Attention readers: "Ask Vic" will not publish on Monday, Aug. 3. The next publication is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6.
Michael from Eau Claire, WI Vic, I’m ready to throw in the towel. After seeing the Marlins have canceled their home opener due to eight players testing positive for Covid-19, I am of the opinion we do not need to resume any sports at the moment. I never thought in my 65 years I’d hear myself say it, but I’ve lost any interest in them for the time being. If we value life we need to prove it. This season, if there is a season, will be about maintaining a calm and understanding attitude. I think it would be a mistake for fans to get excited about something as uncharted as what the NFL is trying to give us. It's nice the league is trying to provide entertainment during this pandemic, but for fans to treat this pursuit with anything but reserve is almost certain to produce frustration. A Covid report is going to join the injury report. I think we're going to have games that remind us of the 1987 replacement-player games, if we have games at all. Chad from Kansas City, MO How do you feel about the Olympics? Or do they make you feel anything? I still get misty eyed watching the athletes take the podium to receive their medal and hear their national anthem. It doesn't grab me as it once did. I think it's because the athletes are so overtrained. They have become the products of their specific events, products of science, training devices, technology and substance-abuse deception. The athletes have become machine-like. Wilma Rudolph running out of her leg braces to defeat polio and become the fastest woman in the world is my idea of the Olympics. That's true amateurism. Todd from Prairie du Chien, WI Do you get the sense America is tired of winning? No. America is manic about winning. This country would go bonkers if all of a sudden it became the second-most powerful nation in the world. Pat from Altoona, WI The question is charcoal or LP? I'm a charcoal guy all the way. I pile the coals up, douse them, light them and wait 10 minutes until I get a little glow deep in the middle. Then I turn the leaf blower on the coals and they burst into flames. Adam from Denver, CO Do players get paid if they voluntarily opt out this season? A player who opts out of this season receives an advance of $150,000 on his 2021 salary, which would've been his 2020 salary. Opting out doesn't expire a year of the player's contract, it just moves the contract forward a year. Tony from West Milwaukee, WI Do you think there might be more trades this year, like the one for Jamal Adams, because college football might not have a season. I wonder if those draft picks are worth a little less to an established team that won't get to properly look at the players that'll be in the draft. I think it's just the opposite. I think it's important to have as many picks as possible in next year's draft because big mistakes might be made and that means real talent could fall deep into the order. If there ever was a year not to have picks, this is the year. The development of this year's rookies is going to be compromised by Covid, and then they're going to run into next year's class without the advantage of a normal rookie season of training. I think the waiver wire could be full of talent in 2021, which could become a great year to rebuild a roster. Ben from Phoenix, AZ Today a gentleman honked his horn at me as I waited for a clearing in traffic to make a left turn at a stop sign. He then proceeded to tailgate close enough to see the sweat on his angry, furrowed brow for a few blocks before turning and shouting some obscenity. Obviously, this gentleman is a bully. While he reminded me of our president, he also reminded me of professional football. The NFL with its celebrations and trash talk appears to cater to bullying and childishness, and I’m losing interest because of it. Do you think bullying and anger are destroying the game? Can this be changed? Jack Ham is the best tackler I ever covered, but I never saw him celebrate a tackle. Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best pass receivers and playmakers in NFL history, but I never saw him dance or taunt following a big catch or big play. I think fans respect that kind of sportsmanlike behavior, but the fans love the show and that's what the players are giving them. Our culture enjoys tough talk and taunting. Dave from Loerrach, Germany So, Vic, are you also opting out of the 2020 season? No. Wayne from Beavercreek, OH If you were a player, would you opt out? I think the players are being put into a difficult and unfair position. I'd have difficulty opting out. I'd feel disloyal to my team and teammates. I'd worry about the door of opportunity I'd be opening for someone else. I'd worry about my career. I think it's up to our leaders to protect us. Is the NFL leadership doing the right thing by trying to play this season? I'll reserve answering that question until we get the results. The league certainly doesn't need to play to survive financially. Nick from Waukesha, WI Vic, what are your thoughts on the Marlins' outbreak and the effect it will have on the MLB season going forward? I spent 45 years covering football teams. I can tell you they live and work in close quarters. It's not just about their contact with each other on the field, when they're breathing hard, sweating and spitting. They eat together, shower and dress together, their sweaty clothes are washed together, they sit in classrooms together, fly in planes together and assemble en masse to listen to the head coach present the game plan each week. I can't imagine how any sports league, including baseball, would be able to operate during this pandemic. My worry is somebody will die. Wouldn't it be better to just shut it down? Sean from Chesterfield, VA Is it really the best marketing strategy for these professional sports organizations to alienate more than half the fan base in supporting kneeling for the anthem, BLM propaganda, etc.? It's not about marketing, it's about doing what's right and respecting someone's right to freedom of expression. I would not kneel for the anthem because that's not the form of expression I would choose, but I would speak freely in support of the cause and the movement. To those who think athletes who kneel should leave the country, I would say if you don't like it go live in a country that doesn't permit it. Mark from Wheaton, IL Vic, I know you already published a response regarding your "Ask Vic Day" celebrations at Lambeau, but I also participated in both 2014 and 2015. They were truly memorable nights. Unfortunately, I couldn't linger with the popcorn in 2014, having to drive back to Chicago, arriving about 2 a.m., but I do still have my "thing" from 2015 proudly displayed in case I have an emergency that calls for something I never need. You'll always know where your thing is when you don't need it. Braden from Milwaukee, WI So it begins, players opting out. Do we know anymore about how this impacts a player's contract and a team's salary cap? The team will get a cap credit for this season for the salary that wasn't paid to the player who opted out, and that cap room can be carried forward into 2021 when, of course, the team's cap will also be charged the salary the player is due to earn. Blaine from Fennimore, WI I'm getting married this weekend. In a better time I would have loved to send you an invite. Any suggestions for a happy marriage? Love is the answer. Mike from Jackson, MI Do you think the NFL will play preseason games ever again? Wow, that's a great question. Is this how it ends?
Comments
"Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.
Bob from Australia Vic, "Contagion" got a lot of things right but differed in the way it focused on a narrative of mass public panic, hysteria and lawlessness, Could it be that an unintended positive of the Trump era has been the rise in the number of science doubters, resulting in less panic and hysteria than otherwise might have occurred in the present climate? More get it but more don't care? Chad from Kansas City, MO The one person or sporting event you wish you could have watched with your own eyes but never did? Mine is Mike Tyson in his prime. Jim Thorpe. Mike from McFarland, WI On the various team sites you worked for, did misery love company? Did you see more questions in the inbox after a win or after a loss? What does that say about us? The two inboxes I remember being most explosive occurred after a Jaguars home loss to the Steelers in 2004 and after the Packers "Fail Mary" loss in 2012. I often credit the 2004 game as the night "Ask Vic" was born. Steelers fans overwhelmed the stadium. They called it Jacksonburgh. Their numbers angered and embarrassed Jaguars fans. It was a sensational football game that produced a heartbreaking defeat for the Jaguars. The combination of a tough defeat and a blow to the fans' pride created a surge in passion for the Jaguars. The "Fail Mary" inbox was all about injustice. Nothing creates controversy and the need to cry out more than being wronged. What does it say about us? It says we respond to hurt more passionately than we do to reward. Coach Noll said losing fires the steel. Davy from Watertown, WI Two first-round picks for Jamal Adams? I was even more surprised at this type of trade coming from John Schneider. He seems to have a good track record with drafts and acquisitions, but doesn’t this seem to be a reach? It's Deion Branchesque. Jason from Austin, TX Regarding Carlton Haselrig, you said he dominated training camp as a defensive lineman and Coach Noll still moved him to offensive guard. Why not keep him at defensive lineman? Is having an all-star guard more valuable than an all-star defensive lineman? In Coach Noll's pulling, trapping system, a low pad level guard who could play with power and move with grace was more important than an eat-double-teams nose tackle. Haselrig was the perfect player for Noll's running game and Haselrig and Dermontti Dawson were a devastating trap-blocking combination. Gary from Stevens Point, WI I had the pleasure of being at the "Ask Vic Day" you screened the Lombardi movie. I've told the tale of that evening numerous times since then. I'm sure with my first grandchild on the way, I'll get to tell it for years to come. Thank you for one of my richest Packers memories. It ranks up there with "How could he have dropped it?" and the Miracle in Motown and the first Packers/Bears game in 2018. They make us rich. Brad from Jacksonville, FL Vic, we bought a camper in March, as my wife and I are both frontline healthcare workers and in case we needed to quarantine, but also because we have a now two-year-old son and wanted to make sure he was able to have outdoor experiences as we did growing up. Edisto Beach State Park looks like a nice area not in the middle of everything. I know you live near the area, have you been to this park and beach? I live next to it. We have an ocean side and a marsh side. The marsh side would be good for you. Hey, just kidding. They're both great. The ocean side features a long and beautiful beach that stretches all the way to Jeremy Inlet, and the marsh side features Spanish Mount, which is slowly sinking into the rising waters of the climate change hoax. Mark from Eau Claire, WI Is it better to be pragmatic or idealistic? If you can dream and not make dreams your master; If you can think and not make thoughts your aim. Fritz from York, ME Why do many college offensive linemen use knee braces, but we don't see much of them in the NFL? A lot of linemen believe knee braces restrict movement and compromise performance. There is no tolerance for compromised performance in the NFL. Less than your best will get you cut. In college football, the talent gap is much greater. A top talent can wear a brace and still dominate. Ben from El Paso, TX Among the players you covered, which wide receivers were the best at making their team's running game the most effective? John Stallworth was an outstanding blocker; so was Louis Lipps. Stallworth's crackback block on George Atkinson sprung Franco Harris for the winning touchdown in the 1975 AFC title game. Dan from Lindenhurst, IL Vic, what are your thoughts on a reel lawn mower vs. gas or electric powered? Real men get gas. "Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.
Mike from Fort Wayne, IN What are your feelings about the printed newspaper giving way to electronic information? Will any newspapers still be with us in the future? Any worries? Paperless is good. The great newspapers of the world can apply their same standards to digital media and reach a much larger audience and far more affordably. Ultimately, the readers will determine the legitimacy of the digital media. If the readers support the true news-gathering sites, the digital media will flourish in a responsible and rewarding way. If the readers support the re-write sites, however, the digital media will become news porn. The readers will answer your questions. Craig from Cedarburg, WI Cases and hospitalizations are climbing again, yet, I'm still seeing rhetoric denying the authenticity of COVID-19. Admittedly, I was dismissive of it until I saw how fast it spread out of Washington. When did the light bulb go on for you? It had my respect right from the beginning, but I acquired a new awareness for the virus after I saw the movie "Contagion." That's when I realized science knew this was coming, right down to the bat that started it. Daniel from Nashville, TN Where would you want to spend your retirement years if you had to spend them in a different country? Thank you for the continued insight you provide. I've always been attracted to the Irish coast. Leo from Dallas, TX What are your thoughts on Philip Rivers going to the Colts? Is he a stop-gap for an otherwise young, up-and-coming team, or could he give them a mini-dynasty like the Broncos had? He's stop-gap and I think he's got some game left and can be a bridge to the Colts' next quarterback if he doesn't try to do too much. Frank Reich will get the most out of Rivers. Matt from Clarkston, MI How would you compare today's media to the way media operated in the time of Watergate? Watergate and the rise in popularity of the NFL occurred at the same time, doubling the effect of how each changed the way the media covered the NFL. Prior to that convergence, the NFL was happy just to have coverage. The PR mantra was write anything you want, just spell the name right. The PR guys back then would thank you for a story you wrote. They couldn't do enough to help you, and the media leaned on the PR guys for help. Back then, the teams and their media were united in a cause to promote professional football. When the game's popularity exploded, the PR philosophy began to shift from promotion to protection. At the same time, the media began to distance itself from the teams they covered, which was an effect of Watergate. The media and the teams they covered became adversaries. Richard from Clearwater, MN Do you think the players' concerns will be addressed before players start arriving for training camp, or is this going to turn into a game of chicken and who blinks first? Training camp isn't the issue. The players receive only a stipend during camp. It's the affordable time of the year for the teams. All concerns must be addressed before a regular season game is played because that's when players begin drawing their salaries. Sam from Springfield, IL Is a hotdog a sandwich? If you cut it along its length, turn it into a bivalve and then put it between two slices of bread, it's a sandwich. Doug from Union Grove, WI We won the first annual "Ask Vic Golf Outing" at Thornberry Creek. What a fun day that was! My brother-in-law, a Packers fan HOF'er, was in our foursome. He passed away in the past month after a seven-year battle with prostate cancer. I miss him and not having a second annual AVGO. It was a lot of fun, but I got the sense Lambeau Field was a stronger attraction for the majority of "Ask Vic" readers, so we moved the event to Lambeau. The south end zone renovation was a perfect centerpiece for the event. My enduring memory is of concluding one of the events with a Lombardi movie showing on the south end zone Jumbotron as we all sat on the north end zone balcony under the stars and eating popcorn. I remember the movie ending and people not wanting to leave. Kevin from Jacksonville, FL I knew you had a red line for cancel culture: the Hall of Fame. Why is it more sacred than anything else in today's culture? Is it just because it's part of what you have held dear for 50 years and want to see it remain untouched. I am sure many other things dear to people have been touched and you haven't given a damn. Why should the world care if the Hall of Fame is touched? It's a museum. That's where you put that stuff, so it can live in immortality and, if need be, in infamy. Michael from Milwaukee, WI Vic, who is the most underrated coach ever? Sid Gillman or Marty Schottenheimer. James from Trapani, Sicily Vic, do you see this as a transformative event, such as the Bubonic Plague, the 1918 pandemic, the Depression, WWII, one which can produce a paradigm change in society? All can produce a positive or negative reaction. Do you see positive change coming from this? Of those events, I think the Great Depression was the most impactful on American culture. I saw the effects of it on my parents in nearly everything they did. Money always wins. Jeffrey from Alexandria, VA What did you make of the Packers earning statement? It seems to me they could be in for some financial trouble when the bad times come, and they will come. Are they prepared for this? They are financially sound and invested to withstand hard times. There's no need to worry. Tim from Charlotte, NC Vic, what is your preferred method of transportation around the island? Golf cart, moped, bike, skateboard or car? I have noticed the local police department has a keen eye for the golf carts. I prefer to bicycle. There are times my car hasn't moved for days. Adam from Wausau, WI How has this column made you a better writer? Your question caused me to do some quick math. By my rough calculations, I've written approximately 5,000 "Ask Vic" columns and about 400 retired "Ask Vic" columns. Practice makes us all better. How? I'm probably more measured, being this is an interactive column. I'm probably more open to opinions and ideas. I don't think my style or skill level has changed. They were formed from covering games and interviewing players and coaches long before I penned an "Ask Vic." Lane from Orlando, FL Vic, I was saddened to see Carlton Haselrig passed away. You’ve mentioned him in your column before. What’s your best memory or story about him? Carlton might be the most natural football player I've ever covered. He was a six-time NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion who didn't lift weights. He was pure size, power and athleticism. The Steelers drafted him in the 12th round despite Haselrig not having played college football. He dominated the first-day-of-camp Oklahoma drill in his rookie training camp, as a defensive lineman. Shortly after that, Coach Noll moved Haselrig to offensive guard; Chuck saw the feet, power and pad level. Within a few years, Haselrig was one of the best guards in the league. I remember Haselrig dominating the Oilers' Ray Childress in a big game in 1992. His football arrow was pointing straight up, but what most of us didn't know is Haselrig was losing his battle against internal demons. He began disappearing for long stretches. By 1995, he was playing for the Jets and a promising career was near ruin. When I saw he had died, I said to myself, "Poor Rig." "Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.
Malthe from Copenhagen, Denmark More sad news out of the Washington football team with major executives being fired for sexual misconduct. Will Dan Snyder be held responsible by the other owners or do the winds of progress only blow so far? After what happened to Joe Paterno, how does something like this happen? Maybe Snyder is too stupid to own a football team. Milan from New York Vic, when you were a kid, did you try to copy the basket catch of Mays? I did, but I thought Clemente's was hipper. My friend's father had a fungo bat and he would hit fly balls to us and we'd imitate our favorite outfielders. You're forgetting the best part of Clemente's basket catch routine, the buggy whip under arm throw to the infield. Yes, Clemente's basket catch was more stylish. Every kid loved it and tried to imitate it. Tom from Superior, WI I feel lucky to have been born in the early '50's to enjoy the quiet, safer times. Every generation has its challenges, but do you agree it becomes more challenging with each generation? The first time I saw the movie Sandlot, which was more of an early-'60's take, I felt as though I was watching my childhood. Sure, life is more challenging for each generation because there are more options. Paul from New Richmond, WI Vic, I was hopeful early on a season would happen. Now, I'm ready for it to be shutdown for a season as there will be nothing close to normal to enjoy. I love football but I'd rather not watch bad football. John from Sioux Falls, SD Of all the young hair-product coaches that have come into the league in recent years, which one do you think best blends old-school football thinking with the modern obsession on play calling/design? Sean McDermott. Sam from Olathe, KS New students of journalism actually go out to say they want to shape public opinion. There's nothing wrong with wanting to shape public opinion, as long as you first understand and accept the "News Writing 101" principle that one car doesn't hit another, two cars collide. Bob from Green Bay, WI Are there any busts in the NFL Hall of Fame that should be removed in this cultural revolution? I'm opposed to throwing guys out of the Hall of Fame, under any circumstances, because it would set a very dangerous precedent. In my mind, the door to the Hall of Fame swings one way only and it has to live with who it lets in. Travis from Sanford, ME Only one Jags-related memory hanging in your office next to all the Steelers/Packers stuff. Vic, if it wasn't for the Jaguars and letting you do this sort of fan engagement, 99 percent of us would have no idea who you were. Why do you treat them like the red-headed step child of the three teams you covered? You're just seeing one corner of the office. One whole wall features a large, framed picture of an aerial view of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on 9-3-95, the day of the franchise's first-ever game. Also proudly displayed in my office is a championship trophy from the "11th Annual Jaguars Golf Tournament." It's a major award. Mike from McFarland, WI If there is no season, what does that do to veterans' bodies? Will Rodgers benefit from a year off to heal, or lose another year to father time? I don't think the impact of a year off on the players' bodies is the issue. I think their contracts would become the issue. Gary from Austin, MN Do you have any idea what the significance is of the landmark court case "New York Times v. Sullivan?" Yes, it was a bad decision that went too far in the wrong direction and helped create the current mess with the media. Is the new truth in the media called clicks? Is unbiased now a four letter word in the media? Public figures shouldn't be subject to public scrutiny? You want TASS? Sean from Chesterfield, VA The "virus" hasn’t changed us. We are still a country where half value freedom and personal responsibility, and the other half want to live as serfs to the state in return for a monthly pittance. This "virus" hoax has just highlighted which side each of us has chosen. I hope you enjoy your pittance. Freedom is a tough man's game. OK. Matt from Michigamme, MI Vic, why don’t you use the Oxford comma? I'm not an Oxford kind of guy. Mike from Somerset, WI Vic, Mike McCarthy is taking over a talented Dallas team. What do you see Mike bringing to Dallas that can help them take that next step. I think he'll discipline that offense, clean up the quarterback's game and, in the process, take both the offense and the quarterback to a higher level. "Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.
Kevin from Milwaukee, WI VIc, I read your blog religiously from 2012- 2016. I was living in downtown Baltimore, a tough town. Your blog helped me maintain a sliver of winsome at an otherwise less than winsome time. I Google-searched you today, hoping you were still out there somewhere. Boy, are you ever! I read some of your recent work; better than ever, baby. My question is about anger. Football has long been a place for anger. With more anger in our daily lives and our political climate, what are the lessons football can lend us? Keep letting it rip, man. Football isn't life. We don't walk down the sidewalk ramming into people. Be that as it may, we can learn life lessons from something as condensed and intense as football. I think one of its best lessons is self-control. It teaches us to overcome obstacles in a disciplined way. Alex from Milwaukee, WI You are not a fan, you are a writer. Does the same apply to politics? I notice you are right down the middle most of the time, even though (just like with your sports writing) you are often accused of bias. Middle is the new left. Nate from Pueblo, CO I remember you posing the question about what’s going to happen if and when parts of the crowd start kneeling for the National Anthem. At first I thought it wouldn’t be an issue. Now I think you were way ahead of the crowd. Do you have any new insight on this? If there are games, which I still doubt will be the case, there will be plenty of room to kneel, because stadiums are going to be empty. Will there be altercations? Yes, because some of us still don't understand the concept of freedom of expression. Ed from Jacksonville, FL As a Jags fan since inception, having missed only three games since 1995, I’ve always enjoyed reading your perspective on the NFL. After reading your answer to the last question on Monday, I’m glad my world view and political beliefs were not formed by what is one of the most corrupt and dishonest institutions in American history. Yeah, I know, fake news. Any time I answer a question by expressing respect for the media, I know my inbox is going to light up with angry rebuttal. So what qualifies you to offer critical commentary on the media? Did you work in the media? Were you a journalism student? Did you ever take courses in "Ethics of Journalism" or "Law of the Mass Media?" Do you have any idea what the significance is of the landmark court case "New York Times v. Sullivan?" Or are you just another angry man with an opinion? Brian from Columbia, MD Let's pretend you were an NBA player with the option of wearing a jersey with a social media message where your name would ordinarily be. What would be yours? Love is the answer. Jason from Austin, TX Why do political parties have mascots? Between the mascots, colors (red vs. blue) and sides (left vs. right), it's become a full fledge sporting event. It's no wonder we have a tough time being bipartisan. It almost feels intentionally done to encourage division. I completely agree. Thomas from Appleton, WI Did you ever think you’d see the team in D.C. and the state of Mississippi both abolish their logo and flag, respectively, within a week of each other? It’s been a long time coming. The young people of today aren't going to tolerate the old ways. They want a better world. Good for them. Aaron from Eau Claire, WI Looking back on the Packers-49ers game, many of the 49ers' big runs happened in Packers territory close to or just inside the red zone. Is that the 49ers taking advantage of a specific defensive front the Packers showed, or would those runs have gone big at any point on the field? I have to believe if the Packers don't give the 49ers two very short fields at the end of the second quarter, the game would have been a lot closer. Yeah, the 49ers caught the Packers in a particular defensive front: the one they had been in all season. Strategy and play-calling were the differences in the game. The 49ers' strategy was to call plays that would allow them to beat the Packers to a pulp. Eight passes, Aaron. Brian from Sugar Land, TX It has always been a dangerous world, certainly in my lifetime. And back in the day, parents made informed choices. I bet you can recall kids walking to school unattended, riding bikes without helmets, crossing busy streets on their own. You may have been such a kid. When did the world get so dangerous we now fear daily life? How did that happen? Might some of it be our sources of public information are more questionable today? Blame the media? Really? Our population has more than doubled in my lifetime. There were 67 million registered vehicles in the United States in 1958; today there are nearly 300 million. More people, more cars, more everything has made life more dangerous. There are more good people, and there are more bad people. There's more money, but also more poverty. There's more information and technology, but also more ignorance. Whatever it is you don't like, blame it on people, because ultimately we are responsible for the problems we create. Braden from Milwaukee, WI Vic, does the revenue from stadium naming rights get split among all teams? If it does, are other owners OK with teams not selling naming rights to corporations? The money is divided, though not evenly, and all teams get a cut of it. It wasn't a big hit with the other owners when the Bengals named their new stadium after their founder. Lambeau Field? It gets a pass with most owners because of the iconic name, but some owners have complained. Joe from Bloomington, IN How would the "Greatest Generation" have handled COVID-19? Just as they handled polio: worry and protect until a vaccine was discovered. I wasn't permitted to go into a public pool until after the Salk vaccine. The difference between polio and coronavirus is polio went after the kids; coronavirus is attacking the older population. Tim from Ocala, FL What possesses someone to go to Disneyworld during the height of a pandemic, especially when Florida is now the epicenter of the pandemic? Weren't we supposed to be better than this? When did we become so selfish as a country? I can hear Coach Noll saying, "Joey, you like to have fun, and you're going to fun yourself right out of the league." Selfish? Bored. We require constant entertainment. Isaac from Nashville, TN Vic, I recently encountered a tendency among Carolina fans I've frequently observed among Packers fans (myself included), complaining the Panthers squandered Newton's career by taking a lackadaisical approach to team-building during the QB's prime. They built a great defense around him; I'm sure Aaron Rodgers wishes he had that defense. The Panthers had their chance to win a Super Bowl and didn't get it done. In a conference with quarterbacks such as Rodgers, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson, why would anyone think Newton would dominate? Mike from Boscobel, WI I support the idea of a free press. In my view, it's essential to a free people. I'm concerned, however, corporate mergers and consolidations have placed the concept of a free press in great danger. It seems almost impossible to find a just-the-facts approach to journalism these days. Are my fears unfounded? I don't want a just-the-facts approach to journalism. I want the facts and opinion. I know what FOX is. I know what CNN is. When I go there, I know what I'm going to get, and that's good because I want to hear both sides. The media coverage in this country has never been better. It's mind-boggling what big media spends on having assets around the world. They are giving us news and a view of the world we never got when I was young. The live coverage of police clearing a way for Trump to walk across the street, stand in front of that church and hold a Bible in front of him was amazing drama. How can you not appreciate a media and a freedom of press that allows for that kind of untainted and spontaneous coverage? That was real news and it was happening as we watched. Ben from El Paso, TX If you submitted a question to "Ask Vic," what would you identify as your hometown? Edisto Island, SC. Adam from Wausau, WI Does the media shape our opinions or assign our opinions? Only the consumer can answer that question. There are plenty of right and left media outlets available to you. Vincent from Seattle, WA This is Lance56. Please review, if you have time, Rodgers and Hammertime, Skeptical Guy and Roberts comments. I think being called a liar and an utter cabbage is a bit over the top for your comments section. I agree. Mark from Eau Claire, WI What quality do you admire most in other people? "Or, being hated, don't give way to hating." "Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.
Joe from Gainesville, FL The "Purple People Eaters" were before my time. What was it about Bud Grant's teams that kept them from winning the Super Bowl? The Chiefs, Dolphins, Steelers and Raiders teams that beat the Vikings were special. The talent gap was distinct. Bob from St. Charles, IA Vic, will this year be the end of many mid-major college athletics departments? The Big Ten and other conferences are dropping the non-conference schedule, the revenue to the smaller schools gone with it. The virus is changing us in nearly every way. Life may never be the same again. Derrick from Rockaway, NJ The next mass migration has already begun. Talking to multiple real estate agents, property across northern New Jersey and into the Poconos has taken off from the exodus of NYC residents. Property that is being sold is off the market within 2-3 days. Large companies just realized they don't have to spend millions in office space and overhead by having people work from home. NYC may never be the same. Or the world for that matter. You think the sporting world landscape will ever return? It's going to shrink. I have no doubt the executives at ESPN are worried. They know ESPN will also have to change. Ted from Amherst, NY You have no idea how stoked I was when someone in "Insiders Inbox" mentioned you and I found "Ask Vic" is back. It seems NFL defenses tend to evolve to stop offensive trends, but the San Francisco wide nine seems to be a defense that challenges offenses to adapt. How do you beat the wide nine? It's not something new. The Eagles brought it to popularity several years ago. The wide nine is a defense whose intent is to promote the pass rush with speed off the edge. In this case, the edge has been widened to create more space for the pass rusher. You beat it by blocking it. What does it invite? The inside run, where there is more room for the back to find a running lane. The 49ers make it work with superior personnel. Marty from Grafton, WI Vic, I've heard of aging gracefully, but you take the cake on your newest picture. I think that is the best I've ever seen you. My face is perfect for wearing a mask. Jeff from Livingston, TX I feel no white guilt and I never will. OK. Erik from Madison, WI Tyreek Hill would make a lot of QBs look good? Dime a dozen! Wow, Vic, are you going soft? He was a fifth-round pick. Dime a dozen. Adam from Wausau, WI You’re a visual writer. Is that technique? I don't know. My fingers start moving and words come out. Jack from Jacksonville Beach, FL Vic, my wife and I are both teachers with two small school-age children of our own. The governor of Florida seems hellbent on going back to school in a few weeks, while my wife and I are more reticent. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't. What would you do if you were in our position? I can't think of an answer. I hurt for you and for all parents faced with this decision. Morgan from Kaukauna, WI Where do you put your hometown as? Where you grew up? Currently living? You are currently from where you are living. You are always from where you grew up. Joshua from Wilmington, DE What happens if Rodgers opts out of this season? Hey, we’ve got time, let’s speculate. What if a lot of players opt out? Are their teams going to demand the players return a portion of their signing bonus? Will not playing extend their contracts a year? This year has the potential to cause great discord between the owners and the players association. Paul from Kilrush, Ireland Every day, our chief medical officer advised us. We listened. We obeyed. We are winning. He has been awarded the Freedom of Dublin. I am proud of my country and its people. What are your current emotions for your country, Vic? I'm worried about the kids. Tyler from Crane Lake, MN Vic, I believe it was you who proposed years ago the name be changed to Redshirts. They could go back to the R logo with a circle around it. The name must be changed. The original owner was notoriously racist and one of the last to hire African-American players. I think I also proposed the league allow Washington to wear its home jerseys for all games, as a thank you for agreeing to change their name. It would give the Redshirts uniqueness and help sell the new name. I think that ship sailed. Dan Snyder held out too long. Lori from Brookfield, WI Vic, who was most influential in the development of your world view and political beliefs? It's the media. They provide the news that shapes opinion and promotes choices. "Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.
Brad from Libertyville, IL On a lighter note, how is the shark tooth hunting in your area? I hear it’s a fun hobby, especially after storms. I live on a shell sand road and recently I noticed my neighbor walking along the road slowly and looking down, as though she lost something. She was looking for and finding shark teeth; she had a handful of them. On the road? Do sharks drive? Joe from Bloomington, IN Chiefs overpay Mahomes? Of course they did, but that's common for a team with a great quarterback at the start of a new contract. I think Mahomes is a great-looking talent, but Tyreek Hill creates the kind of space that would make a lot of quarterbacks look good. This contract isn't without some anxiety. Dennis from Las Vegas, NV Vic, can't help but notice Russell Wilson's unique style. I was trying to think of a comparable and the closest I can come up with is Fran Tarkenton. Thoughts? Tarkenton ran around in circles. Wilson is a more purposeful runner. I see a cross between Doug Flutie and Donovan McNabb. Craig from Cedarburg, WI Do you foresee COVID-19 and technological advances devaluing big-city living, creating a more dispersed population? Or has the gradual migration over the last few decades caused an irreversible shift? The start of the next great migration? It's an interesting thought. Braden from Milwaukee, WI Who won, Mahomes or the Chiefs? It's impossible for the Chiefs to win in a deal that big and that long. If Mahomes becomes injured or his play declines, the Chiefs are big losers. If Mahomes raises the contracts of other quarterbacks to a yearly average above his, he'll become dissatisfied and want a new contract. Mike from McFarland, WI Would we have been better off if social media had existed in the '60's? Or are we fortunate it wasn't around then? I'm glad I grew up in the transistor radio generation. It was a cool time. I wouldn't trade my transistor radio memories for today's technology. Grant from Wauwatosa, WI What about the 1984 Steelers carried them to the AFC championship game? Were they new or still over the hill? They found some new talent, led by rookie Louis Lipps, Mark Malone played the best football of his short career as a starter and the Steelers played in an extremely weak AFC Central. Coach Noll peaked them at the right time and they won a playoff game in Denver in what was John Elway's first full year as a starter. Dan Marino torched the Steelers in the Orange Bowl the following week. That might've been the first time I heard Coach Noll say, "How do you wish to die?" The '84 Steelers were a snowman. Four bad seasons followed. Morgan from Little Chute, WI Is it better to gather all the facts before you react? If you keep your mind open, you can change course along the way. John from Philadelphia, PA How do you feel about major social media platforms censoring content? I don't think I have ever deleted anything from the "Ask Vic" comments section other than for bad language. I'll let that be my answer, but I'll add this: I make no money with this column, so I have no advertisers to appease. I have an LLC which means about the only thing I can lose in a lawsuit is the laptop. So much changes when it's not about the money, doesn't it? Money compromises us. Having said all of that, if I felt the comments section was being abused or used irresponsibly, I'd shut it down. I won't allow hate language. Joe from Bloomington, IN Wearing masks protects our economy. Vic, how do you get people to see that? How do you get people to see it’s not political? I think it has to begin with the president. Until he wears a mask, his followers will reject the concept. Larry from Jacksonville, FL If we do have a football season this year, are you putting an asterisk on the Super Bowl winner? As I've written, without a vaccine I don't think the NFL can conduct a meaningful season, so I would tend to discredit a champion. I think the NFL should announce ASAP it will not play until there's a vaccine or the threat of the virus being spread has been eliminated. At this point, I don't see how the games can be played safely or meaningfully. Jack from Middleton, WI Aside from Jim Brown, who are some star players that retired at the heights of their career, especially those that appeared to have much football success remaining? Mike Reid was in the prime of his career when he retired. He was largely considered to be the second-best defensive tackle in the game. Eric from Hudson, WI Your hero Colin Kaepernick describes the Fourth of July as a celebration of “white supremacy." I thought he was protesting police brutality, but clearly I was wrong. Do you have any advice on how we should deal with our white guilt? Obviously, your question is with sarcastic intent; I'm sure you feel no guilt at all. I do. My father went to college on the GI Bill. He became the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college, and the GI Bill made it possible. Since then, every one of his children and every one of his grandchildren have graduated from college, and one of them got his PhD from his grandfather's alma mater. The GI Bill changed the course of history in my family. Unfortunately, the black men with whom my father fought in World War II didn't have the same advantage. The GI Bill wasn't made available to the 1.2 million blacks who served in World War II. I guess we didn't want them to change the course of history in their families, and for that I feel guilt. How do I deal with it? With understanding. Mark from Madison, WI Just learned about the the Freedom House Ambulance Service of Pittsburgh. I continue to be amazed by the ideas and people that have come from that corner of the world. It's a wonderful story of community, in this case the Hill District of Pittsburgh, a predominantly black community. From Wikipedia: "When services began, Freedom House Ambulance Service had two donated police vehicles and took 5,800 calls, transporting more than 4,600 patients in their first year, primarily in African-American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh." I'm big on the feeling and merits of community. It becomes an extended family that provides for and protects its members. Freedom House is also an example of what can be done with support from government. Richard from Truckee, CA I’m a liberal because I legitimately want life to be better for as many people as possible, yet, our president has just labeled me an enemy equivalent to Fascism, Communism, and terrorism. The line is drawn. "Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.
Andrew from Madison, WI Vic, I just read the Packers fully guaranteed Jordan Love's rookie deal. Why would they do that? It might've saved the Packers some money. Injury is taken out of the equation for Love; he certainly isn't at risk of being cut. Soon, Love will be "The Man." When that happens, a commitment will be made to him that'll carry through his first contract. That's the greatest guarantee. Cassidy from Carlsbad, CA What kind of insight have you gained from this forum? This column gives me a feel for the range and depth of public opinion. Alex from Racine, WI Lombardi once got angry when the Packers team was divided in multiple trips due to segregation and the prejudice and discrimination of hotel owners. After that happened, he vowed the team would never go to such establishments, and he made it known anyone on the team who said anything prejudiced would be kicked off the team. How important is the role of leaders - either in grassroots activism or in office - when trying to improve the world and organize change? Lombardi was a victim of prejudice. He knew its coded language, its hurt and divisiveness. He would be outraged by the inflammatory language coming from our president, and by the acts of civil disobedience that have marred peaceful protest. Lombardi is exactly the kind of leader we need now, which is to say a man of strength and sensitivity; not just one, both. Marty from Grafton, WI Vic, what happened to all the nicknames? Where did they go? Great nicknames like "Sweetness" and "Yankee Clipper" and "Minister of Defense." Can you give us your top 10 individual and top 10 team or group nicknames? I don't have that list in front of me, Marty, but I can tell you this: It doesn't get any better than "Mean Joe" and the "Steel Curtain." Darren from Alice Springs, Australia Picking any level of football you played or covered, is there something you remember most fondly? For me, it’s a feeling of the environment around high school football on Friday night in my small town I cannot put into words. I grew up in a steel town and in a day when high schools were named for their towns and they were the hub of their communities. It was a building in the center of town and around which life revolved. The identity of the town and its high school were inexorably linked. It wasn't a merger of several school districts and built on a hill next to the interstate highway. Today's high schools sound like directions and look like industrial parks. When I was a kid, even band practice the night before the game was a big deal. The lights brightened the night sky and the sound of the horns and drums created excitement for what was ahead. I lived for it. Those days created a fire in me I can't extinguish. Paul from Illinois What is your opinion of the ‘76 Raiders? They lost to the eventual AFC/AFL champ in the playoffs every year throughout the '60's and '70's. My Steeler fan friends think they would have beaten them in the playoffs if not for injuries. I look at this way: the '76 Raiders got lucky, just as the '72 Raiders were unlucky to be beaten by the Immaculate Reception. Pete from Chapel Hill, NC Any suggestions for a new name for the Washington team? How about the Gridlockers? I'll go with something generic, such as Federals, or even no name at all. I would oppose any kind of nickname that would honor a particular group. In my mind, that's asking for trouble. By the way, the notion the name Red Tails would allow the team to maintain its song is ridiculous. There's a tom-tom beat to the song that's especially offensive and would forever remind listeners of the team's previous name. It's time for Washington to be new, all new. Ben from El Paso, TX What was the most memorable game you covered during the 1978 season? It was the "Luv Ya Blue" game or Super Bowl XIII. William from Falling Waters, WV Vic, the fact you're running another "best teams" type column tells me your inbox must be full of vitriol and hate. I'm just one voice in an ocean but I wanted to say thank you for this column. Please continue. Some of my best friends are right wing wackos -- I really mean that -- but I'm getting stuff that makes them look sane. Johnny from Los Angeles, CA Kap was abandoned by his black parents and raised in a comfortable white neighborhood. His decision to turn around and attack whites while endorsing Communist, black-hating tyrants like Che Guevara are pretty good reasons to not like the guy. Ever consider you might have drank the Kool-Aid? I really don't like that expression. Those people died. Linda from South Bend, IN Vic, Cam Newton is one of my favorite non-Packers. Will Bill Belichick let Cam be himself? Do you see Cam playing for the Patriots more than one year? Will there be a season? If there isn't, will the players' contracts revert to 2020 for 2021, or expire a year and move forward to 2021? Again, there's no handbook for what might occur. If there's no season in 2020 there'll have to be some kind of reset agreement between the owners and players. The possibility exists Newton will never play for the Patriots. Folks, please avoid looking into the future and asking questions not even Roger Goodell can answer. We are stuck in a situation nobody saw coming and for which no plans were made. Sam from Nashville, TN Tourons? Are you pleased because masks reduce the spread of the virus, or are you pleased because freedom of choice has been taken away from your political adversaries and your "team" has successfully controlled a small portion of their lives? Honest question. I'm satisfied because masks help blunt the spread of a virus visitors are bringing seemingly with a defiant joy to a beach town from destinations all over our country, including from hot spots such as Florida. I live here full time and I am in the at-risk group; most of us are. It's grossly disrespectful for anyone to think they can come into my hometown, party recklessly and with disregard for the damage they leave behind. Honest answer. Kevin from Lake Forest, IL "There are consequences for what we say and write. They are the governor of free speech. They make us accountable." Sounds like something Senator Joseph McCarthy would have said in the 1950's. McCarthy exercised his right to free speech and it ultimately resulted in him being censured by the Senate. He died in disgrace and will forever be remembered notoriously. Those are the consequences he suffered. The point I'm trying to make is if we truly value our right to free speech, we treat it respectfully and responsibly. We don't exploit it, we exalt it. Jim from Rancho Cucamonga, CA Vic, I have especially enjoyed your column in recent weeks. You have allowed both sides of opinions to have their say. Your responses are always well thought out and have solid reason for what you say, unlike those who just want to express an opinion. Thanks for your column and I hope you enjoy the freedom we still have in this country. We all have our passions, and the right to free speech is one of mine. The First Amendment is what makes America great. Matt from Verona, WI When I look at an entertainment-related website and wonder how anyone could possibly be making money off of it, I'm sure I'm in the right place. Keep up the good work and give Andy a discount on some ad space. Retired "Ask Vic" is my return to innocence. Bill from Racine, WI After recently rewatching the full 2011 season, it seems the Packers won the wrong game against the Giants. Do you think a loss to that team earlier in the season would have made a difference? Or did the loss to the Chiefs a few weeks later essentially signal this team was running out of steam and facing the inevitable? I think the first game against the Giants gave the Giants a feel for how to beat the Packers, and the loss in Kansas City confirmed how to do it. The Giants were a team built to beat the Packers and I thought it was easy to see. If you were reading "Ask Vic" back then, you might remember me replying to questions about who I'd like to see the Packers face in the playoffs with "anybody but the Giants." Freddie from West Valley City, UT Yesterday I went to refill our water jugs and had an interesting conversation with our water guy. He wasn't wearing a mask and was apprehensive of me doing so in his store; he compared it to "wearing a burqa." After I explained I was doing it for the people I care about, he went on a 45-minute rant covering topics such as the dangers of masks and vaccinations, the inherent racism of the BLM movement, to the Rothschilds and the New World Order. He fashioned each point like a symbol on a necklace, worn proudly to demonstrate his faith. Luckily, another customer walked in and his attention shifted. How did we get here, Vic, and how do we bring everyone back to a shared reality? I wouldn't include your water guy in the "we" category. He's completely nuts. I think you have to ask yourself why you go to his store, although I'm not quite sure what a water store even is. My worry would be he might be peeing in the water. Samuel from Jacksonville, FL A positive byproduct of the Coronavirus is that it will cure the crows problem in Jacksonville. Yeah, I have a feeling Jaguars fans won't have to battle crows to get to the games this year. "Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.
Jeff from Virginia Call me a neophyte, but what happened with the 1977 Steelers? I could easily Google this, but I’d prefer your take. It was a reset year. The Lombardi Packers had a reset year in 1964. You need new blood, a new resolve, whatever. In the Steelers' case, there was discontent. Ernie Holmes and Glen Edwards topped the list of malcontents. Coach Noll was being sued by Al Davis. Mel Blount and Jack Lambert were training camp holdouts. The '77 season marked the end of one run: '74-'76, the power years. The '78 season ushered in the Bradshaw years. Noll retooled the team following the '77 season. Holmes and Edwards were traded, replaced by Steve Furness and Donnie Shell. The '78 rules changes also allowed Noll to give the Steelers a new identity: a big-play passing attack featuring Bradshaw, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Noll had a team with a stable of talent and he found a way to use it all. The '77 Steelers lost in the playoffs in Denver. It was almost relief the season had ended. It felt doomed from the start. What Noll did in retooling the Steelers is the best offseason coaching job I've ever seen. Owen from Great Falls, MT I was a big fan of Dr. Z (Paul Zimmerman) and reread his book during the lock down. Only recently I found out he passed away. Did you ever meet him; do you have any stories? Paul loved his craft. He was completely dedicated to it and he was at his best when he was writing about offensive line play. It was easy to see the respect Coach Noll had for Paul's command of line play and strategy. When I was a very young reporter, I was in a crowd of reporters in a postgame locker room. Paul literally pushed me aside. He was aggressive in getting the story. The last time I saw him was at an owners meeting in Orlando; I think it was in 2008. He was struggling with health issues but he was still hot in pursuit of the story. Paul loved the draft and would call me every spring and ask what the Jaguars needed and who they liked. He once commented I wrote a "good mailbag column." I had a come a long way from the kid Paul pushed out of the way. Ben from Alameda, CA What is your take on fireworks? I understand their significance but I don't like them. They drive the dogs nuts. If I could get under the bed, I'd go there with them. Scott from Hamlin, NY With Cam Newton signing with the Patriots, what expectations do you have for that team now? If Newton's shoulder has healed, the Patriots will be contenders. If he's just another over-the-hill quarterback chasing a paycheck, Belichick won't look so smart and he'll be looking for another quarterback next year. Nathan from New York Why didn't the '79 Steelers make it to your list? They were No. 11. I respect what they did but that was a team in hard decline that got a gift from the Oilers and then overmatched an average Rams team in the Super Bowl. I felt it was more important to acknowledge the '96 Jaguars. Omar from Morella, Mexico You've covered a lot of Dom Capers defenses. Which one was the greatest? The '94 Blitzburgh defense is worthy of comparison to the great Steelers defenses of the '70's, and Capers, Bill Cowher and Dick LeBeau were an amazing triumvirate of defensive coaching acumen. Mike from Jacksonville, FL Vic, what happened during halftime of the Jaguars '99 season AFC championship game? Whatever it was, it truly cost them a Super Bowl appearance. I've been told there was bickering and a confrontation in the locker room at halftime. Reggie Barlow had fumbled a punt late in the first half and some members of the defense didn't like the way the offense was playing. I didn't like it either. The Jaguars were gashing the Titans. Run the ball! Be that as it may, bickering wasn't going to help matters. They spent the halftime putting out fires instead of making adjustments and refocusing themselves. They left the locker room in turmoil and it showed in their play. Frustration got the better of them. Brian from Sugar Land, TX Let's just say the Packers use Jordan Love like the Saints use Taysom Hill. It's said the key to success in the NFL is getting the game slowed down. Love is positioned as the next Packers QB. In your view, would his play at running back serve to slow down the game, contributing to his development as a QB? That's silliness. Mike from McFarland, WI It's now clear there won't be an NFL season. If you ran NFL Network, what would you run this fall? I don't think anything is clear or settled, but you ask an interesting question. A few weeks after I became editor of packers.com, the NFL locked out the players. We weren't permitted to talk to the players or discuss the lock out, which meant I was the editor of a team website that didn't have a team and I couldn't explain why. We did stories on everything; we even did a best in number series. Compounding the problem, Ted Thompson wasn't a media-friendly guy. We had to beg for the right to do features on the coaches. If there's no football season in 2020, NFL Network is going to be facing the same type of challenge. Gossip-type reporting will get old. NFL Network will need to produce some quality features, much as "A Football Life" has been. I would begin with historical documentaries on each team. Timothy from New York Slap on the wrist for New England, eh? It was weak, but not unexpected. I'm more interested in what the league will do about the sex trafficking thing. The league's honor is at stake. Taylor from Hull, IA The Kansas State football team is threatening to not play unless a student is kicked out of school for posting something offensive. I think it's ironic freedom of speech is being used to push for societal change while at the same time it's being used to crush free speech for opposing views. Why can't people see limiting free speech like we are currently doing is leading us down the path of social, moral and intellectual destruction? There are consequences for what we say and write. They are the governor of free speech. They make us accountable. Andy from LaPorte, CO You told us this column is simply for enjoyment, and that for the first time it’s not about the money. A wise man once said something along the lines of, “When they say it’s not about the money, that’s when it’s really about the money.” Which Vic are we supposed to believe? My guess is it’s about the money. George Young was the wise man, not me. He said it -- I was merely quoting him -- and he was speaking specifically about football players. Jack from Middleton, WI In the words of Chaplin: "The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed -- the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress." In the words of Coach Noll: "Never make a major decision based solely on money." Kevin from Texas In what is likely my only venture into politics on your forum, what is your opinion as to who shot first, guardsmen, students or third party provocateurs who needed innocent bodies to strengthen their narrative? Is somebody trying to rewrite history? The Scranton Commission and an intense FBI investigation already answered these questions. There is no evidence of a student discharging a firearm or of a sniper. Guardsmen opened fire because in any large group of people who have guns in their hands, someone is likely to fire. if one student had returned fire, Kent State would've become the new Wounded Knee. The decision to bring the Guard onto campus was the big mistake, and it began with the university president deciding not to return to Kent from a conference in Iowa he was attending when trouble began. His presence was necessary to help blunt the force of the mayor and a governor campaigning for re-election. Don't allow your love of country to blind you from the truth. The Ohio National Guard was an agent of the United States of America and it committed murder. Those who pulled the trigger and are still alive today know what they did, and their conscience will cause them to suffer until the day they die. Peter from Rescue, CA When Biden gets blown out and Trump wins in a landslide in November, Vic, that'll cool your ass, as Jack Lambert would say. The line is drawn. It's winner take all. Let's go! Mike from Fort Wayne, IN Vic, I just watched a documentary on the year 1968. What a year of tragedy, chaos and protest. Do you think 2020 will be remembered much in the same light? We might be living through the most significant year in American history. Ross from L'Anse, MI So I take it Monday was a cooling off period, allowing the right wing to buy masks. Edisto passed an ordinance. As of Wednesday at 6 a.m., everyone on Edisto was required to wear a mask while inside a building. Welcome to Edisto, tourons! That'll cool your ass. |
AuthorVic Ketchman Archives
January 2021
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