Chris Mortensen

  (12:02 PM)

Hello! We've got 30 minutes today to get a lot done, so let's start...

Jeff (Columbus, GA)

Who do you think will be the winner and/or loser of the pending Portis/Bailey trade?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:03 PM)

I don't necessarily believe there is a "loser" because both players are quality, but I think the Broncos gain more than they're losing, let's put it that way. That's even if the trade is straight-up, not to mention that the Broncos apparently will receive a 2nd-rounder, too, if this trade is finalized.

Brian NYC

Mort, do you see Robert Gallery being there for the Giants with the 4th pick. He seems to be getting a lot of hype now and sounds like he could be the top pick. Thanks.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:05 PM)

I think Gallery could be the second pick to Oakland, and I'm not ruling out totally him being the first pick. Al davis always has held left tackles very high on the priority list.

Rob, Seattle

Mort! PLEASE tell me that Holmgren is going to do everything in his powers to bring Jevon Kearse to the pass-rushless Seattle Seahawks!

Chris Mortensen

  (12:05 PM)

At what price, and for how many games do you want him?

Thom (San Jose, CA)

Good day Mort, hope you'll answer my question on my 27th B-day, with this proposed trade between my boys and the bucs, galloway for Keyshawn, will the wide recievers restructure their contracts, because Keyshawn aint worth that kind of money any more

Chris Mortensen

  (12:06 PM)

Happy birthday... and this deal will not get done with either contract dramatically restructured.

Terrelway, Denver

The Broncos gain more? Portis is only 22 years old. We have yet to see his true potential. He could make 2,000 yard seasons look pedestrian. Mort, please explain your reasoning.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:09 PM)

I'm weighing several different things, some of which I'm not willing to discuss. Portis is an explosive back, but he is still undersized... Joe Gibbs' backs traditionally have been big runners... also, Bailey is very young and great corners are harder to find than great backs.... you do remember Quentin Griffin running for 136 yards vs. Indy when Portis was hurt, don't you? That said, i don't want to get too negative on Portis because I do love his speed.

Jon (Towson, MD)

Mort, do you agree with Marvin's decision to start Carson Palmer this year?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:10 PM)

Not really, but I understand it, I guess. I think you ride Kitna until the team stops winning...then again, perhaps not winning down the stretch when it counted is the impetus, even though Kitna played well enough to win.

Brad, Behtesda

Do you think Patrick Ramsey will replace Brunell at some point, since one of the numerous hits Ramsey took last year will end Brunells career?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:13 PM)

First off, few coaches in the history of the NFL has ever done a better job of devising protection schemes for a QB than Joe Gibbs, as opposed to how Spurrier operated. However, I have heard some personnel people express concern about how many more hits Brunell can take...and maybe that's why Gibbs is do insistent on keeping Ramsey. That being said, why pay Brunell so much money?

Brad (Louisville, KY)

Why have the Dolphins insisted on taking other teams third string quarterbacks since Dan Marino retired? It has been Fiedler, Lucas, and now Feeley.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:17 PM)

The Dolphins probably take some hope in recent successes of guys like Tom Brady (3rd stringer, former 6th rounder), Jake Delhomme, even a Marc Bulger.... and I think they felt the market was dry. I don't believe there was a demand for Feely and I think they moved too qquickly on this deal. There's still a basic question that should have been asked: If Feely was so good, why was Koy Detmer (average at best, being generous) the guy who replaced McNabb in the NFC title game? I'm dubious. If I were Fiedler, I'd be begging to stay in Miami (with incentives on a restructured deal).

Wark

Where do you see Mike Williams going in the draft, if he decides to go to the NFL?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:19 PM)

I don't know. Maybe top 10- or top 20. It's funny, because I've had a handful of personnel guys remark that Williams lacks speed, but is a big target with good hands... and one guy said, "He's Keyshawn Johnson, basically." That's interesting. Keyshawn was the first player taken in a weak draft (this is a better draft), and it was Keyshawn who recruited Williams out of the Tampa area for his alma mater, USC.

blake (arkansas)

congrats on your son alex signing with my hogs. hope he has a great career. where do you see cedric cobbs getting drafted?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:21 PM)

Thanks on Alex. he's very excited and working hard....as for Cobbs, he's probably a third-rounder, but people are woriking hard toe evaluate him. The chronic hamstring problems bother people, but he has a chance to improve his stock.

Dax Whittle, Las Vegas

Any chance Larry Fitzgerald ends up in Arizona?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:22 PM)

That's my bet, right now.

Eric Washington DC

Is there any hope that the skins stay in the top 5 and Drafts Sean taylor

Chris Mortensen

  (12:28 PM)

Sorry, we are ahving server delays.... yes, theree is hope. He's an impact defensive player, which they need. They probably should have taken Michael Doss (S, Colts) in the 2nd rd last year instead of Taylor Jacobs, but that's hindsight and they now have an opportunity to consider Taylor.

Phil (New Orleans, LA)

What are the chances of the Chargers trading away their 1st overall pick yet again? How indelible a mark has Ryan Leaf left on the franchise?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:30 PM)

The Leaf failure has ruined the franchise on one level. No question it influenced their decision to trade the rights to Vick, but they did get Ladainian Tomlinson. But I do think if they trade the No. 1 pick this year, it will be for all the right reasons and not necessarily tied to Leaf.

Mike (Raleigh NC)

What teams have the most interest in Philip Rivers? I heard SD may come to Raleigh to evaluate him. Maybe SD will trade down from #1 for picks and Rivers.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:31 PM)

If you read my chat last week, that is the scenario I suggested. yes, they are making a trip to NC to have an extensive visit with Rivers.

Bob, Minneapolis MN

Mort, Are you suggesting that Denver may rely on Quentin Griffen to carry the load next year...talk about unproven. I hope they hang on to Mike Anderson. Is he going anywhere? I hope the Broncs deal Portis and draft their next 2,000 yard back in Kevin Jones!

Chris Mortensen

  (12:32 PM)

No, they will definitely acquire another back, through the draft (maybe with that redskins' 2nd round pick), and/or thru trade and free agency.

Brandon, Atlanta

With the Falcons having so many holes, especially with the Juran Bolden episode, how do you see the Falcons using their first round pick?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:34 PM)

I've always seen the falcons making this pick (8th) a defensive player, be it a DL (Tommie Harris), a S (Taylor) or a CB (the Ohio State kid)....

Brian, Philadelphia

Will the Eagles actually step up and spend some money on Terrell Owens?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:35 PM)

I doubt the eagles will spend the money that T.O. reportedly is looking for, or that any team will do that. If he comes at a reasonable price, then I think the Eagles will consider it.

Ian, Providence

WHere do u think Rashuan Woods will go? Id love to see the Jets steal him in the second round, i think he's gonna be a great pro.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:36 PM)

I doubt he will be available to the Jets in the 2nd round. He has helped himself with his play at Okla. St. and with his performance at the Combine.

Rob, Delray Beach, FL

Chris, After reading what the Jets offered Washington for Bailey, I nearly died. Ellis and Jordan are irreplaceable and Becht is tough to loose also, but what's you logic behind them giving up really good talent. Was this a smart move for the J-E-T-S. Thanks Mort!

Chris Mortensen

  (12:37 PM)

The Jets are adamant today that Ellis was not offered. That's their story and they'res sticking to it. They had to call Ellis to tell him so. I'm sure the Redskins may have thought they wanted Ellis.

Geoff (Raleigh)

Mortimer, I am hearing that the Raiders are consdiering Kellen Winslow w/ the 2nd pick. Have you heard anything about that?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:38 PM)

No, but he's worthy of that consideration, even if he has alienated a lot of folks with his attitude. (I have not experienced this firsthand).

DJ (Rochester, NY)

Do u think Denny Green will draft Williams or Fitzgerald or if Fits is gone does he take a QB??? Congrats on Alex

Chris Mortensen

  (12:40 PM)

I don't necessarily see Green taking a QB because, remember, he went to the playoffs 8 times with seven different QBs in Minnesota. Fitzgerald, he'll take, because of personal ties (plus talent). Roy Williams still may get rated as the best receiver in this draft on a number of boards.

MATT (DALLAS)

Do you think the Cowboys will go after Jon Kitna? If not, which if any available qb will they go after?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:41 PM)

I think Kitna will get some interesting action and the Cowboys certainly make sense. I'm also not ruling out Vinny Testaverde, if the Jets let him go.

mike, tallahassee

hey mort, since the free agent qb pool is not strong, why have'nt any teams pursued shawn king?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:42 PM)

Let's see what happens. Shaun has kind-of created a "lazy" tag for himself. But, we'll see.

wes from Pitt Pa

Mort, Any way the Steelers can get a great QB in the first round? Or RB?

Chris Mortensen

  (12:43 PM)

They might be in line for Rivers, and I think they're being stubbornly stupid about Henson, if all the reports are accurate.

Chris Mortensen

  (12:43 PM)

Well, I do have to go.... headed to the movies... we'll talk again next week...God Bless and good day!