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[SIZE=-1]01:26 PM CST on Thursday, November 8, 2007
[/SIZE] SportsDay's Rick Gosselin answered questions about the NFL on Thursday, Nov. 8.
From e-mail: After a great start to his career, Charles Woodson seemed to be a descending player during his last few years in Oakland, but is he now back to being one of the top five cornerbacks in the league again? Do you think the very physical tandem of Woodson and Al Harris comprise the best cornerback duo in the league? Jason L.
Rick Gosselin: OK, gang. Let's talk some NFL. Having seen the two best teams in the league last weekend, I'm ready for your questions. ... First off, the Green Bay corners. They are thedifference in that defense. They are physically imposing and intimidating. The Packers have allowed only three 100-yard receiving games this season – all to tight ends. I saw the Green Bay-Washington game last month, and I thought Woodson and Harris intimidated a smaller Washington receiving corps. Woodson still gets a lot of penalties, but he's making plays now. He didn't do enough of that in his final five seasons in Oakland or he'd still be there. I've always liked the big, physical corners and I'm not sure I'd taken any other pair in the NFL head of Harris and Woodson.
From e-mail: Would the Giants keep Tom Coughlin as coach? They wanted to get rid of him two years ago, and again last year, now he's having a very good season. Would they keep him if the makes the playoffs or are the Giants still going to throw money at Bill Cowher? Robert P.
Rick Gosselin: The Giants are a pretty good football team. I don't see them taking a step back in a mediocre NFC. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys and Giants finish with the two best records in the NFC. If that's the case, you certainly bring Coughlin back. He's changed from a year ago. The lockerroom is more settled without Tiki Barber and a mellower Michael Strahan and Coughlin again seems to have control of this team. On the Cowher front, I don't see him coming back in 2008. I think he sits another year and comes back in 2008. The stacks of cash will only get higher in the meantime.
From e-mail: If the Patriots have the best record in the NFL wrapped up by Week 14 and they have no losses or one loss, will Bill Belichick continue to "push the pedal" or will he rest his players? Obviously, he'll have a week off to rest his players before their first playoff game and he doesn't want to risk injury, but I think Belichick will play to win every game. Plus, it seems that teams that let off the gas are the ones who lose early (see Mavericks circa 2007 playoffs). Robert P.
Rick Gosselin: That's Belichick's nature – to play to win every game. I almost want the Patriots to go 15-0 just to see how Belichick deals with the dilemma. I think Tony Dungy might have shut it down in 2005 if the Colts had started 15-0. It became a moot point when the Colts lost the 14th game of the season. But Dungy's focus was the Super Bowl. He'd never won one. That was his objective – to win a Super Bowl, even at the expense of a perfect season. Belichick has won Super Bowls. Three of them. His team seems to thrive on doing what no other teams have done before them, like that 18-game winning streak in 2003-04. No one has ever gone 16-0. No question this New England team has the ability to do that in a parity-driven league. I think Belichick may tell his starters they have a half against the Giants to put together a perfect season. I'd be surprised if he played the starters all four quarters in the finale with the playoffs looming.
From e-mail: If the Patriots go undefeated this season I definitely think that an asterisk next to their name would be appropriate. The asterisk should be defined as "during the years of free agency". Chris B.
Rick Gosselin: Forget the asterisk. The Patriots have to win two more games than the Dolphins did to achieve a perfect season. The fact the Patriots have been able to sustain a dynasty in a salary cap world is even a greater tribute to them. Some great players have left the building – Adam Vinatieri, Ty Law, Willie McGinest, Deion Branch – yet the Patriots continue winning. It doesn't seem to matter who lines up for the Patriots as long as Belichick is on the sideline and Brady is taking the snaps. This is a great football team regardless what era the play.
From e-mail: How do you expect the Dallas defense to respond in round 2 versus the Giants, meaning are the Giants going to score on nearly every drive or will there be a lot of punting by the Giants? I am not sold on the Giants as they played some very weak teams on their way to a 6-game winning streak and like the Cowboys have a history of second-half collapses. Jason S.
Rick Gosselin: I don't think you'll see anywhere near the points or the yards that you saw in the season opener. Both defenses have been fortified with healthy players and each has had eight weeks now to soak up a new scheme. The weather conditions also could conspire to hold the scoring down. The Meadowlands has some of the worst wind conditions in the NFL and a blsutery day could put the onus on the running games to win this one. But I don't think the outcome either way impacts the NFC playoff field. I think you're going to see both of these teams playing in January. I like the Giants in this one because they are home. I'm of the belief a playoff-caliber football team should win its home games. That's why I picked the Colts over the Patriots last weekend and the Cowboys over the Patriots last month. I like home teams in the big games like this one. Let me refrain that – I like the home teams in big games except when they are playing the Patriots.
From e-mail: Do you think the NFL is happy with a season like this one, where there is only a handful of good teams and a bunch of very mediocre and bad teams? It seems that every year the salary cap takes a deeper and deeper cut into the talent level of NFL teams, especially with second- and third-string players. I know the NFL is the best pro sport out there, but the salary cap is whittling it down slowly. Does a season like this one concern the owners enough to examine the merits of the cap? Gilbert M.
Rick Gosselin: I think the NFL is delighted the way the season has played out. It has two super teams – and there are fans in 23 other cities who have playoff hopes. There are 25 teams a game below .500 or better at the season's midway point. They are all legitimate playoff contenders. What's good for the fans is good for the game – and parity is good for the fans. So this season you have drama at the top – can New England go unbeaten? – and drama throughout the standings. Three teams have a stake in division leads with 4-4 records. So the games will continue to attract sellout crowds and record TV ratings.
From e-mail: Did you see enough in the Colts on Sunday to believe they'd have much of a chance to win at New England should they meet in the AFC title game? Jon B.
Rick Gosselin: I think the Colts were heartened by what they saw Sunday. They played a healthy New England team heads up for 55 minutes without four starters – Marvin Harrison, left tackle Tony Ugoh and the two starting outside linebackers. Despite a short-handed cast, the Colts held a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. In addition to the absence of Harrison, Manning lost the services of his No. 3 wideout Anthony Gonzalez on the opening possession of the game with a dislocated thumb. And both Reggie Wayne and Gonzalez dropped touchdown passes. This is the best New England team the Colts have faced, but I also believe this is the best Indianapolis team as well – when everyone is healthy. I think the sequel in January should match the first meeting. I expect another great and exciting game.
From e-mail: Is there a worse set of wide receivers in the NFL than the group for the Titans? Mark T.
Rick Gosselin: I was puzzled why the Titans let their two most productive wide receivers leave in free agency in the offseason (Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade). I know the Titans expected Brandon Jones to have a breakout year – but he's missed the last three games with an injury. It's tough to have a breakout season when you're standing on the sidelines. You're right – if I had to rank the NFL receiving corps, I'd put Tennessee No. 32. But LenDale White picked the right time to break out, and the Tennessee defense has evolved into a shutdown unit. You can win a lot of games in this league running the ball and playing defense. And the Titans have, building a 6-2 record. But Vince Young is going to have to make more plays down the stretch for the Titans to sustain their chase at a playoff spot.
From e-mail: I think Randy Moss' catch was the play of the game in New England's win over Indy. I think he's the only player who makes that catch. If it's not made, it's second down and while New England might've still scored a touchdown, it wouldn't have been so quickly. What do you think? Jack G.
Rick Gosselin: That's why they brought Randy Moss in. An inability to make plays down the field cost the Patriots in the AFC title game at Indianapolis last January. You saw the difference a weapon like Moss makes last Sunday. He's making that difference every Sunday, in fact, regardless of the opponent and the stadium. He's resurrecting what once appeared to be a Hall of Fame career.
Cam Cameron: Do you think there were any serious offers for Jason Taylor or Zack Thomas before the trade deadline?
Rick Gosselin: It's difficult to deal big ticket items in a salary-cap world. You have to make room for them under the cap to consummate the deal. If the Dolphins traded either one, it would be for draft picks. They need to address the future – and you do that through the draft. Without giving up a player in return, whoever acquired a Taylor or Thomas at the trade deadline would have had to release 3-4-5 players just to fit their contracts under the salary cap. So I don't think there were any serious offers. Both players are in their 30s and you don't ransom your team for aging players.
From e-mail: Can the Patriots go unbeaten? Trae G.
Rick Gosselin: Can they? Yes. Will they? I'd be surprised. Speed bumps loom at Buffalo, at home against Pittsburgh and at the New York Giants in the season finale. It's hard to maintain your A-game for 16 consecutive games in a season. Too many fluke things can happen. Injuries can occur. Officials might decide to take over a game. Funny hops by the football. But I feel this team has a better shot of going unbeaten than the 2005 Colts who started out 13-0. That team won with offense. This New England team can beat you both ways.
Jason L: How much better is the Colts defense this year as a result of replacing their starting cornerbacks of a year ago with the young and upcoming duo of Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden?
Rick Gosselin: Much better. The Colts couldn't stop the run last season and smaller, finesse corners were a big part of the reason. They were trying to play the run with nine defenders. Jackson and Hayden are both bigger (6-0), more physical corners who attack runners. They also provide more of a challenge to wide receivers by playing a more physical style in coverage. Receivers have to work harder to get open. A healthy Bob Sanders also makes a difference. And I thought the Colts really missed Freddie Keiaho last week against the Patriots. His speed adds another dimension to the Colts defense. He can chase plays down from behind.
Jason L: Do you think the majority of teams now would prefer to have a two-headed RB tandem instead of relying on just one guy to be the bellcow?
Rick Gosselin: If you don't have a great one, that's the trend. If you have a LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders, you give him the football 20-25-30 times a game. If you don't, you give Marion Barber 15 carries and Julius Jones 10. The teams that favor two backs don't have a Hall of Famer on the roster. When you get an Adrian Peterson, you throw your two-back system out the window.
From e-mail: What kind of rule changes do you foresee the NFL making this offseason? Rusty W.
Rick Gosselin: I think the NFL will study that late timeout before a game-ending field goal. We haven't seen it the last few weeks, but it impacted three games in the first month of the season. I can see the NFL putting a freeze on timeouts – you can't call a timeout after, say, the play clock hits 10 seconds. A kicker shouldn't have to kick two 50-yard field goals for one to count.
From e-mail: What are your thoughts in the changes they made for the NFL Draft? John Q.
Rick Gosselin: My thoughts don't matter. It's television's thoughts that matter. That's why they made these changes. By pushing back the time of the opening rounds and shortening the time between picks, some of the draft's name players will spill into prime time. That will increase TV ratings for the first day. And by pushing the third round into the second day, more recognizable names will be drafted in the early going. That will improve the second day ratings. If the NFL can figure out how to broadcast the first round in prime time, I think you'll see that next. The first round on a Saturday night and Rounds 2-7 on Sunday.
Matthew: Rick, have you seen CB Aqib Talib at Kansas play ball? The Richardson product would be a perfect replacement for Anthony Henry. He's 6-2 and about two times as athletic. He's expected to be a late first rounder, where the Cowboys will have two picks. Any thoughts on Talib?
Rick Gosselin: The Cowboys better hope the Browns collapse and finish 5-11 for them to have a shot at Talib. He's one of the top cornerbacks on the draft board. He's stock has skyrocketed this season to conicide with the emergence of Kansas as a national power. I'm not sure two first-rounders in the 20s would be enough to land a Top 10 pick in trade. And if the Cowboys do attempt to move up to those heights, I think it would be for Darren McFadden.
YoAdrian: Are you surprised how quickly Adrian Peterson has developed into an elite back? It's only eight games, but we can call him elite, right?
Rick Gosselin: You most certainly can call him elite. Right now he's the best pure runner in the game. Not the most complete back, mind you. His blocking and route running still need some work. LaDainian Tomlinson is still the most complete. But when you're running for 200 yards every week, who needs to block? Running back is the easiest position to have an instant impact as a rookie. The great runners are natural runners – they were great early on in their high school and college careers, so there's no reason to think they wouldn't be great early on in their pro careers. Barry Sanders couldn't block yet he rushed for 1,400 yards as a rookie. Earl Campbell, Billy Sims, Eric Dickerson, Eddie George, Edgerrin James ... they all were expected to be impact players as rookies. So did Peterson coming in.
GoPats: What were your thoughts on Don Shula saying the "spygate" incident could possibly taint a perfect season by the Patriots?
Rick Gosselin: Shula's trying to protect his turf as the only team to play a perfect season. By casting a shadow on the Patriots, he's trying to diminish a 16-0 season, which would top the 14-0 by Shula's Dolphins. Shula wants to be the one and only. If he can't be, he wants to cast some doubt on the credibility of what could be a more accomplished team.
Matthew: I'm in an NFL eliminator league, if you had to pick 2 guarantee, 100% victories on this weekend's schedule, which 2 games would you pick?
Rick Gosselin: I don't offer recommendations on fantasy football or NFL suicide pools. Over the years, I've found that when people ask my advice they just want someone to blame. Go with your gut.
milo: Who are your favorites to make the HOF this year?
Rick Gosselin: With no elite quarterback or running back on the ballot, it's wide open. I do think Denver offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman should get in and I'd be surprised if at least two pass rushers don't get in from this group: Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Ricky Jackson, Derrick Thomas and Andre Tippett. I also think Commanders cornerback Darrell Green will be a first-ballot selection.
BigBen: Are the Steelers the second-best team in the AFC?
Rick Gosselin: I still like the Colts with the Steelers three. A franchise quarterback and running back and the league's No. 1 defense can go along way. But Brady's Patriots and Manning's Colts are formidable obstacles in their path.
tj: As an unfortunate Lions fan I have been enjoying this season. But looking at their remaining schedule am afraid they may just win one more game. What are your thoughts on the progress they have made this year so far?
Rick Gosselin: Like I said above, playoff caliber teams should win their home games regardless of the opponent. The Lions have four more home games, which could get them to 10 and a playoff spot. The Detroit defense is coming on strong. That's why they are a contender for the first time in a long time – they can make things happen on defense. They lead the NFL in takeaways. This Detroit team may be better than you think.
Rick Gosselin: I'm going to shut it down here, folks. I've got to finish my Sunday NFL page, and I hit the road for Washington, D.C., bright and early tomorrow morning. I've enjoyed visiting with you, and I look forward to chatting again.
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/spt/misc/chat/stories/110907dnspochat.51d96e0.htm
[/SIZE] SportsDay's Rick Gosselin answered questions about the NFL on Thursday, Nov. 8.
From e-mail: After a great start to his career, Charles Woodson seemed to be a descending player during his last few years in Oakland, but is he now back to being one of the top five cornerbacks in the league again? Do you think the very physical tandem of Woodson and Al Harris comprise the best cornerback duo in the league? Jason L.
Rick Gosselin: OK, gang. Let's talk some NFL. Having seen the two best teams in the league last weekend, I'm ready for your questions. ... First off, the Green Bay corners. They are thedifference in that defense. They are physically imposing and intimidating. The Packers have allowed only three 100-yard receiving games this season – all to tight ends. I saw the Green Bay-Washington game last month, and I thought Woodson and Harris intimidated a smaller Washington receiving corps. Woodson still gets a lot of penalties, but he's making plays now. He didn't do enough of that in his final five seasons in Oakland or he'd still be there. I've always liked the big, physical corners and I'm not sure I'd taken any other pair in the NFL head of Harris and Woodson.
From e-mail: Would the Giants keep Tom Coughlin as coach? They wanted to get rid of him two years ago, and again last year, now he's having a very good season. Would they keep him if the makes the playoffs or are the Giants still going to throw money at Bill Cowher? Robert P.
Rick Gosselin: The Giants are a pretty good football team. I don't see them taking a step back in a mediocre NFC. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys and Giants finish with the two best records in the NFC. If that's the case, you certainly bring Coughlin back. He's changed from a year ago. The lockerroom is more settled without Tiki Barber and a mellower Michael Strahan and Coughlin again seems to have control of this team. On the Cowher front, I don't see him coming back in 2008. I think he sits another year and comes back in 2008. The stacks of cash will only get higher in the meantime.
From e-mail: If the Patriots have the best record in the NFL wrapped up by Week 14 and they have no losses or one loss, will Bill Belichick continue to "push the pedal" or will he rest his players? Obviously, he'll have a week off to rest his players before their first playoff game and he doesn't want to risk injury, but I think Belichick will play to win every game. Plus, it seems that teams that let off the gas are the ones who lose early (see Mavericks circa 2007 playoffs). Robert P.
Rick Gosselin: That's Belichick's nature – to play to win every game. I almost want the Patriots to go 15-0 just to see how Belichick deals with the dilemma. I think Tony Dungy might have shut it down in 2005 if the Colts had started 15-0. It became a moot point when the Colts lost the 14th game of the season. But Dungy's focus was the Super Bowl. He'd never won one. That was his objective – to win a Super Bowl, even at the expense of a perfect season. Belichick has won Super Bowls. Three of them. His team seems to thrive on doing what no other teams have done before them, like that 18-game winning streak in 2003-04. No one has ever gone 16-0. No question this New England team has the ability to do that in a parity-driven league. I think Belichick may tell his starters they have a half against the Giants to put together a perfect season. I'd be surprised if he played the starters all four quarters in the finale with the playoffs looming.
From e-mail: If the Patriots go undefeated this season I definitely think that an asterisk next to their name would be appropriate. The asterisk should be defined as "during the years of free agency". Chris B.
Rick Gosselin: Forget the asterisk. The Patriots have to win two more games than the Dolphins did to achieve a perfect season. The fact the Patriots have been able to sustain a dynasty in a salary cap world is even a greater tribute to them. Some great players have left the building – Adam Vinatieri, Ty Law, Willie McGinest, Deion Branch – yet the Patriots continue winning. It doesn't seem to matter who lines up for the Patriots as long as Belichick is on the sideline and Brady is taking the snaps. This is a great football team regardless what era the play.
From e-mail: How do you expect the Dallas defense to respond in round 2 versus the Giants, meaning are the Giants going to score on nearly every drive or will there be a lot of punting by the Giants? I am not sold on the Giants as they played some very weak teams on their way to a 6-game winning streak and like the Cowboys have a history of second-half collapses. Jason S.
Rick Gosselin: I don't think you'll see anywhere near the points or the yards that you saw in the season opener. Both defenses have been fortified with healthy players and each has had eight weeks now to soak up a new scheme. The weather conditions also could conspire to hold the scoring down. The Meadowlands has some of the worst wind conditions in the NFL and a blsutery day could put the onus on the running games to win this one. But I don't think the outcome either way impacts the NFC playoff field. I think you're going to see both of these teams playing in January. I like the Giants in this one because they are home. I'm of the belief a playoff-caliber football team should win its home games. That's why I picked the Colts over the Patriots last weekend and the Cowboys over the Patriots last month. I like home teams in the big games like this one. Let me refrain that – I like the home teams in big games except when they are playing the Patriots.
From e-mail: Do you think the NFL is happy with a season like this one, where there is only a handful of good teams and a bunch of very mediocre and bad teams? It seems that every year the salary cap takes a deeper and deeper cut into the talent level of NFL teams, especially with second- and third-string players. I know the NFL is the best pro sport out there, but the salary cap is whittling it down slowly. Does a season like this one concern the owners enough to examine the merits of the cap? Gilbert M.
Rick Gosselin: I think the NFL is delighted the way the season has played out. It has two super teams – and there are fans in 23 other cities who have playoff hopes. There are 25 teams a game below .500 or better at the season's midway point. They are all legitimate playoff contenders. What's good for the fans is good for the game – and parity is good for the fans. So this season you have drama at the top – can New England go unbeaten? – and drama throughout the standings. Three teams have a stake in division leads with 4-4 records. So the games will continue to attract sellout crowds and record TV ratings.
From e-mail: Did you see enough in the Colts on Sunday to believe they'd have much of a chance to win at New England should they meet in the AFC title game? Jon B.
Rick Gosselin: I think the Colts were heartened by what they saw Sunday. They played a healthy New England team heads up for 55 minutes without four starters – Marvin Harrison, left tackle Tony Ugoh and the two starting outside linebackers. Despite a short-handed cast, the Colts held a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. In addition to the absence of Harrison, Manning lost the services of his No. 3 wideout Anthony Gonzalez on the opening possession of the game with a dislocated thumb. And both Reggie Wayne and Gonzalez dropped touchdown passes. This is the best New England team the Colts have faced, but I also believe this is the best Indianapolis team as well – when everyone is healthy. I think the sequel in January should match the first meeting. I expect another great and exciting game.
From e-mail: Is there a worse set of wide receivers in the NFL than the group for the Titans? Mark T.
Rick Gosselin: I was puzzled why the Titans let their two most productive wide receivers leave in free agency in the offseason (Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade). I know the Titans expected Brandon Jones to have a breakout year – but he's missed the last three games with an injury. It's tough to have a breakout season when you're standing on the sidelines. You're right – if I had to rank the NFL receiving corps, I'd put Tennessee No. 32. But LenDale White picked the right time to break out, and the Tennessee defense has evolved into a shutdown unit. You can win a lot of games in this league running the ball and playing defense. And the Titans have, building a 6-2 record. But Vince Young is going to have to make more plays down the stretch for the Titans to sustain their chase at a playoff spot.
From e-mail: I think Randy Moss' catch was the play of the game in New England's win over Indy. I think he's the only player who makes that catch. If it's not made, it's second down and while New England might've still scored a touchdown, it wouldn't have been so quickly. What do you think? Jack G.
Rick Gosselin: That's why they brought Randy Moss in. An inability to make plays down the field cost the Patriots in the AFC title game at Indianapolis last January. You saw the difference a weapon like Moss makes last Sunday. He's making that difference every Sunday, in fact, regardless of the opponent and the stadium. He's resurrecting what once appeared to be a Hall of Fame career.
Cam Cameron: Do you think there were any serious offers for Jason Taylor or Zack Thomas before the trade deadline?
Rick Gosselin: It's difficult to deal big ticket items in a salary-cap world. You have to make room for them under the cap to consummate the deal. If the Dolphins traded either one, it would be for draft picks. They need to address the future – and you do that through the draft. Without giving up a player in return, whoever acquired a Taylor or Thomas at the trade deadline would have had to release 3-4-5 players just to fit their contracts under the salary cap. So I don't think there were any serious offers. Both players are in their 30s and you don't ransom your team for aging players.
From e-mail: Can the Patriots go unbeaten? Trae G.
Rick Gosselin: Can they? Yes. Will they? I'd be surprised. Speed bumps loom at Buffalo, at home against Pittsburgh and at the New York Giants in the season finale. It's hard to maintain your A-game for 16 consecutive games in a season. Too many fluke things can happen. Injuries can occur. Officials might decide to take over a game. Funny hops by the football. But I feel this team has a better shot of going unbeaten than the 2005 Colts who started out 13-0. That team won with offense. This New England team can beat you both ways.
Jason L: How much better is the Colts defense this year as a result of replacing their starting cornerbacks of a year ago with the young and upcoming duo of Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden?
Rick Gosselin: Much better. The Colts couldn't stop the run last season and smaller, finesse corners were a big part of the reason. They were trying to play the run with nine defenders. Jackson and Hayden are both bigger (6-0), more physical corners who attack runners. They also provide more of a challenge to wide receivers by playing a more physical style in coverage. Receivers have to work harder to get open. A healthy Bob Sanders also makes a difference. And I thought the Colts really missed Freddie Keiaho last week against the Patriots. His speed adds another dimension to the Colts defense. He can chase plays down from behind.
Jason L: Do you think the majority of teams now would prefer to have a two-headed RB tandem instead of relying on just one guy to be the bellcow?
Rick Gosselin: If you don't have a great one, that's the trend. If you have a LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders, you give him the football 20-25-30 times a game. If you don't, you give Marion Barber 15 carries and Julius Jones 10. The teams that favor two backs don't have a Hall of Famer on the roster. When you get an Adrian Peterson, you throw your two-back system out the window.
From e-mail: What kind of rule changes do you foresee the NFL making this offseason? Rusty W.
Rick Gosselin: I think the NFL will study that late timeout before a game-ending field goal. We haven't seen it the last few weeks, but it impacted three games in the first month of the season. I can see the NFL putting a freeze on timeouts – you can't call a timeout after, say, the play clock hits 10 seconds. A kicker shouldn't have to kick two 50-yard field goals for one to count.
From e-mail: What are your thoughts in the changes they made for the NFL Draft? John Q.
Rick Gosselin: My thoughts don't matter. It's television's thoughts that matter. That's why they made these changes. By pushing back the time of the opening rounds and shortening the time between picks, some of the draft's name players will spill into prime time. That will increase TV ratings for the first day. And by pushing the third round into the second day, more recognizable names will be drafted in the early going. That will improve the second day ratings. If the NFL can figure out how to broadcast the first round in prime time, I think you'll see that next. The first round on a Saturday night and Rounds 2-7 on Sunday.
Matthew: Rick, have you seen CB Aqib Talib at Kansas play ball? The Richardson product would be a perfect replacement for Anthony Henry. He's 6-2 and about two times as athletic. He's expected to be a late first rounder, where the Cowboys will have two picks. Any thoughts on Talib?
Rick Gosselin: The Cowboys better hope the Browns collapse and finish 5-11 for them to have a shot at Talib. He's one of the top cornerbacks on the draft board. He's stock has skyrocketed this season to conicide with the emergence of Kansas as a national power. I'm not sure two first-rounders in the 20s would be enough to land a Top 10 pick in trade. And if the Cowboys do attempt to move up to those heights, I think it would be for Darren McFadden.
YoAdrian: Are you surprised how quickly Adrian Peterson has developed into an elite back? It's only eight games, but we can call him elite, right?
Rick Gosselin: You most certainly can call him elite. Right now he's the best pure runner in the game. Not the most complete back, mind you. His blocking and route running still need some work. LaDainian Tomlinson is still the most complete. But when you're running for 200 yards every week, who needs to block? Running back is the easiest position to have an instant impact as a rookie. The great runners are natural runners – they were great early on in their high school and college careers, so there's no reason to think they wouldn't be great early on in their pro careers. Barry Sanders couldn't block yet he rushed for 1,400 yards as a rookie. Earl Campbell, Billy Sims, Eric Dickerson, Eddie George, Edgerrin James ... they all were expected to be impact players as rookies. So did Peterson coming in.
GoPats: What were your thoughts on Don Shula saying the "spygate" incident could possibly taint a perfect season by the Patriots?
Rick Gosselin: Shula's trying to protect his turf as the only team to play a perfect season. By casting a shadow on the Patriots, he's trying to diminish a 16-0 season, which would top the 14-0 by Shula's Dolphins. Shula wants to be the one and only. If he can't be, he wants to cast some doubt on the credibility of what could be a more accomplished team.
Matthew: I'm in an NFL eliminator league, if you had to pick 2 guarantee, 100% victories on this weekend's schedule, which 2 games would you pick?
Rick Gosselin: I don't offer recommendations on fantasy football or NFL suicide pools. Over the years, I've found that when people ask my advice they just want someone to blame. Go with your gut.
milo: Who are your favorites to make the HOF this year?
Rick Gosselin: With no elite quarterback or running back on the ballot, it's wide open. I do think Denver offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman should get in and I'd be surprised if at least two pass rushers don't get in from this group: Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Ricky Jackson, Derrick Thomas and Andre Tippett. I also think Commanders cornerback Darrell Green will be a first-ballot selection.
BigBen: Are the Steelers the second-best team in the AFC?
Rick Gosselin: I still like the Colts with the Steelers three. A franchise quarterback and running back and the league's No. 1 defense can go along way. But Brady's Patriots and Manning's Colts are formidable obstacles in their path.
tj: As an unfortunate Lions fan I have been enjoying this season. But looking at their remaining schedule am afraid they may just win one more game. What are your thoughts on the progress they have made this year so far?
Rick Gosselin: Like I said above, playoff caliber teams should win their home games regardless of the opponent. The Lions have four more home games, which could get them to 10 and a playoff spot. The Detroit defense is coming on strong. That's why they are a contender for the first time in a long time – they can make things happen on defense. They lead the NFL in takeaways. This Detroit team may be better than you think.
Rick Gosselin: I'm going to shut it down here, folks. I've got to finish my Sunday NFL page, and I hit the road for Washington, D.C., bright and early tomorrow morning. I've enjoyed visiting with you, and I look forward to chatting again.
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