Matt Williamson: (11:59 AM ET ) Hey folks. Matt Williamson here to chat about the NFC East. Bring it on.
Larry (Brooklyn, NY): Hey Matt, Let's stop with the anti-Commander bias in the media and admit the Skins are going to be a big time team this year...They have much more depth then you give them credit for....They have the least amount of weaknesses of any team in the NFC east.
Matt Williamson: (12:00 PM ET ) Their depth is awful. I still like them though and believe that you are right concerning the amount of holes they have-if healthy.
Chris, (Staten Island, NY): Matt, is the Dallas defense as bad as they looked or can they turn it around if they get Newman and Ellis back and get some experience with Philips attack defense?
Matt Williamson: (12:01 PM ET ) Wow, it was bad, huh? It should improve with Newman coming back. That will be huge. Losing Ferguson is almost as equally huge though. Stopping the inside run is giong to be an issue. I agree that they do need more experience running this style of D, but Phillips also has to recognize that he doesn't have the same horses that he had in SD.
Matt (Watertown, NY): If Eli Manning is out of the game against the Packers, how can the Giants pull off the victory?
Matt Williamson: (12:02 PM ET ) It sure doesn't look like Eli is going to play. I don't like NYG's chances in this one against an excellent D. Still, Favre could surely throw the Giants some passes that he shouldn't and I also have zero faith in GB's running game.
Otto (WI): Do you think the Giants really know Eli is out Sunday? It seems to me they are just trying to keep the Packers guessing.
Matt Williamson: (12:03 PM ET ) Maybe they are, but I do think they know that he will not play. GB has to be preparing for the Round Mound of Touchdown.
matt (philly): what was up with teh eagles offense? nobody looked sharp. i expected teh offense to be good and defense bad not the other way around.
Matt Williamson: (12:04 PM ET ) You have to give GB's D some credit for their performance as well, but still, wow, did the Eagles' O look rusty. I expect that to change though very quickly and for McNabb and Company to put up a lot of points this year.
Rob, (Syracuse,NY): 2-14 for the Giants this year? There D looks awful again, should I have any hope.
Matt Williamson: (12:05 PM ET ) Two wins? I will take the OVER, but I am with ya-they are in big trouble and could very well pick in the Top 5 in next year's draft.
tim(nj): Fantasy question: Ward or Jackson in the GIants Green Bay game, who do you like better?
Matt Williamson: (12:05 PM ET ) Jackson. More talented. Playing against a much softer D.
Larry (Brooklyn, NY): Matt, Where is the Commander depth awful besides D-line?
Matt Williamson: (12:06 PM ET ) I don't like the rest of their backup OLinemen. TE, QB, WR outside of their top 3-and although Randle El had a great game, I still don't see a true #2 WR on that roster.
Rob,(NY): If Tom C. wasent in the hot seat would they sit Eli for 2 or so games. What if he blows his shoulder out, Then what are they gonna do.
Matt Williamson: (12:08 PM ET ) That is a good point. Not accusing him of anything, but in his shoes, you could see why they would want Eli back ASAP.
Phil (Brooklyn): Is there anything the Giants can do to help their secondary? Like a trade or free agent?
Matt Williamson: (12:08 PM ET ) Nothing comes to mind. Sorry to say. Ross will improve.
Eric (Tampa, FL): Matt.. Just one point on the Bill Belichick stuff. How could they not suspend him and make it a definite loss of two first round picks? I was expecting Goodell to drop the hammer on this one, and he dropped the ball.
Matt Williamson: (12:09 PM ET ) I thought it was harsh-and fitting. Suspending him doesn't really do much. The coaches would just bring the game plan to his house each night. He would be involved. Thought it fit the crime. Still, thought it was odd that it was dependent on them making the playoffs.
DJ (MN): I think the Skins have a chance to make the playoffs. Am I right?
Matt Williamson: (12:10 PM ET ) Oh yeah, they have a shot for sure. It also would not shock me if three teams came out of the NFC East.
Jared Lorezen (NYG): Round Mound of Touchdown? What about the Pillsbury Throwboy?
Matt Williamson: (12:10 PM ET ) Very nice. I am sure there are many more out there. Hefty Lefty.
Nick (CA): Warrick Dunn, Randle El, or D. Mason as my WR/RB option, what do you think?
Matt Williamson: (12:11 PM ET ) I guess Dunn. None of those are real exciting. Mason would be my last choice.
Pete (NY): Do you see the NFC east as one of the worst divisions in the NFL this year? Every team in that division looked bad in the first week.
Matt Williamson: (12:12 PM ET ) Not at all. Actually, I think it is the best division in the NFC for sure. Could have three playoff teams. One of the best divisions in the NFL.
Joe Baltimore: How mny teams have great depth at every posititon? I agree with Larry that this depth thing is overstated. The depth at RB, CB, S, and DT is above average. The O-line is not that deep but how many teams have good known quality as back-ups?
Matt Williamson: (12:13 PM ET ) I hear ya. With the cap, few teams have excellent depth, but the way that Washington ignores the draft just about every year really makes it tough for them to have quality cheap young talent. Overspend on free agents-ignore the draft. Bad equation.
Pete (NY): Would it shock you if Lorenzen came out and played like a starting QB?
Matt Williamson: (12:14 PM ET ) Absolutly. He isn't bad and can move pretty well for such a big guy. But, don't expect big things from the big man.
Juan (NYC) : Another Lorenzen Nickname - The USS Lorenzen
Matt Williamson: (12:14 PM ET ) Not to shabby there Juan. Keep em coming.
Jamaal (Washington Twp, NJ): How does Carlos Rogers matchup against Kevin Curtis? Should I start Curtis or Randle El vs. a banged up Eagles secondary?
Matt Williamson: (12:15 PM ET ) I would take Curtis over Randle El. Better player. The matchup isn't much more difficult. Rogers is a good looking young player, but Wash will run much more than Philly. Curtis is going to have a fine year.
O (Florida): Any chance the Fins can pull an upset over the Cowboys?
Matt Williamson: (12:16 PM ET ) This is a good week to get Dallas with their injuries, but I can't buy that. Miami is rough and will really struggle keeping up with Dallas' pass catching weapons.
Tom (Boston): Santana Moss or Reggie Brown?
Matt Williamson: (12:17 PM ET ) Tough call. Give me Moss. More big play ability. Torn on that one. Moss' numbers could have been a lot better last week. They will throw his way every game. Tough call though.
Ron (Etowah,Tn): Do u think the Cowboys will run away with the east?
Matt Williamson: (12:18 PM ET ) No. I think Philly wins this division. I picked both teams for the playoffs before the season and I do stick with that. Philly will rebound in a big way.
DJ (MN): You said three teams from the NFC East will make the playoffs, Skins Eagles and Cowboys? Who wins the division?
Matt Williamson: (12:19 PM ET ) I didn't say that they WILL make the playoffs, I said they could have three teams. 1. Philly. 2. Dallas 3. Wash
adam(brooklyn): Why do you scouts post so many FANTASY questions? They have other chats for that. They are useless questions for football fans to see.
Matt Williamson: (12:20 PM ET ) Adam, I hear ya and usually I don't post this many, but for some reason we are really hurting for questions today. Is there a problem with the link? I usually get about 10x this many questions to chose from.
DJ (MN): Will Portis and Betts split carries all year or is Betts just the backup.
Matt Williamson: (12:20 PM ET ) That looks like a committee to me all year and it should be. Both are real good players. Keep Portis fresh. Don't wear him down. Nice situation actually.
Robert (NYC): Huge Giant fan here. Kiwi played terrible at LB last week. Is it more feasable to have him and tuck rotate in at DE and start Wilkinson at LB?
Matt Williamson: (12:21 PM ET ) I think so. Kiwi has no clue in coverage. Let him be a DE-which is why they drafted him in the 1st round!
Josh (Detroit): Does Dallas now have one of the best o-lines in the league? They are definitely the strongest. Don't you love what money can buy?
Matt Williamson: (12:22 PM ET ) Yeah, top 8 or so I would say. Davis should do very well there. Drafted for depth. Good group for sure.
Alan(Charlotte): how do you see the barber/jones rb split turning out all year? do you think one will emerge and get 80% of the touches or stay the way it is?
Matt Williamson: (12:23 PM ET ) Pretty much stay the way it is. It works. Personally, I would give Barber about 66%, but I can't really argue with the present situation. Jones is a pretty good RB who would start for a lot of teams.
Marc (Malden, MA): I thought Portis looked good Sunday. If he's healthy, he's a top 5 RB. What did you think?
Matt Williamson: (12:25 PM ET ) Yeah, he looked great. When healthy, yeah, I agree with you. I would not trust him to be THE GUY anymore, but that isn't the end of the world. Top 5 might be too high, but he can still be very good. I hadn't seen that burst he showed in a while. I also thought he might really decline this year-doesn't look to be the case.
Mickey NY: Which is the better NY team, the Giants or the Jets?
Matt Williamson: (12:25 PM ET ) I am very down on both teams. Give me the Jets though. Jets-6 wins. Giants-5.
MIKE (NY,NY): If Jints in top 5, where are they looking for help?
Matt Williamson: (12:26 PM ET ) How about McFadden? Jake Long? G Dorsey? Dorsey would be hard to pass up.
Pete (NY): Has to be the Jets. THe Giants defense is pathetic and injured.
Matt Williamson: (12:27 PM ET ) Agreed, but NYJ's OL is worse than people realize. So is their DL. Struggle to get after QBs. Clemens will start more games than Pennington this year.
Majeed: M-Dub, Can the weak Miami O crack 20 pts on that soft Dallas D?
Matt Williamson: (12:28 PM ET ) That will be interesting to see. T Green didn't play terrible last week. Chambers looks better than ever. Brown could put up decent rushing numbers. Still, that OL is really bad. Give me the UNDER.
tim (nj): What was your impression on D. Deihls first game at LT. He
shut down Ware all game. Looks to be one positive from an ugly game
Matt Williamson: (12:28 PM ET ) No question. I didn't approve of that move at all when it was made. Worked this week. Still, frightening.
Matt Williamson: (12:29 PM ET ) Stop by in Week 17-we will talk then. Okay folks, I am out. Catch me for the AFC North chat.
@ Deihl shutting down Ware. If you have to have help every other play, you're not "shutting someone down."
