Playbook with Sterling Sharpe
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM ETSterling Sharpe
47 comments
Sterling Sharpe, co-host of the NFL Network's Playbook show, answered questions from fans on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Sharpe, a five-time Pro Bowl selection in seven seasons as an NFL receiver, teams with Brian Baldinger to provide an in-depth look at each week's key matchups through the exclusive use of the same video coaches and players use to prepare game plans.
NFC Playbook airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET and AFC Playbook airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET
-
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
03:00 PM
We're up and running. Fire away folks! -
Kristian, Cutler Bay, Fla.
3:04 PM ET
Based on your knowledge of the game, on how to succeed on Sundays, where do you think Oakland should start on building an actual offense?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
My keys are, if you have one of the better RBs in the league in Justin Fargas, start with him. Give him the ball more.
I don't think they need to add too many players. Maybe the players they have just don't fit the system. Al Davis just stripped the OC of calling the plays. Maybe you could start there. -
Kevin, Toledo, Ohio.
3:06 PM ET
What's up Mr. Sharpe? Do you think the Miami Dolphins can make the playoffs this season? Thanks, and I really enjoy your show!
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Hi Kevin. That's a very good question. I have to really think about this one. Based on their schedule, I'm going to say yes. I think they get in. -
Patrick, Parker, Colo.
3:07 PM ET
Tough defense question: Jets or Cardinals?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Right now, I'll say the Cardinals. -
Keith, Maryland
3:08 PM ET
Hey Sterling. How do you think DeAngelo Hall can help the Washington Redskins?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think with what they do, and with defensive coordinator Greg Blache, I think Hall should be more motivated in a better situation there. I think he'll do well. -
Frank Del Campo, Chino Hills, Calif.
3:09 PM ET
Is Big Ben more of a liability right now for the Steelers and should they play Byron Leftwich until Big Ben is healthy?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Hi Frank. They have a lot of money invested in Mr. Roethlisberger. If he can walk, he's going to play. It's that simple. -
Graham, Newfoundland
3:11 PM ET
Greetings! Wondering how you feel about Cadillac Williams' return to the Bucs? Does he figure on being a big factor in the offense?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I wouldn't look for it in the first few weeks. I think as he gets more game conditioning, both mentally and physically, I think he will. The Bucs will need him down the stretch. The closer they get to the playoff hunt, the bigger factor he could be. -
Louis Roman, Arizona
3:12 PM ET
What do you think of Tyler Thigpen? Do you think he can be the franchise QB the Chiefs have been looking for?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think KC has found their QB. He can run, he has a great arm and he seems to have the offensive playing with more energy and fire. Staying healthy will be a key for him. I would put him in the category of a franchise quarterback if the Chiefs are smart and give him an opportunity to succeed. -
Stephen Day, Dallas, Texas
3:14 PM ET
Sterling, other than of course Brett Favre, the Packers' roster has not changed so dramatically from their 13-3 team last season. So why are they struggling this year?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Look at Ryan Grant's numbers. That's what is different form the roll they were on late last season. A lot of it is Grant and the lack of production from the running game. A lot of it is also that people can run the ball on this team, and they couldn't last year. -
Ross Knight, Collegedale, Tenn.
3:16 PM ET
Hey Sterling. Having played with Brett Favre back in your playing days, what is the the biggest difference between how he played then and how he plays now?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think that the Brett Favre of old didn't have a lot of information and played free and loose, and had a lot of fun. He still has the arm, and experience has only added to his game. There's not much difference between the old guy and the new guy, besides what he knows. -
Sameer, Virginia
3:18 PM ET
Will the Colts beat the Texans?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
The Houston Texans? Ummm, yes. Absolutely. -
Abe, Texas
3:20 PM ET
The Bills have too much talent to be giving away games. Do you think its the coaching, that the Bills are being out-coached?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I don't think it's coaching. I think they're being outplayed. They have a huge offensive line, and the last three games they have only three rushes of 10 or more yards ... and none in the last two games. That's just one example. -
Lloyd, Aurora, Colo.
3:21 PM ET
Sterling, who will win -- Jets or Pats?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
We're getting a lot of questions on this game. I think the Pats are playing well enough to win the game, and I think they will. This team has settled in to who they are, and not who they were. America wants them to be who they were last season. But people forget this is still a good football team.
The Patriots will win, they've found a groove, and it couldn't have happened at a better time. -
Anthony, Oregon
3:23 PM ET
Besides Matt Ryan, which rookie has impressed you the most?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Joe Flacco! I think you have to put them all in there -- Flacco, Chris Johnson -- it's going to be tough to pick a Rookie of the Year right now. -
AJ, Tulelake, Calif.
3:24 PM ET
Looking three years from now, who will be the best running back from this draft class?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Three years from now, we'll probably still say it's between Chris Johnson in Tennessee and Steve Slaton in Houston. Right now, they're neck and neck. Both of these guys, right now, are more NFL ready, healthier and on better teams than Darren McFadden is in Oakland. -
Filip, Stockholm, Sweden
3:27 PM ET
As a 20-year 49ers fan, I wonder why they didn't go after Culpepper. What's your take on that?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Obviously, you didn't see Daunte Culpepper play last week. I'll leave it at that. -
Frank, Yorkville, Ill.
3:30 PM ET
Felix Jones is better than all of them.
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Is he playing? -
Bobby, New Jersey
3:31 PM ET
Do you think Minnesota can pull off the upset this week against Tampa?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think that's going to be really tough. Tampa is coming off the bye and has had two weeks to prepare for this one. -
SG, Arizona
3:31 PM ET
How about Tim Hightower?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
No I didn't forget about him. I like him, but he's not in the same system or the same style of system as the other rookie backs. When I talk about running backs, I'm not talking about just running the ball -- there's a lot more to it. -
Ethan, Delaware
3:32 PM ET
Why is Ladainian Tomlinson struggling, what is different between this year and last year?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think he's struggling because he's probably more hurt than we know. He's practicing a lot less than he has in the past. Right now, the hot entity on his team is the QB. And when you have a hot QB, you have to ride him. Those are three things that have brought his numbers down. -
Dallis, Missouri
3:34 PM ET
You can't honestly forget about Jamaal Charles can you?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Honestly, I can. -
Fran, N.J.
3:35 PM ET
You ALL FORGOT about Ray Rice ... 2-3 years from now??? Huh Sterling ...
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Ray Rice... -
Marcel, Boston
3:36 PM ET
Who wins Coach of the Year?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Mike Smith. I'm going to say him, although I think it will be close between him and Tony Sparano. But I'll say Smith.
When you have a rookie QB, a new RB, and a new offense ... and you're able to bring the Falcons from where they were last season to where they are right now ... Mike Smith. -
Sky, Richmond, Va.
3:38 PM ET
Hey Sterling, why do you think the Colts offense has looked so inconsistent this year? One game it looks like their offense is off, to the next looking like the offense is back to normal?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Hi Sky. Peyton Manning has had that year that we really didn't want him to have. It's just not there. People have caught on to what they are and what they do. It's no longer Manning to Marvin Harrison. It's now Reggie Wayne. Where they used to be able to balance the field between Harrison and Wayne, they can't win that way anymore. Harrison can no longer beat people. -
Brandon, Calif.
3:41 PM ET
The Culpepper response isn't fair he had three days to get ready for a game against a good defense in Jacksonville. He threw a few really good passes and one bad one but w/ the QB situation in Detroit don't you think he's the best option?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Exactly. If he was that good, he would have been in camp during July like everyone else.
He's not the best option. They should be going with Dan Orlovsky, who says he's not as injured as the team is making him out to be. -
Bob, New York
3:43 PM ET
Did the Bills pull the rug on J.P. Losman to soon?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
No, Trent Edwards is as good as advertised. He outplayed J.P. for the job. -
Matt, Oklahoma
3:44 PM ET
Do you think the 49ers should keep Mike Singletery as the head coach?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I haven't seen enough of him, but from what I have seen, I would say no. -
Brian, Ottawa
3:45 PM ET
Hi Sterling, why do you think Jon Gruden has had questions about his QBs this year? I think Garcia is much better than Griese.
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I guess that's why he's had those questions. Half of the Bucs Nation likes Griese, half likes Garcia. ... I don't think Gruden can make a mistake with either guy. Other than Garcia's mobility on a few plays, they're very, very similar players. -
matt, cali
3:47 PM ET
Dolphins? Come on?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
If I'm not mistaken, other than the Jets and the Patriots, they have a VERY favorable schedule. They have Oakland, then New England, St. Louis, Buffalo, San Fran, KC and the Jets left on their schedule.
If they lose to the Pats and Jets, they could go 5-2. If they go 5-2 down the stretch they could get in. -
Cameron Thomas, Indiana
3:50 PM ET
What will it take for the Lions to be a winning team?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think it's sad to say, but they're going to have to clean house. They're not built the right way. Everything about them is wrong. I really like Rod Marinelli a lot. But you have to start from scratch, and starting from scratch with a tyrant-type coach would be the way to go. And along with that, they have to start over young. Similar to the model in Miami. -
Matt, Calif.
3:51 PM ET
What do you think about the Wildcat with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I love it. It's a great change-of-pace for them. They seem to enjoy doing it, and as soon as they go to it, they just look different. They have a bounce in their step. I like anything that changes the pace. I like it. -
Zak, Utah
3:52 PM ET
Which interim coach has the best chance of staying as a head coach next year for the team their coaching now?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Right now, I'll say none of them. If you have a chance to make a change, you have to look at it. The one thing you don't want to do is have a test run, and have it not go well. -
David, Denton, Texas
3:55 PM ET
Give us a bold prediction.
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Ok, David. Kurt Warner will be the NFL MVP, and tie Brett Favre with three MVP Awards. -
Kyle, Delaware
3:56 PM ET
Hey Sterling. Who do you think is the best defensive coordinator in the NFL?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
That's almost impossible to answer. It really is. You could go Jimmy Johnson. You could go Steve Spagnuolo in New York. You could go Monte Kiffin in Tampa.
I'll answer it this way -- Who is having the best year this year? It's Brian VanGorder in Atlanta. He's having the best year. -
Kyle , Toronto
3:58 PM ET
Who do you think the Vikings should get in the offseason as a long-term QB?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I guess you're assuming it's not Gus Frerotte or Tarvaris Jackson. I would go after Matt Cassel. -
Ron, Waterbury, Conn.
3:59 PM ET
Will Matt Leinart ever recover from this disappointing season in Arizona?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think he'll recover, but it won't be in Arizona. -
Zak, Utah
4:00 PM ET
Do you think Matt Cassel will be starting for a team next year?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Yes, I do. -
LF, Houston, Texas
4:01 PM ET
It looks like the Steelers and Ravens are moving in different directions. Who will win the division?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Well, Pittsburgh is 3-0 in the division and has already beaten Baltimore. -
Steve, Newcastle, England
4:04 PM ET
Which team do you think Cassel will start for?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Tom Brady's knee will have a lot to say about that. If he's on schedule with rehab, it will go a long way in determining Cassel's future. You can't afford two high-priced QBs. -
Brian, Ottawa
4:05 PM ET
Who is a suprise pick for the playoffs this year?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
The Miami Dolphins! -
Haaron, Conn.
4:05 PM ET
Can Arizona defense hold up enough for the Cardinals to make a run deep in the playoffs?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
That's a good one Haaron. I think the defense is good enough to get them in, but not to make a run. So I'll say no. -
Derek, Wisconsin
4:07 PM ET
Would J.P. Losman be an upgrade at QB for Minnesota next season?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
You know what, J.P. is too much of a gunslinger for that offense. They would have to live with him throwing 10 TDs and 10 INTs. I like J.P., but I don't like him in that system. -
Zhi, N.Y.
4:08 PM ET
Sterling, ignoring the fact the falcons are "led" by a rookie QB, in regards to playoffs, are they pretenders or contenders?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think as long as they stay away from the Giants, and they don't have to play the Redskins, they can beat everyone else. Right now, though, I don't know how physical the Falcons are. When it comes to the Giants and Redskins, I don't like the Falcons' matchup against them. -
Tim Rochon, Concord, N.H.
4:10 PM ET
How good is Desean Jackson?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I think he is one of the better young receivers in the league. You can't just burst on the scene like he did, and as Brian Baldinger said, 'His DNA allows him to do that.'
I think he's in a system that allows him to showcase his talents. -
Patrick, Indianapolis
4:11 PM ET
Will the Colts win The AFC South?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
Yeah! I think the Colts will win the South! -
Bruce, DC
4:12 PM ET
Sterling, what was up with Jake Delhomme last week???
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
I saw the Raiders on film too. I didn't think they were that good, either. I certainly didn't think they could catch like that. It's not the first time Jake has thrown four INTs in a game; it's actually his third. -
Money Mike, Palm Bay, Fla.
4:13 PM ET
The Miami Dolphins brought the "Wildcat" from college. What other college plays would you like to see make it into the NFL if any?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
No. There are no more I'd like to see in the NFL! -
Jessica, N.C.
4:14 PM ET
Who would you say has the best offense in the AFC?
Sterling Sharpe, NFL.com
The best offense in the AFC is the Chargers. They just don't have the healthy bodies to pull it off.
Ok everyone. We have to call it quits now. Thanks for joining us for today's chat. Of course, we try to get to everyone's questions. Check back in two weeks -- we'll be right here again. Enjoy Week 11.
