JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Kevin from Jacksonville
The calendar says March. Or at least Google says March when I ask Google what month it is. So why does it feel so much like the "Dead Zone?" What says you, Zone?
I say this indeed has been a bit of a slow week for Jaguars news – and that's usually the case the week after the NFL's free-agency frenzy because teams tend to calm their actions and retreat into dark rooms filled with large tables and big screens to get deep into "Draft Preparations." This week also seems a smidge slower than usual around the Jaguars because last week was particularly frenzied with not only nine unrestricted free agents signing but with six of those free agents speaking to the media on Thursday along with General Manager James Gladstone. The Jaguars as expected pumped their free-agency brakes in a big way this week, signing former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Fred Johnson as an unrestricted free agent. Perhaps if the Jaguars had delayed some of their Week 1 free-agency activity to Week 2 this week would have felt less "dead." But we're into the weeds a bit here. The Jaguars have been plenty busy in recent weeks reshaping the roster. We'll be into April soon enough. That ends with the 2025 NFL Draft. With the Jaguars holding 10 selections, it will be plenty alive around here then.
Steve from Nashville, TN
A recent NFL "Power Poll" has the Jaguars ranked 27th, the Indianapolis Colts 29th and the Tennessee Titans last at 32nd. On paper this makes the AFC South not even arguably the weakest division in the NFL. With the AFC South playing the NFC and AFC West this year - the Houston Texans can easily win the Division with less than 10 wins. Do you have any thoughts on the current conversation around Division winners not necessarily getting a home playoff game?
Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – know that my interest in offseason power polls lies between bemusement and contempt, usually leaning toward the former because the latter requires more effort. The purpose of offseason power polls is to have something to put on the website because we need something for the website on a particular day, and they more often than not do not remotely predict how a team will fare in the coming season. As for the current conversation about division winners not getting a home postseason game, it sounds like most conversations about this topic over the years – and the topic indeed gets discussed every few offseasons. NFL owners will consider this idea at the 2025 Annual Meetings later this month. I expect they will reject it. This league always has placed value on winning divisions. To not award winners with a home game playoff game would diminish the value. That's unlikely.
Scott from Gilbert, AZ
Zone, National Geographic says jaguars use rivers to hunt, but our Jags have historically been equally inept next to the mighty St. Johns as they have been away from it. I'm guessing NatGeo might fall into that "not all media outlets are created equal" category?
I suppose.
Taylor from Columbia, MD
The new regime seems to believe that (and count on) rookies contributing in their rookie season. For the last decade, you have written that rookies shouldn't be counted on to significantly contribute. Do you and General Manager James Gladstone disagree on this or are you becoming more open to the idea of drafting rookies that can contribute immediately?
Neither. My thought on rookies always has been that it's fine to expect them to play and contribute, but that you better enter the season knowing that they're going to be inconsistent and they're probably not going to carry your team. A first-round selection in most cases should be ready to start and not be a liability – and most players are going to develop as rookies with accompanying ups and downs. Some rookies – Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., for example – play well beyond this expectation. Most do not, and fans and observers are often far too anxious to write this second group off as busts. I expect Gladstone will draft players with the idea that they will have opportunities to contribute as rookies – and I expect, too, that he will know better than to consider them busts if they don't make the Pro Bowl as rookies.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
"address receiver in the draft with the idea of selecting a player who can produce in 2025." Typically in what round can you select a wide receiver who can contribute right away?
The first few.
Ben from Cuba, MO
O', would you support a rule that allowed the team to vacate a single contract's salary cap ramifications upon the change of general manager? As an example, the Jaguars' whole regime changed. So Gladstone would be allowed to release one player and his contract which were the result of former General Manager Trent Baalke? I'd want the player to get his money. But I think that would help the rebuild of teams who needed a regime change.
This idea has appeal in theory, particularly if you're a supporter of a team in a regime change. Remember, though: Regimes change in various ways. Sometimes a coach changes. Sometimes there's ownership change. Sometimes a general manager retires and is replaced by a top lieutenant. Would regime change only be "total change" in the sense of general manager AND head coach? Or would a certain number of people in the organization have to be replaced? Remember, too: Such a rule would have to be voted upon by all teams. A successful team that rarely changes regimes would have little incentive to vote for this rule.
Jerry from Orange Park, FL
Myles Jack really wasn't down, you know.
No, he was not.
Fred from Naples, FL
I am heading out today on a very long flight and just bought the book "Jags to Riches" I cannot wait to read it. I heard even Tony Bennett read it and loved it. Now I just have to figure out a way to get you and Prisco to sign it!
I hope you brought two books.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. It doesn't seem like free-agent splashes are necessarily indications of future success. Some of the Jags' biggest free-agency splash busts – wide receiver Jerry Porter, defensive end Bryce Paup and defensive end Hugh Douglas – are examples. Yet the likes of wide receiver Keenan McCardell, tight end Kyle Brady and defensive tackle Calais Campbell were journeymen that went on to win the hearts of us fans. Is it weird to say that our 2025 draft has a better chance of contributing because the players are "lunch pail" guys looking to work hard to win, and not ride the coattails of reputation?
For the sake of accuracy, Brady was a former Top 10 overall selection and Campbell was in no way a "journeyman" before signing with the Jaguars. The 2025 Jaguars free-agent class has a chance to contribute because the players were signed with reasonable expectations at relatively reasonable expense. They're not expected to be stars whereas the expectations for players such as Paup and Porter were far higher.
Greg from Jacksonville
You said wide receiver was the Jaguars' biggest weakness. What about secondary?
I wrote recently that wide receiver was from this view the Jaguars' biggest remaining area of need, and that I expect they will try in the first few rounds of the draft to select a receiver who can complement Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown. I expect they will do the same with secondary because from this view they need to address corner opposite Tyson Campbell and safety alongside Eric Murray. The Jaguars went 4-13 last season and there were roster issues. They weren't all going to get fixed in one week in free agency.
Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL
O-Zone?!! I really do like the poise of Gladstone. However, I may get grief over this, but I laughed when I thought of it: Since Gladstone is big on intangibly rich players does that mean Tim Tebow will be a Free Agent prospect / acquisition? What says you O-Zone???
That's not what that means.
Tony from Jax
Would love to have Calais back for the right price! Has there ever been a case in the NFL where a player signs for a year on the league minimum with an official or unofficial agreement he'd join the coaching staff afterwards? It might be a mutually beneficial way for a three-year compensation plan.
A team couldn't include an official future coaching contract in a player contract, and an unofficial agreement would be difficult because a regime change could negate such a deal. Has a player ever had such an unofficial agreement? I'm sure it has been done in some capacity, though I couldn't officially cite an instance.
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
Even during March Madness, you suck.
"Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons" – Woody Allen.
