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What's in Mosley's Mailbag?
May 16, 2009 5:06 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Welcome to this special weekend edition of The Bag. I just finished reading through 4,609 of your questions and I've selected the seven best/easiest to answer. And just a reminder: This is probably not the best forum to track me down if you're a college head coach or former high school classmate. Now let's get started:
K.C. from the University of Maryland, you're up first: Hey Matt, I'm really enjoying the blog, good balance for the four teams. This offseason, the Skins made a HUGE (literally) addition on D to a unit ranked No. 4, and they added Dockery to help the line Now I know the line isn't great, but even if only one of the three receiving rooks steps up, our offense will be tons better. Plus, this is Campbell's first time being in a system for two years! What do you think? I can't see why we are getting no love this offseason, but I'd like to rise up rather than fall like we do most years. Thanks.
Mosley: Thanks, K.C. I'm sure you enjoyed seeing the Maryland cornerback (Barnes) go in the third round. I think the Commanders definitely have a chance to make a run at the playoffs, but they're playing in a brutal division. If they can go 3-3 in the division, they have a great shot. I like their early schedule, so it's not hard to see them coming out of the gate 5-1. But we all know what happened last season. I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon of any of those '08 second-rounders until I see them do something when it counts. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly better be ready to go for training camp. If they have a summer filled with hamstring and knee injuries, then it will be much of the same in '09. And don't get too fascinated with that No. 4 ranking. The defense didn't cause enough sacks and turnovers. Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo are supposed to chage that. Right now, I see them as the fourth-best team in the division.
Longtime reader Jason in Bryn Mawr, Pa., has an Eagles question: Matt, what do you think about the apparent offer the Eagles made for Anquan Boldin (reported by the Arizona Republic), third-round pick and Sheldon Brown? The media and fans here in Philadelphia seems to think it was a very good offer, but I think it's an embarrassing offer; the Eagles would be lucky to get a fourth-round pick for Sheldon Brown. Would he definitely start in Arizona, where they have two very promising young cornerbacks? Arizona wants a first, third and fifth for Boldin, not a third and fourth.
Mosley: Basically, the Cardinals were asking for the same thing the Detroit Lions received in the Roy Williams trade. Unfortunately for the Cardinals (and Boldin), there's only one Jerry Jones in the league. To land a third-round pick and a potential starting cornerback doesn't qualify as an "embarrassment" in my mind, but you're correct to say the Cardinals aren't hurting that much in the secondary. And it's not just about the draft picks either. Teams don't want to pay the $10 million per year that Boldin is asking for. It remains to be seen whether Boldin will try to force a trade via a training camp holdout. For now, he may just come down with some "timely" injuries during OTAs and minicamps.
Josh from Winston Salem, N.C., thinks I'm too hard on Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams: Mr Mosley, why dont you believe in Roy Williams? He emerged as the No. 1 guy in Detroit by his third year, and in his fourth year, had 838 yards in 12 games, which is about an 1,120-yard season. I understand that Calvin Johnson is playing with bad quarterbacks like Roy did and putting up better numbers, but it doesnt mean Roy is not a 1000-yard reciever, it just means Calvin Johnson is better. Can you name me a wide receiver in the NFC East that is better then Roy Williams?
Mosley: Josh, call me Matt. When a player has been in the league five seasons and only has one 1,000-yard season, then I don't think you can call him a "1,000-yard season." I think Williams is an exciting player who can occassionally take over games. But I'd want my No. 1 receiver to consistently make an impact. His career in the NFL has been anything but consistent. And here's my list of Beast receivers who are better than Williams: DeSean Jackson of the Eagles, Santana Moss of the Commanders and I'd almost put Steve Smith of the Giants ahead of him -- based on last season's results. Smith makes clutch catches on a consistent basis. I've only seen Williams put up big numbers once -- and it was in Mike Martz's anti-run offense in Detroit.
Steve from Harrisburg, Pa., writes: I hate to keep saying this Matt Mosley but you are an NFC East beat writer. Please give all the teams equal coverage. We are Dallas Cowboys news fed all the time while the Eagles and the Commanders get the least coverage. Of course your subtle negativity toward the Eagles articles is not becoming, either. Objective writing must be an afterthought in your book. ESPN.com needs to assign the NFC East a new beat writer.
Mosley: Steve, I appreciate the note. Seriously. You may not realize that a "beat writer" is someone assigned to cover a team on an almost daily basis. We have some wonderful beat writers across the country -- and fortunately several of them reside in the NFC East. I'm not a beat writer for any of the four teams in the division, although from time to time, it may seem like that's the case because I interview coaches and players for blog entries and columns. My main role is to provide commentary/opinion on what's happening around the division. On some occasions, Eagles fans will think I'm being too critical of their team. And yes, there are Cowboys fans who think I'm much too critical of their club. It's a little tricky striking the right balance some days. Last season, the Cowboys seemed to provide the most off-the-field drama, but Plaxico Burress and the Giants made a late run. But whether it's positive or negative, I always appreciate the feedback. OK, let's get back to the field.
Paul in Boston has a Cowboys question: Hey Matt: As always, the blog kicks -- it's a must-read on a daily basis. I was wondering if you knew anything about the current state of the relationship between Brian Stewart and Wade Phillips in the aftermath of Stewart's dismissal as defensive coordinator of the 'Boys last season. I know the two were close, and had worked together for a while. It's also speculated that the decision to fire Stewart came from the brass and not from Phillips. Has Stewart found work anywhere else?
Mosley: Thanks for reading, Paul. I spoke to Stewart two days ago, and I think the relationship is fine. He still views Phillips as a mentor and recognizes the role he's played in his career. Phillips never wanted to fire his close friend, but Jerry Jones didn't give him a choice. In Jones' mind, it was important for Phillips to take on the full role of defensive coordinator. And with former Cowboys head coach Dave Campo on the staff, Phillips will have some help. Stewart will be the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco team in the United Football League this fall. Dennis Green will be the head coach. Former Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham was supposed to be on the staff, but he's decided to walk away. The league will only have a six-game schedule this fall.
Craig from somewhere in Pennsylvania: I want to preface this e-mail with the fact that I usually love your writing and think your opinions make a ton of sense. But I am not sure what you are talking about with Sinorice Moss in your blog posting, Matt. In very limited playing, he flashed on several occasions and looked good when given chances. Just because of the depth and amount of young guys, his opportunities were few and far between. Check out the film from the Week 5 game when Burress was suspended and Domenik Hixon went out hurt and he had 45 yards and two touchdowns .... so two guys ahead of him go down and he racks up 45 yards and two touchdowns in half a game. And then Plax and Hixon come back and he goes silent. How can you put that on him? He got his chance, shined and got put back on the shelf. And I know you're gonna say the Seahawks sucked but still it was his biggest chance and he looked good.
Mosley: Actually I had no plans to say the "Seahawks sucked," but it's a fair point on your part, Craig. I have nothing against Sinorice Moss. I think he has incredible speed and he might be able to make some plays downfield. I've just never thought he had the potential to become a consistent threat. Smaller players such as Steve Smith (Panthers version) and Santana Moss (big brother) have learned how to make contested catches on a regular basis. If the Giants thought Sinorice could do that, he would've been on the field by now. In my mind, this training camp is his last opportunity to shine. He'll be competing with Marion Manningham, Hakeem Nicks and David Tyree for that third receiver role. I don't like his chances at this point.
Mark W. left this question in The Bag a couple weeks ago: Matt, I'm a huge fan of yours. I just wanted to comment on the Orakpo story (your concern that the Skins may not use him properly). A few points: A) Greg Blache is the defensive coordinator and is no dummy. B) Blache knows he needs to get more pressure on the quarterback, hence the Skins' eagerness to draft a pass-rushing specialist in the first place. C) The Skins have major concerns at the LB position with the departure of Marcus Washington and the degenerative knee condition of Rocky McIntosh. D) The Skins are relying on H.B. Blades (a special teamer) to start a linebacker. Ok, so how to balance A/B with C/D when Orakpo could be also develop into a standout at linebacker? If the Skins were solid at linebacker, there isn't even a thought to playing Orakpo at linebacker right now. But they aren't, and they need to find some depth there. If Orakpo proves he can play the position, outstanding, but they need to find out now. Although ideally you want him rushing every down, with Albert Haynesworth, Philip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin and Andre Carter, you're not in horrible shape on the line. To me, this is all about a team with little depth at key positions. This is, as you pointed out, May, and you need to find out who is versatile and can fill gaps for you at other positions if calamity strikes. Rushing the passer isn't something you need to study the playbook to do. With Orakpo, you just cut him loose, so it isn't as though he needs a ton of reps on defensive end at this point.
Mosley: You make some great points, but I don't agree with your conclusion. I watched Brian Orakpo in person at least four or five times in college. I realize he's an outstanding pass rusher, but he's about to face a completely different level of offensive tackles. He won't run into a lot of Phil Loadholts (No. 54 overall) this season. He'll have to refine his pass-rushing moves and learn some new ones. And that's why I'd have him at defensive end from Day 1. And there are people within the organization who agree with me. You don't draft a pass-rusher and then switch him to strong-side linebacker in a 4-3 just because you want some versatility. H.B. Blades or whomever you want to throw in there (Fincher) will be better at the strong-side position than Orakpo will be in his first season. Why do we think a guy who's played with one hand on the ground for years will suddenly be fine at linebacker? The more I think about the Commanders using Orakpo at linebacker on first and second downs, the more ridiculous it seems. And please don't try to hang your hat on Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter. They're decent defensive ends, but even the great Haynesworth won't turn them into 12-sack guys. OK, thanks for your time. I'll try to answer a couple more on Sunday.
May 16, 2009 5:06 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Welcome to this special weekend edition of The Bag. I just finished reading through 4,609 of your questions and I've selected the seven best/easiest to answer. And just a reminder: This is probably not the best forum to track me down if you're a college head coach or former high school classmate. Now let's get started:
K.C. from the University of Maryland, you're up first: Hey Matt, I'm really enjoying the blog, good balance for the four teams. This offseason, the Skins made a HUGE (literally) addition on D to a unit ranked No. 4, and they added Dockery to help the line Now I know the line isn't great, but even if only one of the three receiving rooks steps up, our offense will be tons better. Plus, this is Campbell's first time being in a system for two years! What do you think? I can't see why we are getting no love this offseason, but I'd like to rise up rather than fall like we do most years. Thanks.
Mosley: Thanks, K.C. I'm sure you enjoyed seeing the Maryland cornerback (Barnes) go in the third round. I think the Commanders definitely have a chance to make a run at the playoffs, but they're playing in a brutal division. If they can go 3-3 in the division, they have a great shot. I like their early schedule, so it's not hard to see them coming out of the gate 5-1. But we all know what happened last season. I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon of any of those '08 second-rounders until I see them do something when it counts. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly better be ready to go for training camp. If they have a summer filled with hamstring and knee injuries, then it will be much of the same in '09. And don't get too fascinated with that No. 4 ranking. The defense didn't cause enough sacks and turnovers. Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo are supposed to chage that. Right now, I see them as the fourth-best team in the division.
Longtime reader Jason in Bryn Mawr, Pa., has an Eagles question: Matt, what do you think about the apparent offer the Eagles made for Anquan Boldin (reported by the Arizona Republic), third-round pick and Sheldon Brown? The media and fans here in Philadelphia seems to think it was a very good offer, but I think it's an embarrassing offer; the Eagles would be lucky to get a fourth-round pick for Sheldon Brown. Would he definitely start in Arizona, where they have two very promising young cornerbacks? Arizona wants a first, third and fifth for Boldin, not a third and fourth.
Mosley: Basically, the Cardinals were asking for the same thing the Detroit Lions received in the Roy Williams trade. Unfortunately for the Cardinals (and Boldin), there's only one Jerry Jones in the league. To land a third-round pick and a potential starting cornerback doesn't qualify as an "embarrassment" in my mind, but you're correct to say the Cardinals aren't hurting that much in the secondary. And it's not just about the draft picks either. Teams don't want to pay the $10 million per year that Boldin is asking for. It remains to be seen whether Boldin will try to force a trade via a training camp holdout. For now, he may just come down with some "timely" injuries during OTAs and minicamps.
Josh from Winston Salem, N.C., thinks I'm too hard on Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams: Mr Mosley, why dont you believe in Roy Williams? He emerged as the No. 1 guy in Detroit by his third year, and in his fourth year, had 838 yards in 12 games, which is about an 1,120-yard season. I understand that Calvin Johnson is playing with bad quarterbacks like Roy did and putting up better numbers, but it doesnt mean Roy is not a 1000-yard reciever, it just means Calvin Johnson is better. Can you name me a wide receiver in the NFC East that is better then Roy Williams?
Mosley: Josh, call me Matt. When a player has been in the league five seasons and only has one 1,000-yard season, then I don't think you can call him a "1,000-yard season." I think Williams is an exciting player who can occassionally take over games. But I'd want my No. 1 receiver to consistently make an impact. His career in the NFL has been anything but consistent. And here's my list of Beast receivers who are better than Williams: DeSean Jackson of the Eagles, Santana Moss of the Commanders and I'd almost put Steve Smith of the Giants ahead of him -- based on last season's results. Smith makes clutch catches on a consistent basis. I've only seen Williams put up big numbers once -- and it was in Mike Martz's anti-run offense in Detroit.
Steve from Harrisburg, Pa., writes: I hate to keep saying this Matt Mosley but you are an NFC East beat writer. Please give all the teams equal coverage. We are Dallas Cowboys news fed all the time while the Eagles and the Commanders get the least coverage. Of course your subtle negativity toward the Eagles articles is not becoming, either. Objective writing must be an afterthought in your book. ESPN.com needs to assign the NFC East a new beat writer.
Mosley: Steve, I appreciate the note. Seriously. You may not realize that a "beat writer" is someone assigned to cover a team on an almost daily basis. We have some wonderful beat writers across the country -- and fortunately several of them reside in the NFC East. I'm not a beat writer for any of the four teams in the division, although from time to time, it may seem like that's the case because I interview coaches and players for blog entries and columns. My main role is to provide commentary/opinion on what's happening around the division. On some occasions, Eagles fans will think I'm being too critical of their team. And yes, there are Cowboys fans who think I'm much too critical of their club. It's a little tricky striking the right balance some days. Last season, the Cowboys seemed to provide the most off-the-field drama, but Plaxico Burress and the Giants made a late run. But whether it's positive or negative, I always appreciate the feedback. OK, let's get back to the field.
Paul in Boston has a Cowboys question: Hey Matt: As always, the blog kicks -- it's a must-read on a daily basis. I was wondering if you knew anything about the current state of the relationship between Brian Stewart and Wade Phillips in the aftermath of Stewart's dismissal as defensive coordinator of the 'Boys last season. I know the two were close, and had worked together for a while. It's also speculated that the decision to fire Stewart came from the brass and not from Phillips. Has Stewart found work anywhere else?
Mosley: Thanks for reading, Paul. I spoke to Stewart two days ago, and I think the relationship is fine. He still views Phillips as a mentor and recognizes the role he's played in his career. Phillips never wanted to fire his close friend, but Jerry Jones didn't give him a choice. In Jones' mind, it was important for Phillips to take on the full role of defensive coordinator. And with former Cowboys head coach Dave Campo on the staff, Phillips will have some help. Stewart will be the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco team in the United Football League this fall. Dennis Green will be the head coach. Former Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham was supposed to be on the staff, but he's decided to walk away. The league will only have a six-game schedule this fall.
Craig from somewhere in Pennsylvania: I want to preface this e-mail with the fact that I usually love your writing and think your opinions make a ton of sense. But I am not sure what you are talking about with Sinorice Moss in your blog posting, Matt. In very limited playing, he flashed on several occasions and looked good when given chances. Just because of the depth and amount of young guys, his opportunities were few and far between. Check out the film from the Week 5 game when Burress was suspended and Domenik Hixon went out hurt and he had 45 yards and two touchdowns .... so two guys ahead of him go down and he racks up 45 yards and two touchdowns in half a game. And then Plax and Hixon come back and he goes silent. How can you put that on him? He got his chance, shined and got put back on the shelf. And I know you're gonna say the Seahawks sucked but still it was his biggest chance and he looked good.
Mosley: Actually I had no plans to say the "Seahawks sucked," but it's a fair point on your part, Craig. I have nothing against Sinorice Moss. I think he has incredible speed and he might be able to make some plays downfield. I've just never thought he had the potential to become a consistent threat. Smaller players such as Steve Smith (Panthers version) and Santana Moss (big brother) have learned how to make contested catches on a regular basis. If the Giants thought Sinorice could do that, he would've been on the field by now. In my mind, this training camp is his last opportunity to shine. He'll be competing with Marion Manningham, Hakeem Nicks and David Tyree for that third receiver role. I don't like his chances at this point.
Mark W. left this question in The Bag a couple weeks ago: Matt, I'm a huge fan of yours. I just wanted to comment on the Orakpo story (your concern that the Skins may not use him properly). A few points: A) Greg Blache is the defensive coordinator and is no dummy. B) Blache knows he needs to get more pressure on the quarterback, hence the Skins' eagerness to draft a pass-rushing specialist in the first place. C) The Skins have major concerns at the LB position with the departure of Marcus Washington and the degenerative knee condition of Rocky McIntosh. D) The Skins are relying on H.B. Blades (a special teamer) to start a linebacker. Ok, so how to balance A/B with C/D when Orakpo could be also develop into a standout at linebacker? If the Skins were solid at linebacker, there isn't even a thought to playing Orakpo at linebacker right now. But they aren't, and they need to find some depth there. If Orakpo proves he can play the position, outstanding, but they need to find out now. Although ideally you want him rushing every down, with Albert Haynesworth, Philip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin and Andre Carter, you're not in horrible shape on the line. To me, this is all about a team with little depth at key positions. This is, as you pointed out, May, and you need to find out who is versatile and can fill gaps for you at other positions if calamity strikes. Rushing the passer isn't something you need to study the playbook to do. With Orakpo, you just cut him loose, so it isn't as though he needs a ton of reps on defensive end at this point.
Mosley: You make some great points, but I don't agree with your conclusion. I watched Brian Orakpo in person at least four or five times in college. I realize he's an outstanding pass rusher, but he's about to face a completely different level of offensive tackles. He won't run into a lot of Phil Loadholts (No. 54 overall) this season. He'll have to refine his pass-rushing moves and learn some new ones. And that's why I'd have him at defensive end from Day 1. And there are people within the organization who agree with me. You don't draft a pass-rusher and then switch him to strong-side linebacker in a 4-3 just because you want some versatility. H.B. Blades or whomever you want to throw in there (Fincher) will be better at the strong-side position than Orakpo will be in his first season. Why do we think a guy who's played with one hand on the ground for years will suddenly be fine at linebacker? The more I think about the Commanders using Orakpo at linebacker on first and second downs, the more ridiculous it seems. And please don't try to hang your hat on Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter. They're decent defensive ends, but even the great Haynesworth won't turn them into 12-sack guys. OK, thanks for your time. I'll try to answer a couple more on Sunday.
