Join Jaguars Inside Report Senior Editor Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.
Jason from Lake City, FL:
What is the difference in an HB and an RB, and Y and Z?
Vic: HB stands for halfback and RB for running back. Those terminologies are the result of the formations to which they relate. Halfback is a term associated with the "Pro Set" or "Split Backs" formation that was popular in the 1960's and '70's. In "Split Backs," the halfback was primarily the blocking back and the fullback was the feature runner. For example, Franco Harris and Larry Csonka were fullbacks, and Rocky Bleier and Jim Kiick were halfbacks. Running back refers to the feature runner in today's offenses, which usually employ a fullback almost exclusively as a lead blocker. For example, Fred Taylor is a running back and Marc Edwards is a fullback. Y and Z refer to receivers. In offensive terminology, X is the split end, Y is the tight end and Z is the slot receiver. Jimmy Smith is an X, Kyle Brady is a Y and Keenan McCardell was always the Jaguars' Z.
James from Los Angeles, CA:
I think the community that reads your articles would greatly appreciate it if you tried to organize some sort of a gathering for your loyal readers. I know I would surely make a trip to Jacksonville if you could organize some sort of an activity day, and perhaps a golf tournament. I'm sure Jags fans from across the nation would also make the trek. I think many of your fans would be willing to pay a nominal fee in order to stay in town for a weekend and participate in a golf tournament and what-not. Please consider the idea. I understand you receive a plethora of e-mails, but I would honestly appreciate a response that included your thoughts on this idea.
Vic: Great idea! I'm going to bounce this off my boss and see what ideas he may have. I'm thinking about a "First Annual Ask Vic" golf tournament during training camp. I'd have to check on the possibility of arranging for affordable hotel rates for our out-of-town friends. I'll get the Jaguars to kick in some grub in one of the clubs.
Chris from St Augustine, FL:
I like San Diego's move on Manning at number one. They "called their bluff," as you have spoken about on several occasions. That was great! What do you think about the Jags' number one? Is he a true number one receiver or did they take a possession receiver too early?
Vic: You're asking the definitive question about the Reggie Williams pick. Williams is a sensational receiver, but there's a reasonable concern whether or not he has the speed to be a number one receiver. The bottom line is he has to be a number one to justify a top 10 selection. You don't draft catch-and-fall-down guys in the top 10. Only time will tell, but I can assure you the Jaguars believe Williams has play-maker, touchdown-maker potential, and that would make him a number one.
Marlin from Palatka, FL:
I'm curious, how did your board rate with the actual draft?
Vic: Twenty-three of the 32 players on my value board were selected in the first round.
Pete from Jacksonville:
Do you think we selected our draft picks correctly at the points they were selected and what's your overall grade of the draft? Who were the winners and who were the losers?
Vic: In my opinion, the Jaguars acquired more value than they may have sacrificed. In my opinion, Greg Jones is extreme value late in the second round. All indications are Daryl Smith is value early in the second round, and Jorge Cordova in the third round and Anthony Maddox in the fourth round have steal potential. Cordova and Maddox are distinct attempts to catch lightning in a bottle and the Jaguars just may have done that. I also like Ernest Wilford in the fourth round. His size, leaping ability and touchdown-making prowess make me wonder if the Jaguars didn't draft Reggie Williams twice; a lesser version, of course. On the debit side, I would like to have seen the Jaguars find a way to trade back to Buffalo's spot at 13. I think Williams would've been there. The only other criticism is spending a high five on a kicker. In my opinion, that's just too early and it really puts pressure on the team to put that kid on the final roster. As far as an overall grade, I hate that kind of stuff because no one adheres to a standardized grading system. How many times do you see a team get anything worse than a C? If we're truly using an A, B, C, D, F grading format, I'd give the Jaguars a high-end B. I'd give Arizona and Detroit each an A and Indianapolis an F. Of course, that's how it's supposed to work. The teams drafting high are supposed to get an A and the teams drafting low are supposed to not do as well. I didn't like Cincinnati's draft, either. Pittsburgh did well to have a player such as Ben Roethlisberger fall to them, and St. Louis may have gotten the steal of the draft on the second day when they selected Michigan State quarterback Jeff Smoker. In my opinion, the Jaguars clearly had the best draft in the AFC South.
Dave from St. Marys, GA:
Will the rookie camp be open to the public this year? I've heard rumors that it will, and I know a lot of the fans would like to get a look at the new guys.
Vic: I expect the Jaguars to announce later today what their plans are for opening this upcoming mini-camp to the public on Saturday.
Mike from Jacksonville:
Why would a player such as Eli Manning enter the draft, knowing he could pick his team and price in undrafted free agency?
Vic: The draft is the mandatory means by which all players enter the NFL. All prospects are not drafted, but all prospects must submit themselves to draft eligibility.
Bob from Neptune Beach, FL:
Since the Jags were not in need of a running back, is it safe to say we jumped ahead of the Titans so they would not get Greg Jones to replace Eddie George? Is this Shack's best move of the draft?
Vic: I don't think that was the intent, but it is the result, isn't it? The Jaguars drafted Greg Jones because they truly believed he was a first-round pick still available late in the second round. Do you remember what Gene Smith, the Jaguars' director of college scouting, said? "Every team's board is different." In the final analysis, you have to go with your rankings, and when a guy you think is a first-round pick is still available late in the second round, you find a way to get him. In this case, it's a difference of two: the Jaguars will have Jones running for them, and they won't have him running against them. That's what happens when you draft best available. You get him and your opponent doesn't; it's a double hit. Great observation, Bob. What if the Jaguars would've addressed one of their positions of need? Would you like the prospects of having to tackle Jones for the next several years?
