Hello everyone,
I'm back this week and I thought I'd take the time to answer some of the questions I've received from fans via e-mail. I'll do this every once in a while, so if there's something you want to know, drop me a message by clicking here.
Here we go...
**It seems that a holding call could be made on almost every play. Are you held often with no call being made? Do the offensive linemen use their hands to block, and if so when does it become holding?
-Rudy G **
That's a good question. Pretty much, referees could call holding on every play. I'm positive that on every play in the National Football League, there's some form of holding going on. The fact is that offensive linemen, unless their hands are outside of your chest frame, can hold onto you and it's not going to get called. The only time holding will get called is when the offensive lineman's hands are outside the shoulders, unless they're grabbing some sort of jersey. If their hands are inside, whatever they're doing to you—except for pulling you down by your jersey or helmet—is legal. So it makes our jobs pretty tough sometimes.
** I read your rankings on the best offensive linemen in the NFL. So who's the toughest offensive lineman to face on the Texans?
-Matt Marx
**That's another good question. I'd probably say Chester Pitts. He gives me the most trouble. He's really technically sound. He mixes it up a little bit to keep you off-balance. You have to bring your best game against him, because you never know what he's going to throw at you.
**What is the toughest opposing stadium you've ever played in?
-Jason Reyes
**Oh, man. When I was in Baltimore, it was probably Pittsburgh's stadium. I don't know if it was the stadium itself, or just the hatred that the two teams have for each other. Pittsburgh-Baltimore is probably the most bitter rivalry I've ever been a part of. Every time I went there, I knew those fans were going to get after you as well as the team.
**What are your thoughts on the Notre Dame-Michigan game this weekend? I know you have to be pulling for the Fighting Irish.
-Matt Dooley**
I made a prediction yesterday, and I'm changing it. My prediction was 17-14 Notre Dame. Today, I'm going 24-14 Notre Dame. Obviously, I think our offense is a lot better than Michigan's. I think our offense is probably top two in the NCAA. Defensively, I think we've come a long way since last year, and last year we played well against Michigan.
**You're going up against the Colts this Sunday, and pressuring Peyton Manning will be crucial for you guys to win. I'm just wondering whether he's the toughest quarterback to get at in the NFL since he rarely holds onto the ball longer than three seconds?
-Rob Worthington
**Personally, the hardest quarterback for me to sack is Michael Vick, just because he's so elusive. He's one of those guys that's just tough to get to. If the average NFL play is four seconds, his average play probably lasts six seconds just because he runs around so much. Secondly, I'd have to say Peyton Manning because he always gets the ball out on time. If you're coming, you know he's going to get rid of it. That's why this Sunday will be such a big test for our defense.
Thanks to everyone for their questions.
Talk soon and take care,
Anthony
**
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