Chris Mortensen: It's great to have a schedule out... let's see what you want to talk about and get going....
Dave (Oxford, OH: What are your thoughts on the Browns this season? Who do you think they end up with at #3 and is 8-8 too optimistic?
Chris Mortensen: I thought the Browns would be surprisingly competitive a year ago but the injury factor killed them again....plus their division is brutal. I won't say that 8-8 is impossible. ..but if they do take Brady Quinn at No. 3., do they play him? It would be difficult to see 8-8 with a rookie quarterback. Adrian Peterson is very much a consideration, too. And if the Raiders take Calvin Johnson, then I think Jamarcus Russell would be very enticing to them.
kenneth lee, nyc: hey mort, any chance denver trades up to take jamaal anderson or gaines adams ? They spent quite a bit already this offseason, but they still need a DE.
Chris Mortensen: Yes, a def. end is a need. They would have to really load up to get a Gaines Adams. I love Jamaal Anderson - think he's the safest bet to be a good all-round DE. They also need to address the O-line at tackle. I know this - it's never boring with the Broncos around draft time.
Noah (Jax): Tell me Jacksonville didn't get hosed? 3 straight road games, followed by a game with SD. Plus right before the 3 roadies we play Indy on MNF. Not to mention that Indy gets their bye week right before that game. Why does the NFL hate the Jags so much?
Chris Mortensen: The NFL does not hate the Jags. I do not ever like when a team has to play three consec road games sandwiched between those two home games vs. Colts and Chargers. But the schedule can be slightly overrated because things change...injuries change teams, etc. I still think the Jags will be very prominent in the playoff picture.
Ryan KC,KS: Calvin Johnson is one of the best players I have seen come out in a while, but I just don't see how the Raiders can pick him with their QB situation. What are your thoughts on what the Raiders will do?
Chris Mortensen: I have assumed it would be Russell. I personally listened to Al Davis compare him somewhat to John Elway...but Calvin Johnson is their top-rated player and I don't see Randy Moss in their future. Is there somebody (Trent Edwards?) at QB they realy like at the top of the 2nd round? It will be intriguing.
Joe (Decatur, GA): Mort, no one ever talks about the Browns possibly taking Calvin Johnson. Why does everyone assume the Browns will pass on him? He's the consensus best player in the draft, and I'm sure they could use him. Or at least use the possibility of taking him as bait to get the Bucs to trade up.
Chris Mortensen: (I know it's a Browns question). If Calvin Johnson is there at 2 and the Lions can't trade out, I believe they will seriously consider him. How can they not? That being said, the Browns would also have to consider him (even with Braylon Edwards) but they could try to trade back a little, too. I have to believe Calvin Johnson will not be available to the No. 3 slot.
Bill (Pomona California): Mort, look at the records of the Jets and Phins last year, and look who gets the premier games this year? Perhaps you should revisit the "who the NFL likes / dislikes" questions ... (glad to have you here, BTW)
Chris Mortensen: Well, I guess in terms of prime-time games, the networks do weigh in with a wish list and the Dolphins sorta lost their appeal with their quarterback situation, even though we get 'em for a MNF game vs. the Steelers (Joey Porter!).
Chris Mortensen: Also, I'm sure CBS fought hard to kepe the Jets on Sunday...the Jets do have a Thanksgiving game and a NFLN game to end the season.
Chayse (Bowling Green Ohio): What about the Rams? Will they pick another wideout or finally address the defense? Okoye from L'ville would be a dream pick for them in my opinion.
Chris Mortensen: I am not ruling out Ted Ginn for the Rams but I think they'd be foolish to pass on a strong base DE like Jamaal Anderson (if he's there) or Adam Carriker. I like Okoye, too. They need to get stout vs. the run up front.
henry (nyc): everyone says the falcons should move up for CJ, but why not move up for Thomas?
Chris Mortensen: I guess if Joe Thomas was sliding, the Falcons could consider that...they would have to spend too much to go get Calvin for a team that has a lot of needs...and that's the problem they face going into this draft.
Jeremy (Rockford, OH): Do you see the 49ers getting the chance to draft Alan Branch & if so, what do you think of all this talk about him being fat, lazy & slow. Do you believe that Alan Branch would be a better fit for my 49ers than say Adam Carriker? Thanks!
Chris Mortensen: Branch worries teams because he is erratic in his effort on tape. Mike Nolan is looking for big-motor character guys so Carriker is a consideration because he has some versatility of playin inside and hot. But Branch is a very good talent who I think would be tough to pass on at that point.
Ben C Mobile AL: Ok lets say the three QB's from last year are in the same draft with Russell and Quinn. What is the order of selection based on present and future ability?
Chris Mortensen: Interesting. I think all three guys from last year's draft were safer bets than Russell and Quinn, although Russell is superior physically to all of them (with Cutler very close). I know Quinn would be No. 5 among them.
Super Bill (Orchard Park, NY): Mort, you're coming to Upstate NY! We'll roll out the welcoming mat for sure.
Chris Mortensen: That's going to be a great night with the Bills getting back on Monday night. ..especially against the Cowboys. I'm on record as saying I don't like how the Bills proceeded this off-season but I think they can still be competitive and I do really like their coaching staff. They do have to get an RB, as you know - I hear they may have offered a 2nd rounder to San Diego for Turner but that's not enough, apparently. They also have to get an LB and Patrick Willis will be tempting with that first pick.
Patrick, Mesquite TX: I think that Green Bay is going to shock a lot of people and post one of the best records in the NFC. They have a great defense and with the addition of a Marshawn Lynch on offense who knows what they could do. Thought? Thanks.
Chris Mortensen: I'm not ready to declare the Packers as having a "great" defense but if they can add to the defense, add a couple of more weapons on offense (maybe including Lynch), then they will compete. I don't see them as a playoff team yet but that's why they play the games.
Zac (Long Beach): how can the Raiders, with the worst record last year, get the hardest schedule? The NFL does not hate the Jag, but they do hate Al Davis!
Chris Mortensen: I would debate whether they have the hardest schedule. They do happen to play in a very tough division, which has nothing to do with the NFL. There's a formula that determines their opponents. And I have questioned the league's treatment of the Raiders in the past but as i look at this schedule, I don't see where your complaint is justified.
Mark (Detroit): Can the Lions really pass on either JaMarcus Russell or Calvin Johnson? Don't they have to take either guy?
Chris Mortensen: I think they have to seriously consider either player or get value in trade.
Ryan (St. Louis): Hey Mort! Now that Kelley Washington is gone and Chris Henry is suspended (and definitely questionable in terms of being able to count on someone), is there any chance the Bengals will look at wideouts in the first or second rounds?
Chris Mortensen: I don't see Kelley Washington as being a significant loss. Wide receiver is not a need position for them. All levels of defense and O-line are greater needs.
Chris (Pasadena): I must say, I'm excited the Chargers, especially after having the best record last year, have the easiest mathematical schedule in the AFC next year. I see 12-13 wins for them, what do you think?
Chris Mortensen: There is very little reason not to expect the Chargers to come back strong, except for the unknown of losing an exceptional head coach (Schottenheimer) and defensive coordinator (Phillips). But Phillip Rivers should only get better, I expect they'll add a WR, and they are clearly a championship-caliber team on paper.
Marlon (San Jose, CA): Hey Mort! What position do you see the Titans drafting in the first round now that Pacman has been suspended?
Chris Mortensen: They were going to address the secondary even with Pac Man but now it's a glaring need and there will be some good ones for them to pick up. They need more help on defense and they need at least another WR.
Byron: (Valparaiso, IN): Any thoughts on why once again the Bears don't have a home Monday night game? It has been several years since they did.
Chris Mortensen: I don't know why they haven't had that home MNF game.
Brad(NM): Should Buffalo have gotten more for McGahee? What about their offseason moves did you dislike the most? They geared up their OL as they've needed to the past 3 seasons.
Chris Mortensen: I think they got good value for McGahee but I think they should have resisted the trade. They can overcome him leaving, though, I think. They should have signed Clements a year ago (could have gotten him much cheaper)....big, big loss. And losing London Fletcher was a tough one - one of the most underrated players in the league and a tremendous team leader. I do think they will compete well.
Andrew(NYC): Mort, the Jets have been interviewing Stacy Andrews OT from CIN. If they sign him they have to relinquish a 2rd pick as compensation. Do you think theres a chance they try to pry him away at a lesser cost, say a 3rd or 4th rd pick? (Does that happen?)
Chris Mortensen: I'm not sure on the compensation but I think he'd be a really good acquisition. He should be ready to be a very effective, maybe even very good starting OL in the league.
Barry (Seattle): Why does everybody seem to hate Brady Quinn so much? Wouldn't you say people are biased because he went to Notre Dame?
Chris Mortensen: I don't sense the "hate." When I talk to team's evaluators and especially the guys I trust as proven quarterback evaluators, it comes in mixed on Brady. I have a a couple of guys who think he'll be better than Russell but the majority thinks he has some flaws with accuracy - flaws that concern them quite a bit. They all agree he has great intangibles. Again, I haven't sensed the "hate" but 95 percent of the NFL scouts and coaches I've spoken with believe he's a good-to-very prospect, not a franchise guy. He gets to prove them wrong.
Jimmy, New Orleans: Still think the Saints are moving to San Antonio, Mort? Can we get an apology please?
Chris Mortensen: Actually, I thought the Saints were destined for Los Angeles. I reported that Benson wanted to move them to San Antonio (true) and that the league would rather have them in L.A, But Paul Tagliabue showed tremendous integrity in dealing with the franchise problems. Nobody has rooted against New Orleans. The problems, even before Katrina, were siginficant. In fact, one of the sad but true off-shoots of the disaster is that the Saints' existence in New Orleans may have been saved by the tragic circumstances.
Jayme ( washington,d.c.: do you think it would be a possibilty that the cowboys take ted ginn. also do you see us trading for kris jenkins since we need a big nose tackle in wade phillips 3-4 scheme
Chris Mortensen: I sort of doubt it on Ginn (if he's even there) although he brings an explosiveness in the kick return game. Kris Jenkins has different teams looking at him but he has some red flags.
Mike (Washington, DC): Mort, Why wont the NFL give everyone the same bye week? An early one just kills those teams.
Chris Mortensen: That's not always true. I have heard teams in the past complain about an early bye only to go through some preseason injuries where it actually helped.
Steve: ( NY, NY): Hey Mort! Loving the Giants schedule this year. Definitely a lot better than 06. If Eli steps up his play I think they can be a 10-11 win team.
Chris Mortensen: That's possible. It's not just Eli. They have to improve the O-line, upgrade the defense, get a WR that Eli can count on and hope that Jacoobs and Droughns can truly offset the loss of Tiki Barker.
Ryan (Madison,WI): What percentage of those guys you talked to who said Brady Quinn is not a franchise guy were asked about Tom Brady when he came out of Michigan? How many of those guys said Brady was a franchise guy? How many of them said Ryan Leaf WAS a franchise guy?
Chris Mortensen: And that's why I said that Brady Quinn gets to prove his critics wrong.
Clifton (VA): Hey Mort? How did my 'Skins get such a tough schedule considering how they finished last season?
Chris Mortensen: Tough? The NFC East plays the AFC East this year so I guess playing the Patriots on the road is tough. But it's look pretty manageable to me. I happen to think you'll like the way the Commanders play this year, regardless of schedule.
Paul ( Raleigh, NC): Should Jake Delhomme be worried about David Carr taking over????
Chris Mortensen: Yes, if Jake plays poorly.
Shon (Vegas): Enough with the tough schedule comments. Strength of schedule now will be completely different by December.
Chris Mortensen: Thank you.
tom (sacramento): can the 49ers give away their whole draft to get calvin johnson?
Chris Mortensen: Kinda of like the Saints did with Ricky Williams? The Saints have a bounty of picks (8 in the first 4 rounds, I think) so they can address a lot of needs and, yes, make moves when they deem it necessary on draft day. But I would quit dreaming about Calvin Johnson.
Jeremy (Vancouver, WA): Given the suspensions to Henry and Pacman, what is the expectation or rumor on a punishment handed down by the league on Tank Johnson? Will this alter the Bears draft?
Chris Mortensen: It might. Johnson is going to miss a lot of time but I believe GM Jerry Angelo is one of those keen talent guys who is smart enough to constantly upgrade the defense even when it appears the defense is a strength.
Chris Mortensen: The time is up. Got a lot to talk about in the next few weeks....we'll do it again soon! Thanks and God Bless...
