NFL News Feed

Washington Post NFL columnist and blogger Mark Maske was online Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. ET to take your questions and comments about week 13 results and all the latest news from around the league.

The transcript follows.

Mark writes the NFL News Feed blog for the washingtonpost.com's pro football group blog, The League. He is the author of War Without Death: A Year of Extreme Competition in Pro Football's NFC East.

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Mark Maske: Hey, everyone. Thanks for checking in. There's plenty going on so let's get right to it.

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Aldie, Va.: Great article today about Harbaugh and Flacco, but you neglected to mention the real reason for their success -- experienced coordinators in Rex Ryan and Cam Cameron. They're the glue that's holding the Ravens together and putting them in a position to excel. The Redskins desperately need a deeper playbook and better coordination on the offensive side of the ball -- they've basically peaked.

washingtonpost.com: At Coach and QB, Ravens Showing Beginner's Pluck (Post, Dec. 2)

Mark Maske: Thanks. Yes, that is a factor in the Ravens' success, particularly given that Harbaugh had been a special teams coach for so many years in Philadelphia. But there is only so much space in the print edition of the paper.

And you want the Redskins to have a more voluminous playbook? That didn't work so well when they had Al Saunders and the 700-page playbook, you know. Just kidding. It's the first season of this offensive system, at least in the passing game. You'll see more, I think, as time goes on, next season and beyond if not this season.

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Arlington, Va.: Does the passing of Ted Rogers lessen the possibility of the Bills potential move to Toronto? I imagine it would have to change the situation somewhat but does it improve the chances that the Bills could stay in Buffalo?

Mark Maske: For now, I will take the Bills and the NFL at their word that these games being played in Toronto merely are an attempt to attract a regional fan base so that the franchise can succeed staying in Buffalo. Down the road, who knows? I know many people in Buffalo are wary of the team being moved to Toronto, but I don't view that as an immediate possibility.

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Evansville, Ind.: I want to know if anyone else found Plax's attorney/agent's comments comparing Plaxico's shooting to that of Sean Taylor offensive and ridiculous. When he started saying how much this situation was like that of Sean's shooting I couldn't believe none of the MNF announcers didn't call him on it.

washingtonpost.com: Burress Appears in Court (Post, Dec. 2)

Mark Maske: I saw Drew Rosenhaus's interview on Monday Night Football. I don't have the exact words in front of me right now but I took it at the time as him saying that it was traumatic news for him to hear that his client Plaxico Burress had shot himself accidentally, just as it had been traumatic news for him when he'd heard that his client Sean Taylor had been shot. I didn't think he took the comparison beyond that. If I'm right about that and that's all it was, I don't find that inappropriate. He was saying that his initial concerns were about Burress's health and well-being and not the issues that arose subsequently, including the criminal charges.

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Guns and players: Are some NFL teams better at enforcing a code of behavior? I know the owners aren't nannies, but does attitude come from the top? Can contracts have clauses that boot a player out for crimes? And are some colleges better than others for developing player's manners?

Mark Maske: Absolutely some are better at it than others, just as some teachers and some schools and some parents and some families are better at it than others. When it comes to teams, there also are some that are less willing than others to take risks on players with histories of off-field misbehavior.

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Washington, D.C.: After the beating the Jets took from Denver do you still think they are the favorites to win the AFC East?

Mark Maske: Yes, I would still regard the Jets as the favorite in that division. The Patriots just took a big step backward against the Steelers. The Bills have been spiraling downward. And I'm still not quite ready to look at the Dolphins as a playoff team. They've also had some costly injuries lately with Greg Camarillo and Justin Smiley.

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Indianapolis: Hi Mark. Is it just me or have there been an unusually high number of safeties this season?

Mark Maske: I've had the same impression but I haven't looked at the numbers yet. I will do that. I promise. And if there have been more safeties than usual, I don't even know what I'd propose as an explanation other than simple conicidence. Come back here and ask me next week and I'll have an answer for you, at least on the numbers.

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DC: How much of the blame for the Skins offensive woes should be placed on Jim Zorn's shoulders? Vinny Cerrato, of course, deserves some too for spending three second-rounders on useless WRs while ignoring the O-line.

Mark Maske: I wouldn't even call them offensive woes. It's what you would expect with a new coach and a new system in the passing game. The part of the offense that remained intact from the previous regime, the running game, has been good. The part of the offense that changed, the passing game, is a work in progress. This is a team with a new coach and a young starting quarterback that is over .500 and in the playoff chase. I know expectations were raised with the fast start, but step back and keep perspective about all of that. The passing game should get better over time. We've seen evidence that Jason Campbell can play and that Jim Zorn knows what he's doing. Receivers taken early in the draft are always major risks--even more so, it seems, than players taken at other positions. We need to see how all of this plays out. It's too early in the process to make evaluations and start wondering who's to blame.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Please explain why Matt Jones is still playing football instead of serving a suspension for substance abuse as is the rule under league rules? What sort of statement does this make about how tough the league is regarding these types of issues?

Mark Maske: You sound like Joey Porter, who raised this very issue and then ended up apologizing to Matt Jones. There is a three-game suspension pending that's under appeal.

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Reston, Va.: Mark, I'm no legal scholar, so the Plaxico Burress situation has left me a bit confused. It seems to be a widely known fact that he accidentally shot himself at the thigh in a NYC nightclub. It also seems to be a widely known fact that he does not have a gun license in the state of New York. So how can he enter a not-guilty plea? If the previous items aren't "fact", shouldn't the media state that he "allegedly" shot himself? (for the record, I think he is guilty, so I'm not trying to defend his innocence)

Mark Maske: Everyone pleads not guilty at first. Make the prosecution prove its case. And Burress, in fact, wasn't even required to enter a plea yesterday, although his attorney had indicated that he will plead not guilty. On the use of the word "allegedly," we think we know that he accidentally shot himself in that nightclub. It's been widely reported and the criminal complaint cites one witness who seems to back that up. But we have not heard Plaxico Burress's side of the story at this point. Until we do, I think that kind of restraint in the way things are worded and reported is necessary. I don't know that the facts are established with 100 percent certainty.

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Sterling, Va.: Who is your MVP so far this year?

Mark Maske: I've been all over the board on this one, from Clinton Portis to Kurt Warner to Brett Favre. At this point, I'd say Favre. He is the key difference on a team that has gone from having a terrible season last year to being in the playoffs, potentially, this season. You can't discount Adrian Peterson, either. Let's see where things end up, both individually and team-wise. I could change my mind again. There's no clear-cut choice this season. I don't care what kind of numbers Drew Brees puts up if the Saints finish in last place. To me, you can't be all that valuable to a last-place team. Your team could have finished in last place without you. Kerry Collins doesn't do it for me, either. He's not the main reason that the Titans are winning games.

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Zorn knows what he's doing?: Really? What gives you that impression? The only part of the Redskins that are any good (running game/defense) are the things he's had the least to do with. Clock management, passing game, playcalling, etc. have been mostly terrible. He does have great hair though.

Mark Maske: Well, there you go.

But really, give him credit for keeping certain things intact from the previous regime. Those were choices that he made. He could have changed those things. The head coach gets credit for that, in my book, just as the head coach gets blamed for things that go wrong that might be out of his control.

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Anonymous: I know you will have a number of Plaxico Burress questions, but here's another take. Who has Plaxico hurt but himself? I listen to all the talking heads act like the guy is the worst person to ever play in the NFL, but the guy shot himself. There's no semblance to the murder of Sean Taylor though it was the anniversary weekend. to me the guy is a laughable fool! Yet, everyone is stressed and angry.

Yes, I'm tired of Burress, Chad Johnson, T.O. and all the other drama queens out there. but football and media coverage are their platforms. I say stop treating their incidents and drama as the end all for the livelihood of sport. Same holds true for Allen Iverson and others.

Mark Maske: Certainly any number of people were put at risk if, as alleged, he had an unlicensed gun in a presumably crowded nightclub that accidentally was shot.

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Reston, Va.: The officiating has received a lot more criticism this year than previous years. Do you think the league will address it in any way after the season?

Mark Maske: That's a very good question. I don't think you'll see any major changes. There already has been a tweak or two to the replay procedures. There have been questions for years about whether the NFL should make the officials full-time employees, which they currently aren't, and the league's position always has been that wouldn't make any difference.

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Cameron, N.C.: So who's responsible for Miami? Does Chad get a nod for MVP?

Mark Maske: He's had an excellent season. He would have to be in the MVP conversation if the Dolphins actually make the playoffs, yes. But is he even the MVP of that team? Joey Porter is having a huge year, too, which is sometimes overshadowed by the controversy he generates.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you know of a timeline for Brady's return? I have heard reports that he will not be available to start the season next year. Closer to home, the 'Skins have not won at home since distributing the "surrender towels." Coincidence?

Mark Maske: I would say the timetable for Brady's return depends on how the treatment of the infection in his knee goes. If all is under control, I would say the chances are that he will make it back for the start of next season--maybe not fully recovered, but well enough to play. If the infection forces the original reconstructive knee surgery to be re-done, then there could be a big question about whether he'll be ready to play at the outset of next season.

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Ann Arbor, Mich.: With Weis likely out at Notre Dame, do you think there is a place for him as a head coach in the NFL next year? Or a coordinator? He may be a crappy college coach, but was a great pro coordinator.

Mark Maske: I wouldn't think he would be in great demand as a head coaching candidate if he's ousted at Notre Dame, not in college and not in the NFL. But he clearly would be in demand as an offensive coordinator.

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Tampa-Carolina on MFN: Are both these teams for real? As a Tampa (and NFC South) fan, I know how up-and-down this division is and how close the competition can be, even if all the teams don't play well outside the division. Also, who's your favorite in 6 days?

Mark Maske: Yes, you would have to say they're both for real. That game is an absolute tossup. I know the Buccaneers beat them pretty easily in Tampa earlier in the season but I guess I would have to give the Panthers a slight edge at home.

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Arlington, Va.: Mark, have you heard any more word on the condition of SI's Dr. Z? I heard about the strokes in King's column yesterday. Anyone who loves football enjoys reading Z's rankings and anecdotes. Here's to a full recovery to the good doctor.

Mark Maske: I don't have any updates for you. I join you in your well-wishes. I have sat next to Mr. Zimmerman at a Super Bowl or two and it was an honor because he is one of the legendary figures of my business.

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RE: MVP: What's your criteria for MVP? Numbers help but mistake-free leadership shows itself otherwise. Case in point: Jeff Garcia of Tampa Bay. Not a very good MVP candidate with numbers, but he hasn't made mistakes this season after Game 1 and Tampa's on a roll.

Mark Maske: It's a subjective measure of which player is most instrumental in helping a successful team to win. I don't think simply avoiding mistakes is quite enough. Otherwise, David Garrard might have been the MVP last season.

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New Orleans: So I see the NFL has scheduled another game in London in 2009. Will Goodell/NFL continue this every year? Does the Goodell/NFL still see a market overseas despite the failure of NFL Europe?

Mark Maske: Clearly the NFL will continue to try to make the rest of the world consumers of its product. I have no idea if it will work or not, but it's not an effort that will be abandoned any time soon. If anything, the efforts will be greatly increased over time.

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Mark Maske: Thanks for the questions, everyone. I got to as many of them as I could. I've got to run. See you right here same time next Tuesday.

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