JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Blaine from Prescott, AZ
Dear Mr. O: Two questions. No. 1: Was the No-Trade Clause a dealbreaker for Trevor? No. 2: While I like all three players, cornerback Ronald Darby, center Mitch Morse and defensive lineman Arik Armstead – each at 30 years old – seems to me to be a move of desperation by General Manager Trent Baalke. Do you believe any one of them has a chance to play all 17 games?
Dearest Blaine: Two answers. No. 1: I don't know the exact importance of the no-trade clause to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. I imagine it held importance because such a clause gives the player at least a measure of control over his career. That's significant in a league in which teams dictate more where players play than players. As for Darby, Morse and Armstead … they indeed as 10-year veterans are older than is ideal. Older players by definition are more susceptible to injury and wearing down than younger players. The moves didn't feel like desperation as much as necessary ones given the holes in the roster at the start of the offseason. Do any of the three have a chance to play all 17 regular-season games this season? Of course there's a chance. Is it likely all three will play all 17 regular-season games? That's a different question.
Paul from Lake City, FL
I don't pay attention to league-wide assessments of "best players" all that much. Many writers and fans still think of Jacksonville as a podunk town that's about to lose its football team and will end up in the bottom third of the league every year. Although this perception is starting to change, it hurts Jags players in such lists. I'm fine with that, just win.
This is the only logical way to look at offseason "lists" and rankings. They're about perception and little more. This is particularly true of offseason lists compiled by media, which are usually ways of filling days and creating conversation – online and off – during an otherwise slow time. But it's also true of more so-called "legitimate" lists voted on by players, coaches or general managers. Rarely have even the most "qualified" contributors spent much if any time doing fresh research and thinking the votes through. Offseason lists are entertainment. They're fun (if you like such things). They're harmless. And they mean nothing come September.
Marlin from Greenway Palms
Hi, Zone: In reply to Brad from the Avenues, I have found that if I am on a PC, I open word and write my brilliant query and then cut and paste. Likewise, if I am on the phone I use Docs or something similar. Of course, I am not doing that now, so this question will probably cut off mid-
Jaguars 2024 Training Camp begins next week.
Scott from Jacksonville
I grew up elsewhere, so I pretty much hated Jacksonville from my junior year in high school until the Jags arrived. Now it's my favorite city and I can scarcely imagine living anywhere else!
I confess that in my "rebellious" teenage years I thought it was vogue to dislike anything older people liked, or anything I thought was "mainstream." As I aged, I realized that Rebellious Teenage Ozone was also Uninformed, Annoying and Unlikeable O-Zone. Jacksonville's a great city in which to live. I also can't imagine living anywhere else.
J.Hooks from Orange Park, FL
What will the font on the signage be for The Stadium Of The Future? Papyrus or maybe Times New Roman? I think P. Funk and I are asking reasonable questions. This is important stuff. Get Lamping on the phone and figure it out. Jeez.
Jaguars President Mark Lamping knows where to find me, which is not necessarily a good thing for me. I'm similar in a sense to some backup quarterbacks. The idea of me is far better than the real thing.
SCOTT from Daytona Beach, FL
Fun Fact: The Jags are still the only team to go into Pittsburgh and beat them in the regular season as well as the postseason. Not once but twice.
That is fun.
Bob from Sumter, SC
Speaking of staying healthy, I sure hope Jalen's back is doing OK.
We have talked often in the O-Zone in recent months and years about the importance of being nice. We have reviewed this for those sleeping in the back of the class, and we have reiterated it in as many ways as I know how. The message apparently is not being heard by all.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
I saw that list of the top 25 pass rushers where Jaguars edge defender Josh Hines-Allen was completely excluded, but saw another where Hines-Allen/Travon Walker were third as a tandem. Most national media are meh-ish and I always figure you start making deep playoff runs consistently then you will be at the top of these clickbait lists. A perfect example is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. There is no way he is a Top 2 or 3 NFL quarterback. If three close games in 2020 went the other way and the 49ers ended up with the No. 1 overall selection instead of third and took Lawrence and he started his career with 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and that team instead of then-Head Coach Urban Meyer and the Jags, it is very possible Lawrence would have two rings and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes just one. I think Stephen Hawking would agree that in 3.4 percent of alternate universes that is fact. It's all situational and random, man but my point is Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones is probably is as good as Purdy and I had no idea this hash oil infused maple syrup (legal here, sorry Florida) would be as powerful as a Bjorn Borg backhand...
Wow. I followed you for a while, lost the trail, followed for a while, then lost you again. I believe one of your major points – for the part that I followed, at least – was that how NFL players are rated and ranked largely depends on perception. I believe another point was that a player's career can be greatly shaped by his surroundings. Of course these things are true. The NFL has more players per team – and more coaches, personnel staffs, etc. – than any other major sport, so success/failure has more intertwining factors than any other major sport. It's one reason quarterback is so important. The position is the biggest single factor pushing a team toward success or failure. The better the quarterback, the easier it is to adequately support him. The worse he is, the harder he is to overcome.
Chris from Section 437
Have all of Gary from St. Augustine's "questions" made the O-Zone, or are there some hooded greens you didn't publish?
Whenever Gary sends a hooded green, I make damned sure it gets published. To do otherwise would be irresponsible and misleading.
Brian from Round Rock, Texas
Is that useless Pederson still with the team? No, not the head coach, the other one.
Tight end Josh Pederson is on the 90-man offseason roster after spending much of the 2023 season on the practice squad, just like many other young and developing players around the Jaguars and the rest of the NFL.
Don from Marshall NC
It just seems the Jaguars need a big back that can block and pickup first downs. Use running back Travis Etienne Jr.'s skills in the passing game. I just don't see that guy on the roster. Maybe I have missed someone. I hope the Jaguars are not going to try to pick up third and short with a passing game again. All of the experts at Jaguar.com even mentioned the weakness in this area. We get the whole better blocking and all and that will help. Why is it so difficult for the Jaguars to get a big physical presence running back to protect Trevor Lawrence on third down and pick up short yardage. Why wouldn't you do that? It's exactly what the offense is missing. Maybe mysteriously one will appear in training camp. Go Jaguars!
When it comes to overlooking the role running back Tank Bigsby may play in the running game, as well as perhaps underemphasizing the importance of blocking in short yardage, Don remains "all in."
Al from Orange Park, FL
It's 3:15 p.m, and no Ozone! John? John? Are you OK? I'm worried about you …?
Monday's O-Zone – Trivial Pursuit – posted at 7 a.m. This is how it is and this is how it shall be.
Thomas from Charlottesville
Pressure is off!! Streak is DEAD. Since there were a few times The Zone posted twice on the same day ( before and after a game), and posted the next day also. I believe that todays second post of July 14, kills the streak. You have ten hours to correct!.
Monday's O-Zone – Trivial Pursuit – posted at 7 a.m. This is how it is and this is how it shall be.
