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Ask Gil Brandt: Offseason moves
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM ETGil Brandt 23 comments
NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt, former VP of of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys, discussed offseason moves around the league and the NFL Draft during a live chat on Tuesday afternoon. Read the complete transcript:
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Gil Brandt, NFL.com02:00 PM
Hi everyone. Looking forward to another great week of questions, so fire away.
Brian C, Palm Harbor FL 02:00 PM ET
I was curious as to what you thought of the Buccaneers giving Kellen Winslow that huge extension? Will it work out? Brian Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Brian. I was a little surprised at the 6-year extension for the guarantee that it included. Winslow is a very talented player but he's susceptible to injury, which is why you get worried about the guaranteed money. But he creates a tough matchup for opposing defenses.
mal, orland park IL 02:02 PM ET
What is your thoughts on the trade of Cutler to the Bears? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I think Cutler will help the Bears in 2009 more than the picks will help Denver this season. It all depends on what Denver does with those picks -- two first-rounders and a third-rounder. But it should be good for both teams in the long run.
Michael, Toronto 02:04 PM ET
Hey Gil, what do you think the Seahawks will do with 4th pick? Any chance of them trading down with maybe a Denver? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Michael. It depends on whether or not Matt Stafford is there. I think if Stafford is there at 4, Seattle will take him. If not, I see them entertaining offers -- because they do have a lot of holes to fill on that team.
Dylan DeSimone, UConn 02:05 PM ET
Gil, Mike Singletary played for a gruesome bears defense. Don't you think it would be in his nature to draft a pass rushing end/lb with the tenth pick? If so, who? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Dylan. Don't be surprised if the 49ers take LSU DE Tyson Jackson if he's there. I don't think he will be there at 10, howevr, but we'll see. If he's not there, I wouldn't be surprised to see the 49ers go offense if a guy like WR Michael Crabtree is still there, or perhaps OT Michael Oher.
Scott H, Santa Maria, CA 02:08 PM ET
Hi Gil. There'a a lot of talking heads, but you and Pat Kirwan I trust the most. I think the Panthers are on the verge of a SB and would be crazy to let Peppers go. Can they convince him to stick around? I bought a Peppers jersey at Christmas before I got "the news." Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Thanks, Scott. First of all, you live in one of my favorite towns -- we used to visit Santa Maria every summer when the Cowbosy trained in California.
The Panthers don't have to "convince" Julius Peppers to stay, because they have him on the franchise tag. And I do still think it will be hard to trade him because of the money. As for Carolina's prospects in '09, I'm not sure they are a Super Bowl team. they have two good running backs and a solid offensive line. But the QB is a little inconsistent. And they don't have a first-round pick in this month's draft.
Tim, Detroit, MI 02:12 PM ET
What do you believe the Lions will do with the number 1 pick in this years draft? play it safe or take the chance on stafford Gil Brandt, NFL.com
First of all, Tim, I don't think selecting Georiga QB Matthew Stafford is "taking a chance." I've talked to Jim Schwartz about this and I know they have done all their homework on who to select. I'm sure they will make the right choice.
FYI, I had a long talk with Coach Schwartz yesterday, and at no time did he bring up the possibility of Detroit trying to trade down.
brett, cleveland 02:14 PM ET
do you think the browns draft orakpo at 5, and do you think that he could be a demarcus ware type of player Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Brett. It's possible the Browns take Texas LB Brian Orakpo at 5. There have been many varying opinions on Orakpo. some think he should be a top three pick, while some have him closer to 10. He has a great "get-off" -- a great first step -- that is reminiscent of DeMarcus Ware. I also think he is athletic enough to play in space. I lean more to having Orakpo as a top player, so we'll see if he's there at 5.
Steve Miller, London UK 02:17 PM ET
Now that the Bears have addressed their QB issue, assuming they go for WR in the draft with their 2nd round pick - who might they have a chance of getting and why would they be a good fit for the Bears? Thanks & regards, Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Steve. There are probably 12-14 receivers that could be drafted in the first two rounds. I do think the Bears will take a WR -- they were scheduled to work out Jeremy Maclni the day the Cutler trade took place. Maclin won't be there in round 2, of course, bu there will be some good ones out there when the Bears pick in Round 2 -- people like Louis Murphy of Florida and Brian Robiskie of Ohio State. Either of those two would be good fits for Chicago.
Derek , Hopewell, New York 02:19 PM ET
If the Giants don't go after a reciever in round one, who do you believe they will go after? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Derek, history tells us the Giants will take the best player available. And remember, the Giants have two second-round picks and two third-round picks. So as we just mentioned, with so many good receivers available in Round 2, the Giants can do something else in the first round and use those added picks to maneuver and make sure they get the WR they want in the second round.
Aside from a WR, they could take a linebacker in the first round. They've always been a defensive-minded team, and if a player like James Laurinaitis is there at 29, they could go that route.
tom, san diego 02:23 PM ET
who will be starting qb for the Jets next year? I hope it is Brett Ratliff Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Tom, Brett Ratliff is an interesting pick -- he only played one year of football at the University of Utah. He does have talent and played well last year in the preseason. Knowing Rex Ryan's philosophy, he won't be afraid to take a chance.
Tom Leonard, Manchester, UK 02:25 PM ET
Will the Bucs draft Freeman if he is available, or will they address their needs on the D-line first? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Tom. If I were drafting for the Bucs, I would love to get K-State QB Josh Freeman at 19. But I think it is becoming clear, as teams take a closer look, that Freeman will be off the board by the 19th pick. If that's the case, and they stick Josh McCown at QB and look to draft a defensive player in the first round. They might be looking at Mississippi DT Peria Jerry.
Vin, CT 02:28 PM ET
What do you really like about Josh Freeman when you watch him on film? Did the lack of talent on his team hold him down and prevent him from being a great college player? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
K-State had a down year in '08 and he still had 20 TD passes and 14 rushing TDs with 8 INTs. Teams are starting to look more closely at tape from the 2007 season, when his offensive line was much better. What they are seeing is a player that looks a lot like Daunte Culpepper - very strong arm, good release, and a little like Ben Roethlisberger in that he is hard to bring down when he runs.
bryan, smyrna,tn 02:31 PM ET
hey Gil, I was wondering how many players do you think will be invited to the radio city music hall, and who do you think they will be? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Bryan, what I can tell you at this point is that there could be at least eight prospects at Radio City for the draft - that's two more than they've had in the recent past. The NFL will be announcing the official list in a week or so.
Jason Campbell, Washington, D.C 02:33 PM ET
Like Jake Cutler, I too feel a "deja vu" here in Washington. First they want me and now they don't. Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Well, Jason, I've been a fan of yours since you were a high school star in Taylorsville, Mississippi. Sometmes you have to move on to be appreciated. This has happened to plenty of great quarterbacks -- guys like Drew Brees, who had to go from San Diego to New Orleans to be fully appreciated. And you can go back to the '50s when Norm Van Brocklin was not appreciated in Los Angeles and then led the Eagles to a title.
I understand the Commanders being aggressive and thinking that adding Cutler would have been an upgrade, but Jason, you are a good quarterback and I don't see Washington getting rid of you just for the heck of it.
Aaron, Cold Spring, MN 02:38 PM ET
In what round do you think Javon Ringer will get drafted? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Aaron. Javon Ringer had a great pro day. He had a terrific three-cone drill, which is a good indicator for success at RB. Size might be an issue. I see him going in the fourth round.
Tosh, Vancouver BC 02:39 PM ET
Hey Gil, if BJ Raji slips to #9 can you see the Packers passing on him since they're switching to a 3-4 defense? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Tosh. I think it's possible they pass on him because they've got Ryan Pickett to play NT, and I don't think Raji can play DE n the 3-4. I think the Packers will target a player like Tyson Jackson with the ninth pick. Or one of the elite offensive tackles.
Matt, Brisbane Australia 02:42 PM ET
Gil, Jason Peters and the Bills seem to be miles apart and with another holdout looming will they Trade him before the draft? If so what is the return value for a young Pro Bowl OL? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Matt. Peters is a touygh guy to trade. He is signed for the next two years -- $2.9 million this year and $3.4 million next year. He wants $10 million. So teams will be reluctant trading for him if they know they will have a hard time signing him. Signing him notwithstanding, you should be able to get a first-round pick for a left tackle who has been to the Pro bowl recently.
Theo, New Zealand 02:45 PM ET
First off, I am a big fan. How much of a chance do you think there is of Philadelphia making a trade for Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards? And if so, how much do you think it would take to get one of them? Thanks Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Thanks, Theo. I think they'd prefer Boldin, who is signed for the next two years but wants a lot more money. He wants Larry Fitzgerald money. So the Eagles would have to be sure they can satisfy his financial wishes before pulling the trigger on a deal.
The Eagles have two first-round picks -- 21 and 28. As opposed to trading for Boldin or Edwards, I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to move up and get someone like Ohio State RB Beanie Wells or Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno.
Robert T., Minneapolis, MN 02:48 PM ET
Ever since the Cutler trade, everyone seem
s to think the Bears now easily the best team in the NFC North. Is that really the case? The Bears had many more question marks than just the QB position and the Vikings and Packers are no slouches. What does Gil think about the NFC North post-Cutler trade? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Robert. The Cassel trade was hard for a lot of people to understand. But once the Patriots put the franchise tag on Cassel, the big contract made him less valuable to some teams. And while the Chiefs may have given up less than people thought for Cassel, the Bears gave up more than some thought for Cutler. The bottom line is that all teams see players differently. It's not an exact science by any means.
Mike, Las Vegas 02:51 PM ET
Gil, what do you think of Roy Miller- DT - Texas? He has perhaps the best measurables of any 3-4 NT possibilities and has had great production on a big stage. Why is he rated so low by many? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Mike. First off, Miller is one of those players that stayed in school, and I feel good about that because his father put a lot of faith in my advice when I suggested he stay. He worked out very well at Texas' pro day. I have him going in the fourth round, which is probably two rounds higher than he would have gone last year. The reason I don't have him higher is that he's not real tall. But he never stops competing.
Rhodri Jones, Tredegar, Wales. 02:53 PM ET
Hi Gil. In your 100 hot prospects column you have James Laurinitis at 26 and Rey Maualuga at 28. How do you think they will fair on draft day ?, Good column by the way. Thanks. Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Thanks, Rhodri. First off, they are both in the same plateau -- and those are listed in alphabetical order, so those two guys can go in any order. Personally, I think Laurinaitis is the better of the two. He has a better chance of being an every-down player than Maualuga.
Julius, San Francisco 02:58 PM ET
Any super bowl predictions? I'm going with the 49ers baby! Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Well, Julius, I was just informed this morning that our group of experts in the NFL.com fantasy magazine went 0-for-8 last year. But let's try this one on for size: NY Giants over Tennessee Titans. We'll see!
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
That's all for now. Great questions! now stay tuned for Brian Billick's chat. We'll talk again next week.
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM ETGil Brandt 23 comments
NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt, former VP of of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys, discussed offseason moves around the league and the NFL Draft during a live chat on Tuesday afternoon. Read the complete transcript:
Auto-Refresh Page (seconds)30 60 90 Off
Gil Brandt, NFL.com02:00 PM
Hi everyone. Looking forward to another great week of questions, so fire away.
Brian C, Palm Harbor FL 02:00 PM ET
I was curious as to what you thought of the Buccaneers giving Kellen Winslow that huge extension? Will it work out? Brian Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Brian. I was a little surprised at the 6-year extension for the guarantee that it included. Winslow is a very talented player but he's susceptible to injury, which is why you get worried about the guaranteed money. But he creates a tough matchup for opposing defenses.
mal, orland park IL 02:02 PM ET
What is your thoughts on the trade of Cutler to the Bears? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I think Cutler will help the Bears in 2009 more than the picks will help Denver this season. It all depends on what Denver does with those picks -- two first-rounders and a third-rounder. But it should be good for both teams in the long run.
Michael, Toronto 02:04 PM ET
Hey Gil, what do you think the Seahawks will do with 4th pick? Any chance of them trading down with maybe a Denver? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Michael. It depends on whether or not Matt Stafford is there. I think if Stafford is there at 4, Seattle will take him. If not, I see them entertaining offers -- because they do have a lot of holes to fill on that team.
Dylan DeSimone, UConn 02:05 PM ET
Gil, Mike Singletary played for a gruesome bears defense. Don't you think it would be in his nature to draft a pass rushing end/lb with the tenth pick? If so, who? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Dylan. Don't be surprised if the 49ers take LSU DE Tyson Jackson if he's there. I don't think he will be there at 10, howevr, but we'll see. If he's not there, I wouldn't be surprised to see the 49ers go offense if a guy like WR Michael Crabtree is still there, or perhaps OT Michael Oher.
Scott H, Santa Maria, CA 02:08 PM ET
Hi Gil. There'a a lot of talking heads, but you and Pat Kirwan I trust the most. I think the Panthers are on the verge of a SB and would be crazy to let Peppers go. Can they convince him to stick around? I bought a Peppers jersey at Christmas before I got "the news." Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Thanks, Scott. First of all, you live in one of my favorite towns -- we used to visit Santa Maria every summer when the Cowbosy trained in California.
The Panthers don't have to "convince" Julius Peppers to stay, because they have him on the franchise tag. And I do still think it will be hard to trade him because of the money. As for Carolina's prospects in '09, I'm not sure they are a Super Bowl team. they have two good running backs and a solid offensive line. But the QB is a little inconsistent. And they don't have a first-round pick in this month's draft.
Tim, Detroit, MI 02:12 PM ET
What do you believe the Lions will do with the number 1 pick in this years draft? play it safe or take the chance on stafford Gil Brandt, NFL.com
First of all, Tim, I don't think selecting Georiga QB Matthew Stafford is "taking a chance." I've talked to Jim Schwartz about this and I know they have done all their homework on who to select. I'm sure they will make the right choice.
FYI, I had a long talk with Coach Schwartz yesterday, and at no time did he bring up the possibility of Detroit trying to trade down.
brett, cleveland 02:14 PM ET
do you think the browns draft orakpo at 5, and do you think that he could be a demarcus ware type of player Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Brett. It's possible the Browns take Texas LB Brian Orakpo at 5. There have been many varying opinions on Orakpo. some think he should be a top three pick, while some have him closer to 10. He has a great "get-off" -- a great first step -- that is reminiscent of DeMarcus Ware. I also think he is athletic enough to play in space. I lean more to having Orakpo as a top player, so we'll see if he's there at 5.
Steve Miller, London UK 02:17 PM ET
Now that the Bears have addressed their QB issue, assuming they go for WR in the draft with their 2nd round pick - who might they have a chance of getting and why would they be a good fit for the Bears? Thanks & regards, Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Steve. There are probably 12-14 receivers that could be drafted in the first two rounds. I do think the Bears will take a WR -- they were scheduled to work out Jeremy Maclni the day the Cutler trade took place. Maclin won't be there in round 2, of course, bu there will be some good ones out there when the Bears pick in Round 2 -- people like Louis Murphy of Florida and Brian Robiskie of Ohio State. Either of those two would be good fits for Chicago.
Derek , Hopewell, New York 02:19 PM ET
If the Giants don't go after a reciever in round one, who do you believe they will go after? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Derek, history tells us the Giants will take the best player available. And remember, the Giants have two second-round picks and two third-round picks. So as we just mentioned, with so many good receivers available in Round 2, the Giants can do something else in the first round and use those added picks to maneuver and make sure they get the WR they want in the second round.
Aside from a WR, they could take a linebacker in the first round. They've always been a defensive-minded team, and if a player like James Laurinaitis is there at 29, they could go that route.
tom, san diego 02:23 PM ET
who will be starting qb for the Jets next year? I hope it is Brett Ratliff Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Tom, Brett Ratliff is an interesting pick -- he only played one year of football at the University of Utah. He does have talent and played well last year in the preseason. Knowing Rex Ryan's philosophy, he won't be afraid to take a chance.
Tom Leonard, Manchester, UK 02:25 PM ET
Will the Bucs draft Freeman if he is available, or will they address their needs on the D-line first? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Tom. If I were drafting for the Bucs, I would love to get K-State QB Josh Freeman at 19. But I think it is becoming clear, as teams take a closer look, that Freeman will be off the board by the 19th pick. If that's the case, and they stick Josh McCown at QB and look to draft a defensive player in the first round. They might be looking at Mississippi DT Peria Jerry.
Vin, CT 02:28 PM ET
What do you really like about Josh Freeman when you watch him on film? Did the lack of talent on his team hold him down and prevent him from being a great college player? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
K-State had a down year in '08 and he still had 20 TD passes and 14 rushing TDs with 8 INTs. Teams are starting to look more closely at tape from the 2007 season, when his offensive line was much better. What they are seeing is a player that looks a lot like Daunte Culpepper - very strong arm, good release, and a little like Ben Roethlisberger in that he is hard to bring down when he runs.
bryan, smyrna,tn 02:31 PM ET
hey Gil, I was wondering how many players do you think will be invited to the radio city music hall, and who do you think they will be? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Bryan, what I can tell you at this point is that there could be at least eight prospects at Radio City for the draft - that's two more than they've had in the recent past. The NFL will be announcing the official list in a week or so.
Jason Campbell, Washington, D.C 02:33 PM ET
Like Jake Cutler, I too feel a "deja vu" here in Washington. First they want me and now they don't. Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Well, Jason, I've been a fan of yours since you were a high school star in Taylorsville, Mississippi. Sometmes you have to move on to be appreciated. This has happened to plenty of great quarterbacks -- guys like Drew Brees, who had to go from San Diego to New Orleans to be fully appreciated. And you can go back to the '50s when Norm Van Brocklin was not appreciated in Los Angeles and then led the Eagles to a title.
I understand the Commanders being aggressive and thinking that adding Cutler would have been an upgrade, but Jason, you are a good quarterback and I don't see Washington getting rid of you just for the heck of it.
Aaron, Cold Spring, MN 02:38 PM ET
In what round do you think Javon Ringer will get drafted? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Aaron. Javon Ringer had a great pro day. He had a terrific three-cone drill, which is a good indicator for success at RB. Size might be an issue. I see him going in the fourth round.
Tosh, Vancouver BC 02:39 PM ET
Hey Gil, if BJ Raji slips to #9 can you see the Packers passing on him since they're switching to a 3-4 defense? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Tosh. I think it's possible they pass on him because they've got Ryan Pickett to play NT, and I don't think Raji can play DE n the 3-4. I think the Packers will target a player like Tyson Jackson with the ninth pick. Or one of the elite offensive tackles.
Matt, Brisbane Australia 02:42 PM ET
Gil, Jason Peters and the Bills seem to be miles apart and with another holdout looming will they Trade him before the draft? If so what is the return value for a young Pro Bowl OL? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Matt. Peters is a touygh guy to trade. He is signed for the next two years -- $2.9 million this year and $3.4 million next year. He wants $10 million. So teams will be reluctant trading for him if they know they will have a hard time signing him. Signing him notwithstanding, you should be able to get a first-round pick for a left tackle who has been to the Pro bowl recently.
Theo, New Zealand 02:45 PM ET
First off, I am a big fan. How much of a chance do you think there is of Philadelphia making a trade for Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards? And if so, how much do you think it would take to get one of them? Thanks Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Thanks, Theo. I think they'd prefer Boldin, who is signed for the next two years but wants a lot more money. He wants Larry Fitzgerald money. So the Eagles would have to be sure they can satisfy his financial wishes before pulling the trigger on a deal.
The Eagles have two first-round picks -- 21 and 28. As opposed to trading for Boldin or Edwards, I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to move up and get someone like Ohio State RB Beanie Wells or Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno.
Robert T., Minneapolis, MN 02:48 PM ET
Ever since the Cutler trade, everyone seem
s to think the Bears now easily the best team in the NFC North. Is that really the case? The Bears had many more question marks than just the QB position and the Vikings and Packers are no slouches. What does Gil think about the NFC North post-Cutler trade? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Robert. The Cassel trade was hard for a lot of people to understand. But once the Patriots put the franchise tag on Cassel, the big contract made him less valuable to some teams. And while the Chiefs may have given up less than people thought for Cassel, the Bears gave up more than some thought for Cutler. The bottom line is that all teams see players differently. It's not an exact science by any means.
Mike, Las Vegas 02:51 PM ET
Gil, what do you think of Roy Miller- DT - Texas? He has perhaps the best measurables of any 3-4 NT possibilities and has had great production on a big stage. Why is he rated so low by many? Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Mike. First off, Miller is one of those players that stayed in school, and I feel good about that because his father put a lot of faith in my advice when I suggested he stay. He worked out very well at Texas' pro day. I have him going in the fourth round, which is probably two rounds higher than he would have gone last year. The reason I don't have him higher is that he's not real tall. But he never stops competing.
Rhodri Jones, Tredegar, Wales. 02:53 PM ET
Hi Gil. In your 100 hot prospects column you have James Laurinitis at 26 and Rey Maualuga at 28. How do you think they will fair on draft day ?, Good column by the way. Thanks. Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Thanks, Rhodri. First off, they are both in the same plateau -- and those are listed in alphabetical order, so those two guys can go in any order. Personally, I think Laurinaitis is the better of the two. He has a better chance of being an every-down player than Maualuga.
Julius, San Francisco 02:58 PM ET
Any super bowl predictions? I'm going with the 49ers baby! Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Well, Julius, I was just informed this morning that our group of experts in the NFL.com fantasy magazine went 0-for-8 last year. But let's try this one on for size: NY Giants over Tennessee Titans. We'll see!
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
That's all for now. Great questions! now stay tuned for Brian Billick's chat. We'll talk again next week.