JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
ET from St. Augustine, FL
All the people bemoaning our schedule are jumping the gun. Remember, in the preseason of 2018, the Jags were listed as high as No. 3 in the preseason polls. How many opposing fans were worried about facing the dreaded Jags at that point in time? As they say after financial advertisements, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results." You think?
Good eye. You don't know the real difficulty of an NFL schedule until five or six weeks into a season. While many assume a team such as the Denver Broncos will contend in 2022 after acquiring quarterback Russell Wilson, the reality is NFL offseason moves fail as often as they succeed. Even big moves. At first glance, the Jaguars' 2022 schedule appears difficult – primarily because observers assume the AFC West will be one of the toughest divisions in recent memory. Perhaps that will be the case. My gut feeling is somehow it won't be quite as strong as many believe. But either way: There do appear to be tough aspects of the Jaguars' '22 schedule. One aspect is November. That's when they play the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens; and history tells us those franchises are consistent over time, and that they will be difficult opponents late in the season. The most difficult parts of the Jaguars' 2022 schedule from this observer's view? Four road games in the first six games of the season and four of five on the road late in the season. You may not know the quality of those opponents, but those are two difficult road stretches.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Is it not a bit of a risk for the NFL to schedule Thursday Night Football for the Jaguars at Jets so late in the season (Week 16) when both teams could easily be out of playoff contention by then in a prime-time matchup?
The Jaguars-New York Jets game is on a Thursday night – not Monday or Sunday, which are considered more premium time slots. Besides, maybe that late December game will be Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence versus Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in a key game between contenders. No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft versus No. 2 overall with the postseason at stake? Cool stuff, huh? Did we ever consider that? Anyone? Anyone?
Joe from Far, far away
Gonna step on your lawn for just a second., then a question. After the trade deadline, EVERY player must pass through waivers, including those with four or more years. Now, the question is, when is the trade deadline this season? I know it is usually in late November. Thanks for the info.
The NFL's trade deadline typically is the Tuesday after Week 8.
Nick from Virginia Beach, VA
Please bring back the classic uniforms. The team drastically declined once they changed the uniforms. What's your favorite Jags uniform?
This is not an area of passion for me. I suppose I liked the original uniforms fine. I didn't mind the mustard gold look (/ducks). I didn't love the two-tone helmets. I'm not nuts about some aspects of the current iteration, but I do like the black numbers with white jerseys and white pants. Sorry. This just doesn't keep me up nights, though I do understand the passion many fans have for the subject.
John from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Do you have a favorite after the first round of the 2022 Roar audition?
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Vince from Farmington, NM
Funkmeister- I keep hearing that we only have one prime time game this year. Prime time games to me are the sole games on any network during that time slot, such as Monday night, Thursday or a holiday special. With the London game being in a sole time slot typically, wouldn't that count as a "prime" slot, even if it's earlier?
That may be your definition of "prime time," but most people think of it as games played in the evening. In that sense, the Jaguars have had just one prime-time game every season since 2011 – except 2017, when they had none.
Don from Marshall NC
Don't you think the Jaguars see Travon as a kind Calais Campbell type of player? Being able to bring pressure from the middle? That's who he reminds me of. The other guy wanted to play for his hometown team and they ran up like fools to get him. I am sure we got the right guy now! Go Jaguars!
There could be some similarities there, particularly in the sense that former Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell could play multiple positions effectively. But Walker will start at as an outside linebacker with his hand off the ground – and with the ability to move to the interior. Campbell was a down lineman.
Daniel from Jersey City, NJ
O-man, what should a pro quarterback's study habits look like, exactly?
Diligent, efficient and prioritized to the point that it's pretty much the most important thing in his life during the regular season.
Kent from Corpus Christi, TX
An additional question about waivers for you. Did last year count as a year towards the four 'waiver' years for Travis Etienne? Also, is he now a first-year veteran? Thanx.
Jaguars running back Travs Etienne Jr. accrued a season toward free agency while on injured reserve as a rookie in 2021 – as do all NFL players who spend a season on injured reserve. He now is a second-year NFL veteran.
Mike from Bridgeport, CT
The Jaguars' uniforms don't need a change, just some tweaking. Add a touch of gold to the set. Some gold and black piping outlining the numbers of their teal jerseys would be sharp. Or even an alternate that uses gold numbers. Also, bring back the late 90s set as a throwback for a game or two a year. As Tony Boselli gets inducted to the Hall of Fame this year it's time to do more to celebrate the past. These are no brainers.
One fer tweaking …
John from Jacksonville
Hi, KOAGF. It seems the Jaguars and having a No. 1 WR don't mix well. The No. 1 WR gets injured and then we struggle in the pass game. I think I would rather have a bunch of No. 2 WRs that can keep things going if one or two get injured along the way. Agree/Disagree?
I don't know that the Jaguars have that much experience with "true No. 1 receivers," though Allen Robinson and DJ Chark Jr. in recent seasons have dabbled with that role. You ideally would have a No. 1 wide receiver who truly makes defenses account for him, who can draw double teams and be a go-to guy. The Jaguars don't appear to have that guy, but Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson has been successful offensively at previous stops without such a player.
D.J. from Conyers, GA
_John, we've always excelled at the running back position whether it's through the draft, UDFAs, or free agency from James Stewart, Natrone Means, Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, Leonard Fournette and James Robinson. Now at the receiver position, other than Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, Justin Blackmon had the potential to be great. Why has it been harder for this organization to find and develop receivers than running backs? _
Wide receivers generally are harder to find than running backs. Not having great play at the quarterback position hasn't helped the Jaguars here, either. I would argue that a player such as Robinson could have been equal at his position to backs such as Stewart, Means and Fournette had Robinson's quarterback play here been better. But no … the Jaguars haven't drafted receivers well over the years. I don't know that there's a reason. If there is, I don't know it – and the organization certainly would have solved it.
Jeff from Jacksonville
With Marvin Jones' experience, where do you see him playing in the new mix of receivers added this year to the team?
Starting.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, you attended several Jaguar minicamps over the years. Who were the players that lived up to the hype and those that didn't?
I don't recall all that much "hype" specifically stemming from Jaguars minicamps. I'm not being difficult here, but minicamps are pad-less practices with comparatively little one-on-one or team work – and certainly no contact. It's not a hype environment. There have been players who have been hyped off practices in the past. I remember wide receiver Keelan Cole generating excitement as a rookie free agent, and quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw a hell of a deep ball early during his rookie training camp. Cole became a productive receiver and remains in the league. Gabbert is now the backup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
I wrote in a few weeks ago to tell you know how much I hated you. I wrote a few days later to tell you I hated you more. Nothing has changed.
Why would it?
