JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
I am assuming there is happiness in the building that we got most of our non-53 camp guys back to the practice squad?
The Jaguars early Wednesday afternoon announced that they had signed 14 players – tight end Shawn Bowman, cornerback Christian Braswell, wide receiver Joshua Cephus, defensive end D.J. Coleman, wide receiver Elijah Cooks, tight end Josiah Deguara, safety Terrell Edmunds, cornerback Tre Flowers, defensive end Joe Gaziano, running back Jalen Jackson, offensive lineman Steven Jones, linebacker Tanner Muse, quarterback E.J. Perry and wide receiver Austin Trammell. All 14 of those players had been with the Jaguars throughout 2024 Training Camp and preseason except Gaziano and Perry, each of whom joined the team in recent weeks. These moves were announced immediately after the deadline for players to clear waivers, indicating that the Jaguars very much wanted those players back and had a good idea that that would happen. The Jaguars throughout the offseason saw many of the aforementioned players as very likely being part of the team in 2024. They absolutely were happy that it played out that way.
Ross from Formerly Danville, VA
Many years ago, I taught at Dan River High School. The Edmunds brothers went there a few years after I left. I knew several people that taught them and spoke highly of them. I was sad to see Terrell Edmunds cut but understand it is pro football. Were any of the cuts or transactions a surprise for you?
I was a little surprised the Jaguars waived Braswell. I know the team likes him quite a bit and believe he has potential to be a starter/front-line player. The Jaguars clearly leaned heavily this week toward keeping offensive and defensive lineman, keeping 21 total – 10 on offense and 11 on defense. The theory is it's far easier to release/waive cornerbacks/wide receivers and get them back through to the practice squad than to do the same with linemen. There are many players out of the NFL who can run. There are a limited number of human beings on the planet big and athletic enough to play effectively on the offensive and defensive lines.
Bill from Bostwick
In the category of sharing thoughts with the O-Zone: I was disappointed but not surprised to not see offensive linemen Blake Hance or Tyler Shatley's name on the practice squad; was happy to see cornerback Christian Braswell and defensive end D.J. Coleman make it through waivers; believe wide receiver Elijah Cooks is a future red-zone weapon; rooting for wide receiver Austin Trammell and worried there is only one offensive lineman on the practice squad (despite keeping 10 offensive lineman, which I totally agree with because I would've kept 11 with Hance or Shatley).
Two spots remain on the practice squad. I wouldn't be at all surprised if at least one of those spots eventually goes to an offensive lineman.
William from Franklin TN
Hey, man. You talk to Russ lately? Seems like he was always good to talk to.
Can I mumbo dogface to the banana patch?
Don from Marshall, NC
You can see the difference in Trevor Lawrence from a maturity level. He is more confident and more comfortable and he will light it up this year. And I don't mean burning rope. Go Jaguars!
When it comes to believing in Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence lighting it up – and not because of a burning rope – Don remains "all in."
Sam from Orlando, FL
Double Trouble? Any truth to the rumor that's the title for Don's new movie? A buddy comedy filmed with "Eugene "Daniel Day Lewis" Frenette? Any particular reason it's going to be rated NC-17?
I am sorry to report that there is no truth to this. Longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist, Northeast Florida cultural icon and all-around good guy Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette is taking a hiatus from acting. The good news here: He just finished his latest next film, a remake of Freaky Friday in which he plays both generations in what reportedly is a better-than-advertised, feel-good coming-of-age dramedy. Coming soon.
Julio from East Coast
"fans who astoundingly – perhaps by osmosis or perhaps by pure good fortune – possess greater football knowledge than those running their favorite team" I laughed harder than I should have at that. I'm going to get my coffee and finish waking up now.
I am the king of all funk.
Marc from Oceanway
Zone, Which of our seven players listed as a defensive tackle would you say is most capable of rotating in at defensive end? In my eyes, rookie Maason Smith certainly appears to have the size and length to play defensive end.
Smith has the size and athleticism to play outside a bit. So does Esezi Otomewo. One thing to remember here is that the Jaguars are going to rotate a lot of players this season on the front seven while moving players between different positions. This means we may have to think about position prototypes a bit differently than was previously the case. Perhaps the best way to consider this is that DaVon Hamilton likely will usually line up on the nose and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen probably will be on the edge. Everyone else…
Jonathan formerly of Jax Beach
Couple things. I think our friend was not asking about responsibilities in a three-four versus four-three for our now defensive ends. The real question is what bozo would look at our personnel and think having them in a three-four with no real nose tackle on the roster and two dominant pass rushers. Mike Caldwell I'm sure is a great guy and obviously believes in a three-four, but moving on from him and his scheme will do wonders for this defense. Part two, Breeland dominated against the same guys his teammates didn't dominate. Preseason or not
Couple things. I was asked why Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker dropped in coverage quite a bit his first two NFL seasons and I answered this question. I also was asked why the Jaguars released Breeland Speaks and I answered this question. I was fine with my answers then and I'm fine with them now.
Steve from Nashville, TN
A recent national media article had Head Coach Doug Pederson in the third hottest coaching seat in the NFL behind only Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys) and Robert Saleh (NY Jets). Does this sound ridiculous to you?
While I understand people like reading these sorts of lists, I honestly give them no thought. And I don't know how to gauge the temperature of seats. I expect Pederson to be the Jaguars' head coach throughout the 2024 season and beyond. Could that change if things go unexpectedly and awfully awry? Sure. The same could be said for the great majority of NFL head coaches.
Marty from Jacksonville
Hey, John. I have a few questions about the salary cap. I understand the total salaries for a team, for cap purposes, is based on the 53 highest-paid players. Does that include the practice squad or injured reserve? Can a team pay a player on the practice squad whatever they want, or is there a maximum salary for the practice squad? Can a team try to prevent another team from poaching a practice squad player by paying him a high salary?
The salary cap is based on the 53-highest-paid players in the offseason. Once the regular season begins, all players – 53-man roster, injured reserve, physically unable to perform, practice squad – count against the salary cap. Rookies and second-year players earn a minimum $12,500 per week on the practice squad. Veterans with at least three years' experience earn a minimum $16,800 per week on the practice squad. The maximum practice squad salary is $23,800 per week.
Brian from Greenwood, IN
Are teams allowed to pay practice players more than the minimum?
Marty, meet Brian. Brian, meet Marty.
Zac from Austin, Tejas
The Shatley business is just that - business. But I don't think it's 100 percent fair to say he'll be fine because he will be up and down from the practice squad. If he's in his last year, he probably won't want to leave the area. But knowing that, you just saved a ton of money releasing him - money he was probably counting on. I don't think I can run the team better than you or anyone else in the building - but that still felt sour.
Jaguars center Tyler Shatley has had a remarkable career, playing 10 NFL seasons all for the same franchise, after signing with the Jaguars as a collegiate free agent following the 2014 NFL Draft. While news of his release Tuesday may have surprised and disappointed some observers, this wasn't an out-of-nowhere occurrence. It was going to be close whether he made the 53 this season, something he well knew throughout the offseason and training camp.
Gabe from Washington, DC
Why an "undisclosed late-round pick?" Why not just announce the actual deal?
They didn't wanna.
