JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!!! When we end up picking University of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham and he turns out to be a stud, thus helping improve defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, can we please put out to pasture the whole "We-should-have-picked-Hutchinson-tirade" nonsense? What says you, O-Zone???

Sigh. I say I don't expect we will ever put the Aidan Hutchinson "nonsense" to rest because it's not really "nonsense" – just as it's not the Most Important Topic in Jaguars history just as selecting Walker over Hutchinson was not the trigger point in the demise of the franchise. It's a legitimate topic for discussion – and it's fine for people to rue the Jaguars selecting Walker No. 1 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. It's also right for people not to rue this. I've been consistent for a long time saying I had no problem with the selection and I continue to feel that way. I see Walker as a core player for the Jaguars and the best player on the defense. He's in the conversation for the best player on the team. In three NFL seasons he has been durable, reliable and productive – and he undoubtedly would be helped by a stronger presence on the interior of the defense. Though Hutchinson – now with the Detroit Lions – has been the better pass rusher, pass rush is not the only role for an NFL defensive end and I don't necessarily think the Jaguars would be better with Hutchinson than Walker. Will this ever not be a debate in the O-Zone? Likely not, but that's OK. It's professional sports, after all. And pro sports are entertainment. A little debate is part of the game.

Matthew from Townsville, Tropical Australia

Hi, O. I haven't heard hardly anything about the following returning youngish players in the offseason: Linebacker Yasir Abdullah, defensive end Myles Cole, center Luke Fortner, offensive tackle Javon Foster, defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson, safety Antonio Johnson, cornerback De'Antre Prince, and running back Keilan Robinson. I have had hopes for all of them at various stages, but they seem to have fallen off the radar. Based on what you hvve seen and perhaps whispers around the building, would you be able to rank them according to which you think most likely to contribute meaningfully on offence or defence this year?

I can't really rank them because most of the eight players you mention fall into the category of being young players with minimal starting experience. When regimes change, players in that category generally have a second chance to earn the confidence of new decision-makers – and therefore to earn or re-earn roles. I know the Jaguars like Jefferson's potential. I expect all eight to have a chance to contribute in 2025.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

With the caveat that we should not expect substantial production from a rookie, which rookie drafted at No. 5 overall do you think would have the biggest impact on our team in Year 1? Be it on offense or defense. I'm not asking who we SHOULD take, just curious who you think could potentially make the biggest difference for the good guys.

I'll lean toward Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty here. Running backs generally are able to make significant contributions as rookies more quickly than other positions.

Pee Gate from The Pentagon

Zone, we have it on strict authority that in 1995 a certain Jaguars player committed an act of urination in the team cold tub. We have eyewitness accounts (Jeff Lageman) placing the accused at the scene. Listen, Zone, this case is No. 1 on my list. Your leaky alibi isn't going to hold in court. Just come clean and tell us who it was.

This sounds as if it's Lageman's story to tell – and I choose to keep it that way. If there's a culprit, he can reveal.

Gavin from Halifax, NS, Sovereign Country of Canada

Hey, John. I have been a Jags fan since the 1990s, and we've been through multiple general managers. When a new general manager comes in, and forgive me if you have answered this already, but for his own purposes, can he bring any scouting notes/material he had from his previous position? Notes regarding specific players, or is he leaving all that behind when he moves to a new franchise?

A general manager taking a position in January or February who has been with another team by definition has extensive knowledge of many, many players from the draft class. It's impossible and impractical to think that he's not bringing with him information from his former team.

Jackson from West Palm Beach, FL

What specific skills and attributes does Jeanty bring that could elevate the Jaguars' running game? What is the value of selecting a running back at the No. 5 overall pick, given the team's other needs, especially on the offensive line?

Jeanty's strengths include speed, strength, vision, quickness, ability to break tackles and to make defenders miss. If the Jaguars select him at No. 5 overall, they will do so because they believe he is the best player available and a special talent. That's why you select players that early in the NFL Draft.

GP from Savannah, GA

John, would be great if New Orleans would trade up with the Jags in light of their quarterback situation. Pick up a second and a fourth or maybe even third. We can only hope!

OK.

Kevin from Sault Ste Marie, ON, Canada

Where can one (in Canada) get a copy of your book? I'd love to read it but am struggling to find a vendor that still carries it.

Jags to Riches can sometimes be found online for what I understand are absurdly high prices. Finding a vendor that carries it is from what I understand a challenge. It seems some people in the second-hand book trade tend to overlook greatness.

Dwayne from Jacksonville

I was trying to imagine what it would be like to have a general manager with an entire scouting department to assist him in selecting players. "That's just crazy," I thought, but then, well, what if we held them accountable for their selections and fired them every few years if the team isn't winning? Maybe that could work?

Yes.

Adrian from Reading, UK

Is there a reason none of the draftniks seem to be projecting Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette to the Jaguars at pick 5? Is he expected to be off the board, or are the many and varied character concerns scaring people off?

Longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette will be off the board by No. 5 overall. Character is not an issue, though it is true that Gene – in addition to his devilish charm – has a mean streak that's sometimes hard to contain.

Joe from Jacksonville

John, I've been meaning to write this in, but I haven't yet. I had the privilege of meeting Longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette around town and graciously addressed him as such. His response: "Cultural Icon?" What gives? Just another example of extreme humility?

The extremest.

Al from Orange Park, FL

Not Likely to be Earned (NLTBE) versus Likely to be Earned (LTBE). Who decides which is what? Is it written into the contract that way? Could be incentive for a player, or could just make him angry…

This continues a recent discussion on incentives in NFL contracts, with NLTBE's being applied to the following year's salary cap and LTBE's applied to the current year. How these are determined is actually quite simple. If the player reached the incentive the previous season, they are categorized as likely to be earned. If he didn't, it's not likely to be earned. Either way, it shouldn't make the player angry. An incentive must be agreed upon by both parties and written into the contract. If the player doesn't like the incentive, he doesn't have to agree to it.

Marty from Jacksonville

John, in your column of April 14, you said, "The NFL's 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement allows teams to receive a salary cap "credit" if it receives proceeds from an insurance policy on an insured player who has been lost due to injury. " The obvious question is, is the cost of that insurance policy counted against the salary cap? If not, it seems like a no-brainer for teams to carry such policies for all their highly paid players.

The cost of the insurance policy does not count against the cap. Does it seem like a no-brainer to carry such a policy on highly paid players? Yes, it does. Why not carry them on all players? It's expensive.

Cristiano from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Congrats on the 5,000 days O-Zone streak, Johnny-O! It certainly is one of the most valuable things a Jaguars fan abroad has! Thank you!

I am the king of all funk.