JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL
Hi, John. I think I like the new kickoff rule. More exciting with less injuries.
You're referencing the NFL's "dynamic" kickoff rule, used in a Jaguars game for the first time in their 26-13 Preseason Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday night. As with anything new, it's tricky getting accustomed to the rule. It does seem safer, though we're only a few games into its implementation. I expect the rule to be tweaked here and there, perhaps very quickly, as the league strives to find the right balance of distances and yard lines to promote teams actually kicking the ball in play. Coaches currently seem likely to lean toward kicking the ball through the end zone rather than risking a return. But I sense there will be a "sweet spot" on this issue. Once the league finds it, then yes … the rule could work.
Jesse from Texas
If preseason games mean nothing in terms of winning or losing, then why, O' wise one, does the league give teams challenges? And an even bigger question, why would a head coach use a challenge in said games?
Preseason NFL games are played under the same rules as regular-season games so there are challenges. Teams prefer winning to losing, so coaches challenge calls.
GPP from Savannah
John, how do you think our starting defense did against their starting offense? It seemed as though their offense moved rather easily down the field on their first drive.
This question sort of exemplifies why preseason is difficult to analyze and discuss. We have waited an entire offseason for football, so it's natural that when we see NFL uniforms on television we want to analyze every detail of what happened and look for conclusive answers. While that's understandable, we must remember two key points when considering a Preseason Week 1 game. One is that there is little-to-no game-planning involved. That means teams are running basic plays designed to give starters repetitions and allow young players a chance to be evaluated. Another point is that when the starters do play, they play a series or two. This makes the events of those two series seem like a trend when they are in fact an extraordinarily small sample size compared to an entire season – or even an entire game. That's an admittedly long-winded way of saying the Jaguars' defense played one series against the Chiefs' first-team offense Saturday. The Chiefs moved well for four plays. The Jaguars' defense then forced a field goal. The Chiefs starters left the game. The first-team defense then forced a punt against the Chiefs' second unit and left the game after that. How did the Jaguars' first-team defense look? Like a defense that allowed a few long plays in its first action under a new coordinator, then played better after that.
Jonathan from Formerly of Jax Beach
If we don't do a better job of run blocking, I'll agree it doesn't matter who's calling plays. Other than that, it definitely matters, which is why there is someone who always calls plays and why several people are fired and hired for that role each offseason. Otherwise, quarterbacks would call all of their own plays like they did in 1800s and early to mid-1900s, and to say otherwise is pretty dumb actually.
The NFL began play in 1920 and the forward pass was legalized in college football in 1906. Of course play-calling matters to an extent. Few would argue otherwise. But it's often misunderstood and way overblown, and just because people are hired and fired in the NFL doesn't by any stretch mean logic or reason plays a factor in such decisions. Your first sentence actually summarizes the issue pretty well. If plays aren't executing the play-call, the play call often doesn't matter all that much.
Rob from Jacksonville
In 2022 Pug Dederson called the first half and offensive coordinator Press Taylor called the second halves. Weren't the Jags mostly always behind in the first half and more often than not came back to win in amazing fashion? Point is, whether is Pug or Press, the players have to play.
Rob, meet Jonathan. Jonathan, meet Rob.
Brian from Round Rock, TX
I've heard you guys say that the reason Pederson shouldn't call plays is that it distracts from him having an overall feel of the game and it impacts game management. I thought Pederson was terrible at game management last year. He made a lot of odd ball decisions that hurt our chances of winning. How about Pederson calls the plays and let the D Coordinator handle the game management? (see what I did there)
I don't know who will call plays this season, though I expect it will be Taylor. I don't expect Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen to handle game management.
David from Ada, OK
If the Super Bowl is next week we'd win. Maybe.
The Jaguars will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 2024 Preseason Week 2 game at EverBank Stadium Saturday. The Super Bowl is not next week. It is in February.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Would you agree one of the barometers of a team's depth is the number of players waived on cut down day (August 27th to get down to a 53-man roster) that are signed to other team's active rosters the following day?
Sometimes.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, I know it's only preseason and fans be fans, but that officiating crew needs more reps.
I didn't remotely notice the officiating being good, bad or indifferent Saturday. It's Preseason Week 1. And I guess if it's not always coaching in the NFL, it's always officiating. Even in August.
Brendon from Jax
Zone, thanks for everything you and the entire crew do. Currently stationed in Vegas and watched the game. No question, just an observation. Our all-around defensive depth looked really good and you could really see the speed at which they are playing. Kicker Cam Little was really solid as well. Can't wait to see how this team performs this season. Tell Brian and Bucky great job on the game!
Good stuff. Be safe.
Mark from Orange Park, FL
Lloyd in his new spot didn't look much different than his play from last year. Seemed easily blocked out of the play and not very aggressive for a middle linebacker. What is your opinion of his play so far?
Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd has looked fine through much of 2024 Training Camp. He played two series in a preseason game Saturday.
Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville
It was a preseason game, but it was football!
I googled this. You're right.
Scott from Jax in DelaNoware
Come on, O-man. Do you think he was really down by contact? I know Bucky didn't think so.
You're referencing a strip/fumble return/touchdown by Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell Saturday. I thought it was close. I thought it was an impressive play by Braswell either way.
Charles from Savannah, GA
When Christian Braswell took the ball away from the Chiefs receiver, it was called back. Please correct me if I am wrong, that was still a live ball? Wasn't it?
It would have been except officials ruled the receiver down by contact.
Pretty Mitch from Duval
O, let's say BTJ get one them catches a quarter, let's say one them go for a touchdown, that's 2,788 yards but only one touchdown. You think he wins OROY or will he get dinged for the lack of scoring?
I expect that if Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. catches 68 passes for 2,788 yards and a touchdown in 2024 that he would be the Rookie of the Year.
Pablo from Seville, Spain
JO - I am probably the most jaded Jags fan in Europe, but I was fired up after watching Mitch Morse celebrate the huge catch by Brian Thomas. First one for Mitch Morse?
One fer Morse.
Ben from Cuba, MO
O', I watched the majority of the first quarter. Obviously a preseason game and while I loved the long opening return, I'd loved to have seen a longer drive by the first team offense. However I write out of concern for the broadcast. I'm obviously in Missouri, my channel was CBS but it was obviously a Kansas City broadcast. The announcers and all media personnel were wearing KC garb and the entries commentary centered on the Chiefs. Is this a preseason thing, or is it going to be a new CBS broadcast style?
Most NFL preseason games are televised locally with team broadcast departments rather than national CBS, Fox, ESPN, NBC or Amazon crews. You were watching the Chiefs' broadcast. Had you been watching in Jacksonville, you would have seen the Jaguars' broadcast replete with Jaguars garb and the entire commentary centered on the Jaguars.
Jim from Jagsonville
We won? We won! We're going to the Super Bowl!! Go Jaguars!!!
On to Preseason Week 2.
