JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

I'm coming around a bit and attempting to adjust my estimation Pederson HAS to call the plays. Still, I don't think him at least calling them for a bit, half of games or even the whole of to start the season - getting the offense in rhythm and handing the reins off - wouldn't be better. But with what Owner Shad Khan has already weighed in, if he still wholesale trusts Press and doesn't think it makes any difference, at some point you have to live with the results of letting your coach coach, right? Though full disclosure: I'll still be hot if he doesn't call them and the offense stalls for any reason. You're an inside man, though. Having been the type of close to this team we only dream of ... where do you come down on this? What would you do in Doug's spot, or want to see if you were, Khan?

There seem to be two "schools of thought" on PlaycallingGate. One is that who will call plays in 2024 – offensive coordinator Press Taylor or Head Coach Doug Pederson – is the issue on which the season will rise and fall. The other school is that it's an overblown issue. I'm in the second school, perhaps because I'm old enough to remember that the offense wasn't all that much different in 2023 than 2022. Why does that matter? Because Pederson called plays in the first half of games in 2022 with Taylor calling them in the second half and Taylor called them throughout all games last season. While there is a perception that there was a huge difference between the seasons, that simply wasn't the case. Remember, too: Some of the offense's best moments 2022 came when Taylor was calling plays in second halves. I think Khan wants to see whatever helps the Jaguars win. As for what I would do in Pederson's spot, I would do whatever I feel allows me to coach the team the best. Pederson last season believed that was having Taylor call plays, allowing Pederson more time for game management. I still believe that's what Pederson will do this season. We'll see. One final thought here: The offense at some point will stall this season no matter who is calling plays. Let's hope people keep perspective on how much play-calling has to do … Never mind.

Bob

It seems the 53 roster has more rookies than past years.

The Jaguars currently have 10 rookies on the roster a week before the 2024 regular-season opener. They had nine on the initial 53-man roster in 2023. The NFL is a league of constant churn and turnover. Ten may be a bit high, but it's high by one or so. If that.

Aaron from DUUUUVAL

Why do you have beef with Mike DiRocco? I heard you mention it a while back on Jaguars Today.

It is often the case that people with no beef with Mike DiRocco never have met Mike DiRocco.

Deane from Sands of Daytona

Yo, O-Zone!!! I know there are some out there that have some angst over the new roster. Personally, I think it is pretty much on target! My question on the roster is this: Do you think we have seen the last of that Monster of an Aussie – Patrick Murtagh? I thought he was showing some real promise! I hope he heals quickly and completely. I would love for him to have another shot to be in the teal and black! What says you, O-Zone???

Tight end Patrick Murtagh, the Jaguars' International Pathway Program player through the early part of 2024 Training Camp, sustained an ankle injury early in camp. General Manager Trent Baalke on Murtagh this week: "He's on [injured reserve] for the season, season-ending injury. So, we'll rehab him and try to get him ready for next year."

Jonathan from Formerly of Jax Beach

You sure are snarky for a former waterboy. Love you, mean it.

I am the king of all snarky funk.

Steve from Nashville, TN

I see where Jaguars punter Logan Cooke is four for four in passing with four first downs in his career. Nothing to worry about if Jones and Lawrence both exit the game.

Cooke is the emergency quarterback in the event that starter Trevor Lawrence and backup Mac Jones are unavailable.

Cliff from ORANGE PARK

Let's say the Jaguars are down by two points with two seconds left in a game. They are at their own 47 and have a fourth-and-25 and the weather conditions are perfect with almost no wind. Are the odds better that Cam can make a 70-yarder or hitting a 53-yard Hail Mary?

I would go with Jaguars kicker Cam Little in that scenario.

Jason from North Pole, AK

I was pretty excited to see nose tackle DaVon Hamilton come back this year at full strength and felt like he could be a real difference-maker. Then I watched him closely against the Atlanta Falcons backups last week and came away a little disappointed. I expected to see him collapsing the middle of the pocket in the passing game and knocking people back in the run game. I didn't feel like that was the case. How has he looked in training camp? Has he stood out one way or the other?

Hamilton has looked very good in '24 camp and preseason. He has stood out and is among multiple players on the defensive front I would consider core, disruptive players.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

Am I the only one that is impressed with the job General Manager Ran Carthon and Head Coach Brian Callahan are quietly doing in Nashville?

In the whole world?

CC from Duval

Darby is a career injury-prone journeyman cornerback who has aged. Players don't get healthier the older they get, especially after being injury-prone at a younger age. His pay isn't commensurate to starting outside cornerbacks. He's a decent backup. Marshon Lattimore would be a better fit. He's played with defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, defensive backs coach Kris Richard and defensive assistant/cornerbacks coach Cory Robinson already. I'd feel better with Lattimore and Tyson Campbell versus Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. You hearing anything on a possible Lattimore trade before the season? Or has that shipped sailed because it's too close to the season's opener?

The ship hasn't sailed because I don't know that there ever was a ship. This is because the Jaguars feel differently about cornerback Ronald Darby than you. They see him for what he is – a cover corner who has been very good in that role throughout his career and who has been better when healthy than a "decent backup." As for his injury history … you're correct. Ten-year veterans generally are more prone to injury and wear and tear than second-year players, and players don't often get healthier as they age.

Bryan from Yorkshire, VA

"There are many players out of the NFL who can run. There are a limited number of human beings on the planet big and athletic enough to play effectively on the offensive and defensive lines." …So why in the world isn't there more of an emphasis on big men in early draft rounds? You would think only draft big men early, and plug in the "talent" guys in later rounds. If the hole is big enough, my grandma could run through it.

There's a huge emphasis on offensive and defensive line in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. I've never in 30 years around the NFL covered a team where that's not true. Why don't teams just draft offensive linemen and defensive linemen early? Because we're not living in DreamLand.

Paul from JUPITER

When in Miami, look for Sailfish Sunrise City IPA or Wakefield Hops for Teacher IPA. You're welcome.

Are there no Bullet Bobs?

Jay from So-Cal

Do you think this is the most talented team all around that the Jaguars have had in a long time? It says a lot that they brought back most of their waived or released players to join the practice squad with just adding two or three elsewhere. I hope to think so.

This is one of the deepest teams the Jaguars have had in a while, and there probably is more front-line talent than the 2017ish team. This team seems to have a better balance than that team.

DMiz from Jagsonville

Yo, Zone. If a player is assigned to a practice squad, are they under contract with that team or can the player be taken by another team?

Players on practice squads are free to sign with any NFL team. If they sign with a team other than their own, they must remain on that team's active roster for three games.

John from Merritt Island, FL

Just when you thought the world could get no better, Strings now has Bullet Bobs, 16-ounce four packs.

And now the world can get no better.