jeff


On the subject of coaching changes. It's mostly been a college phenomenon to this point, but at least one NFL team (Indy) has done this. How do you feel about the "naming the successor before the head coach retires" stuff? Do you see it happening more in the NFL?

Pat Yasinskas
  (3:01 PM)


Think the Colts and Seahawks were exceptional circumstances. Don't see it becoming a trend because a lot of teams like to wait to see who the "hot" assistants are each year.

Reggie Bush


Will I have 1500+ all purpose yard this year with 10+ TD's and will it be enough to get people off my back when we make the playoffs and go marching in to the Super Bowl and win? Who Dat!!! Geaux Saints!!!!

Pat Yasinskas
  (3:02 PM)


Reg, I'll give you 1,400 yards and 9 TDs and people will get off your back. All right, thanks very much for hanging out. Enjoyed it and we'll do it again next week. Thanks.

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