AFC South: Vic Ketchman
Mailbag: You won't believe what's inside
Paul Kuharsky: Has to be the first time in league history that someone leaving the publications area of the front office gets put into the formula people are using to say a team is sinking. You lost two assistants, and the guy you got may be better than them, who knows? Relax.
Alan Mills from Springfield, Ohio writes: Former Colts and Bills quarterback Art Schlichter latest arrest is only discussed on Ohio State's forum. Why is not on here as he played longer for the Colts then he did for Ohio State? I would really like to have an answer to that. It just puzzles me why Ohio State has to be the only organization having to deal with this.
Paul Kuharsky: Blogger’s choice, pretty much. I don’t think my readers feel connected to or concerned with him, so I choose not to go there. It would be different if they were still the Baltimore Colts, since he was a first-round selection in Maryland just before the relocation.
Tom in Brentwood, TN writes: What is up with the Chris Palmer hire? Couldn't they find some up and comer or someone that doesn't have any affiliation with the Titans. This move is going to set the Titans bad even farther than where they've been. If you're planning on going backwards for a while, I would rather have someone with a fresh perspective and an upside down the road. Seems to me, it's going to be the same ole same ole, just under a different regime.
Paul Kuharsky: Palmer’s not an exciting name. He’s got some duds on his résumé. But he has done some good work too and is said to be a good teacher, which is a major consideration for Mike Munchak. I know the inclination is to prejudge. But we have to wait and see what he does in order to deliver a verdict. It’s like with a draft pick -- you can’t declare a hit or miss until you have some work to measure.
Fred Dykes from Johnson City, TN writes: Kelvin Hayden is scheduled to make $9 million for the Colts next year. That is almost what you would pay a shutdown corner, and he is not one. I say they should cut their ties with him, or see if he will re-do his contract. [Justin] Tryon could handle his spot if needed. What do you think about Hayden's situation?
Paul Kuharsky: That’s a lot of money, but it’s also his cap number and not his salary. He’s due a $6.105 million salary and a $250,000 bonus. You’d be making a huge jump from him to Tryon. Being good as a fill-in and situational guy is a lot different than being good as a full-timer. I think they need a cornerback pool with Hayden, Jerraud Powers, Jacob Lacey, Tryon, a healthy Kevin Thomas and maybe a draft pick.
Ty from Texas writes: I have heard that if there is a lock out then it is a full work stoppage and there would be no games. Why couldn't the league just use replacement players as they did years before?
Paul Kuharsky: Because of the very nature of a lockout. They’d be locking out players. They couldn’t choose to lock some out and sign others they would let in. The replacement players were used during a strike. Big difference if it’s the owners stopping games or the players stopping games.
Detlef from Newport Beach, CA writes: Hi Paul, it seems like you do not give any love to the Texans. They have not made the playoffs, but most sports fans would tell you when they play the Texans, it's gonna be a good fight. I think getting Wade Phillips is huge and will improve our playoff chances significantly. What about you?
Paul Kuharsky: You got me, I am a complete hater.
No. What exactly should they be getting love for? I’m not in the business of passing out love to bad teams. You’re not going to find a lot of cheerleading or sympathy for pathetic play here.
Phillips, their new defensive coordinator, should help, but they have major, major holes on defense that will be hard to fill in one year. And how many years in a row do you want people to buy the this-is-the-breakout-year talk? Better to reduce expectations.
If you missed this week’s column, it was about new secondary coach Vance Joseph.
Shawn from Arizona writes: It seems like Munchak would like to install the West Coast offense. With the biggest offseason question for the Titans being QB, how does this style of offense change our approach with acquiring both a veteran QB and one through the draft? It sounds like Kevin Kolb would be #1 on the list, followed by Matt Flynn perhaps -- who do you see in the draft fitting that offense?
Paul Kuharsky: I’ve not heard him say he wants to run a West Coast offense.
We don’t know if Munchak coveted Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements as offensive coordinator. If that was the hire, people were speculating that would be the direction. That’s a big jump to say that’s the direction Munchak wants without Clements, who we don’t even know he asked to talk to.
Munchak can’t pick the offense and then find the quarterback for it. The pool of candidates is small enough without narrowing it further. He needs to pick the quarterback, then shape the offense.
Kingpin from Grinnell, IA writes: PK - Love your work, but gotta call you out on this comment from the mailbag - "Football is usually not baseball, where you unload a guy for picks." Baseball draft picks cannot be traded; think you meant basketball. Keep up the (usually) excellent work! – Kingpin
Paul Kuharsky: Point taken. I did mean baseball, but I know in baseball you unload the star for prospects as opposed to picks. That’s the comparison I intended. Sorry I was not more clear.
Joe from Blackwater, VA writes: Paul, love the blog. Check it too many times a day! Haven't seen anything at all about CJ though in some time. Any word on the Titans getting him a new contract since they reworked it last year to make him happy?
Paul Kuharsky: Thanks much.
Chris Johnson’s renegotiation was in July. So the Titans can’t do anything else for a full year from that. Hopefully the labor issue will be resolved and we’ll be talking about it then.
RTC: Bill Romanowski on Brian Cushing
Houston Texans
For Arian Foster, attitude is the key, says Nick Scurfield.
John McClain talks Texans and Super Bowl. (Videos.)
Bill Romanowski’s thoughts on how Brian Cushing handled things, found by Alan Burge.
Matt Schaub talked to Battle Red Blog.
Indianapolis Colts
Marshall Faulk could be a Hall of Famer tomorrow, says Mike Chappell. (More from me on Faulk later today.)
The NFL will leave a legacy in Indianapolis, says Bob Kravitz.
Nate Dunlevy loves Pro Football References’ piece on quarterbacks in the playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Vic Ketchman turns out the lights and we wish him well.
Tennessee Titans
Mike Munchak could make the rare jump from position coach to head coach, says John Glennon.
Mike Mularkey’s approach looks like it would fit Tennessee well, says Jim Wyatt.
Munchak might just be the calm in the center of the Titans’ storm, says David Climer.
Kevin Mawae has high praise for Munchak, says Wyatt.
Tracy Rocker could be a guy the Titans chase to replace Jim Washburn, says Wyatt.
RTC: Free agency shouldn't scare Houston
Houston Texans
Before he was a Pro Bowl corner for a Super Bowl team, Tramon Williams was an undrafted free agent for the Texans, says John McClain.
Cameron Jordan is the pick at 11 for Houston in Lance Zierlein’s first mock draft.
The Texans shouldn’t treat free agency as a big, scary bad thing that can ruin a football team, says Houston Diehards.
Indianapolis Colts
Super Bowl representatives from Indianapolis are watching and learning in North Texans, says Bob Kravitz.
This should have been Indy’s Super Bowl, Kravitz says.
Marvin Harrison’s Hall of Fame case shouldn’t be necessary, says Nate Dunlevy.
Looking at the Colts’ defensive tackles and defensive ends, with Brett Mock.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Byron Leftwich has embraced his second chance with the Steelers, says Vito Stellino.
Jaguars’ fans will miss Vic Ketchman, says Gene Frenette.
Ketchman’s final chat at jaguars.com is at noon ET Wednesday.
How prospects fit so far into one formula for drafting quarterbacks, from Alfie Crow.
Tennessee Titans
Mike Heimerdinger is upbeat about the job opportunity and his health and Jim Mora is expressing interest, say John Glennon and Jim Wyatt.
Bud Adams’ dreams for his next coach don’t match reality, says Joe Biddle.
Even with his team on the verge of a Super Bowl, Ted Thompson is curious about Mike Munchak and the Titans, says Wyatt.
Ray Sherman still has not heard from the Titans, says Wyatt.
The Titans are no worse off than the 2007 Falcons, and look at Atlanta now, says Bob McClellan.
Houston Texans
The Texans could hire Reggie Herring today, but he said he has an offer to remain with the Cowboys, says John McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
Bob Sanders could return with a restructure and six other Colts' issues from John Oehser.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Vito Stellino’s story on Vic Ketchman’s pending move.
NFL fans cheer the game, not the greed, says Gene Frenette.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans offered defensive line coach Jim Washburn a three-year deal, but he went to Philly, says Jim Wyatt. Offering an assistant a long-term deal when the head coach is a lame duck says a lot about how the franchise valued him.
Running back coach Craig Johnson could jump to the Vikings as soon as today.
Jags losing Ketchman, a major link to fans
Reporter/journalist/columnist/senior editor, whatever tag a person wears, when he is on the team payroll, most of us in the business automatically wonder about autonomy.
Can he write what he wants? Does he have special access? Are people inside the building feeding him things to spin in a direction that favors them?
Here’s what I know about him now: He calls it like he sees it, he does a nice job of melding his great knowledge of history and the game with new media and, most importantly, for a big share of the team's fan base he provides a tangible connection to EverBank Field and what goes on in it.
So it’s a huge loss for the franchise that he’s going to the Green Bay Packers, news I learned via tweet from Vito Stellino.
Ketchman's "Ask Vic" column and editorials for the team web site from games have been regular links in our "Reading the coverage" entries. And I know that's been redundant for many Jacksonville fans, because they read him before they read me.
The Jaguars will have a difficult time re-establishing that sort of connection with fans. It’s something they should definitely try hard to do.
Reading the coverage: Jags face critics, too
The playoff pulse is beating, says McClain.
Andre Johnson is just the second receiver in history with back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons, says John McClain.
Breaking down the win over Miami with Lance Zierlein.
Dominique Barber is heading to IR and John Busing will start against New England, says Battle Red Blog.
Does Gary Kubiak let his foot off the gas with a lead? Battle Red Blog assesses.
Indianapolis Colts
Colts fans are ticked, but Jim Caldwell defends pulling his starters, writes Mike Chappell.
More on Caldwell defending how things were handled, from John Oehser.
A city councilman wants fans who were at Lucas Oil Stadium to get their money back, says Francesca Jarosz. Dude wants his name in the headlines, and I won’t fall for it here. Get back to work on zoning regulations and getting potholes repaired.
The Colts move ahead and prepare for the Bills, says Phil Richards.
A look at the Colts worthy of a Pro Bowl spot from John Oehser.
The quotes from his radio show make it sound like Bill Polian was somewhat defensive. Oehser’s review.
There has always been a disconnect between fans and team, says Phillip B. Wilson.
It’s Jim Irsay who can and should say something here to soothe fans, says Deshawn Zombie.
A look at win streaks and how they don’t correlate to playoff success, from Zombie. Here’s my issue: Momentum isn’t measured only by wins. Are you playing your best heading into the playoffs? Is it not reasonable to want that? The Chargers could lose next week and the Vikings could win, but would you rather be San Diego or Minnesota heading into the postseason?
Stampede Blue: “By acting the way he has acted, and saying the things he has said these last two days, Bill Polian has guaranteed a Super Bowl win for his fans. If he doesn't deliver, fans will indeed demand his (proverbial) head on a silver platter. You don't treat people like children, say "I KNOW BEST!", and then not deliver without there being some kind of accountability. Polian better deliver, or else.”
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jack Del Rio remains steadfast in the face of criticism resulting from the swoon, says Vito Stellino.
Jeff Lageman fills in for Vic Ketchman and takes fan questions. We wish Vic, a great guy with strong opinions, a speedy recovery. I’ve been told he’s doing well.
Gene Frenette on Ketchman.
Is this 2006 all over again, asks Jonathan Loesche.
Assessing where the Jags stand after facing Indy and New England with Brian Fullford.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans need a reverse from Vince Young, says Jim Wyatt.
Unsurprisingly, Jeff Fisher won’t say what Chuck Cecil said to draw an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the loss to San Diego. But he’s really going to pretend Cecil was talking to the staff and not the officials?
Wyatt would give the ball to Chris Johnson as many times as it takes. So would I.
Nick Harper’s injury could benefit Rod Hood, says Gary Estwick.
The Seahawks are in sad shape, says Gregg Bell.
Get out the chisel, here's the Jaguars' Mount Rushmore
At the start of the month, in conjunction with a bigger project unfolding in its final stages on "SportsCenter" this week, I asked you what faces belong on a Mount Rushmore for the Jaguars.
You provided some great feedback with comments and notes to the mailbag.
The team's brief history and early success led to quite a consensus.
A sampling of your comments:
Harperslaw: You've got to go with Freddie T, Tony Boselli, and Jimmy Smith. #4 is up to debate. I say Mark Brunell, but my alternates would include Donovan Darius, Wayne Weaver, and even Tom Coughlin. The problem is after 15 years in the league there's not a lot of tradition to chose from. It's still a work in progress.
JvilleJag2: The four people that should be on the Jaguars Mount Rushmore is kind of easy. Tony Boselli, Fred Taylor, Jimmy Smith and coach Tom Coughlin. Mark Brunell was good, not great. The shortness of the existence makes it a little easier.
GoJags4362seats: Fred Taylor, Tony Boselli, Jimmy Smith, Mr. Weaver
Mark in Jacksonville: For the Jags the Mount Rushmore should be Tony Boselli, Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith and Fred Taylor with a smaller unfinished statue of Maurice Jones-Drew on the side.
BIgdawg1101: Tony Boselli, Fred Taylor, Jimmy Smith and Mark Brunell, although I think Jones-Drew will eventually be worthy. He is still early in his career so at this moment in time I would go with these 4.
Charles in Jax: Jags Mt. Rushmore: Tony Boselli, Jimmy Smith, Fred Taylor and Tom Coughlin. Coughlin (2 champ game appearances and multiple playoff appearances off the bat) is a close choice over Brunell and Keenan McCardell. Brunell was always more popular than his production warranted, and McCardell was great during his time here but was outshined by Jimmy Smith and didn't play as long here.
Seth Roy in Newark, Ohio: Jacksonville Jaguars Mount Rushmore: 1. Fred Taylor: One of the most under-appreciated, yet best, running backs in the NFL. He is the quiet face of the franchise. 2. Jimmy Smith: Easily the best receiver in Jaguars history. And one of the best players. Since he left, the receiving core has been pedestrian at best. 3. Mark Brunell: Leader of the team at the beginning, and a large part of why they were so successful so soon. 4. Tony Boselli: First player in the Jags' Hall of Fame. Epitomizes the physical nature of the Jags. I had a tough time leaving Tom Coughlin off this list. A defensive player should also be on the Jags' Mount Rushmore. Possibly Marcus Stroud or John Henderson. Kevin Hardy or Donovin Darius could also be on there (I might overrate Donovin slightly, because he's a Syracuse alum.)
Matt in Charlotte: Jags Mt Rushmore: Mark Brunell Jimmy Smith Tony Boselli Fred Taylor But to give Wayne Weaver the credit he deserves, I name the mountain Mt. Weavermore.
Jon in Jacksonville, FL: Wayne Weaver, Tom Coughlin, Tony Boselli, & Fred Taylor. A case can be made obviously for Jimmy Smith, Brunell, and even Jones-Drew somewhat, but those four were the four faces that people thought of on a national level when you talked about the Jacksonville Jaguars. Weaver & Coughlin built the franchise from the ground up, making it the most successful expansion team in the history of pro sports at the time. Boselli was the cornerstone of the young franchise and our first national "face", not to mention the most dominant player at his position in the league and a certain HOF'er if his career was not shortened. He's also the first & currently only inductee on the Jaguars' "Ring of Honor". Taylor simply IS the Jaguars. His career stats will likely make him the first Jaguar to gain strong consideration for the Hall and there is not one player who has given more for the franchise, than Fred.
Kenny San Diego: I have to assume that Fred Taylor, Jimmy Smith, and Mark Brunell will be the sure three on the Jags Mt. Rushmore. For the 4th guy, we should go defense, and I think Big John should be that guy. Maybe Donovin Darius, maybe Mike Peterson, or maybe Rasheen Mathis
Allen in Gainesville, FL: The Jaguars Mt. Rushmore: Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith, Fred Taylor, Tony Boselli. That's it, and it was fairly easy.
Oddest nominations: Jaxson de Ville (mascot), Vic Ketchman of jaguars.com.
Key debate and what surprised me: That there was not more debate. I think I got a bigger response on this from Jaguars faithful than the three other AFC South teams and expect there will be few complaints about the mount.
Hardest to leave off: Tom Coughlin's tenure didn't end well, but he did remarkable work getting an expansion franchise up and running and competitive quickly, and all four of the faces on the mountain owe a great deal to him. Still, I couldn't put him over Brunell, who was a big key to the team's early success.
And so, the Jacksonville Jaguars' Mount Rushmore is: Jimmy Smith, Fred Taylor, Tony Boselli and Mark Brunell.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Paul Kuharsky
Kuharsky joined ESPN.com in 2008 after 12 years covering the Oilers/Titans and the NFL for The (Nashville) Tennessean. The New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife and son.
