Breakdown with Bucky Brooks
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ETBucky Brooks
19 comments
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player and scout, chatted live on Thursday, July 9, breaking down questions on Ray Lewis, his top WRs, JaMarcus Russell and more.
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Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
What's up, Guys? I can wait to take your questions. Let's get started. -
Jeremiah W, Harm City
12:07 PM ET
Ray Lewis is still the best inside linebacker in the NFL. Ranking Pat Willis and those other guys over him is like saying Vernon Davis is better than Tony Gonzoles just because he may be faster and stronger. Look at the production. Less tackles, but many more 3 and outs, short yardage stuffs, game changing hits, leadership, intimidation, sacks, picks, forced fumbles and the type of will that rubs off and makes his teammates better. How can you discredit that or make a case that a great player on a bad defense is better? Look at the stats.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Jeremiah, Thanks for making such a strong argument for Ray Lewis. However, I will continue to disagree with you regarding his current ranking among his peers. While Ray continues to put up big numbers, he benefitted from playing in a system that is designed to make him the primary playmaker. Bart Scott did a lot of the dirty work that allowed Ray to roam freely in the middle. In addition, Haloti Ngata and the rest of the Ravens' interior defenders were positioned in ways to prevent blockers from getting to Lewis, and he did his job by making the plays that he was supposed to make. He is still a good player, but no longer the dominant force in the middle. -
Miles, Blackwood, NJ
12:13 PM ET
Bucky, I watched Warren Sapp's top 5 WR's in the business segment last night, and I have to disagree with him. I agree with Randy Moss, Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald being in the top 5, but not so much Reggie Wayne and Steve Smith. I think Calvin Johnson has more talent then both of them. What would your top 5 WR's be?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
My top 5 WRs: A.Johnson, R.Moss, S.Smith, L.Fitzgerald and G.Jennings I think Calvin Johnson is good, but he only has one year of outstanding production. -
Chris, Ottawa Canada
12:14 PM ET
Hey Brooks, i have to ask why did you rank Larry Fitzgerald so low on your top 5 WR's list?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Chris, I ranked Larry as the fourth-best receiver because he had primarily served as the Cards' vertical playmaker prior to this season. In addition, he didn't become the team's No.1 receiver until last season. While he had posted great numbers in the past, last season was the first time where we could see that he was truly an elite receiver without the assistance of Anquan Boldin on the opposite side. -
Rob, Canada
12:19 PM ET
Hi Bucky, with your knowledge as a Player and Scout, can you give me some insight into the Bengals first three picks this year, Andre Smith, Ray Meuluga and Michael Johnson. Do you think they will play and if they do, can they have an immediate impact?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Rob, I believe the Bengals' top three picks should be instant contributors this season. Smith was viewed by many as the top tackle prospect in the draft prior to his off-field issues in the spring. He is a dominant run blocker, and will help spring Cedric Benson on some big runs around the corner. Mauluga teams with Keith Rivers to give the team a formidable set of linebackers. He is an outstanding playmaker, and could solidify their defense on the interior. Johnson is a bit of a wild card. He has a lot of talent and potential, but he has never played at a high level consistently as a collegian. If he plays to his athleticism, he could be a double digit sack guy in his first season. It really depends on which Johnson shows up at Bengals' camp. -
Kyle, VA
12:23 PM ET
Can Edggerin James, as a free agent, be productive if signed by a team?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Kyle, Edgerrin James can still be a productive player in the right situation. He no longer is capable of carrying the entire load, but as a complementary back getting 10-15 carries a game, he could be a key contributor for a team geared up for a playoff run. -
CJ, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
12:24 PM ET
Hi Brooks, do you think if Brett Farve returned to the NFL and begun playing for the Vikings, how big of an impact do you think it will have on the NFC North?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
CJ, I think Favre could have a significant impact on the Vikings and the NFC North. Although Favre struggled at the end of the season last year, he still did some good things for the Jets and has enough skills as a passer to diversify their offensive attack. If Brad Childress and Co. copy some of the things that Favre did during his last season with the Packers, the move could be a success. In my mind, that would mean a lot of shot gun formations and quick, rhythm throws to Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade. The Vikings don't need Favre to have 300-yard passing game, they simply need him to balance up an offense that is going to rely primarily on Adrian Peterson and the running game. -
Jacob, Schenectady, NY
12:31 PM ET
Hey Bucky! 31 days until preseason! What are you looking forward to seeing most in August?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Jacob, I'm looking forward to seeing the Bears with Jay Cutler at the helm. They are close to being a really good team again, and he could be the missing piece on offense. Im also curious to see what the Bills' offense looks like with T.O and Lee Evans teaming up on the outside. It has explosive potential on paper, but I eager to see how it plays out. -
Alberto , Mexico City
12:34 PM ET
What does the signing of Kelle nWinslow means for Tampa, and how do you rank him?, cause he wasnt on your list.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Alberto, Kellen Winslow is a very good player, and a potential game-changer for the Bucs. He create mismatches in the passing game, and will take away some of the coverage that would go to Antonio Bryant in some situations. If he stays healthy, he could easily finish with 80 or so catches this season. -
Josh, Wellington FL
12:37 PM ET
What is Vince Youngs future?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Josh, No one knows how it will play out for VY in Tennessee. He needs to concentrate on getting better and taking advantage of any opportunity that comes up. -
Dessa,
12:38 PM ET
True or false, the Cowboys are arguably the best team in the NFC?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Dessa, False. I think the Cowboys enter the season with too many question marks to be considered the favorites it the NFC, let alone the NFC East. Their plight depends on the success of Romo, Roy Williams and their secondary. -
Atanio, Lithonia, Ga
12:40 PM ET
Good Afternoon Bucky, Do you think the Falcons make the playoffs this year with the arrival of Tony Gonzalez and will the defense be better than 24th?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Atanio, I think that Falcons are clearly playoff contenders in 2009. Tony Gonzalez gives them another weapon in the passing game, and he will take away some of the double coverage from Roddy White down the field. Moreover, he gives Matt Ryan a security blanket to rely on in the red zone. Defensively, the Falcons will continue to improve with the additions of Mike Peterson and their host of draft picks. They may not reach top ten status, but they should be a solid group by season's end. -
Ray, San Diego, CA
12:44 PM ET
Do the Chargers make it to the Superbowl this season?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Ray, The Chargers' window is slowly closing, so this has to be the year that they make their move. If L.T and Merriman return to health, the Chargers have the weapons to compete with anyone in the AFC. -
J-Dog, Oaktown
12:47 PM ET
Hey Buckster. I'm not buying all this Jamarcus Russel is turning into a leader because he's holding a private camp with some of his recievers- nonsense. What do you make of it, and how soon do we see Jeff Garcia?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
What's up, J-Dog? I think that Russell will make a major step in his development this season. He showed glimpses of becoming a good player last season, but he needs to put it all together in 2009. As far as Garcia, I think that he is a competitive QB who is capable of guiding the team to a few wins, but he is not a long term answer at the position. -
Josiah, Ne
12:49 PM ET
Alax smith or Shuan hill who will win in your mind
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Josiah, I believe that Shaun Hill will wind up as the team's starting QB on opening day, but Alex Smith will put up a valiant fight during the preseason. -
Curtis, Jackson, MS
12:51 PM ET
Hi Bucky, Do you think the Saints will make the playoffs this year? and how much better do will the defense look?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Curtis, The Saints have the look of a playoff team on paper, but it will fall on the shoulders of their defense to make it happen. They have made several good moves on that side of the ball, including hiring Gregg Williams as their defensive coordinator. He is an innovative mind with an attack-style scheme that should serve them well in the NFC South. -
Tom Tom, Philly
12:53 PM ET
Why does everyone point to the games Eli lost without Plax and not the games he won. If you look at the Seattle (QB rating 136.6), Arizona (QB rating 127.3), Washington (QB rating 88.5), and Carolina (QB rating 94.8) games, they were some of his best of the season, all done without Plax, and in the Arizona game he did not have Jacobs either. I know the Giants wideouts are young, but they are as talented and have as much speed as any wide receiving core in the NFL. I'm sure the Giants' coaches will tailor the offense to what these guys do best. What do you think?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Tom-Tom, I think that Giants' offense will return to his productive form this season. The timing of Plax's suspension disrupted the flow of their offense, but that won't be the case this season. Kevin Gilbride has spent all offseason retooling the offense around the strengths of their current personnel, so the game plan will better take advantage of the skills of those on the field. I would expect S.Smith and D.Hixon to be major contributors, but they will need one of their young players (Nicks, Barden or Manningham) to provide some production as well. If they can field a decent passing attack to complement their powerful running game, they will make a deep run in the post-season. -
Pompa Hernandez, Dallas, TX
12:59 PM ET
Hey Buck, do you think the NFC East is the hardest division in the league? and who do you think will win the division? Please put in order from the best in the East to the worst in the East.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
I believe that the NFC East is undoubtably the toughest division in the league. I think they will finish in this order: Giants, Eagles, Redskins and Cowboys -
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Thanks for all of the questions. Sorry that I couldn't get to them all, but I hope to answer some of those with my next chat. Have a great day!
