Sam Farmer talks Tim Tebow, Sean Payton, bounties and state of NFL

Sam Farmer, The Times’ pro football columnist, spent an hour Friday fielding questions from readers about the busy week in the NFL. Here’s the (lightly-edited) transcript of the discussion:

11:04 a.m. Martin Beck (L.A. Times): We’ve got Times NFL writer Sam Farmer here. He’s been our pro football writer for 11 years; before that he covered the Raiders for the San Jose Mercury News. Welcome Sam.

11:05 Sam Farmer (L.A. Times): Good morning.

11:06 Mike James (L.A. Times): So, with Peyton Manning in Denver, what are the Broncos’ chances of getting to the Super Bowl?

11:07 Ian B (Commenter): Over/under on the number of games into the season before Tebow is the starter? I say eight.

11:07 Sam Farmer: Las Vegas has them at 7 to 1. That doesn’t seem too far off for me. As long as he’s healthy as he says he’ll be, he can tilt the balance in the AFC West. How many games, Ian, or how many incomplete passes in a row?

11:08 TomScar (Commenter): Payton apparently didn’t think he would get caught doing something so stupid. Did he believe he was too smart or too bulletproof to get caught? Doesn’t this remove the Saints from being a factor for at least the next year, considering player punishments haven’t even been doled out yet either?

11:10 Sam Farmer: The Saints showed incredible arrogance in that the league told them they were being investigated, and still they didn’t stop. Goodell’s player punishments are coming soon.

11:10 Derek (Commenter): Is there a process for appealing the suspension to Payton?

11:10 Sam Farmer: This is new ground, so I’m not sure what the appellate process is.

11:11 Charles (Commenter): Do you suspect the Saints will come together as a team and do better than they would have as a consequence of BountyGate? After SpyGate the Patriots went undefeated until the Super Bowl. Do you think the Saints will have similar success?

11:12 Sam Farmer: It’s hard to draw a bead on how good the Saints will be until we know about player suspensions, and about a Drew Brees deal. Losing Payton is a punch in the gut for sure.

11:12 Jim Cansler (Commenter): Why didn’t the Eagles go after Tim Tebow since his style of play is consistent with Michael Vicks’ and that offensive game plan? Vince Young is a free agent and has come out to say he will NOT sign with the Eagles?

11:13 Martin Beck: Note to readers: Thanks for all the questions. We’ll get to as many as possible.

11:13 Sam Farmer: The Eagles tried that experiment with Vince Young and it didn’t work out, and Young’s a better passer than Tebow at this point.

11:14 Nathan (Commenter): Why has there been no talk or commentary of stripping the Saints of their Super Bowl win? If a non-eligible player is used in high school, the school has to forfeit all the wins. Why hasn’t this been a consequence for the Saints?

11:16 Sam Farmer: The NFL dropped the hammer on the Saints with unprecedented penalties. This is new ground for the league. Stripping them of the Super Bowl title seems extreme when there’s no evidence this changed the outcome of games.

11:16 Joe (Commenter): Hi Sam...I’m a big fan of your columns...Do you think the Jets traded for Tebow for the marketing aspect (since they are in the #1 market) more than his play? Don’t you think Tebow’s presence will be more of a disruption to Sanchez?

11:17 Sam Farmer: Frankly, I’m not what sure what the Jets were thinking, considering they just extended Sanchez. Tebow is certainly marketable, but I’ve got to believe winning comes first by a long shot.

11:18 Ian B: Is there any chance Drew Brees cuts and runs because of feeling disrespected over the contract and facing a season which could very well be a disaster? He can’t afford to throw away seasons at his age.

11:19 Sam Farmer: I doubt that Ian. I think he’s staying with the Saints, regardless. He’s a pillar in that community too.

11:19 TomScar (Commenter): Isn’t Goodell judge and jury? I’m sure Payton will cheat the terms of his suspension and develop lines of communication to the team. The loss of Payton is a death penalty, considering he was the play-caller too.

11:19 Jim Cansler (Commenter): Frankly, with this signing of Tebow by the Jets and all the other drama they have going on, the Jets are going to implode next year. Your comments, Sam?

11:21 Sam Farmer: In this case, Tom, he is judge and jury. The owners have given him that power. Considering the penalties, I’m sure the Saints will be minding their p’s and q’s -- and the league will be watching closely. I agree, Jim. It could be a disaster.

11:22 Nathan (Commenter): No evidence? How about the playoff game between Minn and NO? Brett Farve got knocked out late in the game, and there is no question the injury to his ankle limited his effectiveness the rest of the game.

11:24 Sam Farmer: That’s a good point, Nathan. Favre returned in that game, and I don’t think the league is going to go to the extreme of stripping a team of victories retroactively.

11:25 Athan Atsales (L.A. Times): What’s the situation with the NFL coming to Los Angeles? What should I be looking for?

11:25 Sam Farmer: The future of NFL football in LA runs through baseball right now. Watch what happens with the Dodgers sale. By that I mean, depending on who buys the Dodgers, and who has control of that land at Chavez Ravine, it could be a factor.

11:27 Joe (Commenter): With Al Davis not running the show in Oakland do you think the current management will do a better job?

11:27 Sam Farmer: Yes, Joe. Although I’m surprised about the fire sale going on in Oakland.

11:27 Ian B. (Commenter): Are the Jags, Rams, Vikings, (other teams) still possible moves for L.A.?

11:28 Sam Farmer: Lots of possibilities, Ian. All those teams are potentially in play. If we’re talking downtown stadium, I’d put the Rams in the lead. City of Industry? Raiders or Chargers.

11:29 Joe (Commenter): Why did the Chargers get rid of Mike Tolbert? He was a bright light in a dark season for the Chargers last season. They also got rid of Darren Sproles the year before...

11:31 Sam Farmer: Good way of describing Tolbert, Joe. Chargers seem to have a history of letting good players go.

11:30 Athan Atsales: What are the problems with covering the NFL in a city with no team?

11:32 Sam Farmer: No problems, per se, Athan. It’s a great job. I can go to the best stories, rather than worrying about the backup left guard.

11:32 Joe (Commenter): Sam...I don’t know if you can say, but do you have a favorite NFL team?

11:32 Sam Farmer: I grew up a huge fan of the Redskins.

11:33 Poll Results: Who do you think will start more games for the Jets next season?

• Mark Sanchez (82%)
• Tim Tebow (18%)

11:33 Jim Cansler (Commenter): Do you believe Pete Carroll may be fired if the Seattle Seahawks have a disappointing season next year? The signing of last year of QB Jackson made no sense.

11:34 Sam Farmer: This is a make-or-break season for Pete Carroll. What made no sense to me was passing on Andy Dalton at the end of the first round last year.

11:35 TomScar (Commenter): What do you make of Pete Carroll showing no interest in acquiring Matt Leinart?

11:35 Sam Farmer: I think Pete felt burned by Leinart last year.

11:36 Athan Atsales: Do you really think Andy Reid wanted Peyton Manning as his quarterback?

11:37 Sam Farmer: Yes. Andy and Peyton are close, and if Peyton had pursued that he could be in Philly. He didn’t want to be in the same division as his brother, though, playing Eli twice a season.

11:37 Norm (Commenter): Why did the NFL fine the Saints ONLY $500K. Aren’t they saving $7.5M by not paying the coach and who knows how much more by not having to pay other staff? This is a joke!

11:39 Sam Farmer: The fine was the least of the punishment. Saying the Saints are saving money is like saying, “I’ll repo your car and unburden you of those pesky car payments.”

11:39 Philip Hill (Commenter): Any chance the Rams can win the NFC West?

11:41 Sam Farmer: The NFC West is so lukewarm, there’s always a chance. San Francisco looks like it’s got a pretty good foothold, though. Question is, can Alex Smith string together two good seasons?

11:41 TomScar (Commenter): “Tony Romo is a better QB than I was” says Troy Aikman in published report. Is Troy STILL suffering the aftereffects of too many concussions?

11:42 Sam Farmer: I have no idea what Aikman was thinking with that one. Don’t understand that rationale from a guy with three rings.

11:42 Joe (Commenter): Do you think Jay Cutler will be happy with any offensive coordinator the Bears hire?

11:44 Sam Farmer: With Brandon Marshall lined up on the outside, Mike Tice’s job just got a lot easier. Question is, can that line give Cutler the time he needs?

11:44 Ian B. (Commenter): What NFL team is the most popular in L.A.? Some would say Raiders, but I think it’s the Cowboys.

11:48 Sam Farmer: Most popular team in LA? LA is the Ellis Island of NFL fans -- every team (almost) represented. I would say Raiders, but there are just as many Raider Haters in LA.

11:45 Joe (Commenter): Do you think the Broncos will try to go after free agent Jeff Saturday since he and Peyton played so well together?

11:46 Sam Farmer: Jeff Saturday just signed with Green Bay, so not him, although that would have made perfect sense.

11:48 Joe (Commenter): Who is your favorite Redskin player of all time? Mine is Sonny Jurgensen.

11:49 Sam Farmer: My favorite Redskin was John Riggins. I sneaked into the Super Bowl in 1983 and saw it live.

11:49 Jim Cansler (Commenter): Sam, I believe the Tony Romo experiment has run its course and it’s time for the Cowboys to go in a different direction- a new QB. Your thoughts?

11:50 Sam Farmer: Cowboys certainly have to consider that, especially with a draft so rich in quarterbacks.

11:50 Warner M. (Commenter): Sam, can my Raiders ever get back to greatness?

11:51 Sam Farmer: Every year is a new year in the NFL. Everybody’s got a shot. But they have to get back to goodness before greatness.

11:52 TomScar (Commenter): Televangelist Pat Robertson says that Peyton Manning should be punished with an injury because the team traded devout Christian Tim Tebow. (I have no question, but insert your own joke here)

11:52 Sam Farmer: Joke: Pat Robertson.

11:53 Joe (Commenter): I was at the Super Bowl in 1983...I had to pay a scalper to get in...I wish I was with you that day...Old man Riggins could not be stopped!

11:53 Sam Farmer: The Diesel.

11:53 Joe (Commenter): Do you think Dallas Clark is on the radar for Denver?

11:54 Sam Farmer: Clark has to be on Denver’s radar, especially if Broncos don’t sign Jacob Tamme.

11:55 Arte Davis (Commenter): I thought the suspension of Sean Payton was too severe. What evidence was there against him?

11:56 Sam Farmer: The league was thorough in its investigation -- forensic email evidence, interviews, etc. Saints lied about it. On top of that, Payton admitted that he did wrong. So did Gregg Williams.

11:57 TomScar (Commenter): Mike Wallace is looking for Larry Fitzgerald money. Worth it?

11:58 Sam Farmer: I don’t think he’s worth Larry Fitzgerald money, but he might be the most explosive receiver around. This is a break-the-bank year for receivers.

11:58 Rick (Commenter): Will Jerry Jones ever hire a GM?

11:59 Sam Farmer: His buddy, Al Davis, never did. I don’t think Jerry will hire a GM. Others might doubt him, but he doesn’t doubt himself.

11:59 Athan Atsales: OK. Thanks Sam. That’s a wrap. Thanks for your questions. Read more of Sam Farmer’s NFL coverage here: https://lat.ms/GK5yms

12:00 Sam Farmer: Thanks. Have a great weekend, everybody.