Breakdown with Bucky Brooks
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ETBucky Brooks
18 comments
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player and scout, chatted live on Thursday, July 2, giving his take on Jim Mora, Hakeem Nicks, Marshawn Lynch and more.
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Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
What's up, NFL Nation? I can't wait to take on your questions. Let's get started! -
Chris, Missoula, MT
12:05 PM ET
Hey Bucky, do you think Jim Mora will be more successful with The Seahawks than he was with The Falcons?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Chris, I think that Jim Mora enjoy tremendous success with the 'Hawks. He was a pretty good coach in Atlanta (26-22 record) and that experience will serve him will in his second stint as a head coach. Plus, the 'Hawks' personnel gives him the chance to orchestrate a quick turnaround in the Pacific Northwest. -
Paul, London, UK
12:09 PM ET
Which rookie wide receiver do you think will have the biggest impact on his team?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Paul, I believe Hakeem Nicks will have the biggest impact as a rookie WR. He steps into a great situation in New York, and his combination of skills should make for an easy transition in Year 1. -
Kyle, Virginia
12:11 PM ET
How will the Colts do this year?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Kyle, The Colts will still factor as a playoff contender, but I believe that it will be tough for them to win the AFC South. The division is stacked with Tennessee returning most of their players except Haynesworth, and Houston and Jacksonville are on the rise. In addition, the team has to adjust to a new head coach and defensive coordinator. With so much change, I believe the Colts will experience some ups-and-downs in 2009. -
Todd, London, Ont., Canada
12:15 PM ET
do you think the Cowboys defense is better or worse than last year?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Todd, It's hard to predict how good the Cowboys' defense will be this season given the losses of key players along the front seven. Greg Ellis, Chris Canty and Kevin Burnett were key contributors to their defense and they all will be missed. However, Wade Phillips taking full control of the unit bodes well because he has a great feel for getting his best players in right position to make plays. I believe that they should finish as a top-10 defense, but the pieces will need to fall into place in a hurry for it to happen. -
Shawn, MA
12:18 PM ET
Hey Bucky, are the Packers a team that can contend in the NFC North? They are a young talented team with an emerging offense and a defense that is making strides with changing to the 3-4, how do you feel about there personal for the 3-4 and are they contenders or pretenders for the playoffs?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Shawn, I think Packers are a sleeper to keep an eye on. They have outstanding personnel on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Aaron Rodgers is pretty good, and he has a talented duo of pass catchers in Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. If Ryan Grant can return to form, their offense should score a lot of points in the fall. On defense, the transition to the 3-4 will take some time, but I believe that it will improve their pass rush immensely. Aaron Kampman will benefit from playing as a 3-4 edge rusher. Dom Capers will work around his talents and create plenty of opportunities for him to get to the passer. If they can adjust to playing more zone-like concepts in the back end, the Packers defense could become pretty stingy by season's end. -
ron , my house
12:22 PM ET
Whats up Bucky! do u think that with TO on the field and having new guards like Wood and Levitre on the Buffalo offense that Marshawn Lynch can have a really stand out year?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Ron, Marshawn Lynch should have a big year in Buffalo this season. Terrell Owens' presence will loosen up some of the eight-man fronts used against the Bills, and that should create more room for Lynch to run. Also, the coaches believe that their offensive line will be fine in spite of the changes upfront. They didn't generate enough push in the running game last season, and they feel the reshaped line up gives them a more physical presence upfront. I don't know if that will result in a better record, but Lynch should enjoy a terrific season statistically in their revamped offense. -
George, Brooklyn, NY
12:25 PM ET
Hey Bucky, do the redskins have a chance to take the NFC East? I believe they can based on a No.4 ranked defense that just added Mr.Haynesworth and (HOPEFULLY) successful years from Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas. What do you think?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
George, The NFC East should be the league's most competitive division this season, and the Redskins have a lot of work to do to unseat the Giants as division champs. However, I believe the addition of Haynesworth makes their defense scary. If Brian Orakpo can adjust to playing LB/DE, the Redskins' pass rush should be able to put consistent pressure on the quarterback. In regards to the young WRs, I don't know how much to expect from Thomas or Kelly. Neither spent much time on the field last year, so they are basically re-doing their rookie seasons. If looking for a young pass catcher poised to make an impact, I would target Fred Davis. The second-year tight end has big-time ability, and could be a factor in the team's spread formations. -
Cameron, NC
12:30 PM ET
hey Bucky, how do you think Carolina's D will preform this season with Ron Meeks running it?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Cameron, The Panthers' defense should be pretty good under the direction of Ron Meeks. His system designed to be simple, so that his players are able to play fast. With a corps of Julius Pepper, Jon Beason, Thomas Davis and Chris Gamble, the Panthers have enough talent to field a top-5 unit. -
Joey Reed, Olean, NY
12:35 PM ET
Being a former buffalob bill, what is your thoughts on Trent Edwards as a Quarterback. I am a long time bills fan and i am scared to death that he doesn't have the arm for buffalo ny
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Joey, I believe that Trent Edwards will eventually blossom into a pretty good quarterback. He has good ability, and has shown flashes of being a pretty good game manager/playmaker. Though he is still prone to some mistakes, he will perform much better this season with a more explosive set of weapons around him. -
Troy, Columbia, MD
12:39 PM ET
Come on Bucky, do you see the Ravens defense really falling off this year?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Troy, I believe the Ravens could suffer a bit of a setback on defense for a few reasons. First, they lost a talented defensive coordinator (Rex Ryan) who excelled at confusing offenses with a bunch of exotic blitzes and disguises. His willingness to use unconventional fronts/coverages made it hard for offenses to get a feel for which Ravens were blitzing when they pressured. In addition, he had a great rapport with the players and they bought into his approach, which really keyed their success. I also believe the cumulative loss of several players will eventually come back to haunt them. Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, Corey Ivy and Chris McAllister all played pivotal roles on that unit, and they will not be easily replaced. Overall, I think that Ravens' defense will still be formidable, but I don't think they will be as dominant in 2009 -
Alex, IL
12:44 PM ET
Bucky, do you think with the additions of coaches Rod Marinelli and Jon Hoke, and Lovie Smith taking over the play calling, the bears D can revert to when they went to the superbowl
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Alex, I like what the Bears are doing on defense. Lovie Smith taking over the playcalling ensures that the team sticks to its "Tampa-2" roots, and focuses on stopping the run and creating turnovers. The team had seemingly lost its way the previous two seasons, but it should get back to basics this season. Furthermore, Marinelli and Hoke are excellent teachers well-versed in the tenets of the scheme. That should enable the player to have a better overall understanding of their responsibilities within the scheme. -
Matt, San Diego
12:51 PM ET
Who will lead the Steelers in rushing this year, Willie or Rashard?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Matt, Willie Parker will lead the Steelers in rushing this season. I think Mendenhall will get plenty of carries, but I don't believe he is ready to supplant Parker as the Steelers' feature back this season. -
JEFF, NEW YORK
12:53 PM ET
WHO WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE BOB SANDERS OR ED REED?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Jeff, I would rather have Ed Reed on my team. He is a turnover machine who always comes up with the big play when needed. -
JEFFREY NUNEZ, NEW YORK
12:54 PM ET
DO YOU THINK WITH TOM BRADY BACK PATRIOTS WOULD HAVE A GOOD YEAR AND MAKE PLAYOFFS?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Jeffrey, Tom Brady puts the Patriots undoubtedly puts the Patriots back into title contention. The offense has more firepower than the unit that went unbeaten two sasons ago, so I expect them to light up scoreboards in 2009. -
Martin, Miami
12:56 PM ET
Who will have a bigger year? Roddy White, Steve Smith, Antonio Bryant or Marques Colston??
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Martin, I would put my money on Steve Smith having the better year. He is the only legitimate weapon the Panthers have in the passing game, so he will more opportunities than the other guys mention in the question. -
brian, baltimore
12:57 PM ET
why is ray lewis number 5 on your list
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Brian, Ray Lewis ranks fifth on my list because he is still a good player, but his game is on the decline as he continues to get up in years. Though his production remains high, the Ravens have to scheme more to create opportunities for him at this stage in his career. Without Bart Scott taking on some of the dirty work needed to free him up, Lewis' numbers and production will likely drop in 2009. -
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Thanks for all of the questions today. Sorry if I didn't get to yours this time, but I will attempt to answer them the next time that I chat. Have a great holiday weekend!
