"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Here are my all-important Week 4 power rankings:
1. Chiefs -- Mahomes is amazing.
2. Seahawks -- Making big plays.
3. Packers -- Surgical.
4. Bills -- They're for real.
5. Titans -- Finding ways to win.
6. Ravens -- Worst fake crowd noise in the league.
7. Rams -- Rallied from a big deficit.
8. Bucs -- Hitting their stride.
9. 49ers -- Need a bigger airplane.
10. Cardinals -- Clock struck midnight.
11. Patriots -- Belichick-like winning.
12. Steelers -- Tester in Tennessee.
13. Bears -- Is Foles the answer?
14. Colts -- Big one in Chicago.
15. Browns -- Scoring points.
16. Raiders -- Don't bet against them.
17. Cowboys -- Recovery game vs. Browns.
18. Saints -- Daunting test in Detroit.
19. Panthers -- They have a nice feel to them.
20. Dolphins -- Turning the corner.
21. Lions -- There's hope.
22. Jaguars -- Beware Burrow.
23. Chargers -- If they had caught the lateral ...
24. Texans -- Heartless.
25. Broncos -- Too much to overcome.
26. Vikings -- Time to burn the boats.
27. Falcons -- Blink if you're alive.
28. Giants -- Hard times have arrived.
29. Washington -- The Ravens will be angry.
30. Bengals -- Best 0-2-1 team in the league.
31. Eagles -- Santa Claus is booing.
32. Jets -- Showdown with the Broncos. Yuk!

Wes from Green Bay, WI
Had he played, how do you think Josiah Deguara would have impacted the game against the Saints? I genuinely am curious, not attempting to chortle.
He would've caught a couple of tight end delay passes and Rodgers would've giggled.

Robert from Plymouth, WI
What do you make of the Falcons? What should the franchise do? It is like they are seeing ghosts out there. Is it something that can be coached out? Or does the franchise need a hard reset?
I think it's becoming obvious the Falcons are headed for change, and it could reach beyond the head coach.

Mikey from Tallahassee, FL
The matchup between the Texans and Vikings features two winless teams, but I can't get beyond the importance of that game. Who gets their first win and can either team dig themselves out of an 0-4 hole?
I think the Texans will win and Mike Zimmer could be fired.

Nate from Plymouth, MN
As a Packers fan, I'm happy for the win, but I also thought the officiating was pretty putrid. Jamal Williams was not brought down by a horse collar tackle, the pass interference on Taysom Hill was less than a yard downfield, the pass to Tyler Ervin that drew a pass interference was not catchable, Marcedes Lewis pushed off, the original spot of the ball on Aaron Jones' fourth-down run was ridiculous, and I thought the second pass interference on Janoris Jenkins in the end zone was a bit iffy. Lots of bad calls are going the Packers' way and I thought more people would be talking about it after the game. What did you think of the officiating and why do you think the Saints always seem to be getting screwed by pass interference calls?
Because they whine too much?

Dave from Jacksonville, FL
After watching three weeks of the NFL season, the game really has the feel of college football. I don’t think there is a dominant defense in the league. The Steelers are good but have played three really bad offenses. How do you see it so far?
You win with scheme early, you win with players late. It's early.

Chad from Madison, WI
Nick Foles has accomplished more than several quarterbacks in the NFL, but if he has the ability to be “The Man,” why has he spent his career with five different teams?
You could ask the same of Kurt Warner. In the salary cap era, football is a game of replacement. As circumstances change, players come and go.

Pat from Seneca, SC
What is the most important position in a defense built for shootouts?
Quarterback, yours.

Chad from Kansas City, MO
How do you make a team play better defense? I know it's players, not plays, but who on this defense is a scrub? How is it they cannot seem to stop the run?
You play better defense by being stronger at the point of attack. Za'Darius Smith is embarrassingly soft at the point of attack.

Phil from Marietta, GA
I get the implied insult and humor in Cris Collingsworth's comment about the Packers defense being made for shootouts, but maybe he isn't as clever as you give him credit for and meant their strength on defense is rushing the passer and relying on a pretty darn good secondary to limit big plays. In a shootout, GB's shaky run defense isn't nearly as big an issue. Thoughts?
A shootout implies giving up a lot of points. Who builds a defense to give up a lot of points?

Sean from Chaska, MN
Against the Falcons, the best strategy seems to be to let them get a huge lead and count on them blowing it.
I don't think that's going to happen. I think the Packers are going to win big.

Jared from Rigby, ID
Vic, regarding the Packers game, what did we just watch? Two great teams, two teams flailing, two injured teams adjusting?
I think we saw one team with a quarterback in his last gasp and another team with a quarterback who has yet to begin gasping.

Eric from Hudson, WI
Why can’t this team punch it in with their 250-pound, second-round pick?
Powerful legs are only meaningful if they have quick feet attached to them. We haven't had a chance to see what kind of feet Dillon has. In time, we will, but until then we have to wait. It was the only question I had about him. Big backs are only successful if they have light feet.

Mike from North Hudson, WI
Vic, I know I'm opening up myself to be schooled on this question. With the current injuries at inside linebacker, how about signing Clay Matthew at the veteran's minimum to play at an inside linebacker position? Be kind in your response, my friend.
Fans commonly turn to older players with whom they are familiar to fill a void, but that's not how a team younger and better. Why spend all of that money on scouting if you're going to go backwards? Inside linebacker is a grunt position. Find a tough guy on somebody's practice squad, a player you liked and considered drafting.

Jake from Knoxville, TN
All but five teams this past week scored at least 20 points. All but four winning teams scored at least 30, and no team scored 40. Is this parity?
It's the "preseason," which is what September football has become. Offense is throwing the playbook at defense and it's overwhelming. The Saints never caught on to that play-action bootleg tight end delay pass the Packers used on Sunday. Late in the season, it'll only work once. Don't try to identify trends in September. It all changes in November; that's when the good teams begin to play true to an identity and according to the strength of their personnel. Right now, it's show them what they haven't seen.

Tyler from Spring Hill, FL
Another rebuild? How do you even sell that to the long-suffering fans of Jacksonville?
Losing football isn't suffering. Watching a football game is joyful, regardless of the outcome. The Steelers didn't win a postseason game until their 40th season, but through the losing years I'd get up early on Sunday mornings and start working my dad. "Looks like the weather's gonna be pretty good today," I'd say. "Layne should play well." Then I'd wait for a reaction. If I didn't get one, I'd ask, "Hey, dad, who do you think will win?" That would usually do it. "Come on, get your coat," he'd say, and then he'd grab a handful of Marsh Wheelings and off we'd go. We didn't go to see a win. We went to see a football game. Jacksonville needs some of that. Just go to see a football game. One day winning will happen.

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Fabio from London, UK
A colossal win, especially without Davante and Kenny. Old friend Taysom and Payton helped a bit in a crucial moment, but Aaron and the offense were nearly flawless. But sometimes the secondary was asleep on Sanders and the run defense still does not convince me. Kamara’s touchdown in the third quarter was humiliating. Should we be worried in the long run?
There's nothing new I can tell you about the Packers. Rodgers' command of the action is so effortless I found his smiling following yet another tight end delay completion to be nearly unsportsmanlike. If you like scheme football executed by a man whose talent for it and mastery of it are equal, the Packers are your kind of team. Should you worry about the defense? I think we all know the answer to that question.

Robby from Wisconsin Dells, WI
The Green Bay left tackle was shuffling his feet while in his stance. Should that have been penalized?
Coach Noll once referred to a Colts lineman as having St. Vitus Dance. Oh, the memories. To answer your question, as long as David Bakhtiari isn't judged to be assimilating a play, a little movement is allowed. I did notice, however, he would move his left foot forward just prior to the snap when the Packers were sliding and walling up to the right. Future opponents will see that on tape. He was tipping the play.

Kevin from Albuquerque, NM
The Packers are 3-0. Most of the remaining schedule seems beatable. Do I dare be excited?
Come on, Kevin. We're beyond that silliness in this column, right?

Sean from Aubrey, TX
How big was that fumble after failing on fourth down?
Sean Payton got too cute and it cost him the game. That was the perfect down and distance for Drew Brees. Why bring Taysom Hill into the game?

Mike from North Hudson, WI
Vic, in your opinion, what did we witness watching the Packers-Saints game?
I think we might've seen the end of the Saints as we've known them.

Pat from Collierville, TN
Do the Packers have a defense?
Cris Collinsworth said the Packers defense is built for shootouts. I'm still laughing at that one.

Pat from Seneca, SC
Does Nick Foles make the Bears a legitimate contender in the NFC?
The Packers have tough games coming up at the Bucs, Texans and 49ers, to name three. The Bears will have plenty of time to shape their identity before they face the Packers in the first of two big games. That's the best I can offer at this point.

Jim from Jenkintown, PA
It doesn’t feel the same running out of shotgun. Thoughts?
Shotgun, no. Pistol, yes.

Tim from Madison, WI
I never saw Marcus Allen play. What kind of player was he?
Graceful power.

Will from Julian, CA
We are both in our dotage; no disrespect intended. Do you find it liberating to be able to write about whatever you want, instead of just football? There must have been many times when you longed to do so but were constrained by your job description.
"Retirement Ask Vic" is, in effect, my memoirs. I think everybody needs to write their memoirs. It's a way of achieving closure to a life lived well.

Bill from Menominee, MI
Is it safe to say the scheme football we're witnessing in 2020 is helping devalue the QB position? Seems like most teams have a quarterback that's good enough or better to cause excitement. Bears were concerned, but they're (3-0). Patriots had nobody; they're just fine. Chargers starter goes down; put in the rookie. It seems as though the scheme is hiding the horses' faces on the carousel.
It's not scheme, it's the league's re-shaping of the game that has caused what you're describing. New rules and the player safety movement have made it easier to play quarterback. I don't think the position has been devalued, but I think a team can find the quarterback it needs in later rounds of the draft and in creative personnel ways. Gardner Minshew and Ryan Fitzpatrick are classic examples.

Tony from Green Bay, WI
I currently live in North Carolina and spent the last three weeks on a road trip to visit my family in Wisconsin. I had a conversation with my parents about racial inequality and they are convinced it does not exist. They spend a great deal of their time watching FOX. Is there anything I can say or do to help make them aware of this racial divide?
Throw a net over them, put them in chains, take them to a foreign country and sell them into slavery?

Matt from Verona, WI
Worry about everything, panic about nothing.
Worry is true accountability.

Paul from Apalachicola, FL
That home performance against an 0-2 team made me think: Maybe 3-13 can happen after all. Help is not on the way?
As I watched the game, I couldn't help but think the Jaguars are headed for a blow-it-up offseason.

Nail from San Diego, CA
What are your thoughts on what Kliff Klingsbury is doing in Arizona?
Mobile quarterbacks are the future of the game.

Brad from Spirit Lake, IA
On the stat sheet, a tie is obviously better than a loss, but what about in the locker room? Does it feel like a loss?
It feels like a tie, unless it was a must-win game.

Tom from Cambridge, MA
This Packers fan wants to know if you think the Mitchell Trubiski era is officially over.
Trubisky will be playing for another team in 2021, likely as a backup attempting to resurrect his career. I think the big question is: Will Nick Foles be the Bears' quarterback in '21?

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Jason from Austin, TX
Vic, in today's NFL, of these choices, what would achieve greater success: top five offense/bottom five defense, top five defense/bottom five offense, middle of the pack for both?
If a top five offense includes balance between run and pass, it can overcome a bad defense with time of possession as well as by scoring a lot of points. Seattle was No. 8 on offense and No. 26 on defense last year. The Seahawks also had a No. 4 running game that gave them a time of possession advantage. The combination made Seattle a playoff team. Conversely, Pittsburgh was No. 5 on defense and No. 30 on offense with no running game, and despite being No. 5 in takeaways the Steelers didn't make it into the playoffs.

John from Kirkland, WA
Bryant from Shiocton, WI, has no idea what he's stating about polio. Rotary started Polio Plus about 35 years ago and vaccinated millions of children in developing countries and the only countries with cases now are Pakistan and Afghanistan (India and Africa are now polio free). His comments are a slap in the face to all of the volunteers who traveled the world to give the vaccine to kids (including very good friends of mine with different political alliances). Why would someone skewer disease eradication?
They're wacko?

Tyler from Augusta, GA
Vic, please describe your first experience on Edisto Island.
I don't remember a first experience but I remember knowing very quickly, "This is the place."

Adam from Wausau, WI
Obviously, there was a big change in the black vote after 1960. From 1964-2016, Republicans averaged 10 percent of the black vote with 15 percent being the highest. If Trump receives 16 percent of the black vote, will you still swim Scott Creek?
There was no qualifying remark. The bet's off. By the way, anybody who looks at those numbers and doesn't think race is the No. 1 election issue is too ashamed to admit it. We are clearly a country divided by race.

Nick from Charlottesville, VA
Can the risk of injury be avoided with better/different technique, or is it just bad luck?
It's football. Injury is guaranteed. That's why predictions and expectations are so meaningless. Nobody predicts injury, even though it's inevitable.

Jim from Chicago, IL
Gale Sayers couldn't be encompassed in a single memory, but could you try?
I have a singular memory of Sayers. I saw him play one time, in the 1967 season opener at Pitt Stadium. The first time the Bears touched the ball, Sayers returned the kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown.

Tom from Wauwatosa, WI
What does GM Vic do with Aaron Jones?
I try to sign him, but not to a contract that would do to my team what Todd Gurley's contract did to the Rams. It has to be a contract that makes sense or I'll find another running back.

John from USA
"The experience left me deep in thought." Have you volunteered again since? Because the liberal mindset loves to think of the victims without acting to change. Unless they can loot some high-end merchandise in the name of the cause.
I'm a member of the Edisto Island Lions Club, whose members volunteer time for fund-raising events that benefit our island children. The Lions buy glasses for kids whose families can't afford them and annually sponsor the local elementary school's sixth grade field trip to Washington.

Mikey from Tallahassee, FL
What do you think about the league fining coaches for not properly masking up?
Good! How dare they think they're above wearing a mask, or that a football game is more important than public health.

Allen from Birmingham, AL
Vic, those of us who remember polio are appalled by the (callous remarks) regarding the Salk vaccine. I remember visiting with my father (a doctor) at the Crippled Children's Clinic and Hospital, an entire hospital devoted to children paralyzed by polio. The visit impressed me, and I still remember my Salk and Sabin vaccines with gratitude.
I'll never forget the kids on sticks. Every town in America had them.

Tim from Ocala, FL
Do you think seven wins is overly optimistic for (the Jags)? Or will the defense keep them at about five?
So, you're going to heighten expectations and invite disappointment? Why?

Derek from St. Paul, MN
So, I guess you would approve of baloney sandwiches for all of us. We should just strap in on Sunday night and wait for the inevitable to help us manage a soul-crushing performance? I believe FULL CONSISTENCY exists and will happen one day. Why not this week? I can't wait to bask in the glory. No baloney. Just win, baby!
I like to watch.

Aaron from Chesapeake, VA
Well, the charges have been dropped against Robert Kraft. What are your thoughts following this news?
As expected, the legal system failed us again. I'm more interested in the NFL's response.

Tom from Vista, CA
Do you personally write the all-important power rankings? It must be exhausting to write so many great hooks. The Chargers got unlucky! Who do you currently see as most surprising in the all-important rankings?
The Packers.

Chris from Jacksonville, FL
There seems to be a decrease in compassion and humility in our country. Can you talk about humbling experiences as a journalist?
There are those times when I interviewed someone who was speaking of an especially poignant or life-altering event. I remember interviewing a young man who had been struck in the head by a javelin. His speech was severely impaired. My questions were humble and measured.

Jamie from Thunder Bay, Ontario
Vic, what can the Packers learn from the Steelers’ defensive rebuild?
One player can make a change. Two players can change everything. It's not rush or cover. It's rush and cover.

Tracy from Sioux Falls, SD
Today my daughter called and told me she has Covid while she is in college. Does worrying ever lessen as you get older?
It gets worse.

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Here are my all-important Week 3 power rankings:
1. Ravens -- Blowing out opponents.
2. Seahawks -- Got a little full of themselves.
3. Packers -- Early test in New Orleans.
4. Chiefs -- Showdown in Baltimore.
5. Rams -- Impressive start.
6. Titans -- Defense scorched by Jags.
7. Cardinals -- Murray is a star.
8. Raiders -- On the way up.
9. Patriots -- Looked good in loss.
10. Bills -- Rams will test them.
11. Saints -- On the way down?
12. Steelers -- Run/pass balance.
13. Bears -- Another dog this week.
14. Bucs -- No criticism of Brady this week.
15. 49ers -- They're back.
16. Cowboys -- Energizing win.
17. Jaguars -- Thursday night spotlight.
18. Colts -- Recovered nicely.
19. Browns -- Mayfield comes to life.
20. Chargers -- This time they got unlucky.
21. Texans -- Season could be on the line early.
22. Panthers -- Rebuilding has begun.
23. Broncos -- Injuries taking their toll.
24. Vikings -- Awful!
25. Giants -- Growing pains.
26. Dolphins -- Improvement?
27. Washington -- Back to reality.
28. Bengals -- Arrow pointing up.
29. Eagles -- Collapse.
30. Falcons -- Quinn needs win.
31. Lions -- 0-3 on the way.
32. Jets -- No positives.

Paul from Apalachicola, FL
Well, now that we know Minshew is on the crazy train to Canton (whew!), who wins the AFC South? Tennessee and Indy have the best offensive lines. Is Tannehill better than Rivers today?
Paul, it's only Week 3; no proclamations are necessary. The only thing I can say with certainty at this point in the season is the Texans, the AFC South preseason favorites, are desperate for a win.

Braden from Milwaukee, WI
When coaches and players talk about in-game adjustments, what do they mean?
Mostly, they're describing scheme or technique changes necessitated by circumstances they didn't expect. The opponent's defense may be using a stunt or twist that wasn't on tape from previous games. Maybe the corners are dropping instead of the press coverage that was expected, or maybe the linebackers are taking especially deep drops instead of respecting the run and playing closer to the line of scrimmage. All teams make adjustments. In my opinion, the best adjustments are matchup based.

Aiden from Jacksonville, FL
Do we underestimate natural progressions of teams and players? Three weeks ago, I would have told anyone they are crazy if they thought the Jags could hang with the Titans until the very last minutes in Tennessee.
For some reason unknown to me, fans feel an inexplicable need to create an expectation for what will happen, instead of just letting it happen. If those expectations are high, fans are headed for a fall. In the Jags' case, expectations were so low, the Jags' 1-1 start has fans giddy about their team. Maybe we should all get up in the morning, look into the mirror and say, "I stink." The day has nowhere to go but up.

Jonathan from Poy Sippi, WI
Lots of puffed out chests in Packerland. I'm not going to downplay the importance of two division wins to start the season, but I think the Packers will face their first real test this week at New Orleans against a proven good football team. I think the baloney stops this week. It's not a winning formula to go down two scores to start games, especially against a good team on the road. At least the pumped in noise won't be a factor. I still feel like someone should have a decibel meter on the sidelines, just to make sure. It is the Superdome, after all.
Good work. Poop negative is good preparation for potential dejection.

Paul from Cumming, GA
How does GM Vic handle the running back position in this era of the game?
Draft them late and often.

Dave from Savage, MN
I've been trying to characterize Aaron Jones as a runner and as an athlete, or find a comparable running back from my past. I am struggling.
James Brooks and Greg Pruitt come to mind.

Alan from Albuquerque, NM
Was the Cowboys offense good or the Falcons defense bad?
As I wrote last week, the Cowboys have top talent on offense and a lack of talent on defense. Coach McCarthy will need to play defense with his offense, which means win time of possession as well as score a lot of points. That's a difficult trick.

Robert from Chicago, IL
Fifteen years ago, I went on a mission trip to Edisto Island to help fix up some houses. I'd been on mission trips before, primarily to Florida to help rebuild houses after a hurricane, but Edisto was different. It was clear the problems people were facing were more significant than something a week of naive teenagers putzing around a construction site could solve. For kids from an affluent suburb of Chicago, it was an important exposure to what entrenched, generational poverty looks like. Edisto is a beautiful place and the people we met were kind if not a little guarded but, like many similar communities, they seemed skeptical of outside help since they've been given such little support for so long. Giving places like Edisto Island more support and opportunity is a great example of what people are asking for when they talk about correcting historical injustices.
Two years ago, I helped a friend go house to house to distribute food from an Edisto Island food bank during the holidays season. The experience left me deep in thought.

Stephen from Jacksonville, FL
What do you think about James Robinson’s performance thus far? The Jaguars replaced the No. 4 overall pick with an undrafted rookie free agent and are seemingly getting as much, if not more meaningful production from their run game than they have in several years. Was it a mistake to select Fournette with the fourth overall pick, or was the 2017 run to the AFC championship worth it?
Without going all Tom Lasorda on you, I'll say the reason the Jags couldn't trade Fournette is because players such as Robinson are plentiful. The Steelers got a hundred-yard game from James Conner on Sunday and he was a third-round pick. Benny Snell got a hundred in the opener and he was a fourth-round pick. Aaron Jones is leading the league and he was a fifth-round pick. Unless a back is truly special, No. 4 overall is too high to pick one. Gotta get the big guys and premium-position players early.

Harrison from St. Augustine, FL
Vic, your assessment of Mr. Minshew seems to be a blatant reach, unless there is more context or intended wit. I don't believe we know that much of what he is or what the Jaguars are thinking about here and now. Maybe they'll trade him for players marketable in London rather than Dixie. Reality is he might flash and fizzle like so many before, but there is hope he might pan out.
Yeah, but is he "The Man?" That question must be answered now.

Adam from Wausau, WI
If you think this election is about fear of races, is it safe to say you will experience cognitive dissonance when Trump wins in a landslide with a record amount of the black vote?
If he wins a record amount of the black vote, I'll swim Scott Creek during a jellyfish attack.

Bryant from Shiocton, WI
Does Salk-like mean that it comes along only after things like indoor plumbing and refrigeration have the disease almost eradicated, and then the vaccine is the cause of almost all outbreaks in Africa and India?
You're Scott from Chippewa Falls who really isn't Scott from Chippewa Falls, aren't you?

Christopher from Hagerstown, MD
How great was the piped in booing of Carson Wentz in Philly? Thank heavens for some humor and perspective in these difficult times.
We don't need humor. We need cognitive dissonance.

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Marty from Grafton, WI
Before the season started, you predicted the Vikings were going to be the best in the NFC North. I don't want to sound like I'm chortling, but do you still feel that way or do you think it's only the second week of preseason?
At this point, I was wrong. The Vikings might be the biggest disappointment in the league. The Packers are clearly the class of the NFC North.

Frank from Wausau, WI
Winged Foot is no joke. How do you like seeing pros shoot over par. Great golf.
Bryson DeChambeau changed tournament golf this past weekend. He over-powered U.S. Open rough. All of a sudden, everything is fairway. Golf has to re-invent itself.

Gary from Stevens Point, WI
Are the Lions and Vikings really in this much trouble?
It's a weak division. Half of it is likely to get blown up in the offseason.

Jason from Hudson, WI
Is Aaron Jones playing his way out of the Packers price range?
He's making it impossible for the Packers not to afford him.

Morgan from Little Chute, WI
What are some things you can't do when your QB only takes snaps from shotgun?
He has to take his eyes off downfield to catch the snap. The shotgun invites the blitz and shifts in coverage.

Joe from Wisconsin
The Lions clearly wanted to stop Aaron Rodgers. Does this mean future teams are going to load up the box and dare Rodgers to beat them? New Orleans should be a good game.
When you have balance, you limit your opponents' ability to scheme.

Matt from Clarkston, MI
Does Matt Patricia make it to the end of the season?
No, and Mike Zimmer might not either.

R.J. from Tallahassee, FL
Vic, is Gardner Minshew "The "Man?" Jags took the loss but wouldn't you agree there's something there, or am I blinded by fandom?
Minshew is the greatest quarterback in the history of the world. Is that good enough? Can we stop the weekly "Is Minshew 'The Man?' " question now?

Nick from Milwaukee, WI
The Packers offensive line deserves some credit, allowing just one QB pressure on 38 reps in pass protection. Although the entire line was impressive in the ground game, Corey Linsey was mauling Lions defenders from his center position.
I give them credit.

Paul from Apalachicola, FL
We can see the Jaguars defense has rookie talent and little depth. What are your eyes telling you about Minshew after two games?
First ballot Hall of Fame.

Nicholas from Owego, NY
Favorite dog breed? Hint: There is no wrong answer.
I'm not attracted to breeds. Every dog is different and unique. In each case, their desperation was the attraction. They needed to be saved. Spring was abandoned. Jake was a foster dog. Kaylee had an illness. Teddy was salvaged from a puppy mill in Savannah. Etta lost her owner. They're all mixed breeds. So are we.

Carter from Fernandina Beach, FL
Vic, it is with great sadness I read of Larry Wilson's passing. He was a hero to me playing on St. Louis Cardinal teams that never seemed to be very good, yet, he was a five-time Pro Bowler and a Hall of Famer. Do you have any memories of him as a player?
I remember the chin and the casts on both hands. Everybody's all-tough team begins with Larry Wilson.

Max from Toledo, OH
Nice photo.
It's of Scott Creek at sunset.

Kevin from Albuquerque, NM
I've read about the "jock tax," in which players are taxed per game by the state the game is played in. Does this include the contract incentives earned in away games?
Jock tax? I paid tax in those cities and I wasn't a jock. All team employees who were at the game in a working capacity were taxed. The formula varies according to city and state.

Mark from San Diego, CA
Bill Belichick recently complimented Russell Wilson's play and noted how underrated he is. Can you defend why the Jaguars GM felt a punter was more valuable than Wilson?
The Jaguars didn't draft Wilson for the same reason they didn't draft Roethlisberger: They had drafted a quarterback in the first round the previous year. As I've written several times, quarterback is a unique position. You draft one, commit to him and then surround him with weapons you believe will help make him successful. When you miss at that position, there's a ripple effect that can cripple a team for years.

Andrew from La Crosse, WI
What do you remember about Bengals QB Greg Cook?
The Bengals ruined him. Joe Burrow is another chance to get it right.

Ed from Des Plaines, IL
Can you help me understand why Pitt's AB8 vaccine is not front page news? As you so eloquently put it, this could be "a Salk-like cure."
Academia's PR machine isn't as powerful as the drug companies'.

Adam from Madison, WI
Three times in my life, when the network showed photos of the Packers starting secondary, the comment "looks like a police lineup" was made. All three times all of the players were black. Thankfully, I've divorced out of that family, but I'd be willing to bet all three are boycotting because "football is their escape."
What if it was a white lives matter movement?

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Aiden from Jacksonville, FL
How did the NFL become a polarizing league?
Our culture is polarized and the NFL is a victim of it. Patriotism? The NFL has treated the national anthem with more reverence than any sports league in history, as evidenced by the event the NFL has made it at the Super Bowl. The NFL turned fly-overs into one of the military's best recruiting promotions. The 9-11 tributes the week following that tragedy left fans around the league in tears of patriotism. The card show the Packers choreographed in a salute to the military a few years ago was befitting the Super Bowl. This year, the league has elected to support its players in their movement to defeat racial injustice. Good! I've never been prouder of the NFL. Who isn't opposed to racial injustice? If you're one of them, you're a racist. Please, don't watch. Don't read this column. You're not worthy of the fraternity of football. Vic to racists: Get out of my column!

Eric from Brooklyn, NY
For 2021, the Saints currently have 45 players under contract and are over the cap by $80 million. Do you think they're all in hoping for an uncapped year, or is the train going to smash them harder than any team I can remember?
The Saints won't have any trouble pushing $80 million out. Cut a couple of guys with high salaries, restructure the contracts of young core players and do some voidables. It's not about pushing the money out, it's about when do the Saints want to stop pushing the money out? That's when the run is over and it's time to cut and gut. Drew Brees will define the time.

Braden from Milwaukee, WI
If/when Charles Woodson gets into the HOF, does he go in as a Packer or Raider?
He goes in as himself. Players go into the Hall of Fame as representatives of their entire career. They often will favor one team in their induction speech, but the Hall of Fame doesn't play favorites. Who will Woodson favor? I like him a lot. I wish I could've spent more time covering him. He's a true football man.

Morgan from Little Chute, WI
What would Vic have done differently than the president in regards to the Wuhan virus?
I would've told Americans the truth. If I believed the virus to be five times more lethal than the ordinary flu, I would've warned my countrymen of that fact. If you love your country and its people, you owe it and them the truth.

Bob from Marshfield, WI
How do you feel about Alejandro Villanueva's decision to put fallen war hero Alwyn Cashe's name on the back of his helmet? Could it cause dissension in the locker room?
I don't think dissension is the issue. Distraction is the issue and Villanueva has definitely made Mike Tomlin's job more difficult. Focusing his team on a short week will be a daunting challenge for Tomlin. This is the second time Villanueva has broken ranks with his teammates and in each case it was a gameday surprise, and each time Villanueva was treated with respect and understanding by his teammates and the Steelers organization. He is a war hero of sorts. He is special and he has been treated as such. In my mind, the special treatment he has received is warranted. I applaud the Steelers' restraint. Be that as it may, Villanueva is not Tony Boselli. Villanueva is an average-at-best left tackle. I would expect the Steelers to draft a left tackle next spring.

Jason from Austin, TX
What's the most lopsided time of possession game you remember covering? Was the score just as lopsided?
I don't have a time of possession log, but one game sticks out in my mind: Bengals at Steelers, 1976. It was the week after Terry Bradshaw suffered a neck injury that sidelined him for several weeks. Rookie Mike Kruczek was the starting quarterback. He threw five passes and Franco Harris carried the ball 41 times in a 23-6 Steelers win. It was like watching a nine-on-seven drill.

Samuel from Jacksonville, FL
Belichick's signing of Cam Newton was a genius move. instead of going with a below average pocket passer, Belichick signed a better version of Tebow to pair with his offensive coordinator who took Tebow to the playoffs.
Bill Belichick is the master of patching in cheap free agency. That's his genius; patching, not plays.

Beau from Lancaster, PA
Vic, can you tell us more about Terry Bradshaw's brother, Craig? I recently learned he was drafted by the Oilers in 1980 but only ever played in two games.
He was tall.

Scott from Napa, CA
And like a miracle, I suddenly became a Pete Carroll fan.
Coach Carroll spent a lot of time through the years in the homes of black recruits. Coach Carroll gets it.

Mike from Charlotte, NC
Cuckoo doesn't even begin to describe what's happening.
This isn't a joke, folks. This is our country and our future. We're staring at the potential of a second wave to this virus. More will die and they are our countrymen. Regardless of who wins this election, the next four years don't look good. The CBO has already said it'll take the better part of this decade to recover economically from the damage this virus has caused. Businesses will close their doors. Unemployment will rise. GDP will fall. We're all in this together. We need to stop treating each other as the enemy and start pulling in the same direction.

Tomas from Davis, CA
What were your interviews like with Aaron Rodgers? Was he stand-offish or a fun person to speak with?
He was informative. He treated me with respect. He answered my questions. I am grateful. Memories make us rich.

Christopher from Oshkosh, WI
Which team you covered in your career had the best balance between run and pass? Do you think this is still needed to bring home the trophy?
The '78 Steelers are the answer. They could still pound with Franco Harris, but the new rules allowed Bradshaw to open it up, and he had great receivers in Swann and Stallworth. All four of those players are in the Hall of Fame. The '78 Steelers had great offense and great defense and won their two AFC playoff games by 23 and 29 points respectively. It's not that way anymore. Do one thing very well, get hot and you can go all the way.

Jonathan from Southern Pines, NC
How about the old man; 229 yards, 3 TD, 0 interceptions and more rushing yards than Barkley? If Ben can just be the Ben of Monday night with this insane defense, the Steelers are real contenders.
Easy, now, easy.

Brian from Philadelphia, PA
Edisto Beach is 97 percent white! Try living where I live before you lecture us about fear of minorities.
I don't live in Edisto Beach, I live on Edisto Island, which is 34.2 percent black. They are by and large the descendants of freed men. In 1860, Edisto Island's population was 329 whites and 5,082 slaves. This was during the sea island cotton era. I'm not trying to make a political statement, merely attempting to familiarize you with where I live.

Jim from Maple Grove, MN
Is Detroit's fourth-quarter collapse, punctuated by the ridiculous TD drop at the end, a reflection of the same old Lions or more a product of the lack of preseason reps? What can the Packers expect of this team come Sunday?
This game could signal the beginning of the end for the Matt Patricia era.

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Here are my all-important Week Two power rankings:
1. Seahawks -- Jamal Adams makes a difference.
2. Ravens -- Picked up where they left off.
3. Chiefs -- Statement win over Texans.
4. Packers -- Impressive start.
5. Saints -- Defense looks fast.
6. Rams -- New and improved Goff.
7. Titans -- Big boy football.
8. Cardinals -- Got it done at crunch time.
9. Bills -- Arrow pointing straight up.
10. Steelers -- Big Ben looked youthful.
11. Bears -- Trubisky comes to life.
12. Raiders -- Carr has weapons.
13. Patriots -- Newton used his legs.
14. Cowboys -- Defense is going to be a problem.
15. Bucs -- Brady looks old.
16. 49ers -- Hung over?
17. Vikings -- Weren't ready to play.
18. Jaguars -- Minshew made big plays.
19. Texans -- Under-achievers still.
20. Panthers -- Lots of energy.
21. Broncos -- Lock is the future.
22. Colts -- Pass, pass, pass.
23. Giants -- They're going to win some games.
24. Dolphins -- Tanking again?
25. Browns -- Is Mayfield "The Man?"
26. Chargers -- They got lucky.
27. Bengals -- Burrow good in the clutch.
28. Washington -- Showed grit.
29. Eagles -- Arrow pointing straight down.
30. Lions -- The beat goes on.
31. Falcons -- Old and bad.
32. Jets -- Trade Bell.

Adam from Denver, CO
Did you see some of the latest research coming out of Pitt?
This could be the cure, not just a flu shot with limited effectiveness, but a Salk-like cure.

Scott from Chippewa Falls, WI
Hi, Vic, Scott from Chippewa Falls, Wisc., again. My name isn't Scott and I'm not from Chippewa Falls, but that's not important. What is would be the state of the country. I am a history buff, both American and world. All of my perspectives are based in history. You do not seem to appreciate other viewpoints, as most liberals do not. As the great William F. Buckley said to paraphrase off the top of my head: "Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other viewpoints, but then are shocked, disgusted and offended to discover there are other viewpoints." I know I'm not going to change anyone else's viewpoint, but I would hope you're not indoctrinated to the point where you can't consider and give appreciation to them. This is my last comment directly to you. I wish you well. You don't seem to appreciate them. I should say it's my last comment that isn't strictly related to the Green Bay Packers or football in general. You may hear from me strictly on that basis!
I think that's a good idea because this is getting kind of cuckoo.

Grant from Wauwatosa, WI
Vic, no crowd noise at Minnesota, no crowd noise at New Orleans, and Atlanta and Detroit teams that are re-tooling. What a way to open the first quarter of the season! The Matt Lafleur Packers continue to be a charmed team.
It happens that way, and then all of a sudden a team's luck turns bad. It's a reminder to us this is a game, not a science.

Kevin from Eau Claire, WI
What did Pete Carroll mean when he said, "We followed economics and rich white guys making money, and they put together a system of slavery, and we've never left it, really. It's never gone away. The really amazing thing I've learned is black people know the truth. They know exactly what's going on. It's white people that don't know. And it's not that they're not telling us. They've been telling us. We know what's right and what's wrong. We just have not been open to listen to it."?
He means we need to change.

Jamie from Thunder Bay, Ontario
Vic, which Rodgers will we see this Sunday, the one that did it all against the Vikings, or the one with the curl?
I don't remember many curls. He is one of the most consistently productive quarterbacks in NFL history. Against the Vikings, he showed a commitment to dumping the ball, moving the sticks and controlling time of possession. For a team challenged on defense, that's huge. I think we're going to see more of that this Sunday.

Eric from Lansing, MI
Do talents like Brady, Favre and Unitas have to suffer bad years in order to break their attachment to football? Or are they smiling all the way to the bank?
There was no bank and no smiling for Johnny Unitas.

Robert from St. Paul, MN
Vic, any initial thoughts on what you saw from the Cowboys in their first game under Coach McCarthy?
Defense is going to be the problem. The back end is bad and the linebacking is worse. The offense, however, can become special. Sound familiar?

Eric from Green Bay, WI
Vic, do you subscribe to The Athletic? The author sat down with unnamed coaches and evaluated all of Rodgers’ incompletions in 2014 and 2019. The author and coaches found Packers receivers left 1,200-plus yards and 15 TDs on the field in 2019, compared to half those numbers in 2014. What does this say to you?
We need that kind of over-analysis to know the Packers' receiving corps was better in '14 than it was in '19?

Kevin from Jacksonville, FL
Gardner Minshew took care of business on Sunday, however, my eyes tell me they schemed well and successfully hid his flaws against a weak Colts defense. My heart says he is "The Man" and he proved it on Sunday. Do my eyes or my heart betray me?
The Jaguars could draft quarterbacks in the first round each of the next five years and not find a guy the equal of Minshew. All of the indicators are good, but why rush to judgement? There's no need to proclaim he's "The Man." Time will do it.

Steve from New Britain, CT
Did Coach McCarthy cost the Cowboys the game by passing up the field goal?
I think he should've kicked, but there's no guarantee the Cowboys would've won the game. He was criticized for being too conservative in the 2014 NFC title game, now he's being criticized for being overly aggressive. Just win, baby.

​"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Terry from Jasper, IN
Vic, what did you learn about the Packers in Week One?
Nothing I didn't already know: As Rodgers goes, so go the Packers. You can say that about a lot of teams as it relates to the play of their quarterback, but it never rings truer than it does with Rodgers and the Packers. He was the offense and the defense. His management of the game was coach-like. He dinked and dunked, and then he went downfield to make the big play. His command of the game gave the Packers a nearly 23-minute time-of-possession advantage. The Vikings never had a chance to establish the run; they didn't have the ball long enough to do it.

Rich from Phoenix, AZ
Adams and Valdes-Scantling were running wide open all through the Vikings secondary, but was that the young and inexperienced cornerbacks of the Vikings or did Valdes-Scantling display more of his talent?
Only time can answer that question, but I can tell you this: The Packers didn't draft a wide receiver and I have to believe it's because they like what they have.

Nate from Naples, FL
Do the Packers have the offensive line to play LaFleur’s run-heavy game plan?
Power running games are late bloomers. How can you practice running the ball without nine-on-seven or half-line drills? It has to happen in the games. This was just a start.

Owen from Great Falls, MT
I see the Vikings signed Dalvin Cook to a $63 million extension. How soon will that train whistle come for them?
They're staring right into the headlight and, if this keeps up, Mike Zimmer will be the first casualty. This one is on him. He had all summer to prepare his team for an opener of critical importance, and he didn't have his team ready to play. He was pencil-whipped and out-prepared. The Packers were better conditioned and had a better plan. When your head coach is a defense-first guy, 43 points is an embarrassment.

Ryan from Stevens Point, WI
Did you notice any difference in how well the game was played without the preseason versus how it normally looks with the preseason?
The preseason is unnecessary, but we already knew as much. What I saw this weekend was a lot of screens, draws, delays, drags and misdirections. That's not-ready-for-prime-time football, but it's no different than what we had come to expect in any normal September game. Preseason games are a shameless fleecing of the season-ticket holders in places where there's a waiting list to buy tickets.

Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, which game did you enjoy most opening weekend?
The Raiders-Panthers game had a lot of intensity to it. I enjoyed it.

David from Maplewood, NJ
Maybe the Jags brass actually has a plan after all. Caldwell got a fifth-round pick for a safety that didn’t appear on the stat sheet while his team was giving up 38 and a second and a fifth for a defensive end who didn’t make the stat sheet while his new team gave up 43. Youngest team in the league is 1-0 and seemed to play a pretty clean game overall. Hmmmmm.
The Jaguars needed a win. They needed to stop looking foolish. As for the Colts, Philip Rivers threw for a lot of yards and lost. It's kind of the story of his career. Yards without winning can poison a team. Frank Reich better nip that in the bud.

Bret from Mililani, HI
What was your first impression of Buccaneer Brady?
His reaction time and anticipation are failing him. The first signs of that were a few years ago when he began sacking himself. Last year, I saw clear evidence of being late on throws. Yesterday, he was sacked as a receiver was coming open over the middle. He couldn't get the ball out of his hand. On that play, he looked like Unitas wearing lightning bolts. It happens. They all get old.

Ben from Alameda, CA
Do you think the fake crowd noise makes the casual fan happier? I felt it was a lost opportunity.
I don't like it. It's fake. It's cheap. Plus, I think the Panthers cranked it up a notch during their fourth-quarter rally. I have often been critical of video-game football, choosing to defend the integrity and charm of the real game. I'm losing the battle.

Eric from Lansing, MI
How bad was the football this weekend?
It was better than I expected, but a lot of the games weren't competitive, which is as I expected. The games I saw were "playbook football," which is to say more about coaches calling plays than players playing above the X's and O's. That will change later in the season.

Casey from York, PA
A chorus of boos for equality and unity. I’m not surprised but I am disappointed. You were right, Vic, race is (somehow) what this election is all about.
At least it's out in the open now.

Mike from Somerset, WI
Vic, I really like the saying it takes all of us. Black Lives Matter sends a message help is needed and why not me? I get it.
Until we make peace with our black brothers, we (as a nation) can never be the best we can be. Peace begins with an apology. We owe them that.

Ben from Phoenix, AZ
What camera do you use for photography, Vic? Nice pic.
It was just the phone. I have more photos. I'll post them. I hope you enjoy them.

William from London, UK
I hate to bring it to Jeff and to everyone else in Jacksonville, but there is now a daily TV show in the UK covering the Jaguars. I think I hear a whistle in the distance. It may be the horn of a trans-Atlantic ocean liner.
That worries me.

Jack from Middleton, WI
What's something you didn't initially care for but later came to appreciate?
Asparagus. I hated it when I was a kid, I love it now. Tastes change. So do attitudes and perspective. Set nothing in stone. Be open to change.

Randall from Ridgeway, WI
Trolls feed on attention and they found a feast among us. They didn't ramp up the garbage because they hate you, but because we rewarded them. Now, some of us are trying to blame the trolls, or you. Nonsense. Trolls exist. We know that, we know what sustains them, and we fed them anyway, We did this to ourselves.
Coach Noll said, "I don't want to get into that head." Don't let them get into yours.

Scott from Chippewa Falls, WI
You say do unto others as you would have them do unto you, Vic? Do you include those who burn down businesses and police stations? Rob and loot stores and private citizens? Do you include those who rape and murder? Do you include a self-anointed Marxist and racist hate group and its terrorist allies? If you support the mobs, BLM and Antifa, then you're not including them, Vic. You're giving them a pass. How long did the riots last in Kenosha? A few days, right up until federal agents and the National Guard showed up. How about Minneapolis? Weeks, but it ended fast when federal agents and the National Guard showed up. How about Portland? Rule of law, Vic. Law and order. Not giving a pass to thieves and terrorists or any racist hate group. Then you can say "do unto others," and "I'm not going to attach my name to something vulgar and hateful." You already have. Anyone who applauds someone publicly (urinating) on the graves of soldiers and police who have given their lives in the line of duty has, and that includes our national anthem. You also have attached your name to an America-hating Marxist racist hate group, BLM. Not my words that make them so, their words.
Scott, I'm worried about you. You're sending me multiple emails a day and they're all over the top. Please come to balance, for your sake.

Ross from L'Anse, MI
What is your opinion of John Huston’s film treatment of the Crane novel?
Audie Murphy was perfectly cast as Henry.

Michael from Milwaukee, WI
Vic, I love when you write about books. I read "The Moon is Down" and "Carlisle vs. Army" because of the discussions of them in your column, and I loved them both. What books are you excited to read next?
I'm currently reading "Jackpot," which is about drug smuggling in the '70's and '80's. Edisto Island is prominent in the book. Edisto's remote creeks were perfect for unloading a boat stuffed with marijuana. After "Jackpot," I've got a couple of Clancy books waiting for me. If you're a baby boomer who lived through the space race, I heartily recommend "Rocket Men" by Robert Kurson. "Apollo 8, Houston," came the voice from mission control. No response; dead air. Several times they called; Apollo 8 was overdue to come into radio contact from its journey around the dark side of the moon and the anxiety was building. I remember it as though it was yesterday. Minutes past; no response. We all feared the worst; all we could do was wait. Then came the response. "Houston, Apollo 8. Burn is complete." The drama was real. "Rocket Men" brings it all back to life.

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday and Thursday through the offseason.

Keith from Columbia, SC
Now that we have three wild card teams per conference we could potentially see one division have all its teams make the playoffs. Which division is most likely to accomplish this milestone first?
I think the NFC West is the best division in football.

Mike from Goshen, IN
Vic, I put "The Red Badge of Courage" on my reading list per your recommendation. I drive a lot for work and love audiobooks. Is "The Red Badge of Courage" the kind of book that needs to be read in the printed word?
I think Stephen Crane would say yes. In my opinion, you need to read the book, stop and ask yourself, "What would I have done?"

Eric from Sydney, Australia
I really don't understand the shovel story. What did he mean by all shovels are AA at the mill. Are "shovels" people with menial jobs that come from your bigger school, meaning your school's size was advantageous for football but academically a rung down on the ladder? And this realization made you stop your chortling? Or perhaps "shovels" are just tools used for digging and the particular shovels they used at the mill were AA brand and you nodded because you knew these were superior shovels?
The story isn't about shovels. It's about class distinction.

Adam from Denver, CO
What would the Packers look like right now had they drafted T.J. Watt?
They wouldn't have signed the Smith Bros.

Greg from Chelsea, MD
"Love is the answer, but you protect those you love with lead." -- Jesus of Nazareth
Nazareth was a tough town.

Fred from Florida
Did Chuck Noll engage in the kind of manic hours and control-freak behavior of other football coaches? It seems coaches wear it as a badge of honor they like to work 18-hour days. Was that typical in his era or did it happen after he was gone? Just how many hours should a coach work? In the end it seems to be about player procurement. Get good players, develop them and the dominoes will fall into place. What are your thoughts on this, Vic?
Coach Noll wasn't a sleep-in-the-office kind of guy. He secretly thought it was show-off stuff. As time wore on, however, he and his staff found themselves working later on Tuesday nights, which was the result of an explosion in scheme across the league. You have to make sure you have it all covered before you present the game plan to the team on Wednesday morning. Whatever it takes.

Pete from Minneapolis, MN
Vic, what's with all these presumably grown men fantasizing about committing violence?
Too many Rambo movies.

Pat from Collierville, TN
Vic, when looking at draft picks and free agents, how much is a college scout under scrutiny if the players he grades fail to make the roster? I may be wrong but it seems college scouts fly under the radar.
A scout is defined by his reports. If he misses the mark too often, he'll be fired.

Jeff from Jacksonville
You always speak of "take care of the future" and "jars on the shelf." Isn't this what the Jaguars are doing? The players they're releasing/trading are talented but the Jaguars aren't in a position to win soon, and by the time they are, age will have caught up with many of them. Now seems like a great chance to see what those jars can do. It's also a chance to evaluate Marrone's ability to develop raw talent, if the Jags look noticeably better in December than in September. Thoughts?
If you believe this season is going to be compromised by Covid, and the ticket-sales part of it certainly will, then this is a good time to blow it up and clean it up. I think that's what the Jaguars have decided to do.

Jack from Middleton, WI
Could you describe a tough interview that became a good interview over the years?
I think most interview relationships begin cautiously, defensively. Trust is earned over time. A subject needs to know the reporter can be trusted and will protect his or her sources. Media-savvy players and coaches develop relationships with reporters just as reporters develop relationships with players and coaches. Reporters test for truth and information, and players and coaches test for trustworthiness and loyalty.

Tom from Pleasant Hill, CA
Why did this seem like the most uneventful cutdown weekend in the history of the NFL?
We never had a chance to get to know the desperate dreamers. We don't even know who they are.

Robert from Plymouth, WI
Will you return to three days a week during the season?
Next week.

Mike from Florida
The couple of posters who got you to shut down comments hold personal animosity toward you and your views. They said as much, repeatedly, insultingly. They deliberately broke your rules and poisoned your board, manipulating you into shutting down what is otherwise a pretty positive cross-culture discussion space. You got played by haters.
I got played? The comments section meant nothing to me. It was my gift to the column's readers. Even if I was monetizing this site and dependent on visits, which I'm not, nothing has changed. The column is still getting the same number of visits. I'm not going to attach my name to something vulgar and hateful, and I'm not going to spend most of the day and night monitoring the vulgar and the hateful.

Chad from Kansas City, MO
Vic, how loud is 70 decibels? Is it louder when the game is on the line?
I get the feeling the NFL is headed for controversy on this issue.

Ben from El Paso, TX
Will the baloney stop Thursday night?
There is no baloney this year. There's no hype.

Mikey from Tallahassee, FL
I know in the past you have said, "I like to watch." Is this season any different?
I'll begin answering that question tonight.

Tim from Sun Prairie, WI
Can year-two improvements from Darnell Savage and Rashan Gary transform the Packers defense into a special one?
Gary is critical to the defense's growth. He was the 12th pick of his draft. He was selected to be a force up front for the Packers and, without a doubt, the front needs help. The expectations for him remain high. He must become a player of impact for the pick to be justified.

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD
I was curious what you think the Packers have to do to beat the Vikings?
Stop the run! Make Kirk Cousins throw more than eight passes. Play as a man plays!

Nick from Milwaukee, WI
Imagine passing on having Cam Newton or Jameis Winston for only $1 million so you could give up a fourth-round pick for Nick Foles and guarantee him $21 million, only to keep Mitch Trubisky as your starter.
The Bears are one of the worst-run franchises in the NFL. They are an embarrassment to a great football town.

Kary from Sheboygan, WI
Are you surprised by all the vitriol towards athletes who speak their minds? Do you feel the platform they have is even valid?
We all have a platform, which means we are all media. This is my platform. Thank you for contributing.

Brett from Lakewood, CO
Thanks for the time and effort you dedicate to your writing, Vic. You are my favorite writer. You speak often of the importance of knowing and teaching the difference between right and wrong and that love is the answer. What shapes your standard for right and wrong?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You don't have to be a religious person to understand those words.

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday and Thursday through the offseason.

Armed with little more than the knowledge of how last season ended, instinct, intuition and the willingness to guess and be wrong, here are this year's preseason predictions.
AFC East
1. Bills -- The defense is stout and Allen is ready.
2. Patriots -- Belichick will keep them competitive, but not much more.
3. Dolphins -- I don't see significant improvement.
4. Jets -- Unsettled.
AFC North
1. Ravens -- It won't be a cake walk.
2. Browns -- They finally might have the right coach.
3. Steelers -- They'll be a contender and Big Ben could make them more.
4. Bengals -- The Burrow era begins.
AFC South
1. Texans -- Under-achievers but talent difficult to ignore.
2. Colts -- Rivers just what they need.
3. Titans -- Tannehill fooled them.
4. Jaguars -- Minshew might be their best player.
AFC West
1. Raiders -- Surprise team in the AFC.
2. Broncos -- They have "The Man" and Fangio knows defense.
3. Chiefs -- Still celebrating.
4. Chargers -- Transition time at quarterback.
NFC East
1. Cowboys -- McCarthy makes them a winner.
2. Eagles -- Roster in decline.
3. Giants -- Baby steps.
4. Washington -- At least they did one thing right.
NFC North
1. Vikings -- Best of a weak division.
2. Packers -- Playoff contenders.
3. Bears -- Nagy coaching for his job.
4. Lions -- Get out the broom.
NFC South
1. Bucs -- Made all the right moves.
2. Saints -- Arrow pointing down.
3. Panthers -- Bold coach brings fresh attitude.
4. Falcons -- What's to like?
NFC West
1. Seahawks -- Wilson in his prime.
2. 49ers -- Super Bowl hangover.
3. Cardinals -- Not up to the hype.
4. Rams -- McVay preparing for his next job.

Nate from Neenah, WY
What can the NFL do differently than in the past with regards to promoting equality?
The league is doing it. I'm proud of the NFL for supporting its players by defending their right to free speech and expression, and for the NFL's campaign against social injustice.

Ken from Arlington, VA
Just want to give you a shout-out; column brings a lot of pleasure and chortles. I think laughter is really good for the soul and I tend to be too much on the serious side. You have a real gift for addressing serious things in a very entertaining way. Call me stupid but I don't get what the "AA" reference means.
I hung out at Nick's Pool Hall when I was a teen. It was a popular place for young men in my community, which included two high schools. My high school was Class AA (the highest ranking in those days); the other high school was Class A. One day, I was in a somewhat heated debate with kids from the other high school. "If you played our schedule, you wouldn't win a game," I said. A gaggle of senior men were getting a kick out of the discourse. One of them called to me. "Ketchman," he said, "in the mill, all the shovels are AA." I said, "Yes, sir." I knew exactly what he meant. It was a life lesson.

Tony from Casper, WY
"Vic, if somebody breaks into your home to rob you, do you feel it’s your right to defend yourself or should you just let them steal whatever they want and leave you with the mess? I have insurance." They're coming for you, Vic. Not for your collection of "Terrible Towels." That was the question, (expletive deleted).
Who are they?

Darren from Avon, IN
Hey, man, stopped by out of curiosity after your radical politics pushed me away. I see not much has changed, and I say this honestly: Don't let your family or yourself get raped, killed or plundered because you give an intruder benefit of the doubt. Love is the answer, but you protect those you love with lead.
OK.

Jack from Middleton, WI
What happens if a team doesn't submit its roster reduction to 53 players at the required time?
If it's an innocent mistake, such as something clerical or procedural, the league would likely fine the team a nominal amount of money. If the league felt the issue was strategic, it would likely take a draft pick. If the team completely lost its mind and refused to cut, the league would begin voiding contracts in reverse chronological order, and then hit the team with a crippling penalty.

Don from Torrington, CT
What will those of us brave enough to watch on the 13th likely see?
I think we're going to see bad football, but I also think we're going to be very thankful and appreciative for any kind of football to watch.

Justin from Zephyrhills, FL
Whether we agree with your political opinions or not, I just wanted to thank you for braving what I can only assume is a storm from your inbox. I disagree more often than not, however, your consistency and the way you frequently handle aggressive comments/questions with tact doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. If you were to have your first child about to be born into this crazy world in these times, what lesson would you find most important to teach from this?
Nothing has changed: You teach the difference between right and wrong.

Roger from Sun City West, AZ
I'm curious. If Pittsburgh is such a wonderful place, why didn't you move there when you left Green Bay?
As Thomas Wolfe wrote, "You can't go home again." Plus, even though Pennsylvania's tax structure makes it a good place to retire, it's a bad place to die. They take a big hunk right off the top. I'm saving that hunk for my family. That's how I protect the ones I love.

Eric from Tenvik, Norway
No question, just wanted to say thanks for shutting down the comments section. I couldn’t help myself and opened it, and regretted it, every time. I chose to leave the U.S. in 2003 when my daughter was two years old and there was discussion about whether or not metal detectors should be installed at the grade school she would have attended. I knew then the U.S. was too violent for me and there was no way I was gonna raise my kids there. I’ve been in Norway ever since, where the police have their weapons locked in the trunk of their cars and need permission to bring them out. When my mother has passed, I’ll never return to the U.S. I wish peace and health to you and those you care about, because there is no short-term fix for the hate that pervades the U.S.
I get it, but this is my home, this is my country and I love it. I'll live with whatever it decides and according to its laws, but I will also live according to my principles. I will not be compromised by the hate that's dividing us.

Chad from Kansas City, MO
Football is about to start. How will it end?
My instincts tell me it will end in some kind of altered and rushed format. If the NFL pulls off a season with a true Super Bowl-like finish, it will further separate itself from every other sports league on earth.

Jason from Austin, TX
Vic, throughout the years, I've seen you recommend different non-fiction books, but I don't recall you recommending a fictional book. What was the last fiction book you read, and do you have any recommendations for that style?
I love fiction. "Red Badge of Courage" is one of my all-time favorites and I believe it's a must read for boys. I recently concluded "Water for Elephants" and "Where the Crawdads Sing." I recommend both.

Adam from Wausau, WI
What if he doesn’t go to prison, Vic? What if the truth is the ultimate defense? He will be defending his reputation the rest of his life for how the media defamed him. This is looking more and more like Covington 2.0. I’ve lost a little respect for you.
I'll cry all night.

Tim from Fruita, CO
Here's my drawn line. I've studied martial arts for years and hold the highest rank possible. I've trained federal law enforcement and been trained by them. The best trained and most honorable never go looking for a fight. When you show up to a conflict situation armed to the teeth and wearing military fatigues, you are not acting in self-defense, you're looking for a fight. The real question is, who trained him to be like that?
His mommy?

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday and Thursday through the offseason.

Tab from Middleton, WI
I've read some articles that have created enormous expectations around the Packers, despite the age of their roster. Is it like this for all franchises?
No, only the ones that have Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback.

Jim from Brooklyn, NY
Is Pittsburgh a midwestern city?
Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh. It is its own geography. It's just above the Mason-Dixon Line but you would never confuse the Pittsburgh accent with anything you'd hear just across the border. Pittsburgh is in the Pittsburgh-Cleveland-Detroit-Chicago megalopolis. Does that make it a midwestern city, despite being geographically east of Miami? Sometimes I think of Pittsburgh as being an almost separate country. It's safe from hurricanes, tornadoes and rising sea water. It has a wonderful detachment from reality and stereotype. Most importantly, it's my hometown and it's why I am the way I am, which is to say very certain about the difference between right and wrong. As a wise man once told me when I was young, "Ketchman, in the mill, all the shovels are AA." In the Pittsburgh of my youth, geography was meaningless.

John from Anderson, SC
Last Friday, we lost the great Chadwick Boseman. He played a few high-profile roles in Black Lives Matter movies, like his portrayal of Jackie Robinson in 42 and King T'Challa in Black Panther. There is one quote from Black Panther I wanted to share with you and your fans: "We will work to be an example of how we, as brothers and sisters on this earth, should treat each other. Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe." I think that is how we need to view the world today.
Love is the answer.

Lee from Bettendorf, IA
What’s your take on the Jaguars this season and the waiving of Fournette?
I'm not sure what's going on. Here are the choices: 1) It's a cut and gut. 2) They're stripping the team to be sold. 3) They're stripping the team to be relocated. 4) Gross incompetence. 5) Misunderstood genius. At some point, we'll know which it is.

Aiden from Jacksonville, FL
I do not understand the Jags. Why release Fournette on his last year? There isn't really an alternative and he has been productive. The Jags' front office is saying they want cultural changes. Mind you, this is the same front office that brought all of this. It's quite strange.
Fournette, Fowler, Ramsey, Bortles and Joeckel were all top-five picks. Jim McKay might say, "They're all gone." That's five in a row! If you include Justin Blackmon from 2012, a top-five pick of the previous administration, that's six in a row! That's really, really bad!

David from Fleetwood, PA
Watch the video, Vic. Kyle was defending himself.
If he goes to prison, he'll have plenty more opportunities to defend himself.

Mark from Tennessee
Vic, if somebody breaks into your home to rob you, do you feel it’s your right to defend yourself or should you just let them steal whatever they want and leave you with the mess?
I have insurance.

Scott from Hamlin, NY
I see people on social media and in the media chortle at violence. They wish it upon others and are eager to inflict it themselves. What has become of us that we wish harm to others? What has become of us that we can't condemn violence on all sides?
The line is drawn. It's winner take all. Let's go!

Cameron from Lee's Summit, MO
Vic, why do you think the Vikings are the favorites? I tried putting down my green-colored glasses and I don't see a position group where the Vikings are absolutely better than the Packers. I see a lot of pushes or the Packers being slightly better.
I think the George Floyd incident will do for the Vikings what Katrina did for the Saints. The Steelers didn't begin winning Super Bowls until big steel left Pittsburgh and its economy entered the darkest days in its history. Pittsburgh got bad and the Steelers got great. Hard times fire the steel.

Taylor from Hull, IA
As you are an older American with some pre-existing health issues, I am curious about your perspective on Covid and NFL crowd attendance. Assuming a vaccine will work similar to the flu vaccine, what would the Covid death rate have to be for you to be comfortable with fans attending NFL games without any social distancing or masks?
I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed, but I do say no more than 10-20 million killed, tops, depending on the breaks. Seriously, you think there's an acceptable death rate? For a football game?

Paul from Gainesville, FL
I read this opinion on a website today: "Our national response to the coronavirus is the biggest failure of truth, logic, and honesty since the Vietnam War." Your thoughts, please?
I'm most appalled by our inconsideration and  disregard for the spread of this virus. Our young people, the spring breakers and party people, are a national embarrassment.

Sean from Aubrey, TX
Why is murder an appropriate response for property damage but property damage isn't an appropriate response for murder?
Neither is an appropriate response to anything.

William from London, UK
Vic, how do you feel about the Vikings making a habit out of pressuring their players to take pay cuts when they have little or no other options?
If it's OK for the players to press their advantage in free agency, why isn't it OK for the teams to press their advantage at cut time? You can't have it both ways.

Alex from Orlando, FL
Vic, should the Jags tank for Trevor Lawrence?
At this point, yes.

Duff from Longmont, CO
Vic, that photo is brilliant. Is it the fringe of a hurricane?
No, it was shot out of the back of my house on a recent morning. It's a more pleasant picture than of a man wearing a mask. I thought we needed it.

Bob from Australia
Vic, why is it so difficult for people to accept the current U.S. malaise has little to do with politics and everything to do with the incumbent being unfit to lead the country out of its problems? This has nothing to do with Republicans vs. Democrats; it's all about one person's fitness for office.
This election is about fear of minorities. It worked for Trump in 2016 so why not try it again? I give him credit for addressing what candidates had avoided throughout my lifetime. Race is the issue. The line is drawn.

Hugh from Sioux Falls, SD
Vic, this isn't a question, just a recommendation. I clearly understand your belief in free speech and I am in agreement with you, however, you have a person in the comments section who crossed the line using coded words in nasty replies to me, and crossed way over the line of common decency with the post regarding Mark Lee's loss of his son three years ago. This person needs to be banned forever. Just my opinion.
The comments section has been turned off.

Braden from Milwaukee, WI
What is the intriguing Week One matchup?
I'm not big on the importance of early-season games, but in a season that could be cut short or altered in unpredictable ways, the Packers-Vikings opener is huge.