JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Jim from Neptune Beach, FL

O, I've spent huge amounts of time in previous years reviewing the free agents available. I know the team has hit on a number of them, but has missed on a lot more. This year, I'm looking at who might be available and who might help the Jags – and I have to say I give up. You and other readers have said they believe the team should draft and develop, but for years I resisted. This year, not.

This is as good a place to start as any as we move on from the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine – and as we look toward next week's start of the '25 NFL League Year and accompanying start of the '25 free-agency period. It's somewhat folly to project free-agent activity because there's little as uncertain in NFL circles as a team's "free-agent plan." A team can pursue whatever it likes in this area, but there's no guarantee a player will want to sign with a team – just as there's also no guarantee a team will be able to outbid another team for a player's services. My sense from listening to new Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone at the combine is he has what I call a healthy view of free agency – i.e., that while it's a necessary and sometimes useful player-acquisition tool, it shouldn't be a team's primary means of building a roster. When Gladstone spoke of philosophy last week, he spoke far more of the draft – and he likes very much the Jaguars having more selections in the next two drafts than any other NFL team. I expect the Jaguars to be active in free agency next week. But my sense is they may not be quiiite as active in Tier One free agency as some fans want and expect. Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – absolutely know I'll like a quieter early approach. Fingers crossed.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

I noticed that when the Jags were interviewing for head coach that Robert Saleh's current job was as a consultant for the Cincinnati Bengals or maybe the Cleveland Browns. How common is this in the NFL and do the Jags employ any and if so, are their identities public?

Former NFL head coaches and coordinators consult with franchises from time to time, usually during seasons when they are dismissed from another team midseason. These situations are usually reported. The Jaguars currently don't have any "consultants."

Brian from Round Rock, TX

Knowing the quality of Jacksonville's sports media, I'm pretty sure no one has actually tracked down and found out if owner Shad Khan is actually hands off and does not meddle. Listen to a few radio show, and read a few articles, and you quickly realize that the Jaguars' beat knows nothing and they want to keep it that way. It takes real effort to stay so ignorant. It's really and amazing thing to behold. So Johnny O, did you ask Dougy P about ownership, AFTER he was fired? I'm guessing that would be too much like work.

A George divided against itself cannot stand.

Charles from Midlothian, VA

It has been a while – a LONG while – since I felt good about being a Jaguar Fan. A VERY long time. Tony Boselli as the VPoFO has given me hope.

There are plenty of reasons for hope these days around the Jaguars, with Boselli as executive vice president of football operations as big a reason as any. He is in a unique position to understand the entire organization – past and present – and set the proper tone. A lot of people love this organization. There are a lot of qualified people in the organization. There may be no one qualified for his position with as much love for the organization as Boselli.

Jim from Middleburg, FL

Hi John. I see some interesting free agent offensive lineman that are free agents. Of course they all have an injury history and getting long in the tooth. Just thought you might want to know that Cam is available again. At least he knows everything about Jax, right?

Former Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. Here's hoping he finds the right spot for him. I don't expect that to be in Jacksonville.

Anita from Springfield

On the one hand I still root for them, but it bums me out that we cut defensive lineman Calais Campbell and tight end Marcedes Lewis at different times because they were too old, and that they're still tearing it up for new teams who saw what they still had. Do you see Mercedes being remembered as a Jag, or is he fully a Packer now?

I expect Lewis will be remembered by Jaguars fans for his time with the Jaguars.

Don from Marshall, NC

Liam Coen has to be exhausted. Hopefully someone is looking out for him. He had a great season last year and right back into the frying pan. We will give you a promotion, but you can kiss that vacation goodbye. Go Jaguars!

When it comes to saying something about Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen working too much or not enough or maybe just right, Don remains "all in."

Sean from Oakleaf, FL

Is one of the "benefits" of winning four games last season a lot of 1 p.m. starts at home and away this season I know a certain Senior Writer covets?

Yep.

Dave from Jax

Hey O! It sort of does beg the question, though … who DOES the King of All Funk report to? Hopefully not J.P. Shadrick. I shudder to think...

If you think that makes you shudder …

P Funk from Murray Hill

What were you doing when you were 39 years old? Was 4-year old John answering questions from fellow kids on a chalk board?

I was working for the Indianapolis Colts when I was 39. Four-year-old John was watching Mr. Ed re-runs and singing alphabet songs in preschool in Reston, Va. He wasn't answering questions from his fellow students, though it's likely they were teasing him unmercifully and getting him ready for what remained of a sad childhood.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL

After 33-plus years of marriage, I know one thing about "the final say." I never get it. I think it is an overblown media thing and I hope they just drop it. It is the kind of thing you fill time with when there are no games or other real news to cover. In my one attempt ever to have the final say on anything, I'm not getting excited about press conferences - introductory or otherwise. I am not even getting excited about the people (including Boselli). I have done that too many times. I am in "prove-it" mode. When all this stuff converts to wins, I will be excited. Not until then. For now, it's just words. Now, after this posts and my wife better explains what my position really is, I will let you know.

Fair.

Big Hoss from the Big House from Crawfordville

Will you please give us your on-the-field analysis of both Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson from this past season? And what would be your expectations of them next season, considering the new defensive coordinator.

Defensive tackle Maason Smith showed significant development late in the season, showing he may have the ability to disrupt and penetrate the line that prompted the Jaguars to select him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nose tackle Jordan Jefferson, a fourth-round selection, flashed at times as a rookie but didn't get much late opportunity to develop. I expect both to contribute more in 2025, and Smith is a key storyline.

Mike from Daytona Beach, FL

What changes would result in more kickoff returns? First, incentivize the kicking team to hit the landing zone. So, any kickoff first landing in or behind the end zone is placed at the 35 instead of the 30. Second, incentivize the receiving team to return the ball. So any kickoff that first hits the landing zone MUST be returned - no exception for the ball bouncing into the end zone. If not returned, the ball is placed at the 20-yard line. To allow the receiving team plenty of time to field the ball, the third change is to move the kicker back to the 30-yard line. What say you, KOAF?

OK.

Armand from Jacksonville

Will you provide a list of the players the Jags talked to at the combine?

No. Who teams speak with at the combine is perhaps the most irrelevant "story" of every NFL offseason. All teams eventually speak with essentially every significant prospect at some point in the pre-draft process – be it at the combine, All-Star game or Pro Day workout. The so-called "30" visits later in the offseason, visits at the team's facility, are sometimes a better gauge of a team's interest in a player.