KC Joyner

  (4:00 PM)

Good afternoon! I don't know about you but I'm ready for some football talk!

SteveFitz (Cicero, IL)

KC, you know we're gonna bombard you with Cutler talk. Please tell me why the most inept franhcise in NFL history, when it comes to QB's, isn't offering everything and the kitchen sink for Jay Cutler? It makes no sense. Jerry Angelo's the one who mentioned the need for QB stability and there's one available for the taking. It makes no sense.

KC Joyner

  (4:01 PM)

Steve, I hate to disagree with you, but I believe the Bears have the 2nd most titles in NFL history, so historically speaking, they aren't the most inept franchise in history. As far as their pursuit of Cutler goes, I'm thinking Angelo believes he has a good QB in Orton.

Ryan (San Diego)

Hey KC...McDaniels finally sees what I do! Cutler is not a winner

KC Joyner

  (4:02 PM)

I don't know if I'd say Cutler's not a winner but he sure isn't the type of QB McDaniels is looking for.

Tony (San Diego)

Should the Vikings target a Center in the first 2 rounds or with John Sullivan be a decent replacement for Matt Birk ?

KC Joyner

  (4:04 PM)

I did a study on some centers for a recent ESPN The Mag issue (on newsstands now!), and found that while Birk was very good, he wasn't a dominant center. They also gave Birk a lot of double team help (it was around 60%) and if they give Sullivan that level of help, they shouldn't need to overinvest in the position.

Jake Klipp (Milwaukee, WI)

Sorry to pepper you with another Cutler question... But what team has ever gotten much better by trading away a handful of high draftpicks for a top level player? One could argue NYG did with Manning... MAYBE. I'm not talking a Favre deal, with 1 pick, but 2 #1's is a LOT to give up for any player...

KC Joyner

  (4:06 PM)

And looking at this from Detroit's perspective, why would they give up going after Stafford for Cutler? Cutler is older and he has a diabetic condition that could potentially be a concern for his longer term viability.

Majeed

KC, Cutler or Rivers? And is Cutler a top 5 QB? I say more like top 10 at best!

KC Joyner

  (4:06 PM)

Long time chatters here never thought I'd say this but Rivers.

PT (Franklin, NC)

Do you think the Raiders will see significant progression out of Jamarcus Russell with Tom Cable coming back with the same system he implemented as interim head coach?

KC Joyner

  (4:07 PM)

There were times last year when Russell showed tremendous growth. A better O line and better WRs would help him develop as much as being in the same system, but long term, I like his chances for turning into at least a solid starter and maybe more.

brian (de)

Does Jason Taylor have anything left in his tank? Would going back to the 3-4 help him?

KC Joyner

  (4:08 PM)

Hard to say based on what I've seen on tape. The Skins couldn't use him in his normal role because they already had a RDE. If he goes to a team that can use him in that role, I think he could give them a Zach Thomas-2008 like year.

Mike (mpls, MN)

Cutler isn't a winner? isn't he 12-1 when his D doesn't stink up the joint (less than 21 or 22 points per game)? So, Marino was bad because the Dolphins never won it all? Seriously, this is a team sport, right?

KC Joyner

  (4:09 PM)

Mike makes a point!

Kerry (DC)

KC, please let it be known that not everyone here is giddy over Cutler. For one, with the same O-line blocking for him there will be no improvement as far as record goes. Please remind people this is football, a sport played with 11 like-minded individuals, not basketball where one man can carry a team to the promised land.

KC Joyner

  (4:09 PM)

And Kerry echoes that point!

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

What series of moves do you think would position the Eagles the best for the 2009 season? And what are the odds that they actually execute on any of them?

KC Joyner

  (4:10 PM)

Health is all the Eagles need to be a Super Bowl contender in 2009. From a personnel perspective, their needs are depth and youth, especially on the O line. I think you'll see them address this in the draft.

Ari (Houston, TX)

I know it's early, but as the league stands right now who do you have winning divisions in the AFC and who gets Wild Card bids.

KC Joyner

  (4:12 PM)

It's never too early to talk about next season! I'd say Pitt, NE, Houston and SD for divisions and Baltimore, Indy, the Jets and Denver for WC.

Taylor (Clear Lake, IA)

Hey KC, hope you have time to answer my question! So if the Lions don't push for a Cutler trade you see Stafford as being the #1 pick?? If the Lions picked in the 5 - 10 range I think I'd prefer Sanchez, but that's not the case.

KC Joyner

  (4:13 PM)

I've got Stafford going in that spot because of his upside potential. I like Sanchez but I'd be surprised if Detroit went in his direction at the top spot.

Ryan (San Diego)

Yet Cutler managed to turn it over several times during crucial points coming down the stretch of the season. Like the bills game at home, 2 turnovers in the redzone and it cost his team a playoff spot. There is a reason he hasnt had a winning team since high school

KC Joyner

  (4:14 PM)

Ryan borrows a phrase from Pulp Fiction - Allow me to retort!

Richard (Greensboro, NC)

In my opinion, the Broncos should look for 2010 draft picks for Cutler and try to build for the future with one of the QBs from that draft. Your thoughts?

KC Joyner

  (4:15 PM)

I tell you what might be a good move - if Denver could pick up Tyler Thigpen from the Chiefs. It would probably take a three way trade of sorts but he'd fit into the McDaniels offense quite well.

brian (de)

You name 8 teams in the AFC and Miami isn't one of them? Got to be above the Jets and Denver right now even with that impossible schedule.

KC Joyner

  (4:16 PM)

Brian, the reason I didn't put the Fins in there is I'm concerned about their secondary. They have a couple of coverage weaknesses and have NE, Buffalo, NO and a couple of other high powered passing attacks on their schedule next year. I just don't think they'll fare well against those teams with their current coverage personnel.

Majeed

KC, Denver for a WC??? Say what! With that terrible D and now shaky O, they'll be lucky to win 5 games!

KC Joyner

  (4:18 PM)

Majeed, it's as much that the AFC could be a weak conference next year. The West won't have anyone else, the North has Pitt and Baltimore and nothing more. Actually, I should have put Tennessee in that spot, so I'll make one change!

Randy (Minneapolis)

Can Percy Harvin and Jeremy Maclin be legitimate #2 WRs in the NFL ? Which would you select first ?

KC Joyner

  (4:19 PM)

Give me Harvin first on that list. And yes they could both be legit #2s.

Todd (Chapel Hill, NC)

Is Sage Rosenfels much of an upgrade over T-Jax ? Should the Vikings consider trading up to get Josh Freeman ?

KC Joyner

  (4:21 PM)

On a good day, maybe, but not if Jackson plays like he did down the stretch last year. I like the move if only because Rosenfels is someone you could bring in as a reliever in a game and he wouldn't be crushed by going back to a backup role the next week.

madscientist (Colorado)

KC, I am never around during your chats and on the rare occassion I am on during a chat I can not think of a good questions. Maybe I will be inspired later in the chat. Keep up the good work.

KC Joyner

  (4:21 PM)

mad, I hope you find that inspiration!

Steiny (NYC)

Will Donte Stallworth play in the NFL in 2009?

KC Joyner

  (4:22 PM)

Barring an absolute miracle, no.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Suppose the Eagles do not make the playoffs this year (quite possible considering their division). Will that mean McNabb will not be an Eagle in '10?

KC Joyner

  (4:23 PM)

I'd think as soon as the Eagles Super Bowl window passes by, McNabb will no longer be in Philly. They should keep him around for that run but when he hits the wall, they've got to make a change.

Mickey (Albany,NY)

Are the Bills gonna be better with TO

KC Joyner

  (4:25 PM)

If Owens takes over the short/medium pass role and can deal with fewer vertical passes, yes. If he insists on getting the deep passes and tries to make Evans the short/medium pass guy, the loss on the deep routes run by Evans last year will offset any gains Evans short/medium production gives them.

brian (de)

So is Cutler 2 first round picks better then Campbell? Every team always wants to see Washington interested in a trade with them bc they will always over pay. (thanks for the 2nd rounder for Taylor)

KC Joyner

  (4:26 PM)

I'm on the Jason Campbell bandwagon. I'll put it this way - I wouldn't trade Campbell for Cutler even up.

madscientist (Colorado)

KC here is a question for you. If Denver trades Cutler who would be a better fit for them Brady Quinn or a FA pick up like Garcia or Leftwich?

KC Joyner

  (4:26 PM)

Quinn all the way.

Fat Hank (alabama)

SD has, and had, all these so called stars, but has failed to win a super bowl...EVER. LT is going to go down as the best rb never to have played in a SB. I love how their fans talk a big game about them, especially Ryan. Shouldn't they keep their yaps shut until they actually hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

KC Joyner

  (4:27 PM)

Hank, I'll give you that SD didn't meet their SB potential but their window isn't closed just yet. I could see them as a SB participant this year.

Cole (Kansas City)

Is Mark Bradley a solid #2 WR for the Chiefs? Why did Chicago drop him?

KC Joyner

  (4:29 PM)

I just gave Angelo some props a few posts ago but when it comes to WRs, I've got to give him some grief. Chicago doesn't seem to have a clue as to picking wideouts, so losing out on Bradley shouldn't be a surprise. To be fair, however, I do believe that injuries may have had something to do with it as well.

Majeed

KC, Can you quickly give us your top 10 QBs?

KC Joyner

  (4:30 PM)

How about top 5? Peyton, Brady, Eli, Rivers and Romo.

Cole (Kansas City)

How do you feel about Stafford, Sanchez and Freeman? Is it true some teams rank Sanchez ahead of Stafford? Finally, does Detroit really like a QB at #1? Thanks.

KC Joyner

  (4:31 PM)

I think the Lions end up going QB at #1. They don't have viable options there right now and you really can't go anywhere in this league without a top QB.

Ryan, SF

where's big ben? #6 #7?

KC Joyner

  (4:32 PM)

#6. I could take him over Romo at #5, as that was a close call pick.

Cherry (DC)

Eli? I'm a Giants tramp and I would put him on that list. Please explain yourself!

KC Joyner

  (4:33 PM)

I just like what he does for that offense. He still isn't the most accurate QB but he does more with less receiving help than maybe any QB in the league.

b-kune (nyc)

romo over brees? really?

KC Joyner

  (4:33 PM)

I'm just not that sold on Brees as a really great QB. His bad decision numbers were terrible last year, even when factoring in the high volume of passes.

Ryan, SF

sounds about right for big big. Romo is usually asked to do more. the AFC south blogger thought your prediction of houston winning the afc south was, "cute"

KC Joyner

  (4:35 PM)

Cute, eh? I see the Texans passing attack, the Colts having to adjust to a new HC and players at key positions and the Titans being one QB injury away from a crippled passing attack and like Houston's chances.

Majeed

KC, I usually agree with you but today you seem to be on a completely different page. Denver better than Miami??? and now Eli, Rivers, and Romo all ahead of Big Ben and Brees???

KC Joyner

  (4:36 PM)

I could take Ben over Romo but right now I'd still take Rivers over Ben. I like Ben a lot but there are a lot of QBs who could win 10 games with that D and running game.

Mike (San Diego)

KC, I have to take issue with Romo as well. Let's see what he does this year. McNabb is far better than him...even if he does throw up on himself during the super bowl!

KC Joyner

  (4:38 PM)

You know, I probably should have taken Majeed up on his top 10 offer. McNabb would also hit that list and I would have named Ben and Brees as well.

Zach (Bronx, NY)

KC, how can you put Eli Manning and Tony Romo over Matt Schaub? How can you put either of those guys ahead of Donovan McNabb?

KC Joyner

  (4:38 PM)

Zach, if the Texans win that division like I think they will, Schaub will get his play as a top flight QB. Believe me, I'm on that bandwagon!

Shane (Los Angeles, CA)

Whats Boldin's trade value in terms of draft picks? Which teams do you see making a serious run for Boldin around draft day?

KC Joyner

  (4:40 PM)

I've covered in multiple articles how Boldin is not a matchup-busting WR, so he'd be a best fit for a team needing an elite possession receiver and that is in a Super Bowl run. Philly fits that mold and they have the picks to make a deal, so I'd look for Boldin in green if Arizona doesn't sign him to a longer term deal.

Cyrus (San Francisco, CA)

WAIT, WHAT??!?!? How on earth can you put Eli and Rivers ahead of SHAUN HILL!? He wins, like, more games than he loses on the 49ers! Are you nuts?!?

KC Joyner

  (4:41 PM)

Very funny! Actually, I just broke down the Dallas-SF game from week 12 last night, so maybe that had something to do with it!

Ryan, SF

nice! a little fight. maybe you and Kuharsky can have a joint face off 2 chat, to "discuss" your opinions.

KC Joyner

  (4:42 PM)

Fight?! I don't know that I'd go that far. Just a friendly disagreement!

I Hate Dunta (Houston, TX)

Do you think the Texans could package Dunta and get some value? Seems like his reputation far exceeds his production.

KC Joyner

  (4:43 PM)

I Hate Dunta - are you a cousin of He Hate Me? As far as Robinson goes, you are exactly correct about his reputation versus his production. I can't see Houston getting a ton of value out of him.

KC's Brain

Note to self: Never answer a "Top 5 / 10 ranking" question again!

KC Joyner

  (4:44 PM)

Funny!

Eric (Long Island, NY)

Kc do you have the metrics on the Bills oline? I know you write about Peters but I was interested in a lot of the other guys? I know the run game improved early on and they gave up a good number of sacks but I felt there was a lot of games where the qb's had time to throw. What did you see?

KC Joyner

  (4:46 PM)

At the moment I'm working on the Dallas O line metrics for a mag article I'm writing, but as soon as I am finished with that I will be working on finishing the AFC East metrics. I might not have Buffalo done quite by next week but I'll be certain to in two weeks time, so shoot me this question then and I will answer it!

Scott (Richmond VA)

We all know that Super Bowl windows are relatively small. That said, the Giants have 6 picks in the first 3 rounds, Shouldn't they do whatever it takes to get a Braylon Edwards to stretch the field and put them in the lead for the SUPER BOWL?

KC Joyner

  (4:47 PM)

I like the idea of Braylon in NY. When he is on, he is one of the rare matchup busting WRs. Put him in there with a fast developing Steve Smith and a quickly improving Kevin Boss and Eli could have a very good set of pass catchers.

Mike (San Diego)

KC, you do know that Mad Mike is driving that Texans bandwagon...he's also a 49ers fan. I would jump off that bandwagon, as if it were on fire!

KC Joyner

  (4:48 PM)

Mike, I'll leave him to a burning SF bandwagon but I'm sticking with my Houston one even if it is on fire!

Fernando Surcinelli (Sorocaba - Sp - Brazil)

Hey KC, we really never know what Belichick will do in the draft. But now that they addressed one of they're biggest needs (DBs) through FA, they have to go LB / DE in the draft right? Your thoughts on what will happen in the first 2 rounds for the pats?

KC Joyner

  (4:50 PM)

I think you are right about LB/DE for at least one of their top picks. I'd like to see them go for a quality CB as well.

Matt Ryan (Atlanta)

Where am I on that list? Top Ten?

KC Joyner

  (4:51 PM)

The grief for that top 10 listing is never ending! I wonder if Letterman gets this for his nightly top 10s. As far as Ryan goes, he's in the upper half and rising quickly. Top 10 isn't far off.

Tom (SF)

KC - Are Marvel Smith and Joe Staley's metrics good enough to be bookends?

KC Joyner

  (4:53 PM)

I've had a chance to look at some Staley video and I'm just not sold for his being a good LT. His run blocking isn't spectacular and his pass blocking leaves a ton to be desired. I'm still in limbo on Smith because I've only broken down a couple of his games, so let me get back to you on that one.

Zach (Bronx, NY)

KC, Wouldn't it be awesome if for the game the NFL wants to add to it schedule they made a matchup between an AFC and NFC team that would get played every year - GIants/Jets, Cowboys/Texans, Steelers/Eagles?

KC Joyner

  (4:54 PM)

I'm with you on that one! I think having a rivalry game is a terrific idea. It would be a great fit for that extra game, as the league could keep the current 16 game setup and just add that game as #17.

Cyrus (San Francisco, CA)

Serious question this time. The Niners have had zero pass rush since J. Peterson bolted. Why, for any reason, in a draft this deep with pass rush talent, would they do anything but take an DE or pass rushing OLB at 10, especially after signing Marvel Smith?

KC Joyner

  (4:55 PM)

Cyrus, I think you have the Niners pegged as to what they'll do in the draft.

Sean (Philly)

KC, am I crazy, or should Cinci get involved in the Cutler sweepstakes? Trade Palmer for the younger Cutlerand a third rounder or so, trade 85 for something, take Crabtree with their first pick. Denver gets a franchise QB, and Cinci gets younger and has a nice foundation to rebuild.

KC Joyner

  (4:56 PM)

An interesting idea there, Sean. The big roadblock would be if Palmer's elbow is back to full strength and/or if it has any negative long term impact on his game.

Mike (San Diego)

KC, as an Iggles fan, I don't know that I want to play the Steelers every year.

KC Joyner

  (4:57 PM)

Mike, as an NFL fan, I can tell you I think a yearly Philly-Pittsburgh game would be great!

SteveFitz (Cicero, IL)

KC my friend, I was talking about being inept with the QB position. You don't think it's been a joke for the Bears? I love my Bears, but come on, 1 championship since 1963. Sid Lukman is the all-time passing leader and he retired in 1950. Come on KC, stabalize the position.

KC Joyner

  (4:58 PM)

On that front, I'd completely agree with you, Steve. Even with that, do you think Cutler is a stabilizing factor? I'm not sure that he is.

Adam (Jersey)

Plus the problem is that not every team has the "natural rival" in the other conference.

KC Joyner

  (5:00 PM)

Maybe the answer here is to set up new rivalries. Anyone got any ideas?

Sean (Philly)

Everyone talks about Cutlers turnovers last year, but that team had no other option but to throw the ball. Their D stunk, and how many RB's did they go through last year? If everyone knows you are throwing it, you will get picked, especially on a short field.

KC Joyner

  (5:01 PM)

The issue for me isn't Cutler's turnovers but rather how many of them came from bad decisions. He's been a 5% bad decision QB for his career and his totals have really never dropped below that. That means 1 out of 20 passes is some kind of error leading to an int or a near int. You can't win long term with that kind of error making.

Adam (Jersey)

Forced rivalries? That'll be tough... KC/STL, TB/MIA, SD/SF?

KC Joyner

  (5:03 PM)

Add in the Philly-Pitt game and Dallas-Houston and you have 10 teams covered. I had trouble with the NFC North, as they have that area of the country covered. Maybe Detroit-Cleveland to reignite the feud of the 1950s?

Cyrus (San Francisco, CA)

How do bad decisions account for situation? Let's say it's the end of the game and you're down 4, 3rd and long, QB has to make a play but the only good decision is to throw it away. Does forcing it into coverage in that situation carry less weight?

KC Joyner

  (5:04 PM)

In cases where the QB has no choice but to throw (i.e. 4th down, on a two point play, etc.), no bad decision is given.

Chad Pennington and Kurt Warner

We old timers still crack your top 10 right?

KC Joyner

  (5:05 PM)

Warner is an absolute yes and Pennington is a borderline yes. Well, I've got to hit the road. Before i go, I did want to mention that Scientific Football 2009 is now available for pre-order at www.thefootballscientist.com. Hope to see you all next week!