JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Brian from Round Rock, TX

So, here's what you got: The offensive coordinator goes up to the special box away from the team he's supposed to lead so he can have peace and quiet and space to put his papers??? Oh, and he needs a better view so he can dissect exactly what happened on a play in real time. If it's an advantage, and not a detriment, why are they moving him down to the field after his poor performance last year?

A few thoughts on your thoughts, which are as admirably facetious as they are impressively misrepresentative. Every NFL team has coaches who work from the press box and every NFL team has coaches who work from the field. Coordinators work from wherever they feel most comfortable, and plenty of Super Bowl teams and great offenses/defenses have had coordinators work from both places. The NFL is a copycat league. If one were better than the other, all coordinators would coach from the "better locale."

Ryan from Apopka, FL

So, with the backup quarterback spot pretty much settled, what other position groups/players do you think us fans should be paying attention to as we head into the final preseason game? The two that are interesting to me are those final wide receiver spots, and that third and fourth defensive end spot. Austin Trammell on paper seems to be coming on strong at wide receiver and you still have Denzel Mims, Tim Jones, Elijah Cooks and Joshua Cephus. As for that defensive end spot, Yasir Abdullah looks to be taking the next steps forward, but he was brought in more of a linebacker so does he have the size to be a defensive end? And Breeland Speaks, who just joined the team, looks to have had two strong games.

These are always tricky projections, with these decisions often not as either-or as fans and observers tend to believe. This is because players often make the "bottom" of the roster as much based on special teams play as position play, so keeping a sixth or seventh player means keeping a player you might not expect to contribute that much at the position. Just to hit this with the broad brush, I'd say the Jaguars keep six receivers: Gabe Davis, Devin Duvernay, Jones, Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington with Trammell and Cooks good practice-squad options. It seems from this view Speaks has a good chance to be on the roster, as does Abdullah as a fifth linebacker. Remember, too, what I've said repeatedly in recent weeks: While observers and fans want to focus on the magical "53-man roster," recent changes to rules have expanded the practice squad and made it much easier to active/deactivate players from there during the regular season. So while there once was a time when cutting a player on "cutdown" day meant shaking his hand and bidding adieu, it now means saying, "We'll see you Tuesday at practice. You'll still be making good money, just not as good as otherwise might be the case."

Jonathan from Formerly of Jax Beach

Speaks has quickly become my favorite nonstarter. Dude made some mistakes early and found himself without an opportunity, but then came storming through the lower levels of pro football and is getting a second chance. Second chances are a big part of what makes America great. I really hope we keep him as he has the looks of a really special find.

One fer Speaks, it appears.

EJ from Jacksonville

Mr. O. A question about the practice squad. Do the players get their regular salary or is there a different basis for compensation? If a player is picked by another team to go on the 53 roster, does he have a right to refuse and stay with the practice squad team or is it like the draft?

Practice squad players earn a minimum of $12,500 per week. Players who have accrued at least two seasons earn between $16,300 and 21,300 per week. Players on practice squads are essentially free agents. They can sign with teams given the opportunity and they can turn down the opportunity.

Brandon from Louisville, KY

So, what's really going on with Roy? Seems a bit odd, and not just injury related.

Jaguars defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris has played extensively in both preseason games, which indeed is a bit unusual for a veteran with significant starting/front-line experience. Head Coach Doug Pederson has said the added time is because Robertson-Harris missed extensive practice during the offseason program, and emphasized this week that Robertson-Harris will be an impact player this season. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen this week praised Robertson-Harrison. Stay tuned.

Joe from Jax beach

Who cares?

I sure don't.

Justin from Raleigh, NC

Do we play Mac Jones at all this week knowing he's guaranteed on the roster? Is Friday just a huge E.J. Perry day and he plays just to be a stand-in quarterback for the offense, knowing Beathard is preferred but hurt?

Pederson hasn't revealed all specifics of playing time against the Atlanta Falcons Friday – at least not beyond saying he expects healthy starters and front-line players to get an extensive look in the first half. I would be a little surprised if Jones, the Jaguars' backup quarterback, doesn't get a series or two. The thought here is he might even get a series or two with the starters because it may mark his only chance to do in anything resembling game speed/action for a while. As for E.J. Perry … yes, this almost certainly will be a huge night for him after the first half. Buckle up. It's E.J. time.

Daniel from St Johns

Hey John, I've had a ponytail cap for 30 years. It rarely is seen in public but it absolutely does not reflect poorly on the original! Brings back the inner headbanger! Go for it! You'll be glad you did…

I don't believe this to be true.

Sean from Oakleaf, FL

Do you get caught up in the emotions of cut down day (Tuesday August 27) or are you a stoic rock wall through the process?

I am empathetic to the reality of the process, and I am well aware that for a few players the news they receive as teams trim regular-season rosters to 53 marks the end of a dream. I am not emotional about it because I am not a part of the process. For position coaches, head coaches, coordinators and support staff, it absolutely is an emotional day. They work with most players extensively for at least the last six months or so. They get close to the players and realize the work these players have given. For most head coaches I have covered, it's far and away the worst day of the year.

Crash from Glen Saint Mary

OZ! Football is life. The rest is just details.

Yeah, well.

Marcus from Jacksonville

One of the things that is talked about often in terms of preseason games is that the teams do little, if any, game-planning for the game. That is often used as a reason why you have to take what you see in preseason with a grain of salt. For instance, I heard from Jeff Lageman this week about how Vita Vea only dominated our O-line because they didn't game plan and would never leave the center on an island with a player of his caliber in a regular-season game. My question is, why not do a little more game-planning for these games so that you can get a clearer picture of your team before the regular season? I realize time is limited, but it seems like a waste to not do more.

Fans and observers not having a clear picture of a team doesn't mean coaches/general managers don't have it.

Don from Marshall NC

Something happened to Luke Fortner last year. He obviously was injured early in the season. My guess is he tore a rotator cuff. He played better as a rookie. Got to be some reason he still has a roster position. Go Jaguars!

When it comes to having undying faith in Jaguars center Luke Fortner, Don remains "all in."

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

Why is my interest waning in a sport where a backup quarterback yearly salary is more than my projected lifetime earnings?

NFL players make unworldly money, from backup quarterbacks to starting quarterbacks to rookie linemen to veteran punters and long snappers. It's fair for this to bother fans. It can be a tough reality to accept. I suppose if it bothers people too much, they can choose not to watch. Salaries aren't likely dropping anytime soon.

Jensen from Lake Jackson, TX

O-Zone. I'm in Indy/Carmel for the week for work. Any recommendations on restaurants for dinner other than St. Elmo's (already knocked that one out last night)?

I'm not sure. Strings hasn't expanded there yet. One location at a time, as the fellas like to say.