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Chris Mortensen

  (11:06 AM)

Thanks for checking in today. Had to travel Wednesday. Let's get started here.

AJ (Pt. Pleasant,NJ)

Hi Chris--good morning: Who would you like as a flex this week: Kevin Smith, Mike Simms-Walker, Robert Meachem, or Michael Crabtree?? THX 4 your help!!

Chris Mortensen

  (11:06 AM)

I'm beginning to think you should never bench Mike Sims-Walker.

Kyle (NJ)

Mort last month I asked you (via Twitter) about what's wrong with Rodgers/Jennings. You said they'd be back to normal after the return of Tauscher and Clifton. What are your thoughts now?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:09 AM)

Ha! Let me see if Tauscher can whip into shape - it's almost like he's just finishing training camp. Obviously, it's a disappointment the way the Packers O-line has performed and now it's affecting how Aaron Rodgers plays. Jennings isn't 100 percent. All in all, disappointing, but they could upset Cowboys.

MJ (Long Island, via Boston)

is there a better interior lineman right now than Jay Ratliff?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:10 AM)

Not many better than Ratliff. I'm looking forward to interviewing tomorrow for our ESPN radio show (The Mort Report on ESPN Radio and ESPNRadio.com. Ratliff is a true Pro Bowl-caliber interior D-lineman.

J Treehorn (Malibu)

Better chance of winning a playoff game on the road: Vikings or Saints?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:12 AM)

I say both have equal chance of winning on road because they can run it. Saints run defense is a little vulnerable right now. But I would not be nervous about either dome team playing on the road outdoors in January. Vikings living in cold may be better acclimation but Favre would tell you he no longer embraces that kind of climate.

Mike W (Chicago)

Biggest game of the season so far on Sunday in the Bengals/Steelers game. What does each team need to do to get the victory and the lead in the AFC North?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:13 AM)

Bengals defense needs to get Roethlisberger on the ground - don't know if they can. Steelers' defense must stone Benson early in game. I favor Steelers in this one but still believe Bengals are for real.

Xander (Philly)

Here's a scenario for you: Eagles either dont make the playoffs or get bounced in the first round, put McNabb on the trading block and trade him to the Bills who they have a recent trading history with (Takeo Spikes, Jason Peters). Thoughts?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:14 AM)

It's a little early for that kind of talk, don't you think? Would you be asking me this question if the Eagles had gotten a better measurement on Sunday night and won the game?

Evan (Baltimore, MD)

Jets, Jags, Bears, Packers, Ravens. Which of these 4-4 teams, if any, do you think can still make the Playoffs?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:16 AM)

Of those teams, I probably would rank their chances in this order: 1. Jets; 2. Ravens; 3. Bears; 4. Jaguars.

MJ (Long Island)

Chris - I think Asante Samuel is good on breaking on balls, but I think there's at least 10 corners that are better in covering or shutting down WRs. As someone who's lived in Boston, I've seen Asante in New England, and I still think he's an over-rated corner, there's plenty of CBs I'd rather have. thoughts?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:17 AM)

That's what scheming is about - playing to your playmakers' strengths. Samuel is a playmaker. Is he as good a pure cover guy as Asomugha? No. But ball skills rank way up there with corners, especially in a league where the rules almost neutralize these guys.

John (Golden Mountain, VA)

Mort! So is Gruden a candidate for the Redskins job? I noticed during the Skins vs Eagles Monday night game, he was careful to avoid being critical of the Skins front office ;)

Chris Mortensen

  (11:19 AM)

Gruden has been pretty up front that he was going into the MNF booth not to be critical but analytical. Fine line there. But he certainly is going to be on a lot of team's short lists, including the Redskins.

Dwayne (Chicago, IL)

Mort - thoughts on tonights game?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:21 AM)

I picked the 49ers but not with great confidence. I just look at the Bears' games against the Bengals and Cardinals and it's hard for me to pick them. Cutler played very well against Arizona but the defense and O-line is weak. And the WRs are still either too young or average. Good to Olsen back in the mix; 49ers, based on the home field, tonight.

Mikey (Bethlaham park ,NY)

Do you think Mike Holmgren is interested in the Cleveland Browns?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:23 AM)

I'll be shocked if Holmgren takes the job. I guess if he got an airtight contract that paid him $10 million a year... but here's a guy who has worked for an organization with no owner (Packers) who would be able to interfere; and two great owners in Paul Allen and Ed DeBartolo (when he was 49ers O-C).

Knish (NYC)

What do you think of the Fins 2 rookie CBs?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:25 AM)

Really like Vontae Davis; think I like Sean Smith...and believe the other rookie secondary starter, Chris Clemons, has a chance to be special.

Mikey (Bethlaham park ,NY)

Do you think Bill Cowher would be a good fit for the Buffalo Bills?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:26 AM)

Sure, but my understanding is he'll probably prefer a warm weather team (believe it or not). We'll see if that opportunity presents itself.

Dave (Pittsburgh)

Is Ben Roethlisberger a future Hall of Famer?What about Hines Ward?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:27 AM)

Any time a QB wins 2 Super Bowls (even if he didn't play well in the first one), he has a chance to be a Hall of Famer but it's still early. For me, I believe Hines Ward should be a HOF. All-time leading Steelers receiver, total football player, two Super Bowl rings, Super Bowl MVP.

Rene (TX)

Bigger game? Colts/Pats or Steelers/Bengals?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:29 AM)

Steelers-Bengals is a bigger game for me. AFC North could be decided by the winner of this one and a Bengals win would irtually mean a clean sweep of the division. The Pats-Colts is a headline game because of the quarterbacks (hey, Palmer-Roethlisberger ain't bad) and some would argue home-field advantage is in play. I still would say Bengals-Steelers.

Michael Schottey (New Ulm, MN)

Mort-- 7.5 out of Jared Allen's 10.5 sacks have come against Green Bay. Doesn't that cheapen the total a little?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:30 AM)

I know where you're coming from but considering Allen has been an impact pass rusher for a few years now, it's hard to discount anything he does.

Dane (Chicago)

For any of the national media to not say Favre is the leading candidate for MVP at halfway point is a joke. Here is why...before he signed all the experts said he was either washed up, would not be welcome for showing up late, or wouldn't jell without training camp. Look what he has done. No one thought Rice, Berrian or Harvin would be anything special...and he has done it with 2 rookies on the line. Now look at Peyton....OL intact, Addai and Brown..and Wayne and Clark(2 pro bowlers) and they have been in that system how many years now. Favre is having an unbelievable season after taking so much ridicule...he not only deserves that respect..he earned it with is play.

Chris Mortensen

  (11:35 AM)

I cannot disagree with you except the "joke" part because Favre, Manning

Ben (Queens,NY)

What do the Chargers do about Shawne Merriman next season? Do they pay him or let him hit the market?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:36 AM)

I think the Chargers should wait and see how Merriman finishes the season. Chances are, he'll be a restricted free agent (if there's no new CBA). I would be skeptical in giving him the money he wants, as of now, but he has an elite agent in Tom Condon; if there's a deal to be done, nobody will get it done better, either in San Diego or elsewhere.

John (DC)

Who do you think the Redskins should draft with their top 10 pick in April? I am a die hard Skins' fan and need something to look forward to. Thanks.

Chris Mortensen

  (11:38 AM)

If I were the Redskins, I'd do everything to hire Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren or Gruden. I'd use the top 10 pick on the best O-lineman or defensive player; I'd trade for Brady Quinn with another pick and he would flourish with any of those coaches, IMO.

D.Miller (Atlanta, GA)

Will the Raider's get real head coach next year? Bill Cowher or Marty?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:40 AM)

There is no chance that Cowher or Schottenheimer will be the Raiders' coach. Maybe they should look at Mike Martz, although I don't know if that would work with Jamarcus Russell at QB. Kevin Gilbride would take the job, too.

Mike Vick (Philly )

Did they bring me here to sell tickets or something? Should I keep my mouth shut or demand my release?

Mikey (Beth park,NY)

Where is Mort? Where is MOrt? Where r u? Where r U? TRYING THIS BECAUSE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS NOT ALLOWING ME TO POST REPLIES. HANG IN FOR A BIT.

Buzzmaster

  (11:52 AM)

Hang in there folks. Mort's having some technical difficulties.

Chris Mortensen

  (11:53 AM)

Vick answer: I truly thought Vick would be better off taking a chance on playing QB for the Tuskers in the UFL. Every snap he would have gotten in practice and games would have been as a quarterback. They actually have pretty good team (unbeaten) and he would have been free after Thanksgiving to sign with anyone. Oh, and the Tuskers were willing topay him more money (at least $2 mill for 7 games).

Irv Fleckman (Compton, VA)

Will this be the year London Fletcher makes the Pro Bowl? The guy gets snubbed every year.

Chris Mortensen

  (11:54 AM)

Unfortunately for London, the losing isn't going to help his cause, even though it's not his fault.

Anthony (Lyndhurst, NJ)

Will Roger Goodell, make Al Davis step down on making team decisions?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:55 AM)

That is not within the commissioner's power.

patrick (STL)

If you were to select a franchise QB for the Rams next year, who do you select... Locker or Claussen?

Chris Mortensen

  (11:59 AM)

I would select Locker but keeping in mind he's not going to dazzle that first year. Based on GM's I've talked to - Locker has a big, big upside over Bradford and Clausen. But how patient will Rams fans be?

shanard ((slc,ut))

MORT, how do you see the cowboys and packers game. a blow out or high scoring but dallas at the end. and also a fantasy question would u start rodgers or favre.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:00 PM)

I'd definitely start Favre on the fantasy question. The Cowboys-Packers game is tricky. Feels like a trap. In fact, as of today, I have picked the Packers, though could change my mind by end of the day Friday.

Mike (Akron)

Hey Mort, the Browns offer you $100 mill a year to be head of scouting. You take the job. Browns have 11 draft picks in the upcoming draft. You tell them to start Quinn the rest of the year to assess his QB skills. You recommend he has the stuff to be a starting QB. What holes do you fill from there?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:03 PM)

I'd screw it up (lol!). But, playing the fantasy out, I'd build my O and D lines, find another receiver; make sure I have the best WR coach to develop my young guys; maybe package a couple of picks to pick up that WR in trade or even a TE; and Quinn is my QB.

Adam (Gettysburg Pa)

Rams fans take the best player available and see how far Colt McCoy falls, right now looking like 2nd round. So either stay but or move back into late 1st and get two great players..

Chris Mortensen

  (12:05 PM)

I can see that happening. I would love to get the Nebraska DL (Suh) and it is possible that McCoy or another QB could fall to top of 2nd round. Good thinking.

Jerome (Arkansas)

Do you think Tennessee S Eric Berry will declare for the NFL draft?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:05 PM)

It's going to be tough for Berry not to declare but I know he'll also be tempted to play under Monte Kiffin for another year when the Vols may make a splash on the national scene. Great fb player.

Carlos (LOs Angeles)

Mort, Is Vernon Davis the best TE in the league right now? Thanks.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:06 PM)

No, I can't go that far but he has the ability to be the best in time.

Brian (Greensboro, NC)

What do you think of Andrew Whitworth playing out of postion this season and filling in at the LT spot for the Bengals? Seems like he's done a great job and deserves a little love from the WWL at the very least.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:07 PM)

When you talk about unsung "heroes" (on the football level) of the NFL, Whitworth ranks way, way up there. Thanks for bringing him up.

Mikey (Beth park,NY)

TRUE OR FALSE: DICK JAURON WILL BE FIRED AT THE END OF THE SEASON?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:07 PM)

True

Mike (San Diego)

Mort, what do you think of Hanson's excuse for the diuretic? Don't know about you, but after I'm done eating chinese food, I'm hungry an hour later.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:08 PM)

I have a difficult time buying anybody taking a diuretic after all the publicity of StarCaps. If he was really feeling "bloated" or whatever, that's why you have trainers and performance coaches.

Eric (Cali)

Will we see a team in Los Angeles anytime soon? Will it be STL/JAX/BUF or Other that move to LA?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:10 PM)

Soon? In the state of politics and economics that my old state is in, I'd doubt it. But if it happens, I would say the Rams and Chargers are possibilities.

Brian (Greensboro, NC)

Mort, any idea who the Panthers might look to hire after they (finally) dump Fox and Hurney at the end of the season? Could you start the rumor that Phil Savage is their first choice?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:11 PM)

I am not convinced yet there will be a change. How the Panthers finish the season may determine their fate. Savage would be a good personnel choice, obviously, if there is a change but this is a tandem that has enjoyed success.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:11 PM)

I am not convinced yet there will be a chance. How the Panthers finish the season may determine their fate. Savage would be a good personnel choice, obviously, if there is a change but this is a tandem that has enjoyed success.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:13 PM)

I have to go. Sorry about the technical problems. I try to answer questions on Twitter @mortreport when I can. Now, time to get on the phone. Catch us on Sunday NFL Countdown at 11 ET. God Bless!