JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Anita from Springfield

I'm trying to remain optimistic, but my trepidation grows with the staff being assembled. It feels a LOT like one of those "grabs-all-his-buddies" kind of young staffs that tend to fail rather than a "grabs all the right people." It's early and I'll remain enthusiastic until I can't, but I'm more nervous than I was before the coordinator positions were filled.

More than a few such sentiments appeared in Thursday's inbox, with new Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen hiring Minnesota Vikings assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski as offensive coordinator late Wednesday. He also has hired former Green Bay Backers defensive run-game coordinator/linebackers coach Anthony Campanile as defensive coordinator. And the key members of the Jaguars' staff indeed will be young. Coen is 39, Campanile is 42 and Udinski is 29. But this isn't a case of Coen grabbing all his "buddies." While he certainly is familiar with Campanile and Udinski through mutual relationships, he never has worked with either Campanile or Udinski. More than friendship, these hires were about hiring young coaches who were going be coordinators sooner rather than later – and doing so before they were hired in future seasons somewhere else. I will admit youth was the first theme I noticed with this staff. Then I realized that I'm reaching the age at which most people seem young. The Jaguars' trio of head coach, defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator is a capable group. NFL coaching also is becoming a young person's game. I doubt this answer will calm your nerves. I imagine only winning will accomplish that. Remember, too: Teams fail far more because of a lack of big-time players than coaching experience. Players, not plays.

Michael from Orange Park, FL

So sad for Freddy T. I'm sick to my stomach.

Former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor was not among three modern-era electees for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class, with the following electees announced Thursday night: Cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen and tight end Antonio Gates. Wide receiver Sterling Sharpe also was elected to the '25 class as a seniors candidate. This was Taylor's second consecutive year as a finalist and sixth as a semifinalist. I admit I'm a bit sick to my stomach, too. Taylor is very deserving, and I believe he will be enshrined someday, but it stinks that he must wade through what increasingly seems to be a broken process. Taylor from this view is very much a victim of having played most of his career in a smaller market with comparatively little playoff or prime-time exposure, and that appears to be playing a large role in his exclusion. Also hurting him this year were tougher rules that helped limit the modern-era enshrines to three compared to five in past seasons. This last part must get fixed. I expect it will.

JT from Palm Coast, FL

Fred Taylor got hosed again. A four-member class is ridiculous.

True. True.

Phillip from Jacksonville Beach, FL

Arik Armstead Walter Payton Man of the Year. Do I care, O-Zone?

Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead indeed was named Walter Payton Man of the Year at the NFL Honors ceremony Thursday, receiving what many consider one of the NFL's highest honors. I can't tell people whether they should care about this or not. But while Armstead's first season with the Jaguars this past season was disappointing, that doesn't make this a less significant award. You can read about Armstead's extensive off-field work here – and his work in this area has been impressive. This was a tough season for Armstead – and for the Jaguars. Thursday was a cool – and deserved – moment for a player who has worked tirelessly off the field through his entire career. Good for him.

Ross from Mechanicsville, VA

I seem to remember the coordinators are hired before members of their staff so they can assemble their own personnel? Is it normal to get a few members of the staff before their coordinator is hired (or announced)?

Yes. Very normal.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John - The Jags' new coaching triumvirate of Coen, Campanile and Udinski all have football roots in Northeast states (Rhode Island, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively). Northeast football is characterized by toughness, teamwork and physical domination of your opponent. The game is played with passion and a hard-nosed, in-your-face attitude. How do you think this style will play with the Jags' current roster which is predominately made up of players with roots in the South?

It won't matter in the slightest. NFL players play for first for themselves. They then play for coaches they respect, believe in and who can help them win – and get paid. Where a coach was born doesn't enter the equation.

Jeff from Orange, CA

I saw that Udinski played defensive end in college, so it seems unusual to me that only a handful of years later he is professionally coaching the best quarterback in the world in the NFL. Is it common for coaches to have no playing experience in the areas they end of coaching?

It doesn't happen all the time, but it's not unique.

Cristiano from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Am I wrong, with all the false hope of previous staff/personnel moves along my Jaguars fandom, to feel only cautiously optimistic about everything going on right now?

Jaguars fans have been through a difficult decade and a half, a time in which at times it has seemed as if the team was introducing a new staff/new personnel every offseason. I know it has seemed that way to me at times. Considering how seldom those staffs and personnel delivered success, Jaguars fans absolutely are not wrong to mix caution with their optimism. Do you want to wait to get excited until you see results? Why not? I can't imagine why many people wouldn't take that approach.

Michael from Mean Streets of Arlington

I'm not seeing any rumors on wide receivers coach Chad Hall. Seems like he fits in with the new direction. Hoping he's staying.

He's not.

Hanesboro from Little Elm, TX

Mighty O, are there draft repercussions if the Jaguars sign a general manager who is a current general manager on another team?

There is no need for repercussions. A team can't sign a general manager who is under contract with another team.

Bruce from St. Simons Island

O, Way too early draft comment. My uninformed impression is that Travis Hunter would be a great pick for the Jags. Assuming he is gone, my "sources" have not been impressed with Will Johnson, but have been impressed with Mason Graham. My uninformed opinion is that whoever the Jags pick, it should be a special, immediate impact player, not just a good player meeting a need. Do you disagree?

The Jaguars are selecting No. 5 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The expectation absolutely is for a special player. The immediacy of this special impact can vary based on circumstance.

Greg from St Johns, FL

More collars than jerseys. Thanks for a much-appreciated lunchtime chuckle on a challenging work afternoon.

Work less. Laugh more. Hug people in your family. Don't text and drive. And when in doubt, hire more coaches.

P Funk from Murray Hill

Assuming we stick and pick at number 5 overall, could any pick there be considered an over-investment at a position based on our roster? (QB obviously not included)

The Jaguars had three Pro Bowl players this season – punter Logan Cooke, long snapper Ross Matiscik and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. There is no position on the team except perhaps long snapper and punter a Pro Bowl level player wouldn't improve.

Mike from Daytona Beach, FL

Just so there is no doubt, there is clear evidence that the Jags have had problems running consistently when needed - especially getting the tough yards in the red zone and in short yardage situations on third or fourth down. Perhaps the single best indicator of this is average yards before contact on running plays. In 2024, the Jags average was only .90 - the lowest in the NFL. The league average was 1.42. Let me just say GOOD EYE, KOAF!

I am the king of all funk.

Daniel from Johnston, IA

Two quick questions. Does having an offensive coordinator matter quite as much if Coen is calling the plays? Second, do Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli's responsibilities take away anything from Mark Lamping?

Two answers. Not quite as much. Absolutely not.

Nicholas from Fort Cavazos, TX

KOAF: You wrote "Comfort at first glance to reading double-digit years of experience…. It's easy to associate a gray hair or two with wisdom and know how". You have double digit experience and a few gray hairs (maybe a lot more), does this make full of wisdom and know how?

I was full of those things well before I had double-digit experience or gray hairs. I was full of something anyway.