JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Brian from Atlanta, GA

Why aren't the Jaguars more worried about Travis Hunter's contract? Seems like they're going to have to pay one player two salaries.

We're a few years from this being a real "worry," but yes … there is a decent chance that this could be a tricky issue in 2028 or so. Hunter, selected by the Jaguars No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to soon sign his rookie contract. Because NFL rookie contracts are "slotted" under the Collective Bargaining Agreement's rookie wage scale, Hunter is projected to sign a four-year contract worth about $46.5 million with a $30.5 million signing bonus. This projection has nothing to do with how many positions Hunter plays or even if he plays well; it's simply a function of his draft position. Where this will get interesting, and where the NFL and the NFL Players Association eventually may need to adapt to a new era, is what happens when it's time for Hunter to sign his second contract. Hunter is expected to play both wide receiver and cornerback. If he plays both of those positions well, it's reasonable to expect his second contract to reflect that. This could complicate the NFL's formula for calculating "franchise" and "transition" tags for prospective unrestricted free agents. It also could complicate the formula for "fifth-year options." This is because those formulas are based on a player's designated position. As for your question … could the Jaguars eventually have to pay Hunter for being an elite cornerback AND an elite wide receiver? Yes, that's possible. And wouldn't that be a pleasant puzzle to solve?

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

Can you clarify the rule about a receiver "covering" another receiver on the end of the line of scrimmage? Isn't that an illegal formation? And why? What's the spirit of the rule because it seems pointless?

NFL rules mandate a few highlight points in this area. One is that at least seven players always must line up on offense on the line of scrimmage. Another is that eligible receivers must be on both ends of the line. All players between the two ends are considered ineligible receivers – and a receiver in between the two ends who is lined up on the line is considered "covered up." The formation isn't illegal, but the "covered up" receiver isn't eligible to catch a pass. The rule is to prevent confusion for the defense so that only receivers lined up on the end of the line and in the backfield are eligible to catch passes.

Johnny from Jax

Ozone, will you please only answer questions I am interested in, and only answer them the way I want you to! I'm getting pretty worn out with this.

You're kidding. I'm sure you're kidding. I'm almost sure you're kidding. There's a possibility you're not kidding. And I'm not kidding about that last part.

Justin from Jacksonville

Who is Eugene "Gene" Frennette?

Former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette – a.k.a., Eugene "Gene" Frenette – is many things to many people. He's part columnist, part culinary savant, part photographer, part wordsmith. But these descriptions, frankly, don't do Gene justice. He's Gene – and all that that implies.

John from Jax

Hi KOAGF - Not sure I read correctly the story on the leaner look of the defense but was it mentioned that Walker was three pounds lighter? Heck, I can gain or lose three pounds on any given day. What am I missing or is the true weight of these players a secret?

Defensive end Travon Walker was the player quoted and specifically referenced in the article you cite – an article that discussed multiple Jaguars defensive players being lighter this offseason than last season. Walker when speaking this week also clarified that he is working on body composition this offseason – and that he believed his added weight last season had an effect late in the season. End Josh Hines-Allen and linebacker Devin Lloyd also appear significantly lighter this offseason. I don't know that fans and observers will notice many other players looking that much lighter, but you notice it with those three players. They were asked to gain weight to play in last season's scheme and they seem happy to have that situation in the past.

Mike from Eagan, MN

From reading your questions every day, which seem to come from the same five-to-six people, optimism for the Jags seems high from this observer (outside of Gary, who doesn't seem to like you, and Pookie, who doesn't seem to like anything). So, inquiring mind(s) want to know … is the optimism/excitement that is apparent in the O-Zone translating into Season Ticket sales? How are sales going for the 2025 season?

They're a-ight. Hunter doesn't hurt. Neither does the positive energy around the building. I expect significant growth in this area in future offseasons if the Jaguars are good. That's the most tried and tested way to fill a stadium.

Bill from Jacksonville

I'm with Michael from Orange Park, FL. I think you're waaaaay overrating this team. They're supposed to be better because the vibe is better? Grow up.

Perhaps Bill and Michael are correct. Stranger things have happened. I don't know that the Jaguars in 2025 will be better solely because the "vibe" around the team is better than last season. I've been around plenty of Jaguars teams in the last decade and a half with good offseason vibes that have produced "not good" seasons. But a team can benefit from an overall belief in the direction of a franchise. A player "buying" what a coach is "selling" means something. Players as a collective "buying" what a coach is "selling" can mean a lot in the ultimate team sport. I expect the Jaguars to benefit from this in 2025. I don't know what that will mean in terms of victories and losses. I do expect people will like the direction of the franchise this season.

Kevin from Ontario

How could anyone who has seen Letterkenny not like Letterkenny?

To be fa-a-a-air, not everyone gets everything. It's tempting to talk about spare parts in this vein. But we talk a lot here in the O-Zone about being nice. It's important to be nice.

Thomas from Charlottesville

The term " Throwing guys open" is often used. My question is this more a technique matter (working on balance and feet position) or is it just timing?

It's mostly a matter of timing. Receivers in the NFL aren't "wide open" nearly as often as they are in college, where sometimes it seems they are always "wide open." It therefore can be beneficial for a professional quarterback to lead the receiver to allow the receiver to be "open" when he wouldn't have seemed that way at a lower level of football. Or something like that.

Scott from Gilbert, AZ

Zone, while the thought of "scoring from distance" is a truly romantic notion, I'm still wondering who will extend drives past third down by making a tough catch at the sticks in traffic, and which of our running backs can convert fourth and one toting the rock? Ideally an offense can do both, but if you had to choose between a couple splash plays with several 3-and-outs per game, or the ability to constantly "Moodachay" and keep your defense on the sidelines, what would your preference be?

I suppose any of the Jaguars' top receivers – Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and/or Dyami Brown – can convert third downs with tough catches at the sticks. Or tight end Brenton Strange can do it. Maybe it takes a village here. And while not all running backs are created equal when it comes to short yardage, a team's ability in short-yardage situations depends significantly more on the offensive line than the running back. How many backs do you really see run over poorly blocked defensive linemen? Even for a yard or two? In real life? As for your final question … I suppose in an idea situation I would rather have a team that always was able to convert third downs and control the game with extended drives. But this is the NFL. And in the NFL, it's very hard to consistently win driving the length of the field with double-digit-play possessions. You better be able to make explosive plays consistently if you want to score consistently.

Richard from Doomstadt, Latveria

I don't know who the fifth Beatle was, but the Walrus was Klein.

Paul is dead. Just ask Jimmie Nicol. You've got to admit it's getting better. I will mention here that had a Beatles belt buckle when I was in the eighth grade. It said "Seargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" on it. The background was black and the words were in a shimmery kaleidoscope. I wore this belt buckle often. I also wore corduroy pants often. I did not have a girlfriend at the time.