JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Mike from Jacksonville

Thomas was a good pick, but not the right pick for the Jags. Teams that have a downfield fast receiver have success mostly off "play action." Since we have a poor running game, we should have drafted an offensive lineman in the first round. Time will tell!

Time indeed will tell here. But while first-round linemen are generally good draft risks, Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has looked increasingly good in 2024 Training Camp. How good? Good enough that while I typically expect little-to-nothing of significance from rookies, I'm starting to maybe expect at least a little something from Thomas as early as this season. Remember, too: The draft isn't about selecting a position; it's about selecting the right player at the right value. The Jaguars addressed the running game this past offseason by signing free-agent center Mitch Morse and re-signing Ezra Cleveland, the latter of whom they believe never really showed his true potential last season because he was dealing with injuries after being acquired in a late-season trade. Did they add enough? We'll see.

Zacharoo from East Palatka, FL

If the draft happens tomorrow and we have a current team beforehand, what position would we draft? Offensive line? Preferably the three interior positions? Lol.

I think you're asking who the Jaguars would draft if the 2025 NFL Draft were tomorrow, though I'm honestly not sure – and I don't know what it means to have a current team beforehand. I haven't the foggiest idea who the Jaguars would draft if the '25 draft were tomorrow because I haven't the foggiest idea who will be available where, or what round, or really anything. And the draft isn't tomorrow. LOL. Or something.

Dallas from Sioux Falls, SD

Jeff Lageman was poking fun at you on Jags A.M. for having a ponytail. I can't imagine it looked as bad as he made it seem. Do you have any interesting Lageman stories to share? You can't use the one where he almost blew out Tony Boselli's knee during camp.

I indeed sported a ponytail while covering the Jaguars for the Florida Times-Union in 1996. Though Lageman made his own questionable grooming decisions early in his NFL career, he was not exaggerating when discussing my '96 "hair game." The ponytail indeed was bad, marking a rare break from my lifelong tradition of having an awesome head of hair.

Johnny B from Howey In The Hills

Please, the play-calling drama is getting out of hand. Who cares? Way too much drama. Rather than who calls the play or what the play is, the key to success is executing the play that's called regardless of who calls it. Calm down. Enough is enough. Let's worry about winning. Go Jaggggs!!!

OK.

Daniel from Johnston, IA

In the preseason games (particularly the first one), you've told us that there is little-to-no game-planning. Generally speaking (not just about the Jaguars), would you say that should favor the defense more than the offense? Or is it about an equal impact to both sides of the ball?

My thought is this often favors the defense more than the offense because an offense running plays without regard to scheme or game plan has a tough time against elite talent. It's tricky to simply run the ball up the middle in the NFL and expect offensive linemen to blow the defensive line off the ball. But it's difficult for both sides.

Ed from Danvers, MA

Have you ever been caught listening at a door?

I shouldn't say.

Robert from Elkton

When the Jags came back in the second half from 27 points down to beat the Chargers in the playoffs, who called the plays in the second half? If it was Press, then I think the conversation is over.

Offensive coordinator Press Taylor called plays during the second half of the Jaguars' 31-30 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game following the 2022 season. I don't think that will end the conversation over the Jaguars' play-caller.

Dave from Jacksonville

Is Tyler Lacy big enough to start at this point? Who are they keeping in the interior defensive line?

Jaguars defensive tackle Tyler Lacy absolutely is big enough to start. I doubt he will start. I expect the Jaguars to keep DaVon Hamilton, Roy Robertson-Harris and Lacy on the interior of the defensive line – and perhaps/likely Jeremiah Ledbetter. Remember: The Jaguars are going to rotate defensive linemen heavily and play different players at many different positions. Players will play interior and outside, and who "starts" won't matter as much as who is in the game-day rotation.

Kevin from Saint Johns

I went to the Zach Bryan concert at Raymond James Stadium this past Wednesday. Granted RJS is hardly a new stadium by any means, but it definitely was a night and day difference from The Bank. Walking across the wide concourses on every level, seeing how integrated the theming was, and the ease of getting in and out of the stadium definitely illustrated to me how dated our stadium is and what a new, improved, and modern stadium could bring. I am definitely looking forward to the new Jaguar stadium once complete. I guess one fer new construction ...

EverBank Stadium has been a fine stadium for the Jaguars. It's full of lore, nostalgia and memories for Jaguars fans. The current incarnation has served its purpose, but it is years/decades behind state-of-the-art NFL stadiums and far behind a lot of older stadiums, too. The time has come.

Bruce from St. Simons Island

O, I share your thoughts on the NFL team we both were fans of growing up, but it's time to forgive Staubach. With regard to preseason NFL depth charts, I heard recently on a radio sports show that sometimes NFL interns were given the responsibility for drawing up the pre-season depth charts -- low validity.

I have heard tell of various levels of employees on various teams putting together preseason depth charts, with the head coach having final approval. How seriously the head coach takes that final approval in the preseason varies from team to team. Head Coach Doug Pederson seems to take it relatively seriously. Why the somewhat cavalier approach at times? Preseason depth charts mean very little. Sometimes coaches use them to motivate players. Sometimes they approve them quickly with little thought. It's preseason. Keep them in perspective. I'll never forgive Roger Staubach. Forgiveness only goes so far.

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

Does logic dictate that since Trevor has been given a new contract, he may be given discretion to call plays?

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence can change plays at the line of scrimmage. He doesn't not "call plays," and few – if any quarterbacks – do.

Sonny from Melbourne

I think that whichever quarterback the Jaguars place on the practice squad will be picked up by another team. Do you feel this way and do you think they will keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster?

I expect the Jaguars to try to get C.J. Beathard through to the practice squad and keep Mac Jones on the active roster as the backup to Lawrence. This is a guess and not based on anything I'm being told. I expect them to take this route because I think it will be more difficult to get Jones to the practice squad because he was a first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and is perceived as having more upside than Beathard. This is not saying Jones has dramatically outplayed Beathard this preseason. From this view, they seem relatively even. But that might be the route the Jaguars take because that's how the NFL generally thinks.

Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL

Are we really debating a coordinator being in the booth vs on the field now? Wake me up when the regular season starts.

OK.

Don from Marshall, NC

Some team is going to want Mac Jones, I think. Would the Jaguars trade him? I just don't think the guy is a backup quarterback; he needs to be playing somewhere. The Minnesota Vikings need him. The New England Patriots were not very good. The Jaguars are lucky to have him and that was a great trade. Go Jaguars!

When it comes to Jones, who I don't believe the Jaguars will trade before the 2024 regular season because he has value here as a backup, Don remains "all in."

Andrew from Halifax

Very excited for Maason Smith this year. That dude looks like a monster.

Jaguars rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith has looked very good in a lot of practices in 2024 Training Camp. He has drawn praise from coaches and drew significant praise this week from veteran defensive end Josh Allen. A second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Smith is very impressive physically. He has the length, frame and skillset to be dominant. He's an important player because the Jaguars would love him to develop into a dominant presence on the defensive line this season and be ready to be a force late in his rookie season or in his second season. That appears very possible.

Brian from ROUND ROCK, TX

Me stoopid.

Be nice. Even to yourself.