JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Brian from Round Rock, TX
Why doesn't the local press ask any tough questions? You all are a bunch of pushovers.
The local media regularly covering the Jaguars is a professional group of reporters/journalists who understand the issues around the team, and who regularly ask players and coaches pertinent questions. The issues regarding this team – both positive and negative – get covered/discussed regularly and thoroughly. I do get questions along these lines fairly often, suggesting that somehow the local media is scared to ask questions or not "tough." That's fine. It's very common for people to have passionate thoughts about -- and criticism of – areas they don't completely understand. There's no reason this shouldn't apply to how fans see media, too.
Deane from Daytona Beach, FL
Yo, O-Zone!!! Thinking of the upcoming season, and the very near future regarding our offensive line. Let's say some of these wily "seasoned" veterans decide to retire or maybe a certain starting left tackle is no longer on the team for some reason. Do we have enough offensive linemen in our current pipeline to re-load without a drop in performance? What says you, O-Zone???
My Scooby Sense – not my Scobee sense – tells me you're hinting that Jaguars right guard Brandon Scherff could retire after the 2024 season. Or that perhaps center Mitch Morse could do the same. Or that left tackle Cam Robinson might not return to the Jaguars for the 2025 season. All of those things could happen. Or some. Or none. The NFL increasingly is a year-to-year league. While Jaguars players such as quarterback Trevor Lawrence, defensive end Josh Allen and cornerback Tyson Campbell figure to be locks to be here for two or three seasons having signed long-term contracts this offseason, most NFL veterans' futures are somewhat more tenuous. I expect the Jaguars may need to replace a starter or two on the offensive line following this season. I expect a player such as guard Cooper Hodges could be ready to start in 2025. I expect a player such as Walker Little could emerge as a possible starter. Or maybe they'll use an early-round selection in the draft on a starter as they did with Anton Harrison when they selected him No. 27 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. None of this would be unusual or cause for much alarm. The offensive line is a big position group. You start five players. The short-term, rotating nature of the NFL makes it hard to maintain a starting five for many consecutive seasons.
Don from Marshall NC
If Cam Little has to tackle someone, then he needs to learn the matador technique. Act like you're going to lay the wood and then move out of the way the last minute. Don't injure your head or your feet. I am totally amazed with the Jaguars kickers. Go Jaguars!
When it comes to whatever it is he's talking about in this email, Don – bless him – remains very much "all in."
David from Oviedo, FL
KOAF – Do you still run the mean streets of Jacksonville? Do you wear a disguise so you're not recognized? I imagine once your cover is blown, kids start running to keep up and fans cheer you on, like that scene in Rocky! I see you running into the stadium, sprinting up the stairs and lifting your arms in triumph. This would make a cool promo video ... your one fan would love it!
Because I occasionally appear on television and Jaguars Media, I am occasionally recognized in public by Jaguars fans. This is not a nuisance nor remotely overwhelming. I have been known on occasion to visit the Town Center. When I do, it ain't Hard Day's Night.
Armand from Jacksonville
When do you expect to see the Jaguars move some players to the injured reserve list? I know at least one should be there.
I expect the Jaguars to assign one or two players to injured reserve Monday or Tuesday. Tuesday is the day NFL teams must reduce rosters to the regular-season limit of 53 players. There's no reason to assign players to injured reserve until then.
Mike from Newberry, FL
With this week being the last preseason game, do you see any surprise names that the Jags may cut?
If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise.
Dale from Mobile, AL
I keep hearing that wide receiver Tim Jones is a great special teams player, but I cannot think of one special teams play he has made this preseason or all of last season. Why do people say he's so good on special teams? I don't see it. I am Team Trammell!
Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones is a high-quality special teams player because he is good in various roles, including punt and kickoff coverage. Insider Tip I: Just because you can't think of a special teams play doesn't mean a player's not good on special teams. Insider Tip II: General managers value a front-line special teams player over a sixth receiver. Almost always.
Dwayne from Jacksonville
I think you gave us a clue as to when a sports journalist becomes a Senior Writer. Is it when he has a chance to write a great column consistently?
Either that or when all hope is lost. I'm still trying to decide.
Sam in India
Maason Smith looks like a grown man. Which I guess should be expected since he is a grown man. But sometimes I see guys coming out of the draft that still look like high schoolers. Granted, high schoolers who could probably break me in half. I feel like Maason Smith looks like he could be my Uncle and I'm 36. This instills a lot of confidence in the man, for some reason. What's your take on Maason's appearance?
Jaguars rookie defensive lineman Maason Smith is a big human being who appears he was put on this earth to play defensive tackle in the NFL. His prototypical size brings to mind some very, very good defensive tackles – including current Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead. He has potential to be very, very good and he drew praise from coaches during 2024 Training Camp. This is a good start. Stay tuned.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
I read where former Jaguar kicker Riley Patterson, who was picked up by Washington at the end of July, is now in jeopardy of not making the team. From 2020 to last year the Jaguars used eight different kickers which includes Brandon McManus who kicked in all games last year. Here's hoping for Cam Little to be the long-term solution to this important position.
Here's hoping.
Jami from Claxton, GA
John, if Devin Lloyd is playing the Mike, does Foye Oluokun play the other linebacker position?
Pretty much, yes. The Jaguars have been intentionally vague on this. What we know for certain is Oluokun and Lloyd appear to usually be the starting linebackers when the Jaguars are in their "base" four-lineman, two-linebacker looks. Oluokun will still be calling plays, doing so from a role that usually is the weakside backer position. Lloyd appears to often be playing more of the middle or "mike" position.
Daniel from Johnston, IA
Your answer about quarterback C.J. Beathard possibly being on practice squad and the financial saving begs a follow up question. Is that savings possible because of the way his contract is worded? I.e. the Jags don't have to pay if he's not on active roster? A far more outrageous example, if the Jags moved [quarterback] Trevor [Lawrence] to the practice squad, wouldn't they still have to pay him? (I get how unlikely that would happen and he wouldn't stay on the practice squad etc)
Teams don't pay players' salaries if they're not on the team unless the salaries are guaranteed.
Mike from Pasciuto
If we don't keep wide receiver Elijah Cooks or wide receiver Joshua Cephus on the roster. Is there a way to keep either safe on practice squad? Which one do you prefer to keep? What about running back Jalen Jackson? He looked good the preseason so far.
I expect all three players to at least be on the practice squad, and I think two of the three could be on the active roster. I would go with Cooks on the active roster because he can play special teams and Jackson because he has flashed enough another team might sign him to their 53-player roster. I wouldn't rule out all three on the practice squad, though. Remember: A team must like another team's player significantly more than they like one of their own top 53 guys to sign a team's released players. Teams often tend to lean toward players they've developed in their own system as opposed to adding released players who would be coming in new just before the regular season.
Steve from Nashville, TN
Our projected starting offensive line (center Mitch Morse, left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Brandon Scherff, right tackle Anton Harrison and right guard Ezra Cleveland) have over 400 starts combined. Is that more than most other NFL teams?
It very well might be.
