"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.