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Let the Super Bowl hype begin!
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ESPN's Chris Mortensen dropped by for his weekly chat on Wednesday and touched on numerous topics, including the "bogus" story about the New York Giants stealing radio signals, the coaching carousel and why nobody in the media has given the Ravens their due credit.
If you missed Mort's Jan. 17 chat, an edited transcript follows:
|  | | Shannon Sharpe should see plenty of action in Super Bowl XXXV. |
Mike: Mort, is there any truth to what Fox sports said about the complaints of the Eagles and Vikings saying the Giants were cheating during both their games by listening in on both offenses plays? If the answer is no, I apologize for watching Fox television.
Chris Mortensen: Here's the deal on this very bogus story ... Somebody in Canada dropped in a notes column that the Vikings and Eagles had complained that the Giants were stealing their transmission signals to the quarterback. The person who wrote this is a notorious myth-maker. He even added a conspiracy spin that the league was keeping it hush-hush.
I have spoken with coaches and players in Philly and Minnesota and they all laughed. There is zero substance to the story, but it's taken on a life of its own. And if it were true, the league sure as heck would not be able to cover it up and keep these teams quiet. They'd be screaming to all of us.
No truth. Fox was merely passing along this report. We decided as a network that you don't run a story this spectacular if it has nothing to stand on.
No apologies necessary, however.
Bruce: Mort, are the Redskins going to hire Bill Muir as offensive line coach? He interviewed with Marty today and it would be a coup to land him.
Chris Mortensen: Marty has interviewed two outstanding line coaches in the past two days - Muir and Paul Boudreau. He can't miss with either guy.
James: What will the Titans do at WR? Mason is an UFA, Dyson is coming off a torn ACL and MCL, and Thigpen, Pickens, and Sanders are all overpaid based on their production.
Chris Mortensen: The Titans will find a way to keep Mason from being free. Thigpen and Pickens will be outta there. Sanders is hanging by a thread. Dyson should be fine, but they will pick up another WR or two in the draft, and maybe find a a free-agent bargain. This draft is deep in receivers.
Rob: Does it get to you that most of the media is making a bigger deal about players' off the field personal problems than they are about two good football teams that play old-fashioned, smash mouth football?
Chris Mortensen: Rob, you're probably right, but that's what you get with Super Bowl coverage.
I'm actually getting sick of all the media guys complaining that this game will be boring. Those guys aren't fans and don't know the game. You are right about these teams, and I am looking forward to the game.
Tim: Mort, there has been much speculation in Buffalo as to who the next head coach of the Bills will be. Knowing Tom Donahoe you may have a good idea who that man may be. The popular choice in Buffalo presently seems to be Marvin Lewis from the Ravens. Whether or not he is the man, do you have any thoughts on who the Bills coordinators may be? (P.S. Since the Bills have given Ted Cottrell permission to make a lateral coaching move, it does not appear he will be staying with the organization, unfortunately.) Thanks!!!
Chris Mortensen: Look, I think the Bills are likely to hire either Marvin Lewis or Giants defensive coordinator John Fox. These guys are two of the best in the NFL, so don't worry about your defense. They will hire good people. Be patient. Tom Donahoe will get the right man, and the Bills will survive.
David: Chris, any ideas on who the Jets are leaning toward as their next head coach? I personally would like Ted Cotrell, defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills. Or is Herman Edwards the frontrunner?
Chris Mortensen: I'm working on that story. I reported last week that Herm Edwards was the leading candidate. I think that's still true, with Dom Capers right behind. We could have a coach by Thursday or Friday.
Sergio: I believe this Ravens' D is perhaps the greatest of all-time. Unless Trent Dilfer throws three or more picks, do you see any way the Giants will be able to put up any sort of points against that Ravens' D that absolutely shut down the Broncos and Raiders high-powered offenses?
Chris Mortensen: I think the Giants' offense presents more problems than Denver and Tennessee. Kerry Collins has more ability to throw the ball downfield than Frerotte and McNair. Can they protect him? That's the question. But the Giants' O is underrated, and is very creative, not to mention getting healthy at the right time.
No, the Giants won't score 40, but on a good night, they might score 20 vs. Baltimore, which would make this a very tight game. I do agree that this Ravens defense now can be labeled with the "greatest all-time" defenses such as the '85 Bears, the Steel Curtain, etc.
Joe: Yo.
Chris Mortensen: Yo back.
frox: Mort - I have to sign off but could you please answer this question for me. Sterling Sharpe picked the Ravens at the start of the season. You guys all laughed at him but now he is looking pretty smart. Did he really believe in the team or was it just his brother? Also, how often has he brought that up recently? Thanks Mort!
Chris Mortensen: I have told Sterling many times that his pick of the Ravens for the Super Bowl was disqualified because of Shannon. However, he did not pick the Broncos every year when Shannon was there, so he can argue for the benefit of doubt. I just won't give it to him. And, of course, he has brought that up recently.
Jet Dog: Mort, CBS Sportsline is reporting that Herm Edwards is our man in Jetland. What's your opinion of him?
Chris Mortensen: We heard the same thing about an hour ago. We are waiting for another confirmation. I like Herm Edwards' leadership and communication skills. He will bring a lot of enthusiasm. I would embrace him, if you're a Jets fan.
phil: Almost every NFL analyst from ESPN, Fox, ABC, you name it, picked the Ravens to lose all three of their games so far. I want to know why, and are these analysts finally giving the Ravens the respect they deserve? Thank you for your time.
Chris Mortensen: There is one reason why many of us have looked so stupid in picking against the Ravens - Trent Dilfer. It just has been very difficult to envision the Ravens going this far with Dilfer. That, combined with the quality competition in playing the Broncos, Titans and Raiders. Obviously, we have not given the Ravens their just due. I always have seen them as a team one year away from a Super Bowl run. Guess what? I was wrong.
BILL: Shouldn't Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens GM, receive credit for putting together that team? Everyone seems to fawn over GM's who make the tough decisions but I haven't heard anyone discuss his free agent acquisitions and drafting which has brought this young franchise on the brink of a Super Bowl.
Chris Mortensen: Yes! There are three Executive of the Year candidates - Ozzie Newsome, Ernie Accorsi (Giants) and Randy Mueller (Saints). Ozzie had another outstanding draft (Jamal Lewis, remember, was a "reach," according to the experts). He signed Sam Adams, Shannon Sharpe and Trent Dilfer (at reasonable prices). He works very well with Brian Billick. I have always felt Ozzie was an unappreciated personnel man, but he is not unappreciated by the Ravens.
Justin: Mort, what did you think of Randy Moss' comments after the Giants game? Will Cris Carter be retiring or will he play another season?
Chris Mortensen: I thought Moss went a little over-board, but it's unwise to overreact to anything anybody says after such a devastating loss. Cris Carter plans to announce that he will return for his 15th season in 2001. He will meet with a broadcasting entity next week, but it's unlikely that he will change his mind. He'll be back.
MD: Mort, did Jon Gruden ever really have any interest in the Ohio State job?
MortFan: Mort - Do you think San Diego will trade there No. 1 pick or will they select Michael Vick?
Dan: Hi Mort,
What's the latest you've heard about the Bears' search for an offensive coordinator? Thanks, and you do a great job.
Chris Mortensen: Three questions, three answers:
1. Gruden grew up in Ohio as a big Ohio State fan. Even though he was disappointed when the Buckeyes didn't recruit him, it didn't keep him from wearing his favorite Buckeye No. 10 when he played QB at the U. of Dayton. No. 10, by the way, was Art Schlicter. So, Jon had interest, but he also doesn't feel he can walk away from a bunch of guys who busted their tail for him and came so close to the Super Bowl. I have stated emphatically that I thought Jon was out of Oakland when his contract is up in 2002. I do sense that if Al Davis would offer Jon fair market value on an extension beyond that, he would now consider it. But fair market value for a guy like Gruden is around $3-to-$4 million.
2. I think San Diego will do the right thing and take Vick.
3. The problem Dick Jauron has is that he might be a lame-duck coach - meaning he has one year to win or he's out. So it's hard to hire a coordinator who has other options. I think Palmer is Jauron's first choice. I think he would be terrific. But John Shoop could end up with the job, too. I must admit I have not been able to spend much time on the Bears, though. Sorry.
Clinton: Do you think Shannon Sharpe will be trash talking to Jason Sehorn at the Super Bowl just like the commercial?
Chris Mortensen: What do you think? Of course he will.
Gary: Yo from me too. Hey Mort, historically, the Super Bowl is a blowout, and also teams usually get two weeks rest. Last year the Super Bowl was played with both teams getting only one weeks rest, and we had the closest super bowl ever. This year, we go back to two weeks rest for the Super Bowl. Will one team dominate again, or does this even make a difference?
Chris Mortensen: We've had better games lately. Denver-Green Bay, to me, was the best, and that came off two weeks. Last year, great finish on one week. I think the trend will be toward closer Super Bowl games (regardless of the time in between) because there are no more dynasties.
Tutty: Mort, why does Mel Kiper suggest that the Chargers trade for Trent Green? I understand that this will give Vick some time to learn the offense, but the Rams have insisted that they want a first round pick in exchange for Trent Green.
Chris Mortensen: It could be Mel's hair has put too much pressure on his brain. Nah, just kidding. Mel is thinking like a lot of folks out there, and probably some Charger players. Certainly they are not going to give up the No. 1 pick for Green. I do believe that the Chargers will see a veteran guy (Brad Johnson, who may or may be available to them) to buy a bridge until Vick is ready. I think passing on Vick would be almost as a historical blunder as drafting Ryan Leaf.
Morty's #1 Fan: Mort, can I get the last question? What will Miami do with Fiedler? Keep him or sign a high priced FA, or go the draft route (trading up for Vick, possibly)?
Chris Mortensen: You win. The Dolphins plan to keep Fiedler. Dave Wannstedt and Chan Gailey really believe Fiedler's shoulder injury was responsible for his shaky finish. I think they will draft a young QB to develop, but they don't have enough firepower to get Vick, unless they're willing to trade Jason Taylor and Sam Madison, and two 1's.
I believe Chris Weinke would be ideal for a team like the Dolphins because he'll be ready to play pretty soon, although Gailey and Wanny prefer a little more mobility in their QBs.
Thanks, everyone, for being patient. It was bad timing because I was working on the Herm Edwards story when this chat started. I am looking forward to talking to you during Super Bowl week. I don't have a pick yet, but I am excited about the game. (Billick may pay me to pick the Giants, because I'm 0-3 on the Ravens in the playoffs).
God bless you guys for showing up every week. Thanks. I appreciate it. Good night.
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