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Welcome to The Show! On Monday, we'll have ESPN.com NFL blogger Mike Sando stopping by to talk about the NFL offseason and ESPN.com's division-by-division previews which get underway on Tuesday.
Sando works on ESPN.com's NFL blog "Hashmarks," providing news, notes, anecdotes and more on the NFL.
Send your questions for Mike now and join him in The Show on Monday at noon ET.
Sando Archive: Columns | Hashmarks
Hunter (College Station, TX): When was the last time a QB started for only 1 1/2 seasons and had the entire country asking "Why hasn't he won a playoff game yet?" Have these people forgotten how short Romo's tenure has been in Dallas, and forgotten how average this team looked prior to Romo stepping in for Bledsoe? I think it's a bit premature to be fleecing a guy for not winning a playoff game in his first two attempts. Peyton Manning: 4 seasons, Eli Manning 4 seasons, Drew Brees: 4 seasons, Marc Bulger 3 seasons, Carson Palmer 4 seasons still no playoff win. It just astounds me that so many people are calling Romo a choker when he's won so many games in his short career, he just lacks the playoff wins. The Seattle loss was devastating, but he wasn't the only Cowboy to have serious screw ups and he still almost won the game, last year he lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champs.
Sando: (11:59 AM ET ) I think you've got a pretty good idea for a column topic there. You're right in that plenty of other quarterbacks have needed longer to win playoff games. I think a few things are at work here. One, Romo has been brilliant for quite a few regular-season games. Two, Romo plays for the Dallas Cowboys, a flagship franchise led by an owner who expects nothing less than playoff success every year. If the owner expects Romo to win in the playoffs, the rest of us aren't being unfair to expect the same thing. Finally, let's look at HOW the Cowboys have lost those playoff games. That's a factor as well.
TK (brooklyn): Sando, do you find it a bit strange Jauron decided to close Buffalo's mini camp a day early? With Lynch in the headlines for a hit-and-run and the Jason Peters hold out it just seems like a move to avoid bad PR. Do you see the bills resolving Peters contract dispute before camp? They have had a terrible o-line up until last year, and it would be a HUGE mistake if they dont lock this guy up.
Sando: (12:01 PM ET ) Strange? Not really. Several teams cut short their minicamps and said they were rewarding players for hard work. The Broncos went bowling, for example. The Rams held a golf competition to get out of meetings. Coaches do these sorts of things during minicamps.
Fred (NY): How do you think the G-Men will fare in defending the crown in a tough division. The Eagles certainly got better and the Skins are kind of unpredictable right now.
Sando: (12:03 PM ET ) The Giants were basically a .500 team that won a couple extra games in 2007, got hot in the playoffs and won it all. I think it's unrealistic to suddenly consider it failure or a big surprise if they don't win it all again. Last season does not carry over to this season on the field, and it shouldn't carry over when we set expectations. I think the Giants will again be competitive in that division but let's not forget: Dallas won the division last season.
Pete (Jacksonville): Can anyone beat Indy or New England this season from the AFC? You think the Jags will be better than last season?
Sando: (12:05 PM ET ) The Jaguars and Chargers come to mind. San Diego beat the Colts on the road in the playoffs last season. I thought the Chargers might have defeated the Patriots in that AFC title game had Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson -- two of the most feared players in the league -- been available. And let's not forget about Rivers being hurt that week as well. The Pats and Colts can definitely be beaten come playoff time.
Jake (NY): Do you think Jonathan Ogden belongs in the Hall of Famer?
Sando: (12:05 PM ET ) YES, YES, YES. Probably one of the five greatest offensive tackles in league history.
Ryan Seattle: Do you find the annual Cardinals are gonna win the NFC West talki as funny as I do? Yeah they maybe better but with Hasselbeck and the probably to 7 defensive unit in Seattle this division still belongs to Seattle.Put me down for 11-5 Hawks and 8-8 Cards.
Sando: (12:07 PM ET ) I've known better than to get on that Cardinals bandwagon. However, I do think Ken Whisenhunt has a good thing going there. The team is not deep enough to overcome some of the injuries that struck on defense last season (Chike Okeafor, Bert Berry, etc.). But I will not be surprised if the Cardinals make life tough on teams in that division. They split with Seattle last season.
Steiny (NYC): Is Dewayne Robertson a good fit for the Broncos because he will be playing in the 4-3?
Sando: (12:08 PM ET ) The Broncos have acquired so many veteran defensive linemen over the years, only to be disappointed. It's almost an upset if they find a real difference maker. One thing about Robertson: Despite his injuries, he has been quite durable. He has generally not missed games. For that reason, I think he will probably help the Broncos more than some of the other defensive linemen they have added in recent seasons.
Steiny (NYC): Will Brandon Marshall be ready for pre season?
Sando: (12:10 PM ET ) Initial signs out of Denver are encouraging on that front. I see no reason to put him at extra risk any earlier than necessary, however. Caution would seem to make sense on that one. Get him some quality work in practice, protect him a little in the exhibition season and then turn him loose when the games count. That is my FEEL and not based on conversations with Mike Shanahan or the Broncos' medical staff.
Troy (Indy): Do you think the Colts should have looked to sign R. Colvin this off season? There was talk around here about us bringing in the home town guy to be another pass rush threat with freeney and mathis but houston beat us to it, it killed us last year when freeney went down.
Sando: (12:11 PM ET ) The Colts have probably learned their lesson a little bit, as you alluded to. They've been able to win with young players on defense as long as Freeney and Bob Sanders were available.
Robert (Latrobe, PA): Are you buying all the hype about the Browns? I am certainly not. They brought in 2 questionable 3-4 d-line guys, lost a starting CB, and added an injury-prone, well-traveled WR. Plus, KW2 is whining about his contract. Do you see them overtaking the Steelers this year?
Sando: (12:13 PM ET ) I'm a bit of a skeptic. I think people often assume a team will pick up where it left off in terms of victories. The Browns strike me as a team that could disappoint people expecting 10-plus victories again. Let's see if Derek Anderson picks up where he leaves off. And if he does not, the Browns have to figure Brady Quinn could need some time. I'm not buying the hype yet, but that's one team I'll be watching closely. The Browns did prove a lot of people wrong in 2007.
John (Boston): Is Ellis Hobbs really going to be the #1 corner in New England? I shudder every time I think about him lining up opposite Chad or TO...
Sando: (12:15 PM ET ) I think a lot of Patriots fans share your angst. One thing about defensive backs: You can help them with scheme more than you can help front-seven guys. I was speaking to an assistant coach for another NFL team recently and he said he can't think of a game, ever, when Bill Belichick lost on pure scheme. I would expect the Patriots to make that work better than other teams might make it work.
Bill (Arlington, MA): Hey Mike, where did Carlos Dansby end up? I was hoping the Pats would make a run at him, but Mayo's kind of changed that.
Sando: (12:16 PM ET ) Karlos Dansby is the franchise player in Arizona. I was down there for minicamps in May and he's taking a professional approach to his contract situation. He joked about wanting to hit the lotto, a la Calvin Pace, but at the same time he has a job to do.
Steiny (NYC): Who do you think is the Jets starting QB?
Sando: (12:16 PM ET ) I would think they would want to find out what Kellen Clemens can do. They pretty much know what Chad Pennington can do.
Seth (South Korea): What's your thoughts on the recent spending spree going on in the Cowboys Organization? Should Jerry Jones be on medication?
Sando: (12:18 PM ET ) The cap has gone up so much that teams are having an easier time throwing around money without dire cap consequences. If you are a Cowboys fan, at least you know your owner is going to do whatever it takes to get the players he wants. In general we are not seeing teams implode from a cap standpoint the way San Francisco and others did years ago.
Al (Milwaukee): Why didn't the Packers go out and get a vet qb? They basically have 3 rookies in there. Any chance of making the playoffs in Rodgers' first year starting?
Sando: (12:19 PM ET ) Which veteran QB would you suggest picking up? Teams generally do not let competent ones hit the market. Trent Green went to the Rams because Al Saunders was there. Not sure what the Packers could have done veteran-QB-wise this offseason.
Ed (KC): Is Brodie Croyle the QB of our future? I just don't see him becoming a good enough player to lead this team.
Sando: (12:21 PM ET ) Croyle has to prove he can hold up physically to the demands of the position. The Chiefs haven't had playmakers on the outside for the most part. That is changing after Bowe's arrival. Tony Gonzalez remains a big-time threat at tight end. That offensive line has crumbled over the last couple years and it's probably made things tougher on Croyle.
Seth (South Korea): Understandable Sando, but 7 years for Newman??? That's a lengthy contract for a CB who'll be 37 at the end of that contract...I mean he's good but I'm not sure if he'll play as long as Darrell Green did...
Sando: (12:23 PM ET ) Newman will not be there for seven years, most likely. And when the Cowboys do move him off the roster, they'll most likely have some cap-saving tools at their disposal. Right now teams can spread the cap hit over a couple seasons. I'm not making a judgment on the Newman deal, but I do know that in general teams can come out OK from a cap standpoint if they can get three or four years into a contract.
PJ Charlotte, NC: Mike: Why wouldn't the Browns trade their upcoming 2nd rounder for Lito Shephard? it seems like that would alleviate problems for both teams. I hate them giving up more draft picks but still, they are being built to win now.
Sando: (12:25 PM ET ) I thought it was fair to wonder if the Browns gave up too much draft capital for veterans this season. To turn around and commit a second for 2009 would seem like overkill. Most teams make a mistake, I think, when they act as though they are one player away from winning a championship. That is not how it works in the NFL. The Patriots were closer than anyone to being one player away. They added Randy Moss, went 16-0 and still did not win a title. Hard for me to think the Browns are in a position to trade away future drafts for players other teams are essentially deeming expendable.
Joe (Oak Park, IL): I know it is a slow time, buit this Chad Johnson coverage is way overblown. I find it hard to believe people are interested in this guy's sideshow.
Sando: (12:27 PM ET ) Chad Johnson is driving that media bus right now. By changing his outlook every day or week or month, he's managed to keep his name in the news. I do think every story reaches a breaking point at some juncture. This story is a lot closer to that point now than it was two weeks ago.
Lance (Philly): Hi Mike! Can you give us your 12 playoff teams and early SB pick? Thanks!
Sando: (12:31 PM ET ) Love the question. I haven't put a ton of thought into that yet, but let's go off the top of my head:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Steelers
AFC South: Jaguars
AFC West: Chargers
AFC Wild Cards: Colts, Browns
NFC East: Eagles
NFC North: Vikings
NFC South: Saints
NFC West: Seahawks
NFC Wild Cards: Cowboys, Giants
SB Winner: Patriots
That's my best guess right now.
Joe Blackwood, NJ: How do you think the Seahwks running game will do this year. I like Jones in Seattle. His style is better suited to catching and blocking as well as running, something Alexander couldn't do.. Do you agree?
Sando: (12:32 PM ET ) The running game in Seattle has to be better. Mike Solari's influence on the line alone will make a difference. The burden of proof is on Julius Jones to back up his claim that he's a big-time back. Even if he's just a decent back, consistency at that position will mark an upgrade over what the team got from Alexander during the last two seasons.
Anthony (nyc): Whats your thoughts on the Commanders?..That OL is healthy now and could be pretty good. Plus they will likely get a nice contribution from either rookies Thomas, Kelly or Davis...can they make anonther run this yr?
Sando: (12:34 PM ET ) That team has shown tremendous resolve and character, so I would not count them out. Last season I picked them as a wild card and got lucky. They really overachieved based on all that went wrong. The Commanders are aging on their offensive line and it's fair to wonder if this is the year it catches up with them. I know the new staff loves Chris Samuels and some of those other guys, but age is a factor with the Commanders. They've got a lot of starters in their 30s, more than other teams, and now they are learning a new offense.
TMW, Alexandria, VA: How do you envision Glenn Dorsey doing in his rookie year? Barring injury, he's one of KC's starting DTs. Can he make an impact rushing the passer and stopping the run as a rookie? Or do you think it'll take some time for him to get his "sea-legs?"
Sando: (12:36 PM ET ) I think he has the potential to make a dramatic difference for the Chiefs. I'll be interested in seeing whether those injury concerns that arose at the combine were overrated. Lower-leg injuries can make life rough on the big guys.
Sando: (12:37 PM ET ) You might be right. Going with the Jags in June is based more on what I thought of Garrard and that team last season. It's not a knock on the Colts. And of course we'll get a better feel as the season approaches.
terry (tampa): So you think the Saints can fix their D and win the South? I would think the Panthers have a better shot of dethroning the Bucs than the Saints, but you obviously think otherwise.
Sando: (12:39 PM ET ) I'm having fun with the predictions here. It is June. I guess the Panthers have been one of those teams that gets hype, then doesn't deliver. They haven't had many winning seasons.
Paul (Denver): Wow, don't go out on a limb there with the Pats. Even though i'm not a fan the Bolts will win it this year.
Sando: (12:40 PM ET ) Huge limb there. I'm thinking the Pats will not come close to 16-0 this season but they might find a way in the playoffs. Just a thought.
Joe (DET): Why hasn't anyone, especially the Bears, signed Kevin Jones yet? Everything I've heard is that he's progressing fast and should be ready to start the season.
Sando: (12:42 PM ET ) Teams need to get a read on his health. I'm not shocked we haven't seen a rush at this point. This is the time of year when teams haven't seen their picks in pads, so they can overestimate what they have. Just a thought.
Joe (Detroit): I'm sick of Marinelli's "Tampa 2" defense. For some reason no one is smart enough to play it except for slow, undersized guys who are coach's pets. How about actually getting guys with talent and developing a scheme that works with good players.
Sando: (12:43 PM ET ) The Bucs have had some success with that scheme. Every scheme needs players. The Lions' scheme requires the front four to get pressure without a lot of help. I would not blame scheme for the Lions' defensive shortcomings. They have needed better players.
Scott (San Diego, CA): Mike - I think one of the underatted aspects this season for the AFC hopefulls is strenght of schedule. We're still months away from the start of the season but barring major injury, the Pats and the Bolts are going to be the top 2 seeds while the Colts, Jags, Steelers, Browns all face very tough division and overall schedules.
Sando: (12:45 PM ET ) What you say has basis in history. John Clayton has broken down schedules very well on the site. Schedules do make a difference.
Stephen (Motown): OK, so Kitna guarantees 10 wins again! Is he even more crazy for doing it this year than last? Although I guess that division is pretty weak.
Sando: (12:46 PM ET ) I've known Kitna for 10 years. He's not a boastful guy but he is very much a faith-based guy. He's showing faith in his teammates and hoping they'll follow along. Those types of "guarantees" are impossible to collect on.
Brett (SF): Alex Smith was a pretty lousy pick, the Niners just never seem to put it all together...Better Bay Area team this year?
Sando: (12:48 PM ET ) Four offensive coordinators in four seasons for the 49ers. Smith has been beat up by opponents and even by his head coach at times last season. You could make the case that the organization hasn't given Smith or any quarterback the support needed to succeed. Some of that is bad luck -- Norv Turner suddenly landing the San Diego job way later than anyone would have expected, for example. I just think it's tough to write off a guy who has been hurt and has not played much. He has started one full season.
Joe (Detroit): --"The Lions' scheme requires the front four to get pressure without a lot of help." So the Lions trade away Shaun Rodgers, their best rushers, for a corner? Makes sense. Let's rush the QB with a converted volleyball player who's just learning football because are scheme relies on pressuring the QB. Fire Millen.
Sando: (12:49 PM ET ) Like I said, I would not blame the scheme for the Lions' deficiencies on defense.
Zac (MN): Hey Mike, why don't guys start signing shorter contracts? Wouldn't that alleviate a lot of the holdout problems due to guys not getting paid as one of the top players at their position? When someone signs a seven year deal, they never play the full length of the contract. Look at Larry Fitzgerald, he signed a 4 year deal. THere is no way he will be cut before the end of the deal so he will make all that money. Then 4 years from now when other receivers have signed bigger deals, he will be a FA and can once again be one of the top paid players at his position. Why doesn't this happen more?
Sando: (12:51 PM ET ) The longer deals historically have made it easier, cap-wise, for teams to pay out large signing bonuses. But with the cap growing in recent seasons, teams have had an easier time incorporating big roster bonuses after the first year. I think Larry Fitzgerald made a very wise move with that four-year deal. That deal makes it likely he'll sign three mega-deals during his career and stick around long enough to collect on them. Most players do not have that luxury. They wind up taking longer deals to get more money in their pockets up front.
Alex (Baton Rouge): Is Reggie Bush going to be the featured back in NO this year? How's Deuce looking after coming off that injury?
Sando: (12:53 PM ET ) The bigger question: Is Reggie Bush a featured back, period? I still think they need to find ways to use him situationally. If he were the answer as an every-down move-the-chains back, we might have seen more evidence by now?
Chris (Broadview Heights, OH): I have no doubts in my mind that Derek Anderson should start the season in Cleveland. However, do you see problems down the line during home games and the "Brady" chants coming from the ignorant after his first incomplete pass having an impact on confidence/performance? Especially with two tough starts at home against Dallas and Pittsburgh.
Sando: (12:55 PM ET ) I'll be very interested to see how the Browns might handle a slow start. They have built expectations by acquiring veterans, adding to the perception that the Browns' time is right now. Just not sure it works that way in the NFL. A team like the Giants can break through and win it all. Going back a couple years, a team like the Steelers can win it all as a sixth seed. The Browns were a feel-good story last season but expectations can change the feeling in a big way. Having a football town such as Cleveland turn on a guy would be rough, were it to happen.
Jack (Toronto): "Chad Johnson is driving that media bus right now." Exactly. He's definitely not driving the fan interest bus. Something about the tail wagging the dog here?
Sando: (12:56 PM ET ) I'm probably like you in that I enjoy the on-field football aspect of the sport. I've covered numerous contract disputes as a beat guy -- the Joey Galloway situation in Seattle was one of them -- and I never missed any of those disputes when they passed.
Greg (Indy): I must give you sports analyst credit for your picks. You picking the Jags this year to win the AFC South. Matt Williamson did it last year. I just would like to know what you are going off...gut instinct, etc. We smoked the Jags twice last year.
Sando: (12:58 PM ET ) I'm going off someone asking me the question during a chat in June. I'm sure I'll be asked to file picks after putting some thought into them. Look for those later this summer. Right now I'm having fun with it, in the spirit of not dodging questions in a chat.
Jeff (East Bay, CA): Why would the Jets start Clemens? They know Chad can win with good talent around him, and with what they've done this off-season it's obvious that their philosophy is to win now. Why go with an unproven commodity over somebody with Pennington's resume? Mangini has to be smarter than that...
Sando: (12:59 PM ET ) You might be right. At some point, though, do they not need to find out what Clemens can do?
Ken (Akron, OH): Who is your preseason pick for Rookie of the Year?
Sando: (1:00 PM ET ) Not dodging you, Ken. But that's one I have not thought about enough. I'll hit it in a future chat or in our predictions.
Randy (Houston, Tx): I know that the Texans have yet to prove anything thus causing the reporters around the nation to dismiss this as after thoughts. However, don't you, as an educated analyst, believe that they may just surprise some people this year?
Sando: (1:02 PM ET ) The Texans do have a good quarterback, I think, and that gives them something not every team possesses. The national expectations for the Texans took a hit, in my view, because the team did not seem to have a strong offseason. So much of the hype is driven by how teams are perceived to have done in the draft, even though few rookies make huge impacts. So from that line of thinking, you could be right. On the flip side, the Texans went 8-8 last season. That leaves little room for tangible improvement when you consider how tough it is to get past that barrier. It's easier to go from three wins to six wins than from eight wins to 10 or 11.
Sando: (1:03 PM ET ) THANKS TO ALL FOR DROPPING BY FOR THE LAST HOUR. I look forward to having those off-the-cuff playoff picks thrown back in my face at a later date.
Sando works on ESPN.com's NFL blog "Hashmarks," providing news, notes, anecdotes and more on the NFL.
Send your questions for Mike now and join him in The Show on Monday at noon ET.
Sando Archive: Columns | Hashmarks
Hunter (College Station, TX): When was the last time a QB started for only 1 1/2 seasons and had the entire country asking "Why hasn't he won a playoff game yet?" Have these people forgotten how short Romo's tenure has been in Dallas, and forgotten how average this team looked prior to Romo stepping in for Bledsoe? I think it's a bit premature to be fleecing a guy for not winning a playoff game in his first two attempts. Peyton Manning: 4 seasons, Eli Manning 4 seasons, Drew Brees: 4 seasons, Marc Bulger 3 seasons, Carson Palmer 4 seasons still no playoff win. It just astounds me that so many people are calling Romo a choker when he's won so many games in his short career, he just lacks the playoff wins. The Seattle loss was devastating, but he wasn't the only Cowboy to have serious screw ups and he still almost won the game, last year he lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champs.
TK (brooklyn): Sando, do you find it a bit strange Jauron decided to close Buffalo's mini camp a day early? With Lynch in the headlines for a hit-and-run and the Jason Peters hold out it just seems like a move to avoid bad PR. Do you see the bills resolving Peters contract dispute before camp? They have had a terrible o-line up until last year, and it would be a HUGE mistake if they dont lock this guy up.
Fred (NY): How do you think the G-Men will fare in defending the crown in a tough division. The Eagles certainly got better and the Skins are kind of unpredictable right now.
Pete (Jacksonville): Can anyone beat Indy or New England this season from the AFC? You think the Jags will be better than last season?
Jake (NY): Do you think Jonathan Ogden belongs in the Hall of Famer?
Ryan Seattle: Do you find the annual Cardinals are gonna win the NFC West talki as funny as I do? Yeah they maybe better but with Hasselbeck and the probably to 7 defensive unit in Seattle this division still belongs to Seattle.Put me down for 11-5 Hawks and 8-8 Cards.
Steiny (NYC): Is Dewayne Robertson a good fit for the Broncos because he will be playing in the 4-3?
Steiny (NYC): Will Brandon Marshall be ready for pre season?
Troy (Indy): Do you think the Colts should have looked to sign R. Colvin this off season? There was talk around here about us bringing in the home town guy to be another pass rush threat with freeney and mathis but houston beat us to it, it killed us last year when freeney went down.
Robert (Latrobe, PA): Are you buying all the hype about the Browns? I am certainly not. They brought in 2 questionable 3-4 d-line guys, lost a starting CB, and added an injury-prone, well-traveled WR. Plus, KW2 is whining about his contract. Do you see them overtaking the Steelers this year?
John (Boston): Is Ellis Hobbs really going to be the #1 corner in New England? I shudder every time I think about him lining up opposite Chad or TO...
Bill (Arlington, MA): Hey Mike, where did Carlos Dansby end up? I was hoping the Pats would make a run at him, but Mayo's kind of changed that.
Steiny (NYC): Who do you think is the Jets starting QB?
Seth (South Korea): What's your thoughts on the recent spending spree going on in the Cowboys Organization? Should Jerry Jones be on medication?
Al (Milwaukee): Why didn't the Packers go out and get a vet qb? They basically have 3 rookies in there. Any chance of making the playoffs in Rodgers' first year starting?
Ed (KC): Is Brodie Croyle the QB of our future? I just don't see him becoming a good enough player to lead this team.
Seth (South Korea): Understandable Sando, but 7 years for Newman??? That's a lengthy contract for a CB who'll be 37 at the end of that contract...I mean he's good but I'm not sure if he'll play as long as Darrell Green did...
PJ Charlotte, NC: Mike: Why wouldn't the Browns trade their upcoming 2nd rounder for Lito Shephard? it seems like that would alleviate problems for both teams. I hate them giving up more draft picks but still, they are being built to win now.
Joe (Oak Park, IL): I know it is a slow time, buit this Chad Johnson coverage is way overblown. I find it hard to believe people are interested in this guy's sideshow.
Lance (Philly): Hi Mike! Can you give us your 12 playoff teams and early SB pick? Thanks!
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Steelers
AFC South: Jaguars
AFC West: Chargers
AFC Wild Cards: Colts, Browns
NFC East: Eagles
NFC North: Vikings
NFC South: Saints
NFC West: Seahawks
NFC Wild Cards: Cowboys, Giants
SB Winner: Patriots
That's my best guess right now.
Joe Blackwood, NJ: How do you think the Seahwks running game will do this year. I like Jones in Seattle. His style is better suited to catching and blocking as well as running, something Alexander couldn't do.. Do you agree?
Anthony (nyc): Whats your thoughts on the Commanders?..That OL is healthy now and could be pretty good. Plus they will likely get a nice contribution from either rookies Thomas, Kelly or Davis...can they make anonther run this yr?
TMW, Alexandria, VA: How do you envision Glenn Dorsey doing in his rookie year? Barring injury, he's one of KC's starting DTs. Can he make an impact rushing the passer and stopping the run as a rookie? Or do you think it'll take some time for him to get his "sea-legs?"
terry (tampa): So you think the Saints can fix their D and win the South? I would think the Panthers have a better shot of dethroning the Bucs than the Saints, but you obviously think otherwise.
Paul (Denver): Wow, don't go out on a limb there with the Pats. Even though i'm not a fan the Bolts will win it this year.
Joe (DET): Why hasn't anyone, especially the Bears, signed Kevin Jones yet? Everything I've heard is that he's progressing fast and should be ready to start the season.
Joe (Detroit): I'm sick of Marinelli's "Tampa 2" defense. For some reason no one is smart enough to play it except for slow, undersized guys who are coach's pets. How about actually getting guys with talent and developing a scheme that works with good players.
Scott (San Diego, CA): Mike - I think one of the underatted aspects this season for the AFC hopefulls is strenght of schedule. We're still months away from the start of the season but barring major injury, the Pats and the Bolts are going to be the top 2 seeds while the Colts, Jags, Steelers, Browns all face very tough division and overall schedules.
Stephen (Motown): OK, so Kitna guarantees 10 wins again! Is he even more crazy for doing it this year than last? Although I guess that division is pretty weak.
Brett (SF): Alex Smith was a pretty lousy pick, the Niners just never seem to put it all together...Better Bay Area team this year?
Joe (Detroit): --"The Lions' scheme requires the front four to get pressure without a lot of help." So the Lions trade away Shaun Rodgers, their best rushers, for a corner? Makes sense. Let's rush the QB with a converted volleyball player who's just learning football because are scheme relies on pressuring the QB. Fire Millen.
Zac (MN): Hey Mike, why don't guys start signing shorter contracts? Wouldn't that alleviate a lot of the holdout problems due to guys not getting paid as one of the top players at their position? When someone signs a seven year deal, they never play the full length of the contract. Look at Larry Fitzgerald, he signed a 4 year deal. THere is no way he will be cut before the end of the deal so he will make all that money. Then 4 years from now when other receivers have signed bigger deals, he will be a FA and can once again be one of the top paid players at his position. Why doesn't this happen more?
Alex (Baton Rouge): Is Reggie Bush going to be the featured back in NO this year? How's Deuce looking after coming off that injury?
Chris (Broadview Heights, OH): I have no doubts in my mind that Derek Anderson should start the season in Cleveland. However, do you see problems down the line during home games and the "Brady" chants coming from the ignorant after his first incomplete pass having an impact on confidence/performance? Especially with two tough starts at home against Dallas and Pittsburgh.
Jack (Toronto): "Chad Johnson is driving that media bus right now." Exactly. He's definitely not driving the fan interest bus. Something about the tail wagging the dog here?
Greg (Indy): I must give you sports analyst credit for your picks. You picking the Jags this year to win the AFC South. Matt Williamson did it last year. I just would like to know what you are going off...gut instinct, etc. We smoked the Jags twice last year.
Jeff (East Bay, CA): Why would the Jets start Clemens? They know Chad can win with good talent around him, and with what they've done this off-season it's obvious that their philosophy is to win now. Why go with an unproven commodity over somebody with Pennington's resume? Mangini has to be smarter than that...
Ken (Akron, OH): Who is your preseason pick for Rookie of the Year?
Randy (Houston, Tx): I know that the Texans have yet to prove anything thus causing the reporters around the nation to dismiss this as after thoughts. However, don't you, as an educated analyst, believe that they may just surprise some people this year?
I've been making this argument since the loss to the Giants. Good stuff from Hunter in College Station, TX!!! 
