NFL Scout Frank Coyle
Chat Transcript
Looking for the latest news on the NFL, from a reliable source who spends his time in training camps and NFL sidelines? Then look no further than CBS SportsLine.com, for our chat with NFL Scout and Publisher of the Draft Insider's Digest, Frank Coyle. Find out what he had to say about the playoff games and he looks ahead to Super Bowl XXXV.
Coyle, a full-time scout, has published the digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 9 years. He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.
Coyle attends NFL minicamps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years. Visit his website at Draftinsiders.com. Chat transccript below.
Frank Coyle: Good Evening all! If we can, lets focus on the Playoffs first! Sound good?
Question: marty3: Hello Frank, Do you think the Ravens
can beat the Raiders without much Offensive Production?
Frank Coyle: Ravens have a tough task to win in Oakland! But between Jamal Lewis and the best D in football, they can get it done.The big question there is will QB Trent Dilfer make the big mistake? Offensively Dilfer will have to get points on the board without making turnovers and the Raven's O cannot rely strictly on Lewis to carry the load even though he has been sensational. What happens early in the game will dictate the rest. The Ravens could be dangerous with a lead and Dilfer certainly plays better with a lead.
Question: cheeko: Frank.. nothing like the atmosphere of that Black Hole in Oakland... Do you think the crowd will play a role in the game, or do you think the Ravens have already heard it all?
Frank Coyle: Cheeko.. the Oakland crowd is pretty wild. But then again the Ravens won twice at Tenn this year so they can get it done on the road. They need to keep their composure in the 1st Q and that is critical.
Question: marty3: Hello Frank, How does the Giants Defense contain Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Daunter Culpepper on Sunday?
Frank Coyle: Marty.. than answer is With Great Difficulty. The D coordinator for the Giants (John Fox) will need to put together a creative scheme. He will have to blitz Culpepper and mix coverages on Moss and Carter to keep Culpepper confused. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Giants play with a nickle D most of the game. They will also need to double up Moss for most of the game too.
Question: cheeko: Frank.. do you see a high scoring game in the Giants/Vikes battle?
Frank Coyle: Cheeko.. the Vikes D is one of the poorest in the league. QB Kerry Collins has looked sharp in recent weeks. If he gets help (and it should be good weather) he can get after that secondary. Giants have challenges with Amani Toomer having an ankle injury and Tiki Barber with the broken arm. The Vikings D has been exploited by most everyone all season so the Giants should be able to get a few TDs on the board. Rookie runner Dayne will have to produce for the Giants to win.
Question: marty3: Hello Frank, Can the Raiders defense shut down the Ravens Running Game on Sunday?
Frank Coyle: Marty... I am sure the Raiders will key on Lewis and force Dilfer to pass. If he doesn't make them pay for doing that it will be a long afternoon for the Ravens O. Lewis has both power and speed and the Ravens D has been respectable but not unstoppable against the run.
Question: marty3: Hello Frank, How Important is Home field Advantage in the NFL Playoffs?
Frank Coyle: Marty.. Expect for the Titans loss, every game has been a home field win. It is always great to have the crowd and the home surroundings.. always an advantage. But at this point in the season all the teams have won big road games and it doesn't appear weather will be a factor in either NY or Oakland.
Question: nflien: Do you think Baltimore can do it again, overcome the home team that is?
Frank Coyle: Nflien.. Their defense can shut down the Raiders running game. That is a great matchup.. the Ravens top D against the Raiders top running game.
Question: ward21: Frank, how surprised are you of Baltimore's 9 game winning streak to this point?
Frank Coyle: Ward... they have a tremendous number of talented players, the best D in football, and one of the top 5 RBs in the league as a rookie. They don't score a lot of points so they put pressure on their D to control the clock and the ground but they have the components of a winning team. They run the ball and stop the run game in and game out.
Question: cheeko: Frank.. ok, weather might not be a factor.. what about surface? Vikes have to play on the real stuff this week!!?
Frank Coyle: Cheeko.. that is right. The Vikes are 1-6 on playoff games on grass. It is torn up at the Meadowlands so it will make for a slower track on Sunday.
Question: nflien: What about the scoring of the special teams and defense, Mr. Coyle? Can that make up for Dilfer's problems as it has the last 3 weeks?
Frank Coyle: nflien... The Ravens made 3 big plays on special teams that made a difference. When you can make turnovers and bring them back for scores that covers up a multitude of defects on your offense. Playoff wins come down to big plays. The Ravens get it done, whether it is defense or offense with Lewis.That is why they are in the championship game. But to finish it off, Dilfer can't have another game like last week if they expect to win.
Question: adminbecci: Frank - If Philly puts in that field turf for next season, would Rice be interested in going to Philly?
Frank Coyle: Becci.. I doubt it. I think Rice would probably like to stay in the Bay area and will probably give the Raiders top priority at this point. He will probably stay on the west coast.
Question: marty3: Hello Frank, Do you think Michael Vick should have stayed another year in College or did he make a good decision to Declare his eligibility for the NFL?
Frank Coyle: Marty... As an athlete yes, as a businessman no. He will get a $60mil + contract as the 1st pick in the draft. But with only 2+ years of playing QB he needs to develop further and the NFL is not the place for on the job training. He has star quality but will have to more than likely sit unless he gets into the right situation in the NFL.
Question: cheeko: And how about Jason Sehorn? He didn't have that great of a year. In fact, he has been nothing compared to what he was before being hurt. But now, in the last 2 games, he seems to be coming back into his zone. Great news for the G-Men!
Frank Coyle: Cheeko.. Sehorn has played great the last month. He is a big athletic corner and can hold his own against either Carter or Moss this weekend. If he does, that will give the Giants a chance to beat them.
Question: Frank-Where do you think LaDainian Tomlinson will end up in the draft?
Frank Coyle: I think Tomlinson is a first round back. Probably the end of the 1st round, in that area. He has great vision, power, quickness and has some real nice natural running skills.
Question: marty3: Hello Frank, which College Players who declared their Eligibility for the NFL Draft will make good Pro's?
Frank Coyle: Marty.. Vick in time can be a sensational player. Of the underclassman, the ones I like the most are David Terrell of Michigan, and Koren Robinson of N.C. State. I figure those two have star caliber ability and have a chance to really be all-pro caliber players and players who make an enormous impact in the NFL passing game.
Question: bradway: Frank...Do you see WR Alex Bannister(E.Kentucky) making an impact on the NFL in his first 2 seasons.Where do you project him going in the draft?
Frank Coyle: bradway... I think Bannister is a nice small college athlete but he has to get stronger and will get tested in that. He brings a lot to the table as a receiver but I don't think he will bean impact player early as a pro.
Question: Frank-So LT will end up in the Saints area?
Frank Coyle: Yeah.. I would expect Tomlinson to be available from the latter part of the 1st round. The Saints, Eagles,Dolphins would all have a shot at him late in the 1st.
Question: vikesrock: Mr Coyle - what's the scouting report on Josh Heupel?
Frank Coyle: Vikesrock.. Heupel had a terrific year for OK. He made a lot of great plays but as a pro prospect he has below average arm strength and lacks imposing physical skills but he is a heady player and has overcome the odds at every level so far. I would not want to discount him but I feel he will not go until late in the draft.
Question: bradway: Does Terry Bradways hiring by the NY Jets affect them getting Butch Davis as coach.Did Davis want the position of GM as well?
Frank Coyle: bradway.. no one was going to hire Davis as coach and GM in the NFL. I am sure Bradway has Davis on his shortlist for coaches. I am sure he has Dom Capers on that list among others. I would expect the Jets to make a decision relatively soon. Within the week.. maybe days.. on the head coach.
Question: jamish260: Frank- who do you think the Buffalo Bills(14th pick) will pick in the first round?
Frank Coyle: Jamish.. the Bills had a lot of problems on the O line this year. Some injuries in the secondary also. I expect them to weigh the best O lineman vs. a D lineman with that 14th pick. They need a big draft. I could see the Bills bringing in 2 offensive lineman early in the draft to pressure the starters.
Question: nflien: Frank, What about Chris Weinke?
Frank Coyle: nflien: Weinke had a monster year throwing. But primarily he is a system passer working in that hurry up FSU offense. You have to remember he will be a 29 year old rookie. He has a good arm, has the intangibles and the instincts but he is strictly a pocket passer. At this point he is probably the 4th highest rated passer on my board and a marginal top 100 pick.
Question: machiavel: What is your take on Gerard Warren? Please give me your top 1, 2,3 DTs in the draft.
Frank Coyle: Machiavel... It is a very good year at DT. Warren certainly fits in the upper echelon. I would rate them Richard Seymour (Georgia), Warren, Marcus Stroud (Georgia), Willie Howard(Stanford), Shaun Rogers (Texas).
Question: jamish260: Frank- who is the frontrunner for the Bills head coaching spot?
Frank Coyle: jamish260.. I think Dom Capers is a perfect fit in Buffalo and the Bills and Jets may fight over this. Capers and the new GM Donahoe worked in Pittsburgh and Capers is an advocate of the 3-4 D and has had a lot of success with the Bills style of D over his career (Jax, Carolina, Pgh) Whatever they decide.. if they stay with Flutie they will have to go with a young QB in the draft. IF they go with Johnson they might have to bring in a journeyman QB to balance it out. The new coach has a tough decision to make.They can't go to camp with Flutie and Johnson fighting it out. they have a bigger investment in Johnson than they don in Flutie. Although Flutie is the sentimental favorite in Buffalo.
Question: tpitt: Frank, who do you think the Steelers will pick in the 1st round?
Frank Coyle: tpitt.. The steelers have the 16th overall. I think they have to give Drew Brees a lot of consideration there. He will most likely still be on the board. They could use some help in the secondary too. But the skill positions on offense are their biggest weakness.
Question: adminbecci: Frank - Is it true that Norv is pushing for the Chargers to acquire Trent Green?
Frank Coyle: Becci.. the Chargers have major questions to answer. With the 1st overall pick they more than likely will take Vick. If they do, they will look to trade Leaf. They will probably look to go with a veteran for a year or two. Green will cost at least 2 top draft picks so I can't see them going for Green and Vick. Maybe get another year out of Harbaugh. There are a lot of things they have to consider this year. They can't afford to give up picks for a good QB. The best situation would be to draft Vick, trade Leaf, and bring on a vet for a year or two while Vick develops.
Question: adminbecci: Who is interested in Leaf?
Frank Coyle: Becci.. the Seahawks may be. SD and SEA hold the key to the 1st round. Seattle has 2 first round picks and the Chargers have the overall 1st pick.
Question: nflien: Why would the Steelers go for Brees, Tee Martin is will be a second year QB which seems to be the magic year of late?
Frank Coyle: nflien.. Tee Martin is still 2 years away at least. Brees definitely figures in the middle of the first round.
It is still hard to believe the Steelers passed on Pennington last year.
Question: jamish260: frank- assuming vick gets picked first,who's going 2nd?
Frank Coyle: Jamish.. Arizona is picking 2nd and Cleveland 3rd. I'd have to say David Terrell is going most likely to Cleveland. Az is interest in defensive lineman so they have to be looking at Gerald Warren or Jamal Reynolds. But they could be interested in moving back too.
Question: bradway: Frank..do you see any way for the Jets to trade Vinny Testaverde if they can renegotiate his inflated contract.Dungy could use a new QB.
Frank Coyle: Bradway... Vinny most likely goes to summer camp as the #1 for the Jets. But the Jets will accelerate Pennington's development with a lot of time this summer and Vinny will have to hold him off to retain it. At 38 you have to prove yourself all over again. There are no givens at that age, especially after an inconsistent 2000.
Question: ward21: How is it that a player Like Michael Vick is praised so much but a player like Charlie Ward was so criticized for his size, Ward is bigger than Vick?
Frank Coyle: Ward... Vick is one of the special athletes to come along. Athletically there is nothing he can't do. It is a question of him putting in the time and going through the learning curve at the toughest position in sports.
Question: adminben: Mr. Coyle...how much does the impending coaching change impact who the Browns will take in the draft?
Frank Coyle: Ben.. the new coach in Cleveland will evaluate things. They obviously have many needs. Both lines are high priorities. Their offense, outside of Kevin Johnson, lacks play makers. Like I said earlier, David Terrell would be a good fit. But they have to entertain trades because they need more picks to develop their lines. Until they get a better O-line you may never see the real Tim Couch.
Question: jon: Frank- do you think the Ravens will concentrate on offensive line in the draft. Who are the top guards?
Frank Coyle: Jon.. I think the Ravens will.. the top guards are Steve Hutchinson of Michigan, Chad Ward of Washington. And the Ravens biggest need on that line is RT where Harry Swain is on the downside of his career. So that would be a priority.
Question: rodger: Mr Coyle - who in your opinion is the best running back in the draft this year?
Frank Coyle: rodger... that is open going into the all-star games in the next 2 weeks. Deuce McAllister is the #1 guy but will have to check out medically and have a big post season. Rudi Johnson of Auburn had a big year as a junior, as is Lamont Jordan and Tomlinson.It is too early to call who will be the top guy. Well gang.. the time is running out. I say the Giants and the Ravens in the SuperBowl. I like the Giants to win that. I will be back in a month or so to talk about the all-star games and how they affect the draft and to talk about free agency.
Frank Coyle: You can read my Draft Insider's Digest at www.draftinsiders.com or order it at
CBS SportsLine.com
January 11, 2001
Coyle talks with Washington running back Stephen Davis during training camp this summer. (draftinsiders.com)
1-800-776-1949. Thanks again and I will see you all in a month or so!