JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Rob from Jacksonville

There is no way to tell, but it seems firing Doug now is of little benefit. He seems like a good guy and is a good coach. He helped pull this team out of a disaster. Should he go? Probably, but doesn't hanging him out to dry send a worse message to future prospects? Besides that, what does firing him today get us? A spark and maybe one extra win? Seems the risk/reward doesn't line up.

This seems likely to remain a storyline the rest of the 2024 regular season, which is as might expected with the Jaguars' record a very disappointing 2-9 entering Sunday's game against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans (7-5) at EverBank Stadium. Being seven games under .500 in any season that's not expected to be "rebuilding" assuredly will spawn such talk of change. But while I don't have any feel for the future of Head Coach Doug Pederson following the season, it is fair to now expect he will coach through at least the end of the regular season. I usually am pretty lukewarm about midseason firings for essentially the reasons you cite. They appease a faction of the fan base and "send a message," I suppose, but the effect is usually fairly minimal. There's not much point until you're ready to start looking for a replacement and it's often tricky to do much toward that end during the regular season. And yes … showing patience in difficult times can be a positive for an owner when looking for future head coaches. It's not everything, but it matters at least somewhat.

Colin from Sanford, FL

Hey, John. It seems like a part of the Jaguars' struggles comes from letting too many team leaders walk away. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins, edge defender Arden Key and left tackle Cam Robinson were all players of middle-of-the-road talent but fire in their belly. I think defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and tight end Evan Engram have it, but maybe not many more. My question is: How do you find that? Is it something teams consider in player acquisition and retention?

I think there are more players on the current roster with "fire in their belly" than you cite, and I can't rightly say that the three players you mention would be making thaaaat much of a difference were they still with the Jaguars. To your question: Most NFL teams do consider want-to, desire and leadership very highly when acquiring players. How do you find it? You ask questions, you research the player. You talk to as many people as possible who have been around him. Then you hope like hell the guy has it when he walks into your building.

Gary from Fleming Island

The Jags need something to change their fortunes. Perhaps a change in uniforms might help. The all-teal uniforms look like they are playing in kids pajamas, and the black and white uniforms look like they are leftovers from The Longest Yard movie.

One not fer the unis, evidently.

Michael from Orange Park, FL

Does Trevor play or not? Please say he plays.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence practiced Monday after missing the past two games with a left-shoulder injury. I think there's a decent chance he will play Sunday.

Julio from Nantucket

I've been a Jags fan since Day 1, so I'm used to losing. What I'll never get used to are the endless speculation headlines regarding trading key players, A good secondary, and even average offensive line, and the current lineup of players would be back to competing for the AFC. Side note - if any general manager has his team in position to have No. 1 picks in five years, he shouldn't have a job to make that third pick.

OK.

Greg from Section 122, Jacksonville, FL

Given the fan base is aging quickly (figure 30-year anniversary and puts most Day One people at least in their 50s-60s), isn't there a real concern of apathy setting in if the team doesn't shake off this consistent ability to underperform and just suck? Here is my perspective: You clean house and start over next year. In two years, we are playing away in a different site. So, first year reduced capacity, second year away capacity. All of this breeds a perfect storm for fans to just lose interest. New stadium euphoria will only get Jaguars Owner Shad Khan so far and if he doesn't find a way to get this team winning on a consistent basis no amount of chrome will draw the fans back.

We're all aging at pretty much the same rate (figure science). The Jaguars can't count on "new stadium euphoria" and they're not counting on "new stadium euphoria" to ensure the franchise is solidified for the long-term. No team can count on "new stadium euphoria" for that. The way to keep fans interested, excited and enthusiastic is to win. Period. Particularly more than the Jaguars have done lately.

Tom from Charlottesville, VA

Last week, best week of the season!! No loss, no one hurt. Maybe we can carry this through the next six weeks?

OK.

Benjamin from Jacksonville, FL BWO Upstate SC

There are a lot of things that have led to my apathy towards the Jaguars – and this season I legitimately watch expecting, nay hoping, for failure. Why? Because it's the better chance to avoid disappointment. It improves the likelihood of the changes required to improve future performance. So last week's game was quite satisfying. Go Jags?

This is not ideal. This is less than ideal. But it undoubtedly is reality for some Jaguars fans. It's up to the Jaguars to win to make this not reality. That's it. It's their responsibility.

Larry from Jacksonville

I don't know if we have the right coach. I don't see how anyone can be sure we don't have the right coach. They have been weak up the middle on both sides of the ball since he's been here. This is a result of poor player acquisition, not so much coaching. How creative or successful can an offense be when you can't run the ball when you need to? How effective can your edge pass rushers be when they get no help from the interior and very little from the back end. I know the front office has tried to correct these problems to some extent but that's not enough.

These are good questions.

Johnny from Jax

So, the Jags can still win the division. Is the bye over?

The Jaguars are mathematically alive in the AFC South and can remain that way with a victory over the Texans Sunday. The Jaguars' bye was this past Sunday.

Holden from Callahan, FL

Outside of defensive end Travon Walker, are there any other players who could be extension candidates? Anyone from the recent draft classes?

Not particularly. At least not yet.

Tom from Charleston

"Big-time players make big-time plays in key moments and are usually the reason their teams win." If that statement is true, then you are finally admitting that Trevor is not great, and barley tips the scale at good. His record in the fourth quarter is dismal. Trevor has proven to be one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL for fourth-quarter performance. He is one of the least productive and worst at his position when the game is on the line. You can be sure that if the team needs him to lead them down the field and score in order to win, he will throw an interception, fumble or just plain look like he is playing sandlot football. When exactly are you going to admit that Trevor the problem as much as either line any or any of the coaches? Four seasons into what was supposed to be "a generational talent?" Hasn't Trevor proven to be more of a lower mid-grade talent? It is too late to recall that $275 million but let's admit that Trevor is A problem and will be for at least five more years.

Perhaps you're a new reader. This is my theory because Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – will tell you that I repeatedly have said and Lawrence is not yet great and still developing. I said this before the Jaguars signed Lawrence to an extension this past offseason, and I have said and written it often since then. I never have said he is elite because he is not yet elite. I also have written often when Lawrence struggles or has difficult games. He's not a low, mid-great talent. He's a developing talent. The Jaguars signed him to the extension because they believe he will continue that development and make their investment worthwhile.

Izzy from Thankful in St. John

John, as we prepare for the yearly thankfulness observance, i want to point out that we are lucky to have an NFL franchise to root for and hope for improvement. Enjoy the holiday this year and thanks for your efforts! Health & happiness to the rest of Jagdom!!

Happy Early Festivus.