JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Rob from the duuuuuuu
BTJ runs at normal speed, but somehow has the ability to make everyone else run in slow motion. There seem to be more and more plays to get him the ball and they all work!! Give that kid the ball even more!!!
As the Jaguars prepare for Sunday's 2024 regular-season finale on the road against the Indianapolis Colts, rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. without question is the brightest spot in an unbelievably disappointing season. The Jaguars understandably and inevitably have used Thomas more and in various situations in recent weeks – and Thomas indeed has handled the increased workload while showing more versatility than anyone around the Jaguars anticipated. Here's what's best about this topic: Thomas has been more than a one-season bright spot. He appears headed toward being an All-Pro, elite-level, No. 1 receiver on a level not seen around this franchise in nearly two decades. And here's why it looks as if everyone else is in slow motion while Thomas is running at normal speed: He's that fast, gifted and graceful. Give BTJ the ball more? That has been the plan lately. Why stop now?
JaxJohn from Aurora, CO
This probably sounds like a "get off my lawn" comment, but it seems wrong to give Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers the record for most rookie receiving yards by a tight end when he did it in a 17-game season and Mike Ditka set his record in a 12-game season. Perhaps it is time to convert to average yards per game? Total for the year divided by total games in the season?
Single-season NFL records undoubtedly have been cheapened a bit as 16- and 17-game seasons have allowed records set in 12- and 14-game seasons to be surpassed. Career records also have become more reachable because of this because players playing 10 seasons in this era might have 20-to-30 more games to reach marks than players from the 14-game era. But the NFL is not quite as milestone and record-centric as, say, baseball – and therefore discussions over this topic tend to be of passing interest as opposed to reaching "furor" level. Because of that, NFL records remain listed without asterisks or other acknowledgement of season length. Either way, I doubt we'll ever see NFL records listed on a per-game basis. It would seem weird to say a player reached a record by averaging 6.5 catches or 301 yards passing per game. You also would get into unending discussions about how many games a player must play to achieve the record. This seems likely to be left alone, and that's probably OK.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
"Sunday was the fourth consecutive game the Jaguars have played with essentially zero playoff implications. That's absurd. It's terrible." Finally, I read something that puts into words exactly how I have felt. Horrendous, putrid, pathetic, etc. All adjectives that would work as well. However, phenomenal job relieving me. Happy New Year!
I am the king of all funk.
Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been consistently competitive and above average for decades. What's the difference between their franchise and the Jaguars?
They have a plan and an identity and stick to the plan and identity regardless of short-term fan sentiment. There's more. Start there.
Jason from Jacksonville
Why are many, many of the Jags' current roster going to be on next year's roster? This team is really bad. Wouldn't it make sense to bring in as many new players as you can and get rid of a lot of the current roster?
NFL players sign contracts. These contracts affect the salary cap and many are structured so that they impact the cap more if they are released than if they are retained. It's therefore very difficult to move on from draft players in their first three – and sometimes four – seasons. It's also difficult to move on from veterans who have signed contracts in the last one or two offseasons. The Jaguars' offensive line, for example, very likely will return next season 80 percent intact. Running backs Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. are likely to return. And obviously quarterback Trevor Lawrence. And Thomas. And defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. And so on. And so on.
Boxcutter Bill from Mass
Why do some players not wear mouthguards. Isn't it mandatory? Not only will mouthguards save your teeth, but they also help with impact, am I wrong on that?
It's not mandatory.
Tom from Jax
Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson would be a better leader if he didn't follow all of his instructions with a question. For example, "Let's give 100 percent on every play, okay?" This method never works because it displays a lack of confidence.
People often confuse how coaches speak in press conferences with how they approach the other 167 hours in a week. This is usually a mistake.
Pete from Daytona Beach, FL
Dear Funk, reading the latest O-Zone, it seems your readers are thrilled the Jags beat the dreaded Titans. This is not the 1999 Titans, it's the hapless 2024 Titans. With that win, this puts the Titans at No. 4 picking in the 2025 NFL Draft and Jags at No. 5. Even when the Jags win, they lose. Just sayin.
It's striking the obsession we as football world have come to have with the NFL Draft. The theory here is that it stems from three or more months of incessant pre-draft coverage, with analysts breathlessly touting players as franchise-changing – and can't-miss – prospects. Most NFL rookies – even Top 10 rookies – need time to develop and it's at least somewhat of a percentage game which ones will be Pro Bowl, foundation pieces. It's not that the NFL Draft isn't important. But teams simply don't play in November and December focused on a draft position or two. Nor should they.
Reese from Lutherville, MD
Years ago, I wrote in asking for the Jags to build a team that could beat Tennessee. This is not what I had in mind.
Fair.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
As Mr. Khan ponders his postseason decisions, he should consider the current state of the last place New York Football Giants. Following a disappointing 2015 season, Giants ownership fired Jead Coach Tom Coughlin. Two general managers and three head coaches have followed the Coughlin Era (with the incumbents on thin ice). Some stability is good for a franchise while some change can likewise reinvigorate a team. My two cents is that Mr. Khan should split the difference by keeping Pederson and letting go of General Manager Trent Baalke. The deficient roster was the primary factor in the Jags lost season.
Jaguars Owner Shad Khan historically has leaned toward patience as much as any NFL owner, sometimes leaning that way a bit longer than many observers believed necessary. Khan therefore knows the advantages of stability and will consider all possibilities when making his pending decisions.
Chris from Columbus, OH
How many years is a "modern era" player eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Unfortunately, after getting a look at this year's finalists, I don't see former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor making the Hall. There are five names that jump out as "no-brainer" picks in my opinion – tight end Antonio Gates, wide receiver Torry Holt, quarterback Eli Manning, defensive end Terrell Suggs and kicker Adam Vinatieri (although kickers have a hard time getting in, so the nod could go to wide receiver Reggie Wayne).
Players are eligible to be modern-era Hall candidates from five-to-25 years after they retire, meaning Taylor – who retired following the 2010 season – has plenty of time remaining. Taylor is as Hall-worthy as any of the players you mention.
Cliff from ORANGE PARK, FL
What do we do now? One day, I say blow it all up … new general manager and coaching staff. Next day, wait a minute starting over could be Gus Bradley bad or worse. What I do know is the difference between 5-12 and 12-5 does not seem that much. However, if we do stand pat, we at least need a new defensive staff.
OK.
Art from Glassboro, NJ
Baalke has made some been pretty good in the draft. And I think it'd look even better if the coaches played them more early, like left tackle Walker Little and defensive tackle Maason Smith. He hasn't been as good in free agent. But his biggest mistake has been in trading/releasing players. No one really saw linebacker Quincy Williams becoming the player he is, but getting rid of defensive lineman Calais Campbell was egregious. We haven't had that type of impact since he was traded.
Former Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell traded Campbell in the offseason before the 2020 season. Both Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen have had more impactful seasons recently than Campbell did in his final Jaguars season.
Reese from Loyal Jaguar fan in VA
Can I get one last O-Zone entry published for 2024 please! Go Jags!!!
No. Wait. Damn.
