JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Jim from Jagsonville
One fer the Gipper! Glad to see him in Teal again.
You're referencing safety Tashaun Gipson, who re-signed with the Jaguars Sunday – and it indeed is good to see him with the Jaguars again. He was a key player on the very good 2016-2018 Jaguars defenses, was always helpful with the media – and was also a fan favorite on the very "colorful" Sacksonville teams. Gipson at 34 now is in his 13th NFL season since making the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2012. You don't play as long as he has without being a very smart and very effective player. Gipson still must make the Jaguars' 53-man roster and he will serve a six-game, NFL-mandated suspension for performance enhancing drugs to start the regular season. But this could be a nice, effective signing. Stay tuned.
Brian from Round Rock, TX
"It's not anything about last year." That is the quote of the year so far and it portends well for the season. If only he had said it this time last season. Anyway, the old dog is learning new tricks and seems to be off the couch. What do you think?
I'll use my Scooby Sense – not my Scobee Sense – to assume you're saying you like that Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson on Saturday said this season is not about last season. I guess him saying this is significant. You seem to sense that Pederson is a new, improved Pederson. Maybe. My sense Pederson has done a decent job his first two seasons reading what this team has needed and will continue to do so.
Don from Marshall, NC
The new kickoff is pretty exciting and will definitely be a big part of the game. There was some thinking that went into that decision. Another element to the game. Jaguars played great and they look stout! Go Jaguars!
When it comes to the dynamic kickoff, and to the Jaguars' offensive and defensive lines looking stout, Don remains "all in."
Dave from Jacksonville
Zone, is this the best "Quarterback Room" that the Jags have ever assembled? Can, or will, they keep all three? It sure makes the execution of plays in preseason easier to evaluate. Like the new alignment of the defense. What do you think of our second-year players?
I expect the Jaguars to keep all three quarterbacks and my guess is one would be on the practice squad. My guess is that will be C.J. Beathard. Is this the best quarterback room the Jaguars ever have assembled? Perhaps, but the Jaguars in the late 1990s had Jay Fiedler as a backup to Mark Brunell – and Fiedler played very capably here when given the opportunity. The Jaguars' second-year players as a totality looked good Saturday, particularly wide receiver Parker Washington, running back Tank Bigsby and cornerback Christian Braswell. It's almost as if those players are better in their second seasons than they were as rookies. Go figure.
Dwight from Naples, FL
King of all Funk. Listening to our fans complain about one play in practice or preseason makes me think Buffalo fans are probably thinking they may never win a game this year after their 33-6 loss to Bears! What cha think O?
I think Preseason Week 1 is essentially a practice – and that the difference between Preseason Week 1 and a practice is that there are real uniforms in a game. I think all that happens in Preseason Week 1 should be seen through that lens and I think people should realize the regular season is a month away.
Joe from FLEMING ISLAND
O-Zone: I consider you to be an experienced and honest reporter of the ways of the NFL and therefore value your opinions. You had said many times that there is significant parity in the league and many games come down to three-to-four plays either way that determine the outcome. It would seem that if Pederson calling plays might contribute to one or two plays a game difference it could matter to total wins in the course of a season. Honestly no "gotcha" moment, and I don't have a strong opinion on the topic, just wondering how your view of there is little difference, (but maybe some difference) between Doug Pederson versus offensive coordinator Press Taylor fits to the really tight parity view.
Like most discussions regarding who should call plays for the Jaguars, this comes down to whether you believe Pederson is better than Taylor at this. Many observers believe/assume this is the case. Pederson does not.
Jason from North Pole, AK
I am a firm believer that adding the 17th game and potentially an 18th is bad for the sport. The NBA and MLB seasons are so long as to make most games feel somewhat meaningless. We seem to have crossed over into the too much of a good thing realm and it's a bummer. I am a huge sports fan and still get burnt out. You?
I am long since on record as saying 18 games is too many. Seventeen was too many. They're not going back to 16 and I don't sense they're staying at 17 too long, either.
Nick from Virginia Beach, VA
Why didn't we challenge the officials ruling it down by contact?
You're referencing a play from the Jaguars' 26-13 preseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday. Cornerback Christian Braswell on the play stripped the ball from Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown. Officials reviewed the play because it was a scoring play and reversed the call. That was the review. Once it happened, officials had nothing further to review.
Fred from Naples, FL
What I loved the most about Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.'s catch Saturday was the reception that left tackle Cam Robinson, quarterback Trevor Lawrence and others from the Jags sideline gave him after the catch. This is going to be a closeknit team that I believe has a chance to be really, really good.
Fair.
Kathy from Palm Coast, FL
I am just wondering if Press Taylor and C.J. Beathard have something in common other than the fact that they have been promoted far above their ability. Press called plays and Beathard was the QB that we were afraid to play when Trevor was injured. Both would be gone after last season on many teams.
Beathard is a capable backup quarterback. Taylor is a very capable offensive coordinator. Both could hold those positions on many NFL teams.
GP from St Johns, FL
Hey O- Regardless of who's calling plays, l would (though, it gets me in trouble sometimes) think the play caller and non-play-caller have the ability to communicate with each other during the game to make an adjustment or exploit an opportunity against the D.
Yup.
Brandon from Louisville
I think that one of the reasons why we are jumping to conclusions about the o line again is because they are producing the same results this year as last year's preseason game at the same time. That probably means similar results for the whole year. That's discouraging.
The Jaguars' starters played two series in the 2024 preseason opener against the Chiefs Saturday. Starting guard Ezra Cleveland and starting right tackle Anton Harrison didn't play in the game. Preseason Week 1 essentially is a glamourized practice. There are no meaningful "results" to produce yet.
Bryan from Tampa
Between the first depth chart and preseason week 1, it looks like Chad Muma has a real role in this defense. Is that preseason smoke and mirrors, or could he push for a starting role?
The Jaguars are going to play a lot of players in a lot of looks this season. I don't know if Muma will "start." I do expect him to play some key roles this season.
Johnny from Howey In The Hills
Dr. O: I've seen several comments on the depth and lack of "fall off" when the second and third strings hit the field. The special teams performed well in all areas. One kickoff return was broken loose, but other than that, good punts, very good kickoff returns and the young kicker really performed well. His only miss was a rushed 62-yard attempt. Not sure if the kicking team set up late, but he was almost flagged for delay. All in all, I see some real uptick in the entire team. Looking good for the season. Go Jaggggsss!!
Johnny was ready for some football.
David from Orlando, FL
Zone - I'm excited about the potential of Ventrell Miller contributing to the defense this year. Do we know if the cast on his injured hand will be removed before the start of the season?
The Jaguars share your enthusiasm for Miller, a linebacker and a fourth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft from the University of Florida. He has looked very good when healthy. Yes, my sense is Miller has a very good chance to be injury-free entering the season.
