Ask Gil Brandt
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ETGil Brandt
25 comments
NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt chatted live on Tuesday, November 17, taking your questions and discussing his views on the latest from around the league.
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Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi everyone, hope you enjoyed Week 10. Let's talk about it. -
Carlos Mier, Mexico City
2:02 PM ET
Hello Gil. After losing to Indianapolis, do you think the patriots will lose gas against Jets and Saints? If they do so, do you think any other team will be able to win the AFC East?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Carlos, the Pats are two games up in the division. Initially, they might come out flat against the Jets this week but I do think they will be back to their usual selves by the end of the first quarter.
For the record, I thought Bill Belichick made the right call at the end of the Colts game. I recall a few times in Tom Landry's days when he made some questionable fourth-down calls like that. It's more about having faith in your offense than lack of faith in the defense. -
Tom, Detroit
2:06 PM ET
Hey Gil, what about Sidney Rice, is he as good as people say? I am worried about the lack of his speed, I just don´t see him running past cornerbacks.
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Sidney Rice is one of our matchups for this week, going against Seattle's Marcus Trufant. He disn't have great speed out of college, but he seems to be able to run well in a uniform. What we saw last week is just the beginning of what is shaping up to be a very good casreer. He's a great athlete -- an all-state basketball player in South Carolina. -
Steven, My house
2:08 PM ET
What do you think think about the Seahawks right now?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Steven, I think the Seahawks are a team that needs a lot of help. The offensive line needs help. The QB is playnig okay but is often injured. the defense needs some young linemen to pressure the passer.
They have a free agent LB David Hawthorne who has been a bright spot, but there aren't many other bright spots. Don't expect a strong second half. -
Ryan, Las Vegas
2:11 PM ET
What do you think of the chargers and do you think they will beat Denver?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Ryan. Denver has the tie-breaker right now, but San Diego has been playing better and with Kyle Orton out this week I don't see the Broncos winning this game. So the Chargers should be in the driver's seat to win the division after this Sunday. -
Ben, Columbus
2:13 PM ET
Gil, curious as to your opinion on the signing of LJ by the Bengals. More reward than risks?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Ben, I think the Bengals have become a very mature football team. He knows this is a chance to redeem himself, so I see LJ giving maximum effort and staying away from off-field problems. But he's really just insurance. I'd expect LJ to be the fourth RB, behind Benson, Scott and Leonard. -
Lucas , Wethersfield
2:16 PM ET
You have the choice to pick between AP or CJ as running back for your team right now, who do you take?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Lucas, I would probably take Chris Johnson right now. He's a better player in the passing game. Peterson is a very good runner but Johnson can run and catch passes... But that is a very difficult decision. -
Chris, CA
2:17 PM ET
Are the Titans legit now or is it that they just have beaten mediocre teams?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Chris, I think the Titans, who are on a thre-game winning streak, are probably playing to their potential right now. But that potential is not where they were last year when they won 13 games. I think they do have a chance to win four or five of their remaining seven games.
The key has been that Vince Young has calmed down, playing at a slower, more controlled pace, and that has helped him reduce his mistakes. -
Tyler Valentine, Indinapolis,IN
2:20 PM ET
What do the eagles need to do for them to win the divison and win in the playoffs
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Tyler, the Eagles have to establish some kind of a running game. McNabb threw the ball 50 times last week and you just can't do that. With Brian Westbrook out, they have to get LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver to carry the ball 20 times a game. I'm just not sure they can win when they throw the ball as much as they do. -
Cody, WI
2:23 PM ET
Hey Gil, how many games would the browns win if peyton manning was their quarterback?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Cody, I'll say three. They are probably the same type of team that Peyton joined in Indianapolis when the Colts went 3-13. Biggest difference: no Marvin Harrison. -
Scott, Va.
2:25 PM ET
Hey Gil do you think the Giants bounce back this week? Thanks.
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi Scott. I do think they will. First off, Atlanta won't have Michael Turner. Second, Matt Ryan historically has struggled on the road -- and he's been throwing too many interceptions this year regardless of where the games are played.
An interesting player to watch in this game is RB Jason Snelling. He's a big back, and he's pretty good. But I do think the Giants end their losing streak here. -
jeremy, Stewardson, IL
2:29 PM ET
Should we be worried that the Saints have been playing so poorly lately, or will they be back for a strong finish to the season when their key players get back from being injured?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Jeremy, I think the Saints have leveled off a little, but the one thing they are still doing is creating turnovers -- they already have more interceptions this year than they had all last season, and they're also on pace to finish with more sacks. We're also seeing some nice flashes from Reggie Bush that he can maybe beak out.
I don't think the saints will go undefeated, but they are still looking good. Will Smith is playing exceptionally well for them at defensive end. -
Jarvis, Miami,fl
2:32 PM ET
Can 49ers make a run for the nfc west division ?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Jarvis, I thought they could, but I've changed my mind. The fact they've lost their two starting offensive tackles is a problem. Plus, I think Arizona is playing too good now to be overtaken.
And no, I do not see them as a wild card either. -
Onzie, Ontario Canada
2:33 PM ET
If your the head coach of the Jaguars, do you tell Maurice-Jones Drew to go down at the one?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
He was told from the sidelines to do that, so they did a smart thing, knowing that the Jets were out of time outs. It was a good move. I know Scobee could have missed the field goal or had it blocked, but it was the move I would have made. -
Larry, St Croix Falls
2:35 PM ET
Does Tony Romo have the talent and ability to lead the Cowboys to a championship, or is he just good backup material?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Larry, he's definitely better than just backup material. The whole team played poorly last week in Green Bay. I don't think Romo is like Brady or Manning, someone who can put the team on hi back and win it by himself. But he's legit. -
nick, London, Uk
2:36 PM ET
Are Tebow and Bradford the top QB's going into the 2010 draft?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Nick, I think Colt McCoy of Texas belongs in there. All three of those gus are pretty good, probably comparable to the three QBs that were drafted in the first round this year. -
Pierre , Florida
2:38 PM ET
Mr. Brandt, first ty for your time. As a miami Dolphinn Fan what would be the 2 most pressing positions to address in the up coming draft and free agency? second, why would the dolphins pass up on Darren Sharper ?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Pierre, I guess a lot of people passed on Sharper, who is having an unbelievable year thus far. As for what the Dolphins would most like, I'd say a big-play receiver -- either a rookie or a vet through free agency. Second, I think they'd like to get an outside linebacker, someone akin to Packers rookie Clay Matthews. -
RT, Varina, Va
2:40 PM ET
Brett Favre is having a Brett Favre type season thus far...that said, would you put him on a "pitch count" for the home stretch of the season?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
RT, the most important thing is home-field advantage. Until they know where they stand -- either ahead or behind the saints -- they will keep riding him. I'm sure once they know where they stand, they'll try to get him some rest. But it is true, Favre is playing extremely well. -
Shaun , Nashville, TN
2:43 PM ET
What do the Redskins need to do to beat the Cowboys
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Shaun, this is a rivalry in which you never know what's going to happen. But they probably do need to score at least 20 points, stop the run and force Dallas to throw to beat them. It wouldn't hurt if Ladell Betts had another big game. -
John, Washington, DC
2:45 PM ET
Do you think that Pit. Should work the hurry-up into its offensive scheme more? Also, do you think LeBeau calls his plays too conservatively when Polamalu is out, or is Troy just that much of a difference-maker? Thanks.
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
John, LeBeau probably calls the defense differently because Polamalu is that good. But I don't think LeBeau is too conservative regardless. It's just that Polamalu might be the single most dominating defensive player in the game right now and it makes a difference when he's out.
The Steelers do go no-huddle. I'm not sure how much more beneficial the hurry-up would be. -
wes , jacksonville
2:49 PM ET
Gill, jags draft class looks great...how did you have Cox/mike thomas rated?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Wes, I had Derek Cox rated in my top 100. Thomas was a very good but undersized player. I worried about a lack of height, but that does not seem to be a factor. But I did like Cox, and I wasn't alone -- they were 27 teams at William & Mary's pro day to see him. Probably hadn't had that many there in five years. -
John , Charlotte, NC
2:51 PM ET
Do you think that the panthers will beat the dolphins? let me know plz
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
John, Carolina lost LT Jordan Goss and that will make it tough when they face Miami in Thursday night's NFL Network game. But the Panthers have been able to run the ball well and stop the run pretty well. They are an unpredictale team, but playing at home on a short wek is a big advantage. -
Brad, Calgary, Canada
2:54 PM ET
Hey Gil, appreciate you chatting today. Please help me out; pick one RB to sit this week from Ricky Williams, Cadillac Williams, Steve Slaton and Ladell Betts. Thank you!
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I'd probably sit Slaton. Ricky will play a lot with Brown hurt. Betts will play a lot with Portis out.
But my advice isn't worth too much -- I bench Justin Forsett last week in favor of Darren McFadden! -
Tim, Northern Virginia
2:56 PM ET
Gil - please answer this question. Thanks! Do the Bengals have Pittsburgh's number or has Pittsburgh just been unlucky at the wrong times? Do you think Cincinnati will cause the Steelers to stay out of the playoffs this year?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
No, Tim, the Steelers will be in the playoffs. As we said here last August, we thought the Bengals were an up-and-coming team. They have three very winnable games coming up but then the schedule tightens up.
But if the Bengals hold on to win the division, I do believe Pittsburgh will be the first wild card. Whichever of the two AFC West contenders that doesn't win the division, Denver or san Diego, likely would be the second. -
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Another fast hour! Thanks for the great questions, and have a great week.
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