JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Hobo from Random Locations in the Jungle
Do you think the DC's job is in jeopardy? Why don't we blitz? Can our linebackers cover an All-Pro wide receiver? Can you help me?
The Jaguars are 3-11 after a 32-25 loss to the New York Jets at EverBank Stadium this past Sunday and without question have failed to fulfill expectations – and as a result, questions about jobs and jeopardy likely will remain an O-Zone constant until season's end. The jobs and futures of essentially everyone – coordinators, head coaches, general managers, etc. – around the Jaguars are uncertain. That's not ideal. That's difficult. I wish it weren't the case. But it's NFL reality when a team fails to meet expectations on the level the Jaguars have failed this season. We'll know more details on this subject when Owner Shad Khan decides details – and while that answer is admittedly getting repetitive, it's the only real answer with three weeks remaining in the season. As far as your other questions: One, the Jaguars don't blitz often because their approach defensively usually is to rush with four and cover with the back seven; two, as is the case with most linebackers, the Jaguars' linebackers have difficulty covering New York Jets All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams; three, no, I can't help you.
Kevin from Brentwood HS
JO - Will someone tell Mac to stop running around like Harry High School every time we get a first down? Celebrate whenever we win a ballgame, please!
Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones indeed plays with a childlike enthusiasm. I'm not big on childlike enthusiasm, either, but Jones' enthusiasm seems sincere. There are worse crimes, I suppose.
Michael from Palm Coast, FL
Mr. O, It seems that Mac Jones is up to his old tricks. We have seen throwing balls over receivers' heads and interceptions aplenty when he was in New England. That is why they got rid of him. I don't agree with you that he is a solid NFL backup quarterback. I liked the way C.J. Beathard played when he was with San Francisco. Do you think we will see C.J. start before this season is over?
You must be watching different NFL backups than I'm watching. I don't expect Beathard to start ahead of a healthy Jones this season.
Reese from Loyal Jaguar fan in VA
Jaguars kicker Cam Little is this year's team Most Valuable Player. It's really BTJ, but probably not by much, with all due respect. Go Jags!!!
I think rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. may be an easier choice than you think. Maybe rethink this one.
Reese from Loyal Jaguar fan in VA
... now that I was thinking a little on it ... nah, BTJ is this year MVP ...as the children say, "He is Him? He's him?" So sorry for the double entry and confusion. Go Jags!!!
There ya go!
Rob from Orange Park, FL
I hope we spend the rest of the games evaluating the benchwarmers for next year. We already know most of the starters are average at best so no need to see them anymore.
The Jaguars are moving in this direction, starting third-year cornerback Montaric Brown the last two games and playing rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith more during the same span. There are also plans for rookie cornerback De'Antre Prince to play more extensively moving forward. It's difficult to play all "benchwarmers" in the NFL because you're trying to win, and you need players playing at a functional level for the benefit of the other players. But the Jaguars are at the stage of the season when it's smart to play young players if possible – and in this area, they're being smart.
John from Cape May Court House
Bold strategy to have 33 covering Davante Adams 40 yards down field. That is all. As you were.
Expect the unexpected.
Joseph from Palm Coast, FL
Mac Jones cannot throw the long ball. It seems like every pass over 20 yards is overthrown and many result in interceptions.
This sems an accurate assessment. Jones has many strengths as a backup quarterback. He appears overall to be a smart player who understands defenses. He's a gutty, driven player. But he lacks elite arm strength – and when you lack arm strength it can leave your longer passes vulnerable to interceptions.
Austin from Jacksonville
The O-Zone gets better as the Jags get worse. You've been really killing it lately. When they clean house I hope they let you stick around. One here for Oehser.
I am the king of all funk.
Kathy from Palm Coast, FL
I am not sure if you can answer this, but I want to know. Where is Trevor Lawrence? Other players on injured reserve come to the games to support the team. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey comes to mind. So why isn't Trevor on the sidelines with his team?
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence attended Sunday's game against the Jets and was on the sidelines. He is on IR and was here to support the team. Just like Christian McCaffrey.
Mike from Mandarin, FL
John, at some point, something has to seriously change in this organization. The Jaguars have won two home games since November 19 of last year. This is beyond pathetic and quite infuriating that the Jags continue to struggle at home. There is no way Khan can continue to let this happen and changes must be made at the end of the year.
OK.
Howard from Homestead, FL
The worst part of this. I felt nothing.
The Jaguars are 3-11. It wasn't supposed to be this way. It's phenomenally disappointing. It's a very common feeling during these disappointing seasons for fans to disengage. It's up to the Jaguars to fix that feeling. That's it. That's their task.
Brendan from Yulee, Formerly of the HIgh Ground
No question today, Merry Christmas.
Krimma!
Paul from Washington, D.C.
No Santa hat on the throwback Jag? Maybe that's why they lost.
You're referencing the unbelievably cool "Santa" hat that the Jaguars painted on the Jaguars emblem at midfield at EverBank Stadium in a prime-time, late-season victory over the Seattle Seahawks in December 1996. The NFL, alas, does not allow such frivolity these days. Football, after all, is serious stuff. Goodness knows sports shall not be fun.
Bryan from Lutz
You can't have this much invested on edge players and not pressure a 40-year-old QB all game
Jaguars defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen didn't get enough pressure Sunday. This surprised me, too. Walker and Hines-Allen do not rank significantly high on the list of concerns for this organization.
Sean from Saint Johns City
Losing is cool, fans like it?
Not from what I can tell.
Doug from Jax Beach
Sunday there were a couple of emails answered about the great game that wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. had. He did and we have come to kind of expect that. But the game that Brenton Strange played was equally impressive. At least one for Strange!!
Tight end Brenton Strange caught 11 passes for 73 yards Sunday, the first game after tight end Evan Engram was placed on injured reserve. One fer Strange? Absolutely.
DJ from Grass Valley, CA
Oh Mighty O, on a lighter note, let's talk uniforms. I love the prowler throwbacks, but I would really get behind a hybrid version. Let's go with the prowler logo with the new gen Jag head! Seems like a no-brainer. Afterall, it's always uniforms in the NFL...
Yes, it is.
Haney from Little Elm, TX
The team has struggled for years in the Red Zone. This year, Kicker Cam Little is 7-7 inside 29 yards. In a game that's often decided by a field goal or less, touchdowns instead of field goals in the red zone could have flipped this season in the right direction. This team just can't find consistency inside the 20. Why do you think that is?
The Jaguars aren't a great short-yardage, run-when-you-need to run team and they don't have elite, above-the-Xs-and-Os receivers other than Thomas. It's tough to be great in the red zone when you're not great in those two areas.
Izzy from High Art
Somewhere deep inside we all want high art but, oh well, maybe next year! Drum roll for black Monday!!
One fer high art.
John from Fleming Island
Who makes the final decision on inactive players? I know your go-to answer is active players have earned their spot on game day but defensive end Arik Armstead 's impact is minimal at best. Why not play the healthy rookie defensive end or it's a matter of his contract and someone's ego? Keeping it real JO.
Head Coach Doug Pederson has final decision on game-day inactives. Armstead is active because he's presumably the best available option.
Shad from Washougal, WA
What did we do to deserve this? Does God hate us? Is there even a God?
This raises questions beyond the scope of this column.
