"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Bill from Sheboygan, WI
So, what's your decision, Vic?
The Packers have decided it's not going to be all out. For all intents and purposes, my friend Mark Murphy made that announcement this week. Knowing Mark and his penchant for poised and calm decision-making, I expected as much. Me? If I were the president and CEO of the Packers, Rodgers' postgame remarks would've set my jaw. I saw them as inappropriate. I saw them as pouting, self-centered and lacking leadership. I saw them as inviting controversy, which is the last thing the Packers needed following another devastating playoff loss at home. What would grate me the most is they were unsolicited; they were volunteered. There would've been no reassurance of his future with the Packers from me. Why did the offense go dead at crunch time, and why did its leader send such a weak message after the game? Where's the grit I expect of a champion? These are the questions I would be asking myself if I were in Mark's position. The last two seasons have been blessed by good fortune for the Packers. Injuries have been much fewer than when Mike McCarthy's teams couldn't break the constant curse of them. I can't remember Rodgers even being on the injury report in 2020. There were games when I think he could've played without a helmet. The breaks? They've been going the Packers' way for the past two seasons, since before those hands-to-the-face penalties against the Lions. If I'm in Mark's position, I'm thinking to myself it's not likely to stay this way. I'm thinking to myself, "If we couldn't win it all this season, why am I to believe next season will be any better?" I'm also thinking to myself, "Do I want to go down in Packers history as the guy who ran Rodgers out of town?" Maybe in a few weeks I'll calm down, but for now I'll let the phone ring, and if I get an offer I can't refuse, I'll take it.

Steve from Hudson, WI
When would you say the Packers have gone all in or all out? I see them as a constant something in between kind of team that has shown propensity to find "The Man" and keep a line in front of him. Reggie White was an all-in move, but that was a long time ago with an underpaid QB at the helm.
I agree with your assessment, but something in between can result in a team dying on the vine. I prefer all in or all out.

Ryan from Milwaukee, WI
Vic, with removing Rodgers from the equation, and I want him for the foreseeable future, where does the rest of this team stand?
It's an average-strength roster with a few stars at key positions. When special teams struggle, it usually means the bottom half of your roster is weak. Compounding the problem is the Packers are in danger of losing a big chunk of their upper-half cast in free agency.

Brady from Milwaukee, WI
I think it’s too early to decide on whether to go all in or to blow it up. We don’t know what the state of the NFC will be next year: Where will Deshaun Watson and Matt Stafford end up? What will the trade haul be for either, and will that increase Rodgers’ trade value?
I favor Indianapolis as the landing spot for Stafford. Watson? His contract is a nightmare for both teams in a trade. He knows it; he's just pressing his advantage. The Packers don't have to rush into decision-making. They can allow the dust to settle.

Milton from Monterrey, Mexico
Vic why the Packers abandoned the run so early in the game?
They don't truly believe in it. They see it as being the other thing they do, and they are easily persuaded to abandon it if it's not gaining big chunks of yardage. Some of that is the result of a lack of confidence the defense can hold the opponent at bay while the Packers pound.

Brandon from Lafayette, IN
Rodgers had arguably his greatest statistical season ever, but what would it take to transition to a run-first mentality?
The need to do it.

Ricky from New Haven, CT
What makes a player a fumbler? How do pro teams fix college fumblers? Any good examples?
Hold the ball high and tight. Tiki Barber was a fumbler. Tom Coughlin fixed him. Coughlin could not live with a fumbler.

Burt from Louisiana
It seems the Packer brass is falling all over themselves talking about how Rodgers is "The Man," their leader, and they're making him the focus of the future, all of which begs the question: Then why the heck did you draft Jordan Love? What am I missing, Vic?
I'm missing it, too. Drafting Love sent a strong message of who the boss is. Now, all this reassurance is sending a completely different message.

Timothy from New York, NY
My gut tells me to blow it up, but I keep coming back to your assessment after the divisional round: "The Packers are the only quality team in a conference dominated by teams with old quarterbacks, a conference that will be even weaker next year." If the NFC picture looked like the AFC, blowing it up would make total sense. But the Packers might actually have a chance next year, given the competition, no?
As the NFC North stands right now, the Packers could win it with Duck Hodges at quarterback.

Marcel from Bamberg, Germany
The Packers have the MVP at quarterback, one of the best receivers, a lockdown corner still ahead of his prime, a good pass rusher and the best blindside protector in the NFL. When does one go all in, if not now?
I wouldn't complain if they went all in. I favor all in or all out. I think something in between is the wrong choice.

Ryan from Freedom, WI
What do you think of Mike Pettine? Statistically, the defense has improved every year with him as defensive coordinator. His contract is up after this season. So, will the Packers sign him back this offseason?
I think he's a good coach and should be retained. I also think Pettine made a major goof in his coverage scheme on Tampa's touchdown pass near the end of the first half, but he wasn't the only coach on the Packers' sideline. Head Coach Matt LaFleur had plenty of time to communicate his thoughts to Pettine. This is why I don't favor head coaches being play-callers. If they're so occupied by their side of the ball they can't coach the whole team, the team is without a head coach in situations such as the Packers faced on that play near the end of the half.

Nick from Boston, MA
If you're the Jets or Jags, do you trade away Lawrence or Fields for Watson?
And acquire Watson's insane contract, which includes salaries of $35 million in 2022, $20 million in '23, $32 million in '24 and '25, and a roster bonus of $17 million in '23? Ahhhh, no.

Travis from Minneapolis, MN
Fans seem so eager to fire coordinators, even though it’s usually a talent deficit issue. What do you look for in signs a coordinator should be replaced?
Is he not getting the most out of his players; not utilizing their talent to the fullest? That's No. 1. Coordinators need to make the puzzle pieces fit. I think Mike Pettine did that this season.

Brad from Jacksonville, FL
Vic, I was reading how no one was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame for the class this year. It got me to thinking, are the baseball writers that much more stringent, or is this more of a pompous/arrogant move?
Baseball treats its Hall of Fame as hallowed ground. The NFL treats the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a marketing tool.

Greg from Kingsport, TN
Can I start some offseason drama? One of the writers over at the Packers' team site said during Vic Ketchman's time employed with the team, he was "a transplant" and had "zero connection to this team or fanbase."
OK.

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Bill from Marysville (state unknown)
OK, I'm disappointed with the loss. There is plenty of blame to go around the Packers for lost opportunities. I am saddened by the media that wants to twist words, read between the lines and post click bait. When did we need to demand players talk to us in their most devastating moments and then analyze and interpret what they said versus what they meant? Within hours, there was a posting of six teams that are landing spots for Rodgers. How did you stay clear of such nonsense?
I remember interviewing Rod Woodson following a playoff loss in which he sustained a concussion. Reporters have always interviewed players following a game. I don't like the click bait sites, either, but I think you're taking your hurt out on the media. Put the blame where it belongs: On the players and coaches.

Jim from Appleton, WI
Why does this loss hurt more than the 2014 NFC Championship?
Find a way to remove yourself emotionally from these games or suffer the consequences.

John from Topeka, KS
Vic, we've been over what the Packers should or shouldn't do with Rodgers. What happens if Rodgers is the one who decides he's done with the Packers instead?
Demand a trade? I don't see that happening.

Tyler from Dixon, CA
Vic, true or false, if the Packers don’t do anything with Aaron’s contract this offseason, then that will tell us all we need to know about the Packers' future plans, assuming the Jordan Love pick didn’t already.
Rodgers' salary jumps to $25 million in 2022. That's the boundary year in his contract. If his skills are then showing signs of eroding, you move on without him and his dead money is a very doable $17 million. If he's still at the top of his game, he'd return value in a trade, or you could retain him through '23, at which time he'd be 40 years old and his contract would expire. Doing nothing is an option. It's a sensible but passive approach to his future.

Eric from Lansing, MI
So, Vic, Aaron Rodgers' future is no longer a "beautiful mystery," is it?
It's been a beautiful misery this week. It's causing Packers fans a lot of angst, and that bothers me.

Morgan from Little Chute, WI
Could Adams be a trade candidate with one year left on his deal?
I think the bigger question is: Do the Packers want to throw big money at a wide receiver? They could sign Adams to a new deal and lower his cap number for 2021 by structuring the contract to push money out, but do they want to do it? If this was the Steelers, I'd probably say no. They have traditionally allowed receivers to walk: Burress, Randle El, Sanders, Wallace and more, and I expect them to do the same with Smith-Schuster. The Packers have been more willing to retain receivers and I suspect they'll do the same with Adams, but will they? What they do with Adams could give us an indication of the direction the franchise is going to take: Will they stay the course or will there be a shift in philosophy?

Greg from Columbia City, OR
"I saw all three men play there on multiple occasions, as day turned to night and the lights made summer last a little longer." I know I should just enjoy and relish the imagery this sentence evokes in silence, but thank you.
Sports needs to be about more than excitement.

Ron from Dakota, IL
Hey, man, do you know of any non-violent crime that’ll get ya locked up in solitary for seven months without TV or internet? Asking for a friend.
They do that in Illinois prisons during the football season, so prisoners don't have to watch the Bears and see them get blown out by the Packers. It's a form of riot control.

Andy from Appleton, WI
Aaron Rodgers' cap number for 2021 is $37 million. Is it time for the Packers to be new again?
That figure can be reduced by a simple salary-to-signing-bonus conversion in a restructured deal. It would be a move most would expect and nobody would criticize, but I would ask: Why do it if you're not going to go all in and get Rodgers the players he needs to win it all? He doesn't have those players right now -- Sunday's loss proved as much -- and he's going to lose a major chunk of his supporting cast unless the Packers restructure contracts, push money out and go all in for 2021. All in or blow it up? I'm still thinking on it. What's the rush, right?

Tim from Ocala, FL
The real story of the NFC title game isn't officiating, but that Tom Brady turned over the ball three times in a half and the Packers only came away with six points from it.
Brady was subpar: three interceptions and a 73.8 passer rating. As I wrote, he can throw short over the middle and lob the ball deep down the sideline, but he doesn't have the arm to drive the ball or hit the honey hole. He missed an open receiver deep over the middle by sailing the ball and having it intercepted, and a weak honey hole throw was also intercepted. Rodgers' stats were good, but he didn't get it done at crunch time. That's the reason the Packers lost.

Erney from Hoover, AL
Vic, I’m curious about the authority of a quarterback to change the play at the line of scrimmage. Assuming a called play has a run or pass option, what keeps a quarterback who would be inclined to pass the ball from mostly choosing the pass option?
The coach. Abandoning the run couldn't possibly have been the game plan.

Geoff from Janesville, WI
Profootballtalk is reporting Rodgers wants a new contract. You have gone over how it is structured hamstrings the Packers. Is there a way to structure a new contract that would benefit both sides?
I can think of a way to help Rodgers get a new contract and save $6 million on the Packers' cap next season.

Ben from Crozet, VA
How could you justify trading the league MVP, when the QB in the wings couldn't beat out Tim Boyle (no disrespect to Boyle, I really like him) and was inactive every game?
If Jordan Love can't be "The Man," then the Packers need to find "The Man" as soon as possible because age and the salary cap are going to make change inevitable and it's going to happen sooner than later.

Matthew from Oshkosh, WI
What’s the benefit of keeping Rodgers for the 2021 season? I think we all know the chances of another Super Bowl run are gone with him at the helm. They had their chance two years in a row and couldn’t bring it home. We drafted Love for a reason. I’m excited to see a new era. How much longer do we have to wait? What’s the trade look like for a three-time MVP and playoff choke artist? Do we even get a first-rounder for him anymore?
Two ones -- and some throw-in picks -- guaranteed.

Scott from Bozeman, MT
Vic, are the Patriots regretting their decision of moving on from Brady? Also, can the Packers learn anything from that situation?
The Patriots did the right thing, and it's why I respect Coach Belichick so much. His genius is his bold and courageous management of personnel. He knew it was over. He had ridden the Brady train for as long as he could and it was time to get off and begin rebuilding. Where was he going with Brady in the AFC with Mahomes, Jackson, Allen and all of the young quarterbacks and teams on the rise? He knew the sooner he committed to rebuilding, the sooner he'd be able to compete for a title, again. When do you quit on Rodgers? It is the No. 1 question confronting the Packers this offseason. If you quit too early, you might lose the chance at another Super Bowl title. If you quit too late, the rebuilding process lengthens. GMs and head coaches get paid a lot of money to get this right.

Dan from Rapid City, SD
Huh, you were right. It feels like the appropriate time to move Rodgers and get some picks. They're not going to be better than they were this year nor have a more ideal situation to make a Super Bowl.
I'm still thinking on it. These are the options: all in, all out or something in between. I'll choose one of the three options in Friday's column.

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Ray from Clark, NJ
All in or blow it up?
Let's think on it a little bit.

Jason from Falcon, CO
Is the pass interference on King what the NFL wants? After no calls all game, either team can say they got “jobbed” and we all watch again?
The Packers got all of the calls for two years.

Ryan from Roselle, IL
I love Aaron Rodgers but I have to believe his legacy is the guy who can’t get it over the finish line.
I think that's unfair but sports is like that. I said last week it was the question that didn't have to be asked but would be answered on Sunday.

Jack from Chicago, IL
Is Green Bay cursed?
Cursed? In what way? They were healthy and at home. Just win the damn game!

Todd from Bristol, WI
This was easily the poorest officiated game this year.
That's baloney!

C.T. from Jacksonville, FL
Rodgers throwing the coach under the bus and saying his future is “uncertain” in the postgame interview. What should we take from this, Vic?
He wasn't throwing the coach under the bus but there's a weakness in his postgame remarks that's troubling because it's the truth, his future is uncertain. The Jordan Love pick was the elephant in the room all season long.

Pat from Collierville, TN
Kick or not kick? That is the question of the day.
I was stunned! I got a text message from my best sportswriter friend: "McCarthy would've gone for it." I agree.

Mike from Somerset, WI
What surprised you most about the Packers?
They couldn't run the ball; they wouldn't run the ball.

Matt from Chicago, IL
I value your opinion. Do these stats mean anything in your eyes? Aaron Rodgers 1-4 in NFC championship games, 1-7 playoff record when trailing at halftime.
I never covered a better quarterback but it is what it is.

Dillon from Melbourne, FL
What does a team with a 37-year-old quarterback, that spent its first-round pick on a quarterback who hasn't played a down, with a left tackle the team just signed to an enormous contract and is facing an ACL comeback season, and is about to lose a big chunk of its roster in free agency do now?
Perceptions change quickly. The Packers' arrow has dipped dramatically.

Richard from Germany
I think we just have to accept the fact Green Bay got out-coached today.
Todd Bowles did a great job disguising the Bucs' pass rush.

Ben from DePere, WI
Is Aaron Rodgers too big to coach?
Too big or too good?

Richard from Truckee, CA
Another entertaining football game. Now what?
Move on with your life. It's not your fault.

Bruce from Cameron, WI
Three times with first and goal, no runs, 13 points. Two times after interceptions, no runs, two three-and-outs. Don’t run the ball, you don’t win.
Under pressure, we revert to our true personality.

Guy from Racine, WI
With the salary cap going down by 10 percent, do you still see big names getting big contracts?
The stars of the game will still get their money, but the line will be more distinct and will be moved upward. I think that's what we're seeing with Aaron Jones. Ben Roethlisberger might be another example. His $15 million roster bonus will force a contract restructuring and a likely pay cut if he wants to continue playing. I'm surprised the dip in the salary cap isn't projected to be greater than it is. Teams of sound cap management will be able to deal with this drop; it'll cleanse the rest. This is good for the game. The NFL did a great job making it through this season without calamity in the present and damage to the future.

Tom from Pittsburgh, PA
What are your thoughts on the Steelers signing Dwayne Haskins?
I didn't do any homework on Haskins when he was coming out of college because I didn't see him as a draft candidate for the Steelers, Packers or Jaguars. I knew he was a big guy with a strong arm. Since he signed with the Steelers, I looked at video of Haskins. Wow! He's got a great arm and throwing motion. You see the ball on the ear and then it's gone. His best pass is the deep curl, which requires a lightning-quick release and velocity. His feet are light and tap through the throw. He's not fast but I saw several examples of functional mobility. I even saw him run an option play and make a deft and athletic pitch in traffic. His eyes are downfield and rushers struggle to bring him down. From a cap standpoint, he's a dream come true. His amortization stays in Washington and the Steelers signed him for minimum wage. Even better, they can tender him as an RFA in 2022. In my opinion, the Steelers can't get high enough to draft someone with Haskins' talent. Apparently, lifestyle is Haskins' issue. Maybe getting away from his hometown will help him clean up his life. He's only 23. If the Steelers can manage him and hone his skills, they might have their guy without having to spend a draft pick. If he's a bust, it won't have cost them anything.

Sean from Aubrey, TX
Could you please share your thoughts on the passing of Hank Aaron?
The '60's were my golden era of baseball, and I will always remember them as the Mays-Aaron-Clemente years. On the wall in front of me as I pen this column hangs a picture of Forbes Field. I saw all three men play there on multiple occasions, as day turned to night and the lights made summer last a little longer. I am left with the memories of the innocent pleasure that defines my youth.

Trevor from Wausau, WI
What are your thoughts on Dan Campbell's press conference and the Lions giving him a six-year contract to be their head coach?
They've made a commitment to Campbell they should've made to Jim Caldwell.

Maxwell from Milwaukee, WI
If you didn't have press credentials, where would you choose to sit and watch at Lambeau?
In my old office on TV. Football is a private event for me. I don't like to be disturbed. I don't cheer it, I study it. I've always been the way I am, even when I was a kid. I've always wanted to come away knowing not only what happened but why it happened. For me, that means removing myself from the frenzy -- and muting the TV when it becomes a distraction -- so I might absorb and appreciate what's being performed for my entertainment. Also, I hate the cold.

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Daniel from Johnston, IA
I'd forgotten how poorly Green Bay ran the ball against Tampa Bay in Week 6. Aaron Jones had five carries for minus one yard and a touchdown almost half an hour into the game and, as a whole, there were two big plays (20 and 25-yard runs). The best runs they had around end were four and five yards. Hopefully, Williams and Dillon are ready to go.
The Packers got an early lead in that game but the offense went cold, which allowed the Bucs to catch up and then impose their will with the running game. The formula for victory this Sunday, in my opinion, is for the Packers to get an early lead, keep the Bucs at arm's length and force them to abandon the run and become one-dimensional. That's been the Packers' identity for the past several games.

Elten from Pleasant Lake, IN
Very sorry to hear you had COVID. Hope you are doing well.
I did not have COVID. My neck surgery was delayed because the hospital was full of COVID patients. As a result, the problem lingered and the nerve damage was more severe.

Dave from Escanaba, MI
So what are the chances of what I think are the NFL's two smallest cities going to the Super Bowl.
It's doable, and if that happens, we'll have Pete Rozelle and Wellington Mara to thank. I doubt there would be a team in Green Bay today if it wasn't for those two men.

Joe from Santa Monica, CA
Vic, is Buffalo's lack of a strong running game a concern going up against the Chiefs?
Yes. Against powerhouse quarterbacks such as Mahomes and Rodgers, you want a dependable running game with which you can control the tempo of the game.

Jay from Wauwatosa, WI
Knowing what we know now, did the Packers do the right thing in extending Rodgers before the 2019 season?
Yes, but if they had delayed that contract, they would now have at least one more year on Rodgers' current contract, which would allow the Packers to do a salary-to-signing-bonus conversion and push the money out farther. I didn't see the need to rush into a new contract.

Taylor from Milwaukee, WI
What are your three-word descriptions for each of the remaining defensive units in the playoffs?
Packers -- Stop the run. Bucs -- Rush the quarterback. Chiefs -- Don't be soft. Bills -- Rough him up.

Chris from Lexington, KY
How would opting out of a season affect your evaluation of a prospect for the draft?
I wouldn't have up-to-date information on him, therefore, I would have to be skeptical in my evaluation.

Todd from Raleigh, NC
What would you ask Rodgers this week if you were still reporting for the Packers?
Nothing special. The obvious question doesn't have to be asked and can only be answered on the day of the game: How will history record him if he loses another conference title game?

Austin from Denver, CO
I'm not sure I can take much more of this wimpy attitude from my fellow Packers fans out there. Why are we looking for statistics proving we will lose? Seriously, people, please get some help. If the Packers should lose on Sunday, I will regret that loss on Sunday night and then go back to work on Monday. Please remember, this game is not about you.
The game is about the players and coaches. They bear the burden of proof and the responsibility for victory and defeat. If you truly want to enjoy professional football, be a student of it, not just a fan of it.

Neb from Belgrade, Serbia
I can't just watch the game. I have to cheer, shout, raise two hands when there is a TD. I don't have dog who I can thresh-talk to. If this is definition of watch, I am gonna watch.
OK.

Gil from Galt, CA
Vic, we don't expect you to be the final word on how everything will shake out and, obviously, you bear no responsibility for what happens. We simply ask questions because we value your responses. You give us an honest perspective on where a team is. It sounds silly we need someone to reaffirm what we see, but truth is we trust your eyes and want to look at the game the way you do. We want to learn to focus on the hidden indicators that are clues on how the game will go. Any advice?
The team that runs will win.

Johnny from Ft. Worth, TX
Vic, what is your favorite conference championship moment? As a Packers fan, most of my recent memories are not so pleasant.
My most distinct and lasting memory is of Lynn Swann lying on a stretcher and being wheeled past us in the hallway as we waited to enter the Steelers locker room following the 1975 AFC title game, the most vicious football game I ever covered. Swann had been knocked cold in the first half. His eyes were closed as he was wheeled past us. Two weeks later, he was the MVP of Super Bowl X.

Aaron from Blacksburg, VA
With Leftwich being the offensive coordinator for Tampa Bay, any Leftwich stories from your time covering him? Did you see him choosing this route in coaching?
Following a game in the old RCA Dome, Byron described a key play to us in great detail, including where every receiver on the field was, what route they were running and what coverage the Colts were in. I remember thinking, "He's a coach." Byron is one of the finest and brightest men I ever covered.

Joe from Bloomington, IN
If Brady’s primarily limited to checkdowns and the middle of the field, would it make sense to put Jaire on an island, shade Savage toward King and use eight defenders for the rest?
I expect the Packers to over-play the run.

Eric from Green Bay, WI
What have you seen from the Packers defense that is driving the improvement we've seen over the last six weeks?
Mike Pettine has been nearly clairvoyant in guessing run or pass. The Packers' early leads have helped him predict.

Thomas from Appleton, WI
What can the Buccaneers do to stop the Packers?
Stop the run and rush the passer, which I believe means stopping the run on the way to the passer.

Mikey from Tallahassee, FL
I know there's a big game for much of the readership this weekend, but what do you make of the Jaguars' GM hire?
Urban Meyer is in total control, which minimizes the importance of the GM hire. When a coach is given one-voice control, it's difficult to attract top GM candidates, nor is it necessary.

Martha from Phoenix, AZ
Vic, I was surprisingly emotional at the loss of Ted Thompson. How do you see his ultimate legacy in the NFL?
He drafted Aaron Rodgers and authored an era of Packers football.

​"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Adam from Wausau, WI
It seemed the Packers had some success running straight up the gut against Tampa, which eliminated the speed advantage of the linebackers and plays to our interior line strength. Do you see this being a solid strategy for the rematch?
All run-the-ball strategies begin with running between the tackles. If you can't run inside, you can't run. Linsley and Suh will be key figures.

Monty from Seattle, WA
You're predicting the first and possibly only major game in which Rodgers faces Brady is going to be an anti-climactic laugher?
Not a laugher, but not a nailbiter. I expect the Packers to get a lead and build on it. It's how they've been winning.

Samuel from Milwaukee, WI
An article after the Saints’ attempt to sign Jadeveon Clowney stated the team had $260 million in cap commitments for 2021. Did the Bucs just write the second number on the Saints' tombstone?
All in means all out when it's over. Perceptions change dramatically following a loss. All of a sudden, reality sets in and we begin to see the dangers we chose to ignore. Everything about the Packers right now is rosy, but what if they lose on Sunday? They'll be a team with a 38-year-old quarterback, that spent its first-round pick on a quarterback who hasn't played a down, with a left tackle the team just signed to an enormous contract and is facing an ACL comeback season, and is about to lose a big chunk of its roster in free agency. This is why it's so important for fans to guard their emotions and stay even. Emotionally speaking, never go all in. Just watch. It's all you can do.

Matt from Palm Beach Gardens, FL
With the Packers having played on Saturday and the Bucs on Sunday, does one extra day of rest mean anything at all?
Yes, it means an extra day to get rid of soreness and an extra day for coaches to game plan and prepare their team to play.

Oscar from Chicago, IL
Vic, this Tampa Bay team frightens me. Their defense is extremely stout against the run, yet, remarkably fast to the ball. In addition, teams that have beat another team by three scores or more are 23-8 when they meet again in the postseason. There's also the specter of COVID-19 lurking within the offensive line. Unless it's very snowy and/or cold on Sunday, I don't think the Packers can pull off the upset. What should the Packers do to overcome the Bucs?
Devise a good game plan and then execute it.

Deonte from Chicago, IL
My guess is the Packers fans in your inbox are either feigning optimism or preparing themselves for another championship letdown. Have to beat the best to be the best. Should be great games this weekend.
It saddens me to see people worry so much about a football game for which they are powerless to do anything but watch.

Chris from Bozeman, MT
Sometimes I wonder what the point to all of this is.
Surrender is good. You're doing the right thing. Just let it happen. What else can you do?

Casey from York, PA
Brady, Brees, Rivers and Big Ben: Who should come back next season and who should call it a career?
The first three  have lost arm strength. I felt bad for Brees on Sunday. He couldn't throw the ball much more than 10 yards. Brady can check it down and throw deep, but he can't drive the ball or throw outside the numbers. On one sideline throw that was nearly undercut and intercepted, I could see the laces on the ball turn. Roethlisberger can still sling it. He still throws a great deep ball and can hit the honey hole, but his legs are gone and his offensive line needs to be rebuilt. Brees has reached the end of the line. The other three should give it strong consideration.

Alex from Urbandale, IA
Wowza, Aaron vs. Tommy in legacy padding years. Can our 12 still tilt it enough in the cold?
We'll find out.

Carroll from Lynchburg, VA
How do the Packers avoid the interceptions that plagued Drew Brees and the Saints?
Run the ball.

Evan from Green Bay, WI
Will the Packers be able to pressure Brady? He looked very comfortable against the Saints.
You've asked the right question. I would expect the answer to be yes. I think it must be yes for the Packers to win.

Trevor from Wausau, WI
Last year, the 49ers took it to the Packers twice. What is it about this NFC rematch that makes you feel the result with the Buccaneers will be different?
The Packers are the better team with the better quarterback and playing a team from Florida in the cold. If it's at all windy, Brady doesn't have the arm to do much more than check it down. Those are my opinions. I could prove to be wrong. If I am, I won't apologize or feel bad for misleading you because it's only a football game. This isn't "Ask Dr. Vic." I'm not a therapist, just a sports writer. If the Packers win, I'll be happy for you. If the Packers lose, my life will proceed without despair. I'm not emotionally invested as you are. I want to get that out there because the questions I'm getting are begging me to share their worry.

Gunars from Iowa
What are the main differences between this Sunday and Week 6?
This matters more. Their is no recovery from defeat. A loss means the season ends. This is the ultimate crunch time.

Nathan from Afton, MN
From an organization's perspective, paying a player largely with signing bonus money appears to minimize salary cap issues by keeping that cost within that one year. What about it from the player's perspective? Does he have incentive to get more via signing bonus vs. traditional salary?
I'm not sure I understand your representation of signing bonus. As it pertains to the salary cap, it's not kept within the year it's paid, it's divided evenly over the life of the contract. Players love signing bonus because it's guaranteed money. It helps the team create cap room in the current year. Salary is declared in full in the year it's paid; so is roster bonus. Each is often used to set a boundary to a contract. For example, Roethlisberger is due a $15 million roster bonus in March. It was put into the contract to force a decision on Roethlisberger's future: restructure or retire. Let's go back to signing bonus and salary and describe how one massages the other and can be used to create cap room, especially for an all-in team that wants to get the most out of its aging quarterback's career. The team signs a key player to a multi-year deal with a sizable signing bonus but a minimum-wage salary in year one of the contract. The combination keeps the cap hit down in that year. The following year, the player's salary spikes, but the team converts everything above minimum wage to signing bonus on an extension (probably including voidable years or a roster bonus that sets a boundary) and then pushes that money out. This is a common salary-to-signing-bonus conversion strategy. It's something the Packers can and might do to get the most out of Rodgers' career.

Eric from Minneapolis, MN
This offseason, the Packers will have to choose between losing impact players or pushing their salaries into the future. Would trading Davante Adams allow the team to improve its cap situation while also adding an early draft pick?
How would trading Adams help get the most out of Rodgers' career? It would be a more effective strategy to do a new contract with Adams, convert a big chunk of his $12.25 million salary in 2021 to signing bonus and push it out. It would save some cap room but, of course, if you're trying to create cap room, look no farther than Rodgers. The Packers could create big cap room by restructuring him.

Jared from Rigby, ID
Vic, one thing I read over and over about the Tampa Bay defense is how fast it is. What can teams do to counter the speed?
Run the ball.

Scott from Boston, MA
How long are you going to cry when Tom Brady beats the Packers?
Cry? Really? How long do you normally cry after a loss?

Ryan from Freedom, WI
Two minutes left in the game with no timeouts, trailing by four points, ball on your own 25. Brady or Rodgers?
In his prime, Brady. Now, Rodgers.

Reuben from Duluth, MN
Rodgers has a 1-3 record in the NFC championship game, losing to all three teams in the same regular season. He's led the offense to nine total TDs in those games, coupled with eight turnovers by himself. Why is this year going to be different?
I think I've explained my reason for picking the Packers, but you present a strong case against my logic. Rodgers knows what will be said of him if he fails in this attempt.

Jim from Maple Grove, MN
Vic, do you think the uncalled helmet-to-helmet hit to Rashard Higgins had anything to do with the fumble?
I'm sure it did, but Higgins was in the process of reaching the ball and that's when it gets dangerous. Any loose movement can be interpreted as the player losing control of the ball. If it's fourth and goal, it's worth the risk, but this would've resulted in a first down inside the one-yard line. I don't think it's too much to ask of coaches to teach their players to distinguish the difference and act accordingly.

Dalton from Medford, WI
If you're a Chiefs' fan, are you concerned about Mahomes' injury being nerve related rather than a concussion? A concussion might make Pat miss the AFC championship game, but nerve damage could have long-term consequences.
Last summer, I underwent my second neck fusion operation. Nerve damage caused weakness in my left hand that nearly caused me to end the column because I couldn't use my left hand to type. I've regained some strength, but I'll never get it all back; the condition was severe and persisted due to COVID. I don't know enough about Mahomes' situation to comment on it, but I know nerve damage usually heals quickly and fully when impingement is brief. I would be more concerned by a concussion that would cause him to miss one of the most important games of his football life.

Alison from Aurora, IL
It’s hard to believe it has been six years since that gut-wrenching game. Am I unique or have we all held onto that loss for far too long? I’m ready to move on now, Vic, and your prediction gives me hope.
Look at it this way, Alison: If the Packers lose on Sunday, new gut-wrenching will replace the old. Why begin ahead of time?

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Jon from Omaha, NE
I'm very grateful for the win, however, I don't know if we win if Donald is healthy. That defense was really good without the best player in the league.
I applaud Coach LaFleur for not falling for Coach McVay's disinformation. It would've been a waste of an extra blocker to double-team Donald, and it would've meant someone at or near the point of attack would've gone unblocked.

Jan from Grobbendonk, Belgium
Finally, the Packer nation gets to experience what it feels like to be able to rely on your run game to pick up (short yardage). I can't really remember any moment in the last 10 years we could trust on that happening, excluding maybe two seasons with a fully healthy Eddy Lacy. I was not really convinced about your opinion this Rodgers-led offense would be unstoppable. Now that I've seen this against a good Rams front, I start to believe. Your thoughts?
The running game is what's made this Packers team great, and it begins with the offensive line. Elgton Jenkins is the best pick of the Brian Gutekunst era. His combination of movement and power reminds me of Dermontti Dawson.

Josh from Fargo, ND
What have you observed of Matt LeFleur? Is he a leader of men, or is he a product of Aaron Rodgers? In my opinion, to come in and earn Rodgers’ respect, that has to mean something.
We're all products of Rodgers. This column is a product of Rodgers. I give Coach LaFleur high marks for creating a reliable running game.

Matthew from Las Vegas, NV
That wasn't scheme, that was running the ball. Up until the fumble, what did you think of Dillon? He made one cut I really liked.
I think Jamaal Williams ran better. He's a true power back and he's a better receiver than Dillon. The Packers might've underrated Williams. They probably could've re-signed him affordably before the season began.

Alex from Milwaukee, WI
Whoever decided to give fans that board they used to bang on the seats and make noise deserves a game ball. Needs to be a fan giveaway of plastic Packers bats at the championship game. Nine thousand people banging on aluminum seats is very loud!
Isn't that a noisemaker? I don't want to hear any more complaints about piped in crowd noise.

Derrick from Rockaway, NJ
Do you believe the game plan was to run at Donald, or did they adjust as they saw what he was capable of?
I think the game plan was to test him early. A few plays into the game, I could see he couldn't get off the ball.

John from Green Bay, WI
What type of team are the Packers at this point in the season, power or finesse?
The Packers are a mix of power and finesse. They're a misdirection passing game with a power running attack.

Robert from Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Two dropped interceptions at the end of the half and a fumble that bounced right into Rodgers' hands. Dominant performance or not, it makes me wonder what's going to happen when those lucky breaks go the other way.
The best player in the league who isn't a quarterback looked like Roy Hobbs with a blood stain on the side of his uniform, and the quarterback with the broken thumb could barely push the ball out of his hand. "Kato Kaelin" would've been tougher to beat. The calls, the breaks and the ball just keep bouncing the Packers' way. Donald gets penalized for grabbing a facemask in a scuffle, but it wasn't detected when Donald's facemask was grabbed during a goal line play. It's amazing.

Dylan from Cortez, CO
Would you pay Aaron Jones?
After last season, I wrote I'd try to re-sign Jones, but it would cost a lot more money to do it now. Again, at this late stage of the game, Jones is in effect a free agent. Why would he give the team a favorable contract now? Drew Rosenhaus is holding all the cards. The Packers have taken a very aggressive position in potentially needing to replace players: Jones, Williams, Linsley and more. They went all in to re-sign Bakhtiari, and I think that says something about the value the Packers place on premium positions. If they cave on these other guys at this late stage, it's going to be very, very costly.

Greg from Danbury, CT
What’s more remarkable, that Reid called the screen or that Reid trusted Henne to execute the screen?
Fourth and inches and you put the season in the hands of your backup quarterback? Run the ball! Reid is getting all of the credit for that win, but who gets the blame for recklessly running his all-world quarterback on a short-yardage play and losing him to a concussion for the remainder of the game and possibly the AFC title game? The game is about more than plays on a laminated piece of paper. It's about the instincts and restraint of a veteran coach. I thought his coaching nearly cost his team, the best team in the AFC, a season-ending loss. I tip my hat to Chad Henne. He finally had his day in the sun.

Charlie from Brookings, OR
Vic, did you feel a procedure penalty should have been called on the Adams touchdown? I thought he was clearly moving toward the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.
They're not calling that anymore, unless it's a dramatic turn up the field.

Benjamin from Albuquerque, NM
I can excuse dancing. I don't get the weird pantomimes, though, like rowing a boat or Hunt pretending to sleep on the ball.
I did my own interpretations yesterday. I wiggled and jiggled all over the living room every time somebody made a tackle. I did a Rashard Higgins act-angry celebration following a catch, and then I did a poor-me pout after Higgins fumbled the ball through the pylon. It was fun! Today, I'm going to celebrate eating lunch, and then I'm going to trash-talk the dog.

Pat from Seneca, SC
Do you have any thoughts on the fumbling out of the end zone rule? It seems like most people want to see that rule changed (perhaps because it would further favor the offense by allowing players to dive and extend the ball with fewer consequences).
Here's an idea: Coaches could teach their players to protect the ball.

Jason from Morrisville, NY
Were those two good defenses last night or two old quarterbacks we were watching?
Those were two old, weak-armed quarterbacks in a conference dominated by old quarterbacks. The Packers are the only quality team in the NFC playoffs and the conference is going to get weaker next season.

Griffin from Rolling Meadow, IL
Who do you have winning next week and what matchup is most intriguing?
I can't make a pick in the AFC without knowing Mahomes' status for the game. In the NFC, I think the Packers will win and it won't be close.

Aaron from Boston, MA
Whether the NFL lets Mahomes play next week will dictate how serious they are about concussion protocols and player safety. Concussions don’t clear up in a week, for anyone.
OK.

Tom from Pine River, WI
Was illegal block in the back something the NFL invented so officials could have more control over the outcome of games?
It was previously known as clipping and it was as annoying then as block in the back is now.

Sean from Chaska, MN
Let me preface by saying I don't want to do this. We've apparently got serious depth at the offensive line. Think we can get a one for Bakhtiari?
On an ACL? No. Beyond that, trading Bakhtiari for a 2021 draft pick would result in the Packers having to eat $50 million in amortization, and it would all accelerate into the current year.

Bill from Sheboygan, WI
The Browns shouldn't feel bad. They came a long way. They had a great season.
Ah, that's nice. Maybe Coach Stefanski took them out for ice cream after the game. Vic to Browns: Your Cinderella season is over. Next year, the hunter becomes the hunted.

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Robert from Rotterdam, The Netherlands
How do coaches game-plan for a dominant player like Donald when an injury might be hampering his performance? Obviously, the standard would be to double-team him, but do they prepare different blocking schemes in case he's clearly hampered by an injury, or is Donald so good coaches don't dare tempt fate with him?
Coaches routinely play these cat-and-mouse games of injury deception. Tom Coughlin was manic about not being forthcoming with injury information. He once waited until the media left the field before Mark Brunell began participating in practice. Coughlin listed Fred Taylor as questionable for a whole season, despite Fred having a groin that was torn from the bone and was having difficulty walking. When I see a tough guy like Aaron Donald double over in pain and then two days later his coach is saying Donald is fine, my liar alert goes off. I get the sense Sean McVay wants to make sure the Packers dedicate full attention to Donald so the Rams can get the one-on-one matchups they believe they can feature and exploit. Brockers? That's what I'm thinking.

Brandon from Minot, ND
I am calling my shot. You said the Rams are the team the Packers do not wish to face. I disagree. They are the team they wish to face. Rodgers is so clearly ahead of Goff as to make comparison laughable.
Isn't that fundamentally what I said in Wednesday's column ("Rodgers playing at an unbeatable level")? "What the Rams don't have is a quarterback who can play anywhere close to Aaron Rodgers' level. I think that'll be the deciding factor in the game. As much as the Rams are built to beat the Packers, I think Rodgers is playing at an unbeatable level."

Kamen from Bethel, CT
Well, Vic, not bad on your Wild Card Weekend predictions. How do you see this weekend's four games going?
Packers, Bucs, Chiefs and Ravens.

Joseph from Wilmington, NC
An article published on nfl.com quoted Aaron Donald on his injury saying he was "ready to go" and "with no pain." What’s he supposed to say, "Yeah, it hurts to breathe and my side is real tender"? Click bait!
I think he's lying. I think he's saying what his coach told him to say. I think Donald will get a pain-killing shot before the game and that can be problematic. I've known cases in which a player has lost feeling in an arm or hand.

Chad from Madison, WI
You mention Ramsey will try and out-muscle Adams, but perhaps the strongest part of Adams’ game is using his footwork to gain separation at the start of his route without getting bumped. Are you suggesting Ramsey’s technique is good enough to not be misled by false steps which will allow him to get his hands on Adams?
What's with my inbox? The questions are weird. Is the pressure getting to you people?

Jackson from Jacksonville, FL
The Jacksonville City Council shot down the Lot J proposal on Tuesday night, essentially saying it was a bad deal for the taxpayers. Your thoughts?
City council is right. It would be a bad deal for the taxpayers. In my mind, it would've been a $150-something million gift to guarantee the Jaguars' future in Jacksonville. The game isn't over. There will be veiled threats and hints of leaving for London. Eventually, the city will weaken. Jacksonville must keep the Jaguars. The Jaguars hold all the cards.

Reb from Lakeville, MN
I'm approaching my "Arizona playoff game" time of life. We are planning on retiring to the Smoky Mountains region of Tennessee. Did you enjoy your vacation there?
I think it's a lovely place. I heartily recommend the little town of Townsend. Be that as it may, I prefer the North Carolina side and the east side of "The Pass."

Jason from Austin, TX
I'm curious why you don't think the Packers will sign Corey Linsley. Is it a cap issue or is there something in his game you think doesn't mesh with their scheme? I'm always in favor of signing the big guys over the little guys.
When a player of Linsley's esteem gets this close to free agency, you're going to pay top dollar for him. He is, in effect, already a free agent. The Packers know that. They knew the longer they waited the more expensive Linsley would be to re-sign. If they want to keep him, they made a mistake by not signing him earlier. I get the sense a decision had been made to replace him. They made a similar decision with Scott Wells. In the salary cap era, you have to be willing to let players leave.

Garrett from Houston, TX
Are the 2020 Packers better than the 2011 Pack? If so, how?
They're absolutely better: better defense, better running game. I even think Rodgers is playing at a higher level. This might be the best Packers team in the Rodgers era.

Gerrit from Portugal
What does Urban Meyer offer (the Jaguars) other than a headline name that appeals to college football diehards?
He'll sell tickets in Jacksonville. He'll make the Jaguars a hot ticket and help Shad Khan get that Lot J deal.

Fred from Florida
Vic, I'm reading "Gunslinger" about Brett Favre. I am at the point where Rodgers is drafted. The narrative about Rodgers was he needed three years to sit behind Favre to learn, yet, the book makes it clear Rodgers had as strong an arm as Favre but better pocket presence and read defenses as a rookie as well or better than Favre. I know I’m probably opening up a can or worms, but what was Tony Pauline’s assessment of Jordan Love and do you have an opinion on Favre vs. Rodgers?
Tony liked Love's tools but acknowledged his disappointing performance in the 2019 season. As for Rodgers, the Packers didn't target him and trade up for him. He surprisingly fell to them. They even tried to trade the pick but, when they couldn't, they did the smart thing and picked him; he was too good of a talent to pass up. I asked a general manager why he didn't pick Rodgers. He said there were concerns about a shoulder injury. The GM said he thought that's why Rodgers fell in the draft. I was able to confirm Rodgers showed signs of shoulder weakness in his rookie season in Green Bay. I was told he threw the ball with much more authority in his second season, after the shoulder had time to strengthen. Drafting Love bears little similarity to drafting Rodgers. The Packers drafted Love with a plan. The Packers didn't have a plan for Rodgers until after they drafted him.

Aaron from Eau Claire, WI
What are the chances Belichick tries to get Deshaun Watson this offseason?
Are you suggesting Nick Caserio would give his old boss a sweetheart deal? It's happened. Back in the 1977 draft, a former Cowboys personnel guy who was the top guy in Seattle gave the Cowboys a sweetheart deal that allowed them to draft Tony Dorsett.

William from Green Oaks, IL
With the recent growth in supply of capable NFL quarterbacks, can you envision impacts due to labor market economics?
I don't want to go that far. We need to stop on this now. Every time I raise a food-for-thought subject we pee our pants and forget who we are. Let it go, folks. It's just something I sense happening. I think we've reached a point of creativity at the quarterback position. I sense some out-of-the-box thinking and a supply of talent that allows it. For example, a scout told me the Jaguars didn't draft Lamar Jackson because Tom Coughlin didn't want two offenses. How's that working for them now? The teams that are flexible and harvest the crop of talent available to them, as the Ravens did, will be the winners going forward. That's my opinion.

Kyle from Phoenix, AZ
What quarterback will Urban Meyer want?
I don't know the answer to that question, but it will likely define his career as an NFL coach.

Nick from Milwaukee, WI
Is there an example of a successful college coach being successful in the pros?
Pete Carroll has been successful at both levels. If you look at the bios of NFL coaches, you'll see most of them spent time in college football. Matt LaFleur coached at five colleges. Lombardi, Holmgren and McCarthy all spent time coaching in college football. I think Matt Rhule is going to lead the Panthers to a lot of good years and is one of the best young coaches in the NFL. I don't have a problem with hiring a college coach.

Lane from Winter Garden, FL
What’s the biggest adjustment or challenge Urban Meyer faces going from the college to pro game?
He can't recruit. He has to get in line and wait his turn to pick his players, and he can't build the kind of depth he possessed at Ohio State. Mistakes carry a much greater cost in the NFL.

Tom from Pittsburgh, PA
What are your thoughts on offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner being fired?
I guess 12-4 isn't good enough. Firing assistant coaches has become an annual ritual. It's the meat that silences the howl of the wolves.

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Tim from Lancaster, PA
It looks like we are watching the changing of the guard in the AFC. Do you believe the NFL is in good hands?
The NFL has its finger on the pulse of America. It knows exactly what the American sports fan wants. That's what worries me. It disturbed me to see the Ravens trample the Titans' logo yesterday. What bothers me most is we delight in this crap. I am a product of the Lombardi generation. I am from a time when football was a noble endeavor. Now, it feels cheap. Taunting exists on nearly every play. Yes, the NFL is in good hands. Are we?

Paul from Cambridge, MA
Of this weekend’s losing teams, who only needs to reload and who needs to blow it up?
The Titans and Colts need to address the quarterback position. Tannehill is just a guy and Rivers is over the hill. The Steelers need to blow it up. Their offensive line needs a rebuild, the bottom half of their roster is weak and their salary cap needs cleaning. At the heart of it all is a decision by Ben Roethlisberger: play or retire? The Steelers did a nice job of capping him. He's owed a $15 million roster bonus that can be converted to signing bonus and pushed out, but do they want to do that and does Roethlisberger want to continue playing? His arm is fine but age has turned him into a statue and that doesn't work in today's game. I think he should retire on a 12-4 season and the Steelers should move hard into rebuilding. In the NFC, I'm not sure what the Bears should do. Join the Big 10? I think the Seahawks could be headed for hard times and Washington's arrow appears to be pointing north.

Kyle from Baldwin, WI
I just read an article regarding the Texans' coaching search. It stated Deshaun Watson "would be involved in the process to hire a new coach and general manager." Is it a good idea for players to have that much say in an organization?
Absolutely not. Brett Favre had reached that point of influence when Ted Thompson arrived in Green Bay. Favre effectively had an office adjacent to the Packers' locker room. Thompson got Favre out of there and it was absolutely the right thing to do. It wasn't popular but it was gutsy and in the best interests of the franchise. Thompson wasn't a media-friendly guy and he's not on my list of favorite personnel guys from my time covering the league, but I respect what he did to reclaim the Packers from a quarterback who had run amok.

David from Riverside, CA
I have always felt the NFC North is one of the stronger divisions in the NFL since there are often two teams represented in the playoffs. Why do you consider it a weak division?
The NFC North only had one team with a winning record, and the arrow is pointing down on all three of the teams with losing records.

Zibi from Krakow, Poland
Vic, do you think the Packers should pursue another Reggie White and land J.J. Watt on the roster next season?
Watt has a $17.5 million salary next season and he's a UFA in '22. If you trade for him, you'd have to do a new contract with him. It would be the ultimate all-in move.

Shin from Shimoda, Japan
So, how bad will the hangover be from spending two firsts on Jamal Adams? If I were Schneider, I would commit harakiri and maybe accept the ultimate punishment by taking the Lions GM job.
I think the Seahawks' biggest problem is Russell Wilson is beginning to look a little ordinary. It would be devastating if Wilson's skills were eroding at a time when his cap hit is exploding; $32 million next year and then $37 million in '22. The Seahawks could be facing upheaval, especially if John Schneider leaves for Detroit, where the picks are high and the opportunities are tempting. The Seahawks went all in. This is what the downside risk looks like.

Eric from St. Paul, MN
If the Love pick fires up Rodgers and inspires him to play at this new place, is it a wasted pick? I don't mean to undercut the situation you've laid out, I'm just curious as to your perspective.
You're trying to make yourself feel better about something that doesn't feel right, and you're not the only one. If, two years from now, Aaron Rodgers is still the Packers' quarterback, then the Love pick will have been a terrible miscalculation. The days of looking that far ahead are over, even at the quarterback position. In my opinion, once Rodgers got his new contract, he had to be "The Man" in Green Bay until he no longer could be "The Man." That's just caponomics. I get the sense the Packers picked Love because they thought Rodgers was at the end. It doesn't look like it, does it?

Timothy from St. Louis, MO
How was Heinicke not on a roster until a month ago, and the last time he was on a football roster he was a backup in the XFL? Was it he just had nothing to lose, scheme, game-planning, or is he just better than scouts and evaluators thought he was? Heinicke looked like he should have at the very least been someone's backup QB.
It's never been easier to play quarterback. That's the answer and I think teams that need a quarterback and are sitting high in the draft order need to think hard about over-drafting one. I don't think you have to do it. College football is loaded with average-arm throwers who stretch defenses with their feet and win with scheme. That's the new NFL prototype and if it's not by design, then it's the genius of luck. What the NFL has done is to have created a healthy supply of players at the game's most important position, at a time when replacing an aging crop of them had become worrisome.

Samuel from Texas
Vic, what is your assessment of Bills QB Josh Allen?
His feet make him special.

James from Canada
Why does Sean McVay coach in his pajamas?
Maybe he just got out of bed. That would explain his bed head.

Bo from Iowa Falls, IA
Vic, why can't football keep a minor league?
The injury liability is too great.

Jonathan from St. Joseph, MO
Are coaches losing their instincts for the game with blind use of analytics?
Frank Reich lost the game for the Colts with his wild decision-making, especially in the final two minutes of the first half. If I was the Colts owner, I'd be furious. While we're on the subject of bad coaching, how about Mike Vrabel. Second and two and he allowed pass, pass to go through his headset, and then he punted? Vic to Coach Vrabel: Run the damn ball! Vic to Jaguars: It's wide open for you. The Texans are a mess and the Colts and Titans don't have a quarterback. This is your chance, Jags. Don't screw it up!

Neil from Sun Prairie, WI
"I really missed the preseason this year." -- said by no one.
Yeah, but remember, no preseason results in a loss of revenue, and that has an impact on the salary cap. 

Will from Julian, CA
Would GM Vic really be OK with Mr. Khan "having control of the roster" as long as he didn't make the picks? It sounds like having a non-football guy, who has the final say, looking over your shoulder on every pick. It would seem a simple directive to only draft high-character players would suffice. His statement seems to portend heavy-handed meddling.
In 1996, the Jaguars had the second pick of the draft and they were giving serious consideration to drafting Lawrence Phillips. They had their security director investigate Phillips and even had a psychologist analyze a Phillips interview transcript. The day before the draft, I got the sense Phillips was the Jaguars' guy. Then Wayne Weaver (at the urging of his wife) stepped in and forbid Tom Coughlin from picking Phillips. Wayne got it right, didn't he? I see nothing wrong with an owner exercising that kind of control. Be his own GM? No, because personnel people network. They need to be able to move up and down within the draft to get the players they've targeted. The ability to move within the draft is as important as the grades you assign to the prospects. Networking is a full-time job. A GM needs to be a full-time member of the NFL scouting community. It doesn't work to have an owner split his time between picking players and running the business side of the franchise. I don't know what Khan has in mind. If it's oversight, I approve. If it's meddling, I don't.

Fawaz from DePere, WI
"Maybe this is the year and the Packers are the team that makes it plays, not players." I don't agree with this assessment. What we are witnessing is the result of Rodgers' vast ocean of football knowledge and acumen combined with his tremendous physical skills of accuracy and arm strength.
You're right. Plays rely on the skill of the people who attempt to execute them.

Tom from Mt. Juliet, TN
I recently read the Packers offense can run three different plays from the same formation, depending on the defense. I also read Rodgers will look at the opponent's sideline to see which package of players are coming in the next play so he can anticipate the next play call. This takes great discipline to get 11 men on the same page and execute their assignments. Times have changed from "right dive 123," eh?
It's that way on all teams. Different plays from the same formation is what Coach McCarthy means with his "less volume, more creativity" philosophy. The quarterback is assisted in anticipating personnel packages by the coach who speaks into the quarterback's helmet communicator. It's one of the reasons I say it's never been easier to play the position. Progress is good, as long as the scales don't tip too much toward one side. The delicate balance between offense and defense is at the heart of the human confrontation.

Andre from Sao Paulo, Brazil
Should the Packers have a face-off against Tampa, considering the speed of the Bucs' pass rushers, how do you address the absence of your Pro Bowl left tackle? Do you just trust the replacement, or are there scheme adjustments to hedge for the situation?
If you sense the left tackle needs help, you chip-block with the tight end or back before he drifts into the flat as an outlet receiver. If both of your tackles need help, you lose. Chip-blocking would handicap the scheme a little bit, but Rodgers would easily adjust and overcome it.

Derek from Eau Claire, WI
Should the New England Patriots draft a QB in the first round?
Can they get their guy? That's the big question. Clearly, Coach Belichick needs a quarterback to be the centerpiece of his rebuilding project. The quarterback he drafts or for whom he trades will likely decide how long the rebuilding will take and, ultimately, if Belichick is still the Patriots' coach when the rebuilding ends.

Chris from St. Johns, FL
Did you happen to catch a recent NFL Network interview with Charles Woodson? What if he signed with the Jaguars instead of Green Bay back in 2006?
The Jaguars would've beaten the Patriots in the '07 playoffs.

Cody from Chicago, IL
Vic, please describe your time with each of your teams and retirement in one word each.
Birth, growth, graduation, memories.

​"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Adrian from Inglewood, CA
Shad Khan stated he will keep control over the roster. Is this a smart move or is this Jerry Jones territory?
I don't know what his idea of control is. If he's going to make the picks and moves, I think that's a mistake. If he's talking about final approval of picks and moves, I'm OK with it because I think it's important for the GM and coach to mold the team in the owner's vision. It's not just about talent, it's also about players fitting into the community. The team makes a statement with the players it employs. There are owners who will say no to a Tyreek Hill, and I think it's healthy for the owner to express his view on players with baggage and personality issues.

Bob from Marietta, GA
If you're Green Bay, who would you rather match up against, Washington or Tampa?
Washington has a defense that can present problems, but that's not a team that can score with Rodgers. The Bucs can score a lot of points. I think they're a more formidable opponent on paper, but I've seen some daunting weather projections for the near future. The Bucs might ice up in the cold; Washington won't. That's the best answer I can give you right now.

Eric from Lansing, MI
Vic, I just reviewed a Youtube video of Rodgers' best throws for the 2020 season, through Week 16 (the Titans game). Forty of those 44 throws were uncontested; that is, the receiver was wide open. When you say Rodgers is playing a video game, I think you are onto something. LaFleur and Rodgers are doing something new; finesse and intelligence at a very high level. Can smash-mouth football stop it, as you suggested?
Maybe not. Maybe this is the year and the Packers are the team that makes it plays, not players.

Bob from North Dakota
Vic, when the Steelers traded Antonio Brown, I seem to recall they took a huge cap hit. They seem to have weathered it without too much damage. Would the Eagles incur an even bigger cap hit if they trade Carson Wentz? I'm not sure Philly is as cap-prudent as the Steelers, so would it impact them more?
The Wentz situation is a mess. His salary jumps to $15.4 million in 2021, and he's due a $10 million roster bonus on the third day of the league year. His cap hit explodes to $34.6 million and his dead money is a staggering $59.2 million. If they can trade him before paying the roster bonus, they can make him a very expensive wash on the books, but who's going to trade for his contract? He's due $22 million in salary in '22. The Eagles almost have to move him; they can't run the risk of paying that kind of money to a backup. The Jaguars were in a similarly embarrassing position with Nick Foles before they were bailed out by the idiot Bears.

Matthew from Clarkston, MI
I recently read an article on Shad Khan being too hands off in the Jaguars operation. How much involvement should an owner have on an NFL team? You've covered teams with different structures, and I'd like to know your thoughts.
In football matters, owners should be seen and not heard. They should oversee everything and their presence should be felt by everybody, but I believe they should allow the people they've hired the freedom they need to function, and then hold them accountable.

Nick from Owego, NY
Why did Seattle, a playoff bound team, cut "Snacks?"
Here are the choices: a) He was so good the Seahawks couldn't stand it. b) He's good but the Seahawks had better players in front of him. c) He's not good.

Gabor from Budapest, Hungary
Vic, could you tell us, please, how the schedule of the postseason is made? How much do the networks affect it?
The potential for TV ratings is a major consideration. It's professional football; it's about the money.

Mike from Tuscaloosa, AL
What did you like most about Bill Nunn?
He was a sports writer. He was a newspaper man from a newspaper family. He got it!

Eric from Tel Aviv, Israel
Is it playing it too safe to pick a great backup QB with a late first-round pick?
You don't pick backups in the first round.

Matt from Verona, WI
Your words are rather measured regarding A.J. Dillon, Green Bay's future No. 1 running back. It's almost as if the people want you to voice the company line.
May I please see him play in more than one game before I make any proclamations?

Cliff from Seymour, WI
What can we take away from the 2020 regular season?
We take away memories and appreciation for something that brightened 17 weeks of our life.

Samuel from Milwaukee, WI
How do you feel the Packers would match up against the Buccaneers in the playoffs? Obviously, a two-interception game was out of the norm. What has changed since the game earlier in the season?
The Packers defense is greatly improved, and I don't think it's the result of having played a weak schedule. I think Mike Pettine has done a very good job of playing to his personnel's strengths and covering its weaknesses. Aaron Rodgers' success has greatly contributed.

Carrie from San Jose, CA
If the Giants wanted to win their division, maybe they should have won more games.
I don't like tanking, but the Eagles owed the Giants nothing.

Louis from Columbus, OH
The Chargers fired Anthony Lynn for going 7-9 with a rookie quarterback who won four straight games at the end of the year. How can the wolves be this hungry?
If I needed a coach, Lynn would be at the top of my list. He's a calm, intelligent and principled man. He's exactly what I would seek in a coach.

Justin from Delavan, WI
You have stated QB, LT, CB and OLB are premier positions. Is it fair to state the Packers have succeeded in that endeavor?
Sure it is. There aren't a lot of successful teams who've failed at those four positions. The Steelers have Roethlisberger, Watt and Hayden, but they're struggling at left tackle and it's a huge problem. You must be sound at those four positions.

Moke from McFarland, WI
I'm just so sad and upset.
That's a good thing.

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Here are my all-important final 2020 regular season power rankings:
1. Packers -- The best and getting better.
2. Chiefs -- Not a hot team.
3. Bills -- They're hot.
4. Seahawks -- Defense comes to life.
5. Ravens -- Can avenge earlier loss to Titans.
6. Saints -- Is this Brees' last chance?
7. Bucs -- Scoring a lot of points.
8. Steelers -- Lost four of their last five.
9. Colts -- Dome team must play outdoors.
10. Titans -- Henry won't gash the Ravens.
11. Browns -- Darlings of the playoffs.
12. Rams -- More Wolford, please.
13. Cardinals -- Disappointing finish.
14. Washington -- They can surprise.
15. Dolphins -- Doubts about Tua.
16. Chargers -- They'll be a preseason favorite.
17. Raiders -- Stuck in the middle.
18. Patriots -- Rebuilding takes time.
19. Bears -- Not deserving of playoff berth.
20. Giants -- Next year pivotal for Daniel Jones.
21. Cowboys -- Must fix the defense.
22. 49ers -- Retool or reload?
23. Falcons -- Time to hire.
24. Vikings -- Capped out with holes.
25. Eagles -- Pederson hurt himself.
26. Panthers -- Get "The Man."
27. Bengals -- It's all about Burrow's knee.
28. Broncos -- Lock could be a tease.
29. Texans -- Lack picks.
30. Lions -- We wait.
31. Jets -- The Gase gaffe is over.
32. Jaguars -- You win the prize!

Tou from Eau Claire, WI
With a Super Bowl-caliber team, can the Packers afford to let Aaron Jones or a guy like Preston Smith go as they try to repeat the same success next year?
It's a fair question. Going all in begins with keeping your own good players. If the Packers go to the Super Bowl, I would support going all in for next season. It would mean restructuring contracts and mortgaging a chunk of the future, but it's standard operating procedure for championship teams as they age. The Patriots did it. You ride the train as long as you can. Should the Packers lay an egg in the postseason, however, I wouldn't throw more cap space at a repeating theme.

T' from Milwaukee, WI
You always make me laugh, Vic! No doubt about who would win, because Trubisky is terrible, but you didn't think that game was one of the better Bears vs. Packers contests?
You're asking me to rank toothaches? I understand it's a meaningful game in your corner of the world, but I would ask TV to have mercy on the national football fan and not make him and her continue to watch that game just because those two teams were playing football when nobody cared about the NFL. The Bears stink. They might be the worst playoff team in the modern era. The intent of the wild card concept is to reward a good team that played in a strong division. The Bears are a bad team in a weak division. What if the Bears and Packers play a third time? That would be the worst. I'd rather watch the Jaguars and Jets play in the "Awful Bowl."

Jon from Bloomfield, NJ
There were a couple of instances this week of teams that fed a player the ball to earn that player contract incentives. Do you have any opinions on the morality of it?
It's professional football and it's about the money.

Roger from Chesterton, IN
I’m surprised you took Indianapolis over Buffalo, seeing as how Rivers has struggled in the cold and in the playoffs. What crucial info am I missing?
Crucial info? It's just a feeling. Do you think I spend more than a few seconds in analyzing these matchups? The Colts have a good defense and I think Rivers has one more act left in his career. He needs a defining postseason moment. Maybe this will be it. Josh Allen? He wasn't great in the playoff loss in Houston last year. I'm going with experience.

Tom from Charlottesville, VA
It seems like teams are choosing to go for it more frequently on fourth down while in field goal range. Do you think this is related to coaches having less confidence in their kickers or is it purely analytics driven?
Coaches know they have to score a lot of points to win.

Craig from Sheboygan, WI
Everything seems to be coming together for the Packers right now. What team do you see giving the Packers the most trouble in the playoffs?
I don't see such a team. The Bucs or Saints in the Green Bay cold? The Seahawks, maybe, but they're struggling to score points and you won't beat Aaron Rodgers without scoring a lot of points.

Jake from Pine Mountain Club, CA
Your responses in Monday’s column cause me to wonder if there was an overabundance of chortling by us Green Bay fans. Am I interpreting your replies correctly?
The questions were weak and I decided to have a little fun with them. That's all it was. "Vic, how would you rate our greatness? Good greatness or great greatness?" Hey, the Packers are 13-3, they've won six in a row, they're the top seed in the NFC and No. 1 in my power rankings. There are no issues to discuss.

Bill from West Chester, PA
Does Green Bay play the winner of the Tampa/Washington game or if a lower seed wins, Rams or Bears? Would Green Bay play the lower-seeded winner?
Yes. It's frightening.

Aiden from Jacksonville, FL
Shad Khan is asking for Lot J and Lamping has basically stated in indirect comments the Jaguars' future will be tied to the Lot J project. Also, stadium renovations shortly came up by the Jags brass right after the Lot J proposal. It seems this has been put on a brief hold but will eventually pass. With two games already basically in London, what is your opinion of events happening here in Jacksonville?
Give him what he wants in exchange for an ironclad guarantee of the Jaguars' future in Jacksonville. I would also ask that a plaque be placed to commemorate where I parked in Lot J.

Michael from Plano, TX
What did you see in Cleveland's narrow win over Pittsburgh's JV team that prodded you to pick Cleveland in the rematch on Sunday?
The Steelers lost four of their final five games. If it wasn't for a second-half rally against the Colts, the Steelers would be on a five-game losing streak. They're the coldest team in the playoffs. They can't run the ball, pass-protection is a problem and Joe Haden will be out with Covid. What's to like? In defense of the Steelers, I'll say this: They played hard on Sunday, unlike the other team in Pa. The Steelers played to win and Mason Rudolph came within a two-point pass of sending that game into overtime. Also, and this is really big for a team headed for rebuilding, the Steelers had one of the best drafts in the league this year. Despite not having a first-round pick and having only six picks total, the Steelers were able to find three players who appear to be fixtures in the team's future. Chase Claypool is playing at a first-round level, Alex Highsmith was a steal in round three and Kevin Dotson might be the Steelers' best offensive lineman. This was a good year for the Steelers.

Max from Toledo, OH
Will the NFL be swamped in two years with QBs?
There'll be more than enough to go around. Softening the rules has made it easier for young quarterbacks and those of average talent to succeed, ridiculously easy for the stars of the game to excel, and extended the careers of old quarterbacks.

Tom from Johnstown, PA
What did you think of Mason Rudolph on Sunday?
If the Steelers can speed him up, they might have something. Rudolph throws a great deep ball and his pocket courage is impressive. He never took his eyes off downfield, despite the pocket collapsing around him. He needs to get through his reads more quickly. Running quarterbacks take off, but Rudolph has only marginal mobility. He's a true pocket passer. Can he become Roethlisberger's replacement? I won't say yes but it's a legitimate question. The Steelers will have to make a contract decision on him in the offseason. Rudolph's performance against a Browns team all out to win will weigh in his favor.

Ben from Madison, WI
Drafting No. 1 overall, 11 picks and $100 million in salary cap space. The Jaguars did their job.
They should rise as quickly as they did when the franchise first began playing.

Eric from Minneapolis, MN
The Jaguars have a lot of draft capital and cap room, but not much talent. The Texans have "The Man," but very little opportunity to improve their roster in 2021. For GM and HC candidates, which team is more desirable?
The Jaguars are, by far, more attractive for a GM. He has the picks and cap room to mold the team in his vision. There is no excuse for failure. I think it's also an attractive job for a head coach because immediate expectations are low and a turnaround could be dramatic, but a lot of coaches would view the Texans job as a chance to patch with a player here and there and win right away.

Chad from Kansas City, MO
I think the Packers will get punched in the mouth.
It's the only way you'll beat them. You will not out-finesse or out-think them. I think you should worry about the Chiefs getting punched in the mouth.

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Greg from Danbury, CT
I’m a believer. Yes, they rode in on Rodgers' arm, but I liked the defensive stops, and those runs up the middle made me warm.
You gotta believe!

Dean from Vienna, VA
Did "Snacks" matter? Will he?
Absolutely! I see him lying down at an angle between guard and center in the "Stuffed 4-3."

Jon from Cedar Rapids, IA
Does Matt LaFleur winning so many games in his first two seasons bode well for the Packers in the long term? I can't help but think it helps the team establish and execute a plan.
Makes sense to me.

Chad from Parker, CO
Based on your early season descriptions of the type of team it would take to win the Super Bowl, can the Packers be that team and organization?
Yes! What did I say?

Fabio from London, UK
Is the defense clicking, or are the Bears simply too average in red zone?
That's a good Bears team with a red-hot quarterback the Packers took down on the lakefront yesterday. In the tense final moments of the Packers' blowout victory, I could sense Lombardi nodding in approval. You never know, we might get a third opportunity to see these two rivals face each other again. Maybe even Khalil Mack would show up. Nothing gets my heart pounding like a Bears-Packers game.

Matt from Minneapolis, MN
The emergence of Barnes in the middle seems to have made all the difference for the Packers defense. Enough to stabilize the unit for a deep playoff run?
Could Barnes be the Packers' Bob Sanders?

Tyler from Augusta, GA
Is there a more maddening player in the NFL than MVS?
He makes me want to tear Trump's hair out.

David from Broward County, FL
Hearing reports the Jags are seriously considering Urban Meyer for head coach, or maybe even current Ohio State Coach Ryan Day, troubles me deeply. Either would be a huge mistake and would show Shad Khan has learned nothing from his previous bad decisions. Your thoughts?
What hot coordinator whose name nobody knows would you hire? There's nobody left. They've all been hired and fired.

Cliff from Idaho
Why did we see so little of A.J. Dillon a week after it appeared he had a breakout game? One carry for three yards all game? Third-and-one early in the third quarter and we throw the ball. Why not give the ball to Dillon?
It wasn't snowing.

Paul from Cumming, GA
Can you add some all-important predictions going into wild card weekend?
In the AFC I'm picking the Browns, Ravens and Colts. In the NFC it's Bucs, Seahawks and Saints. I reserve the right to change my picks up until Friday's column.

Bill from West Chester, PA
Vic, I wonder what the Packers' real strategy was in signing "Snacks" Harrison. Packers failed to play him on any of the short-yardage plays. Did they want to keep him off another team's roster? What do you think?
His pants were a little tight in the seat. They're gonna get him a new pair before the next game.

Kevin from DePere, WI
Vic, I feel we need to give credit to Green Bay’s defense for the big improvements they’ve made over the last month of the season. They’re playing their best at the right time. Do they pass your eye test as good enough for the Packers to accomplish the ultimate goal?
Yes!

Matt from Birmingham, UK
Why are most quarterbacks picked in the first round playing in their first year?
Get 'em good or get 'em gone. They're expensive when they reach their second contracts. It's not a position at which you want to waste time.

Ryan from Bloomer, WI
Both semifinal games were a steaming pile of hot garbage. I’ve watched my last FBS game until something major changes. On a side note, did one game change your opinion of who is the best QB in the draft? My eyes showed me the Ohio State offensive line pushing Clemson around all night, but Fields had a gutsy performance.
Justin Fields justified Tony Pauline's opinion of him and improved mine. I loved Fields' toughness but, more importantly, he was a more natural and comfortable looking passer than at any time I had seen him play previously. He made all the throws and showcased his deep arm. He outplayed Lawrence dramatically. The Jaguars' decision at No. 1 overall isn't as obvious as their fans think it is.

Scott from Racine, WI
What’s a rotary passer? I have an idea but have never heard the term.
Josh Allen throws around his body, which causes his right leg to swing out and around. It's a rotary motion instead of the more linear plant and drive.

Mike from Mankato, MN
Watching the CFP games, can you explain the evolution of sideline reporters? They seem like such a big waste of time and money.
I remember Jim Lampley as being the pioneer sideline reporter. I never thought the role offered much in the way of information and perspective, but it was a way of bringing the viewer down to the sideline. These days, it's a way of adding a female reporter to the broadcast crew. I thought Tony Siragusa was a good sideline reporter. He provided perspective, but not much sex appeal.

Serge from Green Bay, WI
I think I understand why light feet are important for a running back in a zone-blocking scheme, but is there a point in a power-running system at which a runner's ability to follow blockers and jump cut isn't as important as his ability to hit a designated hole with granite-crushing strength?
We're perseverating on this light feet thing. It's just a way of saying quick feet, and I know of no system that favors slow feet.

Steve from Lake Stevens, WA
I've read the NCAA allows 85 scholarships in Division 1-A FBS. Apparently, in 2021, some teams may have as many as 105. What do you think the number should be and how do you see that leveling the playing field?
In normal times, cap it at 60 and no more than 20 in an incoming freshman class. Look at the sidelines of Friday's playoff games. They were loaded with players obviously dressed with no intention of being needed to play in the game. Those are four and five-star recruits who would be valued players in lesser programs. With a reduction in scholarships, the playoffs would be something all programs might pursue.

Santiago from Bogota, Colombia
Vic, in regards to Mike Zimmer's coaching job this season, what are the things you look for to know whether or not a coach had his team ready to play?
Just look at the scores. The Vikings lost five of their first six games and they allowed 192 points in those games. Then, following their bye, they won five of their next six and the defense held opponents to 137 points, including 22 points in the win over the Packers. Clearly, the Vikings weren't ready to begin the season. Should Zimmer get a pass in a Covid season? I'll say yes, but grudgingly.

Jamie from Dillon, CO
I definitely don’t think you’re old and out of touch, Vic. It’s just the talk of becoming nauseated at the sight of players dancing.
It's not just dancing, it's all of the celebration crap. In the second half of the Ohio State-Clemson game, following an exchange of words along the sideline, the Ohio State receiver pulled up the sleeve of his shirt and flexed his muscle at the Clemson defender. It was pukey and should've been flagged for taunting. It's the kind of undisciplined behavior that leads to what happened between Tulsa and Mississippi State. Is it old and out of touch to expect sportsmanship?

Rich from Mifflinburg, PA
Vic, I watched the Clemson/OSU game; admittedly I am an OSU fan. I tried to watch the two QBs and see why Trevor Lawrence seems to be the No. 1 prospect in college football. What my eyes told me is both QBs have a long throwing motion and that tends to be disastrous in the NFL. This seemed to be true even on short throws. Am I wrong? I'm not sure Lawrence or Fields is worthy of the first pick. What do you think?
Neither one is Joe Burrow. In evaluating quarterbacks, I'm impressed most by prospects who play with ease. It tells me they have another gear left. Despite his injury, Fields played with some ease on Friday; Lawrence did not. His feet were all over the place. He threw off-balance too often. I saw several less-celebrated quarterbacks in the non-playoff bowl games who caught my eye. Anthony Brown of Oregon is one of them. He's got size and mobility. He glided when he ran. He reminded me of Donovan McNabb and Steve McNair. Brown threw with force and accuracy and his motion was compact and graceful. Here's the kicker: He's Oregon's backup quarterback. The moral of the story is leave no stone unturned. Find the hidden gems. I'm beginning to think the pass-friendly rules have created depth at quarterback.

James from UK
If wide receivers are a dime a dozen, what about tight ends? Are they ever worth a first-round pick?
If that's where they fit, yeah, but Travis Kelce is a third-round pick and George Kittle was a fifth-rounder. I'm getting questions about Robert Tonyan as though he's Ron Kramer and Marv Fleming rolled into one, and Tonyan was undrafted.

Ben from Hazel Green, AL
How does one become a more perceptive fan?
Stop cheering and start thinking. Learn about scouting and management of personnel and the salary cap. Develop an appreciation for how to build and sustain a successful team and franchise. True football fans see the big picture.

"Ask Vic" is published M-W-F through the football season.

Adam from Denver, CO
Will the Packers be able to survive the loss of Bakhtiari?
My instinctive reaction to your question is run the ball. The run fixes everything.

Matt from San Luis Obispo, CA
This is why we don’t chortle in the inbox. Can the Packers’ Super Bowl aspirations survive this?
It's a big loss, especially heading into a game against Khalil Mack. Will the loss of David Bakhtiari have a domino effect across the offensive line? The Packers must isolate the impact of losing Bakhtiari to one position.

Steven from Racine, WI
Is this (Packers) team better than the 2014 team?
The postseason will answer that question. I feel no need to answer it now, but I acknowledge the question is valid.

Blaine from Fennimore, WI
How would you rate this regular season to seasons past? Did teams playing without fans make it any less enjoyable?
When the season began, it was difficult for me to imagine football being played without fans. I thought the product would suffer. I was wrong. I think I like football even more without TV showing us fans wearing ridiculous costumes and without the home team encouraging its fans to stand and howl. I like the level playing field. I'd be OK with the NFL playing in 100-yard studios. I wouldn't complain if the league switched to a fan-less, pay-per-view product, but what would we do with all these billion-dollar stadiums?

Mitch from Lansing, MI
Does the Steelers' synchronized dance for Tik Tok count as chortling?
It counts as more silly dancing, and this one will cost the Steelers a seventh-round pick because the dancers weren't wearing masks. I guess I'm just old and out of touch, but I've always considered football to be a noble endeavor and it pains me to see these goofs acting like teenage girls. Mike Tomlin gets low marks from me for letting this nonsense continue.

Santiago from Bogota, Colombia
Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs: Have we gotten to a point where rule changes have made a superstar wide receiver a semi-premier position, like LT or CB?
It's not about the position's importance, it's about its supply of talent. None of those star wide receivers was a first-round pick. Dime a dozen.

Chris from Oshkosh, WI
Which contributes more to a successful running game, a great run-blocking offensive line and an average running back, or an average offensive line and a great back?
Pounders are usually build-to-speed guys. They need some push up front so they can build up a head of steam. When they get it, the combination of the pounder's power and the line's drive moves the line of scrimmage. It becomes a repeating four-yard prophesy to which the defense must commit more big guys and defenders to stop, which opens up the passing lanes and sells play action. Slashers don't need road-grading lines. Slashers can bounce and cut back. They find room to run, as in run to daylight. The negative to the pounder is road-grading blockers tend to be average pass-blockers. The negative to the slasher is a defense stops him with the same personnel it uses to defend against the pass. As Coach Noll was fond of saying, "Whatever it takes." I like pounders because they dictate to the defense. I hope you can find an answer to your question in that dissertation.

Craig from Sheboygan, WI
I can now understand why the Packers may choose to not sign Aaron Jones to a long-term, expensive contract. Look at what Gurley and Elliott received and neither one of them is producing. But (Jones) is special. Couldn't the Packers sign him to a three-year deal instead of a five or six-year deal?
It's not about the years, it's about the signing bonus; the years are needed to spread out the signing bonus on the cap. There are plenty of cap tricks the Packers could use to sign Jones and make him affordable on their cap. They could sign him to a contract that voids and then spread the guaranteed money out over the dummy years, but that would create a dead money event and that's not how the Packers operate. They are responsible cap managers. The Packers drafted Jones' replacement. Move on.

Matthew from Olathe, KS
Vic, I am a Packers fan first, but I admit I am rooting for the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy to win and get into the playoffs. I will always think highly and fondly of McCarthy's years in Green Bay. I think it's OK to root for the Packers and McCarthy in separate spaces in my mind, right?
Absolutely. What if the Cowboys get into the playoffs, win their first game and face the Packers in the second round?

Wayne from Beavercreek, OH
The offensive line is the real hero this season. Its health will determine the Packers' success.
Did you feel a throb in your head before you sent that question?

Joe from Banner, WI
Gary, Savage, Dillon, Jenkins and others are all proving the general manager knows what he's doing. What's the rush to judgement on the Love pick? Are people not gratified enough by 12-3 and jars on the shelf?
I don't sense a rush to judgement. Here's what you might be sensing: Twelve quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the last three drafts. Only Love, Haskins and Rosen aren't playing, and Rosen and Haskins were starters in their rookie season. In other words, the leaguewide trend is to get these guys into the game immediately or soon after. It's left us asking: When does it begin for Love? I think it's a fair question. If the answer is after Rodgers retires, then I have to ask: Why did the Packers draft Love?

Carry from Milton, WI
Would you predict that because of the era he played in Dillon won't be justly celebrated at his career's conclusion?
I really think we should dial it back a little bit on Dillon. Hey, I love pounders and Dillon put on an impressive display of power football against the Titans, but it is only one game and it was on a snow-covered field. Back in October, I was asked what my scout friends thought of Dillon; we were obsessing on the light feet issue. So, I asked one of my most trusted scout friends and he said -- and I published it --"You will need him on muddy field to push, push the line of scrimmage." That's kind of what we saw against the Titans. Maybe we'll see Dillon on a dry field in Chicago.

Matt from Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Do you find the fake crowd noise for the TV broadcast as irritating as I do?
Yes. Some are on a loop that cheers at the wrong times. I don't like the fog horns and screaming PA people, either. For whom is that horn blowing and the PA person screaming? The Vikings' horn is OK. It's melodic and soothing.

Fabrizio from Fossano, Italy
I think chortling is fun. But you should be willing to smile when it's somebody else's turn to laugh at you.
Let me know how that works for you the next time it's your turn to smile.

Don from Iowa City, IA
What might one expansion team from 1995 give the other expansion team from 1995 for that first overall pick?
Yeah, that's the kind of question I like. What would Trevor Lawrence be worth to the Panthers in his home market? Let's start the bidding at two ones, two twos and next year's four.

Jake from Dublin, CA
I was watching a documentary about football in the '40's and '50's and noticed quarterbacks and running backs wearing numbers like 62 and 76. When did it change and why? Happy New Year!
The first pro game I attended featured Bobby Layne (22) vs. Charlie Conerly (42) as the quarterbacks. It all changed in the '60's. Everything about the game changed after Pete Rozelle became commissioner. He standardized it with a leaguethink approach. No more renting-out players, as Halas did with Rudy Bukich and Bobby Joe Green. No more teams negotiating their own TV deals. Everybody was on CBS and the revenue was shared equally. Also, Pete required teams to brand themselves with logos. It was all intended to clean up and popularize the game, and it did.

Paul from Chicago, IL
How do the Ravens stack up against the rest of the AFC, especially the Chiefs?
The Ravens are my pick to win the AFC, but first they have to make it into the postseason.

Ryan from Hayward, WI
If you’re John Elway, what do you do with Drew Lock?
Elway needs to figure out what the disconnect is. Why does a quarterback with Lock's jaw-dropping talent fail? What's holding him back?

Ian from Kirkwhelpington, England
Vic, I don't follow college football so, please, can you explain a couple of things for me? Is it only potential first-round draft picks who elect to go into the draft a year early? Is the motivation purely money?
No to the first and absolutely to the second.

Ben from El Paso, TX
Which teams have surprised and disappointed you the most this season and why?
The Steelers are a surprise. I saw a capped out team with a quarterback coming back from major elbow surgery. I expected them to finish third in the division and miss the postseason. I didn't expect the Dolphins to jump up as quickly as they have. On the disappointment side, the Texans and Vikings are Nos. 1a and 1b. Mike Zimmer angrily pointed the finger at his defense for a terrible performance in New Orleans recently. He should also point the finger at himself for a terrible coaching job this season. He didn't have his team ready to start the season, and it failed to show up on several occasions. The Broncos were a disappointment (I had high expectations for Lock), and so were the Cowboys (Prescott's injury is the cause).

Samuel from Milwaukee, WI
Vic, the Dolphins now hold the third draft spot from the Tunsil trade with the Texans. Miami seems to have clearly gotten the best of this trade. Pittsburgh was seen as getting great value in the Fitzpatrick trade, but they would have been in a great position to draft a future quarterback in the last draft. The Raiders seem to have gotten the better of the Mack trade and the list goes on. Is it ever worth it to trade a first-round pick?
Are you suggesting the Steelers would've picked Jordan Love? He was the only quarterback selected between the first-round pick the Steelers traded and the second-round pick they spent on Claypool. We'll never know.

Jason from Minnesota
Vic, I may be remembering wrong, but was the Super Bowl usually the last weekend of January? If that was the case, do you know why that changed?
There are only so many weeks in a season, and the playoffs have been expanded. Where Labor Day falls decides when the Super Bowl will be played. I remember covering a game in New England on Labor Day night, 1979. The Super Bowl for that season was played on Jan. 20. The NFL doesn't want to open on Labor Day weekend; too many complaints from season ticket holders. Here's a factoid you might not know: The draft immediately followed the Super Bowl. That changed in 1976, when the draft was moved to April.

Drew from St. Paul, MN
What makes for a good bad-weather back?
Mudders and skaters play over their feet. In bad weather, the game slows down. It favors control.

Geoff from Janesville, WI
Can you explain the duties of the person with the bright orange oven mitts on the sideline?
He's the TV guy. The game doesn't resume until he says it does.

Adam from Spring Green, WI
Josh Allen can sling it. Does he remind you of a young Big Ben or Favre?
His unbridled running style reminds me a little of Bradshaw, but Allen is a rotary passer and there haven't been a lot of those types. Bernie Kosar comes to mind.

Aiden from Jacksonville, FL
Would GM Vic be hesitant to draft a QB who isn't a dual threat such as Jackson, Mahomes, Murray, etc.?
I don't need my quarterback to be a dual threat, but he must be mobile.