Offensive tackle Tony Pashos answers questions from fans in the second part of this three part special feature.
Dean from Roseland, VA:
If you had to switch positions would it be more difficult for you to switch to left tackle, guard or center?
Tony: It would be weird to play left tackle, but I could handle it. I was blessed with size and athleticism so I think I can play any position across the board. I am really hoping a coach one day realizes what a stud defensive lineman I would be and transfers me over.
Julio from Riverside, CA:
What player do you like blocking against?
Tony: I love blocking against them all, I prefer the tired ones the best though.
Nick from Jacksonville:
What's the difference between holding and not holding? Every time they show a close up of an offensive lineman it looks like they are holding the DT or DE on their shoulder pads?
Tony: There is no such thing as holding on offense.
Nick from Jacksonville:
Who is the best defensive lineman that you have ever played against?
Tony: I have played against many great players. When I go into a game I try to treat each opponent like they could beat me at any time, it keeps me on my toes. I can't just say there is one that stands out over all the rest. They are all pretty damn good.
Chris from Jacksonville:
What's your motivation?
Tony: What motivates me is my love for this game and everything it has to offer me, and the pride I take it doing my job.
William from Jacksonville:
Is having chemistry along the offensive line overrated?
Tony: You need chemistry in every relationship in life and amongst your teammates it is important, but amongst the offensive line it is vital. We are five guys playing one big position; we have to be on the same page.
Mike from Elk City, OK:
When you came to the Jaguars you were ready to start. Is there a lot of learning to do when making the switch to a new team?
Tony: I was definitely ready to start but it almost felt like my rookie year all over again having to learn so many things again. Once I got the grasp of it all it became easier for me to focus on just football again.
Brian from Jacksonville:
One of my favorite movie scenes is from Invincible when Papale walks into his dorm room to find the Eagles center as his new roommate. The center makes the comment that "he hates everyone." Is that the type of mindset that an offensive lineman takes onto the field?
Tony: It's the definitely the mindset that I have during a game. Sometimes I work myself up so much that I think of the worst things about the guy over me because it helps me want to punish him.
Shane from Macy, IN:
On a scale from 1 to 10, how fun is it to pancake a defender?
Tony: It's probably a 100 to pancake somebody else. It is the ultimate feeling.
Terry from Jacksonville:
Who is the best active defensive end you have faced?
Tony: Once again all the defensive ends are very capable of making plays, in my mind there isn't just one you can call the best. I will say that a small pass rusher at a loud stadium is the hardest, regardless of who it is.
Mike from Orlando:
How much trash talk goes on before the ball is snapped and after the play is over?
Tony: There usually isn't a whole lot of smack talk going on during the game and like I said before it usually is the linebackers who do it. It's never during plays, only between and usually in the beginning or towards the end of the game, depending on the outcome.
Wes from Warwick, RI:
Now that we are starting to jell nicely along the offensive line, will it take long to 're-jell' since we have two players coming back from injuries?
Tony: The bye week is a good time to get used to each other again. I don't think it will take long at all, maybe ten minutes.
Matt from Gilbert, AZ:
Does it bother you that offensive linemen don't get enough credit for what they do?
Tony: Doesn't bother me at all. With offensive line it is all about pride, that's why you do it; not for the glory.
David from Jacksonville:
What is it like blocking in a true two-back system? Do you find yourself doing things a little different for each back?
Tony: I love blocking for our backs. It actually makes it harder on the defenses having to defend two great backs instead of just one. They just can't get used to one person. They have two coming at them. My job never changes: Open holes and hurt people regardless of who is running behind you.
Jake from Jacksonville:
How much trash talking goes on out of the field? What's the funniest thing a defensive player has said to you?
Tony: Not a ton of talking going on. During last year's Raiders game I had some things said to me that I can't repeat here. But they will be all in my book.
Paul from Jacksonville:
If you know you are about to get beat in your matchup, do you risk the holding call to keep your man from getting to the quarterback? What factors go into the decision?
Tony: It is better to hold and keep the quarterback on the field. You can always bounce back from the penalty. But you can't bounce back if your quarterback is carted off the field.
Artie from Portland, ME:
Why do you still wear the older facemask with the vertical bar down the center of your face?
Tony: Tony: No reason to change it. I've been wearing it my entire career.
Mike from Jacksonville:
Is there any reason why you wear number 79?
Tony: That's the number they gave me my first year at Illinois.
Amar from New Orleans, LA:
As a lineman, do you find your physical strength or footwork your greatest asset?
Tony: You have to have both. I played with guys that were fast but not as strong and they were able to put themselves in position to make the block but never could because they weren't strong enough. You have to have both to achieve as an offensive lineman.
Robert from Glendale, CA:
What has been your greatest frustration so far this season?
Tony: Losing is the most frustrating thing, period. When we lost I ran every play over in my head thinking about how much better I could've done. It definitely hurts to lose and that will always be the most frustrating.
Ryan from Orange Park:
What does it mean to have a dominant center like Brad Meester back after the bye week?
Tony: Having Brad back for us will be huge. And that is no way an insult to Dennis Norman. Dennis has been doing a great job for us, but everyone inside our locker room knows Brad is a great player and a leader for us and you have to have guys like Brad on the field.
Billy from Lima, NY:
How do you prepare for a great pass rusher mentally and physically?
Tony: Both, this game is both mental and physical.
Richard from Jacksonville:
How sore is your body the next day after clashing with defensive linemen throughout the whole game?
Tony: Very sore. That's where training, diet, rest, and treatment will help get the soreness out as well as prepare you for another week of it.
Phillip from Flagstaff, AZ:
How has the tragedy involving Richard Collier changed your outlook on life?
Tony: Richard's tragedy is just one more reason to never take things for granted. Life is a gift and Big Rich is blessed to still be with us, and you never know what the future holds.
Rob from Long Island, NY:
How many football hours (games, practices, study, workouts) do players work a week. Tell the big guys up front to keep the holes big and the pocket strong.
Tony: It has to be well over 100 hrs, easily. Honestly, for us it is a 24hr seven days a week thing. I always tell people I am a loser in my real life because I don't have a real life. Everything revolves around football.
David from Jacksonville:
I'm so glad I got to actually talk with a Jaguars lineman. I'm a junior in high school and I'm 5'10 and 228 pounds. I'm a good athlete and my coach says I could probably get a scholarship with my grades and ability to a Division II school. What is a good position for an undersized high school guard to look for in college?
Tony: It sounds like you would make a very good college defensive lineman. But it all depends. If I were you I would bust my tail the moment you set foot on campus and let the coaches decide where to use your talents.
Anthony from Jacksonville:
What was the atmosphere like when you were in Lucas Oil Field and David brought the team back for a last-minute field goal?
Tony: It felt amazing! That last drive I was just thinking about doing my job and giving David a chance. The same goes for the field goal. I think Rob Meier and I were both under the pile celebrating watching the ball go through the uprights.
Chris from Jacksonville:
Who talks the most trash from an opposing team? Are you a trash talker?
Tony: There isn't one person that stands out, like I said before it is usually the LB's. I will talk some trash if I have to.
Nathan from Rogers, AR:
What makes you more mad, getting a holding penalty or missing a block?
Tony: Missing a block is worse. A holding call is usually always a judgment call for an official, and we can bounce back from that. But I take missing a block personally.
Terri from St. Marys, GA:
What do you find to be more challenging, blocking against the run or pass?
Tony: Run blocking is funner but still takes hard work. Pass blocking is more challenging for an offensive lineman but that's what our job is.
Eric from Ponte Vedra:
Are you an ice cream or Yogurt guy? If frozen yogurt, I suggest Publix Cookies N Cream. If ice cream, shame on you.
Tony: I love ice cream. Coldstone is the place to go.
Dan from Atlantic Beach:
What is the biggest change in personality you have seen between a lineman's game personality and his normal self?
Tony: On gameday a lineman is filled with anger and focused on doing his job. Off the field he is probably relaxed, eating a ton, or sleeping.
Brian from Newport News, VA:
What brings a bigger smile to your face, watching David Garrard complete a 69-yard pass to a receiver or pancaking someone and springing Fred or MoJo?
Tony: Both are equally pleasing, and when all of those happen in one game, it's gonna be a fun day.
Mike from Jacksonville:
When linebackers are mugging the line and there is a lot of movement going on, how you do know who to block?
Tony: Its tough but every play has a responsibility and we gameplan the week before as to how to handle that situation.
Steven from Maitland:
Do you feel the best offensive linemen play angry or play calm?
Tony: I've seen both. Pure anger and ultimate calm. Really depends on the person.
