Ask Gil Brandt: Offseason moves
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ETGil Brandt
25 comments
NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt chatted on Tuesday, May 26, discussing his expectations for the Texans, whether Brett Favre will sign with the Vikings, and which QB gives the Jets the best shot at winning.
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Gil Brandt, NFL.com
02:00 PM
Hi everyone. Hope you had a terrific holiday weekend! Looking forward to answering your questions, so let's get started... -
Rob, London, Ontario Canada
12:00 PM ET
Hi Gil, I hope you had a great memorial day! I was wondering do you think the Dolphins will make any transactions between now and the start of the season. It would be nice to see another wide receiver to complement Ted Ginn for Pennington. What do you think?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Thanks, Rob. I know they tried prior to the draft to obtain a veteran WR. At this point, the Dolphins have $12 million in cap space available, which means they could get one now if they wanted. I would think the guy they want is Cleveland's Braylon Edwards -- but they won't give away the store to get him. -
Dave, Utah Valley
12:02 PM ET
If Alex Smith & Shaun Hill don't work out for the Niners, do you think Tim Tebow would be a good fit? He reminds me of Steve Young.
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Dave, I think Tim Tebow will be a top 10 pick next year, and I think wherever he goes, he will help that team reach the playoffs. I like Tebow a lot -- both for his ability and his leadership qualities.
As for this year, I think the 49ers have the best chance to win with Alex Smith -- he's still young and probably healthier than he's been in recent years. -
gray, italy
12:04 PM ET
What do you think of Brandon Jackson on the Packers? I like him, but no one else seems to be behind the kid. What's the deal?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Gray, let me say this: I also liked him -- and I picked him for my fantasy team when he was a rookie. Coming out of college, he reminded me of a young Rudi Johnson, who could run hard and also catch the ball. He seems to be relegated to a third-down back now with Green Bay, but I do still have faith in him. -
John, Hexham, England
12:06 PM ET
Hi Gil. The Texans have fallen short in the last 2 or 3 years of what everyone's expectations were at the start of each season. What do you think they need to propel them to the next level in 2009 and do you think they now have it?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi John. The Texans need to start better than they did last year, when they had to play four of their first five games on the road (because of the damaged stadium). They need to show improvement on defense -- they need a better pass rush and more interceptions. Five of theiri seven draft picks, incuding the first two, were defensive players, so we'll see how they work out.
I personally think -- despite playing in a very tough division -- that they will be in the playoffs. When you visit their camp, as I have in recent years, you see the organization and get an impression that the team is better then they really are. But I do think they are a playoff team this year. -
Jack De Rio, New Zealand
12:11 PM ET
Hello Gil Brandt, Do you think Julius Peppers is more suited for playing OLB (like he does) or do you think he would have more success resigning with Carolina as a DE? Thanks!
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
When you talk about a change in position from down lineman to a player who plays in space, you never know how he'll do, because recognition is a big thing. With the Cowboys, we tried to make a linebacker out of Randy White. He had the skills and the speed, but not the recognition. We moved him back to the line and he was a Hall of Famer.
As far as I'm, concerned, Peppers is best suited for defensive end. -
badboybills, Toronto
12:13 PM ET
Hey Gil, what do you think about Owens calling out Romo? I for one agree and think he's nothing but a over-rated prima donna. A lot of people have said that about Owens but at least he can back it up with consistent numbers. Romo has a lot to prove and I think he will wash-out after this season, he's done!
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Owens said Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett were responsible for running him out of town. I just don't believe Jerry Jones would let anyone talk him into making a move like that. Keep in mind, T.O. hadn't been in the news for a while, so I guess he needed to say something.
Sure, this is a make-or-break season for Romo. I guess he needs to be more of a "non-celebrity QB," as Coach Parcells once told him. I think Romo has a lot of ability. He just needs to spend more time working at his positon. -
Zack, Missouri
12:18 PM ET
Do you think that LJ will get back to what he was a few years ago? He was actually pretty good last year when they switched to the spread for Tyler Thigpen. And Todd Haley said he looked pretty special in practice. I know it was just practice, but still.
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Zack. I think they will put a bigger emphasis on running the ball, and I think Larry Johnson has a chance to rush for 1,500 yards. KC will be an improved team. -
Morten Sloth, Copenhagen, Denmark
12:20 PM ET
Hey Gil. Do you think the vikings will sign Brett Favre?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Morten. I think the Vikings will put pressure on Favre to sign by June 1. They have cap money. Linebacker Chad Greenway put it best: Favre has to want to come to Minnesots and be in "all in" mode. Not just reporting for training camp, but being there June 1. I do think that will happen. If it wasn't going to happen, you would hope Favre would have flat-out denied any possibility of it happening. and he hasn't exactly done that. -
Casey, Wellington, NZ
12:23 PM ET
Which team do you consider to have the best overall across the board depth?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Casey. I think the Giants have the best overall depth. The Eagles are a close second in the NFC. The Patriots and Titans have the best depth in the AFC. But the Giants I think are tops overall. -
Jordyn, Fairmont, WV
12:24 PM ET
Who do you think will be this years surprise QB, like Matt Cassel was last year?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Tough question, Jordyn. If we're strictly looking at a backup who will surprise, that's impossible to speculate. If you want a surprise in general, I would say Daunte Culpepper could have a surprising year in Detroit. As for backups, I guess I'd say Chad Henne could do well if he is called upon to play in Miami. -
daniel marifjeren, KY
12:27 PM ET
With Seahawks totally banged up last year, if they stay healthy do you think they can take the cardinals in order to go back to the playoffs?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Daniel. I think Seattle will be pretty good on defense, but I think they will have a harder time succeeding in the division. And actually, I think the 49ers will present a greater challenge in the NFC West than the Cardinals. I think Mike Singletary leads San Francisco to a division title. -
Nick, OH
12:30 PM ET
Browns or Lions -- Who builds a winning team first?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Nick, I'll take Detroit. I think both teams have good young quarterbacks. But I have a special feeling for Lions rokoie head ocach Jim Schwartz. Nothing against Eric Mangini, but I have great faith in Schwartz. -
Tommy, Dublin, Ireland
12:32 PM ET
Hey Gil, and early super bowl predictions?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Well, Tommy, it is early. But I'll go with New England and the Giants. I do think it's wide open -- as it is every year -- but those are my two teams right now. -
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
My second choice for Super Bowl matchup: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. -
Dakota, Waterloo, IA
12:34 PM ET
Hi Gil, I thought that the hiring of Raheem Morris in Tampa, as well as Jim Caldwell in Indy made sense in each situation. Now it seems each coach is straying away from their Tampa 2 roots getting bigger and further away from what has worked so well for so long. What gives??
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Dakota. I think people have caught up with the Tampa 2 a little, and there was a gradually getting away from it late last season. It surprises me more with Morris since he essentially grew up with the Tampa 2. Caldwell is a veteran coach -- and an offensive coach -- who basically inherited it.
And of course the two coaches who brought the Tampa 2 to those teams, Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin, are no longer there.
The reason teams were catching up on the Tampa 2 is simply because they've now seen it enough to know how to attack it. You see more of the tight ends in the seam against the Tampa 2. -
Matt W., Tempe, AZ
12:38 PM ET
What offseason move stands out to you most? Which 2009 free agent will have the biggest impact in 2009-2010?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Matt. I don't see anybody having an impact like Michael Turner did for Atlanta last year. But I do think Washington's Albert Haynesworth, if he plays like he did at the start of last season, T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Seattle, and Shane Andrews in Philadelphia will have big impacts with their new teams. -
David, NY
12:40 PM ET
Im a huge jets fan and i was wonderin who do you think should be under center for the jets at the start of the season?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
David, I think the Jets have the best chance of winning with Kellen Clemens at QB. Even though he only attempted five passes last year, he does have good experience. The Jets will be a low-scoring team that tries to win on defense and turnovers. I think Clemens gives them the best chance. -
luke, ohio
12:42 PM ET
With The raiders moves in the draft, and this offseason it looks like they are trying to return to old school raider football do you see them winning the division this year?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Luke, I am on record saying the Raiders will win the AFC West. I'm a little disappointed, though, in what I've seen this offseason from JaMarcus Russell. He showed up for OTAs looking overweight -- and the Raiders need him to be in shape and ready to play if my pick is going to pan out. -
Mark Eckblad, Madison WI
12:45 PM ET
Gil, what are your favorite books and films about professional football?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Mark, when you say "films," I enjoy historical NFL tapes. I think the book I've enjoyed the most about pro football was Michael MacCambridge's "America's Game." I thought that was the most thoroughly researched, well detailed boks about the history of the game. -
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
When it comes to watching tape of old games, even though we lost, I still like watching tapes of the Ice Bowl. The fact that it was such a well-played game was a miracle! -
Steve, Canada
12:50 PM ET
Are you a fan of the CFL - ever watched a game? Any 3 down vs 4 down opinion? Longer field - better or worse?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Steve. I'm familiar with the CFL, and at one time I spent my summers visiting camps there to scout players for the Cowboys. I like the wide-open game they play there. I'm a fan.
At one time, maybe 30 years ago, the CFL game wa svery comparable to the NFL. But not anymore. It's still interesting to watch. You just have to recognize that the talent-level is not going to be the same. -
Jason, Alabama
12:52 PM ET
Do you think Vick will be on a team this year?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Jason. I hope someone signs him. I think it's going to be very hard for Vick to play this year. History tells us when someone has been away for a couple of years, it's hard to come back. I talked to former Cowboy Chad Henning last night, and he noted how hard it was for him after being in the military for four years. He said it took him a year once he got back to really feel comfortable. It doesn't happen overnight.
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tyler Kugel , St. Paul MN
12:56 PM ET
Hey Gil! many teams are having some great qb competitions. Which do you think is the best? Thanks
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Tyler, I guess the most intriguing wil be at Minnesota, if Favre doesn't come in. It's between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. I think Rosenfels would win the job between those two. I think Brady Quinn wins the job over Derek Anderson in Cleveland and Alex Smith wins it over Shaun Hill n San Francisco. -
brett favre , i bet you would like to know
12:58 PM ET
do you think i should come back for one more try for the vikings???
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Brett, as Chad Greenway said, if you are ready to come in next week and take part in all the team's activities right away, then come on back. If not, you should stay retired. -
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
That's all for today. Thanks for your great questions, and enjoy the rest of the week.
