JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

CJ from Fernandina

It feels like everything I see around the league as far as projections or whatever have the Houston Texans as the favorite to win the AFC South. I know that doesn't really matter much, but pretty much everything I'm seeing has the Texans worlds ahead of us. I get that they've maybe earned the rights to be called the favorites after last season and I'll be the first to give them credit. They are a good team. But I think it's blown out of proportion and we should be right there with them. The disrespect is pretty wild when these analysts have us at maybe eight wins and the Texans 10-12. My question to you is how good would it make you feel with all of this going on to see the Jags destroy the Texans in the first matchup this season?

I've said throughout the 2024 offseason and into the regular season that I don't necessarily think the Texans are worlds ahead of the Jaguars entering the season. While the Texans earned their status as preseason AFC South favorites by winning the division in 2023, many observers – and many readers/writers in this forum – apparently forgot that the Jaguars won the teams' second 2023 matchup. This game was played in Houston, with Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence playing at a high level and the Jaguars very much deserving the victory. It was after that game that Lawrence played through injuries and the Jaguars correspondingly slid out of the postseason. If both teams are healthy, I expect both teams to contend this season and be playing for the South title in late December and early January. As for the Jaguars-Texans Week 4 matchup in Houston, I expect it to be a big game. While my emotions don't rise and fall based on the outcome of Jaguars games, a victory there would be really big for the Jaguars and could theoretically be important in the AFC South race. Depending, of course, on the outcome of those other 16 games.

Keith from Saint Augustine, FL

Special teams is one of the three units of a football team and clearly an important one. They have the ability to shift momentum with exceptional kickoff/punt returns and maintain momentum with good coverage. Many times, winning a game comes down to special teams executing a successful field goal. In my opinion, and statistically speaking, I believe special teams players should be recognized as starters. I understand it might be confusing, so they could throw in an asterisk if they want. For me, it's about giving those players the recognition they deserve. Perhaps it's not that important to the players.

Special teams absolutely are important and your sentiment that they should be recognized as starters is a popular one among NFL head coaches who love saying, "special teams are a third of the game." The thought from this writer's view is that's extreme because the reality is special teams usually accounts for less than 20 percent of the snaps with some of those perhaps not quite as pertinent as normal "scrimmage" snaps. Alas, I digress. Either way, I don't anticipate special teams players listed as "starters" anytime soon. Because they're not starters. Because starters are starters. I expect we'll move forward without asterisks with the knowledge that the game has been doing OK treating special teams players as it does. I expect it's OK to stay that course.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

It's impossible to predict injuries, really hard to project turnover margin, and pretty difficult to gauge schedule strength before the season starts. Does 11-6 seem like a reasonable expectation?

Give or take a game, yes.

Anita from Springfield

Foye is quite good. We've had several great linebackers, such as Poz, Daryl Smith, Mike Peterson, Myles Jack, and even – off-field-issues-aside – Telvin Smith. Foye still stands out. How does he compare to former Jags greats in your mind?

I would put Daryl Smith and Paul Posluszny in a group of the best Jaguars linebackers I've seen. I didn't cover Mike Peterson during his time with the Jaguars, but from a distance – and from reputation – I would put him in that group. That would be my group and I probably would wait until Foye Oluokon finishes playing for the team to determine whether he is in the group.

Marc from Oceanway

Zone, we are well acquainted with your all-powerful "Scooby Sense," so much so that I'm dubbing you the KOAFASS. That said, what is a "Scobee Sense?" You invariably remind us that your own powerful ability has nothing to do with this other sense. Is the Scobee Sense an unseemly ability or is your innate humility careful to avoid association with this greater power?

I confess I don't know precisely the definition of a "Scobee Sense." My guess is it would annoy me to explore enough to learn it.

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

Hey, O. Have you spent any time on the Jags' divisional rival sites lately? Trying to get a bead on the competition and find the sites contain "JACK SQUAT!"

What's a "rival site?"

Brian from Round Rock, Texas

What do you expect from Trevor this year? Does he seemed poised to take the next step? He seemed more mature in his press conferences.

I expect Lawrence to be improved in 2023 because I expect him to reduce his avoidable turnovers, which essentially means protecting the ball better when under pressure in and out of the pocket. I also expect him to grow in terms of decision-making because he's in his fourth NFL season and his third in Head Coach Doug Pederson's offense. Lawrence always has been mature for his age and experience, so I can't say that he seems more mature from this view. But he always has been able to handle the leadership and "face-of-the-franchise" roles. This does seem like a season in which Lawrence can take a step. Stay tuned.

Fred from The treacherous trails of Willie Browne

As Jaguars fans we're totally used to it, but I'm still surprised at the total inattention from the national "experts." I was most impressed during the preseason by the meticulous attention to detail by the entire squad. I must confess this gives me great optimism. And as wide receiver Christian Kirk alluded, being under the radar may be a really good thing. We're not just burning rope here.

The inattention from national experts was hardly unexpected. The Jaguars slid from the postseason in ugly fashion last season. Because national analysts aren't given to deep dives on every team, it's easy for them to assume that slide will continue. Is being "under the radar" a good thing? Perhaps. The Jaguars are there, and it's time to see if they can play their way up.

Anita from Springfield

This one's fer the O-Zone. As a longtime fan I'm celebrating re-signing and feeling like we'll have a core for more than rookie contracts lengths. But, I always appreciate your longevity, too. Thanks for being here and bringing your insights to this forum for us all for free.

I am the king of all free funk.

Van from Nebo

I know the NFL is a cutthroat business, and a contract isn't worth the paper it is written on, but I think their treatment of Shatley after 10 years of loyal service, was sorry. Knowing he was planning to retire after this season, they should have at least given him the option of retiring this season rather than just letting him go.

NFL contracts absolutely are worth the paper on which they're printed. If that contract says signing bonuses or salaries are guaranteed, players receive those guarantees. If they're not, players can be released and not paid their salaries. Those are pretty clear stipulations in most contracts. Bottom line: I like former Jaguars guard/center Tyler Shatley a lot. His NFL story was terrific. But he spent his career essentially making the roster each season as a former undrafted free agent. As much as any player, he understands how the NFL works. When he opted to return for this season, he absolutely knew there was a chance because of age, role and other players on the roster he wouldn't make the final 53-player regular-season roster. Final thought: If the Jaguars didn't believe Shatley was as good as the offensive linemen who made it, were they still supposed to keep him on the roster?

Stokes from Orange Park, FL

I know posting/answering this will risk you getting inundated with the same sort inquiries in the future. But can you throw me a bone on whether or not you think Christian Kirk will be a full go or limited in Miami?

Pederson on Monday said he expects all active Jaguars players to be full participation this week. That includes wide receiver Christian Kirk.

Greg from Section 122, Jacksonville, FL

I checked online and Gary is wrong. You don't suck. Candy corn, pumpkin spice everything, and artificial turf all suck. Gary, get some new material cause yours ... well sucks. KAOF is the anti-suck!

One fer Gary.