Tim Graham

  (2:56 PM)

Good afternoon from the home office in Coral Springs, Fla. I can't stay on for the usual two hours today, so let's get started a little early.

Joseph (Ft Worth)

I was counting on you to be early today Tim, I have gotten about 15 minutes of real, actual work done today and I do not want to get to far over that

Tim Graham

  (2:57 PM)

You've come to the right place, although you might need to find a diversion from about 4 p.m. on. Settle in and enjoy the timfoolery

Really (Miami, FL)

Think Parcells will give us a 3rd draft?

Tim Graham

  (2:58 PM)

I'll predict, yes, he will. He lives in South Florida in the winter anyway. It's a great situation for him given his age and his relative involvement. I think he enjoys the role he's in.

Sadihy (Venezuela)

Tim, if someone at ESPN is going to give an honest answer to this question it's definitely you. Do you think having Matt Millen as a football analyst makes any sense at all? He's the worst pro football GM ever, to me that equals zero credibility.

Tim Graham

  (3:01 PM)

It absolutely makes sense. I think he's a straight shooter, and that's critical to good commentary. He can give insight from a player and executive perspective. I think he'll be entertaining. A lot of failed players/coaches make great commentators.

Paul Kuharsky (TN)

9 days Tim... me...you... 40 yard dash...

Tim Graham

  (3:01 PM)

Bring one of those swine flu-style masks so you don't choke on the dust cloud.

Joseph (Ft Worth)

Are the Dolphins going to figure out how to add more marine related things to thier team? They have the nickname, the Tuna, and now LandShark. What to next, officially nickname the defense the barrier reef?

Tim Graham

  (3:03 PM)

That's pretty good. Maybe they're installing the Wildanemone offense right now.

Evan (Richmond)

How do you think the Bills will do this season after doing decent last year? Should they keep Trent Edwards as QB1 or chase after someone else? Thanks

Tim Graham

  (3:04 PM)

At this stage, the Bills have no better option than Edwards. But this is his year to step up or step aside.

Mike (Vancouver WA)

how do the eagles look this year?

Tim Graham

  (3:04 PM)

Sassy.

Tim Graham

  (3:04 PM)

I have no idea what that means, really.

Dylan (New York)

Should the Jets: A) Sign Plax B) Trade for Edwards C) Trade for Boldin D) None of the above

Tim Graham

  (3:05 PM)

If Burress doesn't face jail time, that would be the easiest transaction. They could sign him to a palatable contract and not have to give up any assets.

Bill (Pomona California)

Hey Tim, who's going to be the opening day QB for the NY Jets, i.e. do you really think Sanchez will be ready by opening day?

Tim Graham

  (3:06 PM)

The folks who have been around the team the past week are getting a strong vibe it will be Sanchez's job to lose. Whether or not he's ready, I'm not sure. We'll know more in a few weeks when he gets to minicamp.

Kevin (Dallas)

Why would the Jets go after Burress given his age, injury history, disinterest in the law or even practicing with his team, when they can get Edwards?

Tim Graham

  (3:07 PM)

Can they?

craig new york

Any news if the Bills will bring in Levi Jones? Do you think he is interested in playing in Buffalo?

Tim Graham

  (3:08 PM)

I'm not sure of the Bills' interest level in Levi Jones. I know they SHOULD be. I've also been told by a source close to Jones he likes the idea of playing for Buffalo but will take his time before he signs with anybody.

Chris (Rockville,MD)

Will Vontae Davis or Sean Smith be starting on game 1?

Tim Graham

  (3:09 PM)

I'll say no, simply because rookie cornerbacks rarely get on the field right away. Perhaps moreso than any other position, cornerbacks have to develop a certain level of trust from the coaching staff first.

Joseph (Ft Worth)

Re: why Burress over Edwards - Burress is a free agent and they can have a contract that he has to be a good team guy or he goes away with nothing.

Jr (Boston)

What your take on the suppose handshake agreement with Jason Taylor and the Pats?

Tim Graham

  (3:10 PM)

My guess is he'll be a Patriot by next weekend.

Levi Jones

Of course I'm interested in playing in Buffalo. I'm used to mediocrity.

Tim Graham

  (3:11 PM)

Mediocrity? You're being kind to the Bengals.

Chris Drury (NYC)

Handshake agreements aren't worth the paper they aren't written on...

Matt

Tim, have you ever wanted--just for fun, of course--to answer questions with a doom n' gloom sort of response? For example, someone says "How do you see the Jets doing this year?" And you say "2-14. Bart Scott breaks his leg and misses the season. Mark Sanchez throws 1 td and 12 picks"

Tim Graham

  (3:12 PM)

Any time somebody asks me what I think about any subject, I wonder if they've suffered a brain injury.

woody (reality for rest of afc east)

true or false: Patriots win the division by at least 4 games this year.

Tim Graham

  (3:12 PM)

No way.

Steiny (NYC)

Do you James Hardy coming back and having a big year?

Tim Graham

  (3:13 PM)

Yes, he'll come back. No, he won't have a big year.

Eric (long Island)

will shonn green have any impact this year, with a fairly unhappy aging jones, is he a good solution, or is he just a bust?

Tim Graham

  (3:14 PM)

At worst, he's a great insurance plan in case Jones' contract situation turns ugly. At best, he's a rugged back who complements Leon Washington.

Drew (Buffalo)

Brick Breaker update? Also, if you don't mind, how many BBM friends do you have?

Tim Graham

  (3:16 PM)

It's a sad story. I was up to 996,000 with 220 lives, and the night of the Pacquiao-Hatton fight it fell out of my pocket and the battery popped out. The game reset itself and I have vowed never to waste another minute on it.

Kalvis (Indy)

This is a question for Paul Kaharsky. How much better is the AFC South than the AFC East?

Tim Graham

  (3:16 PM)

Hang on ... Let me see if he's awake ...

Tim Graham

  (3:17 PM)

Paul says the AFC South will send two teams to the playoffs, but the East will send only one.

Samer (Austin, TX)

Sassy: 1. Rude and disrespectful; impudent. 2. Lively and spirited; jaunty. 3. Stylish; chic: a sassy little hat.

Tim Graham

  (3:18 PM)

I guess that covers it. An answer that's open to interpretation, like Tragically Hip lyrics.

Tim Graham

  (3:19 PM)

Or a David Lynch movie.

rich (MA)

hey tim love the blog. i was wondering: would getting boldin actually help transition sanchez into the starting role that's his to lose and give the jets a legitimate shot to make the playoffs? boldin's ability to catch short passes and run after the catch puts less pressure on either QB but especially sanchez. really any receiver help i feel would help take the pressure off the running game that the jets are so depenent on.

Tim Graham

  (3:20 PM)

You're absolutely right that a higher-caliber receiver would help, but I think the Jets will run a grind-it-out offense whether they get Boldin, Edwards or Burress.

Drew (Buffalo)

Tim....that's terrible....I'm so sorry for your loss. I would be so mad. Which probably gives you an indication about my life....

Tim Graham

  (3:21 PM)

I actually felt relieved. That game was turning into a commitment.

woody (boston,ma)

why no way on the pats winning by 4 games? honestly i dont see another team winning more than 8 games this year. dolphins take a step back with a tougher schedule. Pats add Brady to an 11 win team. Don't think the pats will win 12?

Tim Graham

  (3:22 PM)

I do think the Patriots will win 12. But I don't think the second-best team will be .500.

Ed Hochuli (Chat Ref)

That's illegal use of the hands against Kalvis for asking a question to the wrong chat host plus spelling said chat hosts name incorrectly, 10 yards and it is now 3rd down.

Eddie (NY)

Best Tragically Hip song Tim?

Tim Graham

  (3:23 PM)

Oh, that depends on my mood, I guess. "Grace Too," or maybe "Little Bones," maybe "Bobcaygeon"

Junior Seau (Surfing, CA)

Now that McKenzie is out for the year, when should I expect a call from Bill?

Tim Graham

  (3:24 PM)

About Week 12. As usual.

Mike, Buffalo

ESPN is reporting on one of your ranking sites that the Bills signed Levi Jones. Is there any rumors going around? Thanks Tim!

Tim Graham

  (3:25 PM)

No truth to that. It was an error because that list was taken from John Clayton's accompanying story in which he mentioned Levi Jones as a possibility.

Joe Gonzalez Indio California

I think that Kansas City should sign Larry Foote for the 3-4 defense,i really dont like the way they have the 3-4 defense set up I think that the LDE sould be Tamba Hali,the NT should be Glenn Dorsey,and the RDE if they sign Jason Taylor he should be there but if they dont than Tyson Jackson, and the RLB should be Derrick Johnson i know he used to be an Outside linebacker and the two Middle linebackers should be Zack Thomas,and Larry Foote if they sign which i think they should and the Left Linebacker should be Mike Vrabel, I know the Coach had some problem with Anquan Boldin but if they trade for him he will help the offense a lot and Matt Cassel and help Dwayne Bowe

Tim Graham

  (3:26 PM)

Hope you didn't spend all afternoon typing that. Larry Foote already signed with the Detroit Lions.

Bret Favre

Sorry for the distraction. One of my kids bet me I couldn't get on Sportscenter.

Tim Graham

  (3:27 PM)

Stupid kid.

DJ

Any advice for getting varmints out from under a shed?

Tim Graham

  (3:28 PM)

My buddy, Yosemite Sam, says to call the good folks at Acme.

bob...new jersey [via mobile]

how good was peter cause all i hear in philly now ohh he the best.. were winnin an ring now..and to be honest wit u i neva even heard about him.thx.

Tim Graham

  (3:30 PM)

Nobody ever hears about offensive linemen unless they cause trouble. So they've heard plenty in Buffalo to the point the city was glad to get rid of him. I think he's a great lineman. He'll improve the Eagles.

ESPN Executive (Bristol, CT)

(whispering) Pssst....Tim....hey....HEY TIM!...we strongly suggest you float a rumor that Brett Favre was spotted down in Coral Gables visiting with Bill Parcells. Ratings are a bit low and we know people loooove to hear about Brett Favre.

Tim Graham

  (3:30 PM)

Why would he visit Bills Parcells at the University of Miami campus? The Dolphins are located about an hour north.

Terry (Portland)

So is Pat White going to be a QB/RB/WR/DT/P?

Tim Graham

  (3:31 PM)

The fans down here also want him to be their BFF.

Sadihy (Venezuela)

Hi there Tim. Do you think all this "red carpet" kind of thing Stephen Ross is planning on doing in Miami on gameday could annoy Parcells so much that he'll leave at the endo of the season?

Tim Graham

  (3:34 PM)

It looks like the Dolphins are setting up as an organization that's going keep business separate from football operations. If they can continue to do that, then I think Parcells won't care about whatever gameday pageantry the marketing folks have dreamed up.

Mike (Hartford, CT)

Do you think the Pats should've considered a QB (maybe White) with one of their 2nds or 3rd? I have worry about Brady getting re-injured and having the great Kevin O'Connell lead the team.

Tim Graham

  (3:36 PM)

No, because Kevin O'Connell was a regarded quarterback they took in the third-round last year. He has a year of the Patriots' system under his belt. But I am surprised they haven't pursued a veteran backup. They reportedly made an offer to Patrick Ramsey, but that was all we've heard.

Bob(Lowell)

Don't the Pats have a third QB named Guttierez(sp.) that they are high on?

Tim Graham

  (3:37 PM)

Yes, but they did cut him at the end of training camp last year.

Xander (Philly)

No a shot at you, Tim, but its so annoying that you never hear a bad word about the Pats. They're not perfect.

Tim Graham

  (3:37 PM)

You obviously didn't read any of my coverage of the Matt Cassel trade.

Manny Ramirez (bored in LA)

C'mon man, like you've never accidentally taken a women's fertility drug to treat an unspecified health problem...

Tim Graham

  (3:38 PM)

Accidentally? No.

Tim Graham

  (3:38 PM)

You did say accidentally, right?

Cody(KY)

why are the patriots already so overrated this year? bradys knee wont be good just like palmers wasnt, and the rest of the team is ancient. dolphins should be the favorite. there still young and on the rise. there the champs till beaten right?

Tim Graham

  (3:40 PM)

Everybody looks at the Patriots winning 11 games last year (same as the Dolphins) and they have Brady coming back. It's logical to think they'll do well again this year.

Dave (NC)

Why did the media make such a big deal out of the Cassel trade? They got an offer they liked and they needed to free up cap space. So why not trade him? He's not going to be as good in KC or anywhere else anyway.

Tim Graham

  (3:41 PM)

Because respected analysts, including Floyd Reese before the Patriots hired him, said Cassel was worth multiple picks, including a first rounder and a second rounder.

Bill (Pomona California)

Assuming the Jets don't add another receiver, who starts opposite Cotchery? Clowney for his speed? Thanks!

Tim Graham

  (3:42 PM)

Stuckey and Clowney, it would appear.

Xander (Philly)

WEak argument Tim, and you know it. They didnt need Cassel they have God, er Brady at the helm. But the way the national media talks about them, its like they have the best player at every position, and the bottom line is, besides TB, they arent that special at all.

Tim Graham

  (3:43 PM)

I'm not arguing. You asked me why they're so highly thought of. That's why. If you disagree, fine. But I'm not trying to debate a side here. I'm telling you that is why they're the favorites in Las Vegas.

Jay (Orlando)

How much playing time do you think Pat White will get, and will it most likely all be running the wildcat?

Tim Graham

  (3:44 PM)

As it looks now, I would say it will be almost all Wildcat. The Dolphins are set in the slot with Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo.

Xander (Philly)

Just admit you lost the argument.

Tim Graham

  (3:45 PM)

We need to have an argument for me to lose.

Anthony (NYC)

Tim will Ted Ginn be a go to WR for the Phins or will he be more along the lines of a Reggie Bush type of all purpose player?

Tim Graham

  (3:46 PM)

That's an intriguing thought, but I don't envision that happening.

Fake Xander (Philly)

Just admit that I'm an idiot.

Dylan (New York)

Will the Baltimore Jets have a Baltimore Ravens type D?

Tim Graham

  (3:47 PM)

Rex Ryan's going to try his damnedest, but for the first time in a decade he won't have Ray Lewis. We'll see how well Ryan replicates his past success. I do like his chances of coming close, though.

Burwell (Addison, PA)

Is Langston Walker really going to start at LT for the Bills, assuming they don't get Levi Jones?

Tim Graham

  (3:48 PM)

It looks that way. Walker to left tackle and Brad Butler moved from right guard to right tackle.

Ed Hochuli (Chat Ref)

That's a personal foul for excessive celebration against Xander for claiming he won an argument when there was none, 15 yards and it is now 3rd down.

Jon (Rochester, NY)

After the Bills are sold to the highest bidder and moved to Toronto or LA or Albuqueque, do we get to restart the "playoff drought" calendar, or do we have to count the decade they didn't make it in Buffalo too?

Tim Graham

  (3:49 PM)

Same as the Cardinals. The calendar keeps flipping.

Nick (Bills, NY)

im liking the bills this year... trents gonna lead the boys in blue in his 3rd year. o line is improved, division opponents are weak, im getting excited... (i do every year)

Tim Graham

  (3:50 PM)

What I think fans should be most excited about is their plan to go no-huddle with spread formations. Even if they go 7-9 a fourth straight year, at least the offense will be fun to watch.

Tim's mom

Timmy, you didn't forget to send me something for Mother's Day did you?

Tim Graham

  (3:51 PM)

You'll have to wait and see ...

Tim Graham

  (3:51 PM)

Crap! (Dialing 1-800-Flowers)

Marshawn Lynch

One more strike and I'm out, right? Is Fred Jackson ready to start if it's true?

Tim Graham

  (3:52 PM)

He is if the Bills can sign him. Dominic Rhodes is a serviceable backup, too. The Bills did well in obtaining some insurance.

Xander (Philly)

And whoever said "Fake Xander" is obviously a Pats fan...only a coward would type "fake" like there is a fear of prosecution. Weak dude. Really weak.

Tim Graham

  (3:54 PM)

Are you really concerned about maintaining an anonymous chat room persona? How sad is that?

Sage Rosenfels

Tim, you want me to call the flower place for you? *drops phone*

Really (Miami, FL)

I haven't read a decent explanation of why Ernest Wilford sucks so bad. Can you provide this?

Tim Graham

  (3:55 PM)

His inability to separate from defenders mainly.

Mike (storrs, ct)

Tim Graham you little devil! Its a beautiful day up here in connecticut but rather than being outside living up the last few days of my college career i'm glued to my pc reading the afc east chat. right now we are on a love hate relationship!

Tim Graham

  (3:56 PM)

Have you seen my photo? Outside is overrated.

Nick (SLc)

How good of a year do you suspect Sean Smith to have?

Tim Graham

  (3:58 PM)

As mentioned earlier, rookie cornerbacks usually take a while to earn enough trust to enter the starting lineup. But I love the guy's size: 6-foot-3. I'm looking forward to seeing how he competes in minicamp.

Terry (Portland)

Kellen Clemens going to get a shot at the starting job or will he be on another team?

Tim Graham

  (3:59 PM)

He'll get a shot, but the cards are stacked against him. The Jets really want Sanchez to be the face of the team. Clemens should be on the team no matter what, but this is the final year of his four-year deal.

steve (boston, ma)

mike in storrs, do us all a favor and go drink a few beers on a quad somewherre. plenty of time for chats when you're sitting at your cubicle like the rest of us.

Shane (Los Angeles, CA)

TG: Do you thin there should be some kind of "barrier to entry" created for players who try to unretire? Whether its a period of time, a monetary amount, or something else, seems quite a few players think retiring, unretiring, retiring, unretiring, is taken lightly. Of course, they would have to call it the Favre Rule!

Tim Graham

  (4:01 PM)

You can't legislate that because players sometimes don't file their retirement papers. Who's to say somebody is retired? Technically, Favre is not on any reserve lists right now. His status is the same as Plaxico Burress or Derrick Brooks or J.P.Losman

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

Odds that Belichick is fooled again by the Wildcat? I'd say about 10%. I think Pat White is in for a rude awakening.

Tim Graham

  (4:02 PM)

The rematch in Dolphin Stadium last year pretty much answered that question.

Joseph (Ft Worth)

Tim, are you a Lebowski fan? How about Idiocracy?

Tim Graham

  (4:04 PM)

I'm a huge Cohen Brothers fan, but I haven't seen Idiocracy. I do like most of Mike Judge's work, though.

JP Losman (Whereabouts Unknown)

Thats right everyone, I'm still available! Better strike while the irons hot!

Jimmy Buffet

It's LANDSHARK STADIUM. Get it right....

Tim Graham

  (4:06 PM)

Not when the Patriots beat the Dolphins there last year, it wasn't.

Brett Favre

I just sent my shoulder x-rays to the Vikings. And just like that, back in the news!

Tim Graham

  (4:07 PM)

Just keep them out of the AFC East and we'll get along just fine.

Tim Graham

  (4:08 PM)

Although I should clarify ... I loved having Favre in the AFC East last year because he's such an iconic figure, but having to cover an ongoing saga like this can be dreadful. I feel for NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert.

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

Is Henne the undisputed starter at this time next year? Is it possible that Pennington might get an extension?

Tim Graham

  (4:10 PM)

It's possible Pennington gets an extension, but I don't think it happens. Henne will be the starter next year barring injury or some other unfortunate circumstance.

Tim Graham

  (4:10 PM)

Thanks for stopping by, everybody. Sorry we can't go the usual two hours today, but we'll give it another shot next week.