JACKSONVILLE – History repeated itself – recent history, actually.
For the second time in a little more than two weeks, the O-Zone posted late on Saturday. Not as late as a couple of weeks back, but late nonetheless. And once again, loyal readers – and he knows who he is – were a combination of panicky and angry.
As before, we appreciate the enthusiasm – and the concern.
As before, it's an issue that is controlled at the league level. As before, it's not something we can control here at the jaguars.com level.
As before, we apologize.
Let's get to it …
David from Maplewood, NJ
Zone, when was the last time the Jags made the playoffs in back-to-back years? 1999, I think. And we have never won back to back division titles if memory serves. Sounds like some lofty goals, no?
Memory doesn't always serve, apparently. The Jaguars won the AFC Central in 1998 and 1999, finishing 11-5 in 1998 and 14-2 in 1999. But that was the last time the Jaguars made the postseason in back-to-back seasons. The 1998-1999 playoff appearances were the third and fourth in a franchise-record streak of four postseason appearances that began with the wild-card appearance following the 1996 season that ended with the Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. Still, are back-to-back postseason appearances and back-to-back division titles lofty goals? Of course. Are they attainable ones for this team? Of course.
James from Wilmington, NC
John, wyd?
Did what to who?
James from Jacksonville
Since the website redesign, I can't find the replay/broadcast of radio shows like Jaguars Today, etc. Are they still available on the site?
Not currently. My understanding is we at jaguars.com are working with the league to determine how to archive the radio shows on the site. Here's hoping it gets resolved by the regular season. It's not ideal.
Ed from Jacksonville
Unpopular website layout, people's O-Zone questions getting cut off ... something seems FOWL. #summeroftherooster
I don't know how much the rooster has to do with it, but it's darned sure something smells – er … seems – foul.
Don from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
The play that Myles Jack made against the New England was just amazing. The speed, the power, the strip, and the crime all happened so fast. Why? The whole city was robbed that was game over robbed. Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City-Bobby Blue Bland-Go Jaguars.
Jaguars Training Camp begins July 26 with veterans scheduled to report July 25. Rookies and first-year players are scheduled to report July 18 with quarterbacks reporting July 20.
William from Savannah, GA
Doug from Jax asked about Maurice Jones-Drew being one of the elites in Jaguars history. I tend to agree with your response, but I will say this: find me another feature running back on any team that can pancake an onrushing defensive lineman with no help and still be standing straight up on two feet afterwards. And that was pretty much the last time anyone heard of Shawn Merriman. While you may not agree, this is one of the top 10 plays in Jags history. I think tight end Marcedes Lewis caught a touchdown on that play, but no one except Lewis remembers that aspect.
Why wouldn't I agree? Former running back Maurice Jones-Drew is unquestionably one of the best four or five players in Jaguars history. He was this franchise's face and best player for an extended period, and he probably was involved with three or four of the best 20 or so plays in franchise history. I would think his pancake block on then-San Diego Chargers pass rusher Shawne Merriman absolutely would be in that conversation for most people.
Greg from St. Augustine, FL
I get most of the Jaguars' offseason moves. What I don't get is one move they didn't make. Why didn't they sign a backup running back – especially with Leonard Fournette's history?
The Jaguars tweaked the running back position in the offseason, releasing backup Chris Ivory and opting not to address the position in a major way in either the draft or unrestricted free agency. And this indeed raised eyebrows among many fans and observers because Fournette is a powerful, physical runner whose history suggests it's likely he will be limited or out in at least a few games. One reason the Jaguars didn't make a move is they believe they found their ideal running-back rotation late last season, with running backs Corey Grant, T.J. Yeldon and Fournette all playing extensively late in the regular season and in the postseason. Ivory played sparingly enough during that span that the Jaguars saw fit to release him shortly after the season. I agree with your premise that Fournette's history of ankle issues makes reserve running back a priority, and there's a strong chance that a back other than Fournette, Yeldon or Grant could play a key role. The Jaguars' thought is that first-year veteran Tim Cook can handle that, which is a big reason they didn't draft or sign a player to play the role.
Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
Oh Mighty 'O' / King of Funk: Taking your suggestion that Bruce Springteen's first five albums are considered to be one of the best first five albums of any artist, I would like to add to the mix: AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Metallica, Black Sabbath, KISS, Ramones and Led Zeppelin. However, can you think of a band who's last three albums were better than its first three? I would go for Judas Priest, ELO and The Beatles.
This is a difficult, rare accomplishment because most bands/artists tend to fade – or at least not improve with age – whereas the energy and creativity is often at its peak early. Though I'm not enough of a metal expert to speak intelligently on much of your list, the Beatles did pull it off – partly because they broke up while still in their prime and never reunited.
Bill from Melbourne, FL
Is there really any point in all of this?
Of course not.
Art from Drexel Hill
If Ronnie Harrison plays as well in training camp as he has during the offseason, could/do you seeing the Jaguars using him like the Cardinals use Deone Bucannon?
The Arizona Cardinals use Bucannon as a hybrid safety-linebacker, and that's a role Harrison – the Jaguars' third-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft from the University of Alabama – theoretically could play. He appears to have good instincts and plays well near the line of scrimmage. He also reportedly looked good in the offseason, though obviously nothing is known for certain about rookies until pads go on in training camp. I would be surprised if the Jaguars use Harrison in this role this season for a couple of reasons. They typically play a pretty straightforward defensive scheme without a lot of wrinkles, preferring to keep their scheme simple in an effort to allow players to play as fast as possible. Also, whereas Bucannon moved to the hybrid position in his second season, Harrison is a rookie. Adjusting to the NFL is tricky enough without trying to move a player to a position not only new to the player but new to the entire defense.
Mike from Cortland, NY
Hey O, I'm kinda interested to see if Corey Grant is still the fastest player on the team. Does Chark have that type of speed? Someone else?
Grant is still the fastest player on the Jaguars.
Jim from Middleburg, FL
This is the year. The target, goal and object are in sight. We begin ...
OK.
Disgusted fan from Jacksonville
As I check for the O-Zone again and again, I get frustrated with the idea that the league is holding up our website. Sure, there were days the O-Zone came later than 11:15 a.m. before the NFL got involved, but it still bugs me. Also, if the Patriots had a writer half as devoted to the fans as our King of all Funk – a.k.a., O Man … a.k.a., Sir O – I would bet they would be a little more diligent in keeping with what had previously been done. I hate the New England Patriots. I hate that there is bias towards certain teams, as much as Oehser says there isn't. There wasn't a call that benefitted the Jags all year that was "borderline" but there were numerous calls that hurt the Jags that weren't just borderline but either obvious or where a rule was in place to let the play run out then review. I'm rambling, but I'm right nonetheless.
Fans gonna fan – even O-Zone fans, apparently. God love 'em.
I know O ain't running late from Jacksonville
After two ... and my anger for the league for getting their noses into our website grows …
You weren't alone.
Ed from Jacksonville
It's 3 p.m. Saturday, July 14. Today's OZone hasn't been posted. I'm sure it's the new website's fault. Totally FOWL! This really ruffles my feathers! #summeroftherooster
