KC Joyner

  (4:01 PM)

Hello! Let's talk some football. I'm especially interested to hear any Madden stories you might have, as he is by far, bar none my favorite announcer of all time.

BSB (Philly-Spreadsheet Hades)

Which young OT would you rather have on your team? Clady, Long, or Thomas. Thomas may have the more superior metrics, but is he the better player

KC Joyner

  (4:02 PM)

Spreadsheet Hades - at least you've kept your sense of humor! Of the three, I'd probably take Long but it would be really close. I might take Clady if I were operating a passing team.

eric buffalo [via mobile]

comment...big ben over the last 2 years has carried the offense. 07@08 there rushing attack was in the 20's. eli or rivers better? c'mon man!

KC Joyner

  (4:04 PM)

I'd agree on Ben and the reason he's had to carry it is their O line isn't that good at run blocking. And I'd have to take Rivers based on last year but if you asked me who I'd take for the next five year stretch, I'd say Eli.

Bryan (Columbia, MD)

What do you see the cowboys getting in the draft with the few picks that they have?

KC Joyner

  (4:05 PM)

It's tough to say because they will probably go with best available. They don't have any strong needs that just scream draft pick.

Phillip Rivers (San Diego)

How do you think Cutler will look back on his first season in Chicago given what they have going on there?

KC Joyner

  (4:06 PM)

I think Cutler will enjoy having Greg Olsen as his tight end and throwing the occasional bomb to Hester, but otherwise he's going to find this offense not nearly as friendly to his stats as Denver's was.

John (NYC)

So, totally random but I'm trying to decide: what's the best workout center for your money?

KC Joyner

  (4:06 PM)

I swear sometimes the questions that get posted are just plain odd!

John Smoots (charlotte NC,)

hey what will the panthers do with free agency. will they get any big name players or anything. who do you think the panthers might have the chance of getting, if peppers is not traded, want to get

KC Joyner

  (4:08 PM)

I'll stick with the Peppers portion of this question. They are going to want top value for him and there simply may not be as many suitors for him as Carolina might think. He's a dominant player but he's also been around for a few years.

Maliki (Kona)

Is there a statistical edge (given the right players) for a team to prefer the 3-4 over the 4-3?

KC Joyner

  (4:09 PM)

If there is a stat edge it would come from the pass rush flexibility the 3-4 gives you. In a 4-3, the four pass rushers are already dictated but in a 3-4 you can alter that fourth rusher to be anyone.

Zach (Bronx, NY)

KC, What did your eye tell you about Antonio Smith, and how do you measure defensive ends who will move inside to the under tackle position in pass rushing situations?

KC Joyner

  (4:11 PM)

I've not quite gotten through enough Smith tape of yet (I'm finishing up the AFC East and took some time out to finish the Cowboys last week), so I can't quite say what my thoughts are on him. As far as DEs who move inside, the measurement I'd be interested in seeing is how well their inside rush totals match up against their outside ones.

John Madden

KC you know I am retiring but I will still check in on the chats from time to time. To have a chat you have to have people asking questions and someone answering them, because that's how you have chats. BOOM!

KC Joyner

  (4:12 PM)

I am totally bummed Madden is retiring. He truly was my all-time favorite announcer. He changed the way the world sees football and it won't be the same without him.

Bryan (Columbia, MD)

What draft prospect do you think will do the most damage next season? Im feeling Curry

KC Joyner

  (4:13 PM)

Curry is probably the most NFL ready player in the draft in that he could go to pretty much any system and start on day one. That's a huge edge for immediate damage potential so I'd agree with you.

Zach (Bronx, NY)

Speaking of Madden, I'm convinced that the Madden video game has created all the talk about 4-3 versus 3-4. Explain to me the substantial difference between a Jim Johnson defense and a Dick Lebeau defense and I'll buy you a coke.

KC Joyner

  (4:15 PM)

One gap vs two gaps and man vs. zone. Johnson will use zones on blitzes but tends to lean more on man coverage. Johnson also tends to blitz more people to get the edge whereas LeBeau leans more on confusing the offense and getting them to leave someone unblocked.

Hunter (Dallas, TX)

Would it be worthwhile for the Cowboys to trade Marion Barber + Greg Ellis + 2nd round + 4th round to the Cardinals for Anquan? That's a Pro Bowl need for one team for another Pro Bowl player on another. I think the Cowboys would be just fine with Felix Jones and Tashard Choice at running back, and they could find a short yardage back in the mid rounds of the draft. I don't believe the Cowboys will do it, but ESPN sure is suggesting they could.

KC Joyner

  (4:17 PM)

I can see them moving Ellis given the depth they have at OLB but sending Barber as well? Maybe if they picked up a decent RB in the draft but let's not forget that when Barber went out last year, Dallas was down to one good RB. If they traded him and didn't get a solid RB replacement, they are one injury away from being in that same boat. It would actually only take an injury that could slow down a RB and not necessarily put him out for the year to put them in a bad spot.

Kevin (Austin TX)

KC, is it me or is Anquan Boldin a perfect fit for the Eagles' west coast offense?

KC Joyner

  (4:19 PM)

He is but the issue for Philly is whether they want to pay the high price. The Eagles have a great passing system in place that has allowed them to be very productive without ever having great wideouts. That means they don't necessarily think they have to have top talent there to win.

BSB- (Philly)

Since Tamba Hali no longer fits in the Chiefs plans, could he be had for a 2/3 round pick this year?

KC Joyner

  (4:19 PM)

You'd think so and he'd be a guy worth taking a #3 pick chance on.

Corey (Washington DC)

KC, given what you know of Braylon Edwards and the Giants offense, what kind of numbers could you realistically see Braylon getting if he is in fact a member of the Giants next year?

KC Joyner

  (4:20 PM)

I would see NY using him in the same way they used Plaxico, so look for those kinds of totals.

BSB-(philly)

Which RB will have the better metrics this year, Brown, Wells, or the GA Rb?

KC Joyner

  (4:20 PM)

I've seen more of Knowshon so I'm on his bandwagon.

Zach (Bronx, NY)

How much harder do you consider an inside sack as opposed to an outside sack by a DE? Is one more valuable strategically or is a hit a hit?

KC Joyner

  (4:22 PM)

The strategic edge of an inside pass rusher is that you can now take advantage of any pass blocking weakness on the O line. It's what the Eagles used to do with Reggie White years ago. I remember breaking down a playoff game they had against Detroit where they moved him inside and some Lions linemen simply had no chance of stopping him. Reggie was too good and the other guy too mediocre.

Fiona (Brooklyn NY)

KC! If Braylon is traded to the Giants, do you expect him to be closer to the Braylon of 2007, 2008, or somewhere in between?

KC Joyner

  (4:23 PM)

I'd expect it to be closer to the 2007 version. He needs some coaching up (and not just on the dropped passes) and Coughlin's staff are just the guys to do that.

Billy (San Diego CA)

KC, I know its early, but when do you project your book to come out this year?

KC Joyner

  (4:25 PM)

I'm doing the run metrics again this year, so the research mountain is quite high. It still looks like a late July release but I'm thinking of doing some research releases as I go along and sending them out to purchasers of the book.

KC Joyner

  (4:26 PM)

And, by the way, allow me the quick plug - Scientific Football 2009 can be pre-ordered (along with the 2009 fantasy material) at www.thefootballscientist.com.

Robert (Huntsville, Al)

I'm still baffled at how Stafford is the #1 prospect. He is the same player he was out of high school. Lots of promise, but too many bad decisions and horrible throws. I just don't get it. Do NFL teams watch football games?

KC Joyner

  (4:27 PM)

I'm with you on the bad decisions, but the same thing could have been said about Matt Ryan. Ryan had terrible bad decision totals his senior year (over 6%) and yet he toned his risk taking down in his first year. I'm not saying Stafford is Ryan but the precedent for improvement in other prospects is there.

Danny (Oklahoma)

Hey killer, My question to you is why are people saying Aaron Kampman can't play OLB in 3-4 defense? Have you seen the guy? He has like no fat on him. He's one the best d-ends in the game, and now that he gets to have running power when going against those tackles. Seems like a good fit. What do you think?

KC Joyner

  (4:28 PM)

If there was a question about Kampman, it would be if he could blitz. I'm thinking speed isn't a question for him, so blitzing shouldn't be a problem, but that's probably why people are saying that.

DC

Dear KC, Why are the Redskins so dumb? Regards, All of DC

KC Joyner

  (4:29 PM)

I don't think it's a matter of intelligence with Washington but rather one of patience. They just need to let Zorn and Campbell develop and they will be fine at both of the most important spots on a football team.

Cole (KC)

How did Brandon Albert do at OLT last year for the Chiefs? Would either Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe be an upgrade? I'm trying to figure out why the Chiefs would pick a LT at #3. Thanks.

KC Joyner

  (4:31 PM)

I'm about a quarter of the way through the KC season and have to say that Albert isn't quite as good as I thought he would be. The O line was rather raw all the way around, however, so I'm wondering how much of that was due to the talent around him. I would not give up on him and take a replacement LT, that's for sure. They have enough other holes to fill to not overinvest in a position they already have a quality starting prospect at.

Robert (Huntsville, Al)

Wouldn't you say that Ryan is the exception to the rule though? Having one rookie QB lead a team to the playoffs is almost unheard of. Having two of them do it is insane. Teams are going to try and copy that when there is a 1 in a million chance of that happening ever again. It's just...so...frustrating...

KC Joyner

  (4:33 PM)

You know what the downside of doing a late in the week, 4 o'clock chat is? I always get people at the end of their ropes. We used to get posters talking about jumping off of bridges and, Robert, I hope you aren't one of them!

steve (seattle)

Do you think Cromartie bounces back and becomes a superstar - or - was he a flash in the pan?

KC Joyner

  (4:35 PM)

Cromartie is a ballhawk. He's not a great coverage CB and when the ints don't come for him, he tries too hard to get them and gets burned. If he learns when to take chances, he'll bounce back. Otherwise we could be looking at another Lito Sheppard.

John (MPLS)

Don't talk to me about frustration with the QB position until you've been a Vikings fan under the Childress regime! Talk about frustrating!!!

KC Joyner

  (4:35 PM)

See? More Thursday afternoon frustration!

Bert Denver Colorado

Hey, Is it completely outrageous to say that Denver will draft Mark Sanchez and Beanie Wells with their two picks? Would that be crazy, or smart?

KC Joyner

  (4:36 PM)

I'd call that smart if they could work it out that way. Sanchez gives them the prospect McDaniels will want and Wells an upgrade at RB.

john Smoots (charlotte NC,)

where do you think Plex will end up. do you think carolina can get anyone big named? i am a huge carolina fan and there aren't many things out there about carolina.

KC Joyner

  (4:38 PM)

They probably could get him but I don't think they want the potential headache that is Plaxico. Having said that, they haven't found a good alternate WR for Smith, so maybe they'll try something different and go for him.

John (MPLS)

But honestly, do you think TJax/Sage have what it takes to go deep in the playoffs? They seem to be willing to spend money at every position but the most important one. It just doesn't make much sense to me.

KC Joyner

  (4:39 PM)

I'm still of the mindset that Jackson is a playoff caliber QB in the right situation. When the pressure was taken off of him after losing his job last year and then having to come back in, he seemed more relaxed and it's a lot of why he played better. If that Jackson can play 16 games, I can see Minnesota going to the divisional round or later.

joe(NYC)

leon washington wants MJD money. now way he gets it right?

KC Joyner

  (4:40 PM)

It should be the other way around. Washington is the better player and should have the better contract.

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

Do you like the Bengals pickup of Tank Johnson? He seemed like a bad fit in the 3-4.

KC Joyner

  (4:42 PM)

I did an analysis of the Boys for a Maple Street Press mag that will be out this summer. I broke down all of their defensive run metrics and found that Johnson really wasn't that good (a POA win rate of 16% if memory serves me right). He also was pushed around at the POA when at NT, so I'm not big on this pickup.

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

Don't you think Albert would be a better fit at guard? He wasn't projected to be a LT until relatively late in the evaluation process. Put him at LG next to Monroe or Smith and protect the blind side for years.

KC Joyner

  (4:43 PM)

Good point. I could see him pulling a Robert Gallery and playing much better on the inside. It would mean overpaying a guard but if it locks down the left side, it's probably money well spent.

joe(NYC)

so you are saying leon could and should be a great every down back?

KC Joyner

  (4:44 PM)

I don't know that I would go that far but MJD hasn't been an every down back. MJD may be the better power runner but I'd take Leon over him seven days a week in a rotating backfield.

Danny (Oklahoma)

Your Gene Smith at 8, and Crabtree and Raji are up for grabs. Who do you take? Could Raji be better then Stroud? Can Crabtree develop into another Jimmy Smith. Both are crucial positions to their success

KC Joyner

  (4:46 PM)

I'd go Crabtree. The Jags have had good success in run stuffers over the years but haven't done as well at WR. Crabtree would be just the guy to turn that trend around (the bad WR one, that is).

Josh (Houston, TX)

Statistically speaking, what are Josh Mcdaniels' chances of reaching the playoffs in the first year of his first tenure as a head coach. Has it ever been done before?

KC Joyner

  (4:47 PM)

Don McCafferty won the Super Bowl in his first year as an NFL head coach, so yeah it can be done. McDaniels doesn't have the talent on his roster that McCafferty had, so there is no way he wins it, but history says it is possible.

Burwell (Addison, PA)

Are the top ten overanalyzing players? Crabtree was considered a lock in the top 3 until the foot injury, and Malcolm Jenkins is sliding by the day because of his slow 40 time. Their college production speaks for itself, and teams picking later might really get a steal.

KC Joyner

  (4:48 PM)

Overanalyzing players is a very popular industry this time of year! With the kind of money and attention these players get, the overanalyzing is something that teams are just going to do.

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

Who wins the Bucs QB battle: McCown, Leftwich, or Johnson? Do you think a rookie (specifically Freeman) could come in and win the job?

KC Joyner

  (4:49 PM)

I'd lean on Leftwich at the moment simply because he has the best history and has leadership skills that a new regime could use. He's not the long-term solution, though, that's for certain.

Stu (NYC)

Can the effect of a group of players playing together synergistically be measured, e.g. do you have some recent examples of squads playing above their heads? And what would you attribute this to - a dynamic leader?

KC Joyner

  (4:52 PM)

The place where this kind of thing happens most is on O lines. Take Denver during the Shanahan years. Individually they weren't very good and yet did quite well as a group. In fact, they were able to take George Foster and make him an 80% POA win guy. Detroit took him as their right tackle and Foster completely fell apart because the Lions O line wasn't as good collectively as Denver's.

Josh (Houston, TX)

Super Bowl nothing! After the playoff drought Denver's been having I'd be happy to advance past a wild card spot! Thanks for the answer, you the man.

KC Joyner

  (4:53 PM)

Josh, you are different than many Denver fans! They say Super Bowl or bust and fire the coach if they don't get there.

Robert (Huntsville, Al)

Don't worry, I'm not a fan of bridges... Anyway, can you name any successful NFL QB that came into the league after his junior year in college? I'm seriously struggling to come up with a single one right now.

KC Joyner

  (4:55 PM)

I know there have been some successful junior year NFL QBs but I'm coming up blank as well. I'll have to pore over some reference material after the chat and get the info to you next week.

Ryan (San Diego)

That Philip Rivers post was an imposter...he can't even spell his name right

KC Joyner

  (4:57 PM)

Leave it to long-time San Diego poster Ryan to eagle eye any Chargers posts! Well, I've got some tapes that are calling me, so I've got to hit the road. Hope to see you all next week!