The Titans will be the team to beat on Sunday, according to ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen.

The veteran reporter talked about both teams, made his prediction and told his audience that Steve McNair is not to blame for the problems with the Titans' air attack.

Mortensen: Let's get started, and see how much we can get in ... thanks for being here again.

Jerky: Will the Pats & Jets work something out for Belichick? If not, is Donohoe assured a position, and the ability to hire the next coach?

Mortensen: Donohoe pretty much has been assured he can hire the next coach, but he is uncertain whether he wants to make the move. Dom Capers interviewed today, and he's a real candidate, as is Jim Haslet and Willie Shaw. I am hearing (not confirmed) that Kraft will make one more run on compensation with the Jets for Belichick.

Nic: What is your honest opinion of Steve McNair and is he the QB of the future for the Titans?

Mortensen: My honest opinion? That's all you're going to get from me. I think Steve McNair is one of the main reasons the Titans are in the Super Bowl. Their passing game is not real dynamic yet, but that's not all Steve's fault. He has produced 21 TDs passing and running. He gets the most quality 120-yard passing days I've ever seen. He's a winner. He only gets better as the team puts together its receivers and scheme during the next couple of years.

Mort's Biggest Fan: Everyone has chimed in to bash Anthony Dorsett's playing abilities. He looked pretty good in the Jacksonville game. Is it in the Rams' game plan to go after him?

		Wed., Jan. 26 Mortensen, an award-winning journalist, provides reports for ESPN's NFL GameDay, NFL Prime Monday, SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. Since first appearing on ESPN in 1991, he has provided reports for the network's Emmy Award-winning programs NFL GameDay and the Outside The Lines series. He also served as analyst for ESPN's coverage of the NFL Draft in 1991 and 1992. He previously covered the NFL for The National (1989-90) where he was one of the first writers hired by editor Frank Deford. To read Mort's exclusive NFL articles online, become an ESPN Insider, where you'll get Mort, ESPN The Magazine's John Clayton, hard-hitting gameday previews, and more throughout the NFL season.

Mortensen: Dorsett has great speed and he showed that in Jacksonville. What he doesn't have obviously is a lot of experience, so how quickly he reads things is critical in this game. So you can bet the Rams will do enough things early in the game to test him, and break his confidence. I think Dorsett's performance is huge, but it would help if the Titans' defensive line dominated the game.

Tim: If Jeff George, as expected, leaves the Vikings over money, where can he expect to end up.

Mortensen: Well, there's some openings for QBs; the most obvious one is New Orleans. Baltimore might be interested, too, since he has experience in the same scheme. Tony Banks hasn't re-signed yet. I think the Vikings are making a real mistake by not re-signing him.

Chris Poquette: What's the deal with Tim Brown? Will he stay, or will he go?

Mortensen: Tim Brown must make a decision to opt out of his contract prior to the game Sunday. What he really wants to hear is something he's never heard -- Al Davis telling him that he wants Brown back. Otherwise, Brown will test the market, and it's obvious Dallas (his hometown) would be a a natural match.

Nate: You didn't answer my questions in your last chat session! Steve Young says that he will let the Niners know in a couple of months about his plans to return. Isn't that too late, since the Niners have to be in salary cap compliance by Feb. 11? What is your take on the situation?

Mortensen: I think Steve Young wants to play for the 49ers, and I kind of expect something to be done real soon with the contract to have a contigency ready when he does make that decision. His agent, Leigh Steinberg, has floated the idea that Young could play in Denver or Seattle. That's a longshot. He'll probably be the 49ers' starting QB in 2000.

Raj: What are the chances of Shannon Sharpe returning to Denver?

Mortensen: Not real good. Sharpe isn't thrilled with Mike Shanahan's plans to make him a role player, where he gets 35-45 snaps, even though Shanahan believes he'll get the same number of receptions that made him a Pro Bowl player.

Todd: Any truth that Donahoe left NE yesterday with a verbal agreement.

Mortensen: No. Donohoe probably can have the job, but he's undecided.

Rusel Brown: Will Huard get the job outright in Miami if Marino retires?

Mortensen: Huard probably will have to compete with another veteran. Jeff Blake is a possibility.

Jmr83: What is your favorite NFL team?

Mortensen: I grew up in Los Angeles as a Rams fan, but the more involved I've gotten in sports, the more removed I have been as a fan. The Baltimore Colts were another favorite during the Unitas-Berry-Moore days.

Joe: Any info on Marino's future?

Mortensen: It's the topic of my Insider column. In a nutshell, Wannstedt isn't sending Marino good vibes, Dan is talking retirement with family, and his agent his exploring other possibilites.

Jmr83: What do you think the chances are of the Titans re-signing Jeff Fisher?

Mortensen: Fisher has one year left on his contract. Bud Adams will have to pay him the big bucks -- probably at least $2.5 mill a year -- and he'd better get it done after the season.

Cj-ram: Should the Rams keep or trade Trent Green?

Mortensen: I'd keep Green, but I agree with their current plans: If a team out there offers a top-10 No. 1 pick (the Steelers are discussing it), that would be tough to turn down.

Cowboys fan: Talk about the hiring of Dave Campo and the reaction of the players. Also, who is going to be the offensive coordinator?

Mortensen: Dave was a natural because the Cowboys have a very different setup from other teams. Also, I think Campo would have resigned had they hired someone else. The offensive coordinator is probably going to be Jack Reilly, who was the quarterback coach under Ernie Zampese in Dallas and New England. Rams WR coach Al Saunders was another consideration, but I don't see that happening.

Jeff: How is that for a bandwagon fan. Last year, let me guess, you were an Atlanta Falcons fan because you live in Atlanta. Very convenient!