JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Al from Orange Park, FL
Not supposed to use it as an excuse, but it's a reality: Wouldn't it be fair and reasonable to note that injuries derailed both last season and this one?
Injuries without question have been an issue for the Jaguars the past two seasons – and it's not right to ignore them as part of the storyline of the 2024 season. They are 2-6 entering a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Sunday – and they indeed have dealt with injuries at times this season. They at times have been without players such as safety Andrew Wingard, cornerback Tyson Campbell and linebacker Foye Oluokun – with all three players spending at least four weeks on injured reserve. They also this week are without wide receiver Christian Kirk, with wide receivers Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. questionable entering the weekend. But I still can't in good conscience say injuries have defined the season in the sense that they defined the 2023 season. The Jaguars were 8-3 last season before quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained three injuries and Kirk was lost for the season. The team went 1-5 after that, which makes for a pretty clear connection between the injuries and late-season collapse. This year's injuries from this perspective haven't derailed the season on that level.
Mario from West Kelowna, BC
Zone. In hindsight it looks like 2022 was a very, very special season. And you've mentioned that before, I believe. I kind of see 2022 as a fluke but a nice fluke. What we need to understand is that it takes a lot for a football team to be successful. It's not just coaches, players, owners. Sometimes the stars align for you, luck is on your side and things work out. 2022 was that year. The years after the 2022 have proven that. This team is far away from close to being good.
The 2022 season was special and memorable, but that doesn't mean the season was lucky. Success one season does not guarantee anything for the future in the NFL. Still, teams can get good in a hurry in the NFL these days. The Jaguars don't feel close right now. An improvement here or there can change that fairly quickly.
Gabe from Washington, DC
Why is Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead still playing so much on the edge? Everyone knows 1) he's less effective there by a wide margin, 2) we have two really good edges and 3) we don't have great interior pass rush. It seemed like they finally made the right move against New England, where he took more snaps inside and had his best day rushing the passer. What gives?
Good question.
Taylor from Columbia, MD
Jaguars Owner Shad Khan said this is the most talented Jaguars team ever. Bad evaluation? Was he convinced by management of that fact? How do you think the results jive with his preseason expectations?
I think what Khan meant when he said that wasn't that the 2024 Jaguars were the most talented Jaguars team ever, but that it was the most-talented Jaguars team of his tenure as owner. I don't know who "convinced" him of this. I think the results are disappointing for Khan and anyone else associated with this team. The Jaguars are 2-6. More was expected.
Paul from Lake City, FL
Yes, this team won the AFC South in 2022 and came within a game of repeating last year. It is also 4-13 in its last 17 games and hasn't had a 10-win season since 2017. Many of this team's weaknesses were weaknesses the previous three years as well. Coaching, roster building, culture … I don't care what the factors are at this point. I just want my team to get better and win some games.
Fair.
Seabass from Poland
Hey, John. Over the past few seasons, I often expressed excitement at how Roy Robertson-Harris would dominate when playing on the interior of the D line. What happened? Did he check out or did we screw him up by trying a new scheme/coach that doesn't know what to do with him, or with Armstead, or with Hines-Allen, or with the defense in general? What do you think?
I think I remember Robertson-Harris playing well in a lot of games for the Jaguars, particularly at the end of the 2022 season. I don't remember him being dominant on the interior of the defensive line.
Hilarious from Funnytown
I really thought my "play the slice" submission on Monday was a banger. Bummed it didn't make the cut.
It's not the loss that matters. Losses happen. It's how you respond to the loss that shows your character.
Robert from Elkton
If someone offered a single seventh-round pick for every safety on the Jags, the general manager should meet with coaches and seriously consider it. Signing a bunch of street free agents might not produce worse results than the embarrassing display recently. Heck, they might even tackle a ball carrier rather than run 20 yards down the field playing paddy-cakes with them. Seen it way too many times this year; at some point, they have to at least try to make a tackle!
The Jaguars' safeties for the most part have not played well enough this season and breakdowns at the position have been costly at really critical moments. This happened Sunday when safety Andre Cisco cramped and fell just as Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed ran past him for a 51-yard reception that set up the game-winning field goal. This was unfortunate, and my vibe listening to Cisco's explanation was it was a tough circumstance at a tough time for a good kid. I'm also not sure the play was Cisco's fault either way. But the Jaguars' safeties for the most part have not played well enough this season and breakdowns at the position have been costly at really critical moments.
Sam from Orlando, FL
This offense misses Jim Bob Cooter. Doing wonders in Detroit. A big loss for this team that doesn't get talked about enough.
It gets talked about enough.
Howard from Homestead, FL
This season is a pretty good reminder of why you never overreact to a news cycle. A few years ago, one article was published making Tom Coughlin look bad. He was shown the door, Baalke was given control, and soon, we'll be looking for a new general manager. Few people even remember that article, but I bet we wish we had someone like Coughlin running the show now, don't we?
The Jaguars dismissed Tom Coughlin in December 2019. David Caldwell was the general manager until late the following season, with Trent Baalke taking the position on an interim basis at that point and assuming it on a permanent basis shortly thereafter. Coughlin was a high-end head coach – for the Jaguars and later for the New York Giants – and should be remembered as such. I expect he will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame sooner than later. I don't know that he's the ideal person to be running the Jaguars now.
Tom from The Mean Streets of Nocatee
Trevor Lawrence is not high on the list of Jaguar problems. Exhibit A: Gabbert McCown Gabbert Henne Gabbert Bortles Henne Bortles Kessler Foles Minshew Foles Minshew Glennon Luton Minshew Lawrence
Good eye.
Limo Bob from Neptune Beach
Assuming we are not signing ETN to a new contract he could be traded next. What would he be worth in the next couple days to a contender?
Everything I know about this team tells me your assumption is incorrect. I don't know that the Jaguars will sign running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a new contract, but I absolutely do not expect him to be traded in the coming days.
Jim from Middleburg, FL
Hi, John. This is our team until after the draft next year. Coaches could stay or leave middle of season, but that would accomplish nothing for a long time. So this is our team. Fans have to relax and enjoy football. Not just winning.
You're asking fans to enjoy the game for the game's sake and not complain if their team loses. What is the fun in that?
Shawn from the mean streets of Arlington
Why does BTJ seem to double clutch the ball so often? Lack of focus? The guy is good, but man it's nerve wracking.
Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. indeed has double-clutched a pass or two this season. I haven't made an official list of things that concern me about the Jaguars this season. Were I to do so, that would be low on the list. If it made the list.
Don from Marshall, NC
That schedule is brutal, but nothing is easy. Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson made a run his first year and there is no reason why it can't be done this year. Things change overnight in the NFL! Still hopeful and Go Jaguars!
Don, bless his soul, remains "all in."
