kevin (dallas)

what do you make of the bears?

len

  (11:07 AM)

lots of problems, starting with o-line, it seems . . . also cb's seem to have fallen apart quickly . . . still, i think lovie's safe

kyle (denver)

Are the broncos going to continue their downfall?

len

  (11:09 AM)

i got a chance to see the broncos first-hand on sunday, and came away thinking they don't throw the ball up the field ver much . . . with the exception of the two early bombs to marshall, didn't have a pass play of 20 yards . . . too much reliance on marshall and eddie royals to make run-after-catch yards

Greg (Philly)

Everyone else has had their say, Len, so you might as well too...Belichick's 4th and 2 decision Sunday night -- smart or stupid?

len

  (11:11 AM)

everyone else that's commented is a lot smarter than me, sir, but i was stunned when they actually snapped the ball on fourth down . . . but BB has gambled in such situations in the past, and three SB wins buuilds up a lot of capital, so . . .

Ryan (Chicago)

do the Browns have a new coach next year?

len

  (11:13 AM)

i think it's hard, sir, to fire any coach after only one year (unless your name is al davis), but he browns, alas, have to star over -- again !!! -- so anything is possible

Erik (Bluefield)

What are the Ravens missing?

len

  (11:14 AM)

seondary has played really poorly, sir, and, last night notwithstanding, the blitz hasn't been as consistently good

Jason (Detroit)

with all the injuries to their secondary is the colts defense still good enough to win the superbowl

len

  (11:16 AM)

what they've done missing the-quarters of the secondary, sir, is pretty unbelievable, and a tribute to bill polian and his personnel staff . . . but i think, sooner of later, the injuries catch up to them . . . of course, i thought sunday night was the sooner part, and they still found a way to win

Tim (El Cajon, CA)

Another problem with the BEARS is Cutler. That dude has to learn to throw the ball away and not force it so often. He has way too many INT's. I think the Bears got the short end of the stick on that trade and will be paying for it for years.

len

  (11:19 AM)

i still thin, sir, that the trade was a good one . .. you don't win in the nfl without a qb, and the bears have been searching for one for what, 20 years . . . yeah, way too many interceptions, and i used to chalk it up to throwing the ball up the field so much, but that hasn't been the case this year . . .that said, i'm in favor of the deal, for what it's worth

j.dubya (alabama)

would it be better for the saints to lose one and get it over with, as opposed to carrying the pressure through the playoffs and into the big one i.e. patriots

len

  (11:21 AM)

i've never belived, sir, it's good to "get the loss ou of the way" . . . still, i think the saints will stumble at some point .. . my guess is the game at the georgia dome could be a tough one

Dave (Ft Worth)

Len, I feel that Ryan Mallett from Arkansas is a 1st round pick next year. There is no other QB with his size and arm strength in the SEC or FBS. He is eligible to come out since he transferred from Michigan. Do you see him getting picked in the 1st round as well?

len

  (11:23 AM)

honestly, sir, don't know enough about the draft yet to address it with any conviction . . . but the games i've seen mallett on TV, he looks like the real deal from a stature and arm-strength perspective . . . . and no matter what people think of petrino, he puts qbs in a very sophisticated offense that is nfl-friendly

milton (illinois)

len...while quinn didn't shine last night,omg..that o-line has to be among the worst of all time...your thoughts?

len

  (11:25 AM)

you're on-target, sir, the qb play is just one of many problems . . . the o-line is a mess, and even LT joe thomas seems to have regressed some

Eric (Chicago)

Len, in your response to the Bears question...it all starts with the QB, you know as well as I that if it were Grossman or Orton things would be completely different. Cutler has bad decision making abilities, bad work ethic according to reports out of Denver, doesn't hold himself accountable, etc. Should the Bears blow it all up and start from scratch?

len

  (11:27 AM)

cutler isn't the most lovable or beloved (by his teammates), sir, but he does have big-time talent . . . i know playing qb is more than just talent -- heck, i lived through the jeff george years here in atlanta -- but it still starts with talent, and cutler's got it

Aaron (Indiana)

Am I the only one? Call me crazy, but do you see the Titans making a huge run in the second half?

len

  (11:28 AM)

sorry, crazy, but as good as the titans have been recently, they dug the hole too deep at the start

Ethan (Alabama)

Is there any hope for the raiders? They got young talent right?

len

  (11:31 AM)

we keep hearing about this "young talent," sir, but where is it? . . . they'll start over again next year with a new coach, and that usually means at least a one-year acclimation period . . . i think the contributions al davis has made to the game are enormous, but he shouldn't have so much sway over personnel matters at this point

len

  (11:32 AM)

good question, sir . . . yeah, i think so . . . despite some unevenness lately, he seems to have turned the corner . . . don't know that he'll ever be great, but should be a qb you can win with

Ethan (Alabama)

Do you see a good nfl future for Russel or McFadden? Even if its not with this Raiders team?

len

  (11:34 AM)

not for russell, sir, because to be good at this game, you've got to embrace the challenge, and i don't think russell cares enough . . . mcfaddden, i he can ever stay healthy, can be a good back

Please dont call me 'Sir' (Buffalo)

If Ralph Wilson was willing to spend the money, would one of the big name coaches be willing to coach in Buffalo?

len

  (11:35 AM)

yeah, i think so, sir . . . there's a great tradition there and, despite the toronto fixation, a loyal fan base . .. and, while it's trite, there are only 32 of these jobs

Ray A. (San Francisco)

Any way the 49ers steal the NFC West from the Cardinals?

len

  (11:37 AM)

it could happen, sir, because the 49ers play great defense . . . but i think the cards are starting to hit their stride . . . and, while they're stuill a jekyll-hyde team, i think they're the best team in a lackluster division

Sir (Sirville)

Len, the NFC Wild Card contenders are all very inconsistent (Atl/Car, GB/Chi, Phl/Dal/NYG, SF/Zona)... who do you see taking the WC?

len

  (11:39 AM)

i think, sir, the battle will come down to those intramural games, like this sunday's atlanta-giants matchup .. . a lot of those teams are facing playoff-type gams in november, and one has to get hot

Chuck (San Jose)

Do you think Al davis finally ralizes that catching the ball is more important in a wr than his 40 time?

len

  (11:40 AM)

let's hope so, sir, because production still trumpes straight-line speed

steve-o (indianapolis)

ok belichick goes for it in fourth and 2. and doesnt make it. some say it was a good call, but everyone agrees he is a smart coach "insert stealing video here". but if caldwell makes that call and comes up short. its a rookie mistake and he doesnt know what hes doing.

len

  (11:42 AM)

yep, good point, sir . . . but like i said, three SB rings buys a guy a lot of capital . . . and BB has a history of going for it on fourth down, as he's demonstrated nearly every year -- including this one (check the atlanta-NE play-by-play)

oddo (foster city)

would this be a good trade for both teams...JaMarcus to the Sk9ns for campbell? maybe the raiders include a 4th rounder. Campbell I think can manage a game waaaaay better than russell and bothe neeb a change of scenery.

len

  (11:45 AM)

don't know, sir, if it's a ver good deal for the redskins . . . i wrote a column that will be posted sometime today, in which i posit that campbell is going to be a steal for the next team that gets him .. . . he's stuck right now in an offense that doesn't dovetail with his skill-set .. . . maybe i'm wrong (it sure wouldn't be the first or last time), but i think the guy has some skills - -- pocket stature, deep ball, temperment, etc.

chayce (washington)

do the colts continue there winning streak?

len

  (11:47 AM)

a little while longer, sir, but they won't be 16-0

Justin Kaminski (PA)

Should the Cowboys get another wide receiver??

len

  (11:49 AM)

yes, sir, possibly so .. . austin, obviously, has stepped up, but it seems like hurd has lost a step and williams, well, is williams . . . so, yes, they could use a guy to complement austion, although TE jason witten is really a go-to guy, much like dallas clark in indy

George (NJ)

Do you foresee Kenny Britt developing into a long term high quality receiver for the Titans?

len

  (11:50 AM)

yes, sir, i do . .. he's made some big plays this year in modest playing time . . . think they really got a good one there

K (philly)

The Eagles have a huge offensive line. Why cant they get short yards running. dont o linemen prefer run blocking to pass blocking since they are pushing forward rather than back on their heels?

len

  (11:51 AM)

because, sir, run-blocking is as much about mentality as is is size . . . maybe more so . . . and the philly line just isn't very accustomed to firing out and knocking people off the LOS

steve-o (indianapolis)

but you have to agree bb's call was a little off the hip

len

  (11:53 AM)

no doubt, sir, but (obvious bias showing here), that's why he's BB, right?

scott (richmond)

how do you see the falcons wild card for the playoffs?

len

  (11:55 AM)

this week's gam, sir, at the giants, is really big . . . but more important is the health of RB michael turner . . . people can talk all they want to about matt ryan, but the atlanta offense still goes through turner

Liam (Pleasanton, California)

Do you think the 49ers should consider bringing in Holmgren as a football czar? the 49ers would have to be one of his top choices. I think they could use some more experience in their front office.

len

  (11:56 AM)

i have a great deal of respect, sir, for mike homlgren . . . but when he was handed the keys in seattle, his personnel decisions didn't always work out .. . as a general mamangre, mike is a great coach, know what i mean?

Fred (Chicago)

Did Sunday night's game give us any indication of which team is better Pats or Colts?

len

  (11:58 AM)

let's just say, sir, that if they play again, all us fans can only hope the encore is as good as the original was

chayce (washington)

do u think brandon jennings could be any better?

len

  (11:59 AM)

55 is hard to top, sir, maybe everyone will go to europe for a year now

ed (tupelo)

Will Norwood get back on the field for Atlanta this year?

len

  (12:00 PM)

yes, sir, probably this week . .. word here is that he's not ready yet to handle the full load if turner can't go, but he seems recovered enough from the hip flexor to play

len

  (12:02 PM)

thanks so much, ladies and gentlemen, for the great questions . . . look forward to the next time . . . enjoy the games . . . thanks again