Chat: ESPN'S Mortensen...Live..

[HardHittingRoy31]

Welcome to The Show! On Wednesday, ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen will stop by to take your questions about all of the action on the NFL gridiron!

Send your questions now and join Mort on Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET!
Mortensen Archive: Chats | Columns

Chris Mortensen: (11:11 AM ET ) Good morning. Very busy on the phone (Mike Martz was fired, as expected, in Detroit)...but let's see what we can talk about.

john denver,co: mort do you think a trade of javon walker for chester taylor would work for both teams

Chris Mortensen: (11:13 AM ET ) Well, just off the cuff, that's pretty good, very creative and makes sense. But I don't know about the salary cap issues.


Eric (Albany, NY): Any truth to the Urban Meyer to Atlanta/Baltimore rumors?

Chris Mortensen: (11:16 AM ET ) I have no doubt that Urban Meyer will be targeted at some point and maybe Baltimore is intrigued. Urban has spent a fair amount of time over the years of interacting with NFL coaches to improve himself as a coach. He's an impressive guy. I don't think the timing will be right on this one.


Robert - Las Vegas: Chargers fan here! Just found out about Ryan up in Oakland - has Mr. Davis/Kiffin lost their minds! They're finally (maybe?) going to get some productivity from that offense in 08 and now you set back the defense by firing a great D-Coord? What are the odds that Lane actually does court Monte to come to Oakland? I just think it's a bone head move that will set the team back another season, one season too long for Lane and Davis will pull a Trump - You're fired! LOL.

Chris Mortensen: (11:17 AM ET ) I do know that if Ryan is fired (and the rushing defense was awful this year), he'll find a job and that could clear the way for Monte Kiffin, Lane's father, to come on board once the Bucs finish their season. You can't complain about Monte Kiffin. He is arguably the best of this era.


Nick (Seattle, WA): Mort, any truth to Holmgren leaving the 'hawks for 49ers? (As GM?)

Chris Mortensen: (11:18 AM ET ) Holmgren is year to year and I'm not sure he's comfortable with the Seahawks GM, Tim Ruskell. But I don't see him as the 49ers GM right now. I expect that to be Scott McCloughan.


Arthur (Houston): Colt Brennan is he going to need a great Senior Bowl and Combine just to get draft or was Hawaii O line the reason?

Chris Mortensen: (11:20 AM ET ) The good NFL personnel people won't overreact to last night. That was an overmatched Hawaii team (and line) by a great Georgia team. Brennan did take a licking and kept getting up. I think the primary concern will be his physical stature - the fact he needs another year or two of physical maturity may slip him into the 2nd round. But as a pure passer, he is as good or better than anyone in this draft.


Bailey (Atlanta): Mort, has anything developed in the Schottenheimer and Chargers Assistant GM to Atl?

Chris Mortensen: (11:22 AM ET ) Schottenheimer won't be in Atl, I'm reasonably certain. Now Buddy Nix (the Chargers personnel guru) might be on the radar as a GM but I do know they are set to interview Reggie McKenzie and John Schneider (Packers).


John Baltimore, MD: Mort, Bart Scott was quoted saying a dictator wont work in Bmore. Any chance Scott will not be part of the new regime when the new staff is hired? I think they need to go in a completely new direction with the new staff

Chris Mortensen: (11:23 AM ET ) I think one thing Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti needs to get straight with the players is this: They are the players. Just play. If the owner doesn't get a handle on this, the Ravens won't win another Super Bowl. What's Scott (whom I like) trying to say? He wouldn't want Bill Belichick?


Kevin (Manassas): Will Todd Collins stay in Washington next year after leading the Skins into the playoffs, or will another team offer him a starting job?

Chris Mortensen: (11:25 AM ET ) He won't get a starting job. His best spot is right there in Washington and he knows that.


TK (brooklyn): What is your take on Levy stepping down in Buffalo? Does Wilson promote from within or does he go out and find some one new? How safe is juron's job?

Chris Mortensen: (11:29 AM ET ) Marv Levy was a symbol as a GM. He never really did any work as the GM. Dick Jauron and John Guy were doing most of the work. Jauron's record after 2 years is the same as Mike Mularkey's but he is their guy and not going anywhere.


Tom (SoCal): Mort, Whats your feeling on who will be Miami's new GM & HC?

Chris Mortensen: (11:33 AM ET ) On the GM, I believe it will be Jeff Ireland. Parcells is still deciding on Cameron. They met Tuesday. They'll meet more Thursday and possibly Friday. I think there's some synpathy for Cameron's plight. But if Cam goes, then the candidates will probably be Sparano, Todd Haley, Maurice Carthon and Mike Tice.


Tony (Rochester, NY): Mort, Who are some of the hot o-coordinator possibilities out there for the the Bills? I know they may promote from within for both GM and coordinator but I think it's time to make a bold move for this offense. Itwas just too predictable all year.

Chris Mortensen: (11:34 AM ET ) One more Bills ?: It was going to be predictable with a rookie QB.


G. Steinbrenner (Bronx, NY): I am generally not an advocate of tanking games, but what did the Jets gain by winning a meaningless game and dropping three spots in the draft? Also, shouldn't Mangini be on a "big hook" this coming year?

Chris Mortensen: (11:36 AM ET ) You don't tank game in the NFL. D'Brickashaw Ferguson was the 4th pick in the draft and that's a shaky one in retrospect. David Harris was great and he was middle of first round. Revis was great. Adrian Peterson slipped to No. 7. Economically, it's a lot better. Relax. And the reason this league is pretty shaky (for the majority) si because fans and media want to fire a coach way too soon. Stability is important and it will make your quarterback better, too.


Spyder Monkey (CA): Any truth to the rumors floating around the Chad Johnson will be traded to the Dolphins?

Chris Mortensen: (11:38 AM ET ) Hard to tell. There is a strong suspicion that Chad Johnson and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, will push for a new contract and/or trade. Can they pull it off? The Bengals internally say they won't let that happen.


Matt, Chicago: Mort, love your work! I've heard that Jerry will do whatever it takes to keep OC Jason Garret from leaving. But how does he go about this with so many teams pursuing him and the NFL rules preventing him from granting permission to teams to talk to him?

Chris Mortensen: (11:40 AM ET ) Don't forget: Jason is a big part of this equation. Jones will probably offer Jason to be the highest paid O-coordinator in football and see what happens in '08. The team that could be attractive for Garrett is the Ravens but I tend to believe he'll stay put.


stephen (san diego): cam cameron as oc of the 49ers?

Chris Mortensen: (11:41 AM ET ) If Cam is fired, that would be a logical guy because of Norv Turner's presence and success last year in SF.


Scott Loma Linda, CA: Hey Mort, Is there any way the relationship between Mike Nolan and Alex Smith can be repaired?

Chris Mortensen: (11:43 AM ET ) I think so. Both Mike and Alex are really good people and they can get through it. I think the bigger issue is whether Alex is talented enough to be the guy.


Chico (Chicago): Mort- there is football this weekend! What do you think? Steeler pull the upset at Home? Hawks take care of business?

Chris Mortensen: (11:45 AM ET ) The Steelers believe they benefit from their game (a loss) with Jags. But they'll be playing with a 3rd LT and you wonder if that will force them to keep TE Heath Miller in to help block. I think the bigger issue is the Steelers' defense. The loss of Aaron Smith was huge so I lean toward the Jags.


Ron (Washington DC): Mort, if you had to pick a wild card team to make it to the superbowl which one would it be?

Chris Mortensen: (11:46 AM ET ) I'd probably say the Commanders because the NFC is weaker, but I would keep an eye on Jacksonville, too.


Phil (KS): Rex Ryan to Denver, if Bates gets fired. Your thoughts...

Chris Mortensen: (11:47 AM ET ) Me thinks that if the Broncos don't get better players on defense, it won't matter.


David (Overland Park, KS): Who do you think fills the OC role on the Chiefs now that Solari has been let go? I remember reading that they're going to begin utilizing the Denver zone blocking scheme. Think it'll be someone from there?

Chris Mortensen: (11:47 AM ET ) Here's what I have heard and I'll share it for the first time: Herm Edwards wants to bring in Alex Gibbs to install that zone-blocking scheme. That's probably what will happen.


The D (Sav Ga.): Which NFL team has the biggest demand for a Quarterback and who do you see them drafting?

Chris Mortensen: (11:50 AM ET ) I would say the Ravens and Bears are at the top of the list because they have teams ready to win. It doesn't mnatter who the quarterback is if you don't have a good team around him on both sides of the ball. I don't want to project on them right now with the draft.


Mike (Cleveland): With Crennel saying that they will listen to trades for DA who do you think will make a play for him?

Chris Mortensen: (11:51 AM ET ) I think it's posturing. Romeo was also pretty strong that Derek Anderson is his quaterback, as he should be. But it's Ok to throw out some chum, just in case somebody wants to blow you away.
To listen and read more http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=18655

 

[jackrussell]

john denver from colorado called?

 

[superpunk]

Kevin (Manassas): Will Todd Collins stay in Washington next year after leading the Skins into the playoffs, or will another team offer him a starting job?

Chris Mortensen: (11:25 AM ET ) He won't get a starting job. His best spot is right there in Washington and he knows that.

Mort's probably right. Who starts in Washington next year - how could you possibly go back to Campbell?

 

[Aikbach]

Did Mortensen pull names out of his butt? Sparano is the only remotely attractive head coaching candidate of those he listed off as Parcells' options in Miami.

Todd Haley? No way. Mike Tice? Already failed with big talent. Maurice Carthon? How patronizing to the "spirit' of the Rooney Rule.

 

[HardHittingRoy31]

Matt, Chicago: Mort, love your work! I've heard that Jerry will do whatever it takes to keep OC Jason Garret from leaving. But how does he go about this with so many teams pursuing him and the NFL rules preventing him from granting permission to teams to talk to him?

Chris Mortensen: (11:40 AM ET ) Don't forget: Jason is a big part of this equation. Jones will probably offer Jason to be the highest paid O-coordinator in football and see what happens in '08. The team that could be attractive for Garrett is the Ravens but I tend to believe he'll stay put.


God, I hope that is true!

 

[Chief]

Chris Mortensen: (11:33 AM ET ) On the GM, I believe it will be Jeff Ireland. Parcells is still deciding on Cameron. They met Tuesday. They'll meet more Thursday and possibly Friday. I think there's some synpathy for Cameron's plight. But if Cam goes, then the candidates will probably be Sparano, Todd Haley, Maurice Carthon and Mike Tice.

Haley and Carthon are laughable.

Tice, though ... I remember Parcells gushing about him a few years ago. I could certainly see him being a strong candidate. He's done a nice job at Jacksonville.

 

[HardHittingRoy31]

Haley and Carthon are laughable.

Tice, though ... I remember Parcells gushing about him a few years ago. I could certainly see him being a strong candidate. He's done a nice job at Jacksonville.

I don't know, Carthon is a BP GUY! I know that Parcells let him go, but he had no choice.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yep, as amazing as it sounds, Parcells said in some article within the last year, IIRC, that his two best coaching proteges were Mo Carthon and Todd Haley.

I don't know how he can say that when he got rid of Carthon himself, and then Carthon went on to fail miserably in Cleveland.

And Haley is a jerk that no one seems to like. But then, he's a Jersey guy.

 

[Chief]

Yep, as amazing as it sounds, Parcells said in some article within the last year, IIRC, that his two best coaching proteges were Mo Carthon and Todd Haley.

Hmmm.

Take that, Belichick, Crennel, Weis, Groh ....

The way that Parcells-Belichick coaching family tree bickers and feuds, he was probably trying to get in a jab at someone. I've never seen such a disfunctional coaching family. Mangini and Belichick have kept the tradition going.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Actually, I'm pretty sure he meant among young guys who haven't become head coaches yet.

But it's still a very strange pair to pick. Except that they're both Parcells Guys through and though.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Yep, as amazing as it sounds, Parcells said in some article within the last year, IIRC, that his two best coaching proteges were Mo Carthon and Todd Haley.

I don't know how he can say that when he got rid of Carthon himself, and then Carthon went on to fail miserably in Cleveland.

And Haley is a jerk that no one seems to like. But then, he's a Jersey guy.

He never got rid of Carthon. He allowed him to go for the OC job, so he could get experience as a play caller. There was an article about how they were on bad terms, but they've since reconciled their differences.

Carthon is a lot like Haley from what I've read. Hot-headed, cuss you out guys, who tend to rub players the wrong way. Not sure how long that can last in an organization.

 

[SDogo]

Did Mortensen pull names out of his butt? Sparano is the only remotely attractive head coaching candidate of those he listed off as Parcells' options in Miami.

Todd Haley? No way. Mike Tice? Already failed with big talent. Maurice Carthon? How patronizing to the "spirit' of the Rooney Rule.

Any of those guys would be better then Garrett or Sparano.......

RIGHT GUYS!!!!???!!! RIGHT!:laugh2:

 

[big dog cowboy]

Good news about Garrett. Let's hope Mort is actually right for a change.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Haley did a nice job in Arizona. They had the 5th ranked passing offense in the NFL, on a team plagued with injuries. Fitzgerald and Boldin both suffered injuries, they rejuvenated Warner but still were down to their 3rd QB at times this season. Wisenhunt and Grimm were desperately trying to install his run based Pittsburgh offense until they just gave up midseason and handed the reigns to Haley and let him air it out.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I don't believe Chad Johnson is going anywhere.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

thanks for the report.....

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Tom (SoCal): Mort, Whats your feeling on who will be Miami's new GM & HC?

Chris Mortensen: (11:33 AM ET ) On the GM, I believe it will be Jeff Ireland. Parcells is still deciding on Cameron. They met Tuesday. They'll meet more Thursday and possibly Friday. I think there's some synpathy for Cameron's plight. But if Cam goes, then the candidates will probably be Sparano, Todd Haley, Maurice Carthon and Mike Tice.

Does anyone have a pic or video of Parcells whacking Haley?