QB defines the quality of the game

James from Orlando, FL
Vic, it's insane what QBs are getting in new contracts. I thought it was bad with Osweiler, but the 49ers proved me wrong. It's going to cause cap issues with teams struggling to see who has to be cut to afford what they are paying the QB. Do you think, long term, it's going to hurt the overall quality of the game?
The quality of the game is defined by the quarterback. As I wrote a week ago, everything about the Patriots is ordinary except for Tom Brady. So, no, I don't think the money being spent on quarterbacks is going to hurt the quality of the game, but I'll repeat a prediction I made a lot of years ago: The next great breakthrough in the evolution of professional football is the devaluation of the quarterback position. Somebody is going to find a way to devalue the position. The team that does that will immediately take the lead.

Mike from North Hudson, WI
Vic, the Packers, by most accounts, are in need of speed at the starting receiver position. Currently 20 percent of the Packers' salary cap is tied to the receiver position vs. the league average per team of eight percent. Moving forward, there appears to be four options available to address this: 1) Look within their own roster. 2) Free agency. 3) Trade. 4). Draft. Vic, what option(s) do you prioritize?
It's a dime-a-dozen position at which depth can be achieved in the later rounds of the draft and even in undrafted and street free agency. Find your star receiver early in the draft, accumulate depth in the later rounds, etc. That's my formula for stocking the position. Expensive free agency is out of the question and a trade is unnecessary because that player is likely to be released.

Tony from Onalaska, WI
Vic, are you as excited as I am to watch skiing with guns again?
It's the official sporting event of the NRA. I think the biathlon should be expanded to ski and kill an animal.

Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, which winter Olympic events do you enjoy watching?
I like fall down and cry the most.

Brian from Odenton, MD
Vic, a long time ago, Walter Cronkite retired as anchor of the CBS Evening News. CBS had to choose between telegenic Dan Rather and not-as-much-so Roger Mudd. I would like to propose that your "Ask Vic" popularity, for people who value insight and truth, is evidence CBS made a bad choice. My pet theory is this decision was the most dramatic step towards modern news coverage as entertainment rather than as news. So, if you ask me, "Ask Vic" is popular because people really do value news, and if you give it to them they will know it for what it is. Also, no, I don't think you look like Roger Mudd, but I do appreciate your judgement, perspective and appreciation of things that matter and last.
The guy's name was Mudd. He had no chance.

Ben from Hilo, HI
In addition to the catch rule, is there anything else you want the competition committee to consider this offseason?
I'd like to see the NFL adopt college football's application of pass interference. I don't like the fact the NFL assumes the catch. It doesn't assume the interception in situations of offensive pass interference, so why does it assume the reception in situations of defensive pass interference?

Andrew from Minneapolis, MN
Vic, what do you make of this fake walk-through we're hearing about?
If the Eagles truly feared the Patriots would spy on their practice, then the Patriots' reputation for deceit and nefarious behavior has reached the point the Patriots franchise is bad for the game. I mentioned last week I blame the Patriots franchise for orchestrating Josh McDaniels' decision to decline the Colts head coaching job after previously giving the Colts verbal acceptance of their offer. In my mind, the Patriots are guilty of tampering and should be penalized by the forfeiture of a high draft choice.

Dustin from Orlando, FL
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Richard Spencer wanting to speak at Kent State on May 4. I know you are an ardent supporter of the freedom of speech, but I also know the events that occurred on that day deeply affected you.
I say let him speak. These types of events afford us the opportunity to identify our greatest enemy.

Josh from Dayton, OH
Vic, I disagree with some of your political opinions (though I think we are at least allies on free speech), but I find your football insight to be the best in journalism today, and it's not close. Missed you when you left the Jags and I still have a hole in my cupboard from the "Ask Vic" mug my roommate broke a few years ago; the only mug I really cared about in the whole cupboard. Whether I agree with a given opinion or not, I respect a man who makes his own and speaks his mind with no thought of gain or appeasement. This is one of the best sites on the Internet because of what you bring to the table, and the traffic spike is deserved.
I'm flattered by your kind words. Some of my best friends are conservatives.

Dan from Orlando, FL
Vic, I was comparing the Jaguars all-time stats, and the 1999 defense allowed 51 fewer points than the 2017 defense, despite the '17 team having an easy schedule. Do you remember anything special about the '99 defense?
Dom Capers applied the principles of a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 alignment. He used Tony Brackens as a hand-on-the-ground, 3-4 outside linebacker.

Jerry from Savannah, GA
What is the truth?
The truth is the pure defense.

Jimmy from Jacksonville, FL
Rumor is the Jags will be major players in the Cousins sweepstake. In your opinion, is Cousins "The Man?"
He's borderline on the skill set, but his contract will make him "The Man."

Richard from Clearwater, MN
Packers fans like to worry, so it's no surprise there's concern over Rodgers not having signed an extension at this point. We know Rodgers is savvy and well aware of QB salaries being on the rise, so wouldn't you expect him to wait until the prized free agent QBs sign so he can become the highest paid QB of the week?
I don't get the rush on this. He's under contract for two more years. I'd let the deal ride and if he's still playing at a high level following the 2019 season, I'd franchise him. At his age and given his collarbone surgery, I'd be reluctant to commit to a cap-killing new contract.

Jon from Wright City, MO
I miss your “OK” answers. Thanks for all your insight, knowledge and perspective. I hope you're wrong about Aaron Rodgers, but I feel you’re right, as always.
OK.

Josh from Atlanta, GA
Vic, can you please do us a favor? When you pass away, can you have someone write your funeral information on this site? I know this sounds weird, but your funeral might be the happiest one ever, which I mean in a good way.
I'll make a note to myself: "Tell people when I die."

Russ from Chicago, IL
Some friends and I are making a golf trip to Myrtle Beach in April. What courses would you suggest we play?
Grande Dunes, Thistle and Heathland are three of my favorites.

Dan from Waupun, WI
Was this Super Bowl good for modern football?
It was good for women and children. Nobody hit anybody especially hard. The league likes that.

Jim from Oakland, CA
Surely you see the irony of calling Brady the GOAT and then saying you can't compare quarterbacks from different eras.
I think my words were that you can't compare quarterbacks from different eras statistically. I've covered quarterbacks in five decades. Those that played in the pre-1978 rules changes era must be treated completely different from those that have played in the pass-friendly era.