JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Stokes from Orange Park, FL

So, if I'm (roundabout) understanding correctly ... a "dead cap hit" is a player's contract amount for the season - plus a negotiated penalty amount for a team cutting them before a certain period of time? My question is, "Does that not incentivize a player not giving a hundred percent during that time period, for whatever reason they feel they don't want/have to"? (Trying to be nice) Is that not how Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis has HAMSTRUNG us on a roster spot, with - zero - recourse to do anything about it but to grin, bear it and pay him? As if $13 million weren't bad enough. Why on earth would teams write such addendums into contracts?

I'm not sure you're understanding it – in a roundabout way or otherwise. A dead salary cap hit generally has nothing to do with a player's "salary." Rather, it's usually the prorated bonus for the seasons he was under contract but not on the roster. For example, if a player signs a five-year contract with a $10 million bonus and was released after two seasons, his "dead cap" number in that third season would be $6 million. Remember, too: Players usually aren't receiving the money during the year of their "dead cap" hit. They already have received their money via salary for years in which they played and the signing bonus. When players are released, they no longer receive a salary. Unless it's guaranteed. Which is a whole other discussion – and no loss tricky to explain, I fear.

Fred from Naples, FL

I just finished Jags to Riches. Really well done. I look forward to reading the sequel next March based on this year's success with a new regime change.

You're referencing Jags to Riches, which Pete Prisco of CBS Sports and I co-wrote following the Jaguars' run to the AFC Championship Game following the 1996 season. I said and wrote then that the Jaguars never would quite recapture that feeling because you don't get to be a young franchise shocking the world – and yourselves – twice. About the only accomplishment that would surpass that season would be winning the Super Bowl – and I'm still not sure that would surpass the wide-eyed feeling of '96. I'm more than open to being proven wrong on that front. Would there be a sequel? Who knows?

J.Hooks from Orange Park, FL

I'm convinced more than ever that Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone is a cyborg from some futuristic parallel universe. The dude communicates so well. It's hypnotic. He just says stuff and I nod my head. Are we sure he's not AI? I'd love to have him write my thesis for world domination. All jokes aside, he has a presence.

One fer Gladstone, who I am almost sure is not AI.

Cristiano from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I see a lot of talk about the draft in the O-Zone these days. But how can we speculate about the draft without mentioning who were the players this team brought in free agency?

This is a fair point, and for those in the back of the room, the Jaguars signed the following 10 unrestricted free agents midway through last month: Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey, Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Fred Johnson, Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis, Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, Baltimore Ravens guard Patrick Mekari, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens, Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt and Houston Texans safety Eric Murray. Ironically, because the Jaguars aren't drafting for need, the list isn't really that pertinent when it comes to discussing the draft strategy.

JK NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John. There has been a lot of talk about James Gladstone's communication skills. But Tony Boselli is also an excellent communicator in his own plain, direct and honest style that we will miss on the radio broadcasts. On your new EVPodcast, Tony explained that to be a championship-level organization, the Jags "have to continue to put the hard work in, make good decisions and learn from our mistakes." This is the most accurate assessment of where the Jags are now. The confidence level in the building is palpable, but appropriately tempered by reality. As we head towards draft week, this Jags fan is starting to get very excited about the future.

Boselli is AI. I can't prove it. Some would dispute it. But I know it. The way you just know some things. He would deny it, of course. Just like you would expect AI to do.

Travis from Chattanooga via Ormond Beach, FL

Hi O, I saw the clip of Boselli saying that he was going to try to make sure the Jags wear the Prowlers as much as they can. My question is, who makes the weekly uniform call normally? Is that the head coach? Part of Tony's new role? Or Mr. Khan himself?

It's Boselli's call as much as it is anyone's, though I don't expect he will be closed to the input of significant others in the organization.

Roger from Houston

Hi, John. What do you mean when you refer to desirable offensive line play as "nasty?"

Meanness. Scrappiness. Playing to the whistle and perhaps a fraction of a second thereafter.

Marty from Jacksonville

John, you are indeed intangibly rich. Warren Buffett is tangibly rich. I'd rather be tangibly rich.

This.

Don from Marshall, NC

Geez, we don't even know if Mason Graham is going to be available, do we? I see the Patriots taking him. Go Jaguars!

When it comes to not reading the early part of the 2025 NFL Draft the way most analysts are reading it, Don remains "all in."

Cliff from Orange Park, FL

Doesn't Travon and Jalon the Walker brothers with Josh have a nice ring to it? Follow Phili's lead and build a Dawg defense. Hey, you could even Stack the house in the later rounds.

My Scooby Sense – not my Scobee Sense – tells me you're pushing for the Jaguars to select University of Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker and pair him with defensive ends Travon Walker (who also played for Georgia) and Josh Hines-Allen. The Scobee Sense also tells me you're for selecting Georgia defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse. One fer the Dawgs, I guess.

DMiz from Jax 904

Yo, KOAF! I just read about Gladstone's approach to the draft and just brought in the scouting team for the first time. Question: Do multiple teams utilize the same "scouting teams," or does each NFL team have their own designated scouts/scouting team? If shared among NFL teams, how are strategies kept private?

NFL personnel departments vary at least somewhat from team to team. But when Gladstone said "scouting team" he was mainly referring to the team's area and road scouts, most of whom are on the road much of the calendar year. All teams have road and area scouts, so all teams have these sorts of "scouting teams."

Brian from Gainesville , FL

Big O, since the high-level decision makers will be in Jacksonville during the draft, is someone on the ground at the actual draft that is armed with enough information to submit a pic in the event that technology completely fails when it comes time to make the decision?

All teams' high-level decision-makers work the draft from their home facilities. Technology won't completely fail to that extent.

David from The Island

Which is better: being quoted or being taken out of context?

Yes.

Rob from the duuuuuuuu

Does Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty not running (the 40-yard dash) concern you? I was forced to watch YouTube highlights due to all this hoopla and it looks like he is faster and stronger than the average Joes he is playing against, but it is hard to tell if it would translate to the NFL because of the level of competition. To my untrained eye, I am also not sure if he has enough lateral quickness, miss-ability and agility. Kind of just a bunch of stiff arms and running away from people and I don't think that's going to work as well against NFL defenders. I would love to have sub-4.4 confirmation in order to pick him in the Top 10. Is the timed speed that is done in games nowadays considered as accurate or a better measure as it is in games with pads? Is 40 importance a thing of the past?

Jeanty not running an "official" pre-draft 40-yard dash doesn't concern me. Jeanty is fast, and there's very little disagreement among NFL types that he is an elite prospect. And yes … the measurements gleaned during games is accurate enough and is becoming more and more important in player evaluations.

Brendan from The Moral High Ground

Speaking of incentives, was there one in your contract for 5,000 O-Zones? A Bullet-Bob and a thank you?

What's a "contract?" For that matter, what's a "thank you?"