JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Marcus from Jax
Obviously no one knows what Jaguars Owner Shad Khan will do come season's end. My question is, if he chooses to stand pat and keep Pederson and Baalke, how do you think he would address that decision publicly – or would he even bother? I feel like you can't say in the preseason that this is the best roster in team history and then do nothing when the season goes the way it has gone, but then again, he's the owner so he can do whatever the heck he wants.
To reiterate what has been said over and over – and over – here in the O-Zone, you're absolutely and unequivocally correct that we don't yet know the postseason fate of Head Coach Doug Pederson and General Manager Trent Baalke. And just as you're equally absolutely and unequivocally correct that we don't currently know Khan's thoughts on this area, we also don't know how he will address their fate publicly. If there is change, it's quite likely Khan would discuss that change at a media availability announcing the new hires. I don't know that there would be such an availability if changes aren't made, and one may or not be necessary in that situation. While moving forward with the current structure would anger many fans who are DEMANDING CHANGE, the reasons for not changing would be relatively obvious – that Khan believes Pederson and Baalke right for the job, that the structure is sound and that on-field results after two winning seasons went awry for one season. Perhaps Khan would address that publicly. Either way, not speaking wouldn't be akin to him saying "he can do whatever the heck he wants." That suggests he doesn't care about the fans. Whatever speculation you might hear to the contrary, that's not the case.
Keith from Saint Augustine, FL
I do not know if Shad Khan listens to the fans or even cares what they are thinking. For his sake and the sake of the team, I hope he does. Some of the fans' recent posts resonated with me: Enough is enough already; Jaguars fans have checked out – at least the smart ones. The worst part of this: I felt nothing. You keep Baalke and this front office, I will not renew my tix. I will also say I know I am not alone. I talk to a good number of fans and the sentiment is all the same. We are SICK OF IT. When the gap between expectation and reality becomes wide enough, there is misery. When misery lasts long enough, there is usually divorce. Cleaning house (firing Baalke and Pederson) is the only thing that will satisfy this fan base. We have had enough.
Khan cares about fans. He knows what they're thinking. He also has a responsibility to view the franchise from a long-term, 30,000-feet view. That doesn't mean ignoring fans. That doesn't mean not caring about the fans. It can mean considering other factors than what fans want in the short-term.
Tony from Wiesbaden, Germany
O-Z, to answer your question in response to Brian from Round Rock, TX: Yes, it does seem like the coaching on this team is so bad you can't really gauge the quality of the roster. Isn't this obvious?
No, though I don't doubt fans think so.
Vera from St. Louis, MO
All I want for Christmas is a season where we make the playoffs ... go Jags!!!
The Jaguars have been too disappointing in too many seasons. This wasn't as much the case the past two seasons as it was in too many seasons before that. It's very much the case again this season. Happy holidays.
Brian from ROUND ROCK, TX
Have they figured out that the white "prowler" uniforms with the teal numbers are also totally superior to lame white over black "I give up" uniforms they typically trot out.
Maybe. I don't know. Whatever.
Bill from Hammock, fl
Zone, Lots of discussion about being really bad, which we are. However, of the other six bad teams (Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Carolia Panthers, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders), would you trade rosters with any one of them? We have a decent nucleus and an emerging quarterback. Can't this thing be fixed with a couple drafts?
The Jaguars can absolutely contend for the postseason next season. Remember: While they are 3-11, they could easily be 6-8(ish) had a few very makeable plays been made. That's not saying they're a good team. It's not saying 6-8(ish) is good enough. It's saying a team can get into contention and be more interesting than this version of the Jaguars fairly quickly. The bigger question is, "Can the Jaguars get to the level of the elite teams" in a season or two? That's a bigger lift. There have been a bunch of cases in recent seasons – at Buffalo and at Detroit this season – where the Jaguars have looked far away from the best teams. Getting there could take two or three seasons. That's a bit more of a foundational process.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
It seems like a long time ago when you and many other experts were confident about entering the second year of the Pederson offense and speculating with gusto about being a Top 5 offense and winning shootouts as long as the weak defense could make a play or two. It really wasn't so long ago. Fire Pederson and fire Taylor.
One not fer Pederson and Taylor, apparently.
Howard from Homestead
On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Chargers scored three points on a free kick, a score that had not been recorded by any team for 48 years. My question is, given the leg strength of many kickers these days, why don't we see this more often? Think it might become more common?
You're referencing the so-called "fair catch free kick" executed by Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker Thursday. It's called a free kick because the kicker can kick a field goal without a snap – and without the opponent being able to rush. By rule, such a kick can be attempted after a fair catch. We don't see it more often because circumstances must conspire to make it happen – i.e., a punt must be fair caught in the final second or two of a half – or game – in range to make a free kick make sense. Increased leg strength of kickers might make it a touch more common, but it will still be rare.
Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA
How much are the Jaguars worth today as opposed to the day Mr. Khan bought the team? Has a city ever lost a team for just losing some fans? I am reasonably certain incompetent leadership and old stadium issues are the determining factors for NFL teams moving. Since we have those two covered, wouldn't it be conceivable for this team to continue having terrible win/loss records and still increase in value for the next ten years or so? Sorry fans but get used to kicking rocks and maybe start working all Sundays like John and me? Afterall, this sport is really just a distraction from things more important and water cooler talk on Mondays. #DTWD
What?
Ryan from Reality
Tank Bowl in Vegas this weekend! I know players don't tank, and coaches don't tank - but fans gonna fan and I want the better draft pick. Losing to LV probably locks in a Top 3-4 pick. Another win could push us as far back as 10. I'm proud of the kids that have shown up and shown out this year. Running back Tank Bigsby and tight end Brenton Strange have proved they have a future, and we finally drafted a great receiver for the first time in franchise history with Brian Thomas Jr.! We don't need the W's, just play all the young guys and see what we have for the future.
Teams don't prepare or play games thinking, "We don't need the Ws!" The Jaguars are playing a lot of young guys. They have increased the number of young guys playing in recent weeks. I expect cornerback De'Antre Prince to get more time this week. I don't know that there will be deluge of young guys beyond that.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
John, in the midst of the horrendous and inescapable season we have found ourselves in (again), one thing we are always guaranteed of is your humble and arrogant humorous self. I do not believe that there is a better senior writer in the league, and we are lucky to have you. It makes being a fan of the WORST team in the NFL less sucky, and that means a lot. Because Shad has orchestrated a MISERABLE organization, and we need a bright spot. In the midst of truly horrible play, you gift us light at the end of the tunnel. Will it get better on the field? Highly doubtful, but it can't get any better than in the O-Zone. Every damn day of the year. Merry Krimma ya filthy animal.
I think you have the wrong email address.
