JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Bradley from Sparks, NV

Team Captain Evan Engram is rapidly climbing the ladder of all-time Jag free agents. One for double E?

Tight end Evan Engram has been a remarkable story since signing with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in the 2022 offseason. He had had a good career to that point with the New York Giants, but by no means a great one. He had a reputation for drops and hadn't really fulfilled his potential as the No. 23 overall selection by the Giants in the 2017 NFL Draft. He arrived in Jacksonville speaking of reviving his career and proving himself on what was then a "prove-it" one-year contract – and he has done just that. Engram in two seasons with the Jaguars has developed into a team leader with exemplary professionalism, turning himself into a team captain and one of the focal points of a dynamic offense. His 114 receptions came within two receptions of the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end last season, earning Pro Bowl honors. He now is an undisputed core player on this team – and yes, he's becoming one of the best free agent signings in franchise history. He has far exceeded expectations and had done something that's far from guaranteed as a free agent in that he has found an NFL home at a second stop. One fer Engram? No doubt.

Dale from Mobile, AL

I just watched Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's Wednesday press conference. He kind of unintentionally said a lot of what they want to do on Sunday. Is there anyone on the Jaguars staff that watches opponents press conferences to see if they can gain an edge?

Coaches from NFL staffs do watch media availabilities from opponents. How much they glean from these varies.

Colin from Sanford, FL

Hey, John. Can you explain the difference between a MIKE, SAM and WILL linebacker?

Indeed I can. The "mike" linebacker is the middle linebacker, the "sam" linebacker is the strongside linebacker and the "will" linebacker is the weakside linebacker. The mike linebacker typically lines up in the middle of the defense with the sam (strong) lining up on the side of the tight end and the will (weak) lining up on the side away from the tight end.

Jordan from Mandarin

In January, you will be writing an article about the Jags either making the playoffs or missing them. I would love to hear your prediction for either outcome. Please finish each sentence. The Jaguars made the playoffs because... (or) The Jaguars missed the playoffs because...

Their offensive and defensive lines improved, quarterback Trevor Lawrence improved and they stayed relatively healthy at key positions. The offensive and defensive lines didn't improve, Lawrence didn't improve and they didn't stay relatively healthy at key positions.

Brian from Round Rock, TX

If Doug Pederson does not announce who is calling plays, we can assume he is calling plays and he doesn't want to shame his "OC/protege/whatever this is." Either way, Pederson is accountable and it seems that Shad is eager to dole out some judgement at the end of the season. Thoughts?

Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson has yet to announce who will be calling plays in 2024– him or offensive coordinator Press Taylor. I don't know that we can accurately assume anything from this other than Pederson sort of likes being a little cheeky with the media on this topic – though it's just as true that not being able to accurately assume something never stopped Round Rock folks from doing so. Either way, yes … of course Pederson is accountable for the decision. He's the head coach and therefore is accountable for such things. I don't get the idea that Khan is eager to dole out judgment. I do get the idea he is eager to win.

John from Jax

Hi, KOAGF. So, walk me through what is so profound and so noteworthy around an owner declaring to the players "the time to win is now." What else is there to say? Something like "Let's start slow this season and try to start winning a little after a few games."

You're referencing Jaguars Owner Shad Khan saying in a pre-2024 Training Camp meeting with players that "the time to win is now." I wouldn't call this statement "profound." It's noteworthy because the team owner said it. As such, it makes for an easy and pertinent preseason theme for those writing about/discussing such things in the media.

J.Hooks from Orange Park, FL

John O, I don't get the warm and fuzzies about this matchup. Especially the way the Gators and Noles fell in a horrible fashion, not that that matters. The Dolphins have speed all over the field. Do you think in a game like this it would be best to have a strong defensive line to stop the run and pray we get to their quarterback, or have a strong secondary to keep those big chunk receiving yards down? It's a "pick your poison" situation as I see it. What do you think?

This is a tough matchup for the Jaguars, which has nothing to do with the University of Florida or Florida State football programs and everything to do with the Miami Dolphins being really fast offensively. I'm a big believer that pressure and disruption from the defensive front trumps all else. If you get it, it can cripple any sort of offense. If you don't, pretty much any offense can be effective.

Nate from Fogartyville

I noticed Foye was listed as the middle linebacker. For some reason I thought Lloyd was moved to that position. What am I missing?

A couple of thoughts here. One: Beware putting too much emphasis on the Jaguars' preseason depth chart – or any depth chart, for that matter. NFL depth charts that are released to the media and therefore the public are very much have-to processes for coaches. This perhaps is particularly true for Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who plans to rotate players extensively at various positions – thereby making "starting positions" and depth charts even less important than usually would be the case. As for the Jaguars' linebacker positions this season, I expect Foye Oluokon and Devin Lloyd to start/play key roles as part of what normally will be a two-linebacker approach with "middle" and "will" designations seemingly mixed at times. I also expect Chad Muma and Ventrell Miller to play key roles and play extensively. Stay tuned.

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

How is rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith fourth string on the depth chart? Seems you would hope for more out of a second rounder? And yes … I know, we need to let him play an NFL snap first. :-)

Beware putting too much emphasis on a preseason depth chart – or any depth chart, for that matter. This is particularly true when it comes to how coaches list rookies. I expect the Jaguars to rotate the defensive front seven this season – a lot – and there is nothing wrong with Smith's progress to date.

Jason from Extreme SW Duval (aka Tampa)

KOAF, I'm normally a First Amendment kind of guy, but could we please ban phrases like "rehab his groin injury" from the column moving forward?

Or maybe we could act like adults. Usually, I'm against such things. It seems the right thing to do here.

Jonathan from Formerly of Jax Beach

Never in the history of the franchise have I ever wanted to see someone flat out embarrassed multiple times … 'til now. I really want us to show the league, once again, that Ramsey is the most overrated, over-hyped player in the league and second place isn't even close. I do not like that child. Not how he has popularized letting his mouthpiece hang out, not how he conducts himself on the field and certainly not for his brick hands and his unwillingness to tackle. That is all. Go Jags!

I certainly understand Jaguars fans not liking Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey. His time with the Jaguars ended poorly – unbelievably poorly, actually – and any vehemence by Jaguars followers toward him has a feeling of inevitability. And though observers can feel however they feel about Ramsey and his conduct, he without question a much better player than you seem to believe.

Doug from Jacksonville

I'm assuming Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor will work up some plays that could exacerbate Ramsey's back issues. I look forward to seeing the Jags win. I just hope Ramsey's back doesn't flare up again and sideline him until the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills trade for him.

Even as the 2024 regular season approaches, it appears the message about being nice here in the O-Zone hasn't been received. To reiterate: It's important to be nice. This was not nice.

Jason from Jacksonville

The Don from Marshall, NC answers are getting REALLY stale. Why waste the limited writing space?

Because I feel like it.