Chat with Boomer Esiason and Jim Harbaugh The Cardinals' Boomer Esiason and the Colts' Jim Harbaugh took time to chat with NFL.COM fans Tuesday evening. The two veterans will meet head-to-head this Sunday when the Cardinals travel to Indianapolis to open the season vs. the Colts. The two quarterbacks discussed the upcoming Sunday matchup, the one NFL player they'd want on their team, and Esiason's view on the stock market. Moderator: Jim Harbaugh will be joining us shortly. In the meantime, Boomer is ready to answer your questions. Boomer, you're starting this season with a different team, having moved from the Jets to the Cardinals. How has the transition been? Boomer Esiason:: It's been great for me, I'm reuinted with Rob Moore at WR, I have one of the best FB's with Larry Centers, a great young receiver in Frank Sanders and an All-Pro tackle in Lomas Brown so I couldn't be happier. Moderator: Boomer, how tough was it to leave the Jets and your hometown of New York? Boomer Esiason: It was difficult to say the least. I never wanted to leave. Coach Kotite felt that Neil O'Donnell would be a better fit for his style of play than me. Moderator: Boomer, the Cardinals are coming off a 4-12 year. What are some of the areas the team focused on during the off-season? Boomer Esiason: First of all, they got a new coach in Vince Tobin. A coach who has paid his dues as an assistant and as a defensive coordiator. Then they hired Jim Fassell as offensive coordinator. They also re-signed their outstanding own free agents in Aeneas Williams and Eric Swann. Phil: Boomer or Jim, who are your most feared defensive opponents? Boomer Esiason: I fear no man, first of all. But I have great respect for players like Bruce Smith, Rod Woodson, Reggie White, and our own Eric Swann. Rod: Boomer.. I'm a die-hard Bengals fan...what do you think of the Bengals since you left?? Boomer Esiason: You're asking me that? I think that finally they have put together an outstanding football team, the same way they did in the '80s, built around offense. The explosiveness of Blake, Pickens, Scott, McGee, and Carter will allow the Bengals to make a serious run at the AFC Central title once again. collins: Boomer- What do you think of the Garrison Hearst mess? Do you think Leeland McElroy will be able to equal Hearst's talents? Boomer Esiason: Unfortunately we lost Garrison when our team took a risk by exposing him on the waiver wire. Leeland has only been a professional football player for about two weeks so he is coming on as expected. Fortunately for us we have a halfback by the name of LeShon Johnson who many people don't know of. And he will be ready to go against Indianapolis this week, which is an important factor for us. CT: Question for Boomer. How confident do you feel behind the Cards OL and what's your opinion of Kent Graham? Boomer Esiason: With the addition of Lomas Brown our offensive line possesses a true all-pro and leader. It's amazing the effect that a player of his caliber can have on the rest of his teammates. Kent Graham and I have gotten along terrificly and his future seems to be very bright. COLT FAN: Jim, I am a die hard Colts fan. I was wondering what you think about the Cardinals defense. Jim Harbaugh: They have a lot of talent on defense with Rice, Swann, and other proven quality players. We also know that Vince Tobin will have a proven quality team. Jim: Boomer, who do you see going to the Super Bowl this year? Boomer Esiason: The Cardinals of course! And if its not the Cardinals in the AFC you have to look at the Colts, the Bills, Kansas City, and Cincinnati. Dan Wilkinson is playing pretty good. In the NFC other than the Cardinals, you'd have to say Green Bay is one, and it's so wide open in the NFC I don't even know. Dallas and San Francisco will be there. Of course they're all behind the Cardinals. Jim: Jim, with the passing game so sharp,will the game plan call for more pass than rush? Jim Harbaugh: We'll try to utilize our strenghts the best way possible to capitalize on their defense. If the game calls to air it out we will, but I'm a scrapper and I just want to win. Andy Hill: Jim or Boomer, what do you want to accomplish before you retire? Boomer Esiason: For me I have accomplished every individual award there is in football. What I'm playing for now is a chance to get back to the Super Bowl. Deep down in the back of every player's mind that's what they hope for, that Super Bowl ring. Smack: Jim - Do you have any personal milestones your would like to achieve this year? Jim Harbaugh: My personal goals are team goals. I'd like the team to win is my personal goal. I'd like to start all the games, win the division. I want to be durable and I want the team to know they can count on me. Opus: Boomer, what do you think of Rich Kotite? Boomer Esiason: Unfortunately in losing situations I think that people have a skewed view of one another. Honestly, if the Jets had won everybody would've gotten along fantasticly. In a rebuilding and losing season, everybody looks to put blame elsewhere. It's the reality and humility that I say I wish I could have played better and he would say he wished he would have coached better. Rod: Jim, what were you thinking when Aaron Bailey dropped the ball??? Jim Harbaugh: I saw that it was incomplete, then I saw the replay screen and I thought he caught it. I wouldn't call it a drop. He came about as close as you can to catching it. He got up over all the receivers that we're going for the ball was pretty incredible. Danny Lan: Jim or Boomer-- If you could choose any player from the NFL to play on your team for free, which one would you choose? Boomer Esiason: Jerry Rice. It's not a slight to anybody, it's a great amount of respect for a player who I think epitomizes championship caliber play, professionalism, and ability. Plus my wife loves him. Jim Harbaugh: I'd pick Brett Favre but he plays the same position as I do. Reggie White would have to be my choice. John Rogers: Boomer, how will you being at Arizona affect Larry Centers game? Boomer Esiason: First of all we have a totally different offensive system than last year. Secondly, this is an offense that is bent on getting rid of the ball quickly and not holding on to it. There for there won't be as many sacks or fumbles at this position as last year. That's not a slight to Dave Krieg, the offense last year was drop back, hold, and look around. With the speed of the defenses now, a quarterback can't hold onto the ball, he has to get rid of it. Nick Adkins: Do you think you have a chance at the Super Bowl this year? Jim Harbaugh: I like our chances. We have some new faces, especially in the offensive line. We had a very young team last year and hopefully we'll get better with the experience they gained last year. PHIN-MYSTER: Boomer, what do you think Neil O'Donnell will have to do to avoid be sacked as often as you were? Boomer Esiason: I would say that the Jets have invested millions of dollars on the offensive side of the football team. Part of which actually acts as an insurance policy for O'Donnell's health and well-being. Namely, two experience offensive tackles in David Williams and Jumbo Elliott. Chip: Jim, what's it like to be reunited with so many ex-Bears? Jim Harbaugh: It's been great. All the guys that have come down from Chicago, especially a guy like Richard Dent who brings so much leadership and ability. There's a lot of guys on the team that I've played with for a long time. Moderator: Boomer, do you have any questions or comments that you would want to relay over to Jim? Boomer Esiason: Dear Jim, Congratulations. Your patience and hard work have paid off. Can I borrow a few bucks? Jim Harbaugh: Boomer, thank you. I don't have any liquid cash on me. Moderator: Jim, do you have any questions or comments that you would want to relay over to Boomer? Jim Harbaugh: Boomer, I haven't really seen enough of your offense and I was wondering how you'd describe your offense -- the "West Coast" offense? Boomer Esiason: Jim, I would describe the West Coast offense as a derivative of Lindy Infante's offense. You know what I mean? Go long on the stock market. Jim Harbaugh: Boomer -- How's Jeet Chryz doing? He's a good friend of mine. Boomer Esiason: He is! Jim knew Jeet in Chicago. He's doing great! He's the full-time tight end coach here now. Keith Kidd said that Eastern Kentucky is going to be Western Kentucky this year. Jim Harbaugh: Western is going to make it 3 out of 4 and tell Jeep I said, "Hi." Moderator: Boomer and Jim, will the quarterback matchup be the key to victory this Sunday? Boomer Esiason: Obviously the quarterback matchup is important in every game. We don't play each other but we'd both like to walk off the field the victor, and that's something that drives both of us. Jimmy deserves all the press he got last year, he worked very hard for it. I'm very familiar with the Colts because I've played them six times in the past two years. I'm familiar with Harbaugh's comeback heroics, we gave him the opportunity last year. The Colts have an extremely hornery, low scoring defensive unit. They're very sound in their approach. Watching film it doesn't seem like they miss their old defensive coordinator too much. Jim Harbaugh: I think Bill and Vince should arm wrestle for it. Moderator: Boomer, any parting comments for Jim before you sign off? Boomer Esiason: Good luck Jim. Stay healthy, and I'll see you on Sunday. Moderator: Jim, any parting comments for Boomer before your matchup this Sunday? Jim Harbaugh: Boomer -- Spoken like a true veteran. I would expect no less. Good luck and health. I will be looking forward to playing you and your team on Sunday! John Rogers: Jim or Boomer, with all the talk about Brett Farve and pain killers, just how often are they used or abused in the NFL? Jim Harbaugh: I don't think it's that wide spread. LARRY: Jim, if Football becomes an Olympic sport, would you participate if asked? Jim Harbaugh: The country would be better served with Aikman, Favre, or Young. Jaime Guevara: Jim or Boomer, who is one the best corners in the league in your opinion? Jim Harbaugh: I think we're playing one this week in Aeneas Williams. Jeff Hoot: Jim H....who is the best athlete on the Colts? Jim Harbaugh: All-around I'd have to say Corey Ott. Danny Lan: Jim or Boomer, what's you favorite sport besides football? Jim Harbaugh: Golf. I just went today. Rod: Jim...How does it feel to be some ones idle..you are after all a hero. Jim Harbaugh: I don't really feel like a hero. I'm just an ordinary guy. Everyday I'm taken back by the fact that I get to have such a great job. Russ: Jim... how do you feel about an 18 game schedule with only 2 pre-season games and a shorter training camp? Jim Harbaugh: I'm all for a short training camp. I don't think having so many games before the season begins that subject players to injury is worth while. Phil: Jim, what would you do if you weren't in the NFL? Jim Harbaugh: I'd be a college football coach like my father. I'd probably go back to Kentucky and help out my dad. Go WKU! Thanks for having me on, sorry I couldn't spend more time and I look forward to getting the season started! Moderator: Thanks Boomer and Jim for joining us on NFL.COM for Cyberspace Showdown, presented by Sprint. We'd also like to thank fans for participating and providing questions for the players. Be sure to join us again next Tuesday, September 3 at 9:00 PM ET when two more members of the NFL Quarterback Club will be with us on the Cyberspace Showdown - Bengals quarterback Jeff Blake and Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. Good night and see you next week.