10 Questions with the Football Girl Melissa Jacobs

1. What inspired your website? Give people an idea of what they will find there.

I launched TheFootballGirl.com in 2009 because I wanted to provide an NFL female-run site that went deeper than Football 101 and Gameday recipes. I also had a rich sports background,being a producer for NFL Live, Sportscenter and other ESPN shows so banked on my contacts giving the site an advantage. We pretty much have anything a football fan could want from news to fantasy tips to player interviews to unique features, a Media Guy, a Fashionista Girl, and a player on the Redskin, Clint Oldenburg, who contributes.

2. What in the world is going on in Washington?What's your take on the situation?And Why do you think Donovan finds at the center of controversy so often?

Washington is a mess as always. You have a coach and a quarterback past their prime, each with enough cache to do it "their way." McNabb's laid-back style can tend to rub teammates the wrong way, particularly when he's considered the team's savior. And Shanahan's authoritative style isn't motivating anyone in Washington. I think he lost a lot of the players with the way he handled the Haynesworth situation - and lost the rest with the Donovan benching last game. Never thought I'd say this but perhaps Danial Snyder needs to intervene a bit.

3. The other Big news, maybe the biggest news was Randy Moss being cut by the Vikings. What was your initial reaction when you heard the news? How do you think will perform in Tennessee and do you think Childress will be back next year?

I was absolutely shocked like everyone. We, as fans, may be appalled by Moss' press conference lauding Bill Belichick, or by his comments about the Minneapolis caterers. He may be a head case, but he's not the only NFL multi-millionaire who doesn't always act like an altar boy. I think it's the Belichick comments that did Moss in. You don't give up on a talent like that, especially when you have a gunslinger like Favre leading the huddle. You go to the depths of your coaching playbook and figure something out.

4. Who's the best team in the NFC?

I'd have to say the Packers. Their offense is explosive and they have very few holes defensively. Did you see Clay Matthews last week? I'm surprised more opponents don't forfeit.

5. You say that you are a Alex Smith apologist. Why? And have you joined a support group or a 12 step program yet?

Ha. Well, looks like I'll be changing that to Troy Smith supporter. I just have much sympathy for Alex Smith. The guy has the mechanics and the smarts, but when you have a cavalcade of offensive coordinators and quarterbacks coaches, each with different styles, it's going to mess with your head. I wish one of them had come in and said 'Alex is a spread guy and that's what we're going to run'. Cater the schemes to your quarterback's strengths, not to system that may have worked with different personnel. You could see the lack of baggage with Troy Smith in London. He just played.

6. The NFL cracked down on big hits a few weeks ago, what's your position on this issue?

I think it's obviously one of the most important issues out there but I'm not sure the NFL's going about it the right way. The fines seem excessive for a sport that is marketed on being violent and involves many helmet to helmet hits that are unavoidable. As the-players I talked to said, if you don't use your helmet sometimes you will be susceptible to injury. I wish the NFL would focus a bit more on better helmet technology.

7. Now that Jerry has finally fired Wade, Do you think he'll ever hire a strong football guy again?

I certainly don't think he has one in Jason Garrett. Garrett has been groomed for years and will probably preface every sentence with 'Jerry thinks' just like Phillips did. I think Jones's ego is some humongous now that he'd rather lose with a puppet than win with a Parcells or a Jimmy Johnson type.

8. Who are the biggest Fantasy surprises and busts this year?

Bust-wise let's stay in Dallas and throw Miles Austin under the bus. Also, Matt Schaub, last year's leading passer has had an off year. Shonn Green also has to be considered a disappointment,but that's due more to the re-emergence of LT, a definite fantasy surprise. How about Steve Johnson in Buffalo, Arian Foster, and even a guy like Davone Bess in Miami. Who knew?

9. Despite the fact that football is perceived as a male sport, it's actually very popular among women. Why do you think women are drawn to football?

The explosion of fantasy football alone has made the game more attractive to women (who I think are more competitive than men). The NFL has made a huge effort to market to women with Alyssa Milano's Touch clothing (not your boyfriend's over sized jersey anymore), family friendly sections, and a plethora of Football 101 events. I also think tools like Twiiter help bring in women as players are allowed to express individualism which gets so lost on game days.

10. I'm going to give you a team and you tell me if they are a contender or pretender.

• Redskins - Pretender
  
• Texans - Pretender
  
• Cheifs - Pretender
  
• Bucs - Contender
  
• Bears - Pretender
  
• Dolphins - Contender
  
• Raiders - Contender
  
• Seahawks - Pretender
  
• Cards - Pretender
  
• Jaguars - Pretender

Follow Melissa on Twitter:@thefootballgirl