Chat with Pat
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ETPat Kirwan
25 comments
NFL.com senior analyst and former NFL front office executive Pat Kirwan chatted live Friday afternoon to discuss the latest offseason moves and the upcoming season.
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Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Happy Friday everyone! Hope you're ready to talk football. Let's get going... -
John S., Rumford, RI
2:01 PM ET
PK, What's the deal? Chatting on your vacation from MTC? Man, you are a workaholic!
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
John, I'm doing this for my good friends at NFL.com! I am on vacation, but I love any chance to talk football. Of course, my wife is looking at me cross-eyed right now. -
Sam, Oneida, NY
2:02 PM ET
After three straight 7-9 seasons, the Bills have made a lot of offseason moves (most notably TO). Yet, it still seems like experts are playing down expectations. Do you believe the Bills have the ability to have a break out season this year?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi sam. I'm a little leery of the breakout season thought. I'm not sure the o-line is capable of protecting Trent Edwards. Five players in five new spots, including two rookies on the line. And your centee, Hangartner is undersized and has to face 3-4 nose tackles in all the divison games.
Next question is pass rush in defense. And with Tom Brady back in action, and Chad Pennington playing well in Miami, how are you going to stop thiose offenses? -
Caroline, PA
2:06 PM ET
Do you think the return of Shawne Merriman, the addition of Larry English, and having Ron Rivera as DC for the full season will make it possible for the Chargers to have a top 5 D this year?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I do, Caroline. I've talked to Ron Rivera a number of times about his defense. You're going to see a very aggressive package this year. Multiple looks with Merriman, English and Shaun Phillips on the field at one time. and a healthy Antonio Cromartie gives you the lockdown corner to make it all work. -
Ricardo Rodriguez/PantherFan, El Paso, TX
2:08 PM ET
For the Carolina Panthers to get past last years surprise ending, what do you think needs to be improved this year?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Ricardo. When I look at the Panthers, I love the running game. The QB will be much better in his second year after Tommy John surgery. But I'd like to see a better pass rush on defense. It's too easy for opponents to run their protection to Julius Peppers. Someone on the other side has to pick up the slack. I'm sure you hope it's Everette Brown. Time will tell. -
Wayne Ellis, Letchworth, UK
2:11 PM ET
Do you think teams will ever stop using the Prevent Defense? I've lost count of the number of games that have been lost because of it over the years.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Wayne, I share your sentiments. It's too easy for NFL quarterbacks when there is little to no pressure on them to take what the defense gives them and move the ball down the field. The greatest lesson of why you're right is the 2008 Super Bowl, when Tom Brady took the field with precious minutes to play, and the Giants blitzed him instead of sitting back and letting them get beat. Coaches who want to keep their jobs will have much more aggressive "two-minute defenses." If they looked at it as two minutes to a firing, they'd change their ways. -
,
2:14 PM ET
I'm in a rec. flag football league at college. And this season they're changing the rules a little bit, you get 9 players on the field from each team and on offense you must have 5 linemen on the line of scrimmage and then 4 other players at least a yard off, and EVERYONE is an eligible receiver. What do you think would be a good defensive formation/scheme would be against this?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Well, I guess you didn't put your name in there so your opponents won't know it's you. Very hard to rush the passer when everyone on the line is a checkdown receiver. You've got to play zone defense, so you're not fooled by one of those linemen. right now, I'm thinking 3 deep, 5 under and a 1-man rush to keep the QB honest. -
Jakobie, Colorado
2:16 PM ET
I'm a huge Broncos fan and I'm trying to find a current player to get excited about but their just isn't many to choose from. Any ideas what Bronco player could be a stud in 09 and enjoy a long career in Denver?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Jakobie. Let me find the roster so I can motivate myself. I'm a big fan of Eddie Royal and you probably are to. I think Knowshon Moreno has the best chance to be a rookie 1,000-yard rusher. Last year we had three rookies break the 1,000 mark. But not this year.
Finally, you will come to like Kyle Orton. He's tough, and the Bears fans already miss him. -
Christian, MN
2:19 PM ET
Are the Bears recievers/tight ends strong enough to benefit from Jay Cutler's arm?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Yes, Christian, they are. Cutler did a nice job last year helping in the development of Eddie Royal. He will get lots out of these Bears receivers. Devin Hester is developng nicely after 51 receptions last year. Joaquin Iglesias is an excellent route-runner who will be able to handle Cutler's passes. -
Romon, Washington DC
2:21 PM ET
Which NFL team is the best fit for Marvin Harrison?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
For Marvin Harrison, an indoor team with a strong-armed QB and a running game to take the emphasis away from him would be the perfect fit. Sounds like Minnesota to me. -
Michael Graham, New Orleans
2:23 PM ET
How do you think the Falcons Young Defense will fair this year? Can Jerry be a positive factor his rookie year?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Peria Jerry has to be a factor as a rookie, Michael. As Coach Smith said to me, "We need to get bigger inside, and Jerry provides that." Don't look at the numbers, study the tapes. Rookie DTs that start generally get 30 tackles and 2-3 sacks. You have to study the tape to see if they are disruptive. That's all Smith is looking for from the rook. They are going to get tested in the first three weeks of the season against Miami, Carolina and New England, who will run the ball extremely well. -
Tim, MN
2:27 PM ET
But the question is who will that strong armed Minnesota qb be?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Tim, I'll give you a hint. He wears No. 4. -
Goody , Myrtle Beach, SC
2:28 PM ET
Hey Pat! Like yourself I am also enjoying talking football on my vacation and listening to what the great PK has to say.. My question to you is Do you feel the Steeler's defense has gotten even stronger this year then they were in 2008? I feel although Bmac is gone as well as Foote, having Timmons starting and Willie Gay there at CB i feel we only got better on defense. I hope for a response man.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Here's my response, Goody. I like your starters now and think you could be better. But in my opinion, you have surrendered depth. Larry Foote is an excellent football player and I always had the comfort that Timmons could start if a linebacker got hurt. I'm less excited about this year's backups. Finally, all three starters on the DL are a year older and in their 30s. If one of them goes down, Ziggy Hood better be ready. Look past your starters and ask me about the backups and tell me if you feel as comfortable. I do not. -
Ross, Cullowhee, NC
2:31 PM ET
i'm having trouble with finding a lady who likes and understands football. do you think that you could give me some advice?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I can, Ross. I'm not in the matchmaker business but can't help but offer some advice. Listen to my Sirius radio show on Fridays from 5-6pm ET. It's ladies' hour, and we are loaded with ladies who love football -- most of whom don't have a man in their lives. Tune in and meet the girls! -
John, Wrightsville Beach, NC
2:34 PM ET
You know Pat, John David Booty wears #4 for the Vikings.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Not for long! He'll be lucky and happy to get any jersey number this season. And I don't think he'll be offering his number to anyone for a price. And by the way, John David grew up in the deep South. He probably has a few nunber 4 jerseys back home himself, from you-know-who. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
And by the way... Let me tell you how to spell Booty on the back of that #4 jersey... F-A-V-R-E. -
Mark, Portland, ME
2:38 PM ET
Did you seriously just answer a question about flag football defensive schemes?? Is that the strangest question you've ever heard on a chat? By the way - great answer, you're the man!
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Well, it's July and it's everybody's offseason. I enjoyed the question. Feel free to chime in if you've got a similar one! -
Kris G., Virginia Beach
2:38 PM ET
Hey, PK... what is your take on this whole UFL thing?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Kris, I am always interested in a minor league football system. There were a number of good NFL players who honed their skills in a minor-league system that no longer exists. I'm all for it.
The NFL head coaches that will run the UFL teams ensure the game will be played in an NFL style. I expect receivers and possibly a running back or two -- and maybe even a quarterback -- to come through that league and make it to the NFL. -
Josh , Norfolk,va
2:41 PM ET
Hi Pat, what do you think will be the end result of the Brandon Marshall situation, Trade? new contract? or will he just sit on his current contract?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
He will be playing on his current contract. He's too much of a liability to get new money now, and I don't think he can force his way out.
See, ask the question 100 times and get a short, simple answer. -
Adam, Belcourt
2:42 PM ET
Hey Pat, How do you think the Colts will fare in the AFC this year?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Adam, I like the Colts to win the division. They get their pass rushers back and healthy. The Titans have lost Albert Haynesworth. And Manning will play like a man possessed this year. 12-4 should win the division. -
Arnold, Maine
2:45 PM ET
Pat I love listening to you one the radio and chats. Can you answer just one question for me. I feel that Greg Olsen has a chance to be the best TE this year. Any chance I'm right?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Thanks, Arnold. I think he's got a really good chance to have a good season with Cutler. Cutler comes from a TE-oriented passing attack. They will use Olsen in lots of different ways. And most importantly, the offensive coaches are not going to be afraid to open up the offense with Cutler's arm strength. -
CHRIS, SO DAK
2:46 PM ET
PAT WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE CBA? IS THE NFL HEADED FOR A LOCKOUT OR AN UNCAPPED SEASON? HOWS IT LOOKING?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Chris. I'm not as optimistic as I was a month ago. It could be posturing, but a general manager I spoke with this week said things were going in the wrong direction. An uncapped year looks more than possible to me now. -
Ahorn Davinski, Cincy
2:49 PM ET
If 100 times gets an answer, how bout third times the charm for me. Will Cedric Benson have a breakout year or be a bust? Thanks
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I think Ced Benson's going to have a big year, after talking to him Carson Palmer and Antwaan Odom. Here's why: With Ryan Fitzpatrick on the field and no real passing threat, this guy still managed to rush for 355 yards in his last three games of '08. When the Bengals handed Benson the ball 20 times or more last year, they were 4-0-1. With Palmer and a threat of the pass back this year, Benson will have a Rudy Johnson-type year, in the neighborhood of 1,200 yards. -
Shane, Los Angeles, CA
2:54 PM ET
Cant the NFL learn anything from MLB & the NHL? Both still havnt recovered from their lockouts.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
The NFL to date has been the model of the sports industry, and hopefully in the 11th hour they will realize they are the only ones who can tear this down. As I said, it might be posturing, but it isn't great right now. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Okay, well, back to the golf course... Thanks for the great questions. Have a good weekend, everyone.
