JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Michael from Orange Park, FL
Yessssss!
I'll assume you're referencing the Prowler Throwbacks, which were unveiled by the Jaguars Thursday morning – and which will debut in the 2024 season. The team will first wear the Prowler Throwbacks in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts on October 6 at EverBank Stadium – the same day former Head Coach Tom Coughlin is scheduled to be inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars. That's phenomenally fitting considering the Prowler Throwbacks are essentially the team's original expansion uniforms and considering Coughlin was the team's head coach/architect/spiritual leader for the first decade(ish) of its existence. We'll certainly discuss the Throwbacks a bit more moving forward, but they're cool. And their return is very cool for the segment of the fan base that has been waiting for this moment for what seems like a very long time. Yessssss!??! Absolutely.
Robert from Elkton
The concern about free agents over 30 and 30-year-old players lasting all 17 games is legitimate. But I really hope we keep it in perspective. The Florida Times-Union had an article about quarterbacks playing all 17 games - only nine did it in 2023 and 10 in 2022. Point is, if you named three non-kicker starters, the odds are probably horrendous that all three would play 17 games. So don't freak out when one of the older vets misses a game or two … just hope they don't go on injured reserve.
You're referencing a recent O-Zone exchange about the Jaguars this offseason signing free agents such center Mitch Morse, defensive lineman Arik Armstead and cornerback Ronald Darby. All three players indeed are 10-year NFL veterans over 30, which brings an inherent concern over longevity and health – and I was asked in a recent O-Zone email about the possibility all three play all 17 regular-season games. You're correct that it's difficult to project any player to do so – and I would agree that if all three play 14-to-16 games then this is a non-issue. The concern would be if one of two of the players misses a huge swath of games – i.e., a seven-to-10-game stretch. That presumably would weaken an area(s) the team perceived as needing strengthening. That possibility is higher with older players. That's not to say it will happen. That's not to say the moves shouldn't have been made. But it's fair to point out that it's a concern, and it's absolutely an issue to watch entering the '24 season.
Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA
Did I pick the perfect day (two days ago now), to purchase a working laptop? Can't believe it, a q&a about the roadies! Sweet! Now a bio on groundskeepers please, may they not be an endangered species!
Congratulations on your purchase. Jaguars 2024 Training Camp begins next week.
Deane from Daytona Beach, FL
Yo, O-Zone!!! Do players do speed work to increase or maintain their speed in the offseason? Would it only be skill players or do the big uglies work on it, too? I understand strength training, but I just wonder how much emphasis goes into getting faster; whether that is overall speed, or that elusive first step.
NFL players can and do work on speed in the offseason, with some players – particularly skill players – often working with speed coaches away from the facility.
Donnie from Jacksonville (Duval), Florida
Ozone, man. U think this year we're back in the playoffs or another long season?
I think the Jaguars have a very real chance to return to the postseason in 2024. I think this because I believe the offensive and defensive lines should be more reliable this season, and I think quarterback Trevor Lawrence – if healthy – will show the benefits of experience and being in Head Coach Doug Pederson's offensive system for a third season. One thought on your question, though: I don't know that not the past few seasons were necessarily "long" seasons. Seasons such as 2012 (2-14), 2020 (1-15) and 2021 (3-14) were long seasons. There have been other long seasons in the last decade and a half. The Jaguars have had winning seasons the past two seasons, with their playoff fate decided in the fourth quarter of the regular-season finale in each of those two seasons. The 2023 season, in which the Jaguars missed the playoffs in that regular-season finale, certainly was disappointing. And frustrating. I just don't know if I would call it "long" compared to truly long seasons we've seen around these parts.
DMiz from Jagsonville
KOAF (and P), If you are familiar with The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Dead Kennedys, Social Distortion, Green Day, Agent Orange and others, I think it's safe and appropriate to call you the King of all Punk.
There was a time in life I fancied myself something of a punk, which in retrospect was a bit silly and misplaced. While I liked most of the bands you mention – particularly the first five or six – I therefore would feel silly proclaiming myself the KOAP. I'll damned sure listen to London Calling again, though, even if I never went so far as to tattoo love and hate across the knuckles of my hands.
Gator from Gainesville, FL
Lots of weerd talk bout typin in the box. I don't no what cut and paste, clip and move, docu this and spell check that meens. I just type.
Of course you do.
Jonathan from Formerly of Jax Beach
Hey O! Aren't the Jags the only team to beat the Steelers three times in a season and done it twice??
The Jaguars are the only team to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers twice in Pittsburgh in the same season. They have done this twice – in 2007 and 2017, winning at Heinz Field in the regular season and postseason both seasons.
Fred Heaviside from Naples, FL
If the Jaguars win the Super Bowl this year, does Doug Pederson make the Hall of Fame for having won two Super Bowls with two different teams?
Winning the Super Bowl with the Jaguars indeed would mean Pederson would have won Super Bowls with two different teams – the Jaguars and the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2017 season. He would become the first head coach to accomplish the feat – and yes, that's exactly the sort of feat that gets you into the Hall of Fame.
Charles from Riverside
Before the modern era, the middle linebacker position was the premier spot on the defensive side of the ball. Guys like Dick Butkus, Nick Buoniconti, Jack Lambert and Ray Lewis (modern era?). It seems like the premier defensive positions today has morphed to edge rusher and defensive tackle. However, with the return to the three-linebacker formation do you see this as being a more premier position under Ryan Nielsen? Also, who do you see being the best player to start as Middle Linebacker moving forward?
Middle linebacker always will be important, particularly for teams that run a 4-3 scheme. I can't see it ever being a premier position again because of the emphasis we place on sacks in this era of the NFL. I expect Foye Oluokun to start at middle linebacker.
Nicholas from Fort Cavazos, TX
KOAF: Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan turned 74 Thursday. Do you get invited to the executive suites to celebrate and partake in festivities or are you part of the cleanup crew lucky to lick the icing off the plates? I used an email program then copied and pasted into the small box. KOAF: Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan turned 74 Thursday. Do you get invited to the executive suites to celebrate and partake in festivities or are you part of the cleanup crew lucky to lick the icing off the plates?
This might be a brilliant email. I can't quite decide. This might be a brilliant email. I can't quite decide.
Jason from Jacksonville
Hey O! I miss Jags AM, is it coming back next week?
Jags A.M. streams three times a week during the season and once a week in the offseason. It will return during Jaguars 2024 Training Camp – likely on Monday, July 29.
Fred from the Willie Browne trail.
Given that Tony Boselli is not available for the Jags panel of experts this summer, could you possibly recruit Don from Marshall, NC?
When it comes to this idea, I assume Don would be "all in."
John from Jacksonville
Since it's always coaching in the NFL, did the Jaguars make any moves with the offensive line coaches?
The Jaguars did make changes to the offensive line coaches. Phil Rauscher will return as offensive line coach in 2024 and Greg Austin replaced Todd Washington as assistant offensive line coach.
P Funk from Murray Hill
Either the app posting times are wrong or your responses to the questions of the Zone posts are a little bit like "We've always been at war with Eastasia"
Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.
