Chris Mortensen: Good morning. sorry we missed yesterday but I was a Nick Saban story hostage. Let's yap.
Duke (Queens): Mort, where do the Phins go from here? Asking the media for advice on coaching candidates doesn't seem like a good start.
Chris Mortensen: The one thing Wayne Huizenga needs to do is just go thru thr process. Trading draft picks for Bill Cowher is a stupid idea. The problem in Miami isn't coaching. It's personnel, talent, etc.
Jeff (Atl): Mort, what's going on with the Falcons, who do you like for the job? Were things really as bad there at the end of last year, I heard talk of how the front office was in terrible shape and Mora was a mad man but after the season it disappeared.
Chris Mortensen: I have never heard of the chaos you're talking about. Mora was not a mad man. That's by all accounts from people I know and trust. Ken Whisenhunt is meeting today with Arthur Blank and Rich McKay. I'm sure he's a prime candidate but I don't know and I think they don't know who there next coach is, yet.
Mike (Plantation, FL): Chris, I know you're probably tired of Dolphins talk but yesterday was a weak day in Miami sports. Who, in your opinion is the best fit for the Dolphins head coaching job? Who will get the job?
Chris Mortensen: Well, they have an outstanding staff in place so I will repeat that the key is to get someone who will energize the players, the organization and the staff. I think that guy could be Jim Bates. No "offensive" guru is going to fix this. The problems are talent, lack of talent. If Randy Mueller the GM is on his way out, as rumored, they need to hire a great personnel guy. That may be the most critical hire.
Mase (San Diego): Have you heard any rumors on whether Cam Cameron will be interviewing for a vacant Head Coach spot?
Chris Mortensen: I believe Cam will interview with every vacant team.
Zac (oakland): Hey Mort, After yet another loss in a big game by ND, after a not so stellar performance by Quinn, do you still see him going #1? by the looks of last night, he is not a great decision maker, and struggles to make certain throws. I think the raiders either trade down and take a RB, or stay and take DeMarcus Russell.
Chris Mortensen: LSU's talent is so superior to Notre Dame's - talent assembled by Nick Saban, by the way - that it's not fair to assess Quinn on last night. However, only a few scouts have him as a true franchise QB prospect. But he is a good decision maker...he did struggle making some throws - the ball got away from him a little bit. But Quinn has good size, good arm, all the intangibles, so he is a real good prospect. Jamarcus Russell very well could be the Raiders' top pick.
Steve Chicago: In your opinion is Grossman the long term solution for the Bears at qb? Or will they go out and draft another qb (maybe Russell if he's available)?
Chris Mortensen: Russell's not going to be available but I do believe the Bears may have to address that position. I'm not sure but it's possible.
Ciaran(Ireland): I was just wondering do you think the Eagles should stick with Garcia next year or bring back Mcnab?
Chris Mortensen: McNabb is the guy as long as he is recovered from the knee surgery. He was the league MVP the first month. Garcia benefits from having not started the whole season...at his size and reckless style, he has had a tendency to wear down. But he's done a great job.
Matt,MPLS : Doesn't look to be many free agent WR's this year, but the draft has a few decent guys that could go early? Do you see the vikings drafting Calvin Johnson or Jarrett with teh 7th pick?
Chris Mortensen: Johnson won't be there at 7, but Jarrett might be...and, yes, it makes sense. But it is a little bothersome that a franchise would use two top 10 picks on a WR in three years (Troy Williamson was the 7th guy taken overall, too, wasn't he?).
Skylar(Phoenix): Should Brett Favre retire?? And if so, what kind of team do the Green Bay Packers become next year?
Chris Mortensen: Brett should retire if he wants to retire but it's apparent he can still play.
mike cincy: is marvin just frustrated, or is thurman and henry gone?
Chris Mortensen: I think Odell is gone but Marvin Lewis is prohibited from cutting him until he has finished his suspension. I think he knows he needs to cut Chris Henry. Will he? We'll see.
Paul (DC): Anyway Millen takes Johnson at #2? That would be pretty funny.
Chris Mortensen: No way the Lions can do that. I would think they have to look hard at a QB (Brady Quinn?) or a guy like Michigan DT Alan Branch, assuming Branch will opt for the draft.
Asher (indy): With Vince Young's success, can teams still put any stock into the Wonderlic? It doesn't seem to apply to success on the field. Consider that Alex Smith had one of the highest scores in recent memory...
Chris Mortensen: Teams don't put that much stock into the Wonderlic. It's one of the tools that trigger a team's deeper evaluation. And Vince does have a long way to go - he was below average from the pocket, but just imagine how good he can be if he ever gets it all?
jayson (Greensburg, KS): What kind of moves will Mike Shanahan make this year? It seems like the last few years he has made a big trade of some sort to acquire guys he wants.
Chris Mortensen: He has to get an edge pass rusher, a more dependable running back, one stud O-lineman and, sadly, a cornerback.
Andy (Philadelphia, MS): There's been a lot of talk about how the Chiefs have an advantage over Indy in the fact that they run so well coupled with the fact that Indy can't stop the run; however, KC doesn't have the D to stop Indy through the air. What gives in this game?
Chris Mortensen: It's a bad matchup for the Colts defense and it's a shaky matchup for the Chiefs defense. The Chiefs offense can help their defense a lot by controlling the ball...but the Colts were 8-0 at home this year.
Matt,MPLS : Do you see Tomlin getting a shot at any of the coaching vacancies, or does he stick with the Vikes a few more years before a shot at that happens? Thanks.
Chris Mortensen: Mike Tomlin, the Vikes' defensive coordinator, is considered a bright, young head coach candidate. He may be a couple of years away.
Ken (Indy): Do you really think the Lions will draft at #2 or will they trade down to get more picks? They need to fix everything (including Millen and Ford)!
Chris Mortensen: One good thing for the Lions is that this draft will be so rich in elite talent and QBs that if they want to trade, they can do it.
kit mpls: Is it safe to compare JaMarcus Russell's game to Vince Young?
Chris Mortensen: No, I hate that comparison. Russell is prototype pocket passers with some mobility. His arm is stronger but he's not the athlete Vince is. I also don't know if the same leader that Vince is.
Frantic in Miami: Can the Dolphins get someone like Pats Scott Pioli to be their new GM and give them a personnel guru they haven't had since Jimmy Johnson?
Chris Mortensen: I don't think so. And, remember, Bill Belichick makes all personnel decisions in New England. He and Pioli have a great working relationship.
James (Boston, MA): Mort, do you think with all the attention to minority candidate interviewing that has come with Dan Rooney's name associated, their is more pressure on the Steelers to replace Cowher with a minority candidate? Are teams like Detroit ready to call them on it if they don't at least seriously consider someone?
Chris Mortensen: No, I don't. I think it's just being true to the process, respecting it, and giving yourself as a team a chance to truly evaluate all qualified men for the job. But the Falcons had three people on the league's diversity committee - including owner Arthur Blank - and they did not got the minority route even though they honored the process. I think the process is important but I don't think I do any favors for putting "minority candidate" next to anybody's name. I try to refrain from it.
Bill, Chicago: Where will Byron Leftwich be playing next year???
Chris Mortensen: Probably Jacksonville.
Ralph (Chula Vista, CA): Hey Mort, If there is one GLARING weakness on the Sna Diego Chargers, what would it be and how would they fix it in either the draft or free agency?
Chris Mortensen: Maybe an explosive wide receiver...and depth everywhere in secondary, on DL, OL, etc.
Bryan (Baltimore): why did Saban play such a game about the Bama job He looked like a complete liar
Chris Mortensen: He could have handled the past couple of weeks better in answering questions. But why did Bama offer Rich Rodriguez the job? Because Saban had told them no earlier. They were smart to leave him alone until his season was over.
Shane (The Ville) : i think that the Colts will not win a Super Bowl unless they get rid of Dungy, he does a great job, but it seems he cant finish just like he did in Tampa, what do you think will be the best option for the Colts to win it all this year?
Chris Mortensen: I think the Colts will win a Super Bowl when their defense gets somewhere close to what Dungy had in Tampa.
Mike (Buffalo): Willis McGahee and his agent appear to have an overinflated opinion of Willis' worth. If you were Levy and Jauron, which would you do? Trade him now, let him walk after the 2007 season, or extend his contract 3 or 4 years?
Chris Mortensen: I think you have to keep your good players. Ralph Wilson has to keep McGahee, he has to keep Clements and Fletcher.
Ben (Philly): Mort, if the decision for Cowher's replacement is between Whiz and Grimm, who gets it and why in your opinion? Every analysit can't pick one over the other for some reason. Thanks.
Chris Mortensen: Interesting question. Grimm brings that blue-collar, lunch-pail mentality that would maintain the identity that Cowher brought. Whisenhunt is a very sharp guy and has enough blue-collar in him to satisfy it. So I guess I'm like everyone else.
Marty (Atlanta): Do you think that there is any chance that Atlanta trades Mike Vick this offseason?
Tom (Biloxi, MS): How in the world can the AP name Chad Pennington Comeback Player of the Year? Drew Brees took a 3-13 Saints team to 10-6 and a first round Bye on a reconstructed shoulder. So far the Saints have been hosed in post season honors.
Chris Mortensen: Oh, it was a tough call. It is an individual award and Pennington was coming off his second shoulder surgery. But Brees had his surgery in January. His own team - the Chargers - had doubts. The Dolphins doctors wouldn't pass him on a physical. I gave Brees the edge but I can't complain about Pennington.
Rich (Easton PA0: Mort, I am hearing rumors that Bill Cowher could be waiting to take the coaching job for the Commanders and also the Dolphins what do you think?
Chris Mortensen: If Cowher sits out a year, then the Commanders are going to be the team we focus on. The Dolphins could always trade draft picks for him now, but - again - I think the Dolphins problems are not coaching, but talent. You don't trade draft picks when your greatest need is talent.
Adam (greensbor0, NC): Mort, Where do the Browns go from here? I think they need to keep Romeo. What are your thoughts?
Chris Mortensen: There will be changes on the staff. Romeo needs to stay. They had tremendous injuries on offense. They need a QB, although I think Derek Anderson has a chance. I hope they get to that winning level next year.
Jeff (Sao Paulo, Brazil): Chris, Could you please answer my question about the Favre-Skins rumors I've been reading about? Thanks.
Chris Mortensen: There is nothing there and it will never happen.
Scott (San Diego, CA): I can see the 4 votes for Brees for MVP, but how does Manning get 2 MVP votes of LT?
Chris Mortensen: I voted for LT but I have heard a lot of people inside the league continue to say that with Manning, the Colts might have been a 4-12 team. Those votes should be respected.
Ken (Tarzana, CA): Why would Cowher want to go from working with one of the best owners in the NFL to one of the worst in Snyder?
Chris Mortensen: Money. Plus, let me say that Snyder's image as a bad owner is from early days. He has given Gibbs - and he would give Cowher - all the resources, support and encouragement to win. He is not a meddler with Gibbs. He would not be a meddler with Cower - IF that ever happened.
Chris Mortensen: Thanks....got to run....we'll look forward to the playoffs. God Bless
