Ask Me Anything: Can the U of L O-line improve?

If I've learned one thing about puppy ownership, it's watch where you step.

That lesson particularly manifested itself as I slide through -- you know what? Let's just get to the questions.

If you are unfamiliar with AMA, at least with the ones we do here on the University of Louisville beat, why don't I try to explain 'em in 140 characters?

You ask me questions about anything, from Louisville and other sports-related topics to random, weird stuff, and I answer them.

You can send me your questions on Twitter (@jeffgreer_cj) or email me at jgreer@courier-journal.com.

This one's a quick-hitter version, so let's get started:

@CardDude25: Will the UofL O-line get better with coaching, or with new players?

Jeff: The first time I read this, I thought it said, "or with new prayers." And I thought to myself, "definitely that one." Alas, it says "players," and I do think it's somewhere in between. I'm not sure what Kelby Johnson did (or didn't do) to be relegated to backup right tackle, but he should get a shot at some point. And Louisville can't get Jake Smith to play both center and right guard, though the depth chart says he might.

It's only four weeks into the season. So perhaps it's coachable. But the starting lineup has three seniors, one junior and either a sophomore or a redshirt freshman. It's not like they're new to this. In fairness, the three seniors -- Jake Smith, John Miller and Jamon Brown -- have been solid for the most part. But you need all five guys to be solid, and I just don't know if Louisville can produce like that on a consistent basis. These problems aren't new, and neither are the guys who are struggling.

@VillefanJB: Other O-line options for Louisville?

Jeff: How about some kind of force field around Will Gardner and Reggie Bonnafon? Not possible? I mean, they use drones out there. Why no force field? Why no T-Bone?

In all seriousness, you'd think Louisville's coaching staff is giving its best options a try. Not sure what else they can do. Like I said above, this isn't a new problem.

@ChrisStone01: Move the start of college hoops to January or no?

Jeff: If your thinking is specifically with regard to my stress levels, particularly in November and early December, then you, sir, are a gentleman. If your thinking is to separate hoops from college football for better ratings or more fans or whatever, I'm not sure it's doable.

The NCAA loves the things that are popular. And what NCAA-produced event is more popular than March Madness? If they move the season's start to January, they'd either have to shorten the season, which schools won't like because fewer home games = less cash, or they'd have to push the NCAA tournament back. If they moved the tournament back to, say, May, they could at least still have Madness in the title. May Madness. April Absurdity just doesn't have the same ring to it. So the short answer, though you've labored through all of the other parts, is that it ain't happenin'.

Let's run through some rapid fire:

@GoCardsGuy: Who wins the Ryder Cup?

Jeff: You know, I've heard rumblings about a golf tournament this weekend. And in my traitorous ways, I think Europe wins.

@MarkEnnis: If you were an Iron Chef, which Iron Chef would you be?

Jeff: How about Bobby Flay? (Please build a restaurant here.)

@jboles1282AX: How did Catdog's inner workings function? Is it intrinsically possible for a real life Catdog to exist? ... Because I want one.

Jeff: How did Catdog go to the bathroom? And how did Catdog balance the inherent friendliness and awesomeness of the dog with the plotting-to-kill-you-while-you-sleepness of the cat?

@Keith_Wynne: My sources say you're a Crossfitter. How are your tire flipping skills?

Jeff: Well, obviously from my build, I'm a huge gym guy. No, I was a lot more involved in that stuff in Florida. I've signed up here but I spend more time on Ask Me Anythings than I do on getting in shape. I do most of my heavy exercising on Sunday nights at indoor soccer. (If you are a lady, and you are good at soccer, and you want to play on Sunday nights, please, oh, please contact me.)

Also, I flip a mean tire.

@MasterDroo: There is a village where the barber shaves all those and only those who do not shave themselves. Who shaves the barber?

Jeff: Ah, yes, the old Barber Paradox. In this version, you left out whether or not the barber shaves himself, so the answer is he has a huge beard. And, quite frankly, that's the best kind of barber to me.

@lvilleshawn: Have they ever found out where in the world Carmen Sandiego and Waldo are? Is it true they eloped together to Belize?

Jeff: Is it me, or is Waldo too simple for Carmen? I mean she's diabolical. Just next-level villain status. Waldo travels a lot, sure, but dude wears a "I am just happy to be here" smile everywhere he goes. Be more interesting, bro.

@AtLeastFyffe: If you could be any of The Ghostbusters, who would you be and why?

Jeff: First of all I'm pretty stupid, so let's get that out of the way now. I'm not smart enough to come up with all that stuff that those guys created. Personally I'd love to be Stay Puft. I just don't know if my personality matches his.

And we'll finish up with the $64,000 question ...

@AGoff33: I think we need to hashtag this segment: #askjeffy. Who starts, in your opinion, against FSU: Gardner or Bonnafon?

Jeff:

The only person who calls me "Jeffy" is my sister, but I don't *hate* the idea. Really putting me on the spot with this one. It's hard to answer because I don't know the full extent of Gardner's injury. Lord knows I've asked everyone under the sun. If he's healthy, and the knee thing isn't long-term, I'll bet on Gardner. If it's a long ordeal with the knee, Reggie's the guy.