ESPN

KC Joyner

  (4:00 PM)

Good afternoon! Let's talk some football.

Chris (Rockville,MD)

Who is bringing down Miami's secondary? The rookie CB's or the safties?

KC Joyner

  (4:01 PM)

It's really a bit of both. All of their corners have had their moments (although Sean Smith is playing quite well overall) but their safeties have had more bad moments than good ones.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

I'm sure everyone is dying to know who you have in the Saints-Giants battle? Which defense do you think will step it up and win the game?

KC Joyner

  (4:02 PM)

The matchup I'll be looking for here is the Saints secondary vs. the Giants WRs. NO goes four deep at CB better than any other team and the Giants haven't faced a secondary this strong this year. I'll take the Saints.

Zach (New York, NY)

You still have faith in Gary Kubiak? I've become an atheist on all things Houston Football related.

KC Joyner

  (4:04 PM)

Could we call you a Hathiest? I still believe in Kubiak but I'd like his defense a whole lot more if they decided to hit people more often. They are an athletic team rather than a hitter team and I think they would do better to adopt a hitter philosophy on D.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

K.C.: Two games in a row for the Vikes D allowing a drive of at least 90 yards. Thankfully one ended in a Rams fumble but should I be concerned about the Minnesota secondary?

KC Joyner

  (4:05 PM)

I'd be concerned a bit about the entire D. Their secondary has shown some weakness but their run D is a bit off of its usual great pace. I did a video spot in the Countdown Daily video section detailing this, so check it out if you get a chance.

Tim (Omaha)

Should I give Brady a start against the reeling pass D of the Titans or stick with Schaub until Brady strings a few good games together?

KC Joyner

  (4:06 PM)

As much as I like Schaub, I'd go with Brady against the Titans. They are down a starter and the rest of their secondary is either young or not playing well (or both).

Kev (NYC)

Okay, a lot of pressure has been put on Eli and some called the Super Bowl win a fluke. But he made the pro-bowl last year and through 5 games this year is putting up MVP-type numbers. Can we finally put Eli as a top 5 QB in this league and better than guys such as Rivers, Cutler, etc.?

KC Joyner

  (4:07 PM)

Kev, you should know that I'd put Eli in front of Cutler seven days a week. I'm not sure that I'd put him in front of Rivers yet but Eli's been quite impressive with a very unproven set of wideouts. He's doing as well with his new WRs as Peyton is with his and yet he doesn't seem to be getting the same level of hype.

Robert (Huntsville, Al)

Who is the worst QB that you've ever seen on film? Is it Russell?

KC Joyner

  (4:09 PM)

His name escapes me but it was a Chicago backup QB in 2004. I want to say Chad Hutchinson was his name. He was a quantum level worse than Russell. And, by the way, some of Russell's woes are that his wide receivers aren't doing their jobs.

Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)

Adam Sandler in The Longest Yard is the worst on film? He was better as a linebacker in The Waterboy!!!

KC Joyner

  (4:09 PM)

I'd give you that one, Lane!

Jonathan (Blk Mtn, NC)

KC. All i hear is saints, giants, colts etc. Why is every1 over lookin the Eagles. I dnt get it they have young wrs that look like they r startin to gel. What do u think. An also is maclin for real or was it just poor d last week.

KC Joyner

  (4:10 PM)

Eagles are getting overlooked because they lost to the Saints. I don't think people were sold on Kolb either. I'm on their bandwagon and still have them as my NFC Super Bowl participant.

Rob (Alexandria, VA)

Apparently some local Chicago stations are reporting the Bears just traded for TO, I don't suppose you're in a position to confirm/deny?

KC Joyner

  (4:12 PM)

Can't help you on that one, being in the middle of a chat and all. I can just imagine the media hype that would go along with Owens and Cutler.

TC (DC)

KC, what up! Is Larry Johnson's putrid production a product of him being washed up and a poor O-line? Or with a healthier Cassel and an easier upcoming schedule, is he ready to turn it on for at least some middling production? Thanks!

KC Joyner

  (4:13 PM)

LJ's production on runs with good blocking in 2008 was quite low and from what I've seen so far this year, he isn't going to be improved in that area. I wouldn't say he's washed up but he's in the hamper getting ready to hit the washing machine.

Mike (Philly)

What about this Finley fellow? Is he becoming a big part of the Packers offense?

KC Joyner

  (4:14 PM)

I've come close to including Jermichael Finley in my Pass Plays article the past two weeks. He's targeted quite often and has been productive when thrown the ball. He's a great bye week TE pickup and could even be a solid starter most weeks.

Adam (Jersey)

So has the entire Tampa secondary taken over the top spots in YPAs?

KC Joyner

  (4:15 PM)

Not quite, if only because they tend to do well on most passes. Their issue is that they'll give up a big pass after stopping four in a row. As an example, look at Talib in the Washington game. He gets three picks but then gives up that 50+ yard TD to Moss.

Mike (Philly)

Calvin Johnson or Turner more productive going forward?

KC Joyner

  (4:16 PM)

Given Megatron's injury, I'd have to take Turner.

Brian (de)

So what can Miami do in their bye week to help fix this secondary issue? Will playing together more be the solution? How about benching Wilson for Culver? I have a feeling the Saints game could look a lot like the Colts game.

KC Joyner

  (4:17 PM)

Experience is going to help them a lot. Their young CBs don't have terrible numbers (all of their YPAs are under 9 yards) and they are playing well in spots. The Fins are simply going to have to go through their growing pains.

chauncey (teaneck)

Is Kyle Orton a MVP candidate?

KC Joyner

  (4:18 PM)

Yes to candidate but as it stands right now, Peyton would get my MVP vote.

Ryan (San Diego)

Please tell me you watched the Pats Broncos game. Seriously, how bad did Brady play? He missed soooooooo many wrs that were open.

KC Joyner

  (4:19 PM)

Brady has been a bit rusty like that all year long. He looks like a QB who is coming off of a major injury. Another way to say it is that he looks like Carson Palmer after his injury - just a bit off of his game.

Bruce (Princeton)

Hey, KC. Would you trade Palmer/Royal for Henne/Welker in a non-ppr? I would have Flacco to slide into Palmer's slot and Henne would be a backup.

KC Joyner

  (4:20 PM)

As impressive as Royal's performance was this past week, I'd not make the trade. The Broncos aren't going to lean on him the way the Pats will on Welker.

jason (milwaukee)

KC How bad is the line in Green Bay? Or is it partially Aaron Rodgers fault for holding the rock too long? Is he afraid to put the ball in tight spots or just not seeing the openings? Its getting frustrating....

KC Joyner

  (4:21 PM)

They have good O linemen but anytime a line has to move players around they are going to struggle. If they can keep a group healthy for a decent length of time, it will make all of the difference.

JJ Walker (Dynomite)

Rodgers or Hasselbeck - who puts up more fantasy points for the rest of the season?

KC Joyner

  (4:23 PM)

Rodgers. I like his matchups better and I think he has a better chance of staying healthy the rest of the year (although that could be a problem for both of them given the state of GB's O line).

Mike (Ohio)

KC last week in his chat Tarkenton said under today's passing rules he'd have thrown for 1,000 TDs. Obviously he was kidding a little, but don't you think guys like him or Unitas would just have ridiculous numbers under today's rules?

KC Joyner

  (4:25 PM)

Well, Sir Francis threw for 342 (if memory serves me correct) in an era with 14 game schedules and pass blocking/coverage rules that served the D. To say that he would improve by even 30% would put him well into the 400s TD wise.

Jorge (weslaco tx)

hey buba what player could we trade for in KC now that the trade deadline is near

KC Joyner

  (4:27 PM)

Dwayne Bowe has some favorable matchups down the stretch - Cleveland, SD, Jax. If you wait until he has a subpar week and trade low, he'd be a good pickup.

Bobby (Boston)

Last three weeks you were on the money. What do you think of these games for a survivor league pick? Philadelphia Eagles (at Oakland), New England Patriots (vs. Tennessee) or Jaguars (vs. The Rams).

KC Joyner

  (4:28 PM)

Glad I could help! I'd take Philly this week. Oakland was bad in every phase of the game and they looked liked they threw in the towel late in the Giants game. The Eagles should crush them with ease.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

The Dayton Daily News is reporting about Miami's interest in Josh Cribbs. How much can he potentially bring to the Wildcat and aid the Dolphins' playoff push?

Brian (de)

I saw on ESPN insider that the Dolphins have inquired about Joshua Cribbs. Seems like an interesting combination. What would it take to get someone like him?

KC Joyner

  (4:30 PM)

The Browns have run their version of the Wildcat with Cribbs with some success, so it's not as if he would have much of a learning curve. My only question here is how much Wildcat will Miami use? They already have Brown and White getting touches in that formation and getting Cribbs would seem to lean more on it. Will that impact Henne's growth? Not saying they should hold back on getting Cribbs but it doesn't seem to be a long-term move.

Ron (Phoenix)

Considering a trade for Ronnie Brown, giving up Vincent Jackson. I have Wayne and depth but no stud RB. Thoughts?

KC Joyner

  (4:31 PM)

It's a hefty price but if you have depth, Brown for Jackson is a good deal. Miami has more than a few defenses they will want to run on down the stretch and Brown should give you top line production.

Mike (Philly)

Who would be the best buy low player to trade for right now?

KC Joyner

  (4:33 PM)

I do have some buy low players in today's CB Corner article. I also have some waiver players who will be good to stash for favorable matchups in the near future.

Ed (San Diego)

Mendenhall, Moreno, Turner - which two to start this week?

KC Joyner

  (4:33 PM)

Turner had a bad outing against Chicago last year, so I'd go with Moreno and RM.

Brian (de)

Joshua Cribbs seems more needed for the return game in Miami since it wasn't that good to begin with and Patrick Cobbs is now down for the year.

KC Joyner

  (4:34 PM)

Great point. The Wildcat will get the focus but that has to be the reason the Fins are leaning in that direction.

Mike (Philly)

Chester Taylor is 2nd in targets for the Vikes. Buy low guy?

KC Joyner

  (4:36 PM)

Vikes have Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the near future, so he might not give you immediate returns. If you can stash him on the bench for two weeks and then play him against GB, Detroit and Seattle, then it's a good pickup.

CC (Atlanta)

Mendenhall over Turner? Seriously? Can't see that at all. Especially coming off a 3 TD game.

KC Joyner

  (4:36 PM)

CC, Turner's 2nd worst yardage total as a Falcon came in last year's Chicago contest. It's a tough call to bench any of those three but history strongly suggests that Chicago will sell out to stop the run and Atlanta will be forced to pass more often.

Jeff (NY, NY)

Were you able to look into the Jets running game to see why they are having so much trouble? Is it the o-line, their RB's or just a numbers issue?

KC Joyner

  (4:39 PM)

From what I've seen, it's a numbers issue. Teams have been telling the Jets that Mark Sanchez is going to have to beat them. That's one reason why NY picked up Braylon - to force defenses to respect the pass more. Chansi Stuckey's numbers against CBs over the years has been awful (he literally has to be uncovered or covered by someone other than a CB to be productive) and that meant pass defenses had to stop Cotchery and Keller. I look for the NY running game to improve dramatically over the 2nd half of the year.

Imre (Missoula, MT)

Follow-up to the Bears o-line question. Is it painfully clear that Josh Beekman should be starting over Frank Omiyale? Frank continues to struggle against good pash rush and doesn't seem to create any space for running the ball.

KC Joyner

  (4:40 PM)

Beekman had very solid numbers in run blocking last year and given what Omiyale has shown in run blocking this year, I'd have to agree with you.

Drew (Minneapolis)

Is Darren McFadden going to ever be anything other than a guy who used to be good at college football?

KC Joyner

  (4:40 PM)

As it stands right now, no.

DR (sacramento, ca)

Is Kurt Warner going to throw multipe TD's this week vs. a bad Seattle D in a shoot out of a game? More than Rodgers?

KC Joyner

  (4:41 PM)

Seattle's secondary is in better shape now than it was a couple of weeks ago because they are healthy. Detroit's secondary is bad no matter who they put back there, so I'd start Rodgers over Warner.

Angry Mike (SF, CA)

FYI, when you're unsure about the spelling of something, you don't want to write "sic?," you want to write "sp?" "Sic" means "as written", and you would use it when quoting (on paper) something that has a misspelling in it.

KC Joyner

  (4:43 PM)

Angry Mike gives us a free English lesson! I always thought sic stood for "spelling is correct" and was intended to state that the word was spelled that way in its original form.

J (Milwaukee)

I know what you think of L. Evans, but has his play slipped or is he a one trick pony without a QB or coach to let him go deep?

KC Joyner

  (4:43 PM)

The Bills have actually been throwing vertical passes to Evans, so it isn't completely a matter of them not going deep. He's got some favorable matchups coming up so he does have flex start value.

Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)

If Chicago sells out the run they'll be susceptible to the pass. Isn't it better to be beat 4 yards at a time via the run than 7 yards via the pass???

KC Joyner

  (4:45 PM)

You obviously saw my Countdown Daily piece! You would think the Bears would take that approach but they often put extra defenders in the box to stop the run. It's a Lovie Smith trademark and it would be a surprise to see him not do that against Turner.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Looks like the Eagles are rounding into form and ready to lose another NFC Championship game this year. That being said, they seem to be putting the pieces in place to lose lots more NFC Championship games (McCoy, Maclin, Jackson, Celek, etc). Do you like the direction the Eagles are heading?

KC Joyner

  (4:48 PM)

I very much like where the Eagles are heading. They used to take a tack that they could scheme/playcall around physical deficiencies on offense but not anymore. Now they take the tack of getting as much offensive talent as possible and it is giving their O a varied dimension it lacked a few years back.

Bill (La Verne, Caliifornia)

Hey KC, following up on the Jets question, do you agree with the Jets trade for Brandon Marshall? It seems that they didn't have to give that much up for what they got. Thanks!

KC Joyner

  (4:49 PM)

Unless I missed some news, I assume you mean the trade for Braylon Edwards. I like that move for both teams. Cleveland got some draft picks that they need (they have a talent lack at many levels) to go along with a decent possession receiver and a ST ace. They did this by moving a WR who was in Mangini's doghouse and history tells us once a player gets in there, he doesn't get out. A good move for both clubs.

Justin (St paul)

Which RB would you bench this week (ppr) RIce, Benson, or Sjax?

KC Joyner

  (4:51 PM)

Jackson. Rice is platooning but the Ravens offense is so much better than the Rams that even a part time player is probably better than a full timer in Stl.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Who ya got - Phils or Dodgers?

KC Joyner

  (4:52 PM)

Well, my son still wears my Pete Rose Phillies pajamas from back in the day, so I have to Phillies. Plus, I do a radio show in South Jersey/Philly every week and have a producer who is a big Phils fan. Can't pull against the crew I hang out with, right?!

Zach (Mpls, MN)

KC, I?m struggling to find a 2nd RB to pair with Chris Johnson in a good 12 team league. Want to target either Benson or Brown. Which one should I look at? Would have to give up Colston or Jennings, leaning towards Colston. My other receivers (WR/TE mixed) are Ward, Collie, Lee Evans and Owen Daniels. Enough depth to get by?

KC Joyner

  (4:54 PM)

It will probably take Colston to get either of those two. I like Benson slightly more than Brown but either one would be a good deal. As far as WR depth, you might be hurting a bit but valuable waiver wire wideouts are much easier to find than are RBs (especially if you read my Tuesday Pass Plays column - couldn't resist putting a plug in there!).

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

At first I was thrilled to get AP at the top of my draft but he hasn't looked great in the past two weeks and now he's got some tough games ahead. Might I consider trading him for someone just slightly lower in terms of talent but with better match ups down the road?

KC Joyner

  (4:56 PM)

Never thought this question would come up but it is a valid one. The Vikes have two tough matchups coming up but after that their schedule gets easier. I wouldn't make the trade unless someone made a Herschel Walker like offer.

Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)

Those Philly guys booed Santa. They'd boo you too if they had too many beers!!!

KC Joyner

  (4:57 PM)

Isn't getting booed in Philly a badge of honor?

Brian (de)

Dropped Berrian for Burleson.... tell me this was a good move. Also Slaton or Kevin Smith this week? Both are inconsistent but atleast Smith seems like the go to guy.

KC Joyner

  (4:59 PM)

Burleson was one of my lead picks in this week's Pass Plays. He has been very productive and has a very favorable set of matchups coming up. Berrian is going to be a boom/bust WR all season long, so I do like the move. I'd probably go Slaton in that it does look like the Texans offense is getting it together.

Me (here)

Reshard Mend or Driver as a flex start?

KC Joyner

  (5:01 PM)

I do like the Driver v Detroit matchup but RM vs. Cleveland is a must start given the way he has been running of late. Well, hate to do it but dinner is almost ready so I've got to run. I hope to see you all here next week!