Q: Hey Dan, this a two part question. Do you think Tedy Bruschi is a Hall of Famer? And do you think Jerod Mayo will have a Jon Beason or Patrick Willis type impact on the Patriots defense this year?
— C.J., Lancaster, Calif.
A: I have always had a lot of admiration for Bruschi. I even liked him when he was a pass rusher at Arizona. But my initial reaction is I don't think he's a hall of famer. One of the criteria I use when I assess a player's hall of fame credentials is whether or not he was dominant. I ask whether or not opponents had to game plan for him.  The answer to both questions in Bruschi's case is no.  As for your second question about Mayo, it's hard to say how much he'll contribute. The recent history of rookie linebackers is encouraging, but none of those rookies played for Bill Belichick. The Patriots coach has had the large majority of his success with veteran linebackers who know the ropes. I'm not sure Mayo is going to be able to integrate everything he needs to in order to be a major contributor in a Belichick defense as a rookie.

Q: Do you think the Jacksonville Jaguars will ever have a shot at the championship?
— Unique Murry, Sanford, Fla.
A: Why wouldn't they? In fact, I think they have a shot at a Super Bowl this year. The beauty of the NFL is every team has a shot at a championship. Maybe not every year, but eventually they have a chance. The Jaguars are a talented team. They are well coached. If they avoid injuries and get a few good bounces, they can be one of the best teams in the league.

Q: Why hasn’t anyone grabbed Shaun Alexander yet?
— Josh D., Redmond, Wash.
A: Alexander will be 31 when the season begins. That's about the time when most running backs should be checking their pension plans. He has averaged 3.5 yards per carry over the last two seasons and missed 12 starts with injuries. That has to tell you something. He no longer is the Shaun Alexander who scored 27 touchdowns in a season.

Q: Where’s your favorite stadium to watch a game?
— Heather, Richmond, Ind.
A: I have watched games in every NFL stadium, and my favorite is Qwest Field in Seattle. The atmosphere is electric. The outside architecture enhances the city and blends beautifully with Safeco Field. The surrounding area is a trendy neighborhood with plenty to do pre and post game. Traffic is not nearly as bad as it is for some stadiums. From various points around the stadium, you can see Puget Sound, Mount Ranier, the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline.

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