Chat with Pat Yasinskas
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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.
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Yasinskas Archive: Blog | Columns
Skilan Ortiz (Orlando Fl)
What will happen with Alex Smith? Do you think Winslow will start over him?
Pat Yasinskas (12:58 PM)
I can assure you Winslow will start over Alex Smith. Bucs wouldn't have made trade if that wasn't the plan. But Smith isn't bad and this can give them some nice flexibilty with two tight end sets.
josh( Atlanta )
Hey Pat, Do you think Dimitroff is making a mistake by filling the entire defense with the draft and not getting of few veterans that still have skills? I think our SS and DT should be through FA, to free up some draft picks to solidify our LB core. We could take Cushing, and then trade back into the high 2nd round and take Mathews also. What do you think?
Pat Yasinskas (12:59 PM)
Hey, free agency has just started. Even though Falcons say they won't be big players, they'll make some moves. They might not be big ones and might come after first wave, but they'll do some defensive work in free agency.
Mike (New Orleans)
I thought it was a sure thing that the Saints would get Vilma back. Have you heard anything as to why it hasn't happened, and the odds that he ends up with the bucs?
Pat Yasinskas (1:00 PM)
What I hear is most-likely scenario still is Vilma returning to Saints. Yes, Bucs and others are pursuing, but I still think he stays in N.O.
Miles (Orlando, FL)
So, the bucs missed out on Haynesworth. In light of the Winslow trade, where do the bucs go from here? Do you think the trade was a good one, considering they apparently gave up multiple picks for him?
Pat Yasinskas (1:01 PM)
Yeah, still waiting to hear what the picks are exactly. But they got a top-notch TE in the prime of his career. Now, they've got to get an RB, a WR and maybe another QB.
T. Chipp (Jacksonville, FL)
Hey Pat- seeing what tampa bay did to acquire kellen winslow is there any possibility of the falcons doing the same type of move to acquire a big time TE for matt ryan such as a vernon davis
Pat Yasinskas (1:03 PM)
No, I don't think Falcons are looking for that type of TE. They are trying to set up a visit for another TE right now. Can't name him yet, but it's not anywhere close to Winslow level.
Tyrone N.ola
Hey Pat any news on if the saints signed bartell
Pat Yasinskas (1:04 PM)
Not yet. Stay tuned.
Chris, Tampa
Are the Bucs in danger of not hitting the minimum salary cap?
Pat Yasinskas (1:06 PM)
No they have to spend at least $107 million.
Jillian, Atlanta GA
Do you see the Bucs maybe coming back to re-sign Brooks later for reduced role/league minimum situation?
Pat Yasinskas (1:09 PM)
Nope, the break has been made.
Andy in Detroit, MI
Do you have any news on the undisclosed draft picks? What round are they?
Pat Yasinskas (1:09 PM)
Not yet. Working to find out.
Josh in Orlando
I really didn't think so before but you have to wonder if the Glazers are cleaning up the books and getting costs way down so they can sell the team.
Pat Yasinskas (1:10 PM)
Isn't your team worth more with Derrick Brooks and Jon Gruden??? Also, they're still paying Gruden and Allen $25 million. I don't believe this whole going cheap thing is the case.
J.B. (Dunmore, PA)
Do you think Brooks finds a new home within the division?
Pat Yasinskas (1:10 PM)
Perhaps, New Orleans.
Ryan (Napa, CA)
What's going on with Peppers right now?
Pat Yasinskas (1:11 PM)
Nothing. Stay tuned. I think that one's going to drag on.
Quintonn ( Hartford, CT)
For the Atlanta Falcons, I think their secondary is one of the biggest keys to what they do defensively this year because its so crowded and there are so many questions there. What do you see happening (Decoud, Foxworth leaving, Chevis Jackson starting, Von Hutchins, David Irons, Brent Grimes starting again?, Chris Houston)?
Pat Yasinskas (1:12 PM)
Still not over by a long shot. They're not going to get any big names, but Dimitroff will look for more guys like Foxworth was last year.
Jeremy (Arkansas)
I have been hearing the falcons will sign LJ Smith any truth to that? Also if they sign him will they still draft a TE?
Pat Yasinskas (1:13 PM)
Bingo. That might be one to keep an eye on.
Paul (knoxville)
Saints sign Bartell yes or no?....go
Pat Yasinskas (1:13 PM)
Not yet, but my guess is they will. You don't have a guy in on the first day if you're not serious about him.
Thomas (Balad, Iraq)
Please anwser one question for me... I want to know what the BUCS doing.
Pat Yasinskas (1:14 PM)
Let it play out a bit.
Chatmaster
Pat, is Robert Meacham ready to start?
Pat Yasinskas (1:15 PM)
No, but I think he's ready to be a solid No. 3.
Sam NC
Are the panthers expecting any FA visits today if so who?
Pat Yasinskas (1:16 PM)
Not that I know of yet. But it's early and these things sometimes take a bit to leak out.
Mike Norfolk Va
Pat does Winslow help bring Vilma to Tampa they came out of the U together?
Pat Yasinskas (1:16 PM)
I don't think it would hurt.
WALTER ( ATLANTA )
PAT, I think ATL is trying to build a pittsbugh/new england type team, with minimum big name, but great depth with solid players. What you think?
Pat Yasinskas (1:17 PM)
Exactly. That's why they're being quiet right now. They're taking a methodical approach.
Nick: Tampa
YOu say let the BUCS situation play out... what's going to play out?! you say no Vilma, its been said NO WARD... where are we spending money?
Pat Yasinskas (1:17 PM)
You're 12 hours into free agency. Relax. The day is far from over.
Dave (Tampa)
Are you at the press conference at 1 Buc or are you watching LIVE via internet?
Pat Yasinskas (1:18 PM)
Neither, I'm chatting with you.
Evan (Laurel, MD)
What do you think the chances of Tampa resigning Chris Simms and possibly moving up in the draft to get Boston College's Raji??
Pat Yasinskas (1:19 PM)
No chance on Simms. We'll talk draft as it gets closer.
Jake (Troutman, NC)
Any more news on Ken Lucas?
Pat Yasinskas (1:21 PM)
No, very quiet right now. But hang loose.
Cory (Dunmore, PA)
I swear if Vilma goes to Tampa, I'm seriously starting to question the Saints front office. Not that I didn't already... Where are the cuts we need to make to make room for the people we actually need to sign! Jason David, McKenzie, Brian Young are all big numbers compared to their production.
Pat Yasinskas (1:21 PM)
I still think Vilma stays in N.O.
Bob (Charlotte, NC)
Do you agree that Peppers was a fool for announcing his wish to play somehwere else? Now if he is forced to stay it will be an issue in the locker room.
Pat Yasinskas (1:22 PM)
Let's just say I think the whole situation could have been handled a lot better.
Zack (New Orleans)
Thoughts on Jon Stinchcomb? It seems the Saints would be better off not having to outbid someone else for him and sliding Zach Strief in there. He played respectably last year and we could use the money on the defensive side of the ball...
Pat Yasinskas (1:23 PM)
I think that's exactly the plan -- go with Strief as the starter.
Dave(Iraq)
Do you know any of the details behind whether or not the Bucs plan on getting any free agent recievers?
Pat Yasinskas (1:23 PM)
I'm sure they are going to go after a WR. The guy from Pittsburgh seems to be top target right now.
Paul (Knoxville)
Darren Sharper to Saints??
Pat Yasinskas (1:24 PM)
There have been a lot of rumblings. It would make a lot of sense.
Brandon (Detroit)
Looks like there's an even split of people hating and loving the Winslow trade. Where do you come out Pat?
Pat Yasinskas (1:25 PM)
Good question. Don't have my defnitive answer yet. Want to see what the draft picks are and who's Tampa Bay's QB before making final analysis.
Andrew (Port Charlotte, FL)
Any idea what Tampa's shot-down offer to Haynesworth was?
Pat Yasinskas (1:25 PM)
Daniel Snyder's check book.
Eric (Nashville, TN)
Has anyone expressed any interest in Keith Brooking yet? I'm still holding out hope that he stays with the Falcons.
Pat Yasinskas (1:26 PM)
Think that's still a possibilty. So is retirement.
Steve (Tallahassee)
Is Geno Hayes really ready to start in the NFL if needed?
Pat Yasinskas (1:27 PM)
No, they'll bring in somebody else.
Mark H (Greensboro, NC)
Do you think the Panthers go after Paul Spicer? He would add some experience to their D-line.
Pat Yasinskas (1:28 PM)
Not a bad idea. He's a decent player and price tag shouldn't be too high.
Kenneth (Dulac, LA)
Is there any word if Bart Scott has interest from any of the NFC South teams?
Pat Yasinskas (1:29 PM)
No, just Jets.
Todd (Atlanta)
I read the Giants are going to offer Boley a deal that averages $5M/year. Did they not see him play last season?
Pat Yasinskas (1:29 PM)
Apparently, they think he'll fit their system. Hope it works for them.
tony(philly)
when do you think news will be announced about what tampa gave up for winslow? Is Gonzalez the next TE to get traded?
Pat Yasinskas (1:30 PM)
It won't be announced, but it will come out.
Lamar, NC
With Haynesworth getting a $100 million deal, does that represent the starting point for Julius Pepper's next contract with whoever he gets traded to? Furthermore, Is it reasonable to expect him to get moved this weekend, along with Ken Lucas?
Pat Yasinskas (1:30 PM)
I think the Peppers thing drags out until draft time. Just my guess.
Chris (Wilmington)
Why didn't the Panthers cut Landon Johnson rather than restructure his deal? He's not going to start ahead of Diggs/Connor and they could use the cap space.
Pat Yasinskas (1:31 PM)
Think they had to do that because he's still injured and they couldn't cut him.
Miles (Orlando, FL)
I just saw that Antonio Smith was invited for a visit to Tampa. Any idea how aggressively they're pursuing him?
Pat Yasinskas (1:32 PM)
I'll get on it right after we get off the chat and, hopefully, have something on the blog a little later.
Sam NC
Can the panthers keep Hangartner we need some depth in O-line and we've lost a few backups already?
Pat Yasinskas (1:32 PM)
Hangartner will be gone. Can't blame him. He's good enough to start and somebody will give him the chance.
Russ (Savannah, GA)
Any word on Chauncey Davis coming back to Atlanta? Are otehr teams making a push for him?
Pat Yasinskas (1:33 PM)
Falcons want him back, but it's kind of like Foxworth. They don't want to pay him starter money and he might be able to get it elsehere.
Jim (Cleveland)
Whats the reason for not disclosing draft picks when traded?
Pat Yasinskas (1:34 PM)
Teams are paranoid. It'll all come out soon enough.
K-Dogg (Atlanta)
I guess us Falcons fans shouldn't be expecting much in terms of "name" free agents this offseason, agree?
Pat Yasinskas (1:34 PM)
Agree. Couple more questions. I've got to cut out early because there's other stuff I've got to get on.
Sharell (Raleigh, NC)
Is their a reason for the FALCONS being cheap? I think we are letting to many good players go.
Pat Yasinskas (1:35 PM)
They're being smart, not cheap. They've got a good nucleus in place. No need to go nuts right now.
Ryne (Fort Wayne, IN)
pat, i just heard a 2nd this year and a fith next year for winslow. if that is the case, good deal?
Pat Yasinskas (1:37 PM)
Yeah, why not. You're getting a proven player for a second-round pick, which probably turns into a decent player and a fifth round pick, which probably is not a decent player. All right, sorry, I've got to run now. Thanks.
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