Mailbag: Before the clock starts

<p><em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em></p> <p><strong>Greg in Chicago writes:</strong> Been a while since I read the blog. In re: Young, Cutler, etc... congratulations. You join every generation before yours in believing that those younger than you feel entitled.</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> Point taken. I just turned 40 and find myself saying, "Kids today..." too often. Nevertheless, I stand by <a href="/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-91/Sunday-Mailbag--Your-questions-addressed.html" target="_blank">the opinion</a>. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9597" target="_new">Jay Cutler</a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9589" target="_new">Vince Young</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9596" target="_blank">Matt Leinart</a> don't strike me as guys who came into the league hell-bent on earning their way and proving their worth with hard work.</p> <p>I covered <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=6493" target="_new">Jeff Hostetler</a> and didn't think he felt entitled. Same for <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=29" target="_new">Chris Chandler</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=733" target="_new">Steve McNair</a>.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Garrison in Indianapolis writes:</strong> If Edge gets released in Arizona, any chance the Colts bring him back? Given Addai's ineffectiveness since halftime of the '07 Patriots game, Edge would probably feel like he could have the chance to start or heavily contribute in a backfield committee a la Rhodes and Addai in '06. He still maintains friendships with a lot of the players on the team and his relationship with management is nice enough that he has a Colts Super Bowl ring.</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> Possible if he'd do it for cheap. His friendships with other players on the team are irrelevant in this scenario. And if the Colts draft a back, I think they'll probably consider the position addressed. Bill Polian indicated Friday he likes the crop he already has.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Kobe in Newport writes:</strong> will the jaguars still pursue michael crabtree or jeremy maclin? or will they go after sanchez? I think that getting crabtree or maclin opens up all of the options for garrard and mo-jo. That would make the offense explosive and the defense has plenty of holes but it also has playmakers. Can you give me a prediction of the jags this coming year if they get maclin or crabtree?</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> The pick could be Crabtree or Maclin if they are there. I don't see them taking Sanchez, I see them trying to trade the spot to someone who wants Sanchez.<br /> <br /> I still think they'd be the last-place team in the division. They have a lot of issues beyond receiver and it'll be hard to address them all with one draft.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Tobin in Denver writes:</strong> Reading through the blog mock draft, and I am shocked you would make the statement that <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24669"></a><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=6574" target="_new">Clay Matthews</a> is a high-character athlete. This is the same Clay Matthews that created the group, "White Nation," which featured a graphic with the caption, "arrest black babies before they become criminals" on Facebook as a junior at USC. Whether a joke or not, this is not high-character and can not be brushed aside as being a stupid college kid not knowing the extent of his actions. I can't believe every sports media outlet disregards this fact. I hope some of his new non-white teammates give him a proper welcome to the NFL.</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> A fair point for sure and I should have been more careful with my wording there. I do believe, however, that Matthews is regarded by most scouts and teams as a good-character guy who did something very stupid, not as a guy with an incident in his past that suggests a future filled with more of them.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Brian in Jacksonville, Fla., writes:</strong> Would love your opinion on the new threads. To me the home jeresey looks a lot like the Eagles and the limited teal in the away is a bit confusing as Teal is supposed to be the primary. The biggest point of contention is the lack of gold in the uniform yet the logo uses it for shadow effect. I do think they look sleeker but as someone who thinks the Colts have a timeless look it is hard to fully grasp the think stripes over the thick ones.</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> I think simpler is better so I like what they've done and I don't mind the disappearance of the gold. I like the predictable home and away setup for a team without a lot of history or identity. I agree with you about the absence of teal in the road uniforms.<br /> <br /> The pictures I've seen of the helmets haven't given me a true sense, I don't think. I worry the sparkle may make them look like the hoods of some of those Camaros from the early 80s. Look forward to seeing them in person at some OTAs in June.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Tom from Tempe, Ariz., writes:</strong> Would the jaguars have any interest in trading for a veteran like boldin? his physical style of play would do well for their offensive mindset, and as alot of people question his ability to separate from top level corners and double coverage, wouldn't the huge focus on the running game open him up alot? ... or does this scenario seem really unlikely - if they could even convince arizona to give him up.</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> No. The Jaguars are looking to stockpile picks, not deal them. If they trade two for Boldin, they've addressed wide receiver and killed their chances to effectively address a bunch of other spots like offensive line, defensive tackle and defensive back.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Andrew from parts unknown writes:</strong> With the draft this Saturday everyone is trying to fill holes left in their lineup. Who are the free agents which might fill some holes in the AFC south (especially my Texans)if the draft doesn't play out they want? I don't think this in particular would necessarily be good, but something like adding <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=597" target="_new">Rodney Harrison</a> to the team to teach the young guys how to play better, add depth at a weak point and teach the team how to win when it is expected to (like against Oakland last year).</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> There are no major answers out there -- more role players, pieces and projects. Now some guys can get released after teams draft their replacements. Harrison to Houston could be intriguing, but I think they want to be younger.<br /> <br /> But I don't believe in bringing in veterans with the objective of having them mentor. Mentoring is a nice additional bonus if they can play, but they have to be able to play. There are coaches in place to coach.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Zach in Blacksburg, Va., writes:</strong> I cannot fathom why David "Deacon" Jones is not on the list. He is arguably one of the greatest defensive ends in football history. He was drafted in the 16th round in the 14th round. Like <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12" target="_new">Jerry Rice</a>, who tops the list, he went to Mississippi Valley State (for one year). Anyone that makes an NFL team from this school is of hidden and/or underrated value. Jones not only made the LA Rams team; he made the LA Rams into a team. He is one of their greatest players of all time. As an end, he redefined the position and even contributed to football vocabulary with the term: sack. All in all, the list is good and helps show that the draft isn't over after the first round, and in the case of guys like <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2055" target="_new">Jeff Saturday</a>, the entire draft.</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> Zach is referring to <a href="/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-120/Little-known-WR-among-NFL-s-all-time-draft-values.html" target="_blank">this post</a> about ESPN Stats & Information's list of the top draft values of all-time, and I chose his note to be representative of all the complaints I've gotten.</p> <p>It's not a subjective list where we said "yes, yes, no, no" as we listed guys. It was the product of a specific formula created by ESPN Stats & Information -- which is thoroughly described in a box in the middle of the blog post. Based on thos criteria, the guys who didn't make the list didn't score higher than those who did.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Ben in Nashville writes:</strong> Paul, with the Falcons trading for Tony G. its beginning to look as if <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=23982">Brandon Pettigrew</a> could possibly be around at 30. With Scaife being seemingly unhappy with his contract, would it not be smart to draft Pettigrew and possibly trade Scaife for a 2-4 round pick (not sure of his value)? The kid from Cal that they drafted last year seems to have limited upside and really is just another OL. Pettigrew seems to be a perfect fit for what the Titans do and is a top 15 talent in my opinion.</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> I don't think he's there at 30 -- and I agree with <a href="/blogs/nfceast/0-9-128/No-need-for-Eagles-to-rush-on-a-RB.html" target="_blank">a recent post</a> by NFC East mogul Matt Mosley that Philly should take him, not a running back.</p> <p>If he is still on the board, it would not surprise me at all if the Titans took him.<br /> <br /> They could carry Pettigrew, Scaife, Crumpler and Stevens this year without much issue, and be set for 2010 without Crumpler and Scaife. Or maybe they'd decide Crumpler is done in camp. Scaife is not under contract now, so he's untradeable. And once he signs the franchise deal, he's getting nearly $5 million, which people won't be anxious to trade for.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Harry in Nashville writes:</strong> Hey Paul, sorry I just missed you on the chat. Had a few questions for you though. Did VY seal his fate by making the comments about "just collecting his checks" earlier this week? Is it out of the realm of possibility that the Titans would draft a qb this year for the practice squad? Did Pacman end the chances of <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24688">Percy Harvin</a> becoming a Titan? If you were the GM would you take a CB, DE, or LB with the 1st pick?</p> <p><strong>Paul Kuharsky:</strong> Young's fate will be sealed by how he plays and acts, not by what he says in an interview.<br /> <br /> You can't draft someone for the practice squad, anyone in the league could sign him away for his 53-man roster at any time.<br /> <br /> If I'm the GM, I wait and see what's there. In <a href="/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-110/You-asked-for-it--Blogger-mock-draft.html" target="_blank">the bloggers' mock</a> I took <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=23927">Alphonso Smith</a>.</p> <p>If they don't fear Harvin -- and I believe they do -- they should.</p>

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