JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Marcus from Jacksonville
How long does Trev get to hang his proverbial hat on the late '22, early '23 success? Obviously the injuries late last season had a major impact, and clearly the Jags are committed to him for the long haul, but in terms of this forum, how long are we going to harken back to "the stretch" as the proof of what he could be before we start looking at what he is right now? I'm not saying he isn't good, possibly great, even elite … it just seems like, around these parts, we hang on to the good for years and years to prove things aren't as bad as they seem, but the bad things are generally treated with a "wait and see" or "it's too early to tell" mentality. Am I crazy? Is it just me that sees it that way?
I can't speak to or control how you interpret what is written in this "forum." I can tell you that when it comes to analyzing Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, I strive to be as fair and balanced as possible. I recently answered an O-Zone question by noting that Lawrence absolutely is not yet an elite NFL quarterback. I also noted that he must improve some decision-making, turnover and pocket-presence issues. These are well-documented issues, and improving them is part of the process for many young quarterbacks. I also pointed out that Lawrence turned in a very strong 16-game stretch late in the 2022 season and early in the 2023 season in which he quarterbacked the Jaguars to a 13-3 record. This stretch ended when he sustained a series of injuries that led to the Jaguars losing five of six games and missing the postseason. Mentioning that is not is not "hanging a hat," proverbial or otherwise. I don't know that this is "harkening" back as much as it pointing out that Lawrence played very well in his last extended stretch before sustaining a slew of injuries. This is pertinent until it's not. When we will start looking ahead? Well, now.
Don from Marshall, NC
Austin Trammell is ready to play some football. It would be nice to have him, and his hands are money. That guy could play on any team and let's hope it will be the Jaguars.
When it comes to Jaguars wide receiver Austin Trammell – a player the team likes and who may force his way on the roster – Don remains "all in."
Mike from St. Augustine, FL
Hey, Johnny Boy. Generation Jaguar fan here. Me and the wife are going to our first away game in Buffalo for Monday Night Football. The wife just saw videos of the Bills Mafia doing their table stuff. She's all worried now thinking I will get rowdy and end up going through a table. I told her we are just two Jaguars prowling our way into a Buffalo herd, and at the right time we're going to pounce and take at least one out. Any advice to relieve her stress?
Be nice. It goes a long way.
Michael from Orange Park, FL
Wait? What? The Jaguars traded Trevis Gipson? I thought he was our third pass rusher. Make it make sense.
The Jaguars indeed on Monday traded defensive end Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks for an undisclosed draft choice after signing him to a one-year contract in March. He was projected to be edge depth behind Walker and Hines-Allen. The Jaguars through the 2024 preseason and 2024 Training Camp decided that Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, Arik Armstead and perhaps Myles Cole and D.J. Coleman were the right combination at edge/defensive line. The people making the decisions see practice everyday and understand how players will be used. When they trade players for draft selections shortly before the season, it's because they won't be used more than the players they keep.
Bill from Bostwick
Sunday, I noticed New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan is sporting a Shad Khan handlebar mustache. Add the fact Jacksonville's new defensive coordinator has a history with Jordan, I think the Jags should trade for him to become part of the defensive line rotation. Jordan would certainly be a talent upgrade over Travis Gipson or Tyler Lacy. Also, it would add a solid veteran presence during this "WIN NOW" window the Jags are in. Or, O-Zone, must we wait until the trade deadline for this match made in Football Heaven?
Sometimes people share their thoughts here in the O-Zone.
Spencer from Birmingham, AL
Can you elaborate on the differences between waived and released players? I know the released players aren't subjected to waivers, but what determines whether a team releases or waives a player? I assume it just isn't the team's choice and has something to do with years accrued or the type of contract signed or something in the contract, otherwise teams would just release all their cuts so they didn't have to clear waivers to be signed to the practice squad. Also, are the other teams who claim a waived player, claiming his contract from the team that waived him as well? I assume the released players are just immediately free agents.
Your assumptions are pretty much correct. A player who has accrued four or more seasons is released and becomes a free agent. A player who has accrued less than that is waived and is subject to the waiver system.
Alan from Ellington, CT
How do other teams know if a player has been released? Is there an actual list that is updated by the releasing team that other teams can look at?
The league announces transactions internally to all teams daily.
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
Maybe I'm showing I'm no – self-proclaimed - football guru by asking … but why on earth would anyone draw up Walker frequently dropping into coverage?
This is a common point of misunderstanding when discussing NFL defenses. The reason the Jaguars dropped their edge defenders – Josh Hines-Allen and Walker – into coverage on occasion the past two seasons is they were playing a 3-4-based scheme. In a 3-4 scheme, edge defenders are outside linebackers and are asked to drop in coverage. In a four-lineman scheme such as that being used by the Jaguars under first-year coordinator Ryan Nielsen, edge defenders are defensive ends and don't drop in coverage as often. Coordinators that run 3-4 schemes often are criticized for dropping pass rushers in coverage too often, but there are looks and concepts you can't run without doing so on occasion.
David from Ada, OK
Why all the mediocrity hate? Take the win. Lackluster is a pretty good day for me.
I am the king of OK.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
If you had to pick one from the below arbitrary list of goals in 2024 that would drive a spot in the playoffs for this team, which would it be (all improvements on last year): 1. A Duval County home record producing five or more wins (three in 2023), 2. A rushing attack that delivers more than 2,000 yards on the ground (1,646 in 2023), 3. Passing Touchdowns of 30 or better (22 in 2023), 4. A defense that allows average points per game below 20 (21.8 in 2023)?
The first, best, realest answer here is I don't associate specific statistics with ensuring a team will make the playoffs. Two statistics I watch quite a bit are rushing touchdowns scored and rushing touchdowns allowed because if a team is really good in those areas it usually means they have strong lines – and that that team is therefore imposing its will on opponents more often than not. I also this season will be watching Lawrence's lost fumbles because it feels as if reducing his avoidable giveaways will go a long toward keeping the Jaguars in some games in big situations. As for your list, I'll go with winning at home. The Jaguars for multiple reasons struggled at times to win at EverBank Stadium last season. It's hard to go far on that path.
Jonathan from Formerly of Jax Beach
It has been reported that Breeland Speaks has been released. Obviously all I have seen is what he put on film in the preseason, but that was film of a dominant player – albeit against mostly backups. I just don't see how a guy like that gets released in the first wave of cuts with no consideration of making the roster. Is he a culture issue or something?
This is not a knock on Breeland Speaks, who indeed performed well for the Jaguars in the preseason. Performances in preseason against backups are often misinterpreted by observers. It's sort of an annual NFL thing.
Nicholas from Fort Cavazos, Texas
KOAF: On Sunday you said the top people in their chosen fields are compensated at an insane level. As Senior Writer do you qualify as the top of your field with an insane salary?
Oh, it's crazy all right.
