02:10 PM EST on Friday, January 6, 2006

Frank the moderator: Drop a note for Journal sports writer Tom Curran . He'll be here at noon to answer your questions and talk about Saturday night's Pats-Jags matchup.

SJH: Tom, we've read quite a bit about the Jags' massive defensive linemen. How do you see the Pats approaching their establishment of the running game?
Tom Curran: In one of three ways. 1) Try to pound it between the tackles. 2) Adopt a zone-blocking type scheme and let Dillon or Faulk pick a hole and exploit the Jags aggressiveness. 3) Don't run. Throw it 50 times. I think 3 is a real possibility.

Len: Hi Tom. How's Dillon's tirade sitting with the coaching staff? He's not producing this year. You think they'll go in another direction in 2006?
Tom Curran: The great LEN!!! I don't think it was a major issue in the upper reaches but it did receive attention. He's not producing in my opinion because of poor blocking up front and injuries. I think they'll draft a back but I don't think they'll cut bait with Dillon in 2006.

Leadfoot: Tom, Broadcast begins at 8, but I am celebrating my dad's birthday at a restaurant at 6pm (made many weeks ago). What time is the actual kickoff. I' m trying not to speed home.
Tom Curran : I just checked with the PR staff. Toe meets ball at 8:07:30. And I'm not joking, it's that precise..

Pants: TC, Outside of Brady, who is the best golfer on the Pats?
Tom Curran: I guess Koppen's a good player. I know a lot of guys really like to play though. Dillon, Harrison, Vrabel, Bruschi...know who some of the best hoop players are on the team? Kevin Faulk, Rosey Colvin and Fauria.

buzzardluck: Tom, love the chat! How would one go about getting a new windshield for the car? Seems mine has been broken about a thousand times...also, any tips on getting duck sauce off of leather seats? Thanks!
Tom Curran: Buzz... There's an ad for a windshield replacement company...has a catchy song...1-800-54... and then i just go blank...Also, if you get duck sauce on your seats...trade the car in. It ain't coming out.

Fike Melger: Do you think its true, as some have speculated, that Belichick TOLD Cassel to throw the ball away on the 2pt conversion against Miami?
Tom Curran: We can only go on the clues of the play. It was an AWFUL throw, egregiously high and not really a high percentage play, given the fact the Pats rarely go to their wide receivers down there. Cassel didn't seem overly agitated with the result. Also, if Flutie missed that dropkick, it would have been a 9-point game and the Pats would have needed two scoring drives to send it into overtime. And the Jags are clearly a more favorable matchup for the Patriots. All those clues tell me the Patriots preferred to give resistance but wind up playing the Jags and do what was necessary to make that happen.

levansvoice: Will the Pats throw deep early and try to put this game away quickly? I think if they get up 14+ points, the game's over...
Tom Curran: I miss Levan. He was a good fella. I think you're right on the money. They are going to up-tempo it, put heat on that secondary and stay the heck away from the strength of the Jags defense, the defensive line.

Fraudway: Tom, Who starts the game for the Jags at RB? Jones or Taylor?
Tom Curran: Taylor, I'm fairly sure. But the Patriots respect Jones a lot. They really liked him coming out of Florida State.

Seabees: What do you think the results will be
Tom Curran : I like the Patriots in a low-scoring game 16-6ish

S.Buckethead: Why do you let the internet geeks push you around. They don't have access to the team! They just sit around thinking that they are superior sitting behind the keyboards. When these posters talk to a pro athlete without [kissing their behinds] then they'll get some credibility. Until then...no way. Your thoughts?
Tom Curran: Internet geeks are people too.

SJH: Who might we expect to be playing among the walking wounded? Dillon, Bruschi, Graham, etc.
Tom Curran: I think they'll all go. I'm surprised Graham's been down as long as he has been. His shoulder must be pretty mangled. The biggest question is, how limited will Bruschi be?

May: What are your feelings on the MVP voting?
Tom Curran : I'd have gone with Alexander, Brady, Barber, Manning/Palmer. I think it really would have been an oversight if Alexander had been passed over.

McGill: You mentioned about the Pats probably drafting an RB. BB has never been able to develop an RB. Do you think Bill Bellichick has a blindspot when it comes to drafting Running Backs?
Tom Curran: That's a great question. I don't think a lot goes into "developing" running backs. It's one of the most intuitive positions in sports and that's proved by the number of rookie backs who succeed immediately. I just don't think the Pats have been in a spot to draft a running back that's an immediate upgrade to what they have. Say this, Raymont Harris aside, Belichick and Pioli do a nice job of unearthing veterans and recycling them.

Leadfoot: Dillon's comment was directed more at the media. I would imagine BB is smiling considering the us vs them atmosphere. Right?
Tom Curran: Lead, To a degree, you're right...but I think Belichick would prefer Dillon be quiet because he knows Dillon is honest. And the more he talks, the greater the chance he says what reality is -- how do you run well when you get hit 2 yards deep so often?

S. Burton: Hey Tom! Game? Thoughts? Predictions? Flutie Drop Kick? Um...yea!
Tom Curran: Hey. Nice vest.

RONISKING: Hey Tom, Why is Richard Seymour and Corey Dillon such massive babies with the nagging injuries. It really cost them a bye week this year and any shot at the Super Bowl.
Tom Curran: Both said they felt they were a liability trying to play with the level of discomfort they had. Hard to disagree with that. Both guys have been tremendous about answering the bell in their careers. And look what you have now: a healthy Seymour leading one of the NFL's hottest defenses into the playoffs and a much more healthy Dillon.

May: Who's the best Bocce player on the Pats, and Darts if you know, oh oh oh, who's the best Flash Dance imitator?
Tom Curran : Bocce, nobody could do it like Andruzzi. Darts...you may find this hard to believe but Marquise Hill. Flashdance? Scarnecchia.

Magoo: TEC, How does Rosie & Willie stack up against the O tackles of Jacksonville? Personally I think Rosie going to have a big day.
Tom Curran: Really good question because the Jags have rookie Khalif Barnes at left tackle trying to deal with Colvin and Seymour. That's an underrepresented angle that -- truthfully -- I'd missed this week in all the Stroud-Henderson talk.

May: So do you hate this new fanged internet thing? People getting access to the media and such as never before. Must be annoying, and how about those peanuts on the airplanes, boy are those things hard to open or WHAT?!?!
Tom Curran: Internet? Passing fad.

PinkDeossie: TEC baby - up with the chat, saweeet
Listen, If you had your pick of all the coaching vacancies, which one would you take?
Tom Curran: Pink...I like this question a lot. I'd run like hell from the New Orleans job. Probably Green Bay too because you'd have to murder the sacred cow up there. Oakland. Nope. KC...maybe. Buffalo? Don't think so, either. Actually...I'd take Houston. No. 1 pick, Carr should be salvageable...great facility...yes, houston.

DUKA: I think everyone is looking past this game saturday night. So who do you think the Patriots would prefer to see in the 2nd round? Indy or Denver?
Tom Curran: That's beautiful. I think they'd rather deal with Indy than Denver. Denver's defense is better and Shanahan is a more dangerous coach. They also have a nice backlog of success against Indy in the postseason.

middlebury: TC, did the media members enjoy Belichick's film sessions? Or you have preferred a regular press conference?
Tom Curran: No, the film sessions were so appreciated. Honestly, think what people would spend to sit there...$500? a grand? And if someone who covered one of the great coaches like Lombardi could say, "Yeah, he used to break down film for us and show us how things worked," that's what dealing with this guy is like. (Did that make a lick of sense?)

Len: One more from me Tom. Any updates on Bruschi? If it weren't such a dropoff to Beisel (ha ha), I wouldn't even bring it up and would assume Tedy would get one extra week to rest it.
Tom Curran: He's wrapping his calf. That's all I know. He's not walking awkwardly (or any more awkwardly than he normally does). But I agree, it is a dropoff especially with a quick-to-the-hole runner like Taylor.

buzzardluck: Belichick looked into the camera to deny throwing the game and believe it or not, he was believable when he said it. Thoughts?
Tom Curran: What else could he say? And if you're going to have to fib about anything as an NFL coach and make it good, you better be convincing when they ask if you weren't trying to win.

SJH: How fit is Leftwich?
Tom Curran: Hard for me to say because the Jax media is kept away from practice as well so there are no reports. He said he feels good and he's hitting people in practice with his throws, so he must be close to good to go. I think his issue will be with timing and he doesn't have to miss by much or very often to cost his team the game.

TjM: As a football writer does it bother you that stories like "Manny-Gate" will be discussed more than an upcoming Patriots playoff game ?
Tom Curran: Not so much. People will talk about what's easiest to talk about and, honestly, football's hard to talk as knowledgably about as baseball or basketball. For instance, we all know line play dictates so much, but do we watch it. And unless we DVR the game, do we ever get a good grasp of what's going on in real time. To say nothing of the fact that, on TV, you're only seeing half the defense on most plays. I understand why it happens the way it does.

May: Don't you feel that the video game version of Michael Vick is the greatest athlete of all time? In Madden that guy can practically score a touchdown on any play, for any reason.
Tom Curran: He's no Tecmo Bo Jackson...

Baba-Booey: Do you think member of the Patriots staff will be contacted about any of the NFL Coaching jobs available? Specifically the JETS. I am sure Charlie Weiss would have listened.
Tom Curran: I know that one of their key personnel guys, Tom Dimitroff, is being looked at by the Vikes. As far as coaches, they have such a young staff, one would think it would take a while. Eric Mangini will be a hot prospect at some point but coming off a down season like this, he's not a name on the radar right now.

Tom Curran: THE CHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO END AT 1, BUT I'LL ANSWER ALL THAT ARE HERE...NOW....THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INTEREST

Fike Melger: You seem to be among the few beat writers that doesn't make snarky references to Belichick's policy regarding discussion of injuries; mostly that it makes their jobs hard. Why do your brethren think that readers care about this stuff.
Tom Curran : I can't imagine people don't care to know who's going to play and who isn't. It's one of the most important determinants in every game, every week. It's news about the team. As far as folks being snarky, at some point you have to realize that that's the way Belichick does his job and whining about it isn't going to change his mind and makes you look like a baby. I will say this, though, when a guy has a season-ending situation like Rosey Colvin did or Koppen did, I do not see the harm in being able to discuss an injury with him or the coach and I wish Belichick saw it that way too.

GlenFraudway: Tom, off topic, but something that has always stuck in my craw ... aren't all quarterbacks system quarterbacks. Tom Brady is successful in his system ... Mike Vick not so much in his ... your thoughts.
Tom Curran: Absolutely...every team has a "system", playbook, philosophy, etc. Some guys have skills which translate to most of the offensive systems that are currently employed, like Brady. But there are some systems Brady would not be as accomplished in -- Denver's or Atlanta's for instance -- systems which require the quarterback to bootleg and roll out frequently and uses the threat of the quarterback running the ball. The hard thing with Vick is getting a system built around him that accentuates his skills but isn't so unique that, if he goes down, nobody else can run it. The West Coast isn't a good enough fit for him, clearly.

Fike Melger: Have you ever gotten in hot water with your editors for saying something on TV/Radio that either contradicted what you'd written or that they felt you should have used in the paper?
Tom Curran: Nope. Others in my business have, however.

buzzardluck: I have submitted at least half a dozen questions and you decide to post two from SJH???? He listens to Journey and They Might Be Giants fer eff sakes! So...D&C in the morning, do they hug and cuddle during breaks?
Tom Curran: I shoulda known it would descend into reply counting with you, buzzy. You don't like They Might Be Giants? Jeez, put a little birdhouse in your soul, why doncha? I don't want the world. I only want. Your half.

Leadfoot: Forgot this one: Is Andre Davis the new full time kick returner?
Tom Curran: I liked him there and at this point, they have nothing to lose. Interestingly, Hobbs hasn't seemed to be back there much since he took over at corner, has he...

Leadfoot: Is Bam active for this game? He seems like the type of player (mr everything) that could keep him here for a while.
Tom Curran: When Belichick referred to Childress as having "Troy Brown-like" skills after Sunday's game, I though that was a hint he's got a pretty good future here. But I'll tell you this, he has a rap of not being able to perform consistently. It was there at Ohio State and given his great start, invisible finish to training camp, it should be a concern here as well.

PinkDeossie: Tom, you and Monty - everything cool there or have you taken to wearing body armor?
Tom Curran: We actually talked this week. Things are solid and I told him I felt badly our dustup got so much play.

May: Is Bill Belichik a different person off the record?
Tom Curran: Much different. What's interesting is how well he listens to people even in casual conversation. He's not just a "waiting for his turn to talk" guy like me.

Leadfoot: I'm kind of happy that Jax is going with Leftwich. I am liking that he hasn't played in over a month. Am I on to something?
Tom Curran: Yes. Yes you are.

PinkDeossie: Tom, since you're going to coach Houston, if Vince Young comes out this year, do you pick the Hometown boy and deal Carr or do you stick with Bush. Have to wonder if the Mike Vick experience has cheapen the value of running QB's like Young - know what I mean?
Tom Curran: I take Bush. He can contribute immediately. And I don't think in the eyes of GMs and coaches, Vick's been a belly-up failure by any stretch. I think teams and coaches would love to have a player of Vick's ability but without the propensity for rolling around like he got shot after every play.

Tom Curran: DONE...I"M SPENT...I NEED A NAP...THANKS AGAIN, GUYS...