Carucci's Corner
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ETVic Carucci
23 comments
NFL.com senior writer Vic Carucci took your questions during a live chat on Monday, July 6, discussing Steve McNair, Shaun Hill and more.
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Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Hello, everyone, and welcome to this week's chat. Let's get started. -
Dave, Kitchener, Ontario
12:01 PM ET
Vic, What is your favorite Steve McNair play/memory from a game?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Great question to start things off. First, let me say how saddened I am by his tragic death and my heart goes out to his family and friends. This is a terrible loss for them, as well as for the NFL. My favorite memory would have to be those final seconds of Super Bowl XXXIV. He made some spectacular runs and connected on some clutch passes to give the Rams a real scare. As former Titans tight end Frank Wycheck said afterwards, "Steve McNair put his stamp on the NFL in that game." Overall, I enjoyed watching him play and always liked speaking with him. He seemed to carry himself quite well throughout his playing career. -
Nick, Minnesota
12:04 PM ET
Do you really think the addition oc Cutler makes the Bears much better? Or will other problems plauge them like last year?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I think Cutler makes the Bears much better. He is a difference-making passer, with a big and accurate arm that should allow him to conquer the winds in Soldier Field. There is enough support from his running game and defense to make his passing count for plenty. -
Shawn, Manassas,va
12:06 PM ET
Hey Vic just wanted to ask you if the redskins defense has a shot of being #1 in the NFL and how good do you think redskins safety laron landry is??
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I don't know if it's going to be No. 1-ranked defense, but there is certainly reason to believe it will be a good one. Albert Haynesworth should have an enormous impact. I think Brian Orakpo will have a strong rookie season. Even if the Redskins' D doesn't top the league in fewest yards allowed, it could do plenty to help the team compete in an extremely tough division. I'd say the 'Skins would be very satisfied if they had a top-five defense this season, as long as they won most of their games. -
Dragan, Split,Croatia
12:10 PM ET
First of all I would like to tell McNair's how sorry I am for their loss.As a Rams fan I know how good of a player he was-hall of fame.Now please Vic would you explain me what are Rams planing to do to on defense to fill the void left by the cut of Tinoisamoa?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
My sense is that the Rams' thought process isn't focused on just filling a single hole. The key to whatever defensive success they have under Steve Spagnuolo is that the entire front seven plays an aggressive, punishing style that emphasizes a physical approach that didn't exist previously in St. Louis. The other important factor is having the depth to rotate people and have fresh bodies getting stronger late in the game when the opponent is wearing down. -
Chris, Ontario, Canada
12:13 PM ET
Jamie Dukes Tweets on player conduct got me thinking will a NFL team ever survive in Las Vegas with all the temptations there ?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Temptations are everywhere. I think it's less about location than it is about the type of players that are on the roster and how focused they are on the job rather than on the surroundings. New Orleans has some pretty substantial temptations as well, yet I don't see that as being a reason for the Saints not to be there. So does a place like New York. It's all about what kind of team you put together. -
Max, Argentina
12:17 PM ET
Hi Vic! What´s your opinion on Seattle´s backfield? Are you high on Julius Jones?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I like Julius Jones and I think the Seahawks can do a solid enough job of running the ball. Still, their offense is going to start with Matt Hasselbeck's throwing arm. As long as he's healthy and able to make plays through the air, that will open things up on the ground. If the Seahawks are forced to mostly rely on their ground game, I am less bullish about their chances for success. -
Dustin S., NYC
12:19 PM ET
Why is it even a question of who should be the 49ers starting QB? Shaun Hill would of finished with over 4000 yards and close to 30 TD's if he started the whole season. He had a better QB rating then Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, Jay Cutler and even Big Ben.
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
It's a question because he is not an accomplished quarterback. Nor is Alex Smith. When you're dealing with mostly unproven players at that position, you're going to hear people express doubts. That's just a fact of NFL life. But it doesn't mean he can't have the success you projected. It simply means that all of the statistical projection you do won't change the fact that he is NOT Eli Manning or Donovan McNabb or Jay Cutler or even Ben Roethlisberger. The proof is in the proving. -
Brent W., Minnesota
12:22 PM ET
Who is the best running back in the nfl
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I'll go with Adrian Peterson. He has everything you could want in a franchise back. -
casey, md
12:24 PM ET
vic honestly do you believe that the cowboys will go 8-8 like everyone is saying? i look at the team and see a championship, even without t.o.!
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
No, I think they're better than that. Of course, if anyone is predicting they'll win 10 or 11 games, presumably that means fewer wins for other teams in the NFC East, and that's the challenge. The Cowboys are good enough to win the division, but so are the Giants and Eagles. And somewhere along the line, one of the presumtive top three of the NFC East is not going to have enough wins to make the playoffs. At this point, I'm not ready to say the Cowboys don't have a shot. -
Richie , Buffalo. NY
12:26 PM ET
do you think JP Losman will ever get back into the NFL? the rumor is that his is on a UFL team is that true?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I have serious doubts that he'll get another shot in the NFL. Unfortunately for J.P., the worst thing he did last season was play, because it confirmed to everyone in the league that he does not have what it takes to play quarterback in this league. I have no idea if he's going to end up in the UFL; my sense is that while it might provide him with a job, it still would seem like a long shot that he could capitalize on the opportunity enough to return to the NFL. -
Ron, My house
12:29 PM ET
Hey Vick, I was looking at the list of best CBs that Bucky Brooks made, I noticed that Charles Woodson wasn't on it even though he led all CBs in interceptions, sacks and tackles. Am I right that he should be on there and maybe even #1?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
That's your opinion and Bucky has his. I do think Woodson is a good cornerback, but I have no problem with him being left off such a list because that was someone else's conclusion. And one of the very best parts of this job is having a forum to offer the way you see various aspects of the NFL ... and then having people, such as yourself, agree or disagree. -
David C., Wisconsin
12:31 PM ET
Hey Vic. Who would you want to be your franchise QB if you had a choice between Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler? What are your reasons?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I would probably take Jay Cutler by a small margin. I think he has a little more raw skill. But I do think Rodgers is steadily moving up the charts and expect him to have a strong season. -
Chris B , Indiana
12:34 PM ET
Where do you think Michael Vick will end up at or do you think he will play this year
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I'm going to have to see Vick in an NFL uniform somewhere to believe that it actually is happening. I just can't get my mind around the idea that he would have the chance to play this year, which would, therefore, prevent me from trying to figure out where that place might be. I think Commissioner Goodell is going to have to go through a lot of deep thought and have many conversations, with Vick and others, before he would arrive at any decision. Then, I think any team that would consider him would have to do the same. From where I sit, it is too difficult a process to expect it to play itself out in time for him to end up somewhere this season, but I would never rule that out. -
Austin, Baltimore
12:38 PM ET
Hey Vic, Do you honestly think Brandon Marshall will get traded to another team?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
With each passing day that it doesn't happen, I'm less convinced that it will. The Broncos are going to do everything they can to try and make this work out. I see a trade as only a last resort, and I can't imagine the Broncos are hearing or would expect to hear an overwhelming offer that they couldn't refuse. No one is going to make such a deal, particularly when it is so well known that this is simply a case of a disgruntled player seeking a better contract. And Marshall's off-field issues certainly don't help matters from a trade perspective. -
Wes, Texas
12:41 PM ET
Are the cowboys better without T.O?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Yes, because I think Tony Romo and others on offense will function better without the distraction and the divisiveness he brought to the team. -
William Davis, New London, TX
12:43 PM ET
Hey Vic, I am a huge Chiefs fan. Do you think they have a shot at the playoffs this year with the addition of Vrabel and Thomas at linebackers, along with QB Matt Cassel?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I think the moves the Chiefs made will show up in the form of a much better record, but that isn't saying a whole lot for a team that was near the bottom of the league. The problem is, even at that, I don't necessarily think they'll be a playoff team. The AFC West should be a stronger division, although it's quite possible the Chargers will dominate. It looks to me as if 2009 chould be a huge first step for the Chiefs to becoming a contender, if they aren't one this season. -
Todd, London, Ont., Canada
12:46 PM ET
Don't you think the media is blowing up Farve's legacy more than he is. Farve has been very quiet this whole affseason, he didn't make a big whopla out of coming out in fact he hasn't said much at all. thanks
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Absolutely, but that's a function of keeping a story hot during the offseason when things generally are quiet. At the same time, I think, even if you haven't heard from Favre directly that often, he and his people are doing their part to "feed the beast" with comments to reporters that are presented as anonymous sources. Believe me, if he or his people didn't want this story to continue to churn, they could do plenty to kill it. But, yes, there is accountability on the part of the media for keeping it going as well. -
Mike B, San Antonio, Texas
12:49 PM ET
Everybody keeps saying how bad the Denver Broncos are going to be without Jay Cutler, but I disagree, while Kyle Orton is not the same, he's still very capable of winning ball games. What do you think?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I don't think the Broncos necessarily suffer without Cutler, either, but my reason is that I doubt he would have been a good fit in Josh McDaniels' offense. Orton can succeed because he does fit that scheme well. It's hard to say how prolific he might be, and if his numbers don't match or come close to those of Cutler, the assumption will be that Cutler's departure was a huge mistake. But I also think it's possible, as long as Orton isn't making a ton of mistakes, the Broncos could win with him. -
Duke, Indianapolis
12:53 PM ET
The Colts dont have Marvin Harrison and Mravin Harrison doesnt have a team will Marvin be on a team before the saeson starts and if so where do you think?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I'm seriously doubting that Harrison will be on an NFL roster this season. It would probably take a dire receiver emergency for some team to reach out to him in the preseason. And even then, I question whether Marvin would want that opportunity. He pretty much as been holding out for a deal that would put him at the upper end of the WR pay scale, and that simply isn't going to happen. At this point, I just won't see him settling for the veteran minimum. Plus, teams have real questions about his physical status. The years and wear and tear have taken a toll on him. -
Rob, Baltimore
12:57 PM ET
How much longer do veterans like Teddy Bruschi, Ray Lewis, and Kurt Warner have left in them?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
How much top-level football do they have? I'd say Bruschi is at the end of the line, but could hold up OK in the Patriots' scheme because his coaches will only put him in situations where he can flourish and not ask him to do a whole lot beyond that. But it wouldn't shock me if he called it quits before the end of the year. Lewis can still perform at a reasonably high level, as can Warner. But with Warner, it's particularly important that he has a surrounding cast that includes Anquan Boldin. Warner has great chemistry with him as well as with all of his WRs. -
John Gray, Wyoming
1:00 PM ET
is Kellen Winslow Jr the best TE in the NFL?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I don't know if he's the best, but he's one of the best. And my sense is that the Buccaneers are going to focus a whole lot of their offense on getting the ball in his hands. It's a good way, at least for this season, to help bring stability to an unstable QB situation. -
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
That's going to do it for this week's chat. Great questions, guys. Talk with you again later.
