NFL Chat: Underrated, overrated and a season overview

I look forward to answering all your questions about

and today's kickoff of the 2007 NFL season at noon.

How much of Wade Phillips' past head coaching failures factor into the Cowboys' success or hopefully (as an Eagles fan) lack thereof this season?

Well, I think Wade Phillips is a brilliant defensive coordinator, especially when it comes to applying pressure on a quarterback. I think his defensive schemes will be a challenge for the Eagles this year.

A non-injured Namath? Best q-back ever?

SalPal: No, I don't think so. Namath was reckless with the football. Threw too many interceptions to be considered the best ever. I would say Montana is the best ever. Namath doesn't make my top ten.

Is the Eagles defence in a heap of trouble this year? I think they are. We better score a lot of points.

Sal, How do you feel about the Eagles defense this year?

I don't think the Eagles defense is in that much trouble at all. I think Bunkley will be better. I like the pickup of Kimo. My major concern is with the linebackers. Particularly Gocong. He has never played the SAM at any level. He will be tested. If it doesn't work out, you should hope the Eagles coaching staff is not stubborn and finds an alternative.

No particular questions, Sal. I just enjoy your insight and expertise on

. Keep up the interesting 'banter!'

Thanks James. I have a lot of respect for those DN guys, and Barkann. It's my favorite show, by far, to talk sports, because Barkann really allows the debate to breath, allows opinions to take shape, but also challenges assumptions. Did you see his interview last night with Seinfeld and Larry David on the US Open coverage?

1. Javon Kearse is done and has been done for years. Why do people keep talking about him like he is still a factor? 2. Considine is a disaster. How many times do we have to see him get trucked before someone admits he is too small and weak for the job? This is like Simoneu times two. 3. Gocong has a long way to go before he is a solid LB. He is not instinctual at that position and it really shows. Gaither should be SSLB and they should draft a real MLB.

JC, Kearse is in my book as overrated. So, I agree. Considine will have to prove once and for all this season that he belongs on an NFL field. I expect Mikell to get plenty of action, soon, if Sean does not show up. Green Bay will not be a true test for this Eagles defense. In fact, of the first four games, only Washington because of the size of their OL line and Cooley should really present a mismatch. This will be a season-long issue and a work in progress. Something people will have to get used to dealing with.

Answer the question everyone wants to hear. Why were you such a *bleep* on Smerconish's show?

Smerconish and I had a disagreement. He didn't like my opinion. I didn't like the tenor of his cross-examination. I took a shot at him. That was that. We're friends.

Are you doing the

show again this year? and is Jaws on it again? How effective do you think the Eagles special teams will be? I am afraid it will cost them a game or two this year.

Yes, Timm.

debuts Sunday morning on ESPN at 8:30. I am back as the host, my third full season. Jaws and Merrill Hoge are back, as well as our producer, Greg Cosell, who puts it all together. I'm partial, but I think it's the best X and O's show on TV. We're the only show with the coach's tape. This week, we've got some great stuff on the Packers defense. Check it out.

I've always enjoyed your reports, but it seems like you've had some kind of personal beef with McNabb, like you can't wait until he's out of town. What gives? Do you think he's that easily replaceable?

Sal, is this possibly McNabb's last year with the birds? More importantly, what are the chances you would say it is Andy Reid's last year? I think it might not be a surprise if we see him leave.

Donovan McNabb ranks high on my underrated list. He's the best QB in franchise history, a class act in every sense, and yet he's constantly embroiled in controversies and criticisms. The only legitimate knocks on him are injuries (out of his control) and an inability to win "the big one" (but as we saw last year with Manning, that can change at any time). I'm worried that if Philly fans don't start giving McNabb the appreciation and respect he deserves, we're gonna run him out of town. And no matter how Kevin Kolb looks in the preseason, McNabb gives us the best chance to win it all, both this year, next year, and beyond.

I have no personal beef with No. 5 at all. I have nothing but positive things to say about his astounding rehab and performance this preseason and training camp. However, and this is something I have said before, I think it's an evaluation year for McNabb. He must a) stay on the field all 16 games, and b) perform at a high level, or the Eagles are going to have to make a financial decision in 2008 about his future in Philly. And if McNabb does well enough to deserve a restructured deal -- remember they already talked about one and never got far -- then he's going to want more money and will they give it to him? Those are big, big questions nobody has the answers to, not McNabb, not Lurie and Banner.

As for it being Andy Reid's last year, no way. He is signed to 2011. Unless he wants to leave, I don't see it happening. He could take another leave, but that's just speculation.

Do you believe that the HGH-sting, involving NFL players, will be as big as the dark cloud over the MLB? - or is the public too cynical to care?

It already is a big deal. The NFL is tracking it big time. Stay tuned.

Hi Sal, Underrated: Henry Ellard, Darrell Green (a better all around defender than Sanders), Roy Green,   James Brooks, Carlos Emmons, Wendell Tyler. Overrated: FAVRE FAVRE Cris Carter (invisible in playoff games) Eli Manning (but for the last name...) Tony Romo John Riggins (it was the line as Timmy Smith proved) Dan Marino (do you know he had a top 10 defense 7 times and only made 1 Super Bowl?).

Henry Ellard could have made my book as underrated. Green was not underrated. He got the attention he deserved. Favre is definitely overrated. Check out his last five years -- Vick has better numbers over that time. And check out Favre's QB ratings last year -- ugly. He's holding back a Packers team that has a very good D.

Sal, exactly how does the birds receiving corps rate among the other NFL teams?

Hi Sal. What do you think of Kevin Curtis? Can he hang?

The Eagles are very high on Curtis. I think we'll have to see whether he can play the X receiver position in this offense, drawing the best corners. In St. Louis, Holt and Bruce drew attention from Curtis. That won't be the case here. Since Reid has been here, the receivers have held this offense back -- with the exception of the SB year when T.O. and McNabb were together. The guy to watch this year is Jason Avant. He will get open in the slot, hold onto the ball and make some plays.

Do you think the NFL is going down a bad path with spreading the games out over several days? Call me old fashioned but I liked it better when football was only Sunday and a game on Monday night.

The NFL could have a game on Christmas, Easter, July 4th, wouldn't matter. It's a powerful brand that even the bad behavior of some of its players hasn't tarnished one bit.

Sal, how do you think the NFC East will stack up, can you give an overview on the division and do you see the Eagles winning the division?

How many wins for the Birds?

Sal, What is your best guess at the Eagles record? (if you make predictions). I think we are looking at another 10-6, 11-5 type season...challenging for the NFC East title, might have to settle for the WC...likely win a 1st round game.

OK, let's go through the Eagles sked: The Eagles win the first four games, the toughest being the opener because the Packers will be geeked up. Then, they will lose to the Jets on the road, then rebound and win five of the next six games, losing in New England. The only other losses: Seattle and New Orleans. I see 11 wins. 11-5. They win the division. Go to the NFC Championship game.

Sal, We were on the same flight to Tampa weeks ago, as you were headed for the Bucs/Patriots game. I asked you for your general opinion on the Eagles upcoming season. My question today is of a more specific nature. Has Kolb, in essence, supplanted Feeley? And, would we expect to see him in a blowout win or loss, pretty early on this season? Thanks.

Kolb can't supplant Feeley until he's played in a real live NFL game. Feeley has been a good backup and starter in this offense. In time, that will happen -- that's why the Eagles drafted Kolb.

RM, the place to buy the book is Amazon.com. Best price, don't have to leave your house.

I've had this discussion quite a few times with my family and some friends and we all seem to come to the same consensus that the most overrated players are Michael Vick, Roy Williams (Cowboys), and Ray Lewis. I don't think a ton of people would argue against Vick being called out, but people put Lewis on a throne. When I watch games of this guy, he's not always on top of the play. He'll have his occasional big hit or wrap up sack, but so do tons of other players every week. Do you think Ray Lewis is overrated?

Aaron, when we put

together, we were careful not to include players as overrated who are routinely criticized. Vick and Williams would be in that category. As for Ray Lewis, not overrated at all. In fact, I would say his value is about right. He's had some great years, some down years. Do I think he's a first ballot HOFer? No. But he's going to Canton.

Why does Sav Rocca have to be the holder for kicks for the Eagles? He is a big guy and does not look comfortable doing it. Greg Lewis or another wide reciever should have good hands and have no problem holding for kicks. Why is it assumed to be the punter's job?

Why can't they teach Feeley (and all backup QBs) to hold? You would think that they would be better suited and quicker studies than Rocca (or any punter for that matter).

That's a great point. It should be Feeley.

Celek was exciting in the preseason. Do you think he'll be able to perform during the regular season and how much will we be seeing him?

A lot. LJ's status is going to be week to week. Those sports hernia injuries are problematic. And Celek proved he deserved a shot to contribute. The problem is that Reid has never trusted rookies in his offense. I would like to see Hunt get some carries and not just goal line, either.

Dallas seems to have become a trendy pick to win the NFC East, but I just don't see it, do you?

Dallas will be competitive on defense. Phillips knows how to bring pressure. But offensively, week to week, they have nobody to carry them. You can pressure Romo into mistakes. Their RBs are not going to scare anybody. And two of their five starters on the OL are coming off knee surgery.

Sal, do you think the Saints will open up with a big statement tonight over the Colts?

Brees is the only QB in the conference that scares me, does NO take a step forward or back this year?

The Saints have the personnel groupings to take advantage of the Colts' changes on defense. Dungy's cover 2 scheme is vulnerable to draws and the stretch run play. I'm sure Sean Payton drilled that NFC Championship game into Drew Brees' head -- no mistakes, take care of the football -- and we can win.

Why does the media have such a problem with McNabb? Is it because he's well-spoken, well raised, and stays out of trouble that folks can't figure him out? Should he go and commit some crimes to be better understood? Super Bowl or no Super Bowl, the man has been a class act all of the way!

Who has a problem with McNabb?

Don't you think KISS should be the opening act tonight before the game?

No, I think it should be Black Sabbath.

Is Dawkins an automatic hall of famer when he retires?

No. Making it as a safety is tough. Got to have big INT numbers or a championship or be a bona fide game changer like Ronnie Lott. Remember, it took Paul Krause 19 years! to get into the Hall, and he is the all time leader in INTs.

The opening act should be US (The P-Funk All Stars/ParliaFunkadelicMent Thang. Right Sal?

Thanks for checking in George. Say hello to Parliament, the Gil Scott Heron and the fellas for me.

As a Soul Brother, will I appreciate your book on Frank Rizzo?

Yes. In my book, I talk about how Rizzo was about to get the Black Clergy endoresement in 1991 right before he died.

The amount of Eagle fans vs. Patriot fans at the Super Bowl a couple of years ago was astonishing. Yet all the mainstream media ever talks about is the stupid Santa Claus incident. Are Eagle fans underrated?

Oh, Eagles fans are definitely underrated and totally misunderstood. One of the things that I constantly defend on the road to my colleagues are Eagles fans. There are certain cliches out there about Eagles fans that have stuck in the national media. Philly is the best sports town in America. The fans stick with the teams despite years and years of ownership mismanagement and disappointment. No other town is even close in terms of heartache and true commitment.

Sal, do you think JR Reed is a upcheck in the Eagles return game?

Hey, shipmate, I don't know about Reed. He's been cut by three teams for a reason. I think that was a desperation move. But he's an upgrade from Bloom, who went down after the slightest hit. Reed will be tougher, that's for sure. And turnovers won't be a problem. Does he have that terrific quickness pre-injury? If he did, he would have never made it back to Philly. salpal (USNR)

Sal: if they want to talk snowballs, let them talk about the guy that started throwing snowballs at Jimmy Johnson. We are such fans we elected him Mayor and Governor!

I always make that point. Fast Eddie Rendell was the guy once throwing snowballs from the 700 Level. Google Steve Lopez's columns in the Inquirer on that game. Funny stuff. [Note:  Go to "

» READ MORE: Honest Ed's true confession

."]

Sal, realistically do you see anyway the Eagles can win it all?

I think they can, realistically. As long as Brett Myers isn't the closer.

Sal, Keep up the good work and thanks for taking the time! PS Have the DNL crew do a discussion on Philly street games when you get a chance (wall ball, stick ball, deadbox/skully, etc.)

Thank you, Philly dotcom. This has been a blast. Let's do this again. See you at Borders Bookstore in Center City on Tuesday Sept 18th, the day after the Eagles home opener, at 1 pm.