Trading makes sense if the cost isn't too high

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

Jerry from Savannah, GA
Vic, how do you like the color rush on Thursday nights?
I liked the Vikings' uniforms last night. I like colorful uniforms.

Craig from Cedarburg, WI
Do you give the Badgers any chance of beating the Buckeyes?
They have to run the ball, dominate time of possession and get some takeaways for them to have any chance of winning.

Loftur from Columbus, OH
Vic, you need to step into 2019 when it comes to your offensive and defensive rankings. Total yards is a completely useless stat! Context matters. Football Outsiders do great work in analyzing every play of every game and the actual effect the yards have. A 5 -yard run on third-and-12 isn't the same as a 5-yard run on third-and-two. This is all taken into account by them. Here are their rankings: Packers are third on offense (sixth run, fifth pass) and seventh on defense (19th run, sixth pass). Jaguars are 11th on offense (21st run, 10th pass) and 17th on defense (27th run, ninth pass). Steelers are 22nd on offense (24th run, 19th pass) and ninth on defense (15th run and 10th pass). These numbers tell me the Packers are very good across the board except in the least important part, rushing defense. The Jaguars have hope because of a decent offense, plus, being top 10 in passing and stopping the pass. The Steelers' plan of building their defense is working and it's a shame their offense lost Roethlisberger because who knows how good they would be there with him playing.
OK.

Lance from Phoenix, AZ
I don't know what they put in the water in South Carolina. The statement "the two ones the Jaguars stole from the Rams" deserves ridicule. Jalen Ramsey is a top 10 player in the NFL and is on a rookie contract. The Rams will probably make the playoffs, making the first pick a bottom-half pick. They traded a top 10 player on his rookie contract for two bottom-half first-rounders. Vic, do not visit any used car dealerships in the future.
OK.

Vincent from Seattle, WA
Vic, did you ever think you would see this flurry of in-season trades like we see this year in the NFL?
It doesn't completely surprise me. It makes sense for a team needing to repair its roster and its salary cap, or for a team needing to patch a weakness, since the player's bonus amortization remains with the team that traded him. Provided the cost isn't too high, I think trading for a player is a better acquisition strategy than shopping in free agency, because it's cap friendly.

Rafael from Freetown, Sierra Leone
Vic, I see in your power rankings you use team names for all the teams except Washington, where you use the city instead of the name. Is it because you don`t agree with the approach of the owner in the battle over the team`s name?
I don't like the idea of referring to a race of people according to the color of their skin. There are times I absent-mindedly use the name of Washington's team, and for that I apologize to those who might be offended, but please know my position on this issue favors changing the team name.

Malcolm from Chicago, IL
It's pretty apparent the Bears messed up drafting Trubisky so high. They could have gotten Mahomes instead. How long would you give Trubisky before you look for another QB?
At times this past Sunday, I saw him favor his labrum injury; I suspect he's headed for labrum surgery. I wouldn't quit on him until he's healthy and he has a chance to hold onto his job. Be that as it may, I think the Bears need to consider all options in strengthening their quarterback position, including drafting one next spring.

Dave from Savage, MN
Were you around when the Steelers came up with their current uniform design? It seemed to be a big improvement back then and it still works for me now. Any stories around it?
I liked the uniforms of my youth, which included a yellow helmet with a black stripe. The current uniforms evolved in the 1960's, triggered by adopting the steel logo in the early '60's.

Steve from Graz, Austria
Vic, I learned your job as a writer kept you from being a fan of a sports team, but what were your most intense fan experiences, both positive or negative, joyful or heartbreaking in your life.
Mazeroski's home run in the 1960 World Series was my first and probably most joyful fan experience. I was nine years old and the '60 Pirates were my first love affair with a sports team. A couple of years later, my hometown's high school football team lost a game that broke my heart. I felt deep sadness for Packers fans following the crushing loss in Seattle in the 2014 NFC title game.

Ryan from Green Bay, WI
Vic, I will never be able to take a mainstream article about football seriously after reading your column. I read an article today about assistant coach of the year nominations and the top three contenders were San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, New Orleans’ defensive coordinator and Mike Pettine. It seems as though when you start to rack up first-round draft picks on one side of the ball, you become a better coach. Mainstream media is just fluff. Tell the real story.
Players, not plays.

Fred from Florida
There is some hand-wringing amongst my fellow Jags fans about losing Jalen Ramsey. I think this is a great trade. From your comments I believe you do as well. Can you elaborate on your feelings.
He lied to his teammates. He betrayed them. He walked out on them every bit as much as Antonio Brown walked out on the Steelers last season. It was over in Jacksonville for Ramsey. Betrayal is seldom forgiven and never forgotten. The Jaguars recovered full value and more for a player they had to move.

Brent from Nova Scotia, Canada
I feel as though the Packers are one player away from making a playoff push. What position would GM Vic choose or not choose to pursue with Saturday's trade deadline looming?
They should pursue any player who would make the Packers a better team and whose cost wouldn't damage the team's future.

Bob from Monticello Conte Otto, Italy
Vic, what do you consider the optimum weather to attend an NFL game in the stands?
Temperatures in the 50's, cloudy skies and no wind.

Jacob from Green Bay, WI
Everyone is talking about how good a job LaFleur has done this year. Not to discount what he’s done, but how much credit should be given to Nathaniel Hackett?
Great credit should be given. Great credit was not given when Nathaniel's quarterback was Blake Bortles.

Doug from Union Grove, WI
You are at your funniest when you're serious.
OK.

​Curt from Portland, OR
What are your early impressions of Matt LaFleur?
His teams have been ready to play. That's a coach's No. 1 responsibility and LaFleur has been equal to it.