Let's get to it . . . Spence from Utah:
Who was the most impressive player at the combine, and what do you believe we will do at No. 7? I personally don't think it's a good spot for us to be picking, unless one of the elite players falls.
John: Several players impressed. While they didn't throw, quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III did about everything else you could do to impress, and unless their arms fall off, they'll go No. 1 and 2 in the April 2012 NFL Draft. Also impressive were wide receivers Michael Floyd and Stephen Hill, of Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, respectively. Defensive tackle Dontari Poe of Memphis probably turned in as impressive an all-around physical performance as a player can turn in at his position, so for the sake of answering your question, I'll go with Poe. As for what the Jaguars will do at No. 7, my early projection is maybe they go cornerback providing they address defensive end and wide receiver in free agency. It's a tricky spot, and looks very tricky coming out of the combine, but there are nearly two months before the draft and they'll have every chance to get an impact player there.
J. Nightingale from Jacksonville:
With our receivers being so average, do you see the Jaguars picking up a receiver like Terrell Owens? I know that he is not in his prime, but he still is better than our No. 1 receiver on our depth chart and will come DIRT cheap since no one will take a chance on him. So if you add . . .
John: I cut you off. It probably seems rude, but believe me, it was for your own good.
Stephen from Jacksonville:
Thinking about the success the team had with Boselli and Searcy at offensive tackle and given the need to reassess the current right tackle situation, is there any chance the Jaguars could be in play to trade up to the Rams' No. 2 pick to draft Matt Kalil ahead of Minnesota?
John: Absolutely not, for several reasons. First, the word around the combine was that the Rams could be able to command not only this year's first-round pick and perhaps a second- and third-rounder, but very possibly a first-rounder next year for the No. 2 selection. There are even those who say they'll get more than that. I don't know that I give that up for one of the two quarterbacks, much less an offensive tackle. A second reason is that while Kalil seems likely to go No. 3 overall at this point he's generally not considered a once-in-a-generation left tackle – and that's what you want if you're going to give up what it will take to move up. Thirdly, at some point you need to stop giving up selections to trade up. Settle in, draft the best player available and start building talent.
Joe from Jacksonville:
Although indirectly, did you basically allude to the fact Gene Smith traded Reggie Nelson for Dwight Lowery? I'm going with that being a huge check in the positive column.
John: That wasn't the intention. I was just stating facts. Interpret them how you want.
Roger from Section 204 and Cherryville, NC:
It seems it might be somewhat difficult to "just trade back" on Day One. Am I wrong?
John: No, you are not. It's hard to trade back because everybody scouts players. Every team knows the draft, and most teams generally know where the pockets of strength and weakness are in the player pool. If the Jaguars are trying to trade out of a spot and trade back because there's no one worth drafting where they are, why would any other team give up draft equity to trade up? Trades happen, but there are rarely a slew of teams just dying to get up to a spot and help a team out.
Tommy from Jacksonville:
Getting closer to free agency, what downside or upside do you see in the Jags bringing in a veteran quarterback as a backup in free agency to help with Gabbert's development? Not to take the starting job away, but to push him and show him the ropes as he enters what is really a second rookie season. I would see that as a wise move if they are indeed hanging their hat on Gabbert being the man here in Jacksonville.
John: There is no downside so long as you get the right guy, and that means a guy who's willing to compete, but who is also equally willing to be prepared every week and be a positive influence in the likely scenario that he not be starting.
Kenny from Section 408 and Row A:
Mr. O, if the Jaguars want to increase visibility and accessibility to the region, I see a camp week in Savannah or Orlando. Maybe a preseason game in Orlando, but please do not schedule the Bucs or Dolphins for that one. Do you think this is a possibility?
John: Training camp away from Jacksonville is certainly a possibility, though I'm not sure I see the Jaguars or any other team simply doing a week somewhere away from their facility. Because of the logistics involved, training camp is best done in one location. Moving an NFL team is a tremendous undertaking, and once a team gets set up for training camp, it's most efficient just to let the team do its work until camp breaks.
Glenn from Savannah, GA:
When you went up to Indianapolis for the combine, were there a couple of local eateries you couldn't wait to sink your teeth into? For your sake, I hope you aren't a chain eater!
John: I'm a convenience eater at the combine – the hotel and whatever is close and easy.
James from Orange Park, FL:
You keep saying "this player" and "that player" may not warrant the seventh pick in the draft (and not without merit, I might add). What players do you think warrant the seventh pick in the draft as of February 28?
John: I smiled when I read that, because you're right. I probably have fallen into the trap of picking out the flaws more than finding the strengths. That said, let's take a look at where we're at coming out of the combine. It's unofficial, but it appears likely Luck, Griffin III, Kalil, Alabama running back Trent Richardson and Louisiana State cornerback Morris Claiborne likely will be gone in the Top 5. That leaves wide receiver Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State a possibility, and while I've been cautioning that he may not be a Top 5 selection, neither would I say he's anything close to a bad selection at No. 7. I'm wary of North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples at No. 7, but I liked what I saw of South Carolina defensive end/outside linebacker Melvin Ingram. It's also going to be intriguing to watch cornerback Janoris Jenkins of Florida, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama and defensive end/linebacker Courtney Upshaw of Alabama.
Thomas from Jacksonville:
If the Jags go DE and they are still available, would you take Melvin Ingram or Quinton Couples? I'm liking Ingram.
John: Right now, I am, too.
Michael from Kentwood:
If we truly go BAP, how likely is the name Luke Kuechly to pop up in the conversation at 7?
John: Kuechly is a very good player, but it's rare for a middle linebacker to merit being selected in the Top 10. It's just not considered a position that merits a Top 10 selection – very much like running back on offense.
Matt from Indianapolis, IN:
The word you are looking for is 'Michael' Floyd.
John: Indeed I was. Long weekend at the combine, and when I got your email I saw I'd referred to Michael as Malcolm. Too many 40 times, one-on-ones and way too many Sierra Nevadas at the hotel bar in Indy. Whatever you call him, Floyd he had a heck of a week. For a while there, I wasn't doing bad, either.
Andrew from St. Augustine, FL:
I understand the bottom line of most NFL issues comes down to money. I also get that sponsors want the Super Bowl to be played in ideal weather, conditions, towns, etc. I propose that each NFL city gets an opportunity to host a Super Bowl (another huge advantage for a town wanting to keep their team in place). Each city will at least get the opportunity to host once every 32 years. Cities would have to evaluate how desirable their city is for a Super Bowl and plan accordingly. Do you think the proposal has merit, or do the $ponsor$ run the show?
John: It $eem$ you already know your an$wer.
Greg from Neptune Beach, FL:
How much do teams try to figure out what other team's draft boards are based on the other team needs? If they had that info, it would really help a GM know when they need to try to trade up to get their guy versus stay put or even safely trade back. Or is trying to guess that information just too difficult that they only worry about their own board and let the chips fall where they may?
John: Teams absolutely try, and many spend a lot of time leading to the draft coming up with mock drafts and scenarios based on such predictions. They are rarely exact, because speculation is just that – speculation – but teams enter the draft with general ideas of what they believe other teams will do and that can help them have a general feeling of what to expect when the clock is ticking.
Sean from Fleming Island, FL:
What will we know about Gabbert this time next year that we do not know today?
John: How well he played in 2012.