Join Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.
Jason from Jacksonville:
Vic, why do you suppose John Fox went for two points with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter?
Vic: Obviously, he went for two points so he could trim New England's lead to three points, which would have allowed the Panthers to tie the game with a field goal. But I was stunned by his decision, not only because there was so much time remaining to be played, but also because the Panthers were moving the ball so well and gave every reason to believe they would score more than three points. The decision to go for two points was a panic move, in my opinion. Apparently, John Fox lacked confidence in his offense.
Nick from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
My question is for the Carolina fans and all fans of the runnerup in the Super Bowl. Has the loser of the previous season's Super Bowl ever come back to win it the following year? In my recent memory, I can't remember it happening. Thank you for your time. I love your site; I check it all too often.
Vic: It's happened twice. Dallas lost to Baltimore in Super Bowl V, then beat Miami in Super Bowl VI, then Miami beat Washington in Super Bowl VII.
Jordan from Lincoln, NE:
I may not be right but I'm pretty sure the NFL is the number one sport (based on TV ratings, attendance and merchandise sales). When do you think professional football began to take over as the number one sport in America?
Vic: Some would say it began with the 1958 NFL title game, won by Baltimore in overtime. That game exposed the sport and established a base of popularity that had never previously existed. And some would say the NFL's rise to number one began with its first major TV deal, in 1962. But, in my opinion, it was the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 that brought it all together and launched professional football into an age of success that blew baseball away. By the end of the '70s, there was no doubting the NFL's dominance of the sports entertainment market. The hook was set; America couldn't live without the NFL, as witnessed by the fan frustration the 1982 and '87 strikes caused.
Daniel from Arcola, IL:
Has there ever been a Super Bowl MVP whose team didn't win the game?
Vic: There's only been one; Chuck Howley of Dallas in Super Bowl V.
Tea from Memphis, TN:
Hi, Vic, I'm a newbie to Jax. I'm learning to love the Jags (thanks to my hubby). Even though I have been a Titan fan. Anyway, I noticed all during the season, before the kickoff, the kickers would take the ball and push in the ends of the ball. Why?
Vic: To soften it.
Tom from Malabar, FL:
As a best-player advocate, your job is to draft the best player from the last five drafts. You can pick one player from the drafts 1999-2003 (one player, not one from each draft), and will get the player starting as a rookie. You have the advantage of knowing how he will play. Who would you pick?
Vic: Michael Vick.
Joe from Green Cove Springs, FL:
After watching Tom Brady's performance, how do you think he rates among the other QBs to win multiple Super Bowl MVP awards in their careers? I believe Brady has displaced those rumors and thoughts that he was a one hit wonder, don't you think?
Vic: He's the best big-game quarterback in the game today, and he appears destined to join the all-time greats. If there's one "famous" quarterback to whom I would compare Brady, it's Bob Griese.
