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Chat Reel: Pat Kirwan
Analyst answers user's questions
Posted: Wednesday September 26, 2001 3:22 PM
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NFL chat with Pat Kirwan. Pat, glad you join us.
Pat Kirwan: Thank you, glad to be here.
From Marty3: Hello Pat, are you surprised that the Redskins cut Jeff George today?
Pat Kirwan: Not at all. His lackluster performance on national TV is not what Marty Schottenheimer is all about. Jeff has a long history of breaking the hearts of the coaches he plays for. No one I knew that knew both men felt this relationship was ever going to work. It's too bad they did not arrive at this conclusion last winter and convince Brad Johnson to stay.
From Mojo: Terrell Davis has yet another injury. How long will the Broncos keep him around? He has a no-trade clause, but they have got to be thinking about releasing him.
Pat Kirwan: They still believe in Davis when healthy. He will be back this season. And they will get a second opportunity to evaluate how much he has left. I expect him to be there at least for this season. He is definitely better than Garrison Hearst ever was and Hearst rebounded a few times from severe injuries.
From jtr23: What options, if any does Jeff George have?
Pat Kirwan: Often in the past people thought George was out of options, but he continues to show up. Look no further than the new starter for the Redskins, Tony Banks, if you don't believe anything is possible. George may be done for this season, but next offseason someone will put him on their roster. The problem is when you work him out, you fall in love with his arm, which is the best in the NFL.
From Anthony Peranio in Flushing, N.Y.: I was wondering how long you think that Mike Holmgren will let Matt Hasselbeck struggle before he lets Trent Dilfer have a shot at bringing this offense to life. For a guy who was supposed to know the system, Hasselbeck has looked lost.
Pat Kirwan: Anthony, good to hear from a guy from Queens. This league is based on winning and right now Hasselbeck doesn't appear capable of winning. In a week or two he may need the relief of going to the bench to regroup. Holmgren has to be considering Dilfer for the short term soon.
From Brad: Pat, everyone is talking about how poor Indianapolis' defense is. Do you buy this? Yes, statistically their run defense does look bad. However, they only allowed Curtis Martin to rush for 70 yards and Travis Henry rushed for only 40 yards. I think this unit will improve throughout the year.
Pat Kirwan: I believe the Colts' defense is improving and they are in a situation now with the high-scoring offense they have that they have less pressure on them and are developing.
From Kyle Clapham in Winnipeg, Canada: What is your assessment of the Buffalo Bills' strategy for the team for the next couple of years given the fact that this year is probably going to be a bust. If Rob Johnson plays poorly this year, what do they do?
Pat Kirwan: First off, Tom Donahoe has a long-range plan and had his hands tied for this season and probably next season with salary cap issues. Once he clears those up he will bring in talent to rebuild the Bills. If it becomes clear that Rob Johnson is not the quarterback, Donahoe will move on. Tom was with the Steelers when they decided not to match the Jets' offer for Neil O'Donnell. This is going to take more time than you probably want to hear about as a Bills fan. Be patient.
From Rob: Pat, what is going on with Trent Green and the Chiefs. I know they weren't supposed to beat the Raiders and Giants, but they could have if their offense would have played better. What is going on with them?
Pat Kirwan: Trent Green is one of the more interesting guys in the NFL. Like Rob Johnson from the Bills, he never really played enough to establish his credibility. Yet, coaches have wanted this guy since the beginning. In Kansas City his problems are compounded by a below-average running game and the injury to Derrick Alexander. Right now, as I look at the Chiefs, Green probably doesn't have enough of escapability and athleticism to create plays on his own. Of all the quarterbacks who moved to a new a team, it never ceases to amaze me how Doug Flutie shines above the others.
From Fiskalpolicies: The 1980s and '90s gave us a "Golden Age" for quarterbacks, with Joe Montana, Steve Young, Dan Marino, John Elway, Troy Aikman and Andre Ware -- OK, the last one is a joke. But aside from maybe Peyton Manning, which current crop of quarterbacks do you see being surefire Hall of Famers?
Pat Kirwan: That's an interesting question because the position of quarterback has changed so much in the last few years. Emerging stars that have a chance if they continue to develop, in my opinion, include Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper. With the nature of the salary cap and the volatility of the quarterback position, where so many change teams, it will be harder for these young players to establish themselves and weather any hard times. The one guy who is on a collision course with the Hall of Fame is Brett Favre. He will never play for another team, and he is healthy again and he looks like the best player in the league right now.
From GoCanes: Are the Dolphins for real this year? Or is this just luck that will subside in the weeks to come?
Pat Kirwan: How do you want to see it? Winning in this league is winning, and you should never apologize for it. Their defense plays well enough, and the running back appears good enough, and Fiedler is better than advertised. And they are capable of 10-11 wins. That's what I think the Dolphins are.
From AtlantaTiger: How do you see Baltimore's offense reacting to last week's debacle? Will they rebound for a tough game at Denver?
Pat Kirwan: It's very hard to ever rebound in Denver. The Broncos have the best home-field advantage in the NFL. It's obvious the loss of Jamal Lewis is the most serious loss in the league so far. The Ravens cannot win trying to throw the ball 60 times. And the idea that the defense can score enough to win games is unrealistic. Ultimately the Ravens will have a good record this year. Don't judge them on their performance in Denver.
From Billy: Pat, is Mike Anderson still going to be the featured back in Denver or did last week's game open the door for Olandis Gary? One bad game shouldn't make Mike Shanahan jump the gun and make a change.
Pat Kirwan: I think Shanahan is going to utilize both backs for about 15 carries each. They may still both get 100 yards a game. Both will be happy and the team will be prepared if one of them goes down. There is no reason to wear one out and rest the other,
From hooper1: Do you think what Cris Carter was doing to his teammates on Sunday was appropriate, especially with how he was treating Culpepper?
Pat Kirwan: No, I don't. I think that that is a sign of frustration, and I am sure Carter will find better ways to help his team win starting this week. Carter has been asked to mentor the young players in Minnesota the last few years and his frustration came out in the wrong way. Until Minnesota establishes a running game, the Vikings are in for some hard times. Dennis Green has great influence on his players, and I am sure that he has pointed out to Carter the right way to help the team overcome this poor start.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Pat Kirwan. Pat, thanks for joining us.
Pat Kirwan: It's been my pleasure -- enjoy this week's games and I'll see you next week.
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