Chris Mortensen: Happy New Year... this will be a holiday-shortened chat of about 30 minutes but let's get to it.
Wayne Fort Washington , MD: Do you think that the Commanders change at QB, although only because of injury gives this team a better chance at not only making the playoffs but perhaps even going deep into the playoffs, especially, when you consider all that's happened to this team ?
Chris Mortensen: Todd Collins has provided very steady QB play for the Commanders. One reason, he's a veteran. Another reason, he has been familiar with OC Al Saunders dating to their years in KC together. I think the Commanders are capable of going deep into the playoffs. They are also capable of dropping out early. But I always like momentum and the Commanders will have it,
especially if the top off the month with a win over the Cowboys.
Bryan (Wadsworth, OH): Tell me that the Colts will play their starters long enough to beat the Titans!? In other words, who's getting in the playoffs: Cleveland or Tennessee?
Chris Mortensen: Don't beg. The Browns controlled their destiny and blew it. They also have to bear a much improved 49ers team. The Colts will play a pretty good first half, although I'm not sure how long Manning goes. Right now, I'd say the Titans are going into the playoffs but that's why they play the games, even when circumstances make it more of a mystery.
Scott (San Diego, CA): Mort - Which AFC playoff team has the best shot of ending New Englands perfect season (Jags/Pit winner in first round or Indy/SD winner second round)?
Chris Mortensen: I would probably lean towwards Colts or Chargers - if the Chargers win their first round game. I like that the Chargers have gotten back to a more aggressive defense. Castillo looked good in his first game back, too. I do believe Jags have a shot to beat Pats, too, although their pass rush is suspect.
Tim (Tampa): A lot of people here are making a big deal of the Bucs loss when they played the game like a preseason game. Loss of momentum is cited as the big concern. I think being healthy is more important. What do you think?
Chris Mortensen: I would say being healthy is a priority.
Emil (ME): What is your take on sitting players the final week of the season? The Cowboys have a bye so don't you think they may be rusty after 2 weeks off?
Chris Mortensen: I do think it's important to play all healthy starters. Steve Young says he always felt a bye week caused problems for the offense, especially in the first half of the game after the bye.
Pat (Oshkosh WI): Mort, in the Packer-Bear game a referee pulled down Nick Barnett and Barnett got up and shoved him thinking it was a Bear player. Why can a referee touch a player but a player can't touch them? What is your opinion on the incident?
Chris Mortensen: I thought the umpire was a little too aggressive, which is one reason why the NFL won't or can't over-react to Barnett's response. An official can grab a player if it's for safety purpose or to avoid escalation of an altercation.
Drew Salisbury, MD: With Willie Parker now on IR, Do you believe the Steelers running attack can be more effective with a more consistent running style of Davenport vs. the all or nothing style of Parker?
Chris Mortensen: That possibilit exists but I know every time the Packers got excited abotu Davenport, he'd get nicked up and disappear. But if he stays healthy, it will bring back more of that power mentality for the Steelers.
Canyon (Estonia): Mort, we were supposed to compete this year and everything has gone terribly. Please, what's something to be happy about as a Broncos fan??
Chris Mortensen: Back in spring, I liked the Broncos. But once I went to training camp and spent two days with them, I knew they didn't have a playoff team. You don't turn over that many starters (11, I think) and get better. They sorely missed Al Wilson's leadership and play. They have young DL to develop. They need three offensive linemen. The quarterback is going to be pretty good if they can make those improvements but things need to be stabilized for them to challenge the Chargers next year.
Brian (MA): Where is Tomlinson's moral outrage over his QB acting like a drunk frat boy on the sideline the other night?
Chris Mortensen: Maybe somebody will ask LT about that this week.
Ryan (Chicago, IL): If the Eagles and Vikings got together and worked out a trade for McNabb. Would the Eagles being will to accept less in compensation from the Vikings then they would accept from other teams?
Chris Mortensen: First off, I don't believe McNabb will be traded. Next, why would the Eagles accept less from any team? Their obligation is to themselves and that's the way it works in this league.
Chris (Reno,NV): Mort, What are the chances of Parcells keeping Cam Cameron as coach in Miami?
Chris Mortensen: I'd say 60-40 that Cameron stays on as coach.
Greg(Boston): Mort, hope you had a good Holiday. Having lost his, right tackle, right guard, quarterback, linebacker, and arguably his best player, S. Taylor, to murder, yet they are in contention for the playoffs. Should Gibbs be in contention for Coach of the year?
Chris Mortensen: Joe Gibbs certainly deserves consideration, especially if the Skins get into the playoffs. It's a very good coach of the year class. My vote still goes to Mike McCarthy but I will consider Bill Belichick if the Pats go undefeated.
Dan (Cleveland, OH): Mort, is this a one year tease or the start of consistent winning from the Browns?
Chris Mortensen: Oh, I think this is the start of consistent winning for the Browns. Even if they miss the playoffs, 10-6 with a great foundation of young players and a very good personnel dept. headed by Phil Savage is a lot to thankful for, if you're a Browns fan.
DCFanatic, NY: Doesn't Marion Barber remind you of Walter Payton with the way he attacks defenders?
Chris Mortensen: That's a pretty fair comparison in terms of style, yes.
Sam (Chicago): With you having worked with Parcells this year and getting a sense of the type of players he likes, who do you see him drafting 1st overall in the 2008 NFL Draft?
Chris Mortensen: Well, he'll try to bluff people in order to trade the pick. That would be first option. Next, he'll probably draft a player like a Glenn Dorsey...or a Chris Long...or a Jake Long. He won't draft McFadden and it's unlikely he'll pick a QB unless he just falls in love with a guy like Matt Ryan, who fits some of his prototype.
Larry (Pasco, WA): Mort, did you have a problem with P. Rivers behavior during the second half of the ESPN monday night game?
Chris Mortensen: Unfortunately, I was in a car driving with Tom Jackson to NY because of holiday travel needs. I have heard about it and I do like Phillip Rivers' competitiveness, but based on what I heard, I don't think an NFL quarterback should ever present himself in that manner.
Jared (New Rochelle, NY): Hey Chris...I asked you about Coughlin's chances to get fired after this season and you seemed pretty sure he would keep his job. If the Giants lose out does that change your mind?
Chris Mortensen: I would be shocked if Tom Coughlin got fired. They have won 10 of their last 13 games. How many teams have done that? They're in the playoffs for the third straight year and by and large their talent is playoff marginal.
matt (FLORIDA): Mort, how can you say that Parcells will possibly keep Cameron? Besides their Indiana/Knight backgrounds, I dont see them coexisiting.
Chris Mortensen: I can tell you there is a possibility of Cameron staying on.
Diana Colby, Montreal QC: Has Roger Godell come to a decision about broadcasting the Dec 29th game (Patriots vs Giants)?
Chris Mortensen: What decision? The TV rights belong to the NFL Network. Goodell has played his option - he has told Tome Warner and Comcast that they are free to broadcast the game if they simply say yes to an abritration process. Those cable companies are saying no.
Michael, Dayton Ohio: Hey Mort If you dont think an NFL QB should act like Rivers did, would you have said the same thing about Farve. Take a look back at some of the antics he did in his early days. But his was called a "firey competitor."
Chris Mortensen: Based on what was described to me, I have never seen or heard of Favre doing those antics on the sideline. Brett has always exhibited respect for his opponent, even in those younger days.
Ariel (Los Angeles): Who do you see as your dark horse in the playoffs?
Chris Mortensen: I'd say the Bucs and possibly Commanders in the NFC. In the AFC, is it OK to call the Chargers a dark horse? I like the way they're playing right now.
Eric (Jacksonville FL) : Chris, you mention the Jags suspect pass rush. Do you see them going after Jarred Allen? or will try and find someone in the draft.
Dan (Buffalo, NY): Mort, should the Browns consider resting some of their starters this weekend since their playoff chances are out of their hands? Do you think Quinn will get any snaps? Thanks
Chris Mortensen: The Browns have to play to win because they won't know the result of the Colts-Titans game on Sunday night.
Chris Mortensen: I have to run... once again, Happy New Year. Check us on on ESPN Radio Primetime at 7 pm ET. I believe we'll have Parcells on for a bit. Also, Saturday NFL Countdown at 11:30 ET and Sunday at 11 a.m. Thanks, Happy New Year and God Bless!
