Buzzmaster

  (12:50 PM)

Joe Montana will be here at the top of the hour to take your questions!

Buzzmaster

  (12:57 PM)

Joe is here!

Danny (Houston)

Joe - Big Fan even though I am a Cowboy Fan! What is your assessment of Tony Romo as a QB?

Joe Montana

  (12:57 PM)

I think Tony is a good QB. He just needs to find a way to win in the postseason. I think that will get everybody off of Tony's back.

Mac from Carlisle PA [via mobile]

What position in all of sports (except other football positions) is the most similar to quarterback?

Joe Montana

  (12:58 PM)

Probably the most similar would be a baseball pitcher because you have the ball in your hand on every play. He has control over more of the outcome of the game than most.

Kevin (DC)

Do you play any video games? How much has that part of football changed since you were in the league?

Joe Montana

  (12:59 PM)

The games have gotten a lot more sophisticated to the point where some of the schools and some companies out there are trying to make it visual learning for different positions, especially the QB. I play a few but I'm not very good.

Justin (Pittsburgh)

Hey Joe,I drove by your highschool the other day Ringold High. I wondered if you ever visit there or if you still have family in that area. Thanks

Joe Montana

  (1:00 PM)

I haven't been for a while, mainly because of my work. Our two sons are playing all over the country. We spend a lot of time on the road. But, hopefully we'll get back there more this year, since my oldest son is playing at West Virginia Wesleyan and I have to fly to Pittsburgh.

Bill (Chicago)

Hey Joe, who's your SB pick?

Joe Montana

  (1:01 PM)

I'm going to go out on the limb and I'm going to pick the 49ers.

Jeff (RI)

Joe, do you think a QB situation with so many dark clouds over it like the one the Jets have can work? How can the starter feel comfortable in that situation?

Joe Montana

  (1:02 PM)

It doesn't work if it's more of a QB controversy. But I honestly don't see it as that. It all depends on how the coach treats it. You can't be 4-12 and start for any amount of time in the league. Mark Sanchez can't worry about what anyone's talking about and do what he needs to do.

Chris (Fresno)

Do you think the Niners offense has looked bad in the pre season becuase they are just trying to get through the pre season without any major injuries and not show any teams what they are going to do this year? Becuase it looks just as bad as last year on 3rd downs and red zone!

Joe Montana

  (1:03 PM)

I don't think there are reasons to worry. They have more options and weapons on the outside. Knowing Jim, he's playing it vanilla. They'll try to accomplish certain things in a game. They won last week.

Matt (Chicago)

How has the game changed since you played?

Joe Montana

  (1:04 PM)

I think the biggest thing is the rules on the outside were you got better access and are more condusive to throwing the ball. The defenses have gotten crazier and they take more chances, because they feel they can get to the QB.

Steve (South Bend)

What are your best memories playing for Notre Dame?

Joe Montana

  (1:04 PM)

Beating USC. Unfortunately, we didn't do it enough.

Eddie (California)

Joe, You're the greatest! Do you think Alex Smith can take the next step and become an elite quarterback with all the new weapons and continuity?

Joe Montana

  (1:05 PM)

We all certainly hope so. I think he has the ability. I think he's a little different QB than he's been in the years prior. He's in the same system and has an understanding of it. By the end of last season, the throw he makes to Davis at the goal line, shows me he has a lot more confidence than he did before.

James Piccarreto (Rochester, NY)

Who do you like in the preseason right now?

Joe Montana

  (1:06 PM)

I haven't seen a lot of the presesaon, only mostly highlights. But the biggest changes I've seen has been in Seattle with their young QB.

Sam (Nebraska)

Who is the best QB in the league right now

Joe Montana

  (1:07 PM)

When you look, you've got to go with Aaron Rodgers who is playing well, and Tom Brady. Drew Brees is at the top too. Everyone has their own pick of the best from those top three.

Dave Lent (Washington DC)

Hey Joe. With this the third year of Mike Shanahan's offense, a descendent of Bill Walsh's, the puzzle pieces appear to be in place. Yet Robert Griffen will need much more time to absorb the system. Do you think it's wise of Shanahan to declare Griffin the starter, possibly trading wins for his development? With competition at every other position except, apparently, at QB I fear Shanahan might be reluctant to bench Griffina??in favor of Grossman, who knows the offense wella??when the offense struggles and the game is on the line. Your thoughts?

Joe Montana

  (1:08 PM)

If he's the one that's playing the best at that position, you almost have to start him and hope he gains experience, like Cam Newton. If they're playing well and he is too, his confidence will only get bigger.

Brent (Indy)

Joe, what's your opinion of Evertt Golson, ND's new qb? Do you think he's got the skills to take ND to a BCS game? Thanks.

Joe Montana

  (1:09 PM)

Kelly can't figure out what he wants. Every one of his QBs that he has, he claims is his next star, but he doesn't last long with him. He's probably the least talented thrower that they have, so maybe they're looking to run the ball with him.

Tommy (Madison, WI)

Which one is your single most memorable game?

Joe Montana

  (1:09 PM)

Probably the TD to win the Super Bowl. As a kid you do in the backyard about 1,000 times. It was a dream come true to do that.

Joe (New Orleans)

Do you think is a major accomplishment For drew brees to break Marino's record?

Joe Montana

  (1:10 PM)

It was one of those records that I think wasn't going to have a chance to be broken. But with the rule changes, it will have a chance because the ball is being thrown a lot more.

Joe (Jersey)

Do you think Ponder has what it takes to be an elite QB?

Joe Montana

  (1:11 PM)

I think he's been efficient for them so far. He's sitll young. It's just a matter of growing with the position. He has the skill to play the position, he showed it, that's why he played last year.

Kim (California)

Have you ever considered coaching or maybe joining your buddy Jerry Rice on ESPN?

Joe Montana

  (1:11 PM)

No.

TK (Pennsylvania)

Hi Joe,what was the toughest city you ever had to play in as a visiting QB?

Joe Montana

  (1:12 PM)

Probably the Giants, because they used to open and close the roller doors at the end of the tunnel and let the wind blow through when you had the ball and then close them when the Giants had the ball.

Joe (D.C.)

Who was you favorite target ? Jerry Rice

Joe Montana

  (1:13 PM)

He made your job a lot easier, just in his style and his ability to get behind people, which was typically a part of our offense until he got there.

Matt (Chicago)

Joe, is it true that you pointed out John Candy in the stands to Coach Walsh in the Super Bowl?

Joe Montana

  (1:14 PM)

It wasn't coach Walsh, it was one of our playes Harris Barton in the huddle. He was a people watcher. He was telling us all the people he had seen going out to dinner, but he didn't mention John.

Joe Montana

  (1:14 PM)

Good luck with your fantasy teams if you got them! I hope them win!