Join jaguars.com senior editor Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.
Rob from Jacksonville
Is David Garrard becoming the next Frenchy Fuqua?
Vic: I don’t think David would go for the goldfish. That wouldn’t be a good idea on the heels of the Michael Vick thing.
Herman from Jacksonville
Late in the fourth quarter, Terry Cousins upended Steelers tight end Heath Miller. While in the air, Miller did a remarkable stretch, putting one of his hands down first, then pushing off to get extra distance for the ball when it touched the ground next. When the refs spot the ball for the next play, should it be where the ball touched the ground or where his hand first touched ground?
Vic: The hand touching the ground does not down a player. Anything from the wrist and above – for example, the elbow – touching the ground ends the play and the ball is spotted where it was when the play was blown dead.
Russell from Fayetteville, AR
It's been fun watching this team progress over the course of the season. Against the Steelers, they looked like a cold-weather team, which is what you need to be at this time of the year. I'd like to hear your comments about Del Rio and the job he's done to get the team to this point.
Vic: First of all, I think credit has to go to Tom Coughlin for initiating the reconstruction of this football team as it came out of the Mark Brunell years. Look at the defensive line. Marcus Stroud and John Henderson were Coughlin’s last two first-round picks. Paul Spicer and Rob Meier are Coughlin guys. So are Fred Taylor, David Garrard and Brad Meester. That’s a real nice nucleus of players Coughlin left behind. What Jack Del Rio did was continue the process. He took the best of what Coughlin left him and used it to mold this team into the form he wanted, which is to say a physically dominant team built to win in January. New acquisitions, such as Maurice Jones-Drew, Greg Jones, Khalif Barnes, Vince Manuwai, Tony Pashos, Rashean Mathis, Brian Williams, Reggie Williams, Ernest Wilford, Reggie Nelson, etc., are accomplishing that goal. Physical presence is the common denominator on the Jaguars’ roster. It’s obvious that players were identified and acquired according to their ability to win the one-on-one physical confrontations. That’s a time-honored blueprint for success.
Jo from Jacksonville
I don’t know if you’ve seen this, but what do you think about Brian Westbrook going down at the one-yard line so his team can run out the clock with a 10-6 lead over the Cowboys?
Vic: I think the unselfishness, alertness and awareness is fantastic. I love it.
Daniel from Montebello, CA
Every sports show, and I mean every sports show, is praising the Jags and is making them a major Super Bowl contender. I personally don't like the media attention and I never have, as I think this could be a distraction. What is your take on all of this?
Vic: I thought everybody wanted respect. Well, now you’ve got it. Everywhere I turn, and I mean everywhere I turn, people are praising the Jaguars. Did you see the postgame comments from the Steelers locker room? “They played our type of ball. That's exactly how we play,” Willie Parker said. “They really took it to us. It was bad,” James Farrior said. “They kept whuppin’ our butt,” Larry Foote said. This is the Jaguars’ finest moment since they last won a playoff game, on Jan. 15, 2000. What I can’t figure out is why I’m still sensing so much anger. The whole world, including the team the Jaguars just beat, has bowed to the Jaguars and is complimenting them on a job well done. Just enjoy it.
Rick from Jacksonville
Could we call it like it is regarding the fans of Pittsburgh? They do have a proud tradition, however, they didn't just “boo the defense at some point in the second half.” The booing was much more frequent. They also booed the offense on more than one occasion when Roethlisberger threw errant passes or Ward dropped them. They were shown heading to the exits in droves after the Jags went up 22-7. Jacksonville has shown it, too, can get up for show time on a Monday night or Thursday night. I just think Jaguar fans are tired of hearing about what poor fans they are when we see the same thing elsewhere for a division-leading team that was 9-4.
Vic: I’m behind glass. It’s difficult for me to hear every boo. I did hear boos and I acknowledged that yesterday. I did not, however, chronicle them. I’ll take your word on their frequency and intensity. I provided the no-shows count yesterday, but I see that’s not what you want. You want me to ridicule Steelers fans for leaving the game. I’ll do that now. You’re right, there was a mass exodus when the score reached 22-7. Steelers fans quit on their team. Sunday was a humiliating day for that franchise. Their team was manhandled on the field and their fans tucked their tails between their legs and left early, and it was all at the hands of the Jaguars. How’s that? Feel better now? I apologize for not being more attentive. From now on, I will include crowd updates in my gameday blogs for all games, home and away.
Greg from Jacksonville
Every other week is a defining game for the Jaguars, according to you. Both losses to Indy were defining moments in the Jags’ season. At least three other games you've said the same thing. Get over yourself. And Fred Taylor having the best speed/power combination? Have you ever heard of LaDainian Tomlinson? He plays for the Chargers. He's got as many rushing yards as Taylor in like six or seven less seasons, and he doesn’t get hurt every other week. If Fred ever does make it to the Pro Bowl, he'll be the only player listed as questionable.
Vic: I distinctly remember having predicted on several occasions, going all the way back to late October or early November, that the game in Pittsburgh would define the Jaguars’ regular season. Clearly, it has, but that doesn’t mean you should stop being angry. It suits you well. Look at what it’s done for your personality.
Jim from Jacksonville
No question, just thanks for your consistently great analysis. Merry Christmas!
Vic: So what’s that supposed to mean? Is that code for you stink, Vic?
Rob from Deltona, FL
Jack Del Rio was speaking of how the team is built to play anywhere. What's our record in domes in the last two seasons?
Vic: The Jaguars are 0-3 in domes the last two years. Why do I think you already knew that? Merry Christmas!
John from Tampa, FL
If Jacksonville clinches the fifth seed this Sunday, do you rest players at Houston to get ready for the playoffs?
Vic: Sure you do. Five is as high as the Jaguars can go.
Ben from Jacksonville
This season has truly been a treat thus far. At the beginning of the season, if you told anyone in Jacksonville that David Garrard would be the number two passer in the league, they would have laughed.
Vic: As I recall, back in training camp, when I reported that David Garrard was making a move on the starting job, everyone did laugh.
Fred from Las Vegas, NV
What a sorry town; 2,000 tickets. A team that is 10-4 and could be 11-5 or 12-4, and this sorry city can not sell out. LA is waiting for you, Jaguars.
Vic: Not so fast, Fred. The Jaguars sold 900 tickets on Monday and they are rapidly closing on being able to lift the blackout for this Sunday’s game.
Ralph from Jacksonville
I was one of the brave few that made the trip up to Pittsburgh. Let me tell you, Vic, it was the greatest experience I have had as a football fan. I wore my teal proudly. The fans were on me before, during and, certainly, after the game. I loved every second of it because I saw the passion that city has for its team. The city gushes with tradition and it is definitely something special.
Vic: Are you sure you weren’t in Cleveland?