Join jaguars.com senior editor Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.
Tom from Fort Myers, FL
The AFL was the more entertaining league; George Blanda, Daryl Lamonica. The owners were very strong; Bud Adams, Al Davis, Lamar Hunt, etc. There was too much talent not to have a merger. Based on the rule changes to increase offense, the AFL was far ahead of its time and would have survived.
Vic: Talent had nothing to do with it. The AFL had just gotten a new, long-term network television contract and the NFL realized its costly “war” with the AFL was going to continue and that made the NFL receptive to a peace agreement. The AFL was willing to merge because some of its franchises were at financial risk.
Brian from St. Johns, FL
How exactly does the center make the line calls?
Vic: He points and calls out words and numbers that represent blocking schemes.
David from Stillwater, OK
Who is your favorite college football coach, currently and of all time?
Vic: I was a big fan of Rich Rodriguez until he stiffed West Virginia. I think Greg Schiano is one of the rising stars of the coaching ranks. Jim Grobe at Wake Forest is a fantastic coach. Nobody has done more with less than Paul Johnson. In the all-time category, I always liked Ara Parseghian. He produced great teams at Notre Dame and he did so with integrity. Duffy Daugherty and Woody Hayes were real characters. Joe Paterno has for a long time stood for a level of achievement that goes beyond mere victories. I’ve come to really enjoy Bobby Bowden’s personality. Bear Bryant gave me one of the best stories I can’t ever tell in “Ask Vic,” but I love to tell it in closer company. There are other coaches I like.
Todd from Fruit Cove, FL
Randy Moss not in the top 10? How do you justify that?
Vic: It’s my opinion and I don’t have to justify it, but I’ll tell you that Moss wasn’t much of a player in Oakland so, therefore, Tom Brady is probably the biggest part of Moss’ success last season, and I’ll also tell you that Moss didn’t do much in the postseason last year (seven receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown) and that’s a big no-no with me. Players have to do big things at big times to be high on my list. In fact, Moss’ performance in the postseason over his career isn’t real strong. He’s played in 11 postseason games and he’s only broken the 100-yard mark in three of them. So there’s my justification.
David from Jacksonville
Would Jerry Rice, in his heyday in San Francisco, have been considered one of the top 10 players in the league?
Vic: Without a doubt; he would’ve been a certain top-five player. Rice was one of those few wide receivers who was as important to the quarterback as the quarterback was to the wide receiver.
Dustin from Jacksonville
I seriously hope I missed the sarcasm when you said you would trade all four Vikings for one quarterback. As you've pointed out to us, and the Patriots proved, if you don't have a decent running back to keep the defense honest and good guards to protect your quarterback when you do pass, your quarterback will go down and he will go down hard.
Vic: And the Vikings proved that without a quarterback you won’t even make the playoffs, regardless of how many top 10 players you have at other positions. The quarterback is the man. It has never been truer than it is in today’s game.
Mike from Fruit Cove, FL
So how many eligible receivers can there be on the field at one time?
Vic: Six.
Shane from Macy, IN
Other than the Seahawks moving from the AFC to the NFC, has any other teams made that switch?
Vic: When the AFL and NFL merged, three NFL teams – Browns, Colts and Steelers – moved from the NFL to the AFC so as to even the number of teams in each conference.
David from Middleburg, FL
The Giants announced on Thursday they will sell PSLs for their new stadium. At an average price of $5,000, they are expected to raise over $700 million. Would the players get a share of this money?
Vic: Under the current Total Football Revenue (TFR) model, yes, the players would get their designated percentage of that money, however, the future of that model and the current CBA are in doubt.
Michael from Gainesville, FL
It appears that my aspirations to retire early and become a full-time Jaguars groupie have been indefinitely delayed, as my 401K now looks much more like a 201. In the meantime, thanks for your outstanding coverage for those of us watching from a distance.
Vic: Yeah, Thursday was a tough one. I guess the economy really isn’t strong. But look on the bright side: The investment people say this recent downturn (collapse) of the stock market has provided another excellent buying opportunity.
G.W. from Hurricane, WV
What can we expect out of the Pats this year?
Vic: Did you look at their schedule? Anything less than 16-0 would be a bitter disappointment.
Gary from Jacksonville
It seems the Colts have taken a step back with their overall draft and Marvin Harrison is coming off a year plagued with injuries, and the talk is that Gonzales is the likely replacement. Do you think the Colts did enough to shore up their team or do you see some holes? Also, what is your outlook on the Jaguars and how they will compete in the division?
Vic: The aging of a football team is inevitable. I’ve never known a team to avoid it. The Colts have done as good a job of it as anybody. They’ve gotten the most out of their run. I do think they’re starting to face some age and injury issues and they’ll have to turn to the “jars on their shelves” to help ease them through what appears to be a transition period on their two lines and, possibly, at wide receiver. I think the ability of those reserve players, what I call “jars on the shelves,” to ease the Colts through this transition time will determine their fate in 2008. As for the Jaguars, I’m picking them to win the division. It’s time.
Brendan from Gainesville, FL
Your mention of a “cold Iron” reminded me of a story. I attended the Jags-Steelers playoff game in Pitt. Before the game, we visited many fine watering holes and restaurants. Upon entering Primanti Brothers (decked out in teal), we were lovingly booed by the Pitt faithful. Having no idea what anything on the menu was, we ordered a couple of “number two best-sellers.” Curiously, I asked the waitress, “What is the number one best seller?” The cry was deafening within the restaurant: “a beer.” The table next to us was a group of 50-something-year-old Steelers fans and they ordered our table a round of Iron City; class acts up there in Pittsburgh. The beer must go down and the beer must go down hard.
Vic: Iron makes my nose numb.
Frank from Foxboro, MA
Eat your heart out, Vic and Jags fans. I am from Boston and I am loving our decade of dominance to be continued. Your one-horse town has never won a darn thing and you never will.
Vic: What I do?
Rob from Havana, FL
I was reading the paper this morning and it had an article in there about a shield law. It is to help protect the journalists from giving up their sources, which they promised to protect. What do you know about this and what are your thoughts on it?
Vic: A reporter never divulges his sources. Reporters have gone to jail to protect their sources. To give up your source would be a crime against journalism. Research Marie Torre and Garland v. Torre.
Alfredo from Jacksonville
My cousin emailed you about our nine-year-old nephew with Crohns a few months back. I just wanted to let you know he is recovering well. They put him on steroids to get his weight back up so I guess not all steroids are bad. He's recovering well and back to playing sports, which he loves to do.
Vic: Steroids are good when they are used with proper intent.
Bubba from Jacksonville
Vic, I’m so tired of this Snoop crap. Only an idiot like you would believe that you and Snoop are friends. Just give it up, please. The next thing you know, you’re gonna tell us you hang with sexy movie stars.