With the lack of offense this year, why is Edgar Bennett not on the hot seat? Put him on it. Put everyone on it. Everyone must be held accountable for our unhappiness. How dare they deny us joy? The fans of the other teams don’t deserve it. Joy should only belong to us. Bill from Sheboygan, WI
What is your new year’s resolution?
I want to survive the ground.
Tracy from Sioux Falls, SD
Do the Packers have the star needed on defense currently on the roster, or is he going to come through the draft with needed development?
Through the draft.
Dustin from North Port, FL
What have you learned from being new? And what is your recommendation for 2018?
I learned to kayak and to never stand in a kayak. I learned to live without going to a football stadium every day. I learned to turn a trip to the food store into a social event. I learned to love nature and enjoy its beauty. I learned to sit in a quiet room and let it speak to me. I learned the joy of living in a place where neighbors are family. Most of all, I learned to be thankful for all of the people and all of the games that helped get me to where I am. Advice for 2018? Try as often as possible to do something you’ll remember, because memories make us rich.
Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, what positive things do the Packers have to build on in 2018?
A high place in the draft order. That’s where you find the players who win games.
Brannon from Greenville, SC
I’m glad you are in my adopted home state, though I really miss you on packers.com. You taught me much about the game I’ve watched (my dad and uncle were at the Ice Bowl and I remember them coming home from that game screaming and hollering with happiness and frozen with cold). The current Packers fans really disappoint me with the “fire everyone” talk. They have lost perspective and are tired of winning (two of my favorite phrases of yours). I feel lucky to be in a world where worrying about whether the Packers win is my main, first-world problem. I’ve enjoyed the run and look forward to what happens in the draft.
This season was cathartic. This fan base needed it. It needed to know how the other half live. Nobody is above losing.
Jon from Bloomfield, NJ
From a business perspective, does anyone in the Browns org get credit for them looking like a decent squad in many of their 16 losses, especially in matchups against some of the league’s top teams, such as the Steelers on Sunday?
I thought they were disgraceful yesterday. The Steelers had top seed on the line and didn’t fear resting their starters. That’s the epitome of disrespect, especially when it comes from your supposed rival. I am continually asked when it’s time for a coach to go. I think 1-31 should do it.
Greg from Danbury, CT
Happy New Year, Vic. I began the year with cancer and I end it with a clean bill of health. My December friend is hibernating and I’m a little drunk on sparkling wine as I watch the NY Philharmonic on Channel 13. I’m in love with my wife of 26 years and my cats are asleep. Life is good. May it be so for us all.
I remember the day my oncologist said my chemo was over. It was the Monday before the 2003 draft. I didn’t have a hair left on my head and I looked like a wrinkled sheet, but it was a beautifully warm and sunny day and I raced home, put on my jogging shoes and hit the start button on my watch. I’ve never erased the time. It still reads 2:40. That’s minutes and seconds, and that’s how long I was able to run before I had to stop and nearly crawl back home. It felt wonderful.
Will from Salt Lake City, UT
What will you remember from this season?
As it pertains to the Packers, I’ll remember Aaron Rodgers’ injury. It defines the 2017 season. As it pertains to the Steelers, I’ll remember their amazing string of last-second wins and one loss. As it pertains to the Jaguars, I’ll remember this as the year the Jaguars returned to the playoffs.
John from Austin, TX
Vic, it’s great to see you back online; too bad I just found you now. Are you going to continue during the offseason?
Yes, I plan to continue the Monday/Thursday publishing routine.
Dustin fron Seymour, WI
How do you recommend the Packers “be new” going forward?
By replenishing the roster with new talent. The Packers will be in a more advantageous position to do so. I think this would be a good time to get younger and better.
Joe from Dundee, IL
Vic, if the “wolves” win and Capers is relieved of his duties, who are some hot names and who are some up-and-comers who could be the next defensive coordinator for the Packers? I have heard names like Vic Fangio if the Bears let him go, and even Marvin Lewis. Others?
Capers is off the Fangio tree and Lewis is off the Capers tree. Anything for change, huh? There are good coaches everywhere. Finding one wouldn’t be difficult.
Bob from Mystic, CT
Green Bay is positioned to draft a quarterback. Rosen and Darnold should be drafted 1-2. Who of Mayfield, Allen, Rudolph and Jackson would you select and why?
Before Saturday’s bowl game, I would’ve said Lamar Jackson, but I saw major red flags in that game. Mississippi State overwhelmed him with its rush and in almost every case Jackson responded with his legs instead of his arm. Before Oklahoma State’s bowl game, I loved Mason Rudolph. A year ago I thought he was a soft-arm guy, but this year he changed my opinion. Then, in the bowl game, he was wild, especially when he needed to zip the ball. Hmmm. A lot of people love Baker Mayfield but I’m scared away by the fact the Big 8/Big 12 has never produced a star NFL quarterback; John Hadl was a star in the AFL. Josh Allen is my guy. I liked what I saw in the bowl game. He has NFL toughness.
Matt from McNaughton, WI
What did you see in T.J. Watt vs. Kevin King/ Vince Biegel this year? I’m not sure if I am a homer for liking Watt more than I should, or having more faith in Biegel than I should. I like King, but worry about that trade being mentioned in a Hall of Fame speech some day.
First of all, I don’t agree with linking Biegel to King. It’s almost a way of apologizing for not drafting Watt. Every man stands alone. Watt vs. King is the issue and I think it’s simply a matter of rush vs. cover. The Packers picked cover. I favor rush.
Curt from Pennsylvania
The Giants howlers got Tom Coughlin fired. How’s that working for them so far?
I’m not opposed to change, but it doesn’t guarantee success.
Jim from Maple Grove, MN
Is it time to ask that age-old “Ask Vic” question? With the youth and apparent talent shift to the defensive line, could the Packers switch to a 4-3 defense in the offseason? Would the talent of Clark, Daniels and Lowry translate well into a 4-3? How would the drafting philosophy change?
Clark and Daniels are perfect fits as 4-3 tackles and Lowry is a classic run-stuffing left end. The issue is pass rusher. The Packers would have to find a hand-on-the-ground guy, such as Bradley Chubb, and they’ll be high enough to get that kind of premium defensive end. Be advised, however, the pool of stand-up rush-backers is usually much deeper. Yes, the Packers could make the move to a 4-3. In my opinion, it would fit their talent base because they lack the depth of talent they need at linebacker to play a 3-4. It’s all about that rush position. Do you want a guy with his hand on the ground or a guy who can stand up and be moved around. Are you sure you just don’t want change for change sake?
Brian from Jacksonville, FL
Vic, you mentioned the commissioner should be a football man and not a lawyer or marketing man. If memory serves, Pete Rozelle was a PR man for the league, yet, he set the table for what the others enjoy today. Was he more football man than was reported? Or was it a different time?
PR people in football are football people, not marketing people. They’re one of the moving parts of the football operation and they are privy to all of the inner workings of the general manager’s job and work directly with the head coach. Pete Rozelle began his career as the University of San Francisco athletic news director. He followed by joining the LA Rams. His background in sports was deep. Pete was first and foremost a football man.
Jillaine from Star Valley Ranch, WY
Vic, I am glad you are continuing to enjoy writing and sharing your unique insight into football. This may be an odd question but maybe you can enlighten me. What does it mean to a player when they get signed to the active roster for the last game of the season?
Late in the season, teams out of playoff contention begin building their roster for next season by placing players on injured reserve and signing new talent to their roster. It’s another one of the advantages of losing; those teams get a head start on talent acquisition.
Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, what are your thoughts on the situation involving James Harrison, who was cut by the Steelers and picked up by the Patriots?
Harrison lives and plays with an edge. It’s what makes him great. He’s not a loving man. He’s motivated by confrontation and he didn’t like riding the bench in Pittsburgh. Now he has a chance to make the Steelers pay for the slight. These are the men who make football the hard-edged game and business it is. Harrison is a great football player who may have authored the greatest play in football history. I love the way he plays and I’ll never forget his “There goes the wildcat” comment. My only regret for him is this move to New England could cause him to become a man without a team. That would be very unfortunate.
Pete from Los Angeles, CA
Vic, as good as it is for drama’s sake to have an evil empire in the Patriots, doesn’t the NFL have to do something about players forcing their way out of their team’s locker room to then sign with the Pats?
Blount, Bennett, Harrison; yeah, it’s a problem. I don’t know how it can be defeated without the commissioner ruling arbitrarily against the player and the team agreeing to suspend the player with pay, which would open up a roster spot. You certainly couldn’t suspend him without pay; that wouldn’t hold up in court. But the NFLPA would almost certainly fight a suspension-with-pay ruling. It looks like the Patriots have done it again. They’re just so much smarter than everybody else.
Ben from Hilo, HI
What’s the most disconcerting jersey switch you’ve seen a player make?
Johnny Unitas wearing lightning bolts. It was grotesque.
Maggie from Kenosha, WI
If you had to make an early Super Bowl prediction, who would be your NFC and AFC representatives?
Rams and Patriots.
Matt from Chicago, IL
If you woke up tomorrow as Coach McCarthy and had your job to worry about, family to feed, etc., would you change defensive coordinators?
There’ll be no more of this. You all got your cup of blood. This is a day for you to rejoice. Happy New Year!
