KC Joyner

  (4:01 PM)

Good afternoon! Let's talk some football!

Logan Newhard (Meadville PA)

I know you won't agree, but sometimes I get angry at analysts saying the QB is the most important player on the feild!I am fed up with it!!If teams would draft a great lineman and had a josh freeman type QB and a solid line,they would be 1 step closer to a superbowl.I'm not taking the importance of the QB away,but this could be a succesful strategy.Thanks for your time.

KC Joyner

  (4:02 PM)

QB does tend to get more credit than it deserves at times. Having said that, don't sell Josh Freeman short. He's on the verge of becoming a top 10 QB.

TYRONE (NEWARK NJ)

HEY THERE KC ; WHO WELL THE BENGALS PICK AT #4

KC Joyner

  (4:04 PM)

Palmer likely doesn't come back to Cincinnati, so the Bengals will most likely go for a QB. Newton will be on the board at that point, so unless the Palmer situation is perceived to change, look for Newton to go to the Bengals.

Tom (MN) [via mobile]

In Todd McShay's latest mock draft he has the Lions taking Prince Amukamara at #13. Given their current secondary problems there is no way the Vikings would let him get away especially to a team in the same division.

KC Joyner

  (4:05 PM)

Todd believes the Vikings will go for an OT in that spot, and OT is probably a weaker position for the Vikings than CB. Amukamara could make it to the Lions.

Zach (Bronx, NY)

If you theoretically owned pick 1, 2 and 3 and you're picking without taking "need" into consideration, your picks are _____ and why?

KC Joyner

  (4:06 PM)

Peterson is the #1 choice because he's supremely talented and has the fewest question marks of any of the elite players. From there it probably goes Dareus and Fairly.

BSB (Philly)

Since players can not be included in draft day trades this year, will more teams simply switch places via trade? like team A trading this years 1st and 3rd to a team B for their higher first round pick.

KC Joyner

  (4:07 PM)

Draft trades normally involve picks rather than specific players, so this year's draft might not have more of those than usual.

Momack (PHX) [via mobile]

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, or Phillip Rivers? Long term, who would you rather have?

KC Joyner

  (4:08 PM)

Manning is 35 and Brady is 34. They don't have a lot of long term in front of them, so that rules those two out. Rodgers would be the choice over Rivers because he's younger.

Craig (College Park)

KC, I'm a long time Jet fan, so I'm used to mismanagment, but Maryland takes the cake. From the Edsall hire, to the D-coordinator debacle...have you ever seen anything like this? What do you think is a realistic win total for the Terps.

KC Joyner

  (4:09 PM)

Funny you should mention this, as my neighbor and I were in a conversation about Maryland not long ago. Six might be a realistic total, as Friedgen's creativity will be hard to replace.

Jimmy N (Arlington, VA)

Hello K Sidge! Been a few weeks for me (slammed at the office). Any chance yet for Malcolm "the comb" Kelly?

KC Joyner

  (4:10 PM)

Great to have you back, Jimmy N! We've taken turns posting Sage comments in your absence. Don't have a lot of faith in Kelly, hate to say.

Steve (superior, wi)

It should be noted that the so called West Coast Offense was really developed by Jerry Burns and Fran Tarkenton of the Vikings who made a living dumping short passes off to the back and passing to set up the run.

KC Joyner

  (4:11 PM)

That was a similar offense in overall theme, but it didn't have the heavy reliance on option routes that the WC offense did.

Steve (Orlando)

Do you think there is a chance the arogant owners will force the arogant players to start their own league with new arogant owners like Cuban/Trump with their own arogant network like Turner? Thank you.

KC Joyner

  (4:12 PM)

Can't see that happening. And I don't believe these two sides are arrogant. Both are trying to get the best deal they can. Most people would do the same thing if put into the owners or players position.

Squall (Balamb Garden)

KC! Should I start Nicks or Jackson this w...oh, wait, sorry. No fantasy football right now.

KC Joyner

  (4:13 PM)

Sorry, you'll have to deal with fantasy baseball for a while! Not quite the same, I know.

Gorman (Baltimore, MD)

KCJ, what are your plans for the lockout if it extends to the regular season? Been to any good restaurants lately with Mrs. Scientist?

KC Joyner

  (4:15 PM)

I've been doing a lot of college football writing of late. Will likely do more of that if there is a lockout. Haven't taken Mrs. Scientist to many restaurants of late, been rather busy with tape breakdowns and such. May do so this weekend, as it would be nice to get out of the house while the kids are on spring break. Any restaurant suggestions?

SweetWeaz (Essexville (MI))

who do you have ear marked as "Breakout" players this year. maybe a few that will be given more playing time this year.

KC Joyner

  (4:16 PM)

Mentioned Freeman earlier, he's apt to have a really good year. Like Detroit's offense as well, as a full year with Stafford could get that group to the next level.

J.B. (PA)

What you can do if the lockout extends into the regular season is find yourself the box set of the HBO series, "First and Ten," and start watching it. Delta Burke actually looks good in that one!

KC Joyner

  (4:17 PM)

Will have to check that out. Re: Delta Burke, check out the NFL Films Lost Treasures series. She appears in the one about the WFL and is definitely eye catching.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

No matter the question, Hakeem Nicks is always the answer.

KC Joyner

  (4:18 PM)

Ain't that the truth! Well, as long as it is a fantasy football question.

Brendan (Kensington, MD)

Is your Bracket still intact?

KC Joyner

  (4:19 PM)

Hate to say but had no bracket this year. Just couldn't devote the time to watch the games and don't like filling out a ballot if I can't sit down in front of the tube and follow the tourney.

J.B. (PA)

Restaurant with the kids, KC? Applebee's has a nice menu and there's always T.G.I. Friday's. Personally we like to hit the little, privately-owned places in our area. We find the food to be really good and it's usually home-made and not just frozen stuff that's been heated.

KC Joyner

  (4:20 PM)

Haven't had much luck on the local food scene here - might have to take a run down Disney way and see what cool themed restaurants are down there.

Momack (PHX) [via mobile]

What do you think of Bradford and the Rams chances in the West if they pick up a playmaking receiver?

KC Joyner

  (4:21 PM)

Bradford played much better than his 6.0 YPA would indicate. The scouting eye said he's the best rookie QB I've seen in eight years of tape breakdowns. Give him a couple of healthy WR targets for a full year and he'll move up to a top 10 QB spot in a hurry.

J.B. (PA)

Wait a minute. I thought 'Sage' was always the answer.

KC Joyner

  (4:22 PM)

You see, Jimmmy N - the chatters are taking up for you!

J.B. (PA)

'Take a run down Disney way?' I'm now jealous BUT I think I can help you out with some dining spots there. Rainforest Cafe is always a hit and if you are looking to eat at one of the parks, Le Cellier in EPCOT is fantastic.

KC Joyner

  (4:23 PM)

Rainforest is very good. We also go to a dinosaur themed restaurant that our youngest gets a big kick out of.

M (California)

My question is about football. Why dont they just do the old contract. Instead of havein gnone of the billions of dollars!

KC Joyner

  (4:23 PM)

The NFL is on record as saying the league revenues will reach $25 billion in the near future. The league is making this fight not so much for today as it is for those future dollars.

Wig (Philly)

Might I reccomend Buffalo Wild Wings K Sidge. Good wings, excellent tvs, sweet girly drinks for the wife, and over sized beers for you.

KC Joyner

  (4:25 PM)

Funny you should mention that. We often go to Hooters (Mrs. Scientist likes their Philly cheese steaks) but the closest one is a ways away. There is a Wild Wings much closer and we've been considering that. Will run it past her and see if that can make the agenda.

matt (florida)

what are your thoughts on mallet?

KC Joyner

  (4:26 PM)

Got him rated as the best on-field QB talent in this draft. If his off-field issues aren't as bad as advertised (and it is likely too much attention is being given to that), he's a pro-ready prospect pretty much from day one.

Momack (PHX) [via mobile]

Isn't Disney Way a shameless plug for your parent company?

KC Joyner

  (4:27 PM)

I live just outside of Orlando, so everything around here can be said to be Disney way in some form or another. Plus, the restaurants down there are very cool, don't mind giving them a plug.

John (mckinney, texas)

KC read your article on Matt Barkley. Did you see the film against ASU ? I saw on at least one play where he was afraid to take a hit, did not step into the throw, it ended up as an INIT instead of a TD. I think he is afraid to take hit.

KC Joyner

  (4:29 PM)

I did see that tape and you are on the money. That was such a different view than what Barkley showed earlier in the season. It isn't clear what changed from early to late but it was likely either fatigue or that other teams figured out the USC gameplan. Kiffin is very good at gameplanning, so the latter won't be a long term issue, and the former can be worked out with better conditioning.

Jason (Bmore)

Is the notion of a 'tall' receiver overrated? The Steelers offense was effective when they had Plaxico, but it doesn't seem like it dropped off much when Santonio replaced him.

KC Joyner

  (4:31 PM)

Size is important but as long as a receiver has speed, route running ability and/or good hands, the size factor can be overcome. Most NFL CBs aren't big (Asomugha is the biggest at 6' 2" and 215 or so pounds) so having an oversized wideout isn't a necessity.

T.A. Sedlak (Madison, WI)

A lot of people were promoting Vontae Davis as a major up-and-coming CB this past season. What say your metrics? And, did fellow sophomre Sean Smith show any improvement?

KC Joyner

  (4:32 PM)

Smith's metrics dropped to the 7 yard range but Davis was still in the 9 yard range if memory serves correct. That's two years of subpar metrics for Davis, so he needs to either step it up or the Fins need to consider replacing him.

Jake (VA Beach)

Do you do much analysis on the OL? It seems every single prospect has questions/concerns this year.

KC Joyner

  (4:33 PM)

Haven't done much there yet because the QBs all have issues that lent themselves well to article themes. Would like to review some OLs before the draft, will just have to see how things pan out.

Eddy (Sag-MI)

I could see Mallet falling to the cards in the 2nd RD.... Possible? how do you think of that or do you think they'll make a play for a vet qb

KC Joyner

  (4:35 PM)

Very possible he falls to round two because of the off-field questions. Arizona would do best to trade for Kolb but, barring a miracle on the CBA front, they'll have to figure on upgrading the QB spot via the draft. If they are willing to wait for Mallett in round two and he makes it to them, it might be the best value pick of the entire draft.

BSB (Philly)

Have you ever thought about doing a metric analysis of players returning from injury? Maybe with pre injury metrics and post injury metrics to see if certain injuries really do take players longer to recover from than others.

KC Joyner

  (4:36 PM)

Good idea. Could be an article to do in conjunction with Stephania Bell.

Michael Pollan (A Garden)

Please don't patronize restaurants that serve nonfoods they call foods, such as Applebee's, TGIFs, or any other chain. Look for a restaurant with real food. They might be hard to find, but they're out there.

KC Joyner

  (4:36 PM)

Believe me that we try to do that, but chains have a foothold on this side of Orlando.

T.A. Sedlak (Madison, WI)

Yeah, I'm not sure why all the commentators anointed Vontae as the next great corner without actually performing like one. As a fin follower, I thought it made them look silly.

KC Joyner

  (4:37 PM)

He's got the physical skills but it just isn't translating to consistent on-field success. Maybe he needs to do like Nnamdi did and set up a time to talk to Ronnie Lott. That helped Asomugha out a lot and it might do the same for Davis if he's open to that type of mentoring.

Zach (Bronx, NY)

Did you look at any of the pass rusher's in the draft. I was a little underwhelmed by Von Miller highlights I saw - what say you?

KC Joyner

  (4:39 PM)

Definitely want to look at more tape on Miller. The tape I've seen thus far has him looking a lot like the Alabama LB who is now playing with the Raiders (memory is not serving me well here). He played very well at times for Bama but also had games where he didn't show up. Miller looks to have some of those same habits.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

What do you make of Patrick Peterson's low Wonderlic scores (allegedly) ?

KC Joyner

  (4:40 PM)

I take the Al Davis approach and ask how well the coaches and scouts would do if they were given the same test. As long as Peterson can master the playbook (and there is little reason to think that will be an issue) the Wonderlic score is meaningless.

Kevin (Buffalo)

Raiders LB is Rolando McClain

KC Joyner

  (4:41 PM)

Thank you!

CJ Roberts (Farmville, VA)

I just wanted to drop a message and say that I love your work and insight. How would someone get a job doing what you do? What education, would you apply? Etc. Keep up the good work!

KC Joyner

  (4:42 PM)

This question comes up all the time. There are many ways to go about becoming a sportswriter. Sometimes college is helpful, sometimes it isn't. The best way to get started is to write and get your material in front of as many editors as possible.

Jake (VA Beach)

Kevin beat me on McClain by a hair! Staying with LBs, had a chance, or can you take a closer look at Bruce Carter. I've seen everything from first-round grade to third-round with questions.

KC Joyner

  (4:44 PM)

I looked at Carter last year and really liked his versatility. Haven't looked at much 2010 tape but getting a physical talent of his caliber in the 2nd or 3rd round would be a potential steal.

J.B. (PA)

Were you wearing your black jump suit and robe when you took that Al Davis approach, KC?

KC Joyner

  (4:45 PM)

J.B., I'm an unabashed Davis supporter. He's taken a PR beating of late because his teams haven't had on-field success, but his approaches to football still work at every level.

KC Joyner

  (4:45 PM)

But, to answer the question, no jumpsuit wearing here.

Shane (Los Angeles, CA)

True or False: Kolb's metrics do not indicate he is worth a top-10 pick, however, he is a better option than Gabbart or Newton at this point.

KC Joyner

  (4:47 PM)

The only questions on Kolb are a) a high bad decision rate and b) how much does he benefit from being in an Andy Reid offense? Having said that, Gabbert and Newton have bigger question marks, so getting Kolb would be the better option. Is a moot point if the lockout continues, though.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

Rolando McLain? Thought he was a MLB run stuffer..isn't Miller's rep as a pass rusher?

KC Joyner

  (4:48 PM)

McClain did a lot of different things at Bama. His game against Kentucky was by far the best of any college player I broke tape down on in 2009 (including Suh).

Jake (VA Beach)

It's WELL documented that WRs have the toughest time making an impact in year one. Yet, there always seems to be 1-2 that pull it off. Who do you like best for that possibility this year?

KC Joyner

  (4:49 PM)

If Green lands with the right team, he could make a year one impact. Working with Richt closes the gap to being a pro-level WR significantly.

Tom (MN) [via mobile]

More likely to be with their team next season: Reggie Bush or Sidney Rice?

KC Joyner

  (4:50 PM)

Bush. He has to know that Sean Payton's creative playcalling helped overcome some of his weaknesses.

Jeffrey (Athen, GA)

What do you think about A.J. Green's score on the Wonderlic? From my view the guy, as long as he can stay healthy, can play the position as well as any receiver in football.

KC Joyner

  (4:51 PM)

A better question here would be to have someone go over terminology from the UGA playbook and see if Green has that mastered. If he does, there should be few worries about his mastering a pro playbook. Plus, even if a player has trouble with the playbook, a good OC can alter it to make it easier to understand.

Kris (CO)

If memory serves, didn't Vontae make one or two big plays? In the world of the highlight reel, some people get too caught up in the exceptional highlights rather than the consistent contributions.

KC Joyner

  (4:52 PM)

He did have some good plays and some good games, but it was more than offset by the bad plays. CBs are going to be beaten on occasion but it can't be as often as Davis was beaten last year.

J.B. (PA)

KC: Any thought as to where Sidney Rice might be a good fit other than Minnesota?

KC Joyner

  (4:53 PM)

If he's healthy, any team in the league. An elite WR of his caliber is very hard to come by and every offense can find a way to make use of those skills.

KC Joyner

  (4:53 PM)

He's got top-line vertical skills when healthy.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

By that basis Kris, then MeAngelo Hall is a Pro-Bowl quality player..oh whoops...

KC Joyner

  (4:54 PM)

Hall as a Pro Bowl player is a bad joke. He had the one game with a bunch of interceptions and had a double digit YPA the rest of the year. One of the worst CBs around and he's nominated as one of the best, just terrible.

Kevin (Buffalo)

Everyone talks about the new kickoff rule hurting field possession, but if the kickoff puts Team A back further, shouldn't it allow for more punt return attempts (with better field possession) for team B?

KC Joyner

  (4:55 PM)

An excellent counterpoint that hasn't been covered in most of the reviews of the rules changes. It's a zero sum game and extra yards lost on one side of the ledger are made up on the other.

J.B. (PA)

As always, a great chat today. Gotta love how this group can roll with any topic. Thanks for letting me chime in and I hope you find a good eatery in the Disney area, KC. See you and everyone else next week.

KC Joyner

  (4:56 PM)

Thanks to you and everyone else for sending over the questions! Well, gonna have to hit the road, as dinner is close to being ready. Quick note before the departure - links to every TFS article are posted on Twitter @kcjoynertfs. Hope to see you all next week!