Ask Gil Brandt
1:00 PM - 2:03 PM ETGil Brandt
23 comments
NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt chatted live Wednesday, taking your questions and discussing his views from the Super Bowl.
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Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Hi everyone, welcome to Wednesday of Super Bowl week. Let's talk about it... -
anthony313, cincinnati
4:06 PM ET
do you think the Saints can sack peyton?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Anthony, I do think they'll sack him maybe twice. I say that because Gregg Williams brings so many unusual blitzes, and whenever that happens, you'll get something. Conversely, Manning is just as likely to throw a 60-yard TD pas on one of those blitzes. -
Justin Briggs, Jacksonville, TX
4:08 PM ET
Mr. Brandt... there is a lot of talk about how pass rush is the key and i completely agree; however, there is also alot of talk of people comparing Brees to Manning.... Manning is legendary!!! Even if the Saints pull this off, Brees will be nowhere NEAR Manning!!! Whats your take on this?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I think Brees is thought of as a Manning type because of his preparation and his ability to get the ball to the right receiver at the right time. His numbers the last four years are actually better than Manning's. But if I had to pick a player in the draft and they were both available, I'd take Manning.
I think Peyton is the best QB to ever play in the NFL. -
Nate Walker, Vicenza, IT
4:10 PM ET
What should we watch for in the super bowl this year? What are you expecting from this game?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I think several things are worth watching. First, Saints LT Jarrod Bushrod against Dwight Freeney if Freeney plays. That is the really key matchup in this game. I'd also like to watch Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma, who I think will do a variety of things both bitzing and dropping into space. Also, Colts WR Reggie Wayne vs. Saints CB Tracy Porter. Wayne is the go-to guy, and Porter is a second-year player who has played quite well this year. -
Brian Murdock, Arlington va
4:13 PM ET
Can Peyton Manning check his ego and run the ball if he has to, to beat the saints?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
First of all, I don't believe Peyton Manning is an ego guy. He will do whatever is best for his team to win. All you need to do is go back to the last time they were in the Super Bowl, when the beat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI and had two running backs with 100 yards. -
Sean, Chicago
4:14 PM ET
Hi Gil. Hopefully you don't mind a draft question amid Super Bowl week. I keep hearing people say the Patriots will grab Tebow ... why in the world would they do that with so many other pressing needs?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Sean, I don't think anyone knows aside from Bill Belichick who the Pats are going to pick, He is very tight-lipped. One of the reasons that rumor is floating is that Belichick has been a frequent visitor to the University of Florida and has been infatuated with Urban Meyer's spread offense. But I wouldn't bet the house that New England will draft him (certainly not in the first round). -
Curtis, NJ
4:17 PM ET
What´s up Gil Do you see the rookies from the Colts playing without presure and exactly the same or better in the SB
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Curtis, I'm not sure there is a rookie after 20 games. But I do think that Austion Collie, as an older rookie, will not be affected by the hugeness of the Super Bowl. He dropped a pass in the AFC title game and I think that loosened him up. Perhaps the one that will have the hardest time might be Colts CB Jarraud Powers. Sean Payton will look to pick on him early and often.
Another rookie that hasn't been considered much but could be a surprise factor is RB Donald Brown. He's been playing better and could be a factor catching passes out of the backfield. -
Kristen, Canada
4:21 PM ET
Calling Manning the best QB EVER is a tad presumptuous I think. He has only one Superbowl victory to his credit and a few more years ahead of him that could easily make or break the Best QB Ever title. That being said, who do you predict will win this Superbowl and why? Additionally, who do you believe will be the difference maker?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Kristen, a first off... Manning has played extremely well over a 10-year period of time. Being a QB today is much harder than it was 10, 15, 20 years ago.
As for predictions, I think Indianapolis will win, and I'm basing that on the fact that of the 27 teams that played in their first Super Bowl, 19 have lost. (Four that won had both a Hall of Fame QB and a Hall of Fame coach on their team.) -
John, nc
4:23 PM ET
Hey Gil, The Cowboys are one explosive receiver away from the Super Bowl. Agree?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
John, I'd agree they are probably one receiver away. Though I do have hopes that Roy Williams can still be that big-play receiver. and they do need a safety on defense to give them a stronger defense against the pass. If they can find a big-play safety in free agency -- like the Saints did with Darren Sharper -- that would be big. -
Chris, Indy
4:26 PM ET
Tell me there will be a 2011 NFL season. Your thoughts?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Chris, I think both sides will somehow be smart enough to understand that there must be some give and take in labor negotiations that enables us to have a 2011 season. I have a lot of faith inthe people on the NFL negotiating team, that they will get it done and we'll have football in 2007. -
Colts win sb, colts win sb
4:27 PM ET
if the colts win the sb where do you rank the new HC of the colts?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
There have been four first-year head coaches inthe Super Bowl and they are 2-2. Jim Caldwell came to a team with a great QB -- which makes it hard to judge the coaching job that he'd done this season. I do like Caldwell and some of the things he's done. some that Tony Dungy did before him and some that are totally different. And the result was 14 wins.
One thing he did that was new was on defense, where the Colts blitzed more this year than they used to. -
Brian Murdock, Arlington va
4:30 PM ET
How much of a factor does Pierre Thomas have to be for the Saints in the Super Bowl?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Brian, I think Pierre Thomas is a very important part of the Saints offense. He is a very good runner and also a very good pass receiver. In 12 of the Saints' 16 games, they gained more than 120 yards rushing, and Thomas had much of that yardage. The stats don't jump out because they rotate in other guys, but Thomas is the guy -- he can make short yardage and break long runs. -
Robbie, Nova Scotia, Canada
4:34 PM ET
Personally, I think Freeney will play in the Superbowl...Even if he is hurt, it's the Superbowl!! What do you think he will bring to the table for the Colts if he plays at less than 100%? Can he still be the force that he is?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I agree, Robbie. I think that he will play. Two things: 1) He relies a lot on a spin move in his pass rush, and if he's 70 percent that will be tough. 2) Freeney is the leader in forced fumbles since he came into the NFL -- a great statistic in measuring NFL success. If he's at 70 percent or lower, he might not get that job done.
If Freeney can go at anything close to full speed, he's got a great matchup against Jarrod Bushrod, who really struggled against DeMarcus Ware, who is a similar player to Freeney. -
Justin, Shreveport, Louisiana
4:37 PM ET
Hi Gil, I believe this matchup will come down to of course turnovers and ALSO special teams play. I believe my Saints have the edge especially with Saints P Morsteads kickoffs and booming punts. How crucial will Moresteads play be in this matchup?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I spoke to Saints GM Mickey Loomis yesterday and he told me that when the Saints gave away a 2010 draft choice to move up to draft Morstead they were criticized. In my opinion, Morstead has the ability to become one of the great punters of all-time. He kicks the ball high, he can directional kick. and -- something nobody knew -- he's great at kickoffs. I agree that he is a game-changer.
Colts P Pat McAfee is pretty good, too, though. He doesn't have the long-range ability that Morstead does, but he's good.
And then there is this nugget: This is the first Super Bowl ever to feature two rookie punters. -
Ahmad, Chicago
4:41 PM ET
What do you think about Mike Martz being hired in Chicago? Will he help Cutler?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Ahmad, Mike Martz is a passing guru, and I think if you're going to rely on the passing game then Martz is an excellent hire. I'm not sure Martz believes enough in a running game to help a team in Chicago be successful, though. You've got to run the ball in cold weather. But it also helps that Martz and Lovie know each other well. -
Dan, Toronto, Canada
4:43 PM ET
Hi Gil, I think the 2 tight ends (Clark and Shockey)will be important to their teams success in the SB. Your thoughts please?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I like Clark a lot. Myself, I think David Thomas might be just as, if not more, important than Shockey in this particular game. Thomas has great speed and the ability to get open and catch passes. He was a factor in the NFC title game and I think he might outshine Shockey in this game as well. -
boltsfan17, Las Vegas
4:46 PM ET
Hey Gil, This game is destined to be a shootout between Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. With these two offenses pretty much equal, is this game likely to come down to the defense and turnovers, and if Freeny dose not play who will have the advantage?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
First of all, these are the top two ranked offenses in the NFL. Both QBs have posted big numbers, one for 34 TD passes, one for 33. It will be a high scoring game. If Freneey is unable to play, it is a considerable blow to the Colts. Both teams, though not highly ranked on defense, make plays in the red zone. It could come down to a defensive play late in the game -- somewhat like it did in the NFC title game against Minnesota. -
Mike, Texas
4:50 PM ET
Do you think any of the defensive assistant coaches and coordiantors leave Indy or New Orleans to go to a "higher" position with another team such as Buffalo?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
No, Mike, I don't think that will happen. I do think if the Bills were fortunate enough to hire Joe Vitt, the assistant head coach/LBs for New Orleans, that would be a great hire. But I don't think there is any history between he and Chan Gailey. And I'm not sure there is any history between the assistant coaches on either team with Gailey. -
James, England
4:52 PM ET
Do you think any player will have a 100 yard rushing?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I think if there were a 100-yard rusher, it would be Pierre Thomas. I think the game will dictate whether we have one or not. If teams are playing catchup, that will take the running game away. Thomas is the only one that would have a chance. -
Matt, NY
4:53 PM ET
Any thoughts on where Peppers might end up? He'd look mighty fine in green and white
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Matt, I think Green Bay has the money to sign him. They set a precedent whewn they signed Reggie White and that turned out great for them. It's going to be very costly to anyone who signs him -- he made $20 million this year.
As for the Jets, they have been very active in free agency, so you never know. -
Charles, INDY
4:57 PM ET
Hi Gil Do you see Collie & Garson playing at a high level in the SB
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Yeah, I don't think they will be as involved as they were two weeks ago against the Jets. But between the two of them they will probably catch 10 or 11 passes. Both of them are unique stories and their performance has been way above what you would expect from young receivers. -
Matt, CT
4:58 PM ET
Who do you think will win the Super Bowl MVP this year???
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Matt, I think the MVP will be Peyton Manning. At this point, I see the Colts winning -- and Manning will be the reason. -
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Okay, that's it. Enjoy the rest of the Super Bowl hoopla and of course the game. We'll chat next week -- and then start getting ready for the draft.
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