Ask Willie McGinest
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ETWillie McGinest
20 comments
Willie McGinest, a 15-year NFL veteran and three-time Super Bowl champion, chatted live on Wednesday, April 1, saying not to count him out for playing his final season with the Patriots.
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Willie McGinest, Linebacker
02:00 PM
Hey guys, I'm happy to be here, let's start chatting! Hit me with your questions. -
Dino, Los Angeles
6:00 PM ET
Do you ever get jealous that you didn't get a chance to play at USC during its current dynasty?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
I am a little envious that we didn't win or go to the Rose Bowl or win any national championship. I'm excited for these guys. At least if I couldn't be a part of it, I'm a Trojan so I can brag about it. I am one of those bricks in the wall and their current success gives me a chance to talk a lot of trash to my teammates. -
Miguel, Pomona
6:02 PM ET
Which of the three USC linebackers do you think will be the best NFL player?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Thanks for the question, Miguel. Rey Maualuga. -
Kevin, Florida
6:04 PM ET
Willie, being one of the best linebackers in the decade who do you see that could be great in the future?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
DeMarcus Ware is an obvious one, Kevin. Shawne Merriman. I like Ray Maualuga and Orkpo. I also like Patrick Willis. There are many more, but those are the ones that stick out. -
Greg Kraemer, Toronto, CA
6:06 PM ET
Hey Willie, Whats on your ipod right now?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Everything, Greg. I listen to all of the hot new songs. I download constantly. -
Judi Gold, Massachusetts
6:07 PM ET
I would like to thank you for the many years you played for the Patriots. I am still a big fan of yours and wish you the best in the future. You still hold a special place in the hearts of Patriots fans.
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Hey Judi, thank you. It's because of fans like you that made my stay in New England so special. I enjoyed my run there. Don't count me out, I might spend my last year in New England. We will see. -
Peter, STL
6:09 PM ET
Whats it like playing in three super bowls?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Undescribable. One of the best feelings ever as an athlete, Peter. It doesn't compare to anything you've ever done sports related. There is nothing like being the best in the world. -
Zach Sycks, Atlanta, GA
6:13 PM ET
Hey Willie, love seeing you as a guest commentator on NFL Network over the past few months. Keep up the good work and stick around! I'm sure you knew this question was coming... What do you make of the QB competition in Cleveland? Who do you think is the better guy to lead the huddle and run the offense: Quinn or Anderson? I'm curious to hear your frank and honest thoughts on this now that you are not currently a member of the Browns organization. Personally, I'm rooting for DA to win the starting job back this season...
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Having two good QBs is a good problem to have. Based on experience and what he's done in the past. Derek Anderson should be the starter at this point. Although Quinn is a hard worker, he's smart, good attitude and willing to learn. And he will get his shot soon. Not sure if it will be in Cleveland, but if he keeps up all of the hard work, he will be a starting quarterback and productive quarterback in the league. Thank you for the question, Zach. -
Jimmy, Louisville
6:15 PM ET
What do you think of J Cutlers antics in Denver?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Jay blew this way out of proportion. He's being a little to sensitive towards the situation. If every player wanted to get traded in the NFL after hearing their name in trade talks, we wouldn't be able to play any games. That's the business. It's not the first time it's happened, or last. He's a good quarterback. He should have stayed in Denver, they had a good system. The grass isn't always greener. -
Shawn, Oregon
6:17 PM ET
Since you grew up in LBC while the Raiders were in LA; do you agree w/ Bill Romanowski that deep down inside everyone wants to be a Raider? Thanks for doing this very cool.
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
No. Even though the Raiders were a local team, I think Al Davis should let somebody else run the team. There is no staying power, so the organization is not solid, so the team won't be solid. When I was growing up everybody liked the Raiders. But as a pro athlete, seeing the chaos makes you not want to play for them. -
DAN, PHX
6:19 PM ET
Hey Willie, whats up? Out of all the QB's you smashed through the years, do you have have a favorite memory? Like when you took down Manning to get the Colts out of field goal range, nice man, I remember that one.
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
What's up, Dan? You must be a New England fan. After a while, hitting quarterbacks is all the same. But when you hit a quarterback like that to win the game, it is better than a normal sack. I don't know if that was the biggest one, but it was a highlight in my career. -
jeremy wilder, manchester NH
6:23 PM ET
do u ever think about coaching u would be great at it and if u do the patriots would love to have u back i know the fans would
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Yeah, but at this point, it's too much time away from my family and too many hours. Maybe at some point I do help out with the younger kids. But at this point, no it's too much time away from my kids. It's already been 15 seasons. But at some point, I might reconsider. -
Parkar, Utah
6:24 PM ET
What are your thoughts on the firing of your old coordinator Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini getting hired as the new Browns coach?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
A lot of the problems we had wasn't Romeo's fault. There are a lot of things as players we could have done better to help his situation. In football, on the business side, a lot of times the players doesn't always get blamed. It falls on the head coach. And they felt they needed change. Bringing in somebody like Mangini who coached under Romeo shows that they like that style and what they bring to the table. But they just felt it was time for a change. Thanks for the question, Parkar. -
Rory, Utah
6:27 PM ET
What do you think of more regular season games, and fewer preseason games. Do you need those games to get ready?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
I don't think we need four preseason games. We need only two or three. If you knock out a couple of those games, you can add one more regular season game. But it's a long season as it is right now. I don't know if you should add regular season games, but you need to knock out the preseason game or two. No starters play in that final game. -
Parkar, Utah
6:31 PM ET
Willie, you hinted earlier on possibly ending your career with the Patriots. Can we assume that you are coming back to play this upcoming season and if so, where would you prefer to end your brilliant career?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
All I can say is that it has to be the right team and the right situation, Parkar. And the Patriots are on that list. You are asking some good questions, why don't you call Robert Craft for me and get that deal done. -
Darrian, Florida
6:33 PM ET
Now that you are a veteran in the NFL, what is your advice to rookies coming in for the upcoming season
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Nothing is promised, no matter what you did in college. You have to prove yourself again. Hard work. Dedication. Sacrifice. And committment is the recipe for a long, productive career. -
Dave, Corona
6:35 PM ET
What do you think of Mark Sanchez?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Think he's a competitor. He's a good quarterback. For selfish reasons, I wish he would have stayed at USC. But there is a need for quarterbacks in the league right now. But if he stayed, he would have been a Top 5 pick. If he applies himself, he will do well. -
Kevin, Swanville Maine
6:36 PM ET
What do you think of the new "Tom Brady Rule"? How do you feel it will affect your game?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
As a LB I think all of these rules are softening up the game of football. Nobody should ever go after anybody's knees. Even offensive players going after defensive player's knees. They shouldn't allow offensive lineman to dive after defensive player's knees. I think it should be a rule for everybody. Our legs and knees are our careers. The league should protect everybody, not just quarterbacks. -
Big Ben, Pittsburgh
6:41 PM ET
Did you feel it nessessary to destroy me? Just because your team stunk you have to do that monster hit on me right before the playoffs. Well, HA!! Who won superbowl MVP? Oh wait, that was Santanio Holmes.
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
I don't think this is Big Ben, but congratulations to the Steelers. They deserved it. -
Foo, Manhattan Beach
6:42 PM ET
Who is the best USC linebacker of all-time?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
Too many to compare. There have been a lot of great ones coming through USC. -
Mauro, Fortaleza , Brazil
6:50 PM ET
Hi Willie! You were one of the best linebackers of the decade , I'm a fan of yours. What was the highlight of your career? And what team (or teams) do you love to play against?
Willie McGinest, Linebacker
I don't really look at teams when I play. I just like having fun when I play.
The highlights are winning that first Super Bowl when nobody gave us a chance against the Rams and we pulled it out.
Thank you for chatting guys. I'm going to be on air in ten minutes on NFL Network.
