Adam Schefter

  (10:56 AM)

Hello, everybody. My first chat this season at ESPN.com is about to begin. Hopefully it goes well, everybody takes it easy on me, and we can do it again at this time next week. OK, let's get it started and when we're finished, let's go get a &%!-*^!* snack.

Donny (Covina, CA)

Thoughts on Seahawks chances on winning the NFC West?

Adam Schefter

  (10:58 AM)

Let's put it this way, Donny. The division is there for them to take. It's almost like nobody wants to -- or is good enough to -- win this division. And the key, as always, is the quarterbacks. For now, Seattle has the most experienced quarterback in the division, though Sam Bradford looks like he's going to be somebody to contend with for years to come. Still think Arizona is going to be tough to beat; it has a lot of talent. But I'd rather have the Seahawks starting quarterback than the Cardinals.

Frazier (Philly)

Adam, thanks for chatting and welcome. What do you see happening with both Mankins and VJax, will either player report this season and guarantee themselves an accrued season. I think both players could help their teams

Adam Schefter

  (11:01 AM)

Thanks, Frazier. Mankins I see reporting later this season with six games left so he can be one step closer to unrestricted free agency. Jackson I don't see reporting. I think he sits out the year. I think the Oct. 19 trade deadline comes and goes without a move on either player. Think we see Mankins in November, and Jackson not until next season.

Matt (Green Bay)

I'm afraid the Packers are going to suffer long term this season without a running game, do you think they will make a move to land Marshawn Lynch or anyone at all?

Adam Schefter

  (11:02 AM)

Matt: Green Bay has to do something at running back, and I think the organization recognizes it. It knows it can't rely on Brandon Jackson as its workhorse from now through the playoffs, assuming it makes them. Green Bay will continue looking for a trade, and Lynch makes as much sense as anybody. But the problem is, teams have been trying to pry away Lynch since the off-season and so far, Buffalo hasn't budged.

Thomas (Cookeville)

I am trying to decide whether I should start Michael Vick or Matt RYan this week. Any suggestions?

Adam Schefter

  (11:04 AM)

Thomas: I really dislike giving fantasy advice. I don't like to feel responsible if I give someone incorrect input. I try to provide people with as much information as possible, and then it's up to you to make your choice. Earlier this season, I strayed from my motto on giving fantasy advice and survivor pool tips -- and was wrong on both counts, and it ruined my Sunday night. But I will say this: I like both your choices Sunday. You're in a good spot.

Cassius (Texas)

Adam, What do you expect will happen with Marshawn Lynch? Surely Buffalo will trade him for draft picks. How does Green Bay not seriously pursue him? He's a good young back who could help them for years.

Adam Schefter

  (11:05 AM)

Cassius: Lynch has to be the most coveted back in the league right now for any team in need of one. Again, the problem is, Is some team willing to give Buffalo what it wants? To date, no one has. It will be interesting to see if someone steps up and pays before the Oct. 19 trade deadline. If I were running a team, I would. But to date, no one has.

Dave (New Hope, MN)

What's the word on Marshawn Lynch.....going to be traded?

Adam Schefter

  (11:06 AM)

I'm sensing a trend here on Marshawn Lynch questions....Buffalo could deal him, but I'll believe it when I see it. It will take a good offer to get him.

Matt Glover (East Lansing)

Are the Kansas City Chiefs actually a contender, or are they just stealing some wins from teams who haven't clicked yet?

Adam Schefter

  (11:08 AM)

Matt: The Chiefs remind me a bit of last year's Broncos, who got out to the torrid start. That Denver team wasn't able to sustain it; we'll see if this Kansas City team can. But I like the young playmakers it has. The Chiefs have as much team speed as anyone. In any game, Jamaal Charles can beat you, Dexter McCluster can beat you, Javier Arenas can beat you. It's one reason this team is 3-0.

Jack (Atlantic City)

All the talk has been Shanahan will eventually feature Ryan Torain at RB leaving Portis to 3rd downs. I don't see how that would help this team win games. Especially with the prior relationship in Denver existing.

Adam Schefter

  (11:09 AM)

Jack: The Redskins like Torain, and they also like Keiland Williams. He should not be overlooked there, either. Torain has failed to demonstrate that he can stay healthy for a season. If he can, then Washington will use him more and more. But I think there will be carries for Williams, too. Washington has two backs that provide an alternative to Portis if he fails to produce. But if Portis is producing at a high level, then Washington will keep riding him.

Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo)

Am I going to be traded? If so what teams make the most sense? I would love to play for Green Bay in that offense.

Adam Schefter

  (11:10 AM)

Thanks for the interest, Marshawn. Think you know the deal on your deal. :)

Adam (Florida)

Scheftler, follow you religiously buddy, can we swap jobs for a day!!! Keep up the great work. Question, what is the latest on Lynch? I know you are going to get this alot in this chat, but we are all curious! Any updates with Vincent Jackson? Thanks!

Adam Schefter

  (11:11 AM)

Thanks for the kind words, Adam. As for Jackson, I think the window to trade him has come and gone. I know the trade deadline is Oct. 19. But San Diego wanted a second- and third-round draft choice last week and it will want the same again. If no one would surrender it before, it's hard to see anyone surrendering it now. Looks like Jackson is on ice, unless something changes.

Greg (Massachusetts)

Hi, is LaDelle Betts going to do anything substantial if Pierre Thomas sits out?

Adam Schefter

  (11:13 AM)

Greg: Looks like the Saints are going to need Betts and Chris Ivory on Sunday against the Panthers. The chances of Thomas playing do not look promising. And they're already without Reggie Bush. But what I would expect is more throws from Drew Brees -- smart, precise throws that get Lance Moore and Devery Henderson and Marcus Colston involved. Sean Payton can trust Brees with the football, and that's what I think will happen Sunday. But it does create an interesting set of dynamics.

Greg (VA)

Do you expect any NFL head coach firings during the year?

Adam Schefter

  (11:14 AM)

Greg: Hunting season usually begins right before Thanksgiving. That's when those hot seats really heat up. There are enough coaches who should be feeling some pressure right now: Jack Del Rio, Tom Cable, Mike Singletary, to name a few. But the bottom line in this league is, any coach that doesn't win with regularity is going to be on the hot seat. Tough league.

Paul Z (Scranton, PA)

Do you think the 49ers will make any moves during the season at HC or any significant position changes (QB, CB)?

Adam Schefter

  (11:15 AM)

Paul: For now, the 49ers are through making moves, and they're hoping what they did works. But if it doesn't, and if 0-3 becomes 0-4 and 0-5, then anything is possible. But before we get to the coach, I think there will be positional changes first. And the quarterback is the position to watch if this team continues struggling.

jack poynter (florida)

Will Roy E.Williams get the chance to play ,and do well in the future?

Adam Schefter

  (11:16 AM)

Jack: I think Roy E. Williams showed last week what he is capable of doing. And with Dez Bryant now back, the Cowboys have a full arsenal of weapons. If the line can protect Tony Romo, he is poised to put up some monster numbers in the season's final 13 games.

jack poynter (florida)

Will Matthews start, and wilol he get any goal line touchees?

Adam Schefter

  (11:17 AM)

Jack: Ryan Mathews is on schedule to start Sunday versus the Cardinals. But I think Mike Tolbert has proven that he is worthy of some of Mathews' carries, especially around the goal line. It will be up to Mathews to wrestle away some of those carries.

Zach (NYC)

What is your stance on how the Philadelphia fan base has treated McNabb throughout the years?

Adam Schefter

  (11:19 AM)

A real hot-button issue, Zach. My belief is that Philadelphia has been good to McNabb, but it also didn't appreciate him as much as it should. Before he got there, it had been something like 20 years since the franchise had been to an NFC Championship. He helped the Eagles reach five of them. He failed to win the big game, and people always will point to that, which is fair, but McNabb did an awful lot of good in that city and for that franchise.

Dan Poses (Providence)

What are the chances that pierre thomas and steven jackson play on sunday?

Adam Schefter

  (11:20 AM)

Dan: Don't like the chances of either back playing Sunday, and even if they do, it's fair to wonder how healthy they will be. I think both teams recognize that it might be better to sit the backs for a week, get them healthy, and then bring them back. But both players are tough and want to be out there. If they can be out there, they will. But I wouldn't count on seeing, either.

Tommy (Winnipeg, Canada)

Will there be any trades of note this year before the deadline?

Adam Schefter

  (11:23 AM)

The NFL never seems to have as many trades as we would like, Tommy. There will be lots of chatter this year -- there always is. But deals are more rare. We have a few teams in the market for a running back -- Green Bay, Seattle, maybe more. And there are teams that have a glut of running backs -- a la Buffalo. It's just that deals are so hard to get done primarily for this reason. If the Bills can get a third-round pick for Marshawn Lynch this season, why would they not wait, play this season with Lynch, then get the third-round pick after the season? The logic there is one reason why deals are rare in the NFL. And while we're at it, I'd love to see the trade deadline pushed back to later in the season. But the league worries that teams would start auctioning off players, and it is trying to avoid a scenario like that one.

Julio (Miami)

If the Vikings don't make the playoffs, is Brad Childress on the hot seat since he put everything in on Favre.

Adam Schefter

  (11:24 AM)

Keep in mind, Julio, that the Vikings gave Brad Childress an extension last season. Yes, he'll take heat and criticism. Like I said, what coach who is not winning doesn't? But ultimately the Vikings invested money and years in Childress and in their financial state, the thought would be that they would stand behind it and him.

Evan (New York)

Do you expect the Jets to re-sign Braylon Edwards? I know he's a knucklehead, but he's a mathcup nightmare. If they don't, do you think the Pats would make a play for him?

Adam Schefter

  (11:25 AM)

New York has a lot of players to re-sign, Evan, and what Edwards did last week did not enhance his chances of staying with the Jets. Keep in mind, Santonio Holmes is coming off suspension after this week and his contract is up after this season, too. I've always thought that whoever played better this season, Edwards or Holmes, would get an extension, and the other would be left to find another deal. It doesn't mean he couldn't return to New York, but the Jets will not be spending big money on two wide receivers.

Chris (ATL)

Welcome to the chat world AS ! Love your insights on ESPN and Twitter.Do you think Michael Crabtree finally man's up this week or go with the diva WR T.O. ? What's your opinion for this week and for the season.

Adam Schefter

  (11:27 AM)

Really surprised that Crabtree has not been more of a factor so far, Chris. Thought he would breakout this season -- and so far, thought wrong. But everything has been off in San Francisco. Team needs to get it together. In time, my belief is Crabtree will be a stud receiver. Just don't know how soon we'll see it and whether it'll be this season.

Steeler stranded in Buffalo (Buffalo)

What is the key matchup you'll be watching in the Bal-Pgh game?

Adam Schefter

  (11:28 AM)

Turnovers, Mr. Steeler man, like always. It's amazing to me that this season, the Steelers are +6 in turnovers and the Ravens are -6 in turnovers and Baltimore still has a 2-1 record. If the Ravens get that turnover margin straightened out on Sunday, they will beat Pittsburgh.

Kevin (Annapolis)

Anything to the rumor about Panther Steve Smith getting traded?

Adam Schefter

  (11:29 AM)

Would surprise me, Kevin. Now if I were in Carolina, I'd be pushing to make a deal for him and get what the team could. But the Panthers have not been aggressive in signing players to long-term extensions or in looking to make trades, and I don't suspect it will change before Oct. 19. But it's worth tracking.

Eric (Ma)

Adam , You are known as a raider hater. Is there any truth to this ?

Adam Schefter

  (11:32 AM)

Eric: Absolutely zero truth to it. I have what I would consider to be a good relationship with a few people in that organization, and I like some of their players personally. My job is to report objectively on each of the 32 teams. I have a tremendous respect for Al Davis -- he is one of the pioneers in all of sports. Just because I worked in Denver for 15 years doesn't make me a Raider hater in any way. I think the way the Raiders have responded to some reports has brought unnecessary attention to this, and created the perception that I'm a Raider hater. But that couldn't be further from the truth. They might not like me, and that's fine, but I hope Mr. Davis can win another Super Bowl or two in his lifetime. Would be good for him and the league.

Shaan (Boston)

With the Jet's And Dolphins stepping up Are the Patriots no longer a contender of the division

Adam Schefter

  (11:33 AM)

I wouldn't say that at all, Shaan. But I will say this: Monday night's game is key. The loser of that game will have lost to its two key divisional rivals. Miami can't have lost at home to the Jets and Patriots and expect to win the division, and the Patriots can't expect to lose to the Jets and Dolphins and expect to win the division. It is one reason why Monday night should be so interesting.

Dave (Boston)

I saw online, some internet blogger who is a Packers fan posted that he had heard rumors that they have talked to the Panthers about Deangelo Williams, have you heard anything about this or is it hearsay??

Adam Schefter

  (11:37 AM)

Dave: My answer here would be the same as it was on Steve Smith. I'll believe the Panthers make a big deal when I see it. They've gotten calls, but they're not inclined to do anything right now. Never know if it will change with a couple more losses before the trade deadline, but for now, the team is sitting tight.Want to thank everyone for stopping by this chat and for your time. Think we're going to make a Friday staple at this time during football season, so please check it out next week, please tell your friends to sign on. Have a great weekend and enjoy the games. Time to get that #*#-!@%% snack before getting back to work to prepare for ESPN's Sunday's NFL Countdown at 11 a.m. ET. See you then.--Adam