Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for the past 15 seasons as a beat writer and is the former president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
I know everyone is STARVING for football these days, and since we all can't quit
our jobs and go to minicamps, we have our NFL expert Alex Marvez here to take your
questions today.
10:56
FOXSports.com: Send any questions and comments, we'll get
started at 2pm ET/11am PT.
11:02
FOXSports.com: OK folks, Alex is about to join us in Chat-Land
-- hit us with any questions or comments you have!
11:02
Alex Marvez: I'm here so let's get started :)
11:03
FOXSports.com: OK, first question...
Nancy asks: how do you feel about tom brady being back to
play this season?
11:03
Alex Marvez:
I was at practice Thursday and Tom was moving really well considering he is just
eight months removed from the torn ACL/MCL
11:04
Alex Marvez: The guy seems really focused and appears to
be taking his comeback as a challenge.
Alex Marvez: The bigger question I have is whether New England's
offensive line -- which has six 30-something members -- will be able to adequately
protect him for an entire season.
11:05
FOXSports.com: Follow-up from Nancy...
what do you think about the big change in indy this
year?
11:05
Alex Marvez: I used to think Indy was always a given for
a playoff berth. Not anymore.
The coaching changes that have been made there this offseason are pretty drastic.
11:06
Alex Marvez: The Colts never found a proven replacement for
Marvin Harrison either.
11:06
Who is the best player in the NFL?
Tom Brady, Patriots
( 23% )
Peyton Manning, Colts
( 15% )
Adrian Peterson, Vikings
( 31% )
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
( 8% )
Randy Moss, Patriots
( 8% )
other
( 15% )
11:06
Alex Marvez:
The Colts will always contend if Peyton Manning stays healthy and Donald Brown will
provide extra punch in the running game as a rusher and receiver. Defense should
be decent, too.
11:07
Alex Marvez: But I still think Tennessee is the team to beat
in the division.
11:07
FOXSports.com:
Peter asks the $64 million question:
Will brett stay retired?
11:07
Alex Marvez: If he can play, he's coming back. And Minnesota
will take him.
11:07
What should Brett Favre do?
Retire already
( 53% )
If arm can take it, play for Vikings
( 47% )
11:07
Alex Marvez: I think the medical issues are still being sorted
out about whether he will need surgery on his biceps tendon.
11:08
Alex Marvez:
I expect something more concrete on this to surface within a week.
11:08
Alex Marvez:
From a media standpoint, I hope he comes back. Gives me good stuff to write about.
:)
11:09
FOXSports.com: TJ wonders...
Assuming Favre is out of the picture will it be TJack or Sage?
Alex Marvez: I thought it was very telling when I spoke to
Vikings DT Pat Williams last week on Sirius NFL Radio with Howard Balzer and he
told us that TJack needs to spend more time studying.
11:10
Alex Marvez: That's not good when you're getting called out
by a teammate like that.
11:10
Alex Marvez:
Pat also said he texted Brett Favre telling him he'd be welcome in Minnesota.
11:10
Alex Marvez: Makes me think Pat isn't overly impressed with
the guys Minnesota currently has under center.
11:10
FOXSports.com: Here's one from Rich ...
Great work on Fox and with Sirius. Please assess the Dolphins offseason moves and
where you think their insufficiencies still lie? Can they win 8 games this season?
Alex Marvez: Dolphins can win 8 games for sure. Schedule
is tougher, but the coaching is outstanding and almost every key player is back.
11:11
Alex Marvez: Big question to me is at quarterback.
11:11
Alex Marvez: Can Chad Pennington string together two good
seasons?
11:11
Alex Marvez: Is Chad Henne ready to push for a starting spot?
11:12
Alex Marvez: And how much will the Dolphins be running the
Wildcat with Pat White? I have my doubts on whether that offense will be as effective
in 2009.
Even if teams had interest, nobody was willing to give Carolina high draft compensation
as well as the big-money contract Peppers was seeking.
11:16
Alex Marvez: It will be interesting to see what happens in
2010.
11:16
Alex Marvez: The Panthers could keep Peppers again with the
franchise tag in an uncapped year, but it would cost roughly $18M-$19M.
11:17
Alex Marvez: Don't forget, too, that Carolina traded its
2010 first-round pick for the chance to select FSU DE Everette Brown in the second
round of this year's draft.
11:17
11:17
Alex Marvez: The Panthers may be more inclined to let Peppers
leave next season or do a Matt Cassel-style sign-and-trade if Brown makes an impact
as a rookie.
11:17
FOXSports.com: Saints fans are coming in today, Steve Holt
asks:
Will the additions on the defensive side be enough for the Saints to contend for
a playoff spot?
11:18
Alex Marvez:
The season won't get off to a good start with DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith suspended
because of the Starcaps scandal.
11:19
Alex Marvez: I think Gregg Williams will be more aggressive
as defensive coordinator and the secondary should be much improved with the additions
of CBs Jabari Greer and Mamcolm Jenkins as well as S Darren Sharper.
11:19
Alex Marvez: Let's be honest -- If the Saints are even average
on defense and the offense continues producing at a high level, this team probably
wins the NFC South.
11:20
[Comment From HawkPride ]
Peppers is too old to get a huge contract
11:20
FOXSports.com: HawkPride wonders:
What sort of year do you think Hasselbeck will have given the offseason WR aquisition
of TJ Housh?
11:20
Alex Marvez:
The good news for Matt is that he is healthy again and has much better weapons than
in 2008.
11:21
Alex Marvez: TJ is a consistent 90-catch player.
11:21
[Comment From Eli ]
Hefty prediction considering the Panthers and Falcons
11:21
Alex Marvez: Deion Branch should be better another year removed
from ACL surgery.
11:21
Alex Marvez: And John Carlson is coming off a very nice rookie
season.
FOXSports.com: Folks, we hope you will rejoin us and apologize
for the technical difficulties.
Alex will be with us in a smidge...
11:30
Alex Marvez: We're back. Sorry for the delay.
11:31
FOXSports.com:
Thanks for sticking with us -- John asks... Alex do you think my lions will be better from all the moves or are we still drafts away form being competitve
?
11:31
Alex Marvez: Yes, the Lions will be better -- and I'm not
just saying that because there's no way they will go 0-16 again.
11:32
11:32
Alex Marvez:
They ddid a lot with modest free-agent signings and trade to address a roster that
desperately needed a talent upgrade.
11:33
Alex Marvez: I think the draft will be very productive as
well. Louis Delmas already looks like he can be a differece-maker at safety.
11:33
Alex Marvez: obviously, the big question is at QB.
11:33
Alex Marvez: I'm not a Daunte guy.
11:33
Alex Marvez: And I don't know how willing the Lions would
be to throw Stafford to the wolves.
Stephen Cabrera wonders ... do u think tha raiders will be a better team with jmac or garcia under tha snap?
11:34
Alex Marvez:
Not only should the Raiders be better, I think they are a legit playoff contender.
11:35
Alex Marvez: The running game looks loaded and the defense
should be decent.
11:35
Alex Marvez: Of course, QB is a major question there.
11:35
Alex Marvez: JaMarcus isn't inspiring anyone with his offseason
work ethic.
11:35
Which is the NFL's worst organization?
Lions
( 45% )
Browns
( 0% )
Raiders
( 36% )
Bengals
( 9% )
Rams
( 9% )
11:35
Alex Marvez:
I'm a big Jeff Garcia fan and think he would be a short-term upgrade.
11:36
Alex Marvez: But he doesn't have the same upside as Russell.
11:36
Alex Marvez: I wonder how much patience Tom Cable will have
with JaMarcus considering how quickly Raiders owner Al Davis pulls the hook on his
head coaches.
11:36
FOXSports.com:
Mike wonders...
How about the Chargers??? I think they are moving in the right direction.
Alex Marvez: If I had to pick the two teams in Super Bowl
XLIV today, it would be the Chargers and Eagles.
11:37
Alex Marvez:
The offense should be amazing and the defense could be if Shawne Merriman and Antonio
Cromartie can return to form.
11:38
Alex Marvez: I also think it will help San Diego that other
AFC teams like Pittsburgh and New England will be much more heavily hyped as Super
Bowl favorites.
11:38
FOXSports.com:
Thanks for sticking with us through our tech difficulties,
Eli... His question: Will the Falcons add any more personnel on defense?
11:38
Alex Marvez: I'm sure Falcons GM Tom Dimitroff will be looking.
11:38
Alex Marvez:
This team could still use some depth at d-line and outside linebacker.
11:39
Alex Marvez:
When I look at the Falcons on paper, it's amazing they got as far as they did with
the defensive talent they had in 2008.
11:39
FOXSports.com: Mike from Long Island asks...
Between being desimated by injuries on both offense and defense last year ( mostly
def. secondary and line), and aquiring Terrell Ownens, do you think people are overlooking
the Buffalo Bills just a little bit right now?
11:39
Alex Marvez: There's reason to be excited if you're a Bills
fan. That's what the T.O. signing did.
11:40
Alex Marvez: The Bills need Aaron Schobel to rebound from
injury to provide better pass rush.
11:40
Alex Marvez: I'm not sure the Bills can count on much from
Aaron Maybin as a rookie.
11:40
Who's fault is it that the T.O. experiment didn't work in Dallas?
Terrell Owens
( 82% )
Tony Romo
( 0% )
Jason Garrett
( 0% )
Jerry Jones
( 18% )
Bill Parcells
( 0% )
11:40
Alex Marvez: While the Bills should be improved, I still
think they're a 7-9 type of team at best because of the division they play in.
11:40
FOXSports.com: Back to SD, Robert wonders...
Does Tomlinson have anything left in the tank? He has been breaking down the last
couple years.
11:41
[Comment From Mike from Long Island ]
i don't want T.O. i want Terrell.
11:41
Alex Marvez: Great question. The problem is he keeps breaking
down late in the season.
11:41
Alex Marvez: The Chargers would be wise to shoot for a 50-50
or 60-40 split of carries between Tomlinson and Darren Sproles to keep both fresh
entering December.
11:41
Who is the best player in the NFL?
Tom Brady, Patriots
( 22% )
Peyton Manning, Colts
( 22% )
Adrian Peterson, Vikings
( 11% )
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
( 33% )
Randy Moss, Patriots
( 0% )
other
( 11% )
11:41
Alex Marvez: The Chargers also need better run blocking in
2009 as well as improved play from the FB position.
11:42
FOXSports.com: Speaking of a couple veterans, Eli asks:
Do Derrick Brooks and Chris McAllister have anything
left?
11:42
Alex Marvez:
McAllister should sign somewhere once he recovers from knee surgery.
11:43
Alex Marvez: I think he's a decent corner at this point in
his career but nothing more.
Honestly, I'm surprised he hasn't signed somewhere by now.
11:44
Alex Marvez: Maybe Buffalo will kick the tires on him if
Piso Tinoasamoa signs elsewhere.
11:44
FOXSports.com: One of our guests wonders...
Alex...do you think the New York Jets fans' expectations of Mark Sanchez are too
high? Do you think he'll be playing in his first year there? Why or why not?
11:44
11:44
Alex Marvez: Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco raised the bar on expectations
for rookie QBs to a new level.
The Jets' new coach is Rex Ryan, who saw first-hand what Flacco did last season
in Baltimore.
11:45
Alex Marvez:
Unless Kellen Clemens does something to impress -- and we're still waiting for that
to happen -- I figure Sanchez will be on the field pretty quickly.
11:46
Alex Marvez: The Jets, though, have to be careful not to
expect too much immediately from a quarterback with only 16 college starts even
though he has a nice supporting cast at running back, tight end and along the offensive
line.
11:46
FOXSports.com: Noah has a question about the SB champs: The Steelers won the title last year despite a subpar offensive line. How do you
see that line faring this year without any significant offseason upgrades?
11:46
[Comment From Mike from Long Island ]
Not just Speaking from the heart, but i have to disagree with you on Buffalo. 4-0,
5-1 start last year with the first loss of the season coming to the eventual NFC
champs. Then the rash of injuries. Couple that with the fact that the Jets simply
aren't that good and everyone will be ready for the Dolphins this year, i think
you have a 10-6, 2nd place team hear.
11:46
Alex Marvez:
Pittsburgh is hoping that Chris Kemoeatu and Darnell Stapleton improve in their
second years as full-time starters.
11:47
Alex Marvez: Max Starks and Willie Colon are adequate tackles.
Same goes for Justin Hartwig at center.
11:47
Alex Marvez:
The big question is whether the continuity of returning the five Super Bowl starters
results in a better running game.
11:47
[Comment From Mike ]
Pittsburgh is a pretty solid and intimidating team
11:48
Alex Marvez: The Steelers need big-time production from Willie
Parker and Rashard Mendenhall for a good shot at defending their Super Bowl title.
11:48
FOXSports.com: A 49ers question from kaicer hayat...
Hey alex marvez do u think the niners will get a pass rusher and what about the
qb?
11:48
Alex Marvez: Greg Ellis would be a real interesting fit in
San Francisco if/when he is released by Dallas.
The QB situation isn't a great one. I like the intangibles and leadership skills
that Shaun Hill brings but I don't think he causes any defensive coordinators to
lose sleep.
11:49
Alex Marvez: Hill would be helped if Josh Morgan, Jason Hill
and TE Vernon Davis step up as receivers.
Alex Marvez: Same goes for Michael Crabtree, although it's
hard to expect much from an early-entry junior as a rookie.
11:50
Alex Marvez: I don't see Alex Smith as much of a factor in
the starting QB race.
11:50
FOXSports.com: Dave from California
wants to know:
Which team do you think is going to be the surprise
team of the year?
11:50
[Comment From Greg in Vancouver ]
dont' forget michael crabtree!!!!!!!
11:51
Alex Marvez:
Cincinnati has the chance for a .500 season.
11:51
Alex Marvez: The defense will be pretty solid and the return
of Carson Palmer helps a lot.
11:51
Would you want your team to trade for Chad Ochocinco?
Heck yeah, he's a difference-maker
( 25% )
No way, he's a team-breaker
( 75% )
11:51
Alex Marvez: If the Bengals can go 2-2 against Pittsburgh
and Baltimore, they've got a legit wild-card shot IMO.
11:52
Alex Marvez: Then again, they are the Bengals.
11:52
[Comment From Mike ]
cinci will do better than 500.
11:52
FOXSports.com: Here's one from JP
regarding one of the big questions floating around the league these days: Are the Redskins really thinking about Michael Vick?
11:52
Alex Marvez: Not sure on that one yet.
11:52
How should Roger Goodell handle the Michael Vick situation?
Suspend him forever
( 20% )
Suspend him for entire 2009 season
( 10% )
Suspend him for portion of 2009
( 10% )
Reinstate him for this season
( 60% )
11:52
Alex Marvez: I think it's a little premature right now to
speculate simply because no one except Roger Goodell is sure when Vick will be reinstated.
Alex Marvez: And quite honestly, Goodell might not have made
that decision yet either.
11:53
Alex Marvez: So much will depend on the reinstatement date.
11:53
Alex Marvez: If it doesn't happen until midseason, there's
a good chance Vick could become in demand by a team that is having injury problems
at the position.
11:53
Alex Marvez: There also are some teams who just won't touch
him because of all the baggage.
11:54
Alex Marvez:
Let's also see how Vick conducts himself over the next few months.
Alex Marvez: Campbell's best bet is to stay in Washington
and have a great season. If he does that, Cambell will be in line for a big raise
in 2010 when he becomes a free agent.
11:56
FOXSports.com: And one final question, from Glenn:
Do you think the Giants' offense will be better now that they have had a chance
to adjust to things without Plaxico?
11:56
Alex Marvez: Great question.
11:56
Alex Marvez: The running game and offensive line should be
solid.
11:57
Alex Marvez: But I still wonder whether this team has a bona
fide No. 1 receiver.
11:57
Who will win the Super Bowl this season?
Patriots
( 19% )
Steelers
( 19% )
Colts
( 0% )
Giants
( 13% )
Eagles
( 50% )
11:57
Alex Marvez:
It would be great for the G-men if Hakeem Nicks and/or Ramses Barden can at least
play a contributing role as rookies.
11:58
Alex Marvez: But even if the offense isn't great, that defense
could be murder with the d-linemen the Giants have assembled.
11:58
Alex Marvez: The Michael Boley acquisition will help as well.
11:58
Alex Marvez: I can't wait to see that NFC East scramble for
supremacy!
11:58
FOXSports.com: Actually, one of our video producers poses
the question of the day...
Better mullet - you or mark gastineau?
11:58
Alex Marvez: Gastineau was an original (i think i was 10
when he was sporing his), but I've kept the tradition alive.
11:59
Alex Marvez: Someone has to carry the flag. I guess it's
me.
11:59
Alex Marvez: Thanks y'all. We'll do this again soon.
11:59
FOXSports.com: That will do it everyone, we can't thank you
enough for sticking with us after the chat blew up and impoded before our eyes,
haha!
Thanks again to Alex for hanging with us, and keep it logged on to FOXSports.com! Have a great weekend!
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