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Scouts Inc. breaks down the NFC/AFC East, North
Welcome to The Show! On Friday, the guys from Scouts Inc. will be breaking down each division of the NFL in 30-minute blocks.
Scouts Inc. Archive:
Matt Williamson: (11:58 AM ET ) Matt Williamson here. NFC East chat time! Not kissing up, but I like this division to go 4-0 this weekend. Let's roll!
Luis (SB, CA): Hey Matt, TGIF!!! With Adrian Peterson coming off a monster game, do you think the Boys have enough to slow him down?
Matt Williamson: (12:00 PM ET ) TGIF to you as well. Peterson will be a LOT to handle and I think he will have a lot of success against Big D, but I also think TO and Romo and company goes off on Minny's poor pass D. Dallas wins this game and rebounds well from their loss to the Pats. Peterson is a big time difference maker though.
Kevin, Buffalo, NY: Is Clinton Portis worthy of a #1 starting RB spot?
Matt Williamson: (12:01 PM ET ) In fantasy or the real world? In fantasy? Not at all. In the real world? Close. I suppose. Isn't what he once was, but can still impress. At his best when they have Betts lightening his load. We were asked to name our top 10 RBs in the NFL and he wasn't in my top 12.
Jon (DC): Sean Taylor is a beast. That is all.
Matt Williamson: (12:01 PM ET ) Hard to argue with that Jon!
Jeffrey (Fairfax): Any chance the Commanders would try to sign Alan Fanceca this offseason?
Matt Williamson: (12:03 PM ET ) Have they ever met a big named free agent that they didn't like? That being said, Kendall is more than solid at LG, which is Faneca's position. From a personnel standpoint, I am a big build through the draft guy-which Washington certainly is not. Their OL issues would be best served with draft picks, but you never know with this squad.
Joe (Warren, PA): Can you sort out the Giants RB situation?
Matt Williamson: (12:04 PM ET ) Not really. Dourghns is the healthiest of the bunch. Jabobs is probably still the #1, but he is always hurt and only performs in flashes. They now have three big strong RBs for their power rushing attack. All should see carries this week. Not sure how much that helps you out.
Mike (Rochester): Odds the G-men can pull out these next two and head into the bye at 6-2?
Matt Williamson: (12:05 PM ET ) I think that will happen. Such an impressive accomplishment after their dysmal start. Coughlin's job had better be safe! NYG is a contender.
Greg (Amarillo): With no semblance of a passing game for minnesota, why would you think that Peterson will have a big day? He will be seeing 8 man fronts all day long.
Matt Williamson: (12:06 PM ET ) That is true...as he always does. Still, this guy is special-very special-and will break a big play or two.
Todd (Cleveland): You mentioned you were asked to list your top 10 RBs. When is scoutsinc going to update their player rankings?
Matt Williamson: (12:07 PM ET ) From where? We give EVERY player in a league a grade in the off season. Update it every year. Not something that we do over and over. It is a TON of film work and we are far too busy during the season.
zach(minneapolis,mn: do you think Dallas will even try to run agaist minnesota?
Matt Williamson: (12:08 PM ET ) Very little. Not really worth it. Why bother? TO is going to explode. Witten and Crayton should have good days as well.
Larry (New York): The Skins don't have o-line issues when healthy....by the way, Matt..we have plenty of draft picks that are playing for us
Matt Williamson: (12:09 PM ET ) Agree on both accounts, but this is clearly a team that dedicates a LOT of their resources to free agency over the draft. I have said it all along and am actually surprised that is hasn't already been more of an issue, but Wash's OL depth is troublesome. It was troublesoem before the season. Worry.
Doug (NY): How impressive is the Giants run (assuming 6-2) however considering the teams they have played (or are about to play)? Shouldn't we wait to sing their praises until they beat someone worth beating?
Matt Williamson: (12:10 PM ET ) I understand that, but 6-2 in this league is note worthy no matter what. The D has been far better after Week 2. There are probably 10 better football teams in the NFL than NYG, but what they have done is impressive.
Ben (Baton Rouge, LA): Start Clinton Portis or Travis Henry is fantasy this week?
Matt Williamson: (12:11 PM ET ) Portis. Stay away from Henry vs. the Steelers.
Mad Mike (Houston): Your rankings are up to date? You gave Jason Witten a grade of 75. He's the 8th best TE? What a joke.
Matt Williamson: (12:12 PM ET ) Our rankings are not up to date. They were done during the off season. We grade every player every off season. I assume that you guys are talking about the grades and scouting write up on every player when you click on their name, right?
Mikey(Lackawanna,NY): Matt, I traded Marion Barber and Derrick Mason for Chad Johnson and Jamal Lewis. do you think trading Barber was a mistake(He does split carries).
Matt Williamson: (12:13 PM ET ) No. I think that is a good move. Barber is a very good RB, but he will always split. Lewis is the man and for fantasy reasons isn't the better guy, but has more value in fantasy than the real world.
Mike (Fresno, CA): Matt - what were the knocks on J. Campbell coming out of Auburn? I remember hearing people say the Skins took him too high or gave up too much for him. Do you see any of those knocks being issues with his game now? Thanks
Matt Williamson: (12:14 PM ET ) Coming out of Auburn, the biggest knock on him was that he only had one very good year at Auburn and had the luxory of sharing the backfield with Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams. He had 4 different OCoordinators through college and wasn't particularly refined. Everyone knew that he would not come in right away, start and be succesful as a rookie. He is progressing very well though. Going to be quite good.
Todd (DC): When will Reggie Brown break-out?
Matt Williamson: (12:16 PM ET ) By his 2007 standards, I think you saw his "Break Out" last week. Philly's passing game is going to be up and down much of the year, but LJ Smith is back and Westbrook is healthy-which will only help Curtis and Brown. Brown has very much proven that he is far from a #1 WR in this league however.
Mike Philadelphia: Big game for the Eagles this weekend against the Bears. Looking at the schedule if the Eagles can win this game they should finish 9-7 at worst. Could there be 3 NFC East teams in the playoffs this year?
Matt Williamson: (12:17 PM ET ) I really think 3 NFC East teams will end up in the postseason...unless they all beat one another up from here on out. Can't see two teams coming from the South or North. Longshot from the West. But, for Philly, a loss here might bury them.
Bryon(Alabama): Do you think Donovan McNabb will have a good game vs Da Bears defense this Sunday?
Matt Williamson: (12:18 PM ET ) I like his chances. The Bears' D is far from as formidable as it once was. Like I said, a healthy Westbrook changes everything for the positive with this O.
Lucas (Stillwater, OK): Why is Patrick Crayton mouthing off now? The last thing the Cowboys need is another TO, right?
Matt Williamson: (12:19 PM ET ) Didn't understand that at all. Who are you? He has started, what, like 8 games in his life? Come on bro. Shut up and let TO do the talking!
Chad (Dallas): So Witten was only the 8th best TE going into the season? Why, because he only had 1 TD last season. A qualified "scout" would have noticed he was asked to block half the time, and looked rather at his impact when thrown at.
Matt Williamson: (12:21 PM ET ) Thanks for the kind words. Not sure where this "Witten is the 8th best TE in the league" stuff is coming from, but it doesn't sound ALL that off base before the year. Lot of good TEs in the league and even right now after a HUGE year, I would still put Gates, Gonzo and Winslow over him for sure. If, before the year, soemone decided that they liked Crumpler, Cooley, Heap, etc. more than Witten, I can buy that. Relax.
Gary(Indiana): Do you think the Cowboys might be somewhat overated especially after a bad Buffalo Bills JV team almost beat them a couple weeks ago?
Matt Williamson: (12:22 PM ET ) I wouldn't look too much into that game in Buff. VERY tough place to play on Monday Night in front of a crowd that hadn't had a MNF game in forever. They had to be looking forward to NE a bit as well-it is just human nature. Romo was awful. He played a bad game. That happens. More fluke than trend. Still, Dallas looks like the best team in the NFC to me.
Johnny(Queens): Whats the deal with Santana Moss? Do you think he will get his confidence back at starting playing at a high level once again?
Matt Williamson: (12:24 PM ET ) I do. Was SHOCKED by his performance against GB. Just awful. He is a very good football player whose numbers would look a ton better if he and Campbell would convert on half of the bombs this year that one either dropped or were overthrown. Those two have left a LOT of big plays on the field this year.
Matt (Philly): I've been saying all along that if a team with a half-decent defense and an average offense faced the Cowboys, Dallas would lose. So far the only real team they faced was NE and they were blown out
Matt Williamson: (12:24 PM ET ) NE blows out everyone bro.
Rudy (Richmond, VA): How do you like the Commanders ground game?
Matt Williamson: (12:25 PM ET ) It is good enough, but the right side of the OL is a mess. That is a problem.
Wayne (Newport News, VA): What impact do you think Tank Williams will make when he starts playing for the Boys'?
Matt Williamson: (12:26 PM ET ) Not the savior, but a deent upfield player. Will help as an interior pass rusher on throwing downs and maybe most importantly, will bring another talented linemen into the rotation to keep everyone else fresher.
Patty (Ann Arbor, MI): What is Kiwinuka's best position?
Matt Williamson: (12:27 PM ET ) DE for sure. Well, actually maybe a 3-4 OLB. He isn't a SLB and is a major liability in coverage (see vs Witten). He needs to be coming forward. Upfield guy.
Matt(Bronx): Do you think the Eagles will get rid of either Jevon Kearse or Darren Howard after this season especially with the play of Trent Cole?
Matt Williamson: (12:27 PM ET ) Yes. Both Kearse and Howard are expensive as well. Cut ties, use that $ elsewhere. Draft a guy.
Matt (Philly): How is dallas the best team though? They've beaten Miami, Chicago, St. Louis, Buffalo, and squeaked by the Giants...they have some tough games ahead that will show they're really a 10-6 team
Matt Williamson: (12:28 PM ET ) Who is better? The NFC stinks.
Hugh (Lowell, MA): Its Tank Johnson, not Williams.
Matt Williamson: (12:29 PM ET ) Figured that out. You guys are a little salty today...and I picked the East to go 4-0 this week! Can't find anything else to complain about?
Graham (Mount Holly, NJ): Aaron Ross looks like the real deal at CB. Teamed up with Corey Webster, they might be the best young CB tandem in the league?
Matt Williamson: (12:29 PM ET ) I really lke Ross, but can really do without Webster. So, no.
Matt Williamson: (12:30 PM ET ) Okay guys. I am out. Find me at 1:30 for the AFC North chat. Lighten up while you are at it!
Mikey(Lackawanna,NY): Do you think Da Bears will look to use Devin Hester at WR a little more than they have so far? Its obvious the kid is a Play-Maker.
Ken Moll: (1:05 PM ET ) Mikey, There is no question that hester should get 15 to 20 touches a game. SLip screens, Reverses, Fade patterns, etc. His is Da' Bears most explosive play maker and I do believe they will get him the ball more these last ten games.
Jesse (Phx): Do the Packers fix their running game in the second half? Will K Rob increase their ability to attack the Cover 2?
Ken Moll: (1:07 PM ET ) Jesse, I do believe they will work hard on getting their ground attack going . A healthy Morency give them a chance but they Miss Green this season. Don't count on K.Rob to be an impact player with all the time he has missed . He does gie them an added weapon but I don't see him being a huge factor.
Adam Green Bay Wi: Who will win this division
Dan (Minneapolis): Why don't the Boys use Marion Barber more? It seems like the whole team plays with a different attitude when he carries the ball.
Adam Green Bay Wi: Ken how far do u think the packers can go
Ken Moll: (1:09 PM ET ) Adam,
They will win the division but I don't see them going very far if the Ground attack doesn't improve. It could happen but it hasn't shown up yet.
Jon (Mad-town): The choice, and death is not an option: Handing the ball off to Cedric Benson, or expecting Archuletta to cover a WR?
Ken Moll: (1:12 PM ET ) Jon,
WOW, what a choice . Archuletta has ben playing hurt and I believe he will perform better when totally healthy. Benson is somewhat of a dissapointment. He was better as the second back in the game (as the 2 in a one two punch) - He may develope but I haven't seen it thus far.
Ken Moll: (1:12 PM ET )
SprungOnSports (Long Island): Who'll win this battle, Tampa D or Lions O?
Ken Moll: (1:13 PM ET ) Sprung, This should be an interesting contest. I think Tampa has a great chance to come away with a road victory due to the balance and athleticism of the Buccs defense. Great game to watch.
Johnny(Queens): I know AP is the real deal in Minnesota! But you have to give credit to his Pro Bowl O-Lineman Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk right.
Ken Moll: (1:15 PM ET ) Johnny, There is no question that the O-Line of the Vikings is good but this kid is going to be excellent. If they can get their QB situation "squared away" they will be a contender.
Jim, Chicago: any quick fixes out there for the Bears?
Ken Moll: (1:17 PM ET ) Jim, I really don't think so but there are several players with a bunch of Da' Bears pride that will keep them in some games. They have to get healthy on defense, establish a ground attack and get the ball to their rookie tight end (Olsen) and Hester as much as possible.
Omega (Windy City): Is benson that bad or is the o-line the reason hes looking more and more like curtis enis?
Ken Moll: (1:19 PM ET ) OMega, I don't thik that Benson is that bad but he is not ready to carry the load.I would be inclinded to start Peteron and bring him in off the bench for 10 or 15 carries. He might perform better. The O-line has been a bit banged up but more than anything you guys miss Thomas Jones.
John (Ca): How good is this K Rob kid and were will he be on the depth chart?
Ken Moll: (1:21 PM ET ) John, K.Rob "was" agood player with lots of raw talent but He will likely start out as the fifth receiver and work his way up. He hard to knock off that rust being out as long as he has.
Mike (Chi): What will be the Packers Record at the end of the year?
Ken Moll: (1:21 PM ET ) Mike, 10-6 or 11-5 going into the post season.
Gary(Indiana): Is their a better DT tandem in the NFL than the William's brothers(I know their not really related) in Minnesota Pat and Kevin?
Ken Moll: (1:23 PM ET ) Gary , They are two of the best at what they do. Pat is really aging but still effective but Kevin is an excellent combination of size, strength and athleticism. The two DT's for the Jags are also really excellent together.
Jon (Mad-town): The Bears have the players to switch to a 3-4. Would that help some of their problems on D?
Ken Moll: (1:25 PM ET ) Jon, Most every team in the league has some variation of the 3-4 or the 4-3 off of their base scheme but are unwillng to change to it in the middle of the season.With the bears struggling on "D" so much this is a solid idea but few people will listent to us.
jake, eugene: Do you see the Pack scrapping the zone blocking scheme? It just doesn't seem to be working well.
Ken Moll: (1:27 PM ET ) Jake,
They may do this but it's tough to change in the middle of the season. Most coaches will say we have the right scheme we just need to execute better. It's tough (coahes) to admit your appraoch has been wrong.
Randy (St. Paul, MN): Why aren't more people giving Vikes a chance this weekend? They will stop the run and can fluster Romo, and AP and Taylor can run all day through that porous Dallas D.
Ken Moll: (1:30 PM ET ) Randy, I give them a chance but it will be a "hornets" Nest after the Boys were embarressed last week end. When an NFL team has big question marks a the QB position it's extremely tough to win against a soid football team. DA' Bears are really struggling that's why they got that win on the road but I still give them a small chance in Dallas.
Bob (Chicago, IL): Grossman is done. This offseason should we draft a QB in round 1 or do we look to maybe swing a trade for that Anderson guy in Cleveland?
Ken Moll: (1:32 PM ET ) Bob, Rex is done in Chicago and it would appear that they will go high in the draft to get a QB if he is available. Reaching for a player in the first round to fill a need may not be the best choice. Possible Anderson or another young free agent may be the answer.
Ken Moll: (1:32 PM ET ) Have a great weekend and Matt will take it from here.
Welcome to The Show! On Friday, the guys from Scouts Inc. will be breaking down each division of the NFL in 30-minute blocks.
Scouts Inc. Archive:
Luis (SB, CA): Hey Matt, TGIF!!! With Adrian Peterson coming off a monster game, do you think the Boys have enough to slow him down?
Kevin, Buffalo, NY: Is Clinton Portis worthy of a #1 starting RB spot?
Jon (DC): Sean Taylor is a beast. That is all.
Jeffrey (Fairfax): Any chance the Commanders would try to sign Alan Fanceca this offseason?
Joe (Warren, PA): Can you sort out the Giants RB situation?
Mike (Rochester): Odds the G-men can pull out these next two and head into the bye at 6-2?
Greg (Amarillo): With no semblance of a passing game for minnesota, why would you think that Peterson will have a big day? He will be seeing 8 man fronts all day long.
Todd (Cleveland): You mentioned you were asked to list your top 10 RBs. When is scoutsinc going to update their player rankings?
zach(minneapolis,mn: do you think Dallas will even try to run agaist minnesota?
Larry (New York): The Skins don't have o-line issues when healthy....by the way, Matt..we have plenty of draft picks that are playing for us
Doug (NY): How impressive is the Giants run (assuming 6-2) however considering the teams they have played (or are about to play)? Shouldn't we wait to sing their praises until they beat someone worth beating?
Ben (Baton Rouge, LA): Start Clinton Portis or Travis Henry is fantasy this week?
Mad Mike (Houston): Your rankings are up to date? You gave Jason Witten a grade of 75. He's the 8th best TE? What a joke.
Mikey(Lackawanna,NY): Matt, I traded Marion Barber and Derrick Mason for Chad Johnson and Jamal Lewis. do you think trading Barber was a mistake(He does split carries).
Mike (Fresno, CA): Matt - what were the knocks on J. Campbell coming out of Auburn? I remember hearing people say the Skins took him too high or gave up too much for him. Do you see any of those knocks being issues with his game now? Thanks
Todd (DC): When will Reggie Brown break-out?
Mike Philadelphia: Big game for the Eagles this weekend against the Bears. Looking at the schedule if the Eagles can win this game they should finish 9-7 at worst. Could there be 3 NFC East teams in the playoffs this year?
Bryon(Alabama): Do you think Donovan McNabb will have a good game vs Da Bears defense this Sunday?
Lucas (Stillwater, OK): Why is Patrick Crayton mouthing off now? The last thing the Cowboys need is another TO, right?
Chad (Dallas): So Witten was only the 8th best TE going into the season? Why, because he only had 1 TD last season. A qualified "scout" would have noticed he was asked to block half the time, and looked rather at his impact when thrown at.
Gary(Indiana): Do you think the Cowboys might be somewhat overated especially after a bad Buffalo Bills JV team almost beat them a couple weeks ago?
Johnny(Queens): Whats the deal with Santana Moss? Do you think he will get his confidence back at starting playing at a high level once again?
Matt (Philly): I've been saying all along that if a team with a half-decent defense and an average offense faced the Cowboys, Dallas would lose. So far the only real team they faced was NE and they were blown out
Rudy (Richmond, VA): How do you like the Commanders ground game?
Wayne (Newport News, VA): What impact do you think Tank Williams will make when he starts playing for the Boys'?
Patty (Ann Arbor, MI): What is Kiwinuka's best position?
Matt(Bronx): Do you think the Eagles will get rid of either Jevon Kearse or Darren Howard after this season especially with the play of Trent Cole?
Matt (Philly): How is dallas the best team though? They've beaten Miami, Chicago, St. Louis, Buffalo, and squeaked by the Giants...they have some tough games ahead that will show they're really a 10-6 team
Hugh (Lowell, MA): Its Tank Johnson, not Williams.
Graham (Mount Holly, NJ): Aaron Ross looks like the real deal at CB. Teamed up with Corey Webster, they might be the best young CB tandem in the league?
Mikey(Lackawanna,NY): Do you think Da Bears will look to use Devin Hester at WR a little more than they have so far? Its obvious the kid is a Play-Maker.
Jesse (Phx): Do the Packers fix their running game in the second half? Will K Rob increase their ability to attack the Cover 2?
Adam Green Bay Wi: Who will win this division
Dan (Minneapolis): Why don't the Boys use Marion Barber more? It seems like the whole team plays with a different attitude when he carries the ball.
Adam Green Bay Wi: Ken how far do u think the packers can go
They will win the division but I don't see them going very far if the Ground attack doesn't improve. It could happen but it hasn't shown up yet.
Jon (Mad-town): The choice, and death is not an option: Handing the ball off to Cedric Benson, or expecting Archuletta to cover a WR?
WOW, what a choice . Archuletta has ben playing hurt and I believe he will perform better when totally healthy. Benson is somewhat of a dissapointment. He was better as the second back in the game (as the 2 in a one two punch) - He may develope but I haven't seen it thus far.
SprungOnSports (Long Island): Who'll win this battle, Tampa D or Lions O?
Johnny(Queens): I know AP is the real deal in Minnesota! But you have to give credit to his Pro Bowl O-Lineman Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk right.
Jim, Chicago: any quick fixes out there for the Bears?
Omega (Windy City): Is benson that bad or is the o-line the reason hes looking more and more like curtis enis?
John (Ca): How good is this K Rob kid and were will he be on the depth chart?
Mike (Chi): What will be the Packers Record at the end of the year?
Gary(Indiana): Is their a better DT tandem in the NFL than the William's brothers(I know their not really related) in Minnesota Pat and Kevin?
Jon (Mad-town): The Bears have the players to switch to a 3-4. Would that help some of their problems on D?
jake, eugene: Do you see the Pack scrapping the zone blocking scheme? It just doesn't seem to be working well.
They may do this but it's tough to change in the middle of the season. Most coaches will say we have the right scheme we just need to execute better. It's tough (coahes) to admit your appraoch has been wrong.
Randy (St. Paul, MN): Why aren't more people giving Vikes a chance this weekend? They will stop the run and can fluster Romo, and AP and Taylor can run all day through that porous Dallas D.
Bob (Chicago, IL): Grossman is done. This offseason should we draft a QB in round 1 or do we look to maybe swing a trade for that Anderson guy in Cleveland?
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