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Who's Jags' greatest defender?

Join Jaguars Inside Report Senior Editor Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.

Boba-luga from Jacksonville:
I thought I might try using a false name to get you to answer my question. I asked recently about the supplemental draft, about how often it actually is used. We never hear about a team's fourth-round pick from the supplemental draft. What's the actual usage of this draft?

Vic: It's offered every summer but it's not often used, and there's a good reason it's not: Usually, the players in it are not worthy of relinquishing a corresponding-round pick in the spring draft. Houston selected running back Tony Hollings in last summer's supplemental draft. The Texans considered Hollings to be worthy of a second-round pick in this month's draft, so they used a second-round pick to select Hollings in last July's supplemental draft. Now ask yourself: If Hollings was available in this month's draft, would he be a top-39 prospect? That's what Hollings cost the Texans; the 39th pick of this year's draft. Oh, by the way, stop begging, and use your real name.

Justin from Jacksonville:
I read that you play golf a lot and that you're a golf fan. I just wanted to ask how you liked the final round of the Masters?

Vic: This year's Masters is one of the great events in sports history. When you combine the Arnold Palmer saga of Friday with Sunday's dramatics, you're talking about a sporting event that achieved immortality.

Wil from Beaumont, TX:
You mentioned the 10,000-yard mark for running backs and the Hall of Fame. However, I think that standard changed when O.J. Anderson did not get in when his time came. What about George, Bettis and Martin? Do you see them all getting in? I think 10,000 yards just doesn't do it anymore.

Vic: The 10,000-yard standard has worked for every other NFL running back. Ottis Anderson gained 10,273 yards in his 14-year career, but the Hall of Fame board of electors chose to focus on some not-so-impressive facts from Anderson's career. After a smashing start in St. Louis, where Anderson broke the 1,000-yard mark in five of his first six seasons, he fell off dramatically and didn't return to prominence until after he spent four years as a reserve with the Giants. He would have one more big year, 1,023 yards in 1989, but the Hall electors chose to focus on Anderson's anemic yards-per-carry average. Despite having re-claimed his career and starring in the Giants' Super Bowl victory over Buffalo, Anderson never averaged more than 3.5 yards per carry in any of his final seven seasons. The feeling was that Anderson's 10,000 yards weren't indicative of a Hall of Fame career, but I expect Anderson will make it into the Hall one day on an old-timer's ballot and the standard will be upheld. If 10,000 yards ceases to be the standard for running backs getting into the Hall of Fame, it'll be the result of a proliferation of 10,000-yard rushers, who could become too many to induct all of them into the Hall. Eddie George, Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin are locks to get into the Hall of Fame, so 10,000 yards still works, but it could begin to change in the next 10 years. Consider this: Following the 1996 season, there were only 12 running backs in NFL history who had rushed for 10,000 yards. Today, there are 17, and that total could swell dramatically as the game continues to favor offense over defense.

William from Jacksonville:
Your column on the Jaguars schedule was informative and helped put last year into perspective. It reminded me that you are a big "schedule guy." Then it occurred to me that you are also a best-available-player guy, a run-and-hit guy, just a guy, a minimal-marketing guy, a Pittsburgh guy that's also become a Jacksonville guy, a bathroom guy, a stop-the-run guy and a run-the-ball guy, a guy's guy, an honest guy, an ESPN Classic guy, not a play-calling guy or a reality-dating-show guy but, of course, a salary-cap/blow-it-up-and-rebuild guy, and a cold-weather, meaningful-December-game guy. That's a lot of guys! And it doesn't even list the guys that would be inappropriate for this forum. Now I'm really worried. Do you have a multiple-personality disorder?

Vic: Do I have to pay you for this?

Lcpl Grow from Glendive, MT:
I am a Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. You are my only link to Jaguars news and general NFL news. I've sent in many questions and have been scorned. I don't know why but I'll deal with it. My question now is this: It's been said Cleveland has its eyes on Winslow, but (your draft preview) story said they also might take Udeze. This seems like a win-win situation for us, being as whichever one they pick the other will be there for us. So, who do you think has a better chance of suiting up in teal next year, Winslow or Udeze? And who would you rather see?

Vic: You're begging, too, but I'm in a good mood today so I'll let you have the soup. Here's your answer: They could both be gone by the time the Jaguars pick, but I think there's a better chance Kenechi Udeze will be available than there is that Kellen Winslow will last to the Jags' pick. As far as who I'd rather see playing for the Jaguars, the answer would hinge on which one will be more successful. If they both turn out to be star players, then I think Udeze would be the better pick because the Jaguars have a desperate need at defensive end and, let's face it, pass-rushers are at a much greater premium than tight ends.

Jorge from Orlando, FL:
I was just wondering if your draft-day show would be available on jaguars.com live on draft day for those fans that aren't in the Jacksonville area.

Vic: Yes.

John from Jacksonville:
Is there any chance Greg Jones could be drafted by the Jaguars?

Vic: Indications are Greg Jones will fall somewhere between the Jaguars' first and second-round picks. There are a lot of teams – Tennessee, Philadelphia, New England – late in the first round that need running backs.

Isaac from Tucson, AZ:
Your column is an excellent insight into the Jaguars. Anyway, what are your feelings on the Jaguars cornerbacks? Does Juran Bolden have the ability to be a starter or does Dewayne Washington still have the ability to be a starter?

Vic: Juran Bolden and Dewayne Washington are separate entities in the Jaguars cornerback picture. Washington is a right cornerback, while Bolden is expected to win the starting left cornerback job. What's the difference between right and left corner? The right corner is the "squat" corner, which means he is often involved in zone coverage and will fall off into underneath coverage. That was Washington's role in Pittsburgh. The left corner must have greater man-to-man coverage skills. He has to be able to run all over the field with the receiver he's covering. Bolden is thought to have the athletic ability to play that role. Had the Jaguars not signed Bolden, it's very likely Rashean Mathis would've been moved from right corner to left corner. With Bolden having been acquired, Mathis will stay at right corner and Washington will offer depth at the position and nickel-back abilities.

Axel from Stockholm:
I just wanted to say "hor unge" to you, which means good job in Swedish. Great column!

Vic: I'll trust you.

Gary from New York, NY:
Who do you think has been the Jaguars' best defensive player in team history, not just for a single season? I say Darius, do you agree?

Vic: This is an intriguing question. It reminds me of a Hall of Fame promotion of some years ago, when fans of each team were asked to select their team's all-time greatest offensive and defensive players. Cleveland fans had a long list of great offensive players: Jim Brown, Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Dante Lavelli, Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield, etc. But naming the Browns' all-time greatest defensive player wasn't as easy. I'm not sure who it was, although I'm inclined to say Clay Matthews. I was shocked the Browns didn't have a Jim Brown-type candidate on defense. Anyhow, the Jaguars' situation is similar. They have a sizable list of great offensive players: Mark Brunell, Tony Boselli, Jimmy Smith, Fred Taylor, Keenan McCardell. But naming a defensive guy isn't as easy. Tony Brackens and Donovin Darius would probably be the leading candidates. Maybe Marcus Stroud is on his way toward becoming the clear-cut choice.

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