Losing fires the steel

"Ask Vic" will publish on Mondays and Thursdays through the offseason.

Bob from Australia
Vic, "Contagion" got a lot of things right but differed in the way it focused on a narrative of mass public panic, hysteria and lawlessness, Could it be that an unintended positive of the Trump era has been the rise in the number of science doubters, resulting in less panic and hysteria than otherwise might have occurred in the present climate?
More get it but more don't care?

Chad from Kansas City, MO
The one person or sporting event you wish you could have watched with your own eyes but never did? Mine is Mike Tyson in his prime.
Jim Thorpe.

Mike from McFarland, WI
On the various team sites you worked for, did misery love company? Did you see more questions in the inbox after a win or after a loss? What does that say about us?
The two inboxes I remember being most explosive occurred after a Jaguars home loss to the Steelers in 2004 and after the Packers "Fail Mary" loss in 2012. I often credit the 2004 game as the night "Ask Vic" was born. Steelers fans overwhelmed the stadium. They called it Jacksonburgh. Their numbers angered and embarrassed Jaguars fans. It was a sensational football game that produced a heartbreaking defeat for the Jaguars. The combination of a tough defeat and a blow to the fans' pride created a surge in passion for the Jaguars. The "Fail Mary" inbox was all about injustice. Nothing creates controversy and the need to cry out more than being wronged. What does it say about us? It says we respond to hurt more passionately than we do to reward. Coach Noll said losing fires the steel.

Davy from Watertown, WI
Two first-round picks for Jamal Adams? I was even more surprised at this type of trade coming from John Schneider. He seems to have a good track record with drafts and acquisitions, but doesn’t this seem to be a reach?
It's Deion Branchesque.

Jason from Austin, TX
Regarding Carlton Haselrig, you said he dominated training camp as a defensive lineman and Coach Noll still moved him to offensive guard. Why not keep him at defensive lineman? Is having an all-star guard more valuable than an all-star defensive lineman?
In Coach Noll's pulling, trapping system, a low pad level guard who could play with power and move with grace was more important than an eat-double-teams nose tackle. Haselrig was the perfect player for Noll's running game and Haselrig and Dermontti Dawson were a devastating trap-blocking combination.

Gary from Stevens Point, WI
I had the pleasure of being at the "Ask Vic Day" you screened the Lombardi movie. I've told the tale of that evening numerous times since then. I'm sure with my first grandchild on the way, I'll get to tell it for years to come. Thank you for one of my richest Packers memories. It ranks up there with "How could he have dropped it?" and the Miracle in Motown and the first Packers/Bears game in 2018.
They make us rich.

Brad from Jacksonville, FL
Vic, we bought a camper in March, as my wife and I are both frontline healthcare workers and in case we needed to quarantine, but also because we have a now two-year-old son and wanted to make sure he was able to have outdoor experiences as we did growing up. Edisto Beach State Park looks like a nice area not in the middle of everything. I know you live near the area, have you been to this park and beach?
I live next to it. We have an ocean side and a marsh side. The marsh side would be good for you. Hey, just kidding. They're both great. The ocean side features a long and beautiful beach that stretches all the way to Jeremy Inlet, and the marsh side features Spanish Mount, which is slowly sinking into the rising waters of the climate change hoax.

Mark from Eau Claire, WI
Is it better to be pragmatic or idealistic?
If you can dream and not make dreams your master;
If you can think and not make thoughts your aim.

Fritz from York, ME
Why do many college offensive linemen use knee braces, but we don't see much of them in the NFL?
A lot of linemen believe knee braces restrict movement and compromise performance. There is no tolerance for compromised performance in the NFL. Less than your best will get you cut. In college football, the talent gap is much greater. A top talent can wear a brace and still dominate.

Ben from El Paso, TX
Among the players you covered, which wide receivers were the best at making their team's running game the most effective?
John Stallworth was an outstanding blocker; so was Louis Lipps. Stallworth's crackback block on George Atkinson sprung Franco Harris for the winning touchdown in the 1975 AFC title game.

Dan from Lindenhurst, IL
Vic, what are your thoughts on a reel lawn mower vs. gas or electric powered?
Real men get gas.