JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Bob from Jacksonville
In 2022, the Jaguars, New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers made the playoffs and haven't since. Last year, the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins were good. This year, not so much. Except for a few organizations, success is short term. Doesn't make losing any less disappointing, but the Jags have better players now than when they were really bad. I thought they had reached a level of sustained success midway through last season, but apparently not. At least it could turn around quicker than in years past when the roster wasn't as good.
This Jaguars roster is not great. Great rosters typically don't lose 12 of 15 games, which the Jaguars have done over the start of this season and end of last season. Great rosters also have players that make big plays in key moments, which the Jaguars haven't done consistently this season. But the Jaguars' roster isn't deficient in the way it has been in past eras. Young players such as running back Tank Bigsby, tight end Brenton Strange, defensive end Travon Walker, running back Travis Etienne Jr., right tackle Anton Harrison, linebacker Ventrell Miller have done a lot of encouraging things this season – and they're not alone in that category. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence continues to develop and veterans such as defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and cornerback Tyson Campbell are at minimum strong starters. This is not a case of a franchise necessarily being far, far away.
Crash from Glen Saint Mary, FL
OZ! Scherff is next. Get Cooper Hodges in there at RG.
I think you're suggesting that the Jaguars could trade offensive lineman Brandon Scherff before Tuesday's trade deadline. I understand the reasoning because he is a veteran player and struggling teams often trade veteran players at the trade deadline. I do not expect the Jaguars to make more moves before Tuesday's trade deadline.
Eric from Jax Beach, FL
There's a lot to wring our hands about right now but there's also a lot to be excited about. The stadium is officially approved and we locked in Jags football for 30 more years. Lawrence has been showing great signs in the last month of being the guy we know he can be. Our young core of BTJ, Travon, Bigsby, and cornerback Jarrian Jones are all showing varying levels of being future pillars on the team. This season may be lost, but I'm still very hopeful and excited for our future. Now let's go play spoiler the rest of the season. I mean, who knows, there was a team in town that started 2-6 a few years ago and had a pretty cool finish to the year!
Eric, like a noble man named Don in a bygone era of yore, remains steadfastly and unashamedly "all in …"
Brad from The Avenues
The defeatism talk has started already. I can't do it, John. I can't root to lose. Even when it was obvious that Trevor was going at No. 1 just couldn't do it. I feel like if I ever got to that point, I would just tank myself and not even watch the rest of the season. I just can't do it. Go Jags!
… and so does Brad.
Bruce from Saint Simons Island, GA
O, My glass is now less than half full, but here is my "Hail Mary." If the Jags win at least one of the next three games (Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions) they should be able to compete for the AFC Crown since there schedule becomes easier from then on. Losing Kirk really hurt last year so Parker Washington would have to step up. What do you think?
I think second-year wide receiver Parker Washington absolutely must step up with Kirk out for the season, and I think Kirk is a major loss. I also think if the Jaguars win two their next three games, then maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe such a conversation as the one you suggest could happen. I think the Jaguars winning two of their next three games has to happen before it's worth even thinking about such scenarios. I think it's going to be very hard for the Jaguars to win two of their next three games.
Kerry from Mount Airy, NC
Anyone who honestly believes we are better off w/o Trevor is blind.
Fair.
David from Maplewood, NJ
I guess I fall on the opposite side of folks who are concerned that the Jags traded left tackle Cam Robinson and more concerned that others may be traded. Trading Robinson was the only responsible thing to do and anyone - anyone - that based on contract status (nearing the end) could be traded the team should be listening to their offers and if reasonable should trade more veterans nearing contract end – including tight end Evan Engram, who might fetch a higher pick considering he has this year and next still under contract. They are as you have pointed out repeatedly lacking in high-end great players. You are only getting them through the draft. If it were up to me, they would trade Engram, safety Cisco and maybe more depending on what they could get in return. I would have traded wide receiver Christian Kirk before he got hurt. I know this isn't baseball but recognizing the problem - no great players – presents only one solution, to draft as many lottery tickets as you can and hope that you eventually hit one or two. Call me crazy but the definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result.
The Jaguars aren't going to trade Engram and they weren't going to trade Kirk. And doing the same thing and expecting a different result is not the definition of insanity. It's a cute (and lazy) thing to say if you're unwilling or unable to think through a topic or google the real definition of insanity, but it's not the definition of insanity.
Steve from Hilton Head, SC
John, When a player is traded midseason, who pays them for the remainder of the season? Do these numbers affect the salary cap?
This depends on the terms of the trade.
Jim from Jagsonville
Tom Coughlin is one of two head coaches with multiple Super Bowl rings that are finalists for the Hall of Fame this year. How do you feel about his chances?
I think Coughlin will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the next several years. I have no doubt that he will be enshrined at some point. I wouldn't be surprised if it's this year. But the list of coaching candidates is strong and includes Mike Shanahan and Marty Schottenheimer. I would consider Coughlin, Shanahan and Schottenheimer the most deserving of the group and couldn't argue vehemently with any of the three.
Jim from Neptune Beach
When people compare Trevor's stats to former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles, would it be fair to say a lot of Blake's passing yards came late in games that were already out of reach?
On occasion.
Michael from MIDDLEBURG, FL
John Unitas, Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw and many other quarterbacks played without a coordinator or coach in their ear calling every play. Lawrence this past Sunday most likely ran the last series without or at the least very limited communication from the sideline. This tells us something. Let the players who have played the game well enough to get to where they are their whole life. PLAY THE GAME!
You're correct that those quarterbacks of days gone by did more on their own and had less in their ears. But we are in a different NFL era now – an era of ginormous coaching staffs and an era in which much, much import is place on coordinating and playcalling. That's a long-winded way of getting to this point: I wouldn't mind seeing many quarterbacks, Lawrence included, doing more on their own instincts. But I wouldn't expect that anytime soon. The 70s and 80s aren't walking through that door and coaches considered what was once a simple game far too complex to allow quarterbacks total control of the offense. I do think the Jaguars could allow Lawrence to play freer with more downfield shots – and more movement and tempo. That worked well enough last Sunday that it almost has to be considered moving forward.
Al from Orange Park
As I understand it, a player's salary is split up into game checks. Do players on IR get paid? If not, hoe does that affect the salary cap?
NFL players' salaries are indeed paid per game, with bonuses paid in lump sums determine by each player's contract. Players on injured reserve do get paid their agreed-upon salary and their salaries count against the salary cap the same way as if they were on the active roster.
Bob from St Augustine, FL
You cannot give up over 20 points and expect to win games.
You can if you score 30.
