Kevin Seifert

  (1:01 PM)

Hi everyone. Sorry I'm a minute late. I was trying to get the Lions new logo and uniforms inputted into our system for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully they'll get up at some point during our chat. Check out the NFC North blog periodically... OK, let's get to it.

bob...new jersey [via mobile]

hey kevin why does every other division gets more then an hour in a chat. whats up with dat the north is where its at man.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:03 PM)

Ah, good question. I kind of view this disturbing trend the same way I do the six-minute ab workout. Pretty soon, somebody will come out with the five-minute abs (Thanks, There's Something About Mary) and blow you out of the water. If I start going two hours, then someone else will go three. Soon, the four will be the old three. I prefer to just rock the hour and move on.

Jessie ( West Chester Pa. )

Good afternoon Kevin! Do you think Minnesota is glad the Eagles aren't going to take an OT? There's a good chance M.Oher or E.Britton will be there for the taking at 22 or are they more likely to go with a WR like Hakeem Nicks or D.Hayward-Bey? Or am I wrong alltogether and they pass on an OT and the playmaking WR that they desperately need to go for the best availible QB instead?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:04 PM)

I agree that an offensive tackle, all things equal, makes a lot more sense than a receiver. I'm sure there are some Vikings people who are salivating over the possibility of getting Percy Harvin, or even Darrius Heyward-Bey to go alongside Bernard Berrian. But there is a greater immediate need at right tackle.

Tim (California Viking)

Morning Kevin. I have a way to fix the draft. Since everyone is complaining how much the first pick in the draft is, give the team with the worst record the choice of which spot they want to pick at, then keep going down the line with the next worse record, and so on and so forth until you get to the Super Bowl champ getting the final pick. Who knows, they may end up winning the SB and having to pick first!!

Kevin Seifert

  (1:05 PM)

Not a bad point. Mike Sando over at the NFC West blog has suggested a similar idea. It would take some organizing on the front end, but it could be done.

Chucky (GB. Wisc)

Is it out of the realm of possibilities the Pack trade back a few if Sanchez is still available to whoever wants him most. There are some good 3-4 parts in this draft but none i feel are worthy of #9. This way they can stockpile and try to address multiple needs

Kevin Seifert

  (1:06 PM)

Certainly a possibility. Ted Thompson is a pretty active trader on draft day. But the way it sounds now, I wonder if Sanchez will still be there at No. 9. He's said to be moving up a lot of draft boards.

Greg (Boston)

I have heard that the agents for Matt Stafford and Jason Smith are in Detroit today, is there any truth to this?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:07 PM)

There have been reports that Tom Condon was in town at the end of last week. I hadn't heard they were in town today.

Pete (Alexandria, VA)

Kevin...it seems the majority of Lions fans want the team to draft Curry over Stafford. Do you think that is the right pick?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:08 PM)

I have a hard time picking a linebacker No. 1 overall, especially if you're going to play him out of position in the middle. If all three guys grade out equally, I go with Stafford. If Stafford is lower than the other two, I go with the left tackle. Makes more sense from a team-building perspective.

eric (NY)

Kevin, the Bears will select _____________________ with their second round pick?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:09 PM)

Who knows. There are so many variables with 48 previous picks. All things equal, they'd love to have a receiver. It sounds like Robiskie will be gone. Maybe they grab the Georgia kid, Mohamed Massaquoi.

tom nj [via mobile]

Try the 6 second abs that I advocate. Instead of a six pack Im sporting a keg. NICE!

Kevin Seifert

  (1:10 PM)

Yes, I hear the six (flat) tire look is in as well.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

But a two-hour chat would mean more talk about the Lions and Packers 3-4 and that isn't a good thing.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:10 PM)

There are many things that aren't a good thing about a two-hour chat. Carpal tunnel is another.

Greg (Boston)

Are the Lions seriously considering drafting Aaron Curry or was his agents presence at Detroit mini camp a bargaining chip for Matt Stafford contract talks?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:11 PM)

If I had to guess, I'd say the Lions wanted Curry's agents seen in order to put pressure on Stafford's agents. I think if they can get a deal done with Stafford, that's where it's going to go.

Kimberly (wi)

Who do you see the Packers taking in the first rd

Kevin Seifert

  (1:12 PM)

Depends on how much of a risk Ted Thompson is willing to take. Andre Smith, the talented left tackle, should be there. So might B.J. Raji, the big nose tackle. If I'm a Packers fan, I'm happy with either one of those picks.

hank (Steeler fan in Texas)

2 hour chat would also mean moreCutler talk!!!!!

Kevin Seifert

  (1:13 PM)

Hah! We made it 12 minutes before Jay Cutler got mentioned.

Steve (NYC)

If you were the Bears GM would you rather pick the top FS or the 7th or 8th best wr with your second round pick? What would help this team more??? Keep in mind Bennet did nothing as a rookie and he was a 3rd round pick

Kevin Seifert

  (1:14 PM)

Very good point. Safeties are almost always value picks. We've hashed through the rookie receiver thing pretty well on the blog. If the Bears thought they needed immediate impact at the position, they should have signed a free agent. All of this talk about a second-round receiver clouds the fact that they could have their pick of almost every college safety in the country.

Derek (Green Bay)

Do you think the Packers should have traded Kampman for a similar package that the Chiefs did for Allen, instead of playing him out of position?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:15 PM)

Not sure they would have gotten that kind of value for Kampman, but the big difference here is that Kampman wants to play for the Packers and I don't think you could say that for Jared Allen.

Nathan (OKC)

Where can i find the lions new attire?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:16 PM)

We'll have it on the blog shortly, hopefully. Also, I expect it to be at DetroitLions.com soon.

Mark (Detroit)

I loved the fans chanting "No Matt Stafford" at the new logo unveiling. This town wants nothing to do with this kid.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:17 PM)

Is that true? I'd love to hear more from people who heard it or saw it. Hit my mailbag over on the blog.

Wowza (Michigan)

Do you have a favorite team?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:18 PM)

I root for the best story. Sounds trite, but it's true.

Mike (Minnesota)

I know this sounds crazy... but as A. Winfields career winds down in MN could you see a sure tackler like him playing Safety?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:18 PM)

It makes a lot of sense, and I've thought the same thing. But the fact is that he's better in coverage now than he was as a much younger player. There's no reason to consider a move at this point, and he's already, what, 32? How many more years would he play anyway?

Jeff, Mpls

With the fate of the Williams wall undecided, and given the age of Pat, would it make sense for the Vikes to grab a DT maybe in the 2-3 round?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:19 PM)

I think they definitely need to start thinking about the future of their nose tackle position. They would be doing that anyway, however, and not just because Pat Williams might miss four games.

Ryan (Lynnwood, WA)

I'm a Packer fan and not a Ted Thompson hater, but I have to believe that with the exception of OT, the Packers should avoid drafting offense entirely in this draft. Am I right or just overthinking this?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:21 PM)

Definitely in the first round, but I don't know that you can say that beyond there. A lot of people think they could use another running back to go with Ryan Grant. And you never know if James Jones is going to hold up as a third receiver, or how much longer Donald Driver is going to play. I'm fine with them taking a running back and/or receiver. But the way the draft shapes up, they would be taking a player at that position with the No. 9 pick anyway.

Wowza (Michigan)

You are going to be front and center for one of the greatest sports stories in a generation. Keep careful notes.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:21 PM)

Which is?

Chris (Broadview Heights, OH)

I'm trying to understand why Lions fans are so against drafting Matt Stafford? Based on what I've seen, there are many offensive tackles and linebackers in the draft. There is one Matt Stafford and Detroit has Calvin Johnson with no franchise QB. This should be a no-brainer, right?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:23 PM)

But from the sounds of it, there aren't 100 percent agreement that there is only one Matthew Stafford. He's the best quarterback in the draft, but that's only a relative thing. If he was a year older and came out last year, I don't think we'd be having this discussion. The question is whether you think he can be a 10-year starter for your team, not if he's the best quarterback the year you happen to be drafting first and need a quarterback.

Andy (Denver)

Isn't Raji to GB pretty much a no brainer?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:24 PM)

If he's there. Someone could grab him before then. He is the best defensive tackle in the draft.

Wowza (Michigan)

We ask the question around here.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:24 PM)

True that.

cris, los angeles [via mobile]

Do the vikes even need a qb with adrian peterson back there. All they need is a game manager which none of the qbs did last season,if their qbs did what collins did for the titans I see them winning the didvision just cut back on mistakes.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:25 PM)

A game manager might win you the division, but you won't get far in the playoffs. Quarterbacks win playoff games and Super Bowls, not running backs.

Josh [via mobile]

Why dont detroit use a number 1 pick and pick up peppers

Kevin Seifert

  (1:26 PM)

Carolina, like every other NFL team, doesn't want the No. 1 pick. Too expensive and no sure-fire star out there to grab.

the bpX (Toledo, OH)

Hey Kevin, word on the street is that the Browns really want Aaron Curry. Any way the Lions bluff that they will take Curry, and trade the pick to Cleveland for Brady Quinn, freeing up the Lions to focus on other needs. I know it doesn't seem likely, but it would help the Lions fill multiple needs. What are you hearing?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:27 PM)

That's the kind of scenario it would take, but it seems to me that talk of trading down is all but dead at this point. The difference between 1-5 is too great from a financial standpoint. And this year, the talent is too evenly spread to justify it.

Bobby (GH Michigan)

are the lions switching to a 3-4? i heard some rumors. if so, arron curry would be perfect!!!!

Kevin Seifert

  (1:29 PM)

Jim Schwartz has been pretty clear that he's not looking to do that. If the Lions end up drafting Curry, I think they play him at middle linebacker with Sims and Peterson on the outside.

sebastian (nj (chicago fan))

I missed the answer...damn work....so was it the same one that leaked out?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:29 PM)

Yep, it was the leaked version.

Mike (Minnesota)

How many times can we(vikings) decline a 10 yard holding penalty on 3rd down allowing our opponent to kick a 43 yard FG in a playoff game? before childress is fired?! Andy Reid is still laugin... I bet

Kevin Seifert

  (1:31 PM)

Random question, but that one threw me, too. I still don't get it. None of the explanations we got made sense to me.

TFW BRICK NJ [via mobile]

I hear Matt Stafford was leading the *No Matt* chants. Any truth?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:32 PM)

If he wants max value on his contract, he shouldn't be saying that.

Jeff (rapid City,sd)

Was it a good choice for the bears to pick up orlando pace with the wear and tear thats been done to his body over his career?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:33 PM)

I think that's a fair criticism. He was pretty durable last year, but overall Pace has missed 25 games in the past three years. I'd definitely be worried about whether he can make it through a 16-game season. The Bears have a contingency plan -- the can move Chris Williams back to left tackle and put Kevin Shaffer in at right -- but that's not the ideal scenario.

Corey (HB, CA)

I noticed a few other ESPN bloggers predict each record for their division's teams. I appreciated reading your schedule analysis and would certainly be interested in seeing your predictions. Would you please do that? If not, why?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:34 PM)

I'll take it into consideration. It's a fun thing but not something I trust myself to actually be right on. Let's see how the draft goes, at least.

Jeff, Mpls

How important is Scott Studwell and others to the Vikes draft? I know Spielman makes the final call, but say if Studwell really likes a player and Chili doesn't, who has more influence?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:35 PM)

In that scenario, I would say Childress. But I don't agree with some of the assessments out there that Childress has more power than Spielman in the draft room. From everything I've been told, Spielman has the final say.

Matt (Oconto Falls, WI)

The problem with passing on Stafford is that they are delaying any real rebuilding for yet another year. They have no long-term solution at QB. If Culpepper goes down, neither of the Drews will really be able to help. If they wait til next year they will probably get to choose a really good spread QB who never played against a defense in his life (I'm looking at you, Big 12). Whee! As usual, the Lions picked a great time to get to pick #1 in a draft with a lot of #10-pick-talent at the top.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:36 PM)

Right. That's why the central question is whether Stafford can do it. If you don't think he can, or you're not sure, then you're potentially putting yourself in a deeper hole than if you just wait until someone comes along that you're more confident in.

Jessie ( West Chester )

Some of the greatest minds the NFL has known have stated that a team should be built from the trenches out. So with that said wouldn't it be fair to say that Detroit should start building from the ground up instead of trying to piece things together without a proper foundation? I'm sure Stafford feels the same way the fans feel about him. That would be sad to ruin another promising QB in that quagmire they call a franchise!!!

Kevin Seifert

  (1:37 PM)

That's true. A good quarterback gets crushed behind a bad offensive line. But the most ideal scenario is to build up a line while you develop a quarterback behind the scenes. So ideally, the quarterback is ready to play at the same time you've got your line meshed.

Bert (South Dakota)

Could you pass on the idea that major league baseball gets blog network similar to that of the nfls.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:37 PM)

Yes, but then you would have to read about baseball every day. Seriously, good idea. Consider it passed along.

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

With Peterson, Sims, and Dizon, why would the Lions overpay for a LB? Is one of them not considered a good fit in the new system?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:38 PM)

I wouldn't include Dizon in that list. He is prettty undersized in this defense and I'm not sure if the Lions have any long-term plans for him at this point.

Chris - Wausau, Wis

You haven't talked / responded to me in a couple fo weeks !! Food for thought - - with the success ratio of 1st and 2nd round picks so low, why wouldn't teams do another "Jared Allen" type trade? The Purple gave up a lot for him, but they got a YOUNG and PROVEN player, as opposed to a hyped up pick that has about a 50% chance of being either average or a bust? I just don't see why people/GMs value the early part of the draft so high.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:40 PM)

Glad to have you back, Chris. I think you're seeing a bit of a backlash at the value on the top of the draft. People are starting to fall in line with the thinking that dedicating so much money to a college player isn't the best use of resources.

Brett Favre (Minneapolis, MN)

Any rumors about me coming back? Am i going to have surgery? Do I want to play for Minnesota still? God, I hate Green Bay.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:40 PM)

Ha! A full 40 minutes until Brett Favre's name surfaced. No news on your front.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:40 PM)

Or back.

George (Center of the Earth)

Where will Gus Frerotte end up? Do you see him as an ideal backup QB?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:41 PM)

Sounds like it will be St. Louis or nowhere. And it might be nowhere after Kyle Boller signed.

John (Detroit)

The reason the Lion fans chanted "No Matt Stafford" is b/c they're idiots who don't know what they want. And I'll include myself in that group.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:41 PM)

Fair enough. So there was definitely a loud chant?

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

Do you see the Lions going on a "Millen purge", much like Parcells is doing in Miami? Johnson and Sims might be keepers, but how many other picks are truly worth keeping?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:44 PM)

For different reasons, maybe. They'll purge the guys that can't play. They can't afford to let good players go.

John (Providence, RI)

Will the NFL ever consider using the NBA format for the first round, where the contracts are guaranteed for years and dollars based on where the player is picked? It is ridiculous that no team is willing to trade for a top three pick because of the guaranteed money invloved.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:46 PM)

Yeah, the NFL is slotted like the NBA, but the value of the slots are much, much higher and rise much more considerably as you get higher in the draft. So the way to change the NFL is to limit the amount of money you give to rookies and shift those dollars to veterans.

Chuck (Minneapolis)

Have you heard if any progress has been made on an extension for Greg Jennings? I'd assume it would wait until after the draft now, but it seems like a no-brainer that the Packers should get that done prior to training camp, correct?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:47 PM)

There's no rush, but there's been no indication a deal is imminent. I would be surprised if the Packers don't work this out in a timely fashion. Jennings wants to be there, is a good citizen and is obviously highly productive. Nothing to worry about at this point.

javier chicago il [via mobile]

Hey kevin any word on the bears and bouldin?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:49 PM)

I just don't think the Bears have the firepower to do that deal even if they wanted to. It's going to take at least a first-round pick, and the Bears don't have one until 2011.

Drew (Buffalo)

How come nobody spells Boldin correctly?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:49 PM)

Darn spellcheck.

Drew (Green Bay)

If Kampman doesn't work out for the Packers this year, does it hurt his stock or will a 4-3 team ignore the year in the 3-4 scheme?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:52 PM)

Interesting question. I don't think it helps. The big thing is that he'll be a year older. If your scenario unfolds and other teams are looking at Kampman for 2010, he's now a 31-year-old defensive end whose last productive year was in 2008. So, yes, I think it would have some level of impact. But again, the Packers would be silly not to figure out a way to use him in a way that maximizes his ability.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:53 PM)

By the way, the Lions logo is up on the blog. Working on the uniform.

Eric (Minny)

I was looking at the schedule. Does it seem like Pack/Bears/Viks will all win 10 games? It's just to easy.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:54 PM)

I guess it's possible. The best thing I can say is that I really think the NFC North is wide open right now. A lot of people are overlooking the Packers, probably me included, because of their year last year. But let's see what kind of impact Dom Capers can make on the defense.

Maria ( Ponca City Okla. )

Hi Kevin! My husband wanted me to ask if you thought that the Pack are in good shape if they can land a DE like A.Maybin or R.Ayers with the ninth pick? I told him you can't go wrong with a Vol cause that's my old school, but he'd rather have your opinion! I hope I worded that okay.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:55 PM)

Nice job. Maybin would fit in pretty well, but there might be some better players available at other positions at No. 9 overall.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

I hope it didn't cost them a lot of money to come up with the new logo. It's not a heck of a lot different than the old one.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:55 PM)

Agreed. VERY subtle.

Jayme (Wausau)

Ted Thompson has a history of taking character guys who are in-shape and real "football people." Why is there any speculation that he'd take Andre Smith?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:57 PM)

Good question. There hasn't been any speculation that he's interested, other than the fact that he attended the Alabama pro day. But there has been a lot of discussion about the decision he would face. Any scout will tell you that Smith played the best of any left tackle last year in college football. All things equal, he would be the best player in the draft. There are definitely character and conditioning concerns, which any team is going to have to evaluate. But the question becomes whether Thompson is willing to overlook those issues to get a premier left tackle that will need some extra coaching and monitoring, or does he not take that risk?

tom nj [via mobile]

Packers, Vikes and Bears will have ten wins....between them.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:57 PM)

Ouch.

Bobby (GH Michigan)

at least the layne curse is over now...right?!

Kevin Seifert

  (1:58 PM)

It's been 50 years, so I guess so.

Brian (CA)

As a 49er fan, I feel that Raji will be the best pick for my team. Every time I look at the draft order, I just can't find a scenario where Raji falls past the Packers at #9. Have the Packers shown much interest in drafting Raji?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:58 PM)

It's hard to tell, but knowing how Ted Thompson thinks, it's hard to imagine him letting Raji get by.

Chris - Wausau, Wis

What percent of people typing questions to you are doing it on their employers time?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:59 PM)

With any luck, all of them.

Andy (NYC)

How many wins do you think the new Lions uniform/logo are going to be worth this season?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:59 PM)

Somewhere between -1 and 1.

Mickey Loumis (New Orleans)

Do you like the rumors I started about Raji so he would fall to us at 14?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:00 PM)

I don't think anyone is buying what you're selling.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:00 PM)

OK, thanks everyone. It's been a great HOUR. ... Chat with you next week.