Sam from Sioux Falls, SD
Vic, what five-letter word should Packers fans have in their vocabulary this season?
S-C-O-R-E.
Bill from Madison, WI
Your mantras are "players, not plays" and "draft and develop because it's a young man's game." Where do you come down between experience and potential?
When you have experience, it's time to find potential.
Jon from Alexandria, VA
Why do fans convince themselves to hate the opposing team?
Because the fans love drama.
Matt from Green Bay, WI
Vic, not a question but a story I feel compelled to share. I struck up a conversation with a stranger at O'Hare; she was from Pittsburgh but wants to see a game at Lambeau someday. I recounted one of my favorite games in recent memory; it was the Steelers/Packers game at Lambeau in 2013. Everything seemed on the line in that game, which followed the miracle win in Dallas. Something about watching these two iconic teams play in snow, both fighting for a playoff spot, gives me fond memories of the game, even though the Packers lost. I didn't realize until later I didn't even think about the Packers' Super Bowl win when recalling games between the two teams. I think it goes to show memories are short and enjoyment of a football game can, on occasion, go beyond victories and losses.
I wonder how many fans, during the final minutes of the NFC title game last January, would've traded one of the Packers' Super Bowl wins for a win over the Seahawks.
Brian from Fulshear, TX
Vic, what do you like so much about half-line drills?
The contact; what else? I still like the hitting. It's why I love football. It's why I watch. If the hitting stops, I won't watch.
Trevor from Ocean Springs, MS
Vic, ever heard of the 2009 Saints? I believe they may prove your theory wrong.
Oh, yes, let's always use the exception to the rule to make a point. Have you ever heard of the 2010 Packers, 2005 Steelers or any other team that got hot late in the season and won the Super Bowl? Ask any coach if he'd rather have a hot team late in the season, or one fading at the finish. How did winning the first 13 work for the Packers in 2011?
Scott from Lincoln City, OR
Vic, it was reported yesterday the Broncos tried to trade Peyton Manning to the Texans earlier this year, which the Broncos quickly denied. If you were the Broncos GM, would you not want Manning as your QB for at least one more shot at the prize?
If the Broncos were to trade Manning, he would count $2.5 million in dead money on each of the Broncos' next two salary caps. His $15 million fully guaranteed salary for 2015 would become the responsibility of his new team, which means: 1) The Broncos would get serious cap relief; 2) Cap repair and rebuilding has begun. I wouldn't trade Manning. I've come this far with him; let's go the rest of the way.
Bill from Bluffton, SC
Did you know there's a website called Vic Ketchman is an idiot? It's a blog. Why do people not like you? You've helped me enjoy football so much more than I used to.
I'm old school and I ascribe to the NFL's PR mantra from when I began covering the NFL: Write anything you want; just spell the name right.
Colin from Lansdale, PA
What are your thoughts on Jordan Spieth?
He made the putt at crunch time.
Tom from Bismarck, ND
I kind of think of you as the Packers' mascot. Every now and then, I read your column and get mad at your idiotic answers. Then I sit back and say to myself, I just got mad at a sportswriter. You've actually shed some refreshing light on things. Thanks.
And thank you, too, Tom.
Frank from Fort Wayne, IN
Does it really matter if your management philosophy is draft and develop or free agent if you don't have "The Man"?
If you're draft and develop and draft well, you can be competitive without having "The Man." If you build your roster through free agency without having "The Man," you'll probably have the first pick of the draft.
Matt from Marquette, MI
What is your favorite beach?
Edisto Beach, SC.
Matt from Milwaukee, WI
Vic, what makes an offensive lineman a Hall of Famer?
Playing at the highest level for a very long time.
Jerry from Rochester, MN
Why is it illegal to spike the ball out of shotgun? Under center, the quarterback is throwing the ball at the center's feet, and the center is not an eligible receiver, but in shotgun, the quarterback can throw at the running back's feet, and the running back is an eligible receiver.
All of that has nothing to do with the intent of the spike play. The intent is to provide the quarterback with a quick and deliberate way of stopping the clock. That's all! So, a particular play has been put into each team's playbook for stopping the clock, but the play must be executed in a specific manner or it will be a violation of the rules. In my opinion, fake-spiking should also be a violation. I'm not saying quarterbacks should be forbidden to pump fake, I'm saying they shouldn't be permitted to pump fake in a manner that would be construed as attempting to spike the ball to stop the clock.
Aaron from Campbellsport, WI
Vic, get a TV show please.
I think an "Ask Vic" TV show would be kind of cool. I think I'll do a "Video Ask Vic" in a TV-like format. Hey, it's the "Dead Zone," right?
Jonathan from Hamm, Germany
Vic, the Packers have one of the most talented rosters in the league, including several well-paid veterans. Yet, Ted Thompson manages to retain a lot of cap space. How does he do that?
He's willing to let players leave in free agency because he's also willing to challenge himself and his scouts to replace those players through the draft.
James from Memphis, TN
I wanted to share a coaching story with you. I was too small and slow to play football but loved the game, so my high school coach talked me into being the manager. During my senior year, when college coaches were recruiting some of our players, our head coach told the coaches I would make a good manager for their college team. I wanted to go to college but my family didn't have a lot of money. Eventually, a couple of the colleges contacted me. I was a four-year manager for my college team, with a partial scholarship my first two years and a full scholarship my last two years. I was able to parlay that into law school and a successful career. I am always grateful for the coaches who are working to help others in matters off the field. Thanks for your time.
Thanks for the story. "Ask Vic" is a kind and caring place.
Kais from El Paso, TX
Vic, hope all is well with you. My question is if I'm banned for asking a stupid question, for how long will the banishment be? Also, is there an in-person appeal process, and will it take less than 10 hours?
Let's find out. You're banned.
Jerry from Des Moines, IA
Vic, when you retire, will us "Ask Vic" fans view it like Barry Sanders, knowing you still had plenty left in the tank, or will it be like Peyton Manning and know the deadlines finally caught up with you?
I'm gonna use it all, in life as well as in "Ask Vic." I want the parlor man to look down at me and say, "This guy had fun."
