Q: Hey Dan, do you think Fred Taylor will get into the Hall of Fame? He’s got great numbers, but no one really talks about him as a great running back.
— Riley, Gainesville, Fla.

A: Interesting question. My initial response would be that no running back who has appeared in only one Pro Bowl has a chance.

But what you take a look at his body of work, you can make a compelling argument for Taylor. Of the top 20 rushers of all-time, only Jim Brown and Barry Sanders have both a better average per carry and a better yards per game average than Taylor, whose numbers are 4.6 yards per carry and 80.7 yards per game. That is elite company.

He also came into the season ranked fifth in NFL history in rushes of 10 yards or more and 10th in NFL history in yards from scrimmage per game. All that being said, I would still suspect Taylor will be a long shot for the hall.

Q: The 49ers actually look like a real team under Mike Singletary. Please tell me he’ll be the full-time coach after this season.
— Jeff Stockton, Petaluma, Calif.

A: I would feel a lot more confident making that statement if I knew the 49ers would fare well down the stretch.

They play the Jets, Dolphins, Rams and Redskins. If they can win three of their remaining four games, I would think Singletary would be almost a lock to return. If they can win two of their remaining games, I would think he would have at least a chance.

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The 49ers also can’t afford any more embarrassing game management issues if Singletary is to remain. A lot probably depends on how owner John York perceives how Singletary is doing behind the scenes — in practices and in the meeting rooms. I’d like to see him get the chance.

Q: Who’s the best left tackle in the NFL? We got a pretty good one in Joe Thomas.
— Gary, Cleveland

A: There are no more dominant left tackles in the NFL — dominant in the sense that Walter Jones, Jonathan Ogden, Tony Boselli and Orlando Pace were dominant in their primes.

There are some young ones like Jake Long and Ryan Clady who could develop into dominant players. But they aren’t there yet. Joe Thomas is as good as any left tackle in the game.

Other left tackles who have played well this year include Michael Roos of the Titans, Dave Diehl of the Giants, Chris Samuels of the Redskins and Jammal Brown of the Saints.

Q: Do NFL refs have jobs in the offseason?
— Carol C., Osawatomie, Kan.

A: They not only have jobs in the offseason, they have jobs during the season.

Officiating is not a full-time occupation. Ed Hochuli, for instance, is a full-time attorney. Gene Seratore also is an NCAA basketball ref, and he owns a sanitary supply company.

Whenever there is a spate of controversial calls, the issue of whether or not officials should be full-time usually is brought up. But it does not appear that full-time officials will be a reality in the NFL at any point soon.

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