ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (12:03 PM)

Fran will be here soon to take your questions!

Buzzmaster

  (12:08 PM)

I think Fran is coming early!

Buzzmaster

  (12:08 PM)

Yes...here he is!

Buzzmaster

  (12:08 PM)

Let's get started.

Matt (IN)

Fran, the rules in the passing game are much different now than when you played. What kind of stats would you put up today?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:10 PM)

The rules are different. They changed the rules one year after I retired and I retired in 1978. What changed the passing game, the rule was, before you could hit the recevier as far down the field as you wanted to, as long as the ball wasn't in the air. The new rule said you could only hit the receiver in the first 5 yards. The fear factor running over the middle was over with. It changed for the younger, quicker receivers. Now, I could have thrown for 1,000 TD passes instead of 342.

Les (Atlanta)

Fran, have you always wanted to write a book?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:11 PM)

This is my 10th book and I didn't want to write it. But after I did, I enjoyed it. Because I was able to really tell stories that shaped my football life and my business life. Because all of my learning came from other people and I shared those stories.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Tarkenton: As a lifelong fan of you and the Vikings, this is truly a pleasure. Would you like to see the Vikings playing in an outdoor stadium again? There was just something about the old Met in November and December that screamed 'Black and Blue Division.'

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:12 PM)

Absolutely yes. It is sacrilege for the Vikings to be playing on carpet in an enclosed stadium that's temperature controlled. We not only played outdoors, but we practiced outdoors in the same stadium. The elements should be a part of football. It's always been that way until these domes came into play.

Nick (Athens)

I know your here to talk NFL and your new book, but I noticed you were in Athens this weekend for a book signing and being a former bulldog, I wanted to ask what you think about UGA's playcalling? Do you think they play too conservative or would you do the same?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:13 PM)

I think Georgia has not hit its stride yet. It will get better.

Will (Washington)

What's been the reaction so far from your book?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:14 PM)

We've had it out about 3 weeks and it's exceeded my wildest expectations. We've sold a lot of books and the reaction has just been tremendous.

Craig (Norwich, CT)

What are your thoughts on the whole Michael Crabtree ordeal?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:14 PM)

As of today, he has signed with the 49ers. I'm glad to see it's done.

Steven (NJ)

Do you think Sanchez and Stafford will become future NFL stars?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:15 PM)

They have a good chance. Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan paved the way for rookies to play their first year. Flacco and Ryan are certainly on their way to stardom.

Mike (Ohio)

Fran, what was your "Welcome to the NFL, kid" moment?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:16 PM)

Yes. It happened in an exhibition game and I was wearing a single bar helmet. After the first half, I got my lip and jaw hit. It knocked four of my teeth out. I had to get 15-20 stitches. So at the half, I put the second bar on.

Dave (NYC)

Brett Favre has the Vikings out to a 4-0 start. Do you think that success will continue this year?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:17 PM)

I do. they have an outstanding team and he's playing better than I've seen him play in years.

Rick (NYC)

Fran, while he's only five games into his college career, a lot of people have already compared Michigan freshman QB Tate Forcier's style of play to yours. Have you seen him play yet, and what are your impressions of him?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:17 PM)

I have not seen him play, so I do not have an impression.

Nick (NJ)

Hi Fran- what do you think about all of these new rules used to protect the QB? You and QB's in your era were pummeled regularly. Do you think its getting too soft?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:18 PM)

They have gone too far. The rule is effecting the game in a negative way. But they won't change it.

Shaz (Atlanta)

Do you think the Falcons will go to the playoffs this year?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:18 PM)

They do have a shot to go to the playoffs. They're fundamentally a sound team. The only question is their defense.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

I don't think Bud Grant gets enough credit for what he did as a coach. Where would you rank him among the great coaches in NFL history?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:19 PM)

Top 5.

Hector M. Gonzalez (Cedar Knolls, NJ)

Why is it that teams who have lost Super Bowls are looked at in a different light as those who never even made it it to one.

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:20 PM)

We never give the second place trophy much respect in any sport. Football is no different.

Steve (Idaho)

Would you have liked to play in a dome in Minnesota, or was the advantage of having other teams come to the Met and play in the snow better?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:21 PM)

The bigger advantage for the home team is playing in the dome, because the sound is deafining.

Steve (MN)

What was the best part of the writing the book?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:22 PM)

It made me reflect on the important people and events of my life. And by writing about them, I had a better understanding of them.

Joe (MN)

What two teams do you think will play in the Super Bowl??

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:23 PM)

New York Giants. Patriots.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Fran........what's your opinion of Brett Favre? Do you get mixed feelings seeing him in the purple and white?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:23 PM)

Yes.

Jay (Philly)

Fran, excluding Peyton, which three QBs would you like to have as your QB if you were a head coach?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:24 PM)

Tom Brady. Brett Favre. And Eli Manning.

Steven (NJ)

What was your favorite stadium to play in?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:25 PM)

Green Bay.

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:25 PM)

Natural grass. Smaller. More intimate stadium.

Steven (NJ)

Who are your favorite players to watch?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:25 PM)

Tom Brady. Peyton Manning.

Will J (Portland, OR)

If there was one wide receiver you could've played with, either past or current, who would it be?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:26 PM)

Good question. Jerry Rice.

Shaz (atlanta)

you think edwards is gonna be good in NY?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:27 PM)

Yes. Tall, fast receiver will be their No. 1 go-to guy.

Lou, (San Diego)

Which QB is better River or Eli?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:28 PM)

Toss up. I think they're both going to be great.

Dave (RI)

Fran, What play do you remember the most when you were playing?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:28 PM)

Yes. The hail mary pass that Roger Stauback threw against us in 1975.

Sean (Louisiana)

Mr. Tarkenton, Which of the four teams (KC, Miami, Pitts, Oak) you faced in the superbowl, would you say was the best team.

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:29 PM)

Pittsburgh.

Dominic (Philadelphia)

Where do you think the Dallas Cowboys will finish at the end of the year? Am I the only one who thinks playoffs for Wade.

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:29 PM)

I don't believe they will make the playoffs.

Matt (IN)

Fran, you are a true legend. If you had to pick a QB from any era to take your team down the field for a game winning Super Bowl drive, who would you pick?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:30 PM)

Roger Staubach.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Is there a rule or something (maybe the way the game is played) now, that you wish would be changed back to when you played?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:31 PM)

Too much protection for the QB now.

Gonzo (New Jersey)

Why do you think when the greatest QB of all time are mentioned your name rarely gets mentioned in my book you were the greatest

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:31 PM)

I didn't win a Super Bowl.

Dave (RI)

What modern day defense would you least want to face today?

Fran Tarkenton

  (12:32 PM)

Thanks for your questions.