Every weekday, jaguars.com Senior Editor Vic Ketchman tackles the fans' tough questions.Do you have a question for Vic? Fill out the form to send it to him. Your question could be posted right here on jaguars.com. Stephen from Neptune Beach, FL
I am a huge Gator fan but my favorite player in college is Christian Ponder. What are your thoughts on Ponder and do you think he is a top 10-15 talent?
Vic: Yes, I do. The first time I really studied him was in the Miami game this year and, as I said in this column the next day, I was really impressed. You don’t have to be a scout to know Ponder is a pure pro prospect. He reminds me of Matt Ryan. Everyone’s talking about Tim Tebow, but Ponder’s the guy.
Stephen from Jacksonville
Whose voice does David Garrard hear in the transmitter in his helmet? Who is wearing the helmet on defense and who is talking to him? Are the radios in the helmets only used to relay plays into the game?
Vic: Yes, the communicators are only used to relay plays. Garrard hears the voice of Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter. Daryl Smith wears the helmet communicator on defense and he hears the voice of Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker.
Bryan from Washington, DC
Is it too early to start rooting against teams like the Jets, Ravens, Chargers and the like?
Vic: Absolutely not; that’s the fun of being in a playoff race and the schedule is such that we might get a taste of the playoff race this year. Enjoy it as long as you can. With that in mind, this week you should be rooting for the Broncos to beat the Ravens and the Raiders to beat the Chargers.
Greg from Rochester, NY
Mark Sanchez likes mustard on his hot dogs, too.
Vic: If I was Sanchez’ marketing guy, I’d jump on this. If Sanchez has any kind of season, he’ll become a national figure, mostly because he plays in New York. Think of the endorsement possibilities for hot dog and mustard companies. “Hi, I’m Mark Sanchez and there’s nothing I love more than a good dog as I watch the game, and there’s only one thing I’ll put on my dogs, (insert name) mustard.”
Maxwell from Jacksonville
Just want to write in support of Fred and his criticism of the stadium's “best-access” mentality. I, too, thought about writing a similar response but just didn't do it. It has nothing to do with making an excuse for ticket sales, just an explanation of how the city's decision to funnel us out of downtown immediately after a game handicaps the growth of the urban core. Thanks, Vic, for posting this contrarian view.
Vic: Oh, I see. Blame it on the city for allowing you to leave downtown after the game. It makes perfect sense.
Joey from Jacksonville
Do you miss the way football used to be?
Vic: Yeah, I do, but I’d miss football the way it’s played today, too. I think the wide-open game is good. I think it’s exciting and athletic, etc. What I wouldn’t miss is what seems to have become constant interference from the officials. In my opinion, today’s game is way over-officiated. I don’t know if the fault lies with the league for allowing too many penalties to be called, or if it’s the fault of the players for not being smart enough to stop committing penalties, but I am absolutely sure that every fan wants to see less interference by the officials. It’s to the point now that when I see a big play, I immediately move my eyes to that bar at the top of the TV screen to see if “flag” appears in yellow, or if I’m covering the game I immediately start looking around the field for a yellow flag. I’ve come to expect a penalty to ruin what I’ve seen and that’s a major problem because I think most people would agree with me. It’s deflating.
Jordan from Alabaster, AL
The Titans wouldn't dare start Vince Young, would they? It would be a lose-lose situation. If he plays poorly, they lose. If he plays well and they win, then they will have to justify why he is not their quarterback of the future. For whatever reason, there are a lot of people out there that still believe he has what it takes. I'm not sure if they like him or if they just feel sorry for him.
Vic: Either way, I think everyone expects the Titans to move in a different direction at the position in next year’s draft. Vince Young isn’t the future and Kerry Collins was a stop-gap solution. Anybody who doesn’t understand that is too far gone to take seriously.
Wade from Orange Park, FL
Who gives us a bigger problem, Collins or Young?
Vic: Statistics say Collins presents a greater threat. His best game last season was against the Jaguars, when he threw for three touchdowns and a 112.3 passer rating.
Steve from Jacksonville
So the Saints, at 6-0, are laughing in the face of common practice, having Brunell hold and take backup snaps. So much for separate field/timing is everything, huh?
Vic: You didn’t see the game, did you? If you had, you would’ve seen the botched hold by Mark that cost the Saints a missed extra point. It was a missed kick that loomed dangerously late in the game as the Saints were protecting a six-point lead. Just out of curiosity, what is it that makes people hate the way teams do things and wants to see them proved wrong?
Kelly from Greensburg, IN
A few weeks ago you commented on the blackouts and that you were already beginning to see the effects of it. Do you still believe the blackouts are helping?
Vic: Yes, I do, but we probably won’t know until the season is over and the Jaguars begin their push to sell tickets for the 2010 season.
Anthony from Orlando, FL
How long do you think it’ll be until the Jaguars play their first game in Orlando?
Vic: I don’t know but I think they should begin that pursuit immediately.
Edward from Jacksonville
Wow! Two of the veterans Jacksonville released to make way for younger players are on injured reserve (Tony Pashos and Brian Williams), and one is likely to miss the majority of the season (Fred Taylor). Looks like we made all the right moves this offseason, doesn't it?
Vic: It’s a young man’s game.
Matt from Jacksonville
If the Jags do indeed win in New York and keep winning, not only are the two home games with Miami and Indy sellouts, but ticket-sales problems are a thing of the past, agree?
Vic: No, I don’t. I think the problem runs much deeper than that.