JACKSONVILLE – Game Day O-Zone.
Let's get to it …
Fred from Naples, FL:
C'mon, big guy … you know we are going to blow out the Seahawks. You predicted a "close" game against the Colts and look what happened. Our defense is going to play lights out – as it is what they do best when the lights come on in big games. I could see it in Jalen's face during that interview. He cannot wait to shine. Russell Wilson has not played against a defense this fast and he has not faced two corners better than ours yet. Post this in Late Night Zone when we win by 17.
John: I did predict a close game for the Jaguars against the Colts last Sunday. I was wrong because the offense converted well on third downs and turned early opportunities into touchdowns. That created the separation needed for the defense to make the outcome apparent throughout the second half. The Seahawks' defense is a different beast than that of the Colts, and Wilson is capable of making the same game-defining third-down plays the Jaguars made last week. I would say he's better at those plays than Bortles, which is why I think Sunday's game will be very close. Maybe I'll be wrong. I've been wrong before. If I am, good for you. And good for the Jaguars.
Robert from Oneonta:
Does Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone have a shot at NFL Coach of the Year?
John: He should be in the conversation.
Jacob from New York:
To quote a lesser-known movie, "I have a bad feeling about this." Why? Because it is an even-number week. How does the team overcome this obstacle?
John: The Jaguars can overcome the even-number-week thing by not thinking about it because it's not a thing, and I haven't heard anything about it this week, so it's not really a thing. Or something like that.
Jeremy from Dodge City, KS:
Seeing Calais Campbell with Mayor Curry made me think one thing. Calais is a big dude!
John: The weirdest thing is the mayor is 6-feet-8.
Sarge67 from the Westside:
O, have you been treated to the team's new "Marroney Bologna" sandwich? If so, how does it rate with other fried bologna sandwiches from other NFL stadiums?
John: I have not been treated to the "Marroney Bologna." The free sandwiches were handed out in order of importance around these parts. They ran out when the mayor got his. As for who was ahead of the mayor in that order and who was behind, I've been "encouraged" not to say.
Nate from Visalia, CA:
Seattle to the pit of misery. Dilly dilly!
John: It's Game Day. #DTWD
Romeo from San Marcos, CA:
We have to face a quarterback in Russell Wilson. We lost to Blaine Gabbert at Arizona. Any reason for concern, O-Man?
John: The Jaguars have faced 11 quarterbacks this season. They've lost to four of them – Josh McCown, Jared Goff, Gabbert and Marcus Mariota. Those quarterbacks are all capable. The Jaguars also beat Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Philip Rivers and Andy Dalton among others, so it's not as if there's a pattern this season of the Jaguars beating bad quarterbacks and losing to good ones. It's entirely possible the Jaguars lose Sunday – partly because Wilson's good. Guess what? Good quarterbacks win a lot of games. But this defense also is capable of forcing turnovers and creating big plays off any quarterback. If that happens, I'd say the Jaguars win. If not …
Scott from Medford, NJ:
A wise man once said "to be the man you gotta beat the man...WOOOOOOOO."
John: It's game day. #DTWD
Colton from Emporia, KS:
Hey O, Kenny Britt is available. Think he could help the receiving corps? Experience … has size unlike our other receivers … you think he could make an impact? You da man.
John: Britt had a 1,000-yard season receiving for the Rams last season. After signing with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent this past offseason, he caught just 18 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. The Browns released him this week. Those are the facts. Could he help the Jaguars? Perhaps. The reason I think it won't happen is Marrone has talked often this season about being more comfortable getting practice-squad and lesser-used players ready who are already familiar with the Jaguars' schemes as opposed to signing someone off the street and playing him immediately. That for the most part is how the Jaguars have addressed injury situations this season.
Mike from Section 238:
Dante Fowler Jr. seems to pursue runners well also. Is he fast enough to be the "spy" for Russell Wilson in addition to Telvin and Myles Jack?
John: Yes, but he's also fast enough and talented enough to rush the passer – and I'd rather have him doing that as much as possible Sunday.
Tim from Fernandina Beach, FL:
Some of the questions this week on how to handle Russell Wilson have brought up good points. Generally speaking, with a running quarterback, a linebacker will often "spy" on him. Wilson scrambles then makes the play. Will a spy work in this case, or how do you think the Jags will play him?
John: I believe the Jaguars' approach with Wilson will vary, but the spy concept makes sense – and I believe the Jaguars will use it at times. I also believe the Jaguars' speed at linebacker means using a spy in some capacity will be effective.
Tom from Charleston, SC:
You have shown in your time authoring the "zone" that you don't do research in an effort to find answers when people ask difficult questions. Perhaps you don't enjoy seeking out the facts or perhaps you just don't like doing a thorough job. In reference to your answer to Roger from New York; who made you privy to what goes on in the network or NFL offices? You have no real basis for your answer. They may well believe that Seattle in the playoffs would be a better draw than Jacksonville, thus an effort to help to that end is not out of the question. Put some effort in providing true, accurate and complete answers and omit the self-serving "stuff" and you would be a much more interesting read.
John: I couldn't agree more. I am awesome!!
Keithen from Jacksonville:
First: I was wanting to know why you haven't been using any of my posts in the O-Zone. Second: What is Jalen Ramsey's injury? The injury report just said he practiced limited Friday; I was concerned if he was going to play against the Seahawks. We need him to play or A.J. Bouye will have a tough game covering two top receivers. Also, what is the status on Telvin Smith's concussion because you wrote he practiced limited and would he be able to play alongside Myles Jack and Poz (Paul Posluszny) against the Seahawks?
John: Keithen, I'll be frank: your recent questions have been too difficult. I have found them challenging not only intellectually, but spiritually, ethically, morally and a few other "-allys." Mostly, I'm not privy enough to enough information to answer them. Regarding this question in particular, Ramsey missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury and was limited Friday; because he worked in that capacity Friday, I expect Ramsey to play. Smith practiced Wednesday and Thursday but did not practice Friday. He is listed as questionable and – as Head Coach Doug Marrone said Friday – the concussion protocol will determine if he can play.
Richard from Lincoln, RI:
I have been all over the internet and NO ONE is picking the Jaguars to win this game! NO ONE! What about this great defense am I missing?
John: I researched this question so much my fingers bled; hence, I now am typing with my ring fingers and pinkies (ouch). After Googling (read: researching) "Jaguars-Seahawks predictions" and finding it predictably unenjoyable seeking facts for such a maddeningly difficult question, I truly, accurately and completely found that many experts picked the Jaguars and many picked the Seahawks. I also found that the Jaguars were favored by the oddsmakers. Interesting.
Jeremy from Jacksonville:
Sunday will be the first game I attend this year, though I've watched them all on television. I haven't been this excited for Sunday since the last time I was this excited for sun … wait, I don't know if I've ever been this excited for Sunday! Go Jags!
John: It's game day. #DTWD
Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:
John, many of us believe in recent years some of our better players were snubbed in Pro Bowl voting. Much of that is likely attributable to the Jaguars consistently losing and thereby not being in the national spotlight. This year we are winning and very much in the national media. Do you think we'll see more Jaguars getting more Pro Bowl votes?
John: Yes.
Dreamweaver from Section 214:
Haven't been to many games this season. I will be back at the 'Bank for this one. Keep your silver, gimme that gold! Keeping us down is impossible, we're unstoppable! DTWD! LET'S ROCK THE BANK! MORE CAPS AND EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!!!
John: IT'S GAME DAY!!!!! #DTWD
