Chris Mortensen

  (7:02 PM)

Hello everyone. I'm back from Hawaii...tough to come back, but good to be chattin' again.

Sean (San Diego, CA)

Mort, do you have any news on the contract talks between the Raiders and Charles Woodson? Also, do you think the Silver & Black are targeting Larry Fitzgerald for their first round pick?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:04 PM)

I have a difficult time believing Al Davis will let Woodson walk, but I don't have any hard news on that. And, trust me, it is way tooe arly to determine whether Fitzgerald is being targeted by the Raiders. It's certainly possible, but there is a lot of work to get done on these guys. From the Wr standpoint, you still have to factor in Roy Williams (Texas). There's a lot of curiousity about the speed on both these guys.

Peter (Aurora, IL)

Mort, what's your take on the Clifton situation in Green Bay? Will they put the franchise or transition tag on him, should they consider that?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:06 PM)

I think the Packers would be making a big mistake letting Clifton go, so I would use the franchise tag, yes. (I'm assuming the franchise tag is available to them). He's an outstanding left tackle and the strength of the Packers may be the continuity and performance of the O-line. LG Mike Wahle is capable of converting to LT, but the Pack would like to keep that group together, for obvious reasons.

Jeff( Washington D.C)

Chris, what is the latest you have heard on Champ Bailey and what do you think is going to happen when all is said and done?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:09 PM)

His agent, Jack Reale, is a pretty sharp guy and so he's getting a good feel for the market. The problem on Bailey is that as good as he is, the combination of price tag on a new contract combined with draft pickls is going to be a toughie. I know the Lions have a real interest, as do the Falcons - among others, I'm sure - but I just don't see those teams quite willing to pay the price. We'll see.

Jeff - Bloomington, IL

Is it true that the Bills are extremely interested in Drew Henson? Are the Texans wanting a first round pick for him?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:11 PM)

The Texans want a first rounder but I think they would take a second-rounder with maybe a condtional pick attached to a deal. As for Buffalo's interest, they have interest, but maybe not as high as I once thought. I keep hearing the Packers and Raiders and maybe the Dolphins as having the most interest.

James (Geneseo)

Hi Chris, Ben Roethlisberger might be around for the Giants at the 4th spot. Tell me they will avoid him and try to fix their defense first. Kerry Collins is more than good enough. Sean Taylor is the best defensive player in the Draft and would fit well with Big Blue. Do you agree?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:12 PM)

It would be interesting if he is there because Ernie Accorsi really likes him. And you have a point about the defense, but the early projection is Iowa T Robert Gallery. I do think Sean Taylor is the best defensive player, and he'd fit well with anybody.

Mike(Orlando Fl)

Mort, Please tell me the Bills won't let Antoine Winfield get away and what do you see them targeting in free agency?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:16 PM)

Another Bills question: Winfield's asking price is just too high right now. I love him as a football player. He's tough. He's an excellent tackler. But he is undersized and he does not make enough plays on the ball to justify his asking price right now. Only six ints in his career. As far as free agency and the draft, the Bills I think will target an interior DL, a FS, a CB, a G, a QB, TE and a WR.

Adam (Pittsburgh)

Who do you see the STeelers taking in the first round of the draft? Maybe Phillip Rivers?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:17 PM)

Rivers is a possibility, or maybe an RB (Chris Perry...Greg Jones?). Rivers is going to be a wild card because I see him going in the first 15 picks.

Ken (Stratford, CT)

Great work Mort, I've got an Eagles question. I know Andy Reid has stressed character in the past when choosing players. Given the game against Carolina, is it enough to make the Eagles and Reid go out and get T.O.?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:20 PM)

Well, he won't compromise too much on character. I mean, the Eagles have gone to three straight NFC title games - this was Reid's best year of coaching. They will add another receiver, but Owens will have to come way down on his asking price. He's over 30, he practiced just once a week last season and he had too many drops. But he's still a talent and he is basically trouble free in his personal life. Rather than calling him a bad character guy, I would say "high maintenance" has been his deal. I know McNabb has worked on both sides of this thing.

William

Hey there Mort. Someone needs to bring up Clarett - so why not me??? Lets say he has a decent workout this week - I assume he'll be somewhere between the 3rd and 5th back chosen. What are your thoughts?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:22 PM)

Yeah, I think you're probably right, if he works out well. I think it's been a mistake for everyone to automatically assume he's going to be a second or third rounder. He was arguably the top back in the nation coming out of high school, he gained over 1,200 yards as a true freshman on a national title team. He does have to convince teams he has speed and durability, and I have had a couple of GMs tell me the character issues may be big. But he has some time here to raise his stock.

Chloe (Myrtle Beach, SC)

Hello Mort, What are the Cowboys going to do at QB? Surely Parcells doesn't believe Quincy Carter is the answer does he?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:25 PM)

Well, he won 10 games with Quincy in his only year of starting 16 games. I think if Parcells felt there's a guy who can upgrade him at QB, he will do it. But certainly the Super Bowl success of the Patriots (Tom Brady, 6th rd) and the Panthers (Jake Delhomme, FA) tells him that he can do it with Quincy, if he has to. Upgrading the position may be easier said than done.

Jacob (Washington DC)

The Skins trade Bailey for Shaun Rogers and the Lion's 1st round pick (6th overall). We then sign Winfield and Kearse, draft Sean Taylor and Udeze. With Joe Gibbs as our head coach, could this team compete for a Super Bowl THIS season?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:28 PM)

Wow, if only there wasn't a salary cap. Why do you think they would be able to afford Kearse and Winfield. if they had that kind of money available in cap space, they would just sign Bailey. He's the best corner in football. But it's a great fantasy football deal, and I would not doubt that Dan Snyder is fantasizing like you, too. If it happens, touche.

Todd (Tucson, AZ)

Mort, what are the Chargers going to do with the first pick in the draft? My Dad hopes it's Eli Manning, I hope they trade down. That team needs help everywhere except RB. Thanks.

Chris Mortensen

  (7:30 PM)

I think some of it will depend on how Manning grades out once the evaluation is done. I would bet they trade out to get the multiple players and still address the QB position (Phillips Rivers?).

Richard; Arkansas

What do you see the Falcons doing in the draft or do you see them going after any big time free agents?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:32 PM)

Rich McKay is not going to spend big money on free agents - the only guy, if he actually became a free agent, might be Champ Bailey. McKay is bound and determined - for obvious reasons - to fix the defense, primarily through the draft.

Jacob (Washington DC)

Mort, after we cut Bruce Smith (6.5 against the cap), Trung Candidate, Dalton, Chamberlin, trade Champ, and further cuts, we stand to be within $13 and $15 million under the cap. That isn't enough to sign two FA stars and sign two high picks?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:34 PM)

As I said, if you're right, touche. But you don't let the best corner in football go if you have the money to spend. But I like your thinking. It's fun and plausible under your scenario....I haven't spent any time studying the 'Skins cap. I spent a lot of time on the beach last week.

Kelso (Beaverton)

One team I am interested in seeing what happens with is the Ravens. The not only have BIG cap room, but are already a playoff team. Who do you see them going after in FA?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:37 PM)

I think the Ravens are defeinitely one of the teams to watch this offseason. They have created a very good cap situation, but they have some players to re-sign or extend (Chris McAlister), and they won't hand out big dollars to a FA just to make a splash. I think Terrell Owens is a possibility but not as his price.They might sign some key mid-level FA and they will continue to do a good job in the draft (even without a No. 1).

Sean, fort wayne IN

Isnt the draft still the way to build a winner, MORT,why all the continued fuss over splashy FA news. when building talent is the cornerstone to proven winners? Isnt it?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:38 PM)

You are right. The Patriors are proof of that, combined with smart spending on the right guys who fit their team. That's it.

Jay Miller (Monticello, MN)

Hey Mort, will Red McCombs spend the money this offseason to get some big time defensive players for the Vikings? I think they are a couple of studs on D to make a SB run.

Chris Mortensen

  (7:39 PM)

What I'm hearing is that Red will not spend big,. even with big cap space. That's because there is no stadium fix in sighet yet (which creates cash flow) and he still has the team available for sale (so a clean cap makes it more attractive).

Greg (Hope Mills, NC)

I wish people wouldn't waste the quota of Skins questions on crazy situations when we really want an answer to what is going to happen with Patrick Ramsey.

Chris Mortensen

  (7:41 PM)

All right, Ramsey definitely will demand a trade because the Brunell deal is about done. Just because you demand a trade doesn't mean you get one, but I do think he will creat some tempting offers. It's funny, I like Brunell a lot, but I would have avoided this deal if I were the Redskins. Ramsey would have floruished under Gibbs as a starter this year. Brunell is a good get, but for the Redskins, I think it's a mistake because of what it does to Ramsey's promising career.

Valentino-Cincy oh

Hey Mort. I Have a Bengals quetion do you see them trading a first round pick an Dillion for Bailey, and also who will evently to your opinion pursue Dillion the most out of the NFL Teams that need a Good back thanks and please let us know here in Bengal Land Thanx!!!

Chris Mortensen

  (7:43 PM)

That's certainly interesting because I have always thought the Redskins were the team that would target Dillon. Then again, I don't know if Mike Brown is willing to spend that big cash up front to acquire Bailey.

Victor Cotto (Raiderfans.net)

WHAT WE REALLY WANT, IS MORT TO ANSWER SOME RAIDER QUESTIONS! MORT, What will the Raiders do w/ Gannon? Is Norv a Tuiassosopo believer? Manning or Roth? AND, will they go after free-agents such as Al Wilson, Wistrom? Do they lose Barton to the JETS? ANSWER THE RAIDER NATION MORT OR NEVER BE ALLOWED IN THE BLACK HOLE AGAIN!

Chris Mortensen

  (7:48 PM)

I have not spoken to Norv, but I would guess a lot depends on whether they use the No. 2 pick to draft a QB or not. Or, they could acquire Drew Henson and keep the No. 2 pick. If they feel like they can keep Gannon financially and his shoulde ris sound, I would think they would keep him. Even though Norv's offense calls for some big throws downfield (not Gannon's strength), he did manage some big production with Brad Johnson in Washington. I don't know about Tui, and I'm sure Norv doesn't know, either, because of the knee surgery. All those FA you're asking about are interesting guys, but there's not much info on them right now.

Ryan (Jacksonville, FL)

Mort, I have heard from a lot of people that the Jags are seriously interested in trading up in the draft to acquire Larry Fitzgerald. While he would be a great addition for Leftwich to throw to, is such a trade possible for them?

Chris Mortensen

  (7:51 PM)

What do they pick, 9th? So that's in an area that would enable them if that's how they really felt (which I haven't heard). They do want another big target for Letfwich, which is why Keyshawn Johnson has been in their thoughts, too. But getting a young guy to grow with Fitzgerald makes sense, but he's not the only WR in this draft, and I'm not sure that he's the best WR, either.

Goldy (DC)

True, not true or somewhat true? Manning's new contract will lead to Edge's release.

Chris Mortensen

  (7:53 PM)

When Colts prez Bill Polian met with Manning's agent, Tom Condon, I have been told that Polian presented a list of players who may be subject to release if they team has to franchise Manning. Edgerrin James was on that list, but that could be part of the poker game. I believe the Colts will keep James, but I'm not ignoring that scenario, especially since he has definitely lost a half-step.

Brian (Syracuse, NY)

What is the latest you have heard about the contract of Joey Galloway? Will Jerry and Bill restructure it or let him go? I think it's a mistake to let him go. He is still a very good receiver, just not a #1.

Chris Mortensen

  (7:57 PM)

I haven't checked on Galloway (remember, I'm just back from vacation). Based on no information coming from the team, I've always had this idea that Galloway will be gone and Keyshawn Johnson is a possibility.

Jim (Nashville)

Mort, any idea on what the Dolphins are trying to do (or not do)? With the front office mess this off season I don't have very much hope for this next season.

Chris Mortensen

  (8:00 PM)

Don't be too pessimistic. Spielman being elevated to GM might prove to be a wise move and the team did win 10 games with big holes on the O-line and at QB. Those are the areas they will address and they still have to get better in some spots on defense. I thinbk they'll have a new quarterback. I don't know who, but I expect a new one, along with an improve O-line.

Chris Mortensen

  (8:01 PM)

That's the hour. It went fast. I know this is a great time with the free agents and draft, so I'll look forward to our next chat! God Bless and good night!