JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Josh from Las Vegas, NV

Dear John, I'm very worried about Lawrence and the offense. By all accounts, they have been noticeably underwhelming to this point in training camp and severely outplayed by a defense that isn't even supposed to be a top-tier unit. Compared to this point in training camp last season, has the offense looked better/worse/the same? For the record, I was completely against paying Lawerence in the offseason. Throwing a plush bag of money at a guy isn't going to make him live up to the hype suddenly. He simply hasn't produced and I'm fearful he is what he is. A slightly above average quarterback and nothing more. Please tell me I'm missing something, John.

I'm sorry you're worried. Worry can be, well … worrying. Or worse yet, worrisome. I'm not sure in this case worry is warranted, though – and I am sure your premise is incorrect. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars' offense have not been underwhelming during 2024 Training Camp – and they have not been severely outplayed by the defense. It is true that the offense struggled in the first four days of camp. This was before much of the offense had been installed and the offense was working primarily in red-zone situations. The offense in the last two(ish) weeks has looked very good in pretty much every practice except perhaps one or two. Lawrence also has looked at least fine with a few exceptions since Week 1 and by my count has thrown just one interception during that time. Also: To say Lawrence "simply hasn't produced" and that he hasn't "lived up to the hype" in his career is a little extreme. He played at a winning level at the end of the 2022 season and for the first 10 or so games of the 2023 season. He perhaps wasn't at an All-Pro level, but he threw 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions – and the Jaguars were 13-3 during the span. It's understandable that you and some fans were against paying Lawrence this offseason. There were valid arguments for and against, with the Jaguars paying him because they believe he is the franchise quarterback of the future. But his performance during '24 camp has been fine – at least – and shouldn't add to your worry.

Sam from Orlando, FL

Did Tyler Shatley retiring have anything to do with him swiping the last bear claw just before Eugene "Pastry" Frenette could get his meat hooks on it?

You're misremembering this, I fear. Longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist, Northeast Florida cultural icon and force of nature Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette never has missed a deadline and no one has out-swiped him for the last bear claw. It hasn't happened. I would know.

Jaypee from the Vortex

I love the idea of yelling "Get off my lawn!" What about the stadium purring when we score a TD? Is that cool?

Do what ya do.

Nick from Palm Coast

Will Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen be on the field during games or will he be up in the booth? Do you feel there is a difference in where they coach from?

I confess I don't know where Nielsen will work on game day. I should have asked when Nielsen spoke to the media Wednesday. This is just another in a long line of my flaws, and I'll add it to the list my wife maintains. I'll try to learn the answer in the next day or so and pass it on. There's no right or wrong place from which to call offenses or defenses. Some coordinators like calling the game from the sideline for ease/immediacy of communication with players. Others like calling it from the booth because they can see plays develop with a better big-picture view. It's personal preference.

Bruce from St. Simons Island

O, Good news on Hamilton! Bad backs linger, back infections can be treated. Also, do you think that Brian Thomas Jr. will help with the Jags' red-zone offense? I do. He has a history in college of catching passes at the high point in the end zone. He could really help, or as a rookie, should we not expect great things?

The news on Jaguars nose tackle DaVon Hamilton absolutely has been good in recent weeks and months, with his back issue seemingly in the past and his play thus far in '24 camp very promising. As for Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., there's certainly a good chance he will help the offense this season. He has impressive length and speed, which should help the Jaguars in the red zone and help them stretch the field. I don't have a great feel for projecting Thomas' statistics. I do get the idea that opposing defensive coordinators will have to account for him in the red zone and on deep passes. If that happens, it will help the entire receiving corps – and the entire offense.

Alex from Las Vegas, NV

Let's be honest, John.

What's the fun in that?

Daniel from Johnston, IA

If they expand to 18 games, that definitely means two by weeks and the roster increases by a couple of slots right?

Nothing is definite when it comes to NFL rules until rules are implemented – and even then, NFL rules sometimes get changed. If the NFL does expand to 18 regular-season games, I would expect the league to add a bye week to the regular season – and for that to push the season deeper and more ridiculously into February. I don't know that expanding to 18 games will automatically mean expanding the roster – and I don't know that expanding the roster is necessary. The league has expanded practice squads to 16 players in recent seasons, with teams able to activate practice squad players far more liberally than previously was the case. That has in essence expanded rosters by five, six or seven players. I don't know that there is that much of a need to expand them much more – even with an added game.

Greg from Section 122, The Bank, Jacksonville, FL

In reference to center/guard Tyler Shatley retiring, we have been blessed in Jacksonville to have a lot of stability at O-Line. Center Brad Meester, Shatley, left tackle Cam Robinson, and of course left tackle Tony Boselli to name a few. Hope his last year gets us a ring to cap off his career.

Here's hoping.

Jason from North Pole, AK

Looking at the Jaguars' first depth chart, General Manager Trent Baalke has drafted 10 of the 22 starters. I only see two holdovers from previous regimes in defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and left tackle Cam Robinson. That is a pretty remarkable roster turnover in three years. My only criticism is that he has only managed to draft one starter on the offensive line. That feels like an indictment considering the struggles of the last year with that group.

Baalke has addressed the offensive line heavily in the last year or so. He has selected right tackle Anton Harrison in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft, traded for guard Ezra Cleveland and signed center Mitch Morse as a free agent. That's 60 percent of the starting line.

Jonathan from Formerly of Jacksonville Beach

Former Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey is the most overhyped and overrated player in the history of the game. Numbers do not lie. He gives up a ton of catches, he has very little interceptions and pbus and only and outside of his rookie season, doesn't like to tackle. He's also a diva and there's good reason the Los Angeles Rams dealt him. Miami will, too. Buh bye cancer.

So if I'm reading this correctly – and I think I am – one not fer Ramsey?

Brian from Round Rock, TX

With the Chiefs preseason game this week, is this when Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson renews his annual pledge to Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid to never beat him?

It's Preseason Week 1. I suppose we can attach some overarching importance to the game and see it as part of a grand conspiracy. If, that is, we remember the score two days later.

Zac from Austin, but vacation in Playa del Carmen

You're not in Mexico right now, are you? Because I swear to God I will roll up on this many right now and ask for your autograph. Also, what's the last vacation you and La Jefa went on?

I am not in Mexico. I'm almost sure of it.

Michael from Mean streets of Arlington

After all these years of saying "The Westside is the Methside" I realize that it's truer than I thought.

We talk a lot here in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice. It seems to not be getting through. This is not nice.

Alex from Des Moines, IA

How has roomie Brian Thomas looked so far? I haven't heard much about him and made only a couple plays so far as I know.

If you're rooming with Thomas, you can ask him yourself.