Playbook with Mike Mayock
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM ETMike Mayock
14 comments
NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock took a break from breaking down the film, chatting live on Thursday, November 19 at Noon ET to answer your questions.
Mike joins Brian Billick and host Solomon Wilcots on Playbook every Tuesday and Wednesday, breaking down the previous week's action. Playbook airs four days a week (Tuesday through Friday) on NFL Network at 6 p.m. ET.
-
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hi everybody. Ready to talk football... -
Chris, Montana
3:08 PM ET
Mike, I would like to get your take on Green Bay's transition to the 3-4 defense. How do you think Matthews and Raji have fit in and what else do you think they need to add to be successful in this defense in the future?
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Chris, Dom Capers is a tremendous defensive football coach with great understanding of the 3-4 front. Matthews and Raji are great fits for that defense and will continue to get better. My contention is that they need a true 3-4 rush linebacker in the draft. Kampman is an excellent player with a great motor but the key to that 3-4 is a DeMarcus Ware type in that position. -
Aneal, NY
3:11 PM ET
Good Morning Mr. Mayock. Big fan of Playbook and your analysis. My question that I have for you is, how do the Vikings survive without Favre? He will most likely retire after the season and it seems like they will be in the same situation in 2008. Whats your take? Thanks
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Aneal, really good question. However, with the way Brett Favre has played this season, I would not assume it's his last year. But the question remains for Rick Spielman and the Vikings: Who plays QB whe Favre retires? Personally, I'm not sure the answer is on the current roster. And they have to seriously consider leveraging their expensive roster and trading up for a top quarterback. -
The Disco King, Delaware
3:13 PM ET
Do you believe the Broncos will win the AFC West? If not do you see them making the playoffs this year?
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Disco, love the name and I think the Broncos are starting to become what we thought they were prior to the season. Defenses are squatting on their short and intermediate routes, and they have allowed over 27 points a game in their last three games. They have a huge game with San Diego this weekend and the winner will have an upper leg in the AFC West. -
jim, tx
3:15 PM ET
Played ball for your brother Pete, good coach. Will you ever get into coaching? Will the vikings make it to the super bowl?
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Jim, you're right, Pete was a hell of a coach and I think he misses it to this day. I will never get into coaching but don't count me out on the personnel side. And as far as the Vikings, I think the NFC is all about the Vikings and the Saints, and then a big dropoff. -
Michael, NY
3:16 PM ET
Since Miami is on tonight...I know it's hard to make this comparison so early on but V.Davis and S.Smith - any chance they develop into a top tandem aka Madison and Surtain from a few years back?
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Michael, good game on NFL Network tonight, and good pickup by you on the Dolphins first and second draft choices from last year. Bill Parcells is partial to big physical corners that can run. they've got a pair of corners on their roster that, if they stay healthy and develop, can continue to become tremendous corner in the NFL. -
Bill Eldridge, NC
3:18 PM ET
Hey Mike, without consistency at QB this season, do you think the Niners still have a chance at making the playoffs? What do you think they need to do change to improve for next season? Thanks
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Bill, I'm a big believer that a franchise QB is necessary to compete in the playoffs and win a Super Bowl. I give Mike Singletary credit for trying to adapt his offense to the strengths of his QB, Alex Smith. In my opinion, the 49ers are a slightly above average team that plays in a poor division. -
Dave, Buffalo, NY
3:19 PM ET
Mike, I am a die hard Bills fan hoping to see Mr. WIlson go after either Mike Shanahan or Bill Cowher. I know Bill Cowher seems like a long shot, but what about Shanahan. He is visiting next week and I want to know your thoughts about them actually having a chance of luring in one of the two? Thanks!
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Dave, lot of discsussion right now about Mike Shanahan possibly going to Buffalo, but there are six Super Bowl-winning coaches currently on the sidelines. I really believe that Mr. Wilson needs to take a step back and evaluate his entire franchise. The most important relationship in the building is the general manager and the head coach. In the case of Shanahan, Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, it will be interesting to see whether or not Mr. Wilson is willing to give one guy full control of both sides of the house. Shanahan would probably demand contool, whereas Cowher, Gruden, Billick would probably only go if they had a GM they were comfortable with. -
Kenneth Baltzer, Denmark, Copenhagen
3:22 PM ET
Good evening mike from far away, how much effect do you think Pat White will have now the Ronnie has gone down in miami?
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Kenneth, that's a pretty good question and one I spent a lot of time on last night while watching the Miami Dolphins. Here's what I think. The Dolphins first and foremost are a power running team, which tells me thast Ricky Williams will get an awful lot of carries tonight. Secondly, you'll see a minimum of 3-4 vertical shots with ted Ginn of play-action. Lastly, I do think you're going to see Pat White, and I think two things interiguew me: One, White running the true option like he did last week, and two, White throwing the ball off the option fake. -
Corey, Toronto
3:25 PM ET
People talk about the Colts lack of a running game, but isn't the better indicator ypc as opposed to total rushing yards? Against the Pats they ran at 5.1 per clip. That's pretty good for Indy if you ask me.
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Corey, When you have a QB as special as Peyton Manning, you want to put the football game in his hands. I believe the key for the Colts is not how often they run the ball but how efficient their run game is. And I agree with you, if they can average 5 yards a pop in the run game, they're gonna score a lot of points. -
Ben, ATL
3:27 PM ET
hey Mike. can you explain to me why Matt Ryan is forcing the ball to covered receivers when others are open? Look at the INT in the Redskins game, Roddy was open for a possible TD but Matt forces the ball to a triple covered Booker. He seems to be nervous in the pocket. And instead of staying relaxed and poised like last year, he gives up on the plays too early. Why is he starting to lose his Matty Ice nickname?
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Ben, Don't worry about Matt Ryan. He's one of the hardest working and intelligent football players in the NFL. I think two things are happening right now: One, defensive coordinators have had a chance to study last year's Atlanta offense and gameplan against Ryan. Two, he is a bit of a gunslinger and believes he can fity the ball in against just about any coverage. the beauty of the 16-game schedule is that great players learn to adjust. I really believe Matt will have a tremendous finish to his season. -
Doc, North Haledon, NJ
3:30 PM ET
Mike, I'm a little worried about the Steelers, and their chances to repeat, especially without Troy on defense. I know one guy doesn't make or break a defense, but he's just a special player. What do think of the Steelers and their chances to catch the Bengals, especially given the Bengals soft schedule the rest of the way. Thanks!
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Doc, I think the Steelers are in the toughest division in football this year. The Cincinnati Bengals are playing at a high level on both sides of the football and Polamalu is their playmaker on defense. I think we're going to find out whether or not Cincinnati is mature ennough to handle prosperity. The Steelers are battle-tested and will be in the playoffs one way or another. And by the way, don't forget about a very physical Ravens team. -
philip, raanana,israel
3:31 PM ET
you have a very impressive ability to analyze the game. you have the eye of a scout, mind of a coach and an overview of a general manager. from where did you acquire your knowledge? did you ever have a team position?
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Hey Phillip, my dad was a high school and college coach, and I was a defensive back at Boston College, followed by a short and unspectacular NFL career. But I love the game and I love breaking down the technical aspects of the game film. -
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
That'll do it for today. Thanks for the great questions and enjoy tonight's game.
Previous Chats
-
Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk
Aug 1st 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET 34 comments -
Gil Brandt
Gil Brandt
Jul 19th 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET 23 comments -
Pat Kirwan
Pat Kirwan
Jul 18th 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET 26 comments -
Bucky Brooks
Bucky Brooks
Jul 15th 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET 14 comments -
Jason La Canfora
Jason La Canfora
Jul 13th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET 20 comments
