JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Lynn from Jacksonville

I was very disappointed hearing Shad's halftime comments in real time and again to see it in print. He forgot to mention the fans. We have been carrying the franchise for a very long time, never giving up on the Jags. I gave up my season tickets this season after the demoralizing performance last year in the second half of the season. It was a tough decision after 15 years, but hearing Khan's comments this week I realize he doesn't appreciate the fans. After all the time, money and emotion I invested for so many years it was an insult not to be included in "whatever we need to win, we have here." Coaches and quarterbacks come and go. The fans remain no matter what.

A few thoughts here. One is fans matter very much and another is anyone has the right to interpret what someone says as they choose to interpret it. But a third thought is that this "take" might be a little unfair to Shad Khan. I have interviewed Khan many times in his 13 or so seasons as the Jaguars' owner. I have heard him praise the fans and emphasize their importance many times during these interviews. While he did not mention them when speaking to the Jaguars' broadcast at halftime of a preseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, this was the outlier and hardly the norm. Rather, it strikes me that he was trying to answer questions as best he could in a comparatively short interview. Khan certainly was not trying to insult fans here. It's not his way.

Zac from Austin, Tejas

Hey, Zone, I just wanted to weigh in real quick. I'm playing catch up, too – reading all of the O-Zones from the summer – and wanted to weigh-in/disagree with Keith from a few weeks back. It is not hard for me *at all* to hate Peyton Manning. It's nothing personal, just fandom. I hate Peyton Manning with a red-hot passion and was mad I had to hear his voice at the Olympics. The only thing dumber than him keeping my team out of the playoffs for so many years is his stupid face in that Buick commercial. I hate Peyton Manning in the way I am sure he would appreciate being hated in - tell 'em Gator.

First: I might recommend a hobby – or perhaps a streaming service; you can subscribe on a trial basis and cancel before it hits your credit card. Or maybe try reading. Or just napping. Second: Of course Jaguars fans hate Peyton Manning. He played most of his career for a team Jaguars fans hate, the Indianapolis Colts, and he had a lot of success. I was a fan of the Washington Football team in the 1970s and thusly hated Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach with an irrational passion. I'm decades past caring about that team, and I confess I still don't like Staubach all that much. Deep wounds don't always heal.

Bob from Sumter, SC

Just a random thought. If Christian Kirk was made an offensive captain, then that would make him Captain Kirk.

Heh heh.

Deane from Daytona Beach, FL

Yo O-Zone! Is there anything to read into C.J. Beathard going in before Mac Jones? Was it by design because they planned Jones to play most/all of the second half? Will Jones get the start for the Bucs preseason game? What says you O-Zone???

My thought is that Beathard played before Jones this past Saturday because Beathard is the incumbent backup quarterback having been in that position the past three seasons. I wouldn't be surprised if Jones starts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday.

John from Merritt Island, FL

Trying to remember to "be nice," can we please quit talking about who calls the plays? That horse has been beat, dead.

While it's indeed important to be nice here in the O-Zone, it's also important to remember that it is a forum for fan questions – and discussion. While my gut sometimes agrees that we have discussed PlayCallingGate enough in these parts, my head tells me that people continue to be confused and passionate about the issue. Where there is passion and confusion about the Jaguars there will be an O-Zone topic, for better or worse.

Evan from Cocoa, FL

Am I wrong to believe that this defense MIGHT be on the level of 2017? If they stay healthy and play to their potential. Thank you KOAF.

I think this defense has a chance to be good, particularly if the defensive front – particularly Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead – plays to its potential. The 2017 Jaguars defense was among the best defenses I have covered, perhaps THE best. I'm not ready to compare any defense to that one after one preseason game.

Brandon from Louisville

Reports from the joint practice are that the offensive line is easily being overmatched. It looks and sounds the same as last year. Not good.

The Jaguars' interior offensive line on Wednesday appeared to have a tough practice against a very good Buccaneers interior defensive front. It's still training camp. Offensive lines can take time.

Michael from Orange Park, FL

Zone, how much will we see of the starters Saturday?

I expect most Jaguars starters and front-line players to play very little, if at all, Saturday against the Buccaneers. Head Coach Doug Pederson has been pretty clear throughout 2024 Training Camp that he planned to work the starters extensively during dual practices against the Buccaneers this week then not play them in the game Saturday. He has taken this approach in previous "dual-practice" weeks in recent seasons and I don't expect him to change this week.

James from Jax

Many fans believe playing Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence hurt last year was a mistake, and perhaps a sign of no confidence in Beathard. Do you think he would have played Jones had he been on the team.

Perhaps in a game or two when Lawrence was more seriously hurt than in other games. Perhaps.

Jim from Jagsonville

PlaycallGate is kinda your fault, having repeated the mantra "It's always coaching in the NFL" for so long! With that said, I guess it's better than being concerned about the talent on the field. So one fer Baalke and not for you I guess?

It's absolutely always coaching in the NFL, and of course it's not one fer me. It's never one fer me.

Marty from Jacksonville

John, with the way the ball hit the net on that 62-yard field goal try, I am wondering, if Cam Little had the wind in his favor, could he hit a 75-yard field goal? I'd like to see him get a try in preseason. What do you think?

Seventy-five yards is a loooooong way. I do think Jaguars rookie kicker Cam Little could push for the NFL record of 66 yards. His leg is strong – like, really strong.

John from Jacksonville

Hi, KOAGF - It seems like safety Tashaun Gipson is a good signing. If he makes the roster, and especially as injuries come into play in the middle and later into the season, he will be fresh and ready to plug into the defense, as needed.

Yep.

Bill from Hammock, FL

Zone, I am not sure if this has been mentioned about the game, but I can't recall any silly offsides or motion penalties. Is there a noticeable emphasis on focus and detail particularly in the first preseason game?

Coaches always emphasize details such as discipline and reducing penalties. It's a good sign that they were reduced in Preseason Week 1. Stay tuned.

Jonathan from Formerly of Jax Beach

Curious to know why the depth chart doesn't list Devin Lloyd's position, just one Mike, a will and a Sam with Muma as the starter for both and Lloyd as the backup will. It was the same last week and Lloyd started as the second mike.

I wouldn't get overly concerned about preseason depth charts. Teams issue them because they issue game releases and these game releases include depth charts to assist those covering games. They often mean little. New Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is serious this preseason about not publicly committing to starting positions and not publicly revealing some details of the defensive scheme. That's why the depth chart is a little vague on linebacker positions such as the ones played by Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma.

Jerry from Italia, FL

Johnny of Zo's, during the 2022 preseason the Jags went 0-3. Then during the 2022 season we got better as the year went on and peaked down the stretch. During the 2023 preseason we kick a$$ (3-0) but we seemed to peak a little after halfway through the season. I think someone needs to let Doug know we need to lose the last two preseason games, so we have a chance for the playoffs this year. Don't you think?

Sure. Go with that.