JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it … Trevor from Jacksonville:
Do you think David Caldwell limits the Jags' improvement by focusing on only one position or side of the ball at a time? I.e., we need a left tackle, so we draft Luke Joeckel – and now this year saying only looking at defense or pass rusher first?
John: I don't think that's the case at all, and history actually shows that hasn't been David Caldwell's approach as the Jaguars' general manager. First, although Caldwell has said there will be a defensive focus this offseason, he never has said he will draft only defense – and in fact, he never has committed himself to taking defense or pass rusher No. 5 overall. Second, the Jaguars didn't need a left tackle when they selected Joeckel; they took him because the belief was he was the best player at No. 2 at the time – and that he was a player who could be a long-term solution at the position. Finally, although offense was still a major priority last offseason, the Jaguars selected defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. at No. 3 overall – again, because the thought was that he was the best value at the spot at the time.
Dave from Duval:
Hey O, I read an article on NFL.com that the NFL asked the teams playing games in London if they would like to have their bye game on a week other than the following week. Seems the Colts said "Yes" and therefore have a week 10 bye as opposed to the Jags early season week 5 bye. What gives?
John: I'm not sure how much there is to add to this. The Colts evidently requested to not have a bye following London this season because they didn't want the bye so early in the season. They're having a bye later in the season. The league certainly needs to test how much a team needs a bye after London, so this was an opportunity to do that.
Adam from Saint Johns, FL:
"Five and 11 isn't 'earning it.' " Boy, you can say that again – and when they don't "earn" it again, someone better get fired THIS time.
John: Yes, Alan – and that will solve everything.
Stephen from Jacksonville:
Do you think those who are worried that the start of the schedule is too tough would rather the Jaguars play UMass, North Texas, and Presbyterian in the first 3 weeks?
John: Now, come on … you just don't casually tee it up and think you're going to beat the Blue Hose. Not in '16, anyway.
Michael from Fruit Cove, FL:
Count me as one fan who is THRILLED we don't have any home night games this season. Those games are extremely overhyped and are a pain for anybody living outside of Jacksonville. Why are most fans so against playing every game at 1 o'clock on Sunday?
John: Home night games are cool. A lot of fans like them – and it's OK to be disappointed the Jaguars don't have any. I just don't see it as a league conspiracy against the organization.
Dalton from Orlando, FL:
After free agency, I thought the Texans were suckers for signing Brock Osweiler to that mega deal when he hasn't proved to be deserving of that type of money. However, I would rather have done what they did than what the Rams did. If both quarterbacks bust, the Rams are going to be in a much worse situation than the Texans. Not only are the Rams giving up multiple young and high-round draft picks, but they are also giving up several cheap contracts. Which team's situation would you rather be in?
John: I'd say first that you can't approach building an NFL roster by assuming the players you acquire will bust. The Texans and Rams this offseason both did what teams must do in the NFL – do whatever you can to find a quarterback until you … find a quarterback. To answer your question (at long last), I suppose I'd rather be in the Texans' situation. That's because you're right – if Osweiler fails, all they have to do is wait out the cap ramifications and pursue another quarterback. The Rams gave up a lot of draft equity to execute their gamble, whereas "all" the Texans gave up was cap space and money. On the other hand, the No. 1 overall selection in the draft is theoretically going to be good. Theoretically.
Garrett from Germany:
O, so the Titans traded the first pick. Let's say Laremy Tunsil falls to No. 5 and is the best available player. Would you pick him and try to trade Luke Joeckel? We could probably get a decent draft pick for him, right? Go Jags!
John: I don't think Tunsil will fall to the Jaguars because I don't think he'll make it past the San Diego Chargers at No. 3. I also wouldn't select him if he's there because I don't imagine the difference between Tunsil and the best defensive player available will be enough to make that make sense.
Chris from Tampa, FL:
I missed the Rashean Mathis appreciation day, but I feel compelled to send my favorite moment. It came courtesy of Ochocinco during his "Who'll cover 85 in '05?" campaign. That bit of hilariousness included a poster made by Chad Johnson that displayed the names of the opposing corners he would face with a check box next to the names in case any succeeded in covering him. After Mathis clearly demonstrated he could indeed cover 85 in '05, I cherished Johnson's post-game meltdown and subsequent disappearance of the poster.
John: Good stuff.
Casey from Bismarck, ND:
For those worried about Tennessee becoming a powerhouse just because they received a bunch of high picks, remember from 2012 to 2015 Cleveland had seven first-round picks and now they appear to be heading to one win – if they're lucky. Three of those are no longer on the team and two appear to be on the outs. Gotta select the right players.
John: More good stuff.
Bill from Jacksonville:
John, what does it say to you that writers and TV/radio personalities in Jacksonville see the new Jaguars' schedule and think seven wins is all this team can manage? This isn't some uninformed national writer. These people are closer to the team than anyone. Thanks! Go Jags!
John: I'd say it says the writers and television/radio personalities have seen this team lose a lot the last three, four, five, six, seven years and are understandably waiting to see the Jaguars win consistently before they predict a four- or five-game improvement. That's reasonable. I think there's a good chance the Jaguars will win at least eight games; I think there's a better chance of that than I thought there was last season. I think the Jaguars will be better. What that means in terms of the record, we'll see.
Tudor from St. Augustine, FL:
No prime-time games except for the Titans? I beg to differ. The opener against Green Bay is the definition of prime time in my opinion. September Florida heat and humidity versus arguably the coldest weather team in the league led by the best quarterback to open your season? That's prime-time baby; I'll be flying down from Denver for that one. Let's show up folks … I don't want to see a green EverBank that day!
John: #DTWD
Mike from Des Moines, IA:
I'm not a fan of drafting a player with the idea of him playing at a different position. Jalen Ramsey plays corner and will play free safety; that isn't as big a change as he is moving within the defensive backfield. Taking Myles Jack who has been playing linebacker and moving him into the secondary seems a bit much. I get that he has good coverage skills, but mentally these positions are quite different. I also get that Bradley's defense calls the strong safety to play at the line which is fairly close to what a linebacker is, but I would rather let Jack play linebacker and see if he picks up Otto or Sam quickly. You aren't only projecting how a college player will turn out in the NFL, you are also projecting how a player will develop at a position he may have not played before. What do you think?
John: I think the difference in playing corner and safety is fairly big, but I get your point. Remember, the reports are that the Jaguars would like Jack to play a hybrid strong safety/linebacker role. Considering how good Jack is naturally in coverage, that makes sense. All indications are that Jack is the sort of defensive talent around which you can build a defense. Playing him in a hybrid role that emphasizes his strength is doing just that.
Tony from Richmond, VA:
Here's a crazy scenario for you. Say that somehow Jalen Ramsey falls past Dallas and we scoop him up. Ravens take Joey Bosa and San Francisco goes quarterback. Jags trade back up and get Myles Jack. Jalen and Myles? Now, that would be a draft.
John: Go home, Tony. Get some rest.