Here in Jacksonville, the official Jacksonville Jaguars web site is run by Vic Ketchman. Vic’s been around the NFL for a long time, having spent a couple of decades with the Steelers’ organization before coming to Jacksonville in 1995. In addition to acting as senior editor of the web site, Vic regularly appears on various Jaguar radio and television shows, where he provides his opinions of the team, the coaches, the ownership and the fans. Vic has probably forgotten more than most people will ever know about the game, and his insights on the salary cap alone make him worth reading daily.
Vic answers questions from fans on the site, and I was particularly intrigued by the following question that appeared in this Monday’s Q&A:
John from Jacksonville: Why do teams go to these extremely soft zones, especially at the end of the game. I just finished watching the Florida game and this is the third time we have blown a lead in the fourth quarter against a rival team in the past two years, and it is due largely in part to the prevent defense.
Vic: I guess it’s human nature to prefer to die slowly rather than all at once. I used to defend the “prevent” because coaches told me it was the thing to do in protecting the lead. Well, I’m older than most coaches now and I’m not nearly as impressionable as I once was. I’m with you on the “prevent.” It doesn’t work. Hey, if you’re going to go to the “prevent,” then why not go all the way? Put in 11 defensive backs. Why even bother with a token rush? Let the quarterback stand back there the rest of the day, if he wants. All he’s doing is burning time, right? Isn’t that what you want him to do? I have great respect for coaches. They are great innovators and have provided for the evolution of this game. But when it comes to defensive strategy in the final two minutes of the game, they have plowed very little ground. They’re playing the same “prevent” that was driving fans crazy in the 1960’s. It’s time for something new. How about the 0-0-11?
I don’t know if I just thought Vic’s idea was a work of genius, or if I just had too much time on my hands today. Nevertheless, here’s how I picture the formation of the Ketchman Defense:
(Click for the full size image).
None of that “prevent” crap here. Just sit back and wait, and see just how good their boy’s arm really is. Someone needs to talk to Coach Del Rio…as soon as the Jaguar offense plays a game where they have a big lead in the fourth quarter, they should break this formation out. Not on the road, however. And the home fans should be chanting “Vic! Vic!” as soon as they line up.
Now, the Jaguars just need to play a game where they have a big lead.
{ 5 } Comments
Thanks for the asterisk on the website team rankings.
Every tidbit of motivation helps.
Hey, chowd:
First of all, if you have a problem with Vic and what he writes, why don’t you tell him? I’m just a Jaguar fan who likes the guy. There’s a form on jaguars.com you can fill out and say your peace.
Second, maybe if you paid attention to other NFL team web sites, you would know that the “asterisk” has been up there since the video scandal broke. In week two. Vic Ketchman has been writing about pro football for about 35 years. He doesn’t need to suddenly drop snide comments on his site as a way of goading the opposition.
Third, do you really think that this is the first time that anyone has made a joke or critical comment about the scandal? Come on, it’s not like it didn’t happen. They did it, and they admitted they did it. You have an issue? Take it up with Eric Mangini.
Fourth, Ketchman’s power rankings are a bit of a joke…because he’s said they are, and if readers to his site didn’t keep asking him to do it, he probably wouldn’t bother. The asterisk is a joke. Lighten up. He’s had the Pats ranks at the top every week since week one.
Fifth: your effin’ football team won every game. Your quarterback and #1 receiver shattered a whole bunch of records. With a couple of exceptions, your team pretty much crushed everyone they faced. Do you really think they need some four-month old wisecrack on another team’s website to get the motivated?
Sixth: I could understand your comment if Fred Taylor came out in the paper and guaranteed a win, or if David Garrard ran some smack on Tom Brady. But they didn’t, and they won’t. You won’t hear one peep out of that locker room, from the coach all the way down, other than to speak with the utmost respect for the Patriots. Yeah, there are fans down here who will fill the boards and blogs with all kinds of trash talk, but you may safely ignore them. Those of us who love our team, who love football and who love competition know that the Jaguars have a very formidable task in front of them Saturday night.
Finally, you’re not going to get any smack from me or this site. My football team is progressing towards a bright future, one that we had a sniff at in 1996 and 1999 before falling short. I know, as a since-day-one fan (and a Giants’ fan as a kid) that getting to where New England and Indy are now takes work, talent, patience and some luck. My wish for this team is to figure out a way to beat the Colts, who are for more important to our future than any other team…until we figure out a way to beat them, we’re going to be a perpetual wildcard team. We had a better record than two other division winners this year, but until we can dominate Indy, it’s going to be second place.
Right now, however, I’m looking forward to a really good game on Saturday night. I’ll be with my family, watching it in HD in my living room, and enjoying every minute, and living or dying with every play, just as I did this past Saturday. In my heart, I expected them to win in Pittsburgh, and even with the near collapse, they did it. I would have been shattered if they lost that game in such a terrible way.
Think about this for a minute: how do you think Jaguar fans felt watching that happen this weekend? We’ve had a far better year than a lot of people thought, especially the way Garrard has played. Try to understand the anxiety and pain we experienced watching our team give up an 18-point lead on Saturday. This is something you guys haven’t experienced this year. Sure, you’ve been in close, tough games, but even if they lost a couple of those, the Pats still had a spectacular year. Take to your heart how easily your team dominated everyone this season. Things will cycle around to a time when they’re not so good, and it’s going to be a long time before a team goes 16-0 again. Appreciate what you have.
This week, I know winning is going to be very, very tough. The Pats are a team with a mission, and I hope the day comes when the Jaguars can live in that same rarefied air of champions. But I just want to see a great game this week. We can’t get where we want to go without facing the great teams, and this is our chance. Win or lose, my team will certainly stand toe-to-toe with yours. Anything can happen. Even if we did manage to win, we’d still have to face Indy, in all likelihood. Not too many teams can go all the way by winning three road games. I believe your team has a big edge, wouldn’t you agree?
So just sit back and enjoy the game, huh?
Don’t rely on the percentage
Where in the hell do you get your info. If what you say was true the Browns would not be the Browns.
Cleveland fans were and still are the only fans to cause
the NFL to buckle under from fan pressure.
To say that they lost their team because of poor attendance is totally wrong. Stadium issue yes but
you fail to mention is Art Modell was given and had control of the stadium for over twenty year and failed
to take care of it. Then got upset when the Indians
got a new ball park because the rent they paid Modell
was NEVER returned to upkeep on the stadium.
Know the facts before you write.
born and raised in Cleveland, and VIC IS A TOOL
I have a question for you last two Browns fans…you know, the two above who just happened to pick the same day to post something here, in an entry written nearly four years ago.
What the fuck are you talking about?
I don’t see anything in this entry I wrote (in 2004, in case you didn’t notice) about the Browns, or their fans, or their stadium. This is an article on Vic and a joke about prevent defenses.
Whatever issues you have with Vic about your team should be addressed to Vic at the Jaguars web site. This is NOT the Jaguars web site. This is my blog. Vic has nothing to do with my blog. I doubt Vic reads my blog, since he has more important things to do. If you hear Vic say or write something about your team, take it up with him.
I also doubt he has the time to go back to a blog entry I wrote in 2004 to read idiotic comments from two Browns fans who don’t have a clue about where their posting their comments.
Besides, you don’t make other Browns fans look to smart when you do something as stupid as this.
Any questions?
By the way, maybe you guys can explain to me how your team goes 10-6 and doesn’t get into the playoffs. Just kind of wondered, Art Modell notwithstanding.