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Kevin Seifert

  (2:01 PM)

Hi everyone. I'll be here for an hour or so to chat and try answering your questions. Let's get to it.

Christian (Manchester, NH)

It's been two days, and I'm still wondering why McCarthy insisted on throwing the ball, letting Rodgers get sack 6 more times, and conserving time for the Bucs (?!?!?) to make a comeback. Ryan Grant was having a great day running the ball. Then on the next series, 1 and 10, Rodgers in on the ground on another play action attempt. Who takes the blame????

Kevin Seifert

  (2:02 PM)

Mike McCarthy is the play-caller. No one to blame but him. The Packers should have been more successful against the Bucs pass defense, but you have to run out the clock there, right?

BEN (Cass Lake, MN)

Aaron Kampman will not say his fustration but it is obvious he is uncomfortable in the new 3-4 scheme. I believe he is the Packers best defensive player when playing end. Do you think the Packers will be able to resign him or will he be playing else where next year?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:03 PM)

They can keep him if they really want to by placing a franchise tag on him. But to me they've declawed Kampman by making him a linebacker. He's serviceable there, but he's not a game-changer. I've said this before. You don't make scheme decisions based on one player, but the bottom line is the Packers lost their best pass rusher in this transition.

Sean (Saint Paul)

As a lifelong Bears fan, I'm becoming increasingly disturbed by the defensive performance this year. In January, you postulated that Lovie's playcalling would either Make him or get him fired. On July 31, you stated "It's hard to imagine Smith losing his job over this gambit, but his reputation as a defensive guru would certainly take a hit if it doesn't work." I think Angelo and Lovie need to go, but the McCaskey's need to get rid of this duo. Thoughts?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:05 PM)

Wow. Thanks for the quotage. Ultimately, if this doesn't work out, it will cost Smith his job. Whether it's this year or next year, he won't survive if his defense keeps playing the way it is. Ron Rivera has been fired and Bob Babich demoted. There's no one left to blame.

Mike (Ohio)

Should the Vikings rest Antoine Winfield even if he feels he is healthy enough to play this weekend against Detriot?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:06 PM)

Not if he's healthy, no. It's way too early in the season to start taking a long-term approach like that. But, on the flip side, they can rest assured there is no rush or urgency to get him back on the field. He can heal properly and get back as soon as he's ready.

Pathik (Chicago)

Enjoy your work Kevin. Is there ANY CHANCE that the Bears eat the money and let go of Lovie at the end of the season and his staff and go after one of the many good coaches out there?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:08 PM)

Thanks. I agree with what David Haugh wrote today in the Chicago Tribune: It's going to be hard to attract a top-flight coach like a Bill Cowher or Mike Shanahan, if that's what you want, with Jerry Angelo remaining as the general manager. Cowher or Shanahan would want to have his own personnel guy. So I wonder if Smith and Angelo aren't a package deal at this point. That makes the prospect of firing Smith even more expensive.

Nick (Minneapolis)

Do you think the Vikings or the Saints are the team to beat in the NFC?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:09 PM)

Easy way out: The Saints are 8-0. Vikings are 7-1. Saints.

Sam (NY)

Kevin...Do you think the Bears will trade Tommie Harris for draft picks once the season is over?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:09 PM)

What would you propose someone give them in return? It's more likely they just cut him.

Brian Simonis (Knoxville, TN)

Would you think that Ted Thompsons refusal to go after quality FA's in the offseason and his refusal to do anything other than draft is akin to the kind of leadership they had (or didnt ) in Detroit durring the Millen years?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:11 PM)

I'm not sure if it's akin to the Millen leadership. I'll just say this: Free agency is one of several tools available to improve your team. It's not mandatory to have a good team, but without it, you have to have a series of exceptional drafts. The Packers have not, leaving them with holes that they've otherwise refused to fill. If you win without using free agency, good for you. If you lose and you haven't tried to take advantage of that avenue, then it reflects poorly.

Mike (NYC)

Most people are counting the bears out already. They still have 4 divisional games left, with 2 important ones still left against the Vikings. If they can pull themselves together, what are the odds they can still take this division all the way to the bank?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:11 PM)

Very low. They still would need some help from Minnesota even if they beat the Vikings twice.

Matt Lang (Suburbs, MN)

Kevin, I know you're a chronic fence strattler (sounds painful...), so I'm looking for a yes/no:Given the display we saw from the likes of Green Bay and Chicago this week (technically Detroit lost too), are you, the mighty Kevin Seifert, ready to crown the Vikings as the NFC north champs? I know no one's mathmatically eliminated (Detroit?), but do you really think one of the other teams can catch them at this point?Keep on rocking...

Kevin Seifert

  (2:12 PM)

I hereby declare Minnesota the 2009 NFC North champions. Probably.

nabicus (Thorndale PA)

Did you happen to catch Jared Allen's home on MTV's "Cribs"?He has a life-sized cut-out of Aaron Rodgers in his garage... it holds onto the ball slightly longer than the real Aaron Rodgers.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:13 PM)

Will you be here all week?

Mark (Chicago)

I realize that the Bears are not playing well at the moment, but they are still only 1 game out of the wildcard and also play 2 teams in the hunt (Eagles, Pack). The Bears have played good football at times and if they can get back to that they have a chance. Are you still writing them off?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:13 PM)

From the division, yes. From the wild-card? Uphill battle.

Josh (Atlanta)

With pro-bowl voting under way do you think that Shiancoe should be added to the TE talk as far as pro-bowl worthy? I know there are big names to overcome like Witten and Tony Gonzalez, but aside form Vernon Davis, Shiancoe seems to be playing at a high level.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:14 PM)

He probably doesn't have the number of catches to be in that top tier, but he has proved to be an excellent red zone weapon.

Aaron Rodgers (Mentally stil in Tampa, FL)

What do you think of my plan to succeed in replacing the legendary Brett Favre? I hold the ball way longer than I should and take a bunch of sacks. The OL takes the blame and I look like a tough guy. By not throwing the ball away, I don't get stuck with a bunch of unneeded incompletions or risk interceptions so my QB rating is inflated. Then I can pad my yardage and TD's in garbage time. Do you think anyone will ever catch on?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:15 PM)

Interesting. The one thing we don't know is if Rodgers has the motive to do that. He already has signed his long-term contract extension and will get $65 million or so over the next five years. You're right, sacks don't impact passer rating while incompletions do. But I'm not ready to make that assumption on Rodgers.

Mike (GB)

Is Jermichael Finley any closer to returning. His ability to break the seam is killing Green Bay's O.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:16 PM)

I think he said yesterday he is 50-50. That probably means he's another week away.

Patrick (London)

As a Bears fan who, like Sean, is incredibly dismayed at the performance of the defense, I can understand the calls for Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo to be sent up the road, but who would we replace them with? The market for coaches seems incredibly thin, and though Gruden and Shanahan might be available, I'm not sure if they'd be interested in the job, nor am I sure they would be the people I want to run the team. What do you think?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:17 PM)

I would say the presence of Jay Cutler would make the Bears an attractive job. The hardest thing to find is a franchise quarterback, and the Bears have one. There is significant work to do elsewhere, but at least a new coach would have his first and most important building block in place.

Nick (Chicago)

KS, please pass on my apologies to all the vikings fans that I slammed for claiming the Vikes were vastly superior to the Bears after Week 4. I was wrong...they are vastly superior...and my Bears just plain stink. 8 more weeks and then I can have closure.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:17 PM)

Done.

Mike (NYC)

Has anyone ever told you that you look identical to Seth MacFarlane, creator of the great animated comedy Family Guy? If not, let me be the first to let you know that.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:18 PM)

Hadn't heard that one. And Family Guy is awesome and so far above my own comedic and writing skills that I would never be mistaken for him.

Annie (Sioux Falls, SD)

Is there a way to properly use Kampman in this new scheme? Or is the Packer's best move to trade him while his value is still somewhat high (i.e. the offseason)

Kevin Seifert

  (2:19 PM)

Yeah, make him a 4-3 defensive end, which the Packers do sometimes. I think the jury has returned its verdict on this situation.

Joe (Chicago)

Where do the Bears go from here? It's obvious they need some major house cleaning, but they have no draft picks to work with. They can't possibly fill all their holes through FA, can they?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:19 PM)

Nope. They better hope Gaines Adams amounts to something.

CLF (Boyne City, MI)

Kevin... When does LJ come off waivers and do you think Detroit would be wise to keep using their wavier status and pick him up? K.Smith is having a rough go and Mo is a career backup.... What say you?Thanks

Kevin Seifert

  (2:21 PM)

We'll find out if the Lions did that later this afternoon. I highly, highly doubt they would, however. If you claim Johnson on waivers you are forced to pay his pro-rated $2.1 million contract this year and pick up all the successive years in his monster deal. That's why most people expect him to pass through waivers and eventually sign with someone as a free agent.

Tim (Chicago)

Has the Bears defensive collapse vindicated Brian Urlacher? He's been called overrated for years but they never had these types of collapsed with him in the middle.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:22 PM)

I think that's a fair point. Where they've missed him more than anywhere is in the organization process. There are too many plays where guys aren't lined up on time or are otherwise out of position.

PJ (Chicago)

How bout Jim Harbaugh? He's cheap, he has Bears ties, his brother has proven capable, and his QB experience can help Cutler.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:23 PM)

You're not the only one suggesting that. I'm sure his name would circulate if there is an opening.

Nick (Arizona)

Do you think Adrian Peterson is a bit banged up this year? Right now he doesn't seem to have that same burst to outrun guys when he hits the second level.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:23 PM)

We should get a better idea of that Sunday against Detroit. He should have his burst after the bye week. If not, something's wrong.

Tim (Chicago)

Have the last two Denver games finally shut up people who think Orton is better than Cutler?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:23 PM)

I hope so.

Mike McCarthy (Green Bay, WI)

For some reason I'm having recurring nightmares of Brett Favre celebrating a Vikings' win on Lambeau Field. Do you think I should have stopped that train from leaving?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:26 PM)

I was talking to someone today about that. In the Packers' eagerness to ship him as far away as possible, they might have accelerated the process of him going to Minnesota. We all know Favre didn't want to go to the Jets. He played his year there and got out. But what if the Packers had traded him to Tampa Bay, which is in the NFC but not a division rival? Chances are more likely he'd still be playing for Tampa Bay rather than Minnesota.

Jerry Angelo (Chicago)

How do I fix my Offensive Line with no draft picks? Are there any free agents I can sign in the offseason?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:26 PM)

How about moving Chris Williams over to left tackle and making Frank Omiyale the right tackle. Omiyale has a better chance of being a decent tackle than guard.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Hey Kevin, can you assess Brandon Pettigrew's progress to date?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:27 PM)

Sunday was his best game, by far. You got a glimpse of what the Lions hope he can do. I still think that using the No. 20 overall pick on him was a luxury the Lions couldn't afford.

Eric (Chicago)

Kevin, franchise QB's win majority of their games...Cutler is NOT a franchise QB. He hasn't had a winning record since high school. There, I said it!

Kevin Seifert

  (2:28 PM)

Is that accurate? I haven't gone back and looked. But in this case, I think the defense is a bigger problem than Cutler.

David (New York)

Do you still Stafford is 100% healthy, it seemed like he wasn't stepping into a lot of his throws in Seattle.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:30 PM)

No. I think he absolutely looked limited. Lots of ducks. But part of playing in the NFL is figuring out a way to win when you're not completely healthy.

A.J. Hawk (Green Bay, WI)

How long do I have until people realize I'm a draft bust? Especially since I was the 5th overall pick and Chad Greenway was drafted 17th.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:30 PM)

Well, I'm not on the Greenway bandwagon per se. But based on your playing time this year, I think the Packers seem close to accepting that.

Scott (California)

Hey Kevin, even though you blog for the NFC North, this Thursday has the Bears against my 49ers. Do the Niners go with Smith again or should they go back to Shaun Hill?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:31 PM)

I haven't paid attention to a ton of 49ers games, but my colleague Mike Sando believes the 49ers are best off with Alex Smith at quarterback.

Doug Pretty (Waterloo, IA)

True or False - The Vikings will have mathematically clinched the NFC North by the end of their first game against Chicago?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:32 PM)

I need to sit down and figure out if that's possible. Any math majors care to chime in?

Jamar (Lansing, MI)

Calvin Johnson has been hurt and/or struggles all season. Do you see him getting it going this week vs MN?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:32 PM)

Possibly. The Vikings have been vulnerable to the pass with Antoine Winfield sitting out.

Kyle Orton (Denver)

Is it just me, or am I 6-2 while Jay Cutler is 4-4? Did I miss something here?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:33 PM)

I'm pretty sure the Broncos' defense has had a lot more to do with that "6" than the Bears' defense had to do with that "4."

SteveFitz (Cicero, IL)

Kevin, it's time to bring Leslie Frazier "home". I'm starting a "Sign Leslie Frazier" campaignfor Leslie as the Bears new coach. Thoughts? The guy knows the NFL and his defenses have gotten better everywhere he's coached.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:36 PM)

That's all true. He brings a little bit of the 46 to the Tampa-2. But I wonder if the Bears would consider Frazier. Typically teams look for a dramatic departure from their previous coach. Frazier is a defensive-oriented coach with a reserved personality. He might be too much like Lovie Smith to warrant consideration if it came to that.

Geoff (DC)

Speaking of Gaines, has he played since the trade? Geez a 2nd rounder sure seems like a ton now

Kevin Seifert

  (2:37 PM)

Yes, agreed. I think the Bears will find some spots for him in the second half of the season.

Mike (Ohio)

I know this is quite a ways a way, but is it feasible that Brett returns for another year in Minny? If not, do the Vikings give Tavaris another shot or look to the draft? Yeah, I know Sage is still on the team...

Kevin Seifert

  (2:37 PM)

We'll find out next August. We won't be able to rule out Favre until then. At the earliest.

Doug Pretty (Waterloo, IA)

Regarding the math - MN wins next three, CHI loses next three, GB loses 2 of next 3, looks like MN would have a 6 game lead with 5 games left.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:38 PM)

I'll review that and get back to you.

Chris (Washington DC)

With the Angelo/Lovie package seemingly here to stay for another year at least, do you see Turner as a potential sacrificial lamb? I've come to wonder if Turner's version of Air Coryell will work for the Bears with their receiving corps. Do you know of other coaches with schemes more suited to what the Bears already have on Offense? (It seems unlikely there will be significant new skill-position players with only late-round draft picks and problems on D)

Kevin Seifert

  (2:39 PM)

If Smith stays, I could definitely see Turner get the boot. Might not be fair, but someone will have to pay.

ariel (nyc)

How and why did Tommie Harris fall so hard so fast for da bears. He was def MVP candidate 3 seasons ago and is still young

Kevin Seifert

  (2:39 PM)

Immature and a bad knee. Bad combination.

Joe Hoglund (Chico CA)

Its official! We lose twice to the Vikings and to the worst team in the NFL. Im done! Fire MM and TT and I will be back. Players work and train to hard to be trteated like this. Painting my sons room this weekend and have already renamed my dogs! My Packers stuff is in a box in the attic. Next year could be worse. Who do we resign? All of TT's classic underachievers?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:40 PM)

Wow. Whatever happened to thick and thin?

DJ (Chicago)

Could the Bears poor tackling be a result of Lovie never practicing contact in training camp?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:41 PM)

Perhaps. But the reality is very few teams have live tackling drills in camp.

Fashion Guru (Green Bay, WI)

What is the functional purpose of those little elbow/biceps bands you see so many players wearing?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:41 PM)

I think there is a belief they add some spring to arm movements. Who knows if that's the case.

Franz (Milwaukee)

My stomach turns.... It only took 37 mins. to start talking about Brett Farve and retirement...yeesh!

Kevin Seifert

  (2:42 PM)

Yeah, that might have been my personal record.

DJ (Chicago)

If you got a 4 year $40 million deal would you punch Sando in the face to not have to work that day?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:43 PM)

I assume you're talking about Tommie Harris? First of all, Sando is my teammate, not an opponent. Second, I know "people" are saying Tommie might have gotten ejected on purpose so he didn't have to play, but that's a big accusation that to this point has no basis in fact.

Mike (Ohio)

Any hint on what your "Homer of the Week" subject is gonna be?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:45 PM)

We've mentioned him in this chat. Otherwise, you have to tune in Thursday.

Megatron (Detroit)

OK, we are 3/4 through with the chat and I've only seen 2 Lions questions....So Do you attribute my 7 misses from Stafford to be "rust" from our lack of practice time together? Will we start connecting more the rest of the year?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:46 PM)

I answer them as I get them. ... I didn't think you had a tremendous on-field relationship with Stafford before your injury. It's been slow-going there. Too many injuries so far.

Visanthe Shiancoe (Eden Prairie, MN)

Am I close to spouting off too far and giving bulletin board material to other teams?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:47 PM)

We're getting there.

Tim (New Orleans)

Vikings will have division with that win unless greenbay doesn't lose by then otherwise it will require either 1 more packers loss or 1 more vikings win

Kevin Seifert

  (2:47 PM)

Ok. Said another way, Minnesota wins the division if it goes 3-0 in next three games and Packers do no better than 2-1?

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Kevin: Save the transcript of this chat for when Joe Hoglund comes back declaring the Packers the greatest team ever assembled. Sure it may take a while but guys like him always come back.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:48 PM)

It will be archived in cyberpsace for eternity.

Jason (Buffalo, NY)

Is Gunther Cunningham on the "hot seat" in Detroit - or are they willing to give him a few years to implement his scheme?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:49 PM)

He's not on the hot seat any more than any of the other Lions coaches. He's the guy Schwartz wanted.

Dave (MN)

Kevin...you and Pat Williams in the 40 yd dash...who wins?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:50 PM)

Everything is relative. Pat Williams is 332 pounds. But he's a football player and I'm a sportswriter.

Dave (LV)

Can we at least point out the idiocy of punching someone on the football field? I mean, these guys are wearing helmets, ya know. Tommie Harris, here's your sign.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:50 PM)

One of many inexplicable details of that situation.

Whining Fan (Chicago Bay)

Could you please go back to covering the Vikings now that they are off their bye? I hated having my team exposed as a fraud this weekend.THanks.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:51 PM)

Sure.

SteveFitz (Cicero, IL)

Not that Tommie was right, but does anyone even know why Tommie punched him? Doesn't seem like many people do. It was wrong for what Tommie did and he deserved his ejection, but people need to see the whole play.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:52 PM)

Short of getting punched himself, which didn't happen, there's nothing that could justify it.

Paul Kuharsky (AFC South)

I could own Pat Williams in a 40. Haven't you seen my blazing speed?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:52 PM)

I did watch your video and sent it off to an FBI lab for evidence of doctoring.

Randy (La Crosse)

Do you think that the vikings coaches took this week to figure out a way to stop letting teams back in it in the second half? and what do you think they could do to stop the second half meltdowns?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:54 PM)

Frankly, they need some plays made in their defensive backfield. That should change whenever Antoine Winfield gets back.

Joel (Boston)

Do you see Chicago going after a FA like Logan Mankins to help protect Cutler?

Kevin Seifert

  (2:55 PM)

They're going to have to consider free agency and/or internal shuffling because they don't have the draft picks to rebuild right away.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:55 PM)

Ok everyone, one or two more questions.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

With regard to the Vikes winning the division I believe the Pack would need to go 1-2 if the Vikes go 3-0 over that same time. It would give the Vikes a six-game lead plus the tie breaker with six to go.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:55 PM)

Ah, ok.

Tom W. (Metrodome Basement)

The Vikings magic number is 6. Any combination of 6 Viking wins/Bears losses + 2 GB losses will crown them division champs. Week 12 is a definite possibility for the division to be determined.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:56 PM)

Ok. You get the final word.

Kevin Seifert

  (2:56 PM)

Chat with you next week everyone.