Wyche's Word
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ETSteve Wyche
21 comments
NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche is back to chat with NFL Nation on Monday, November 16 at 1 p.m. ET, discussing the last buzz from around the league. Submit a question now, and check out Steve's blog for more.
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Steve Wyche, NFL.com
What up, what up what up? What a weekend. We had a lot of injuries, the controversial decision with New England and a long drive in traffic for me from San Diego to L.A. last night. I'm in company headquarters to appear on Total Access and Around the League tonight through Wednesday so check me out. Until then, let's "conversate" on the chat line. That's what up... -
Thomas, Denmark
4:12 PM ET
Hi Steve! A bunch of dropped passes, and two bobbled catches that turned into interceptions. The Raiders' quarterback(s) clearly are not the only players to blame for the lack of passing offense, the receivers aren't doing their job either. There are several things that don't work when the Raiders pass the ball. With an ineffective passing offense, do you see the Raiders moving forward relying more and more on running the ball, which has started to show some decency, or do you think they need to get the passing game going in order to win games?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Thomas, you had the first question in queue and there's few better ways to get the ball rolling than with the Raider Nation. You called it man. The receivers aren't catching the ball when it is on target, the qb isn't always making the right plays, there are major problems with the passing game. It's not all on the QB but enough of it is for Jamarcus to get benched for the second time this season. Oakland has wanted to run the ball this season with that cache of talented running backs. However, if teams already know you can't throw, they're going to stack the defense to stop the run and dare you to beat them with the pass. That's what's gone on with the Raiders and they've yet to figure out how to improve their passing game. -
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Guys, I have to step away for a minute. Breaking news to report. I will be back in 5...check NFL.com and NFL Network for the update. I'll also hit you back in a minute....Dealing with the Bengals. Stay tuned Who Dey Nation -
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Sorry about the hold up. Had to handle some other business. Larry Johnson headed to Cincy for a workout and likely signing with the Bengals. back to the party folks -
Kamal, New Orleans
4:31 PM ET
Belichick's call not as bad as everyone makes it out to be? Of course it cost them the game but it could have also won it for them as well. If he made the 4th and 2, he would be seen as a genius, a game winner. Since he missed it, he is seen as a loser and untrustworthy of his defense and reckless toward oppenents offense. What are your thoughts on this?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Kamal, You could not have put it any better, although I'm not sure I would have gone for it based on where the ball was and because of the quarterback I was facing. Even so, had New England converted, the legend of Belichick would have grown even more. Now, he's a dunce for the day in a lot of folks' opinions. I don't think this would dissuade him from doing this again. How about this? In the Jacksonville game when Maurice Jones-Drew took a knee at the 1 to burn clock, it seemed like the smartest thing in the world. Supposed the Jags missed that field goal...Do you think it would have looked as brilliant???? -
marcin, iceland
4:34 PM ET
how do you see johson fit in , in the bengls what are your thoughts
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Marcin, I wouldn't expect him to come right in and get a ton of carries because he would have to learn the system but I would expect him to be used in short-yardage situations initially. I also would think the Bengals could put in some packages where he and Benson could be in the backfield together. Ced's rejuvenated his career with the Bengals, maybe Johnson can? -
kyle, indianapolis
4:36 PM ET
how come nobody is talking about how good the colts rookie corners did, when before EVERYBODY SAID IT WAS OUR WEAKNESS! steve man cmon whats up with that? the rookies never really got scortched
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Kyle, I like where you're coming from. Those rookies -- I really like Powers -- have played well. They haven't panicked and they've stepped up, something Colts players have a history of doing when they get their chances. New England tried to exploit the middle of the field, but you are right in that the rookies did get lit up -- and they havent' for two weeks now against really good passing teams (Houston played Indy the week before). Great scheming and good execution. -
Josh, Wellington FL
4:38 PM ET
WHAT IS UP STEVE? WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO DENVER THE LAST 3 GAMES?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Josh my man, Here's what's gone on with Denver. Since they don't throw the ball deep, teams are trying to limit the receivers' ability to get off the line of scrimmage to throw off the timing of the passing routes. The defense has also been getting physically handled. That wasn't the case early but now they've played some very physical teams and they haven't matched up. Now with Orton possibly out, Simms has got to step up. he didn't look great and he took some shots against the Redskins. They've got San Diego this week in a huge game and the Chargers are getting after the quarterback. I think Denver is going to play a little more inspired than is has, but if Orton is out, it will have to run the ball much better than it has. -
Eric, PA
4:41 PM ET
Are the Bengals for Real?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Eric, that would be yes. -
Randy, San Antonio
4:41 PM ET
Do you still like the chances of the Cowboys to win the NFC East?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Hey Randy, I do. They lost to an inspried team yesterday in Green Bay. Dallas needs to rip off a few wins in the next couple weeks though because its final five games are No Joke. The Cowboys are probably healthier than any team in the division and that should give them the edge in this competitive stretch drive. -
Alan, Middletown, NY
4:43 PM ET
I am a huge Jets fan, and it is like watching Jekyl and Hyde, which team is real, the 3-0 or the 1-5?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Alan, I don't like the way the Jets are executing. They seem to be in position to make plays on both sides of the ball,, they're just not making professional plays when they need to. I think they're going to be up and down the rest of the way. Losing Leon Washington really hurt them. -
Adam, Sussex
4:45 PM ET
Can you see the eagles maybe picking up a guy like edgerrin james to fill in for westbrook? its hard to imagine them relying on a rookie to carry the load
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Adam, i'm actually trying to figure that out now becuase he would be perfect for what they do offensively. He is solid in pass protection, he can catch the ball out of the backfield and he doesn't take negative yards when he has the ball in his hands. -
Jonathan, Las Vegas
4:46 PM ET
Yo Steve you da man! What happened this week? I noticed that most of the great teams early in the season lost or came close to! Didnt most of us think Detroit was going to get manhandled! and the Saints, within a FIELD GOAL for the RAMS!!!! My team, Dallas, almost getting shut out by the Packers? you get what im sayin!
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Jonathan, I hear ya playa. This is why champions aren't crowned in October. It's hard to win every week, which is why the Colts and Saints deserve all the props they're getting, even though they aren't dominating teams. You can also expect some of the teams that struggled early to get things going. Injuries, youth or whatever can cause teams to get off to slow starts but some find their footing and get rolling. Look at Carolina and Tennessee. St. Louis, to me, is better than its record and I think Detroit, Kansas City and Tampa Bay have started to figure out who they are a little bit. Unfortunately, I think so has Oakland and Cleveland, and I don't mean that in a positive way. -
ciaran, ireland
4:49 PM ET
Do you think the Saints or Colts could go undefeated?Also,can any of the afc south teams make a wild card?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Ciaran, good question. I think Houston could very well be a wild card, especially if Denver continues to slide and the Ravens don't get things going pretty soon. The Texans game against the Colts in Houston in a few weeks should be very, very good. -
ciaran, ireland
4:50 PM ET
Do you think the Saints or Colts could go undefeated?Also,can any of the afc south teams make a wild card?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Ciaran, sorry I whiffed on the first part..I don't think either team will go unbeaten..Colts could lose to Houston and Saints play New England on Monday night Nov. 30. That will be a good one in the SuperDome. -
jayme, olyphant pa
4:52 PM ET
where do you see Tennessee ending up this year and where will Lendale white end up next year?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Jayme, I think the Titans will end up 8-8. I love the way their playing. I picked them to finished 12-4 or 11-5 before the season. They have the personnel and coaching, they just opened the season way sideways. Not sure where LenDale ends up. Could be back in Tennessee.... -
Steve, NY
4:53 PM ET
There is a lot of debate going on right now as to who is the NFL's best RB and most of the debate is centered around CJ of the Titans and AP of the Vikings. Any Insight?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Steve, Hard to argue with those two guys. AP is really starting to get cranked up. And how can you argue with what Chris Johnson is doing. He's gone big the past few weeks. I gotta add Steven Jackson and DeAngelo Williams to the mix. -
Josh G, Clearwater
4:57 PM ET
Who do you like GB VS. SF? What does it mean when a coach awards a player with a game ball? Do players actually stock pile footballs from games they played?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Josh, this is going to be a really good game. Green Bay showed Sunday that they can play against a phsyical team. Plus, it works against a 3-4 defense every day so facing the 49ers won't throw them for a loop. Don't know how they handle Frank Gore but if they can slow the game down and put it on Alex Smith, I like the Pack. As for game balls, that is a personal honor that is a reward for someone who did something extra worthy. players, coaches and owners who get those treasure them. they usually are found in trophy cases. A pretty big deal for sure. -
Ben, Columbus
5:00 PM ET
Steve, on the breaking news, there is some risks involved with signing LJ, if Cincy decides to do so. Do you see more risks or reward?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Ben, I see absolutely no risk at all. He would be a short-timer who will be a model citizen in order to resurrect his image and on-field ability. If he acts up, he'll be cutting his cord to the NFL. The Bengals could let him go and his rep could be tarnished beyond repair. Don't think that will happen, though. -
Jim, Fond du Lac WI
5:04 PM ET
Still no love for the Packers, huh? We lose to the Bucs and our season is over. We do what nobody predicted and beat a team that is "better" than us, and nobody cares. What gives here? If GB wins the next 3 games (SF, DET, and BAL) then will someone take the Pack seriously?
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Jim, Were you saying take us seriously when you lost to the Bucs last week? Just playing, but really, were you? The Packer Nation was ready for a widespread coup after that loss. Green Bay has to work through some things but that was a big win over Dallas. A lot of folks, including you, probably thought that things wouldn't be as unsettled when the season began but that's why teams play 16 games. I don't think the Pack will catch the Vikings, but with Atlanta slipping, Carolina getting back in play and the Giants, Cowboys and Eagles said to beat each other up through the final week, the Packers have a really good shot to earn a wild card. -
Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Folks, Sorry for the short chat today but I am getting pulled in a lot of different directions. We will do it like we know how to do it next Monday. Also, check into my blog channel on NFL.com. Leave some comments and I will try to get back to you that way too. You guys are awesome. Check me out on Around the League and Total Access Mon-Wed. I'll also be in B-more this weekend for Colts-Ravens. Until then, keep doing it big and if you can't do it big, make sure to do it right. Peace
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