Chat with KC Joyner
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Joyner, aka The Football Scientist, uses game film to track, tabulate and analyze nearly every measurable statistic in an NFL game. He is a regular Insider contributor and has his own website at thefootballscientist.com.
Send your questions now and join KC in The Show on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET!
Joyner Archive: Columns | Chats
KC Joyner (4:01 PM)
Good afternoon! Let's talk some football.
Craig (Norwich, CT)
Which Barber is more likely to get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tiki or Ronde?
KC Joyner (4:02 PM)
Tiki by a mile. He's glib, photogenic and a publicity hound. Add that to his good stats and it equals a very good shot at HOF immortality.
Todd (Detroit)
I'm about halfway through Contrarian Football, and I think the most intersting part so far is the coaching orientations. I think it's the simplest but most comprehensive system I've seen. If you had to pick a coach for your team, which would you choose? To me, Scheme/Hitter is so appealing because it's the Intelligence/Strength combination.
KC Joyner (4:04 PM)
Todd, you aren't alone on that chapter of Blindsided, as I've received a lot of emails about it. What type of philosophy I'd pick would largely depend on what type of talent the team had both on the field and in the front office.
Vic (Kailua, HI)
Are there any matchups this week that you expect to be shoot-outs or blow outs?
KC Joyner (4:05 PM)
I see a number of shootout games this week - Dallas/GB, NO/Denver and possibly SF/Detroit.
Tiki Barber
Come on KC, it's not like I'm a scrub! Plus I got a ring!
KC Joyner (4:05 PM)
I think that ring comment is facetious, right?
Dee (Greenville, NC)
I'll admit Ed made a bad call, but it's time to get over it now. You know how much of a Chargers fan I am and I was definitely mad for a few days but there are 14 games left in the season. I think it was pretty stand up for him to answer the hate mail he was getting. I'm sure he will learn from this. I'm more mad that the NFL is a billion dollar business and can't make sure the replay equipment is operational before every game.
KC Joyner (4:07 PM)
I like Ed Hochuli a lot but if memory serves me correct, he officiated only a Wild Card game last year and did not officiate a playoff game the year before. The officials that grade out the best officiate the later playoff games and the ones that do poorest don't officiate any games so Hochuli has been on the lower rung of the refs ladder for a bit now.
Don (NJ)
Whats your thoughts on Jay Cutler? I think the hype machine is back out... it seems crazy to me that after two good games people aare saying he is better than Romo. Romo has been the best QB through his first 28 starts EVER. BEST QB RATING!!!!!
KC Joyner (4:09 PM)
Cutler's great showing so far is due to two factors. First, the development of Eddie Royal gives Denver a WR corps that is as deep as any in the NFL. Second, his bad decision rates have been much lower this year (1.2% at this point versus his typical 5-6% rate).
Broad Street Brian (philly)
The Wall street is melting down and the only other thing that matters to me are my Eagles! How do like our chances Sunday against the Steelers? Are we AIG (bailed out) or Lehman? (DOA)
KC Joyner (4:10 PM)
I do like the Steelers in this matchup but only by a bit, so let's call the Eagles AIG by your comparison.
Luis (SB, CA)
Hi KC. Love your work. How soon do you start breaking down metrics for the current season? I'm really interested in knowing how Adam "Not Pacman" Jones has been doing.
KC Joyner (4:11 PM)
I've got Jones at a 1.8 YPA so far, so he's doing a great job.
Nick (West Seneca, NY)
Do you see more than one team from the AFC East making the playoffs this year?
KC Joyner (4:12 PM)
I could envision a scenario where Buffalo and New England both make the playoffs.
Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)
Detroit giving up 40+ points isn't a shootout if they only score 20.
KC Joyner (4:12 PM)
Very funny, Lane!
Harold, TX
I need your help!!!! I have been so confused, I need to start 2 out of T.O., R. Wayne and Brandon Marshall. Which one do I sit???
KC Joyner (4:13 PM)
Harold, if you have those three on your fantasy team, you don't need help! Having said that, bench Wayne if the Colts O line has to play backups again on Sunday.
Vic (Kailua, HI)
Romo may have the best rating, but is there any doubt that Ben Roethlisberger had the best start of any QB?
KC Joyner (4:15 PM)
Vic, you certainly could make a case for that. I might give Romo the edge if only because he's faced tougher competition but Ben is neck in neck with him.
Ryan (America's Finest City)
Two weeks in a row the Denver WRs have exposed Deangelo Hall and Cromartie as the OVER-RATED corners that they are. Does Mike Mackenzie make it three weeks in a row?
KC Joyner (4:16 PM)
Denver won't go at McKenzie much if they don't have to and given that NO may be down a CB again this week, they may not have to.
Ben (Pinehurst, NC)
With the Chargers defense struggling (to put it kindly) and LT hurting, it's looking like a number of Rivers-focused shootouts might be in SD's immediate future. What are your thoughts on how Rivers has looked so far this year and what expectations do you have for him going forward?
KC Joyner (4:18 PM)
Rivers isn't the reason SD is losing, as he has great metrics so far this year. I would be more worried about Cromartie, as he is going for the big plays and is giving up a lot of yards and completions because of it. As long as he keeps that up, SD will keep getting in these shootouts.
DeMaurier (California)
Do you think the Green Bay Packers are a championship caliber team?
KC Joyner (4:19 PM)
If you mean Super Bowl caliber championship, I'd say no with one caveat. They are a very young team and therefore might absorb/avoid injuries more than some other teams (i.e. Dallas) and therefore could end up in better shape come December.
Joseph (Sacramento, CA)
I asked Matt Williamson this question in his chat yesterday, but I'm interested to hear your take. If you were building a new NFL franchise which one offensive player and defensive player would you choose to begin that franchise? Thanks.
KC Joyner (4:22 PM)
I'd go for Brady on offense and Jared Allen on defense. If there were a stronger #1 candidate at CB I'd go there but Allen's pass rush (or at least what we know he's capable of) would be a game breaker. And I'll have to go look at Matt's chat to see what he said, as I'm very curious to find out his answer!
Mikey(Lackawanna,NY)
How do you think the Bills Jason Peters looked in his first game back vs the Jaguars?
KC Joyner (4:23 PM)
Well, he gave up that sack so I'd say it wasn't all good. He's still got some rust to work off.
Matt Millen (detroit)
You mean your first offensive player wouldn't be a receiver? Cause obviously you're not seeing what I am as I told the fans today
KC Joyner (4:23 PM)
Matt Millen's first three picks would be receiver!
Brian (Syracuse, NY)
I'm interested in an outsiders position on Ralph Wilson. He's one of the few AFL owners not in the Hall of Fame, but had the foresight to question the last CBA when few did? Then he brought back Marv Levy to get two great draft classes to bring this team where it is now. Even the Toronto thing might be smart thinking, what are your thoughts and shouldn't he be in the Hall of Fame?
KC Joyner (4:25 PM)
Let me 100% clear on this - Ralph Wilson absolutely belongs in the Hall of Fame. The Bills won AFL championships in their day and were one of the best teams of the 1990s. He's also stuck it out when things haven't been great in that area. He belongs in Canton just as much as any other owner.
Corey (California)
KC, how can you say the Packers aren't Superbowl caliber? Don't forget were talking about the NFC.
KC Joyner (4:26 PM)
Corey, as things stand right now I've got Dallas as the NFC favorite. If the Boys falter late (and that seems to always happen to a Wade Phillips team), then the Pack would have the inside track.
Matt, Raleigh
Hey KC...how is Clements doing so far this year metrics wise? Also, is the o-line doing that bad or is more of a product of the Mike Martz system?
KC Joyner (4:27 PM)
Clements is doing pretty good at the moment. He has a 6.5 YPA on 10 passes. And the SF O line is that bad from a personnel standpoint. Joe Staley simply can't handle left tackle pass blocking.
Ali: (Richmond)
Why cant the Giants have the inside track when the Cowboys AND Packers falter... i mean didnt it happen last year ?
KC Joyner (4:29 PM)
Great point, Ali. I'll put it this way - the G-Men will be in the playoff mix in mid-late January.
Childress (Mpls, Mn)
Why can't a Tavaris Jackson led team have the inside track if the entire NFC falters?
KC Joyner (4:30 PM)
I have to admit to being surprised by how badly Tarvaris Jackson played this year. He looked like he was turning the corner late last year but that didn't carry over at all, even with an improved receiving corps.
Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)
Detroit needs a run-stopper. Someone like Shaun Rogers.
KC Joyner (4:30 PM)
You know, they should offer to make a trade for that guy!
Vic (Kailua, HI)
Warner has been outstanding since taking over in ARI. Do you see his production continuing throughout the year? Or will the Cards find a way to miss the playoffs, as usual.
KC Joyner (4:32 PM)
We'll find out a lot about the Cards in the next three weeks when they face Washington, are at the Jets and then face Dallas. If they could win two of those three, it could mean a playoff run in the weak NFC.
KMAC, Boston
Hi KC, Who sits, Housh or Gates in a 1 ppr league? Cincy stinks and Gates is hurting.
KC Joyner (4:33 PM)
Kevin, I'd still go Gates. I just don't trust the Cincy offense at all.
Vinnie (NYC)
The Rams are an absolute mess. What will it take to get Steven Jackson back on track?
KC Joyner (4:34 PM)
A mulligan.
Vinnie (NYC)
Horrible QB situation, who do I start? Cassel, Bulger, O'Sullivan or Schaub?
KC Joyner (4:35 PM)
As nutty as this sounds, go with O'Sullivan. The Lions pass coverage has been the worst of any team in the NFL this year and Martz knows who to target in that D and how to beat them.
Carol (Largo, FL)
Hi KC!! Do you think the Buc's defense can take care of Chicago this week? I am a little worried because the Bucs will be without Galloway. Do you think their running game can be successful against Chicago's D? Thank you
KC Joyner (4:37 PM)
Carol, the one thing that teams have always been able to do against the Bears is run the ball. To use a term from my book Blindsided, the Bears are a scheme/athletic team and can be muscled. The Bucs O line has been run blocking quite well so I do expect them to have success pounding the rock.
Joe: Long Beach
Is owen daniels underrated or not that good?
KC Joyner (4:38 PM)
Still underrated. Let's not forget that he's only played one game so far this year. Give him a couple of more games and he'll be on people's radar screen.
Jason (Nashville)
Yo KC! Just scored some club level seats for the Titans/Texans game this week. Fantasy-wise, my receivers this year are Holt, Homes, and Roddy. Am I screwed? Nobody's done much so far.
KC Joyner (4:40 PM)
That's awesome about the club seats! That could be a fun game. Fantasy wise, I think you'll have on again, off again games. You might want to check out my WR waiver wire Insider articles every Tuesday, as they could help you stock up on week to week plays.
Mad Jack (logging country)
Doesn't the NFL have a sponsorship with Gillette so Kyle Orton can get some free razors?
KC Joyner (4:40 PM)
Very funny!
Brian Dawkins
Should I be worried that my defense isnt what everybody thought they were after acquiring Samuel?
KC Joyner (4:41 PM)
I can tell you it isn't Samuel's fault. He has a pick and is giving up only 5.3 YPA.
Joseph (Sacramento, CA)
Oh, and out of curiousity, would Justin Tuck be in the consideration for the defensive player to build a franchise around?
KC Joyner (4:41 PM)
Absolutely. If Allen doesn't pick it up in the next couple of weeks and Tuck keeps playing like he has been, Tuck could easily top that list.
Andy (Ann Arbor, MI)
Who do you think will have a better week: Sproles or K.Smith (against S.F.)?
KC Joyner (4:42 PM)
Tough call there. I'd probably go with Smith if only because of the extreme uncertainty around how many carries Sproles might end up with.
Gabriel (Florida)
Is earnest graham overrated?
KC Joyner (4:44 PM)
Not at all. He is one of the better power backs in the league (and I'm not saying this just because I have him on nearly all of my fantasy teams and racked up a couple of wins with his big late game run last week).
Anthony (NYC)
KC congrats on your victory this past weekend, it was well deserve in FF. I'm not sure how you did it with that cheesy lineup though... theres got to be some metrics for that???
KC Joyner (4:44 PM)
Cheesy lineup?! I went 3-0 in the fantasy chat leagues last week. There was nothing cheesy about any of those lineups!
Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)
I'd be worried about Samuel. Who actually wants to live in Philly? He could have got a nice house in California or Florida.
KC Joyner (4:45 PM)
I can't make one positive Philly comment without Lane saying something negative about that town, can I?!
JP (Pittsburgh)
You'd start a team with a guy coming off a potentially career threatening injury? That seems dumb. I think Matt Williamsom picked Big Ben.
KC Joyner (4:47 PM)
JP, of course I wouldn't pick Brady if his injury was career threatening. I also would say that pick was a "win today" pick. If I were taking a QB for the long-term, I'd probably do like Matt and go for Ben.
Terry (Charlotte)
Last week you said the Bears would beat Carolina. Were you surprised at how Carolina's defense stepped up in the 2nd half?? They gave up 1 TD on a short field, and stoned the bears from that point on.
KC Joyner (4:49 PM)
I give the Panthers a ton of credit for stepping up. I also believe last week's win could be a catalyst for them. They are an emotional team that has fallen apart after rough early starts the previous two years and going 2-0 could just what they need to jumpstart a division winning season.
BK (Detroit, MI)
Do you trade Roy Williams (in real life, not the fantasy world) if you get offered a 1st rounder before the deadline based on where this year is heading, again...
KC Joyner (4:51 PM)
If I were Matt Millen, I would be calling Tim Ruskell of the Seahawks every day and reminding him that I have a great WR he can have for the right price. I'd also text him, email him and fly a sign behind an airplane at Seahawks practices with that message.
Sean (Philly)
Lane, what place are you in? Oh, 8th, I guess that is pretty good.
KC Joyner (4:52 PM)
A chat fantasy football league retort from Philadelphia!
JP (Pittsburgh)
But how would you "win today" when Brady can't walk?
KC Joyner (4:53 PM)
JP, chat at me again this time next year and I'll tell you how I'd win today with Brady.
Sean (Philly)
The Seahawks? The Eagles will have 2 first rounders next year.
KC Joyner (4:53 PM)
Matt should also put Joe Banner on his speedial.
Harry(apple valley ca)
SIGN HIM SIGN HIM ROY AS A HAWK WOULD BE A BLESSING!!!
KC Joyner (4:53 PM)
Seattle weighs in on the Roy Williams to the West Coast idea.
Luis (SB, CA)
KC, I really need your help on this one. I have AP and am being offered LT. He asking for Thomas Jones and D. McFadden. Do you think LT will end up producing enough to cover these two? I mean, I'd have AP and LT for god sakes.
KC Joyner (4:55 PM)
As a worried LT owner, all I can say is that I'd be glad to have a healthy McFadden and Jones on my roster. I think that is just too much to give up for an injured LT.
J (Milwaukee)
Is Keary Colbert worth looking at in Seatlle? Lots of WR have been productive in that offense.
KC Joyner (4:56 PM)
I'd say no if only because it could be a one week deal. Seattle has a bye next week and then they might have Burleson and Branch back.
Chris (Bozeman, Mt)
Can Gus turn it around for the Vikes?
KC Joyner (4:58 PM)
I think the Vikings offense was playing below its talent level so all Frerotte has to do is not slow the other guys down. I believe he can do that so look for a resurgence from Minnesota.
Younger (Los Angeles, CA)
KC, you must mean Engram and Branch right?
KC Joyner (4:58 PM)
Good eye Younger! Engram, not Burleson.
Anthony (NYC)
KC you got to understand I'm a very sore loser, but don't worry I'll makeup for it when I beat you in the playoffs..... if you get there. Congrats again.
KC Joyner (4:59 PM)
I'll see you in week 14 or so!
Matt, Raleigh
I think Seattle should stay put...they have plenty of weapons!
KC Joyner (5:01 PM)
Matt, they are trying to make a Super Bowl run and will need some depth at WR one way or the other. Williams is also a good long-term solution if they can get him for the right price (assuming they believe they can get him to stop sulking when passes don't come his way).
Chris (DC)
KC - Quick fantasy question. J. Cotchery, D. Bowe, or J. Stewart for my flex? Thanks! Oh, and I would pick D. Ware to start a defense. His motor just never stops.
KC Joyner (5:02 PM)
Stewart would be my pick. And I wouldn't be averse to getting Ware on my team!
Harry(Apple Valley,Ca)
Just think Branch/Engram/Williams WR core...It would definetly put us back in the Hunt!!!
KC Joyner (5:03 PM)
And don't forget about John Carlson. He has the look of an up and coming TE. Well, it's been a fun hour but I hear dinner frying in the kitchen so I've got to run. I hope to see you all next week!
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