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Everybody didn't change the game

Join jaguars.com senior editor Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.

Jim from Boise, ID:
I have you figured out. You don't ever want to say anything bad about your employer, so you took the path that there is nothing wrong with this coaching staff. Clearly, there was, but understanding where you're coming from, do you feel Del Rio's additions will substantially improve things?

Vic: I want you to think about this: You believe I lack integrity and credibility, yet, you want my opinion of Jack Del Rio's coaching staff additions. Isn't that kind of nuts? I think you should stop reading "Ask Vic" immediately. Never read someone you believe is a liar.

Steve from Toad Suck, AR:
Who wins this Sunday and why?

Vic: I'm picking Arizona. I think the Cardinals are clearly the sentimental favorite. The storyline of the game is one team that has never won a Super Bowl and has only ever won one league title, 1947, versus a team that'll be in its seventh Super Bowl and is tied for the most Super Bowl wins, five. Let's not forget about Card-Pitt, too. During World War II, the Cardinals and Steelers joined forces to produce a 0-10 gem in 1944 that is one of the worst teams in NFL history. It was so bad that it was affectionately known as the "Carpets."

Joshua from Middleburg, FL:
I see the Jags have hired a "quality control coach." What exactly are the responsibilities of that coach?

Vic: Quality control coaches assist the other coaches. For example, a quality control coach for offense assists the other coaches on offense. He might break down film or do a down and distance study, etc.

Brian from Jacksonville:
I was wondering what you thought of the Packers hiring Dom Capers for defensive coordinator. I know he spent some years in Jacksonville and just wanted to know your opinion of him and the defenses he runs.

Vic: I've covered Dom Capers in Jacksonville and in Pittsburgh. He's a fabulous coach and he's capable of tailoring his scheme to fit his talent, as any good coach can. Early in his career as the Steelers' defensive coordinator, the Steelers lacked big-play players and Capers implemented a bend-but-don't-break strategy that led the Steelers to the top seed in the AFC playoffs. A few years and a few more players later, Capers laid the foundation for "Blitzburgh," and he did the same in Jacksonville. The Packers have hired a guy who will make a difference, but not without improving their talent on that side of the ball. Based on what I saw when the Packers played in Jacksonville in December, they lack personnel on the defensive side of the ball.

Tommy from Juneau, AK:
What do the strength and conditioning and the training staffs do during the offseason? Do they have busy schedules like they have in the offseason or is it more relaxed?

Vic: This is a time for readying for what's ahead. The strength coaches begin creating a conditioning regimen for when the offseason program begins in March. He examines the conditioning records of each player and determines what each player needs to improve to become a better player. Equipment will be updated, added or eliminated. With a new staff in place, the weight room will undoubtedly experience remodeling to suit the new staff's program. The training staff works with players rehabbing from injuries or recovering from postseason surgeries. The training and medical staffs will get real busy in mid-February when the Jaguars go to the scouting combine in Indianapolis. All of the prospects will undergo medical examinations by the Jaguars.

Daniel from Jacksonville:
Did Jerry Porter work out in any training camp practices last year? I missed the part where you said how good he looked.

Vic: Porter underwent hamstring surgery in July and did not participate in training camp. I think Rob from Orlando was referring to spring OTAs. Porter was clearly the best-looking receiver on the field until he sustained the hamstring injury that caused him to miss all of training camp.

Nate from Jacksonville:
Glad your back. How come nobody seems to point out that Kurt Warner has had some pretty darn good receivers throughout his career? Even you could be a Hall of Fame QB with Holt, Bruce, Boldin and Fitzgerald as your go-to guys.

Vic: Don't forget Marshall Faulk and Az Hakim. Yeah, Warner has had very good receivers, but most good quarterbacks have had top receivers. Terry Bradshaw had Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, Dan Marino had Mark Duper and Mark Clayton, Johnny Unitas had Raymond Berry and Jimmy Orr, Peyton Manning has had Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Until he got Randy Moss, Tom Brady was the exception.

Jeff from Jacksonville:
I really felt I took advantage of having no "Ask Vic" for a week. I read two books, did not turn on the television and went to a marriage preparation class with my bride to be. What an amazing week.

Vic: I am so proud of you. You may be ready to go to a higher level of consciousness.

Matt from Freehold, NJ:
Who do you think the Jags are leaning toward in this year's draft?

Vic: The best available player, I hope.

Bryan from Lynchburg, VA:
With Fred Taylor getting up there in age, do you see Jones-Drew taking more of the carries next year and what will Taylor look like next year for the Jags?

Vic: Yeah, I would think Maurice Jones-Drew is poised to become the Jaguars' main ball-carrier. As far as Fred is concerned, I think we have to wait to see what he and the team do contractually. There's a re-structuring expectation. The reason I selected this question is so I could clear the air on Jones-Drew's contractual obligation to the team. There seems to be some confusion. Jones-Drew has one year remaining on his current contract. Normally, that would take him into unrestricted free agency following next season, but because 2010 is scheduled to be an uncapped year, Jones-Drew would be a restricted free agent following next season should he not have signed a new deal.

Steve from Hudson, FL:
How much does an active player pay in union dues?

Vic: Each player pays $10,000 a year in union dues.

Chase from Hartford, WI:
After Pat White's performance in the Senior Bowl, do you think the Jaguars will draft him?

Vic: White didn't have to show me anything in the Senior Bowl to know he's a good football player. All you had to do was watch him for four years at West Virginia. Look at the teams he beat in bowl games, Georgia and Oklahoma. He played at the highest level and dominated. The problem is that he's not an NFL-type quarterback and that means he'll probably have to make a position switch to wide receiver, as Hines Ward did and Antwaan Randle El did and Freddie Solomon did and Matt Jones did, etc. It's not an easy switch and it's not likely a team will risk a high pick on a project. In the middle rounds, I think he'd be an excellent choice. He's a great athlete and a top person.

Kris from Worcester, NY:
I just read an article on Ray Guy, providing impressive stats and insight on how he changed the game. I had no idea he was not in the Hall of Fame. Is this a sham? From what I remember he was a fantastic punter. What gives?

Vic: Whoa! Let's stop with this everybody changed the game crap. I only know of three players in the modern era who changed the game: Johnny Unitas, who gave us the two-minute drill and the modern passing attack; Jim Brown, for whom the 4-3 defense was created; and Lawrence Taylor, who turned linebackers into pass-rushers and made the game sack crazy. Ray Guy was a great punter – probably the greatest punter – but he did not change the game. Why isn't he in the Hall of Fame? Because he was a punter, that's why. Everybody who was a good player can't be in the Hall of Fame. It's for the very best of the very best. It's for famous players. You wanna put Guy in but keep Jerry Kramer or Jim Plunkett out? Come on, let's get serious. We've fallen into a Hall of Fame mania in which everybody who had a big game "last Sunday" immediately becomes a hot candidate to have a bronze head in the same room with Vince Lombardi. I want you to take a couple of deep breaths, count to 10 and then take a harder look at the Hall of Fame, who's in it and who's not.

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