Chat with Matt Mosley
Welcome to SportsNation! On Tuesday, ESPN.com NFC East blogger Matt Mosley stops by to talk about the NFL.
Mosley, an award-winning writer for The Dallas Morning News for seven years, joined ESPN.com in January 2007 and writes columns, features and blogs about the NFL.
Send your questions now and join Mosley on Tuesday at noon ET!
More Matt Mosley: NFC East blog | Chat | Columns | NFL index
Buzzmaster (12:07 PM)
Matt's finishing something up and will be here around 12:15 p.m. ET.
thomas (fl)
Hey Matt Love your insight keep doing what you are doing.What is the chance of eagles signing dt henderson and if they do the impact?
Mosley (12:15 PM)
Thomas, you know the Eagles prefer the quicker players. Henderson's more a lumbering guy in the middle. Doesn't strike me as a great fit, but I'll ask around. Where have you guys been??
Igbey (Queens)
I've heard a lot about Dillard and Linval Joseph. What are your thoughts?
Mosley (12:17 PM)
Igbey down under: Heard that both of them had nice showings in minicamp. I don't make much of DL until the pads go on. You can't tell much about those guys at all in the shorts and shells. But from the folks I've talked to, Dillard was everywhere. And he was already a really vocal guy in his first camp. I'm told Coughlin was quite impressed. I'll try to get Dillard on the phone this week.
Dan (NY)
Matt, do you think the Giants have to be worried about the JPP pick already, after the early reports from mini camp? I wasn't as down on the pick as a lot of Giants fans were, but it would be bad for a team with a lot of good pieces but a few big holes to come away from the 15th pick with a player that won't contribute much in his first year.
Mosley (12:18 PM)
I don't put much stock in a three-day minicamp. So the guy had some back issues and some trouble with his conditioning. you should've seen what Dez Bryant was going through at Valley Ranch. Could barely stand up straight. So it's way too early to overreact. I'll do that on your behalf during training camp.
Alex C. (New Orleans)
The recent moves by the eagles make me think that the new F.O. puts a bigger emphasis on LB. They traded for Simms, drafted Graham who I know is slated to play DE but could play the SAM, and neglected the CB position until Lindley. What do you think about the Eagles D, especially Lindley?
Mosley (12:20 PM)
Lindley was headed for great things but ran into some problems his final season at Kentucky. I agree that the secondary is still somewhat of a mystery. But a better pass-rush could make that secondary look a lot better. It would worry me that the Eagles seem to have so much faith in Hobbs. I don't have that same feeling about the player.
Jake (DC)
First off, would rather have Marko Mitchell than old man Galloway; but more importantly, what do the Shanahans see in these O-Linemen? I dont feel comfortable at all with Heyer/Hicks/Big Fat Mike Williams on the right side... any players available that might be able to help them, or can one of those late rounders realistically help?
Mosley (12:22 PM)
I guess you could see if Flozell wanted to play on the right side. I'm not a Williams fan, either. But not a lot of options out there at this point. Gandy from the Cards do anything for you? I'm anxious to see how Trent Williams looks in this upcoming camp.
loaf (san diego)
as a dallas fan, i'm excited about dez bryant. what doesn't excite me is the media making his mother's troubling past such a headline. it's bad journalism, unethical and irrelevant...especially when you compare to say big ben, who will actually miss games due to off field behavior. please tell your cohorts to leave her alone already!
Mosley (12:24 PM)
Loaf, it looks like the original story from Mike Silver came from Dez's reps. So it's not like the media was knocking on their door begging for a salacious headline. But once the story was out there, it took on a life of its own. Now that the mom, Angela, has come out demanding an apology, it simply creates another news cycle. So I'm not sure how the media's supposed to leave the family alone when it appears that some of the story is being leaked from Dez's reps.
Jeremy (San Diego)
Hey Matt, where did you have the Skins in your rankings? Do you see 8 or 9 wins as a possibility at this point (assuming they can get another solid O-Linemen)?
Mosley (12:25 PM)
I think eight or nine wins is a real possibility. I think I have them with nine wins, but I'll have to double check.
Andrew (NY)
What kind of bounce back can we expect from the G's? Do you think they'll take the division or get the WC? Remember, Dallas may have some o-line, WR, and Safety issues, Eagles have a new QB, and the 'Skins need another year to become a contender.
Mosley (12:26 PM)
Andrew, I remember all of those things. I'd never count the Giants out. I have them second behind the Cowboys at this point.
btmeeks88 (San Diego)
The Redskins have a premier defense. Do you see the offense being able to produce more than recent years and leading us to the playoffs again? What are the definite weaknesses that need to be addressed?
Mosley (12:28 PM)
Let's see...You don't have a front-line receiver, a decent right guard or right tackle. You have three aging running backs who each peaked about four years ago...Other than that, you're good to go. And I would not call that a "premier" defense. They don't cause enough turnovers to be premier. And I'm not sure how this Haynesworth thing will play out. If he's not there this weekend, Shanny's head might explode.
Newt (Jacksonville)
Do you see the return of Jay Alford from injury as a key component to shoring up the porous Giants interior defense?
Mosley (12:29 PM)
Good player, Newt. yes, I think that would go a long way in helping the Jags.
12yearoldeaglesfan (reading, pa)
hey matt. What do you think of the Eagles safeties. At free safety will it be Macho Harris or can Marlin Jackson come from the Colts and step in? On the strongside which of the Quentins will play, Mikell or Demps? Can Nate Allen start right away or does he need a year? And how about Trevard Lindley?, I've heard he might try safety.
Mosley (12:29 PM)
Mikell and Allen will likely be the starters. We'll have to see where Jackson is from a health standpoint.
12yearoldeaglesfan (reading, pa)
hey matt. I was wondering what you think about the Eagles linebacker spots. Bradley will obviously go at middle but the OLB spots seem to be up for grabs a little. At weakside it looks like Ernie Sims, but could Akeem Jordan win his spot back? And on the stongside, the coaching staff seems to like Moise Fokou(although I don't), could Alex Hall come in from the Browns and take over the spot? Who do you think will be the starting linebackers on opening day for the Eagles?
Mosley (12:30 PM)
Wide open in camp except for Bradley's spot...Sims will win his spot because of experience and savvy. On the other side, it's a crapshoot. Fokou's added some weight. Dynamic player.
Ryan (Ashburn,VA)
Matt, any word on a contract extension for McNabb? I haven't heard anything since the trade.
Mosley (12:31 PM)
All in good time, Ryan. Maybe they'll announce it moments before he runs out of the tunnel against the Eagles.
Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)
Which NFL Rookies do you think will be the best players in the NFL in 2010?
Mosley (12:32 PM)
I really like the kid Odrick in Miami, Clausen for the Panthers and Dez Bryant for the Cowboys.
dan (philly)
what will it take for the eagles to get nmandi asomugha
Mosley (12:32 PM)
A wheelbarrow of cash.
Mitchell (NYC)
Jason Pierre-Paul told The Star Ledger that he has a back condition that bothers him regularly. The Giants claim to have never been told this. What is the story, How could the Giants not have known this and what affect will this have on his contract????.
Mosley (12:33 PM)
You can expect for this kid to stop talking about this "condition" immediately.
chris mooch (new york)
will clint stintum be this years manningham for the g-men ? how bout the progress of barden?
Mosley (12:33 PM)
Barden's getting there. Sintim will start. Barden just has to prove that he can play special teams. Has to start bringing it in that area.
12yearoldeaglesolver (reading, pa)
hey matt, I'm a little worried about the front seven for the Eagles D being small. I can picture playing Minnesota(or any team that can run) and AP running all over our small, fast defensive. How worried should I be.
Mosley (12:34 PM)
That's the way they play. Nothing's changed. Smaller, quicker players. Not going to change their entire makeup to prepare for A.D. (All Day) or anyone else.
Wedo (arizona)
Hey matt i think the redskins would be wise to go after adalus thomas as an outside linebacker,your thought good or bad?
Mosley (12:34 PM)
Good player, poor fit for Haslett.
chris mooch (new york)
matt do what kind of impact do you think rolle will have in the giants secondary? is he a leader ? and one more, what do you hear on the health of phillips.
Mosley (12:35 PM)
Rolle's a good player. he'll be a huge upgrade back there. I've heard that phillips will be ready to roll. I wouldn't stress out about him.
Pascal Todd (Annandale VA)
the same way that with the aquistion of brett favre made the sidney rice a pro bowler. Do you think Donovan mcnabb can make malcolm kelly a pro bowler? He's got great hands and they ran around the same 40 yard dash.
Mosley (12:36 PM)
Whoa there, pal. Rice had a little better pedigree than Kelly. The former OU player isn't nearly as explosive as Rice. Not a fair comparison. Kelly's more of a possession guy. So no, I don't think Kelly's about to explode. But he could definitely be a strong contributor.
chris mooch (new york)
can andre brown come back and be a productive running back after tearing his achillies and do you hear anything in regards to his health?
Mosley (12:37 PM)
I can't think of a RB who's successfully returned from that specific injury. Not a lot of them out there.
Graham (Macon,GA)
Which day 3 or even undrafted players could you see making an impact in the east this season
Mosley (12:38 PM)
Outside the division, the Seahawks were very wise to land LB Joe Pawalek. He'll make a lot of scouts look silly...In the Beast, I like a RB for the Cowboys named Lonyae Miller and a G/T Mike Tepper out of Cal...
chris mooch (new york)
hey matt love your work. do you think pierre paul is kearse like, or work out warrior ? and what do you expect from him this year and the future? thanks
Mosley (12:39 PM)
I think he's a project player, which is something Giants fans hate to hear. Won't be a huge impact guy in 2010.
Brendan (DC)
Please tell me Jim Haslett's scheme can create some turnovers 'cause if not I feel another long year of blown coverages and missed tackles by the skins secondary
Mosley (12:41 PM)
Haslett will do everything he can to make that happen. He'll have players working on strips in practice and then racing the other way once they get turnovers. The overall mindset has to change. Haslett wants the defense to score on a regular basis. See the Saints D from last season. Not great stats in terms of total yards allowed, but BIG takeaway numbers.
Matt (Ashburn)
Matt, Do you have anything nice to say about the Redskins?
Mosley (12:42 PM)
I think Brian Orakpo is a superstar in the making and I've been saying that ever since he showed up on campus.
Yatin (LA)
Why aren't Andy Reid, Howie Roseman etc. as worried about the o-line as I am??? Kolb needs time to get the ball downfield to his speedsters
Mosley (12:43 PM)
They simply like the depth along the o-line. Nick Cole has the experience and they believe that Stacy Andrews has turned the corner with his knee. Winston Justice was pretty good at RT. So I can see why they're not panicked. They'll be fine.
Cody (NAS Pensacola, FL)
With the offense Kolb has this year and the defense being rebuilt and young, how well will the Eagles offense do this year?
Mosley (12:44 PM)
Kolb simply has to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers. With Jackson, Maclin and Celek, I think he'll be fine. He'll struggle at times, but a quick-strike guy like Jackson can atone for a lot of mistakes.
Mike (Ellicott City, Md.)
With Trent Williams going to start on the left side, are we still going to be stuck with Heyer on the right? Or do you see them making any other moves like possibly Barron from St. Louis?
Mosley (12:44 PM)
I think you'll once again have a Heyer calling.
Chris (Brooklyn)
So if you've got Sintim as a starter on one side, A)presuming Boley still starting on the other, who do you have in the middle, andB) Do you think Sintim will be effective? On a related note, do you think a healthier DL will help the linebacking corps in general?
Mosley (12:45 PM)
Dillard starts in the middle, Sintim and Boley will be out there with him.
Justin (Enid,OK)
Do you think Tashard Choice will still be in Dallas next year or will they let go of MBIII in favor of Choice?
Mosley (12:46 PM)
More likely that barber's gone in 2011 than Choice.
Charles Burks (Grand Prairie TX )
Which new Left Tackle in the east will have a better year? Doug Free, Or trent Williams, and Why?
Mosley (12:47 PM)
Doug Free will have the better season, Charles. He has a little more experience and has a better idea how to approach each game. Williams will have to take his lumps. I think Free's really calm about this whole transition.
chris (brooklyn, ny)
Is William Beatty set to start for the Giants this year>?
Mosley (12:47 PM)
That's not a done deal.
Tom Coughlin (East Rutherford)
Matt- If I go 8-8 again this year, am I dunzo in New York?
Mosley (12:48 PM)
yes, probably so. so don't go 8-8.
Anthony (Columbia, MO)
Mosley, Why are you so quick to dismiss the possibility of a late career surge from one of the Redskins veteran backs (a la Fred Tayor)?
Mosley (12:49 PM)
I've watched all three of them. I just don't see it. Perhaps Portis can regain a little bit of what he had going in 2008. The other two guys just don't impress me that much.
Chris (NC)
Hey Matt what are your thought on Kolb? Will he develop into the player that Andy thinks he is?
Mosley (12:50 PM)
Here are his three best strengths: Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy. and that's why I think he'll succeed in this system. Like the way he approaches things.
Jake (Iowa)
Do you think the Cowboy's should sign a veteran safety?
Mosley (12:50 PM)
yep.
Dani (D.C.)
Matt, can you give me one "below the radar" type of guy on the Skins that you see breaking out this year?
Mosley (12:51 PM)
Ryan Torrain will have a big season. There, I said it.
Andrew (GR)
Do you think a 3-4 Dline with AH - Kemoeatu - Carricker will make the skins D better than its been in the last 5 years? That is almost 1000 pounds in a small space. I could see Orakapo getting 15 sacks or more with those guys tying up the Oline
Mosley (12:52 PM)
If you can get Big Al to the field, this thing could be pretty impressive. But Kemo and Carricker are health risks. I'm still looking for depth on the D-line. I don't see the quality quite yet.
JJ (Newtown, Ct)
think the Boys make a play for Atwoge? Also, do they like this kid Sicko enough to part ways w/Bennett and go with Witten, John Phillips and Sicko at TE?
Mosley (12:53 PM)
Not ready to part ways with Bennett just yet. They love what he's doing on Ustream.
Mike (Fartville )
Can Steve Smith be the #1 receiver in the NFC this season?
Mosley (12:53 PM)
In terms of catches, sure. But Larry Fitz is still the BEST.
MJ (Long Island via Boston)
Hey Matt - do you think Roy Williams watched the Drew Pearson review about him. Do you think he'd actually listen to what Drew had to say?
Mosley (12:55 PM)
I talked to Drew last week for several minutes. Roy would be very wise to listen, but I'm not sure if he read Drew's review on ESPNDallas.com or heard him on "Galloway and Company," one of the top radio shows in the southwest.
Shon (Vegas)
Why was Lee the only LB at the minicamp? What about the four LB's they drafted last year? Are they all hurt?
Mosley (12:55 PM)
Shon, if you've had an accredited NFL season, you can't be in one of those rookie camps. Those LBs weren't eligible to be out there, sir.
Andy (Charlotte)
Do you think Aaron Ross will finally have a full season at CB?
Mosley (12:56 PM)
he's like Terence Newman. Sort of tightly-wound guy the way he's built. I'm not into predicting health. But I know he's done everything he can to try to prevent the hamstring issues.
Trey (Fort Worth)
Do you expect Dez to be returning kicks and punt returns from the start of the season?
Mosley (12:57 PM)
nah.
st8prop (Atlanta, GA)
MM...how goes it? You need to comment on your own blogs from time to time so we know you are paying attention LMAO. Anyways...JPP is in a unique situation in that since he hasnt played long with his hands on the ground, Fewell can move him and play him @ SAM or DE. JPP can put on 20 more pounds to his frame and play DT if necessary. Where do you see him being a disruptive force if he actually plays?
Mosley (12:58 PM)
Right there at defensive end. And I swim through the "comments" section from time to time. But I don't hang out there all day or anything. Bad for my health!
Josh (Jersey)
Outside of the 1st 2 selections, which of the other selections the Eagles made do you think will see the most time on the field this year?
Mosley (1:00 PM)
They'll all be in the mix. I like the LB from OU. He'll be in there on special teams from the start. And the new T.O. will be thrown into the mix as well. Love that Andy used that line. He's actually sort of funny from time to time. OK, that's all I have for you guys. Thanks for your patience. I'll give you some bonus time next week. You guys were awesome.
Brian (NYC)
Why did the cowboys not address the safety position earlier in the draft, with either kyle wilson or morgan burnett? It seems like even tho they took Bryant in the first, they could have addressed it in the second.
Mosley (1:01 PM)
They didn't pick until 55th, right? I simply think they went with their board.
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