Do you want to win or do you want to hug?

Roger from Auburn, CA
Vic, I would like your thoughts on what happened to the Packers regarding the free agent cornerback search. Do you think Gutekunst made a rookie mistake in only pursuing Fuller, when the Bears said they would match the offer?
It was a fishing expedition. You try to write the contract in a way that'll make it difficult for the Bears to match. They matched. No big deal. Nothing was gained or lost. As for addressing the position, the draft is a better forum for doing that. Free-agent cornerbacks are bank-breakers. If you can afford a cornerback in free agency, you can probably find someone of the same quality in the draft, and for a lot less money.

Joe from Los Angeles, CA
Vic, what’s more valuable, cap space or draft picks?
Draft picks are cap space because young players come at a bargain price. I want a GM who prefers picks over cap space; it would tell me all I need to know about his plans for building the roster. Free agency is a forum for patching; the draft is for building.

Conard from Washington, DC
Given the priority placed on high draft picks, is it fair to say that if a team drafts a QB in the top five and he does not become “The Man,” that draft pick was wasted?
Wasted isn't a strong enough word to describe the devastation of missing on a top five quarterback. First of all, quarterback is an expensive position, even in the draft. Secondly, a top five quarterback requires a commitment of time -- probably a minimum of three years -- before you can decide on his future. Thirdly, if you've missed on him, you have to go back and do it all over again. Missing on a top five quarterback can be a decade killer.

Kris from Stockbridge, WI
Are the Packers taking care of the future?
I don't see anything in the Graham and Wilkerson deals that raises a red flag for future caps, but I would also agree with those fans who would say the Packers need to put a little more cap emphasis on the present, because Aaron Rodgers is in the final phase of his career. I won't condone reckless spending, but I think the sense of urgency should be greater.

Darren from Hollywood, CA
"Get 'em good or get 'em gone." Lombardi kept his players feeling like they could be replaced at any moment, and is regarded as one of the great leaders of men in American history. I couldn't help but notice it seems the current president also subscribes to this philosophy. Gotcha?
Really? You want to compare our president's leadership qualities to those of Vince Lombardi? I don't recall any Stormy Daniels moments in Lombardi's time.

Leif from Frederic, WI
Vic, the Steelers have been (as usual) quiet in free agency. They have at least two glaring holes at inside linebacker with Shazier's injury and at safety with Mitchell being cut. Do you sign any free agents to fill those voids or would you trust your scouting department to fill those positions via the draft?
Inside linebacker is a grunt position that can be addressed in the more affordable stages of free agency. Safeties are generally easy to find in the draft. I think the Steelers still need to address cornerback, and those guys aren't easy to find in free agency or the draft.

Adam from Chicago, IL
Did you watch any of the NCAA basketball tournament?
I watch it and I like it, but I think the fascination for upsets has become kind of silly. They're so commonplace I have to ask: Are they really upsets? Basketball is a two-man game, and a lot of these no-name schools have the star ball-handler and the star scorer required to win on the tournament level. Basketball is a great college sport because it's affordable for small schools and they can compete on a big-school level. Virginia was ripe for an upset because it doesn't score a lot of points.

Jerry from Savannah, GA
Vic, what’s a “Drugstore Cowboy?"
That's old-school football talk for a guy who spent too much time in the training room. You can't make the club in the tub.

Mike from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Which one player from the great '70's Steelers teams would you most like to see play in today's NFL?
Lynn Swann would be Antonio Brown in today's game.

Frank from St. Louis, MO
Vic, I know we haven't had the draft, yet, but what do you think of Aaron Rodgers' current group of pass-catchers? From top to bottom, it's probably the weakest group with the least amount of potential.
It's average at best. The Packers need to invest a couple of picks in guys who can run and catch.

Anthony from Milwaukee, WI
Do you like the carry-over cap rule?
I don't like it because I think it allows for an uneven playing field in any one year. I prefer use it or lose it.

Tim from Sun Prairie, WI
The Packers signed a lazy but very talented defensive lineman to a one-year deal. He's motivated to get paid and, if he leaves, the Packers get a compensatory pick. What's not to love?
I like the concept. The Patriots have been successful with these prove-it contracts. They buy time and they also accentuate the replacement quality of today's game, and I think it's good for a personnel department to embrace that philosophy.

Bob from Kennesaw, GA
Is Green Bay winning the offseason?
Based on two free-agent signings? Ask me the same question after the draft. Free agency is for drama queens.

Randy from Medicine Hat, AB
Does the current Bengals/Steelers rivalry compare to the Raiders/Steelers rivalry of the past in terms of how vicious it was?
I think it does. The playoff game of a couple of years ago and the Monday night game from last season are two of the most violent football games I have ever seen. Football was not about the money in those games. It was about honest to God hate, and I'm ashamed to say I enjoyed every minute of it. Football is not a game for the well-adjusted, and I guess that's why it's my favorite game.

Matt from Lodi, WI
Guys like Jordy Nelson, John Kuhn, Donald Driver, Al Harris and Gilbert Brown are why we love the Packers. How do we cast them aside without (being sad), since we're not cold-hearted reporters?
Do you want to win or do you want to hug?

Lori from Brookield, WI
Why did Jordy have to go? He was leading the league in touchdown receptions prior to Aaron Rodgers' injury.
It was time to be new.

Curt from York, PA
Vic, I think Brian Gutekunst was a fine choice to succeed Ted Thompson, but I question how releasing an aging, slowing Nelson just so they can sign an aging, slowing Graham makes this team better. Would appreciate your thoughts.
Mike McCarthy wants a big receiver in the middle of the field. Jimmy Graham is expected to be that receiver. Jordy Nelson is more of a boundary receiver. He's a back-shoulder fade guy.