Join jaguars.com senior editor Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.
Brent from Palm Harbor, FL:
I recognized and knew about all the coaches you put in your top five, except for Paul Brown. I was wondering if you could do a little summation about who he was, what team he made a name for himself with and what made him so good.
Vic: Paul Brown was the owner and coach of the team that bears his name, the Cleveland Browns. Brown coached Cleveland to All-America Football Conference titles in all four seasons of that league's existence. The AAFC's Browns, 49ers and Colts joined the NFL in 1950 and the Browns played in each of the next six NFL title games and won three of them. That's an amazing 10 consecutive title game appearances. Brown was fired after the 1962 season by new Browns owner Art Modell, and Brown was awarded ownership of the expansion Cincinnati Bengals in 1968 and installed himself as head coach. He took the Bengals to the playoffs in just their third season. Brown is also known for his football innovations, including the facemask, classroom sessions, the pass-pocket, messenger guard, use of game film, advanced scouting methods and a lot more. Brown literally invented the modern game.
Tom from Jacksonville:
The 65.5 percent of the gross the players get, is that what makes the salary cap what it is, or does that also provide for other player needs, such as retirement, health and life insurance?
Vic: Player costs, including benefits, are $103 million per team in 2005. The salary cap is set this year at $85.5 million. The $103 million figure represents 65.5 percent of defined gross revenues. The cost of benefits is subtracted from $103 million and what remains of that figure is established as the total wages each team may pay its players.
George from Jacksonville:
You never answer my questions. Why not? I read your column every day.
Vic: Thank you for reading. I wish I could answer every question.
Thomas from Brisbane, Australia:
Will the league force a team to relocate to Los Angeles?
Vic: The league won't force a team to relocate, but they won't discourage it, either, and that's what makes this situation different from Baltimore, Cleveland and Houston. The league has almost always frowned on franchise flight. In this case, they may even encourage it.
Rob from St. Augustine, FL:
What do you think is the best and deepest part of our team, by position?
Vic: Defensive tackle is clearly the strength of the Jaguars. Not only do the Jaguars have two Pro-Bowl tackles, they have veteran depth in Rob Meier, Tony Williams, Derrick Ransom and Martin Chase, and second-year man Anthony Maddox showed some potential late last season. I think Williams is someone who has been overlooked. The defensive line overall is a strong and deep bunch.
Mark from Jacksonville:
I appreciate your thoughts on the ticket situation, but let's wait and see what happens. People complaining and you being disgusted with the lack of ticket sales is a bit premature. If I remember correctly, we would have sold-out most games last year if the stadium was configured as it will be. Unless you have a crystal ball, give it a rest until the season starts.
Vic: I agree.
Robert from Las Vegas, NV:
Who is the most underrated player on the Jaguars?
Vic: In my opinion, it's Maurice Williams. I'll bet Jeff Lageman would say it's Chris Naeole. Either way, I think the right side of the Jaguars offensive line is underrated.
David from Jacksonville:
I can't take it any more! I am going to tell you how to get men into the stadium. Get a section with no children and wildness can occur. Yes, even cussing! I personally went to jail in 2001 for cussing in my seat at the game. That was the last time I went to a Jag game; not the last college game but things are different there. The Jag games are for church men, women and children. I know several others who won't go because there is no section where you don't hear sit down, don't scream and for, goodness sakes, don't cuss. I hope one day there will be an opposite to the "Family Fun Zone." I don't expect it will happen but there you are. That is how come no men are showing up.
Vic: We could call it the "jail zone." Everybody would get their own personal cell. Talk about a "cage of rage." This is what we need; more good marketing ideas.
George from Pocatello, ID:
You stated that Deion Sanders shares the Jaguars' fastest all-time combine 40 time. How do the Jaguars have a combine 40 time on Deion Sanders? His combine was well before their time.
Vic: It is the job of all pro personnel departments to have a full dossier on every player in the league and Sanders was a major player in the league when the Jaguars came into existence. There were two ways for the Jaguars to get information on Sanders' combine workout. They could get it from Blesto, the scouting organization to which the Jaguars belong, or they could get it from the scouts they hired, who, in many cases, had scouted Sanders for other teams. Either way, that information is necessary for a team's pro personnel files, which pertain directly to advance scouting for games to be played and for free agency.
Greg from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
I played in your golf outing last year. I have friends coming in from Atlanta to play in it this year. Is there a way we can be paired together? There's no way to designate that on your signup form.
Vic: Yes, there is. Just begin the registration process and you'll come to a place where you can designate preferred playing partners. See you on Aug. 12.
