Carucci's Corner
12:00 PM - 12:00 PM ETVic Carucci
27 comments
NFL.com senior writer Vic Carucci took your questions during a live chat, discussing the latest hot topics around the NFL.
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Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Hi, everyone. Glad to be back chatting with all of you. Let's get started. -
Allen, St. Louis
12:00 PM ET
Vic, who are your top 3 coaches in the NFC?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
This is a good one and a tough one. I'll go with Andy Reid, Tom Coughlin, and John Fox, although Sean Payton and Lovie Smith aren't far behind. -
MIKE, ATLANTA, GA
12:02 PM ET
DO YOU THINK MATT RYAN IS GOING TO MAKE THE PRO BOWL?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I think it's reasonable to assume that Ryan could put up the kind of numbers worthy of Pro Bowl votes. Whether he gets enough to actually be selected is another story, especially when you factor in the competition from other NFC quarterbacks. It's also reasonable to assume that he'll face a greater challenge in his second season, with opponents having gained a full season of research on how to defend him. -
Dragan, Split,Croatia
12:05 PM ET
Hi Vic.I am a Rams fan.It will be 10 years this year since the title.Do yo think that coach Spagnuolo can make the Rams playoffs contender again with defensive approach like Martz did with offensive 10 years ago?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Steve Spagnuolo has the qualities to become a very successful head coach, but the fact he hasn't done it makes it hard to predict if/when he can make them a contender again. The Rams have a lot of repairs to make on both sides of the ball. But to your point about his defensive influence vs. Martz's offensive-oriented approach, I do think that Spags' philosophy has a better chance of allowing the team to be competitive sooner and ultimately turn itself around. Again, though, I need to see the kind of players he'll have to work with; he obviously doesn't have all of the parts in place yet and it will probably take at least a couple of years (maybe longer) before he does. -
Mike, Boston
12:08 PM ET
Will Tom Brady Be as good as he was in 2007?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I think it would be unrealistic to expect Brady to perform at the incredible level he reached in '07, even if he weren't coming back from major knee surgery. And the fact he is coming back from the injury figures to work against him, especially early in the season. As I understand it, he is not ready to play right now, but the expectation is he will be by the start of the season. Yet it's fair to assume he won't be at the top of his game. Playing quarterback requires so much repetition and timing that he simply has not had the chance to establish for quite a long time, and I doubt he'll be able to sufficiently make up for all of that lost time through the balance of the offseason. That doesn't mean I think he'll struggle. I just don't think we're going to see Tom Brady, circa 2007, in 2009. -
Scott, Charlotte, NC
12:12 PM ET
Any news about Marvin Harrison? Sure would like to see him wearing the blue horseshoe again this season.
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Haven't heard anything definitive about him at all. I guess there was some buzz about the Buccaneers having interest, but that might very well not be the case after all. My sense is that Harrison's only chance to be signed is if a team runs into a major crisis at wide receiver during camp/preseason or even into the regular season. My understanding is that he is not prominent on anyone's radar because of the common belief he has lost too much to be consistently productive. I still think he'd make a decent complement to a main receiver if he'd accept that role. -
Steve, Ohio
12:14 PM ET
Hi, Vic, What are the chances of the Steelers repeating a Super Bowl this year like they did twice in the 70's?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Very good. They still have all of their major pieces in place. They're still as well coached as any team in the league. What's not to like about their Super Bowl chances? -
Kyle , Boston
12:15 PM ET
What kind of effect will Matt Cassell have on the Chiefs?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Positive. I think he's better than what they had and should immediately become one of the top quarterbacks in a division that has more QB questions than answers. One of the big questions is how he'll mesh with Todd Haley and his scheme, but I think that should work out OK. -
Mike, Bakersfield,CA
12:17 PM ET
Do you think that Shaun Hill can be a solid QB in this league? I know he doesnt have Elite arm strength but he seems to have that "IT" factor that is talked about so much. He has won some come from behind games and has a winning record as a starter. What do you predict out of him if and when he is named starter?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I'm not going to say I'm overly optimistic about his chances of being a dynamic force or anything like that. However, the points you make about him having that "it" factor are good. He has shown flashes in come-from-behind performances, which is telling about a quarterback's ability. But I just don't feel I've seen enough to feel comfortable with him as a full-time starter. It's hard to imagine the 49ers would feel comfortable, either, but sometimes you just put a guy in there, work with him all you can, and hope for the best. -
Miles, Blackwood, NJ
12:20 PM ET
Vic, cut a guy a break and answer my question: i'm in bed with strep on the first day of june. Do you see Garcia seeing a lot of playing time this season? I think he can take the raiders to the playoffs. thanks big guy.
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
First, I hope you feel better. I've actually been a little under the weather myself. I think it's still a bit early to try and predict how much playing time Jeff Garcia will see in Oakland. It obviously depends on what JaMarcus Russell shows through the preseason, and we're still a long way off from that. I will say, if Russell struggles horribly (and I mean if he is just awful), then it's likely that Garcia (presuming he doesn't tank as well) will have a shot at starting or playing quite a bit. Keep in mind, though, that the Raiders have an enormous investment in Russell and are going to give him every possible chance to succeed. -
DAVE, SLC, UTAH
12:23 PM ET
who do you think is the better QB in Denver? Orton or Simms?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
From everything I've heard, the competition has been close during offseason workouts, and there are those who say Chris Simms has performed better. For now, I would think Kyle Orton is still going to have the edge, but probably not a huge one. The way this competition is likely to break down is with Josh McDaniels deciding which of the two more quickly grasps his offensea and more consistently demonstrates as much in practice and preseason games. I'm not saying physical skills/talent won't matter, but it will be the mental part of it that will probably have a greater impact. Both of these QBs are smart guys who will invest the time to learn that offense inside-out. One advantage Simms has is his dad's connection with Bill Belichick, who his McDaniels' mentor. -
DAVE, SLC, UTAH
12:27 PM ET
Am I blacklisted for challenging the Myth that "Bill Walsh invented the 'west coast'? None of you guys will answer any of my questions! Like who do you think will be the O and D rookies of the year?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
You're not blacklisted, as far as I know. It's such a guess on offensive and defensive rookies of the year at this point. But let's try these: Knowshon Moreno and Brian Orakpo. And I reserve the right to change that answer several times between now and the start of the regular season. -
Luke, Wisconsin
12:30 PM ET
Do you think the Vikes are desperate enough at the QB position to consider bringing in Vick?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Although I think the Vikings are far from settled at the position, I do not see Michael Vick as a good fit there at all. By the way, isn't there a guy named Brett Favre that they still have on their radar? -
raymond walk, westbranch
12:31 PM ET
who will be the tennesse titans starting quarterback
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I'm assuming you're asking because you have a doubt about this, but I honestly don't see any room for doubt that Kerry Collins will be the Titans' starting QB. -
Pete, Wayne NJ
12:35 PM ET
Hey vic what do you think of Sanchez and how he will affect the Jets next season?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I think he should have stuck around for another college season to develop further. I don't believe he'll have a huge impact on the Jets, whose emphasis will be trying to win with a big-play defense. I don't think he'll be what Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan were last year because I Jets will do all they can not to rely on him or anyone else who starts at quarterback for them. -
Marc, Michigan
12:37 PM ET
Are there any other free agents that the lions could or should be persuing right now?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Not really. I think the Jon Jansen pick-up was probably their last "big" move of the offseason, if you can call it that. I do think it was a good acquisiton because he could provide solid depth and (depending on his health) possibly more. And he's a great locker-room guy. -
Mark, LA
12:39 PM ET
Hi Vic! Should the NFL get rid of the black-out rule considering the financial situation in many families?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Your point about the economy is valid. Certainly, it has to be harder for people to afford tickets, just as it is harder to afford so many other things. At the same time, the NFL has had great success with this system because it has driven ticket sales and attendance, through last season, has been strong. We'll see what happens this year. I can tell you, though, that the instant the blackout rule disappeared, attendance would likely plummet and that would be very bad for the overall health of a league that has had such an incredible run of success. -
Jordan, Maryland
12:43 PM ET
I am pretty nervous about Jason Campbell for the upcoming season. What should I expect?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
It's fair to be nervous about a guy who still has a limited track record. On the flip side, you could feel optimistic that another year of Jim Zorn's coaching is going to have a positive impact, as will, quite possibly, the motivation Campbell feels from the Redskins' interest in landing other QBs before and during the draft. -
Erick, Monterrey, Mexico
12:46 PM ET
Hi Vic, Im a Bears fan, and as I have been reading plenty of comments regarding QB and WR of the Bears... what is your opinion... QBs make WRs? or is the other way around?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
In all of my many years around this league, I've never met a general manager or coach who believed that you build your team around a wide receiver. It's ALWAYS about the QB. It's important to give him people to throw to, but good receivers don't matter if you have the wrong guy under center. -
Craig, Ottawa, Canada
12:49 PM ET
Vic do you think LT can bounce back or is there just not enough left in the tank for him to dominate like he once did?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I don't see him dominating so much as being a good complement to Darren Sproles. He will make an impact as a runner and a receiver. But I don't expect him to often take over game as he did in the prime of his career. Sproles is the Chargers' better game-breaker now. -
Kathy, Toronto
12:52 PM ET
Not many of you seem to give my favorite team any hope this year. Just wondering what you think the chances of the Titans making the playoffs.
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Here's a vote from me. I think the Titans absolutely can be a playoff game. They still run the ball well, still play good defense (even without big Albert in the middle), still have a solid QB in Kerry Collins and still have one of the very best coaches in the game. -
Colby, Salina,UT
12:53 PM ET
Hi Vic i'm a huge dallas fan and I know we need a wideout and a cornerback who should they get?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
At this late stage of the offseason, I don't see anyone at either position who could be a whole lot of help beyond providing depth or being a camp body. When it comes to difference-making players, which is what I assume you're talking about, the pickings are very slim right now. -
Craig, Ottawa, Canada
12:55 PM ET
Vic, will JP Losman be starting for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats? Or do you think NFL teams will show interest in his services closer to training camp?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I haven't gotten any info regarding interest in J.P. My sense is that no NFL team is going to sign him. Is the CFL a possibility? Perhaps, although I'm not sure that that is something he'll go for. He could be more cut out for that style of football. -
James, Suffolk
12:57 PM ET
Bic, what are your thoughts regarding the NY Giants for the upcoming season, and do you see them as a legitimate contender for the post-season?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I absolutely see them as a legitimate contender. They still have one of the strongest defenses in the league and their offense remains good enough to keep them in Super Bowl contention. -
Q, Va
12:58 PM ET
What is the status with Donte Stallworth. Is he playing in 2009?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I believe there's a hearing later this month that will probably shed more light on that. -
Ryan, Crowley, LA
12:59 PM ET
will reggie bush have a break out season this year?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I don't know if he's ever going to have a "breakout" year, in the traditional sense of a running back piling up huge yards. I think, with Bush, we've seen what his best is: Make big plays as a receiver, have some breakaway runs. But all in all, he is not likely to sustain the physical pounding necessary to have the required number of carries to have a breakout year running the ball. His best contribution is being effective in multiple roles. -
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
That's going to do it for today. Thanks so much for your great questions. Talk with you again next week.
