JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it … Rob from the Duuu:
O Man, I just saw Jalen Ramsey's college statistics. Three career interceptions? Is that right? Seems really low for the top defensive talent, doesn't it? Is that due to the difference in the college game where they don't pass as much, or are the rumors of his stone hands somewhat true? I guess if he could catch he would play on offense, but what gives, Zone?
John: Wait a minute!! Jalen Ramsey only had three interceptions while playing at Florida State?! Why was I not made aware of this?!! More importantly … why was David Caldwell not made aware of this? How was this not a topic in the weeks and months before the draft!!? Ah, Rob, Rob, Rob … I kid because I love – or at least, I tolerate. Yes, the three interceptions is an accurate statistic – and indeed, it was much-discussed as the draft approached. The Jaguars aren't worried about it for several reasons. One is that they believe his hands are fine. Another is that they believe Ramsey wasn't thrown at all that often at Florida State, and therefore didn't have an incredible amount of opportunities. Maybe the biggest reason they're not concerned is that interceptions aren't the primary reason for drafting a defensive back. Yes, they're nice. And yes, they can change the game. But what teams seek first at the position is the ability to be in position to make plays, and the ability to disrupt offenses. Ramsey has the athleticism and speed needed for those things; he actually has the speed and athleticism to a phenomenal degree. Stop the offense first. That's the most important part of defense in the NFL. Anything after that – turnovers, included – is a bonus.
Thomas from Jacksonville:
Please no golf talk. If an elderly man can play it in slacks, it's not a sport. I want to talk about the Jags.
John: OK.
Benjamin from Jacksonville:
Why, John? I understand the importance of an effective pass rush, but why Bjoern Werner? He was a high-risk player with little experience; everyone knew that. The experiment failed, but we're giving him a shot?
John: Werner may or may not have been a high-risk player when the Colts selected him No. 24 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, but he is the definition of a low-risk player now. The Jaguars are signing him in May for what I assume is a very low-cost, low-risk contract. He is being signed for depth and to see if he might provide some pass rush. He is not being signed to start over Dante Fowler Jr. and the Jaguars aren't depending on Werner to excel to improve the pass rush. I suppose a better question than, "Why?" in this case would be, "Why not?"
Donny from Lake Mary, FL and Section 132:
I think the Jags have improved their roster more than any other team in the NFL since the 2014 draft, so shouldn't we somewhat trust that David Caldwell/Gus Bradley know what they're doing? You have stated several times that Shad Khan/Caldwell/Bradley are about as transparent (i.e., truthful?) as any organization in the NFL? That said, why are so many "Jag fans" so confused and assuming that: Luke Joeckel has already lost his job/can't play guard, the Jaguars haven't addressed the O-line, Chad Henne sucks and should be replaced, they should have signed Olivier Vernon/Josh Norman no matter what it cost, the Jaguars should have a fullback … all of this despite the fact that Caldwell and Bradley have provided the reasons why?
John: I don't know.
Jared from O-Town:
Hey, John-O: I've heard the saying "If a defensive back could catch, he would be a receiver" many times during games. Even if this were true, do defensive backs spend any kind of significant time on catching drills at the NFL level?
John: Yes, the whole if-a-defensive-back-could-catch … saying is one of the more tired football broadcasting clichés. It's so tired, in fact, that I would criticize it if I likely hadn't said it myself on multiple occasions. Yes, defensive backs practice catching before and after practice. But doing that and doing it during games are different things, and because receivers naturally do it more often during games than defensive backs, it stands to reason they're usually better at the skill.
Chris from Columbia, SC:
O, it's pretty nice coming into 2016 with three Top 5 draft picks in Dante Fowler Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack. In your professional opinion, what can we realistically expect from Dante Fowler?
John: Boy, I'm glad you clarified. For a minute there I was preparing to give you my unprofessional opinion, and that might have gotten me in a whole bunch of hot water. My professional opinion is that Fowler's presence should help the Jaguars' pass rush because he is an athletic, strong, sudden player who should provide more pressure on the quarterback than the Leo position applied last season. I sort of doubt that's going to mean double-digit sacks as a rookie. But I do believe it will provide pressure and somewhere in the range of six-to-nine sacks. If he produces that – and if he gets pressure and forces quarterbacks to change throws or leave the pocket on third downs – then that's what the Jaguars need from him in his first season playing.
Steve from Nashville:
Do you think the Packers will find the temperature to be warm at 1pm September 11 at EverBank field?
John: Yes.
James from Columbus, OH:
The Jaguars drafted Brandon Allen in the draft this season and we just signed Chad Henne to an extension. Blake Bortles is obviously the franchise guy so what do you see in Brandon's future with the Jags?
John: Allen's future will depend on … Allen! I don't see him being the top backup this season, but he will have a chance to prove himself worthy of a roster spot. He could earn that if the Jaguars think he has a chance to develop into a good NFL quarterback. If he does that, could he be the top backup in a season or two? I don't think there's any doubt.
Richard from Jacksonville:
AGAIN, IF LINDER GETS HURT WHO WOULD PLAY CENTER?
John: I ASSUME YOU'RE USING CAPITAL LETTERS BECAUSE I DIDN'T ANSWER SPECIFICALLY WHO THE BACKUP CENTER WILL BE IF BRANDON LINDER GETS HURT WHEN I WAS ASKED RECENTLY. I DID NOT ANSWER SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THE SITUATION IS STILL FLUID. MACKENZY BERNADEAU IS ON THE ROSTER, AS IS TYLER SHATLEY, AS IS LUKE BOWANKO. THE JAGUARS HAVE NOT EVEN OFFICIALLY SAID THAT LINDER IS THE CENTER, MUCH LESS WHO MIGHT BE THE BACKUP. TRUST ME: WHEN THE BACKUP CENTER IS DECIDED, PEOPLE WILL KNOW. IT WILL NOT BE KEPT SECRET. IT WILL NOT BE WRITTEN ON A SHEET OF PAPER AND BURIED AT THE 50-YARD LINE. WE WILL ALL KNOW.
Joel from Boston, MA:
Johnny Boy - I need some help from an expert. After reading all this national media praise for the Jaguars, it got me thinking. What other things can be so satisfying and yet so meaningless?
John: Winning the TPC with Tony contest springs immediately and tantalizingly to mind …
Mark from Davenport, IA:
I met Coach Bradley and his wife at the airport a few months ago and told him how much of a fan of his and the Jags I was because I liked his direction and leadership. I did not know him at all. I asked him to come speak to my Cub Scouts about leadership. He came to our pack meeting and spoke for thirty minutes about leadership and life. He spoke about his youth and the positive word he has every day for himself. A great leader does not have to yell and cuss; they get their message across way simpler. At the end of his speech, I am sure I am not the only one that if Coach Bradley asked us to run through the wall we would have not asked questions; we would have just done it. I believe his coaching and leadership style is great for us and I would be proud if my son played for him.
John: Good stuff.
Tom from Virginia Beach, VA:
Is Jalen Ramsey as good as Sean Taylor? Before his untimely death, he was on the verge of greatness!
John: Ramsey certainly is not as good as Taylor. Yet. That's because he's a rookie who never has played an NFL down and Taylor – as you say – was on the verge of greatness. Jaguars defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker – who coached Taylor in Washington – compared Ramsey to Taylor athletically Wednesday on Jaguars.com LIVE. That's high praise. That gives Ramsey a chance at NFL greatness, which is the most you can say about Ramsey. For now.
DreamWeaver from Section 214:
Stuffing the TPC with Tony Ballet Box with forms with the name John Oehser ... #shadricksightings
John: If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve.