ATLANTA, Ga. – Let's get to it …

Michael from Orange Park, FL

Preseason Week 3. Let's goooooooo!

My Scooby Sense – not my Scobee Sense – tells me you're excited about the Jaguars' 2024 preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., Friday. While there's admittedly an element of "to each his own" to this excitement, your enthusiasm is in a sense is understandable. This will be the last chance to see the Jaguars before their Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami – and it will be the starters' most extensive work of the preseason. It will be the first time seeing the entire starting offensive line – left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Ezra Cleveland, center Mitch Morse, right guard Brandon Scherff and right tackle Anton Harrison – playing together, with that group not playing together when the starters played in Preseason Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. I expect that group along with other starters to play into the second quarter – and maybe, maybe, maybe a series into the second half. This one could be fun, as fun as it gets in the preseason anyway. Let's go? Sure, why not?

Paul from Lake City, FL

Running back Tank Bigsby looks to be greatly improved over last season and may give our offense the hammer it has been lacking at running back. Team speed overall seems better, particularly on defense, and wide receiver Parker Washington is looking good. I think quarterback Trevor Lawrence will probably improve on most fronts, particularly turnovers and taking needless hits. Perhaps it's the shock of last season's collapse, but I feel like our offensive line performance and health are going to be the two biggest factors in determining this team's success or lack thereof. The last time I was this down on our offensive line and was proven wrong was 2017. I really hope to be wrong again.

Offensive line and health indeed should go far toward determining success of failure for the Jaguars this season, with an emphasis on health. Remember: As much as observers criticized the offensive line and other areas of this team in 2022, the Jaguars were 8-3 and very much contending for the AFC's No. 1 seed until Lawrence and wide receiver Christian Kirk sustained season-altering and season-ending injuries in early December. It's not fair to say those injuries decided the season, but it's equally unfair to overlook them as factors in the team's late-season collapse. If the Jaguars stay healthy and the offensive line is a smidge better in key run situations, they should contend and be in the postseason. Stay tuned.

David from Orlando, FL

KOAF – Can you think of any other team in the NFL that has had two National Championship-winning quarterbacks on their team?

I can't. I also have put next to no effort into trying to think of one.

Marcus from Jacksonville

I've heard several local media guys and even a few former players list off some current players that they think will end up on injured, even though they're not currently injured. Their rationale is that there isn't a place for them on the 53-man roster, but that the team will want to keep them, so they'll end up with a mystery injury that lands them on injured reserve for the season. Is there any regulation or oversight for the injured reserve? Is there an independent review of players placed on IR, or can it be more a "wink, nod" agreement between player and team and the league has not real power over it?

A player must be injured to be on injured reserve. As for the extent of certain injuries, I am quite certain I'm not at liberty to say.

Jim from Middleburg

Hey, John. During the "dead zone," I don't follow football closely so imagine my total my surprise to learn how popular Trent Baalke has become. Wow, you just never know.

I suppose Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke is a bit more popular in the O-Zone these days. To some readers. And perhaps not to other readers. If the Jaguars win a lot of games this season, I expect Baalke will be popular after those games. I expect he will not be as popular when the Jaguars lose. Such is the fate of NFL general managers. And coaches. And coordinators. And quarterbacks. And senior writers, actually.

Matthew from Townsville, Tropical Australia

Hi O, if the interior of the o-line does turn out to be a bit shaky, how about giving it some assistance? Why not add a kind of offensive linebacker on obvious passing plays by designating a backup lineman as the running back? After the snap, he could position himself between Trevor and the line and mop up any defender that comes through. Perhaps even on other plays have two running backs, a real one and a lineman. Is there a good reason why this couldn't be done? Has it ever been done?

I don't know if it ever has been done. Many NFL games have been played since the league's 1920 inception and – difficult though this may be to believe – I haven't witnessed them all. Teams generally don't do this for multiple reasons. One is that agility and quickness are at a premium in pass blocking as a running back, and a guard or tackle would be as agile. Another is that it would take a potential receiver or ballcarrier out of the play, therefore making it easier on the defense.

Dmiz from Jagsonville

Hey, Zone. "The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed QB E.J. Perry, the team announced today." Does this imply that CJ is out for the season or not likely expected to make the team or practice squad? I actually think CJ has been a solid backup and hope he's ok.

The Jaguars signed quarterback E.J. Perry Wednesday. This was done because the Jaguars need a third quarterback with C.J. Beathard currently unavailable with a groin injury. It does not necessarily mean Beathard is done for the season or that he's not going to be with the team or practice squad.

Mario from West Kelowna, BC

A wise man once said, "NFL players make unworldly money." And that's the reason why I don't feel sorry about players being cut or released. If the wise man gets cut, though ... I would definitely feel sorry for his situation.

I'll clarify a couple of things here. One is that while NFL players do make otherworldly money, not all make so much that it's not a hardship to be cut or release. Another thing to clarify is that I am not a wise man, although that likely in retrospect needs no clarification.

Scott from Jacksonville

Is it true that Cam Little can kick the ball over them there mountains any time he wants to?

Yes.

David from Chuluota, FL

O-Zone. The 53-man roster seems pretty much set. I'm hoping for no surprises on cutdown day, like trading or cutting solid contributors like defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris, left tackle Cam Robinson or linebacker Devin Lloyd. Capisce?

I don't expect any such trades or releases involving these players. But I'm always curious when fans get upset when teams make these surprise moves. If these moves get made, it's because the people around the team every day believe there are other players – or another approach – better suited for the opportunity. It's almost as if fans believe they know more than … never mind.

Deane from Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!!! Keilan Robinson is healthy how do you see kickoff return shaping up? Do you have him back there with either Washington or Duvernay? Or do you put both Duvernay and Washington back there? My thought would be to have him block if it gets kicked to the other player. What says you O-Zone???

I expect rookie running back Keilan Robinson to return kickoffs along with wide receiver Devin Duvernay once Robinson is healthy. I expect this because that was the Jaguars' plan when they drafted Robinson. This plan now is on hold indefinitely because Robinson has been dealing with a toe injury throughout training camp. I now would expect wide receiver Parker Washington and Duvernay to handle the role. And keep an eye on running back Tank Bigsby. Depending on situations, he possibly could get a look there.

Greg from Section 122, Jacksonville, FL

You might need to provide context for these younger people, I know who Alan Funk is. See kids, there was a show long ago before you had your MTV and Punking stuff. We called it Candid Camera and it was the same concept where someone would hide a camera and get raw reactions from insane situations they set up. It was hosted by... Alan Funk. It was before you stole the idea with these scare rooms and other ridiculous stuff. Man, I am getting old. GET OFF MY LAWN!

This is on me. I meant Ashton Kutcher. I don't know who you're talking about.