Chris Mortensen: I am around...and forgot Arthur Blank was having his presser right now....give me another 15 minutes...and I will be here.
Chris Mortensen: OK, let's catch up.
Jared (New Rochelle, NY): How much does Tom Coughlin have to do to lose his job? I think the real reason the Giants are winning is because of the great job Spags has done with the defense. Coughlin is a moron and everything he has final say on doesn't seem to work exemplified by his challenge success percentage.
Chris Mortensen: I take exception to anybody calling Tom Coughlin a "moron.": He has his team at 9-4. He is the one who hired the defensive coordinator. He is a meticulously prepared coach who worked hard to resolve some of the issues he had in communication with players. He is not going to lose his job unless something unforseen happens. And losing a first-round game in the playoffs is not an unforseen event.
Mike (San Diego): Mort, I just read that Jerry Jones helped broker the deal that got Petrino to Arkansas...I'm sure you know this, but isn't that odd in the ownership circles?
Chris Mortensen: Actually, what the Falcons said is that Jones - a former Razorback player - called Arthur Blank to relay Arkansas' interest in speaking with Petrino. It went no further than that, is my understanding.
Phil (Cleveland): What are the Browns going to do with Derek Anderson in the offseason? His productivity has fallen off lately and you have Brady Quinn waiting in the wings.
Chris Mortensen: You think Brady Quinn would be doing better? Look, he has still led this team to an improbable position of gaining a playoff berth. He is a Pro Bowl candidate. I think they will find some way to keep him but let the season play out.
Bruce (Elizabethtown, PA): Mort, With all of the rumbling in SF between the QB and the Coach is there any chance that Nolan is in trouble?
Chris Mortensen: Coaches are always in trouble when they hit their third season (well, in some cases it's after one or two seasons) and there is turmoil and losing involved. I always felt Nolan would be back with a new general manager in place. There are always surprises as we just learned with the Falcons.
Ramon (Detroit, Mich.): The way Bobby Petrino handled this situation is disgraceful. How does he have any credibility left? Talk about the epitome of unprofessionalism.
Chris Mortensen: I don't know if there's a clean way to do it. I remember when Arthur Blank wanted to be honest with Dan Reeves in December and told him he would not be retained after that season (2002). Blank wanted to get started early in the process but expected Reeves to finish the last three games as head coach (if I remember correctly). Reeves told him there was no way a coach can put his heart and focus into something if it was somewhere else. The problem is the pro and college calendar don't match up.
Dave (Durham): Hey Mort, Who will are the leading canidates for the Falcon job?
Chris Mortensen: Bill Cowher certainly would get a call but I don't forsee that happening. There are other candidates and it would be unfair to list some because I know I would leave them out. That's for another day.
Mike (Boca Raton): are the jaguars still in position to make a run in the playoffs with the loss of stroud? when will they get peterson back?
Chris Mortensen: Stroud is back. Peterson, maybe for the playoffs. If Peterson comes back, they will be very tough for anyone, including Patriots and Colts.
Kelvin (Dayton): I've heard Bill Cowher mentioned for EVERY possible coaching opening short of Michigan... where do you think he WILL end up next year?
Chris Mortensen: Cowher has said - and I have always heard - that he intends to take a two-year sabbatical. This is only the first year. His name will surface with every big job that comes open. I could see hium with any team that gives him the money and power he would desire with an owner who is supportive.
Connor (Nashville, TN): Mort, is this the end of the line for Brian Billick in Baltimore. If the Ravens lose to the Dolphins this week, would that be the last straw?
Chris Mortensen: Let's just say this: Despite the declarations that Billick is safe, if the Ravens lose to the Dolphins this week, then I certainly will ask a lot more questions.
Ed, NY: Mort, Do you believe Arthur Blanks comments on Monday Night Football were racially insensitive in anyway about Micheal Vick?
Chris Mortensen: No, I do not. I had talked to Arthur earlier in the day and in his full context of our telephone discussion, he was talking about Vick's potential diet, including all fried foods. He is one of the most civil rights-minded, sensitive men I have encountered in the league.
chris (chicago): How do you think Kyle Orton does on Monday night. The vikings seem like the wrong to at the wrong time for a kid who hasnt played in almost 2 years
Chris Mortensen: Yes, the Vikings are a hot team and they will be in the Metrodome on a Monday night. Yes, it's tough. But that's OK. He has some experience and the Bears need to see how he reacts to adverse conditions as they move forward in trying to determine their quarterback depth chart moving forward.
Suresh Garimella; Athens, OH: Mort, Do u know anything about Marvin Harrison; Is he ever going to comeback this season?
Chris Mortensen: I think Harrison will play near the end of this month and then be ready for the playoffs.
Jon (Boston): Mort, Stroud is out for the year according to espn.com.
Chris Mortensen: Actually, Len Pasquarelli did just report he is out for the year with the ankle injury. Sorry, I have been working on the Falcons story the past 24 hours.
Chris (Sioux Falls): Whats up with Lovie Smith....I think they should CAN this guy...He CANNOT make half time adjustments..that defense alone should get him 7 wins as it has for the last 3 or 4 years...
Chris Mortensen: I am only posting this for all to consider what's wrong with our sporting culture.
chris (brooklyn, ny): How much has Plaxico Burress' injury affected Eli's consistency?
Chris Mortensen: Ask any quarterback what's it like when you can't practice with your receivers. Timing is so important, especially when you consider a quarterback has anywhere from 3-to 4 seconds to make a decision and throw it accurately to a specific spot.
Bud (Huntington Beach, CA): Mort, Do you think the Chargers desperately need Luis Castillo to solidify their run-D?
Chris Mortensen: No question they need Castillo. But they're managing to win some games without him and he is expected back in another game or two.
Chris (DC): Mort, do you think a large pay increase will be enough to keep Garrett in Dallas next year?
Chris Mortensen: Jerry Jones will do whatever it takes. It will be interesting to see how things unfold with Jason, who I believe has a great comfort level in Dallas and obviously is the successor to Wade Phillips.
Sujay (Chicago): Would Trent Edwards get taken ahead of Russell and Quinn if there was a re-draft?
Chris Mortensen: I don't think he would be taken ahead of Russell but maybe ahead of Quinn. Edwards played on such a bad Stanford team and he got beat up. But he looks exceptional and he finally is getting the Bills in the end zone. He looks like he has an excellent future but we have to see what happens when some of that adversity hits, too. The good thing is he had great weapons around him and a pretty good O-line.
Wilmington, NC: Will John Fox or Martey Hurney be around in Carolina next year?
Chris Mortensen: I don't know. NFL history says somebody usually pays when you gets results like this, although losing Jake Delhomme certainly hurt. The decision to give David Carr $3 million as an insurance backup may get the greatest scrutiny, among some other issues.
john(ca): HELP!!! the Chef's are horrible, is it time to consider trading Tony G, or JA, or LJ and get a lot of picks and rebuild because otherwise by the time we are good to go Tony is gonna be done? And is Herm who we really want steering this ship?
Chris Mortensen: The Chiefs have a plan. They knew this would be a down year, hoping to take two steps forward as they get younger. The defense is improved (they do need corner help). But by focusing hard on the offensive line in the off-season, they can turn it around fairly quickly in my opinion.
Phil (Louisville): What is the difference between a the spread offense that we currently see in college and the Run n' Shoot that we saw with the Oilers in the late 80's and early 90's?
Chris Mortensen: The college spread seems very aimed at the quarterback running occasionally. The run-and-shoot was strictly passing. Many NFL teams have converted to run-and-shoot principles in their passing game, where the receivers make choices on their routes, much like a quarterback.
Jon (Phoenix, AZ): Do you see the Cardinals bringing in more talent at QB next year? If anything to motivate Leinart
Chris Mortensen: Kurt Warner seems to be a pretty good quarterback, among the league leaders in passing yards. So, I don't see any reason for something dramatic. Leinart just needs to get healthier and stronger and the Cardinals should be in good hands.
Ronald(Louisiana): Alot of analyst are calling Reggie Bush a bust? Whats you opinion?
Chris Mortensen: Reggie Bush is not a bust. The Saints - and other teams that would have taken him high - knew that he would be a terrific weapon as a utility player. He was never drafted or projected as a "featured" back. He would be used like he was in college - some runs, move him around, use in the passing game, the return game. His presence complements a featured running back because defenses cannot ignore him.
Ryan, Ohio: Is Todd Grantham in trouble of being fired after the big decline of the Browns defense?
Chris Mortensen: No. The defensive problems of the Browns are personnel-related and they have a plan to get better. You can't fix everything overnight. Plus, the defense has actually played much better in the past month.
Lee(NY, NY): Is Clemens the answer for the Jets, or is Matt Ryan waiting for a call on draft day?
Chris Mortensen: Ah, Jets' fans. I work with a lot of them. Clemens is your quarterback.
Chris ( Macon, GA ): Two questions. 1) Did Bobby Patrino have a buy out clause in his contract or not? 2) Is there any truth that Jerry Jones helped him buy out the contract from the Falcons.
Chris Mortensen: He did not have a buyout. Jerry Jones' participation was simply to call Arthur Blank to inform him of the university's desire to seek permission to talk to Petrino.
Don (San Diego): If the Chargers don't do will in the playoffs, will Norv Turner go the way of Shottenhiemer?
Chris Mortensen: The Chargers are pretty much on the record that they are committed to Norv. They are winning the AFC West.
Carlos(VA): Are the Jaguars going to sign Garrard to a long term deal after this year?
Chris Mortensen: I don't see why the Jaguars wouldn't make a bigger commitment to Garrard because he has earned it.
Harlin (Denton, Tx): Hi, Mort. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on the development of Tarvarius Jackson? I know he still has a long way to go, but as a Vikings' fan, the last few games have been encouraging. Thanks a ton!
Chris Mortensen: T. Jackson has been very encouraging for the last four games (all wins). I think he is showing poise, accuracy, making plays with his feet and it obviously helps when you have a running game and your defense is playing well.
Jack (Durham NC): Mort lives in Atl and Ark, and his son plays for Ark. GET HIM OFF THIS STORY - of course hes not going to say anything bad about Petrino
Chris Mortensen: Jack, because of that conflict, I intend to simply do the reporting when I go on TV and not offer any opinions. As a reporter, I may point out that this is hardly a historic precedent in the NFL or many lines of work. But I do feel very badly for Arthur Blank, who doesn't deserve all that has happened this year.
Ari (Toronto): Mr. Mortensen, please tell me that you haven't jumped on the Seahawks bandwagon. Are they contenders or pretenders?
Chris Mortensen: I am not a bandwagon guy but I think the Seahawks and the Bucs (with Jeff Garcia) are capable of upsetting the Cowboys and Packers on a given Sunday in January.
RaiderNation: Thank you for nothing Chris!.
Chris Mortensen: For all you Raider fans, I am anxious to see a lot of Jamarcus Russel. The Raiders have been competitive in almost every game this year, something that didn't happen last season.
Chuck (Virginia Beach, VA): Hey, Mort. How do you think Todd Collins will perform for the Commanders the next three games?
Chris Mortensen: Fairly well, as he did vs. the Bears. He knows this offense from his days in KC with Commanders o-coordinator Al Saunders.
Chris Mortensen: I have to run. Lot of stories to work on. By the way, the Jets-Patriots story on the Jets' "spying" is interesting with conflicting info. One of the things we'll be working on. Thanks for your time again. Catch us on ESPN Radio Primetime Fridays at 7ET and Sunday NFL Countdown at 11 ET. Oh, and Saturday this week at 11:30 ET with all the happenings! God Bless.
