Category: Uncategorized

O-Zone: Friendly sort

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Micky from Section 408:
As long as they keep referring to our wins and future wins as upsets we should feel disrespected. In that regard, it seems we are still very much a secret. We are not Cinderella; we are the AFC South Champs with a dominating defense and the No. 1 rushing attack in the league. We don’t upset opponents; we crush them!! 🙂

John: Longtime O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – know I’m not big on worrying about what national-media types, fans and anyone else say about the Jaguars. My feeling is respect and recognition come with winning, and that’s definitely the case. If the Jaguars follow this run to the AFC Championship with a solid season next season, you will see the respect grow accordingly. Respect and acknowledgment in the NFL is often a delayed reaction, with Twitter geniuses and national media of equal aptitude sometimes the last to grasp reality. But I will say the reaction of some observers, including many who follow the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been a bit laughable this week. There is a theme among many that somehow the best two teams in the AFC aren’t playing Sunday. This is an absurd, ignorant notion. The Jaguars clinched the No. 3 seed in the AFC with pretty much two games remaining in the regular season; they were not the No. 6 seed and did not in any way “sneak” into the playoffs. They also beat the No. 2 seed twice, with neither game particularly close; the Jaguars won by 21 in Pittsburgh in the regular season, and their lead over the Steelers from early in the second quarter this past Sunday was between seven and 21 points until a meaningless touchdown with :01 remaining. The Jaguars by any measure were clearly at least the second best team in the AFC this season. I don’t know if they were the best team in the AFC or not. I do know we won’t know the answer either way until Sunday.

Glen from Orange Park, FL:
Looking at the production/rankings of each teams’ offense and defense, the one thing that stands out is New England’s defense is 29th overall. Would it really be an upset if the more balanced team – with a superior defense, dare I say elite championship-level defense; and a Top 6 offense – wins? Was it an upset last week when the team that won by three touchdowns in an earlier meeting won?

John: I believe the Jaguars will win Sunday. I’ve said that often this week because I believe it and I’ll probably say it a few more times before the week is out. Still, the Jaguars winning would be an upset because the vast majority of people, observers, media, etc., believe the Patriots will win. And the Patriots indeed should be favored. They had the AFC’s best record and they earned home-field advantage. As far as the Patriots’ defensive ranking, don’t be fooled by that. Yes, they have allowed big yardage this season, but a lot of that was early in the season. The Patriots play very good defense in the red zone, and they don’t allow a lot of points. The Jaguars’ offense could be able to move the ball Sunday. Can they score close to the end zone? That could be a key Sunday.

David from Broward County, FL:
O-Man, all year it seems the Jags have had three running backs active, with either T.J. Yeldon or Chris Ivory being a healthy scratch. Do you think they keep all four active this week? I think they might need it more at running back this week than some other position.

John: I think this answer will depend on their confidence in running back Leonard Fournette’s ankle. If they believe he can make it through the game, I believe they will have Fournette, Yeldon and Corey Grant active. If they are worried about him making it through the game, I believe they will activate Ivory. I would anticipate Ivory being inactive.

Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL:
It’s Foxborough.

John: Thank you for your help. It’s awesome and appreciated. Either Foxboro or Foxborough is acceptable. Some years I like to write Foxboro. Some years I like to write Foxborough. But if it bothers you, I’ll tell you what: I’ll keep using Foxboro.

Marcus from St. Augustine, FL:
Will Fournette’s injury have a serious impact in his playing time against the Patriots? We have other good running backs such as Chris Ivory and Y.J. Yeldon, but not quite as good.

John: We’ll see.

C from Jacksonville:
Remember this past summer when Malik Jackson said we were going to the Super Bowl??? Mmmhmmm

John: He’s not right yet. What few would have guessed is he’s not yet wrong.

Ray from Newport News, VA:
Mighty O-Man: Let’s talk about the draft. No, wait. I think we are still playing football… wait it is January … this can’t be. #DTWD. So pumped and excited, everyone I know is congratulating me for being a fan since the beginning and it feels awesome. I know you will make a prediction later this week but we need it now. Do the Jags win? My gut says yes. My heart and mind are still undecided.

John: I sometimes make a prediction on the Jaguars’ game and sometimes I don’t. I have said for several weeks I think the Jaguars match up well against the Patriots, and I said Monday I believe the Jaguars will win. I said it again Tuesday. And Wednesday. And …

Jaan from St. Augustine, FL:
Hi John: I think Corey Grant has been underutilized. He is fast as can be and has great moves. In a game like the one we have against New England, we could use all the weapons we have.

John: I expected the Jaguars to use Corey Grant in the offense against Pittsburgh. The Jaguars ran effectively with Fournette and never used Grant. I expect they could use Grant to get another speed weapon in the offense. I was wrong before, so we’ll see …

Tristan from Jacksonville:
I just wanted to say I have been a Jags fan my whole life, growing up halfway across the country in Iowa. I moved to Jacksonville this year, mostly because of the Jags. I attended every single home game including preseason, and I will be making my way to Boston this weekend to cheer on our beloved Jaguars. Dreams do come true!! DTWD!!!!

John: #DTWD

Julio from Southern California:
Mr. O: The Patriots always try to expose your weakness. Where do you think they will TRY to expose the Jags?

John: I expect they will try to beat the Jaguars using short, quick timing passes – and I expect them to consider whoever is covering tight end Rob Gronkowski an exploitable area of the defense.

Jonathan from New York City:
Practically every team homepage has the score of last game near the top. Any reason why our Jags site does not?

John: Did you forget the score?

Rob from Jacksonville:
Is it crazy to think that we might actually match up against New England better than Pittsburgh? New England’s line isn’t nearly as good as Pittsburgh’s offensive line. And the Steelers also have arguably the best running back and wide receiver in football, which the Patriots do not have.

John: The Patriots have Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, and players of that level have a way of being their own major matchup advantage.

Scott from Rehoboth Beach, DE:
O-man, do you think Bill Belichick is watching a lot of film from the Titans’ games against our Jaguars? They seem to have the blueprint when comes to defeating us. Is there anyway we can destroy these so-called blueprints?! I’m so scared yet extremely excited!!! #DTWD

John: I’m sure Belichick will watch the Titans’ victories over the Jaguars. I’m sure he’ll also watch the video from the San Francisco 49ers’ victory over the Jaguars in December. There’s no way to destroy the blueprints, but there is a way for the Jaguars to break tendencies and to do their own film study. I suspect they will do just that.

Jim from Sunnyvale CA:
“I suggest we adopt the term ‘grit’ as a way to define ourselves …” –Jaguars Executive VP Football Operations Tom Coughlin

John: Good thought, Tom.

Henry from Florahome, FL:
I’ve seen quite a few teams load up on high-priced “big-name” free agents and not be successful because of egos, scheme, etc. The Jags’ free agents this year aren’t really top-shelf, break-the-bank guys, but they play well together. Does David Caldwell still select most of the talent or Tom Coughlin? Side note: if Bortles doesn’t put that plastic thing in his mouth, he’s going to bite his tongue off.

John: If Calais Campbell, Malik Jackson and A.J. Bouye didn’t break the bank I want to be friends with the guy who does break the bank. Like really good friends. And then I could borrow money. Or he could just give me a lot.

 

 

 

 
 

 

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O-Zone: Better than losing (And Monday’s ASK VIC)

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Mark from Archer, FL:

John, I have been a Jags fan for almost 20 years since I moved to Jacksonville in 1998. I had season tickets in 2007. This season has been the most amazing since I have been a fan, probably because no one expected things to go this great. Win or lose Sunday, I have loved this season. But since the Jags have come this far, why not finish this amazing ride and beat the Pats then go win the Super Bowl? #DTWD

John: I thought a bit about your question and here’s what’s intriguing: I couldn’t come up with a great answer. First, I honestly haven’t given two seconds thought as to how the Jaguars would match up with either the Minnesota Vikings or Philadelphia Eagles. That’s not some don’t-look-too-far-ahead mandate from Head Coach Doug Marrone; rather, it’s because there are two weeks between the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl, so there is time for such thoughts should the Jaguars beat New England Sunday. But I have given thought as to whether the Jaguars can beat the Patriots and the thought here is they can. They shouldn’t be favored; the Patriots were the AFC’s top seed and playing at home for a reason. Quarterback Tom Brady is a Rushmore Player at his position, as is tight end Rob Gronkowski. But great players don’t make teams unbeatable and the Patriots absolutely aren’t unbeatable – and they are beatable by the Jaguars. Great defenses can beat great quarterbacks, and the Jaguars are capable of playing a great defensive game. Remember, too, the Jaguars were a reversed touchdown call against the Steelers from being ahead of the Patriots in the race for playoff positioning with two weeks remaining in the season; if the Steelers had beaten the Patriots in Week 15 rather than the other way around, the Jaguars would have been ahead of the Patriots at that moment. Does that mean the Jaguars are better? Not necessarily, but it does mean the three-game difference in the team’s final record might not be reflective of the strengths of the teams. The Patriots are a dynasty, and they’re difficult to beat in any situation. They’re particularly difficult to beat in Gillette Stadium in January. But it’s not impossible and the Jaguars have the defense to do it. They have had the offense at times, too. Why not finish the ride? I have a feeling they just might.

Clay from Gibsonia:

All I ask is to beat New England!!

John: Is that all?

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

The Jaguars have a very real shot at a trophy. This is one of the best defenses I have ever watched. If they can keep most of it intact, they will be in the playoffs a lot more in the future.

John: There’s time to worry about the future in the future. Focus for now on the Jaguars’ current shot at this trophy. The future is promised to no one – in the NFL, or anywhere else.

David from Jacksonville:

I saw a picture of Jalen Ramsey‘s locker with his uniform. There is a $20 taped to his lower-back pad. What is that all about?

John: He won’t say. Ramsey and video guru Max Hochman have a special relationship, so I assume Max knows, but no one else is privy to such information.

Pete from Jacksonville Beach, FL:

John: I get the love the Blake Bortles is getting right now and he deserves it. I’m just unsure how you can afford that salary cap hit of $19 million next year. I know this question/comment is not about #DTWD and you may think it’s a boring question, but I think one worthy of your thoughts on the options the Jags have BEYOND just taking the salary cap hit (rework the contract)?

John: It’s not boring, and I’ve shared thoughts quite often on this topic. It’s quite possible the sharing came on a day you weren’t reading, so my advice: read often – even if you have to move your lips while reading. As far as Bortles’ future, there is ample time for parsing through the details, but the overview is this: I think he’s going to be the quarterback here next season – and I think he has played well enough most of this season to justify that being the case. He can either play under the $19 million for which the final season of his rookie contract calls, or he and the Jaguars can negotiate a long-term deal. My guess is he will play at least part of the season under the $19 million because the Jaguars may not want to sign him to a long-term deal yet and because Bortles has little incentive to sign a shorter deal. The sides theoretically could renegotiate during or after the season – or the Jaguars could use the franchise tag on him for 2019. A lot of options work in the Jaguars’ favor in the short term. As far as having him play for $19 million next season, you can afford that because he’s a quarterback – and in the NFL, there are times and circumstances you must have room for a quarterback cap hit that high. This could be one of those times.

Jefferson from Phoenix, AZ:

So, does Tom Coughlin come into the locker room this week and show off the two rings to remind the Jaguars that even when the Patriots are perfect … they aren’t? DUVAL!!

John: I don’t know that Coughlin will bring his rings for the occasion and don’t know that the occasion will occur in the locker room, but would be surprised if he doesn’t deliver that message this week. I imagine it will be delivered to players, and I imagine a lot of the principles behind the Giants’ two Super Bowl victories over New England will be in play for the Jaguars Sunday. The Giants beat the Patriots twice because they pressured quarterback Tom Brady, and because they believed they could win – and because they diligently carried out sound plans they believed would work. The details of the Jaguars approach this week will be built on the fundamentals of such a philosophy. Of that you can be almost sure.

Chris from San Diego, CA:

You alluded to Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson covering Gronk and another reader suggested linebacker Telvin Smith. Wouldn’t the most logical be Myles Jack? With his speed and size I think he would create the biggest problems for someone like Gronk.

John: He’s a possibility, but the Jaguars’ most common approach has been to use Smith and safety Barry Church on tight ends. My guess is much of the pregame talk about who covers Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will be for naught, because my guess is the Jaguars take the approach of playing base defense as well as possible and trusting that the techniques that allowed it to be the NFL’s No. 2 defense will continue to work. We’ll see.

Michael from Middleburg, FL:

O, I heard a report that the league takes over training schedules or something like that. Can you explain what this is and why it’s done?

John: The league is involved with conference title games because they’re the league’s conference title games, but the league doesn’t take over a team’s schedule. They assist in running press conferences, and you’ll see NFL Network broadcasting them, but the Jaguars’ schedule this week won’t change from last week.

Michael from Columbus, OH:

Not exactly a question but more of an observation. To get out of Foxboro with a “W,” the Jaguars will have to beat the Patriots AND … the officials!! The calls against the Tennessee Titans were blatant and obvious. It’s sickening how biased the league and CBS is in favor of the Patriots!!!

John: You’re not the first fan to voice this concern and you won’t be the last. I heard the same concern from Jaguars fans before last week’s victory over the Steelers, and I didn’t sense any weirdness regarding the officiating. (Patriots fans, incidentally, would tell you the league is routinely against them and for everyone else. They hold this opinion because Patriots fans gonna fan just like everyone else).

Robbie from Rock:

Normally, this time of year is reserved for talking about the draft in April. How much fun are you and your colleagues having, this being the third straight week talking playoffs – and now, the AFC Championship Game?

John: We media types tend not to associate work with “fun,” but covering a team in the AFC Championship Game is better than covering a losing team – a lot better. There are moments that are very enjoyable and I truly am ecstatic for players, coaches, co-workers and fans. From my end, it’s mostly enjoyable to complain about everything on the outside even if you’re happy on the inside. This is my approach, though I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. It doesn’t make you all that enjoyable to be around. My last good friend was a guy I met at Regency Mall back when I first got out of college. His name was Ted and he worked at Chess King. We lost touch. I miss Ted.
 

 

Vikings, Jags facing big decisions

Neil from Cheddar, UK
Can the Vikings be the first to host and play in a Super Bowl?Yes, they have the defense to do it. I won’t root against them, but I don’t like the idea of a team having homefield advantage for the Super Bowl. I covered Super Bowl XIV. It wasn’t homefield but it certainly was a hometown advantage.

Brad from Jacksonville, FL
I was 10 and sitting even with the north end zone goal post when Morten Andersen missed that kick for the Jaguars’ miracle run. The feeling in that stadium that day was when I fell in love with football. I have been an avid fan since then. On an odd day, Jacksonville allowed 42 points to Pittsburgh but still managed a win. You win how you win, but after all the years of being terrible, this feels like something special growing.

Revel in it. Chortle until your brains fall out. After all of the years of epoch losing you’ve had to endure, you deserve to celebrate, and I think you should take advantage of every second of celebration available to you this week before the next game. By the way, I was standing on the field just to the side of the left upright when Andersen missed.

Jim from Morrison, CO
Looks like Case Keenum is “The Man,” Vic. How does it feel to be wrong?

Really? Because he completed a desperation pass that won the game? If the defender had wrapped his arms around the receiver and held him inbounds, the clock would’ve expired. Prior to that pass, Keenum had thrown for no touchdowns, one interception and a 71 passer rating. He is not “The Man,” and the Vikings face the same dangerous decision on him the Jaguars are facing on Blake Bortles. Winning in the postseason could be costly for both franchises. The issue is: Will the Vikings pay Keenum as they would “The Man?” That’s a tough one because you’re talking about a longterm commitment. In my opinion, if the Vikings do that, they’ll open the door for the other three teams in the NFC  North.

Bill from Sheboygan, WI
What are your thoughts on the Saints-Vikings game?

My first thought is how painful it has to be for Saints fans. How could a great athlete completely whiff on the tackle as the defender did? When it hurts this bad — Packers fans certainly know the feeling — I’m not sure football is worth the emotional investment. The poor people in New Orleans don’t deserve this heartache.

Simon from New York, NY
What are your favorite/least favorite personality traits in a person, football player, coach? Have those preferences changed since retirement?

Genuineness/insincerity, aggressiveness/softness, dignity/disloyalty. I’m more sure than ever before of what I like and don’t like in people. The bottom line is I like virtue, as defined by the roles in which we’re cast.

David from San Francisco, CA
We’ve seen the Jaguars improve with the free-agent signings of Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye and Barry Church. As they continue their search to pay “The Man,” how can this team remain competitive in future seasons and maintain financial stability?

The quarterback position will define the Jaguars’ future. I don’t think Blake Bortles is the future. The Jaguars are the result of a unique situation. That team isn’t just about high picks and free-agent signings, it’s about the uncapped year in 2010 and stripping the team for sale, which left the Jaguars so horribly beneath the cap floor the league had to give them an exemption from the cap minimum and allow them to recover in stages. I thought it was unfair and the Jaguars should’ve lost draft picks for noncompliance, but nobody complained because the Jaguars were horribly uncompetitive and irrelevant. As a result, the Jaguars were able to take an ultra-aggressive posture in free agency. They were so flush with cap room they didn’t have to worry about their free-agent misses, and they had plenty of them. They still have room to spend. It’s almost as though they were reborn as an expansion franchise. They are not a realistic model.

Jerry from Savannah, GA
“We must kick the extra point to finalize the game.” Succinct and to the point. Steratore is a classic.

I love him. “There’s no flag on the play.” He didn’t explain why there was no flag or for what there was no flag, there’s just no flag. Deal with it.

Jonathan from Saint Joseph (folks, please include the state)
Has Tony Romo turned into a typical fan? In the Titans/Pats game he said the Titans need to run the ball to surprise the Pats on a third-and-three. Then, when they throw it to convert a first down, he says “no one knows the Titans run the ball more on third-and-short except Bellichick, and he stacked the box.”

He talks too much and he was at his worst on Saturday. I watched Saturday’s games with friends, which is kind of a first for me. I prefer to watch in silence and study the game as it unfolds. I guess I was being new, and I liked it. It helped me ignore “Chatty Cathy.” Be that as it may, I couldn’t help but hear him exclaim pleadingly following one Titans play, “What are they doing?” He’s a fan! He talks incessantly, even as the play is unfolding: “That motion caused the linebacker to move with the man in motion, which means it’s man coverage, yada, yada,” or “they’re unbalanced to the left so he needs to change the play to run to the right.” It’s just too much. He’s missing the drama in his obsession for being the great scheme explainer. The Titans were slowly but surely being outclassed by the Patriots. Say that! That was the story.

Jake from Knoxville, TN
What did you think of Foles?

He did what the Eagles needed him to do, and that’ll work as long as the Eagles don’t need him to do more. The day they need him to be a star, it’s over. That’s when you need “The Man.”

Edward from Canton, SD
Are you more happy for the Jags or sad for the Steelers

Happy for the Jags. The Steelers didn’t need to lose to the Patriots one more time. It was over for the Steelers the night they lost Ryan Shazier. Cris Collinsworth more or less explained that the following week in his analysis of why the Ravens were running roughshod on the Steelers defense. It’s another example of why I think Collinsworth is the best. Inside linebacker is a critical position in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense. Shazier is a star. James Farrior and Levon Kirkland were stars. The Steelers lost Lawrence Timmons in free agency, then Shazier to injury and his replacement to injury almost immediately. That defense was toast. I’m happy for the Jaguars and I was happy to see Shazier in good spirits on Sunday. The best feeling I’ll get from this season will be from seeing that man walk again.

Tim from Durham, NC
The announcers spent the last few minutes criticizing the Steelers’ decision-making and didn’t feel like mentioning teams that give up 45 points don’t usually win games. Where does the Pittsburgh defense go from here?

Baltimore ran the ball at will against the Steelers, and the Browns moved up and down the field on a defense that was resting only Cameron Heyward. The Steelers have to replace Shazier. It begins with that.

​Oscar from Milwaukee, WI
Vic, congrats to the Jaguars on making the AFC title game, however, I am not completely sold on the Jags’ defense. I saw a lot of missed tackles and a lot of unguarded receivers. Despite that, the defense is still highly ranked. How do I reconcile this discrepancy between rankings and my eye test?

The Steelers offense is exceptional. Ben Roethlisberger was indefatigable. He threw for 469 yards and five touchdowns, and that doesn’t include an open-field lateral pass to Le’Veon Bell for a touchdown. Antonio Brown is better on one good leg than most receivers are on two. Bell is the king of multi-tasking. I think James Conner was a big loss. I think he was developing into their short-yardage pounder. The Jags defense kind of ate the pizza after the touchdown return. It really fell in love with itself, and it better fall out of love real fast because just ahead is the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady.

Greg from Danbury, CT
Bortles performed very well. Well enough to take down Brady and Co.?

Bortles can’t beat Brady. Fournette has to do it. Everything Bortles did against the Steelers was the result of the Steelers’ fear of Fournette. I routinely saw eight guys in the box with a ninth guy inching up. Bortles could throw short over the middle because the inside linebackers didn’t dare leave the line of scrimmage. For the Jaguars to win in New England, they must run the ball and rush the passer. Bill Belichick knows what he must prevent. So did Mike Tomlin, but he couldn’t do it.

Tim from Sun Prairie, WI
Vic, any word on the expected strength of the 2018 draft class yet?

It’s getting stronger with each underclassman declaring eligibility. There were several last week. College football is suffering from these defections. I remember when Woody Hayes said a team loses one game for every sophomore in its starting lineup. Back then, freshmen weren’t elgible. That changed in 1973 and now players are going pro after just two seasons in college football. Larry Fitzgerald and LeSean McCoy never got to their junior years, and they weren’t redshirts. The ACC proposed interesting new redshirt rules last week, and I’m in favor of them. I’m in favor of anything that’ll help college football retain its talent. Maybe college football needs to go back to freshmen being ineligible.

Clint from Boom Bay, WI
I was feeling we needed to bring in some AFC North blood to the defensive coordinator position, and I’m very excited about Pettine. Do you think he can bring the same edge to our defense Zimmer has to Minnesota?

It’s a good thought. The Packers need some AFC North blood. They need that kind of nastiness. Mike Zimmer has brought the AFC North to the NFC North and that style of play is going to intensify. Mike Pettine will be looking for AFC North-type players in the draft.

David from Madison, WI
What do you think of the Big 10 scheduling games on Fridays?

It indicates to me a decline in high school football popularity within the conference’s footprint, which saddens me.

Sean from Arlington Heights, IL
I have a lot of respect for what Mike Tomlin has accomplished as a coach, but kicking the onside kick with two timeouts and the two-minute warning left was a bad decision. Not using the timeouts before the two-minute warning was inexcusable.

He tried the onside kick because he had no confidence in his defense. He knew his defense couldn’t stop the Jaguars. The Jaguars offensive line is bigger and stronger than the Steelers’ defensive front, and Fournette is the new Earl Campbell. The only chance the Steelers had of winning the game was sending it into overtime, winning the coin toss and scoring a touchdown on their first possession. Do you remember what I wrote about the previous meeting between the two teams? Forget about the five interceptions and the long run at garbage time. It was the Jaguars’ ability to run the ball off their own goal line and move the ball out to midfield at crunch time that resonated with me. That’s the kind of physical dominance we saw again yesterday.

Andrew from Minneapolis, MN
Any plan to set up some merchandise for sale to pay the bandwidth bills? “Ask Vic” T-Shirts, hats and things?

I have no plans to monetize this site. My sole purpose for creating this site is to have a place to write the truth as I perceive it to be. If you don’t like it, don’t read it, but those who like it and read it will never have to pay for it.

Adam from Wausau, WI
I know you don’t know what Twitter and Facebook are, but I know you’re a big free speech guy. What are your thoughts on the recent revelation Twitter (a private company that lets you say whatever is on your mind whenever you want) is limiting certain kinds of speech they don’t agree with? Just for the record, I love when you interject politics into your forum.

It’s Twitter’s site and it has the right to express itself as it wishes. If you don’t like it, start your own site. What I’m against is any change in the first law of the mass media, that public figures are subject to public scrutiny. I recently listened to a lecture from a learned person on the Civil War media. I was most intrigued to know Sherman wanted to execute a New York Herald reporter for writing something Sherman didn’t want written. The reporter’s life was saved by his publisher, Horace Greeley, following a negotiation in which Sherman agreed not to execute the reporter provided reporters would henceforth include their names in their accounts. I guess that’s how the byline was born. Imagine a nation that would execute a man for telling the truth. We truly are blessed by our freedom of speech laws, and they must never be compromised.

Blaine from Bagley, WI
Two games remain. Who are your picks for the Super Bowl?

New England and Philadelphia. Brady is nearly unbeatable, and the homefield will give the Eagles an advantage, especially in the cold against a dome team.

Robert from Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Vic, it was just like you said; the Jaguars ran the ball and rushed the passer. Seems retirement has made you sharper than ever.

It was obvious. Fans ignore the obvious because they like to tickle themselves.

Tim from Lancaster, PA
Can Brady hit the same throws as Roethlisberger at this age?

Absolutely! He’s not as mobile in the pocket as he was, but his arm is still strong and accurate. He and Roethlisberger throw the deep ball as well as any quarterbacks I’ve ever seen.

Jon from Bloomfield, NJ
They called Telvin Smith for taunting after the play. It was clearly during the play and, to me, that’s an important distinction.

I completely agree.

 

 

 
 

 

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O-Zone: Turn it up

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Neil from Orange Park, FL:
Not so much a question, but a thought. The Patriots feel like the 1980 Russian hockey team, where the team’s history and mystique would more often than not carry them to victory. Teams would know they were going to lose before they ever got on the ice. Teams seem to feel they will lose before ever arriving at New England. I think the first team that can go in there and ignore everything they have done is the team that can beat them there.

John: Plenty of teams have beaten the Patriots in Foxboro in the last decade and a half – and the Baltimore Ravens won the AFC Championship Game there following the 2012 season. This is not the 1980 Russian hockey team. It’s professional football and players don’t see other professional players as unbeatable; this group of Jaguars players sure doesn’t see other teams that way. The Patriots win at home and on the road because they’re disciplined, organized and play as one – and because they have an all-time great quarterback who is poised under pressure and remains calm in chaotic situations. I’m not trying to say your point has no merit; certainly there are cases in which teams have been overwhelmed by the Patriots in Foxboro. And yes, observers would consider the Jaguars beating the Patriots an upset. But let’s not attach undue mythology to these guys. They’re beatable – and they’re beatable by the Jaguars on Sunday.

Pradeep from Bangalore, India:
Hi, John: Self-proclaimed Killer Bees burnt by silent Double B (Blake Bortles)… you beauty … All Blake Bortles haters: be ready to eat your words.

John: #DTWD

Michael from Middleburg, MFL:
My wife tells me I act like I have manic depression during the game. I just tell her “Fan gonna fan.” This is fun. Bring on New England. DUUUVAL!
John: If this isn’t fun, being a fan is a waste of time, emotional energy and money because it doesn’t get much better than this. And you tell your wife she can—

Jerell from Columbia, SC:
John: Please explain to me why the Jags’ brass would open the stadium and then allow the players to speak? The one thing they all talked about was that the talking the Steelers did drove them. Now, Jalen Ramsey – whose defense got destroyed by Big Ben – goes and guarantees a win, giving the Pats fuel to their fire. A not-so-smart move by Doug Marrone and Tom Coughlin to allow that. You won a game. That was talk enough. Afterwards, go home and prepare for the GOAT at quarterback and coach. They have lost before they ever played the Pats.

John: No, they haven’t – and you know why the Jaguars’ brass allowed the players to speak to the crowd? Because players are allowed to talk in the NFL; Jalen Ramsey and other players talked after the game Sunday and they will talk this week. These are grown men and you can’t legislate what they will or won’t say. They also did what they did Sunday because it was cool; these fans and this team have connected and Sunday was another case of that. And do you know why what Ramsey said was OK? Because this Jaguars team talks, struts and backs up what it says. This is who this team is – for better and sometimes for worse. Here’s another thing about what Ramsey said: I don’t doubt that the Patriots will use it as motivation, and I don’t doubt it will be a topic. But I doubt the Patriots will get seriously angry over it because this isn’t going to be a situation this week where the Jaguars tweet and talk about playing some specific opponent in the Super Bowl. They’re not going to talk about playing the Vikings/Eagles in some matter of fact way like it’s a foregone conclusion. A lot of talk from the Steelers had that overtone last week and the Tweet from Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell Saturday about looking forward Round 2 had an arrogant, disrespectful tone where the Jaguars’ players to a man finally seemed to say “enough is enough.” Also, it stretches reason a bit to think any team is going to overlook a team with a quarterback who has won five Super Bowls and is pretty much a legend.” No one disrespects the Patriots. They may talk about it all week and it may be a topic, but it’s hard to believe Ramsey saying the Jaguars are going to win the Super Bowl is really going to stir the emotional fire in the Patriots’ belly. But who knows? Maybe it will, and if it does … so be it.

Will from Corpus Christi, TX:
I’m extremely happy about the victory. However, I must say I’m upset about our defense giving up three of the most ridiculous touchdowns I have ever seen. We are not going to get away with that against the Patriots. You can’t give up those kinds of touchdowns to any team, let alone the Patriots. Our defense is going to have to play their best defense over the next two games if we are going to be Super Bowl champs. Our offense needs to play as well as it did today. It’s doable. Let’s do it!

John: I Googled this and it turned out I was right: the Steelers are really good offensively. And wide receiver Antonio Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are in fact quite likely headed for the Hall of Fame. Great players make huge plays in huge games – and that’s what happened in Pittsburgh. And your premise is inaccurate: you can give up those kinds of touchdowns and win against good teams. The last team to do this? The Jaguars on Sunday in Pittsburgh!! You win in the postseason however you can – and you usually win by responding to great plays made my other teams with great plays of your own. Somewhere along the line you hope you gain enough of an edge or a lead to have more points than the other team when the game ends. I think the Jaguars’ defense must play better against New England than it did against Pittsburgh to win Sunday, but allowing touchdowns to the Steelers doesn’t mean the Jaguars’ defense is horrible. It just doesn’t.

Terry from Miami, FL:
OK, I have had some hours now. The win against the Steelers makes the game plan against the Bills that much more genius! Each game was called exactly the way it needed to be to get the “W”! Our coaching staff has been fantastic; the Bills win showed that as much as the Steelers win did. One for the coaches!

John: The Jaguars approached the Bills game in a way they believed gave them the best chance to win. That was a plan that emphasized the run and made sure they didn’t commit turnovers. The belief was if they did that there was a very low-percentage chance of Buffalo winning. There was never a thought that such a plan would work against the Steelers. And yes … one fer the coaches, because it’s always coaching in the NFL. Win or lose.

Al from Orange Park, FL :
What’s the schedule for the Jags this week up to kick off?

John: The Jaguars’ schedule this week will be the same as any week. They will practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and travel to Foxboro, Massachusetts, Saturday. They will play the game Sunday at 3:05 p.m.

Terry from Jacksonville:
Is there a reason Chris Ivory has not played in the last few games??? He has been very good this year backing up Fournette.

John: Game-day actives are about numbers and needs around the roster. It’s difficult for the Jaguars to activate four running backs and have the depth and numbers they want at other positions. Ivory was active a lot this season, but the team’s belief is that the best running-back combination now is Fournette, Corey Grant and T.J. Yeldon. Considering Grant’s speed and how Yeldon played against the Steelers, it’s hard to argue that belief.

Biff from Jacksonville:
Riddle me this, Mr. O-Zone: Who on the defense can match-up with Gronk? Maybe Telvin for length, but not size. And does your wife or son ever call you Mr. O-Zone?

John: The Gronk Issue will be the Question of the Week, and I doubt we get a straight answer from the Jaguars’ coaching staff. In fact, I’d be stunned if we get anything close to a straight answer. The Jaguars love safety Tashaun Gipson in coverage on tight ends, but he left Sunday’s game with a foot injury and did not return. Would the Jaguars dare put cornerback Jalen Ramsey in coverage on Rob Gronkowski? We’ll see. As for your final question, as far as my wife and son are concerned, I can—

Joey from Greenville, SC:
Well, I heard Mike Mitchell sing about her… Well, I heard Le’Veon put her down … Well, I hope the Steelers will remember … A Southern team don’t need them around anyhow …

John: Turn it up.

 

 

 
 

 

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O-Zone: Their moment

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – A lot of happiness. A lot of joy. A lot of #Duvals. A lot of #DTWDs.

And why not?

The Jaguars are in the AFC Championship Game. I’m not making this up.

Let’s get to it …

Jay from Salem, OR:
After a three-win season last year and then this?!!! I am shocked and feeling good about their future. No matter what happens in the game against New England, this is a franchise rejuvenated! #DTWD

John: Don’t look too far ahead, Jay. Enjoy the moment because you only get to be a young team shocking the world once in a great while. The Jaguars absolutely are that; they shocked a lot of people in the football world with a 45-42 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Divisional Playoff Sunday – and yes, there’s a real joy, giddiness and exhilaration in watching that process play out. Yes, I believe the Jaguars have a bright future, but worry about the future later. This is the good stuff. This is why you suffered through losing and this is why you stuck with a team through dark times instead of rooting for other teams when it might have been easy to do so. It’s the hard that makes it good. It was hard for a long time, but what’s going on now? It’s pretty good, isn’t it?

Terry from Miami, FL:
Not a question, but a statement, WOW!

John: Wow.

Jim from Middleburg, FL:
Still no respect for the offensive line …

John: This is fair. The Jaguars’ offensive line hadn’t been praised much lately, but the group really hadn’t deserved a lot of praise and hadn’t played great lately. I thought after the Jaguars beat the Seahawks in December if the line played as well the rest of the season as it did in that game, the Jaguars would go to the Super Bowl. They hadn’t played that well since. They did Sunday. As far as going to Super Bowl if they play that well again … yeah, I stand by that thought.

Chris from Houston, TX:
One fer T.J. Yeldon!! Enough said. Go Jags!!!!

John: One fer Yeldon? Absolutely. Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone has talked all season about his faith in all four running backs: Leonard Fournette, Corey Grant, Yeldon and Chris Ivory. Yeldon had played well in recent weeks. On Sunday he turned in a clutch performance in the biggest game of his career. That’s memorable stuff.

Gamble from Brasilia, Brasil:
No matter what happens at New England, we all know who the Jaguars’ quarterback will be next year. Doesn’t a playoff win at Pittsburgh earn that?

John: My gut is Blake Bortles may have earned this before Sunday. He has played far better than most wanted to believe most of the season, particularly considering the youth and injuries around in him on offense. And guess what? Bortles is 2-0 in the postseason and 1-0 against future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the playoffs. Soak that in for a while.

George from Jacksonville:
That was an epic game! Immediately after the game I stuck my head out the front door and heard car horns blowing, bells ringing, and boat whistles blowing.

John: That was in your head.

Thomas from Middleburg, FL:
Hey, John: Remember that Week 17 loss and how important it was? Yeah, me neither. #DTWD

John: A brilliant man once said there was really no such thing as momentum entering the postseason, particularly when it came to a team that already had clinched its postseason seeding. I forget the name of that man. I just remember he was charming, attractive, witty, amusing and danced like a toe-tapping fool.

Chris from Niagara Falls, CA:
Hey, Zone. What a day to be alive!
John: It’s a-ight.

Kyle from Noblesville, IN:
I think I am going to say “Be afraid, be very, very afraid” in my most evil voice to every Patriot fan I run across this week. This week is going to be fun, #DTWD

John: This week will be fun, and you know what? While the Patriots have too much experience and too much talent at quarterback to be afraid – or very afraid – they need to be prepared. This Jaguars team is dangerous. No, the defense didn’t play its best game Sunday, but anyone who has seen this team this season knows the defense is very capable of shutting down any offense. It didn’t shut down the Steelers Sunday, but can it pressure Patriots quarterback Tom Brady Sunday? Can it force turnovers? Can it play well enough to make this game competitive Sunday? Yes, yes and absolutely yes.

Tom from St. Johns, FL:
O-Zone, let’s give the B-I-G Bologna Stick to the man who deserves it most: the head coach who has been the anchor and motivator and who made the decision to activate T.J. Yeldon instead of Chris Ivory. Whhatta Job!!!!!!

John: The Jaguars are 13-7 since Doug Marrone took over as head coach. When he took over, they were 2-12. They won the AFC South this season and will play for the AFC Championship on Sunday. Should we give the man a bologna stick? Sure. No doubt.

Chuck from North Augusta, SC:
What a great game! If they lose next week, I will be disappointed. I will wonder “what if?” during the Super Bowl. However, nothing will take away from how happy I am for the Jaguars today. #DTWD

John: #DTWD

Ken from Fort Lauderdale, FL:
Was putting up 45 points and beating the Steelers twice at home that secret game plan you were talking about in January 13 column? Unreal! GO JAGS!!

John: Shh.

Frankie from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
Who was that quarterback that played for the Jaguars Sunday and what has he done with Blake Bortles?

John: This was a cute attempt at humor, but the quarterback who played Sunday indeed was Bortles – and he has played like that quite a bit this season. If you hadn’t noticed, don’t worry. A lot of other people hadn’t noticed, either.

Scott from Medford, NJ:
Is today the day Blake Bortles became the Jaguars quarterback?

John: No. He was the quarterback in Week 1 against Houston, and Week 3 against Baltimore, and a couple of times against the Colts. And against Seattle. And against Houston again. And against …

Dakota from Dupree, SD:
Can they stop Tom Brady’s short passes next week?

John: We shall see. I think the Jaguars’ coverage ability in the secondary, their speed at linebacker and their ability to rush the passer quickly give them a chance to pressure Brady and the Patriots’ offense. There’s more to stopping New England than that, but the pass rush and secondary? That’s a serious start.

Mark from West Des Moines, IA:
No question today, all I have to say is from Iowa DUUUUUUUUVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

John: #Duuval.

Dustin from Duval:
I am so proud of this team! Not just for Sunday’s win, but this entire season. Did you know they only won three games last year John? THREE!!! From our epic defense to our gritty, get-it-done-however-you-have-to quarterback, these boys have played their tails off in whatever situation they are faced with. Of course I want them to win two more, but regardless of what happens from here on out, I’m damned proud of how this season has turned out. #DTWD!!

John: #DTWD

Todd from Oklahoma City, OK:
Man they are making you earn your paycheck this year with all the extra games.

John: Yeah … you take the good with the bad, Todd. You take the good with the bad.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:
Jags!!!!!!!!!!!

John: Jerell’s happy.

Richard from Lincoln, RI:
I was driving home after the game and put on Boston sports radio. One of the broadcasters said, “The league can’t be too happy with the outcome of that game.” Are you kidding me?

John: You know what? There may be some people at the league level not happy. And there may be some people at CBS not thrilled. And there may be a lot of people in Pittsburgh and Buffalo and a lot of other AFC cities not happy. But you what else? Not everybody can be happy – and not everybody needs to be happy. Jaguars fans haven’t been happy in a long time. They get to be happy now. Hell, even Jerell’s happy. This is their moment. Who cares about everyone else?

 
 

 

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O-Zone: Legendary stuff

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jason from St. Augustine, FL:
Why has the Jaguars’ offensive-line play diminished in the second half of the season? They are pretty healthy and seemingly overachieved early on. Same guys, different results. What gives? And do you agree that we still need two guards and maybe right-tackle competition?

John: I actually don’t know that the Jaguars’ offensive line has diminished all that much in the second half of the season. The reality is this hasn’t been a dominant running team at any point this season, and quarterback Blake Bortles has avoided a lot of sacks all season with his escapability. This is not to say the line hasn’t been good at times, but I haven’t seen a major drop off in play in the last couple of months. As far as the future at the position, I think the Jaguars definitely need to upgrade left guard in the offseason and I believe they will try to create competition at right guard. At right tackle, Jermey Parnell has played well at times this season. I don’t know that that spot is in dire need of an upgrade, though there won’t be many positions on offense that the team doesn’t study closely in the offseason to determine the best course moving forward.

Robert from Section 204:
Playing football in January is like Christmas all over again!! Instead of reading about coaches being let go, new coaches being hired and signing players to future contracts we get to read about injury reports, matchups and weather. It’s like the season never ended! I hope it continues for a few more weeks!!! Woooooo!!!!!!

John: There’s a reason it’s like the season never ended. It’s because the season hasn’t ended. Oh, and: “Woo to you, too.”

Mark from Green Bay, WI:
O, know what’s cool? Living in Green Bay and having Packers fans wish me luck on the game. Know what’s even cooler? Having Steelers fans (friends) tell me they’re worried about the game.

John: It makes sense Steelers fans are worried. The Jaguars are clearly good enough to get a lead in this game, and the defense is more than good enough to win this game if the Jaguars get a lead. The Jaguars showed in October they can beat the Steelers. The Jaguars shouldn’t be favored Sunday, but neither should they be overlooked.

Paul from Newtok, Alaska:
Does the head coach have a secret plan against the Pittsburgh Steelers? If the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Steelers this weekend, it will be the biggest upset of this century. Would you agree?

John: The Jaguars beating the Steelers would be an upset, but it would hardly be one of biblical proportion. The Jaguars, remember, beat the Steelers in the regular season. They are perfectly capable of winning Sunday. And yes, Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone has a secret plan against the Steelers. He’s going to—

Steve from Upper Tract, WV:
How will you feel Sunday if the Jaguars lose? Will you be upset, aggravated and disappointed to the point where you don’t even want to talk about it for a week? Sometimes, I think you have lost your ability to connect with the fans’ emotion that they have for their team. Being an objective reporter for so long has caused you to lose touch with the fans and how they feel after your team has lost. It just seems sometimes you are condescending towards the fans and their emotions.

John: I’m well aware of how fans feel when their teams lose. I grew up an avid fan of many teams, and was fortunate enough to experience the range of emotions from the unabashed, unreasonable joy of victory and the unreasonable agony of defeat. But, no: I will not feel like a fan feels Sunday for the simple reason that I am not a fan. My job is not to be a fan. If you want to read or hear how fans feel about the Jaguars there are plenty of places where you can go to read such things. Or you can talk to fellow Jaguars fans. There are plenty of fans on Twitter and Facebook and other outlets to share in that misery. If the Jaguars lose, I will be disappointed for the fans and for a lot of people who I like and respect – players, coaches and front-office personnel – who I would like to see succeed. As for being condescending, I am not and will never be condescending toward how fans feel about their team and the emotions that come with winning and losing. I do reserve the right to act condescending if the mood strikes, though. Sometimes fans’ opinions on things or things they state as fact are so far removed from logic and reality as to make a condescending remark appropriate. Besides, being condescending sometimes is fun. And it makes me laugh. And I like to laugh.

John from Jacksonville:
Is there any chance the Jags get in the mix for Jimmy G this off season?

John: What “mix?” I’m not being facetious or condescending, because goodness knows that’s not right. I just don’t know about any mix.

Kevin from Jacksonville:
It seems as if there will be a lot of very good free-agent quarterbacks available this offseason. Case Keenum, Kirk Cousins, Alex Smith (via trade perhaps), A.J. McCarron, and either Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Bradford. If these guys become available and the Jags don’t go out and get one of them, there will be an uproar from the fans. I have not met a single Jags fan who thinks Blake Bortles is better than any of these guys. The Jags need to make upgrading that position their No. 1 priority and strike now while the iron is hot. Bortles is pure trash doo doo. Pure and simple. Anybody that doesn’t see this has their head buried in the sand.

John: Your boldness is impressive, though perhaps unsurprisingly not entirely accurate. That’s OK. It happens. There’s time to discuss this subject in detail after the team finishes the season, and I have little doubt we will discuss it and discuss it and discuss it. A couple of quick thoughts as an overview: One is that you haven’t met all Jaguars fans and it’s pretty apparent you haven’t met close to all of them. Another is that avoiding “an uproar” from the fans won’t be nor should it be an offseason priority. I’m sorry if that hurts your feelings, but that’s how it is. Still another is that I’d be shocked if all of the quarterbacks on your list are available in the offseason because quality quarterbacks are often re-signed. Finally, there are certainly quarterbacks on your list who aren’t a clear upgrade over Bortles. And what is striking, too, is how many of the quarterbacks on your list will be watching Bortles play Sunday. I’m not saying that makes Bortles better than those quarterbacks, but it should probably be factored into whatever decisions are made this offseason.

Marcus from Jacksonville:
How are the Jaguars going to prepare for a potential matchup with the NFL’s No. 1 offense in the New England Patriots?

John: By preparing for and playing the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Elijah from Tallahassee, FL:
Hey Jonny O, Jags will go in and beat Ben and the Steelers. No doubt the Killers Bs are great but we have B spray in our No. 1 defense. Look at it this way: we ended the career of one Hall of Famer so now it’s time to do it again! Your thoughts? #GoJags #DTWD

John: My thoughts are I don’t see Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retiring when he is playing as well as he has this season, but my thoughts are also that the Jaguars can win this game. I can’t call them the favorites, and I do believe the weather/home-field advantage will be the difference for the Steelers. But if the Jaguars can withstand what almost certainly will be a major energy rush early and get a lead, then I think they can win.

Eduardo from Ponte Vedra, FL:
Blake Bortles has been on the injury report with a right wrist issue for most of the season. Am I grasping straws to ask if that could have had something to do with his performance against Buffalo?

John: Yes, you are. Bortles actually has been on the report with the issue all 17 games this season, so if it was an issue against Buffalo then it was an issue when he had good games against Baltimore, Seattle, Indianapolis and so on and so on and so on …

Robert from Moorpark, CA:
John, do you guarantee a Jags win on Sunday? Thank you for all your hard work.

John: No. You’re welcome.

Austin from Atlanta, GA:
O-man, Did Jalen say he doesn’t watch film? What a legend.

John:Jalen Ramsey did say on Thursday said he doesn’t watch film at home at night. I don’t know if that makes him a legend, but if you want him to be legendary, go with it.

I tried to make this gif back in week 5 but I couldn’t get it right and it was taking too much time so I gave up on it.

But, it seems appropriate now so fuck it, here’s what I was trying to do:

 
 
 
 

 

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O-Zone: Tried and true

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Justin from Virginia Beach, VA:

62-7, John! 62-7 was the final score in Dan Marino’s final game when the Dolphins played the Jaguars (real fans know). Let’s hope for a similar outcome Sunday. This will be Big Ben’s final game. If we can force retirement, then they should just induct the whole defense in the Jags Ring of Honor.

John: You’re excited, Justin. That much is clear. And it’s understandable. These are exciting times around the Jaguars, and the NFL playoffs are heart-starting and heart-stopping stuff. But this is a different circumstance than Jaguars-Dolphins following the 1999 season. The Jaguars had home-field advantage with the NFL’s best record that season while the Dolphins had limped to Jacksonville on a short week as a wild card. Marino was clearly very close to retirement and past his prime. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers are a controversial call from the NFL’s best record this season with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs – and the Steelers have won 10 of 11 entering the postseason. Roethlisberger also has played at a high level pretty much since a Week 5 loss to the Jaguars, so don’t get the idea he’s limping anywhere right now – or that he’s close to retirement. The Jaguars clearly are capable of winning Sunday, but I wouldn’t go this game in expecting them to turn in another one-sided victory. A victory of any margin would be as significant a victory as this franchise has registered. Ever.

Alex from Los Angeles, CA:

Idk, Jack seems more interested in hitting people than playing football. #FightOn #TeamLee #LewisandMJDarecoolthough

John: What?

Bryan from Reston, VA:

Lot of hate out there, both locally and nationally, for a team that had just three wins last year, yet is one of eight teams left in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Not sure where the disconnect is other than haters gonna hate I guess. Even if the season were to end at Pittsburgh on Sunday, we’ve got a lot to hang our hat on this year compared to seasons past. Keep expectations high, but let’s not forget the fact we’re still playing in mid-January.

John: The time for savoring what the Jaguars accomplished will come, and that should be a satisfying experience for fans because this team has accomplished a lot. For now, it’s playoff time. That means fans gonna fan and media gonna media, so sit back and enjoy it all as it happens.

Jeremy from Rhode Island:

If the Jags win 10-3 this weekend I will not complain one bit. I don’t care what Bortles’ stats are!

John: You are not alone.

Brian from New Hampshire:

Why do we not see more designed plays for Blake Bortles to use his mobility more? Once he started moving and running, he looked like a different quarterback versus Buffalo. I feel the team is trying to make him a pocket passer first, which he is not. Let him roll out more, let him run more. It seems get him to relax and start throwing a better football.

John: The reason the Jaguars don’t usually do this is a belief that Bortles indeed is perfectly capable of being effective in the pocket, as well as a belief that he developed as a pocket passer this season. Evidence throughout much of the season – until the regular-season finale and the Wild Card game, really – supports this. But the Jaguars are now in the middle of what is very much a one-and-done, all-chips-to-middle tournament. If there are situations that call for Bortles to run – and for the Jaguars to design plays for him to run – I’m all for it. And I would guess the Jaguars do that at least a few times on Sunday.

Dylan from Tulsa, OK:

Mr. O, does it feel like everything that’s happening around this game is turning us into the bad guys? Like Ben saying he’s coming for us, AB coming back, and now I see Ryan Shazier is back in the building. Obviously he’s not practicing but still him being there has got to be like a “we’re-winning-this-for-him” type of thing. I don’t want to rain on the parade but I see storm clouds brewing…

John: So?

Travis from High Springs, FL:

What do they mean when they say, “It really helps a quarterback to be in the same system and really understand it”? I’ve heard a lotta stuff about Blake having three or four different offensive coordinators and having to learn a new offense (system) every year. But they also say that Tom Brady has a great understanding of his system, and the Patriots have had a lot of different offensive coordinators since Brady has been in New England. So what’s the difference in the way they talk about it?

John: It indeed can hinder a young quarterback to have to learn a new system every year with new terminology, new philosophy, etc. Bortles essentially has had a different coordinator three of his four seasons, with each of those coordinators – Jedd Fisch, Greg Olson and Nathaniel Hackett – having different terminology and pretty different approaches as far as how they wanted the offense run and the quarterback position played. While Brady indeed has had different offensive coordinators, those coordinators have run basically the same offensive system with Charlie Weis first running the offense from 2000-2004 then Josh McDaniels – who worked for the Patriots while Weis was the coordinator – assuming the role two years after Weis left and holding it for all but three seasons since. Brady has changed coordinators a few times, but he always essentially has run the same system. That hasn’t been nearly as much the case for Bortles.

Jeff from Wake Forest, NC:

No one says we can win. Last victory was a fluke. We don’t have the offense to keep up. They will run on our defense. There is no way their quarterback throws picks again. We have no chance. We are playing with house money. Boy! I cannot think of a better mantra to tell the Jags players all week. I LOVE IT! Please pick against us, please say we have no chance. Seems to me to be the perfect thing to tell these players to get them fired up and in the mindset to do just that! #DTWD!

John: #DTWD

Joseph from Fords, NJ:

Do you think the Steelers are playing Antonio Brown just so Jalen Ramsey will shadow him? Meaning Brown isn’t at full health, but playing just to take out the best corner in the league?

John: I don’t cover the Steelers so I don’t pretend to have a feel for the pulse of their inner workings on the level I do the Jaguars. The word from Pittsburgh this week is that Brown is healthy. If that’s the case, then you play him because he’s that good. If he’s not fully healthy, it seems that would benefit the Jaguars because it would mean the NFL’s best receiver isn’t at full strength.

Ed from Ponte Vedra, FL:

Why can I not focus at work, my appetite is off and I don’t even feel like drinking in anticipation of Sunday?

John: Because playoffs.

Kyan from Le Mars, IA:

Sunday at one point they zoomed in on Dante Fowler Jr. and it was a revelation. I had completely forgotten about Fowler. Is it because he hasn’t had any of the dumb penalties or that he just isn’t making huge plays? How has his play been? Here is to hoping his name gets brought up a lot on Sunday due to sacking little Ben!

John: Fowler is playing well. He’s not yet an elite pass rusher and he may not reach that level, but he plays with an energy, effort and a violence that makes him important as a third-down/nickel player. On a defense that swarms and plays with violence and energy and effort he’s a key component.

Mike from Claremore, OK:

Do you expect T.J. Yeldon to be active this week due to him being better in pass protection since the Steelers were No. 1 in sacks this season?

John: Yes.

Sandro from El Paso, TX:

Should the Jaguars stack the box against the Steelers, playing man to man, forcing Ben to beat us?

John: The Jaguars should play their scheme, which is to emphasize taking away the run on early downs then to rush the quarterback with four players and play with seven in coverage behind those four. That approach has made the Jaguars very difficult to beat defensively this season – and it worked in Pittsburgh in October.

CD from Fleming Island:

Hey John, is there anything about the 3-4 and Pittsburgh’s personnel in particular that could create a good matchup for the Jags as it relates to the running game? Or will our success running the ball be a fingers-crossed situation?

John: /crosses fingers

Tom from Charleston, SC:

When are you going to stop blowing smoke and hiding behind not-so-funny jokes? All of the “experts” (and I use Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason and Steve Young as examples) contend that BB5 is not and will not be a viable starting QB in the NFL. What makes their evaluations mute? Certainly not because John says so.

John: A bum stops a guy on the street and asks for $10 for food. The guy says, “No, you’re only going to use it to gamble.” The bum says, “Oh, I’ve got gamblin’ money!” Now, c’mon … that’s funny.
 
 
 

 

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O-Zone: That which matters

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Tim from Jacksonville:

John, conceptually how do you think the Steelers will make adjustments this week? I didn’t play football, so I do not know how teams prepare from week to week. Is there anything different they will do this week since this is the playoffs and not the regular season?

John: I don’t think the Steelers will change their game plan because it’s the playoffs, but I do expect them to adjust based on what happened in the Jaguars’ Week 5 victory – and based on how they are playing now compared to earlier in the season. I expect the Steelers to look at Week 5 and see that they probably got away from running Le’Veon Bell too early, and I expect them to say, “We need to run Le’Veon Bell more throughout the game, more than we did in Week 5.” This is an intriguing issue in this game because Bell was running well in the first half in October and wasn’t used much in the second half as the Jaguars took control. Can he match his early Week 5 effectiveness? Will the Jaguars’ addition of defensive tackle Marcell Dareus in October help against Bell? I also expect the Steelers to load the box against Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette and not let him pinball off tacklers as he was able to do on a couple of occasions in October. There will be other adjustments for both teams, but these are two to watch.

John from American Fork, UT:

John, Blake Bortles sure takes a lot of verbal jabs from his fellow NFL players. I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like it. From what I can tell Blake lets it roll off his back but it has to wear on a guy after a while. Do you think this constant criticism has a negative impact on his play from what you have seen?

John: No.

Scott from Gilbert, AZ:

Zone, my anniversary is Sunday, and the wife is giving me grief for caring more about game-day party plans than “our” day. Permission to tell her she can—?

John: No permission needed. Fight the good fight. Tell her the heart wants what the heart wants. Stay true to the cause. And be prepared for it all to go horribly and inevitably oh-so wrong.

Aaron from White Hall, AR:

So, one of my friends asked me to make a road trip with him this Sunday. I told him you know how I feel about the Jaguars and I never miss a game and no way will I miss this one. Am I bad friend?

John: You can tell your friend he can—

Preston from Oakville, CT:

O-Man, I never wish ill on a player and I certainly don’t celebrate when the inevitable injury occurs. Having said that, how big do you think the absence of Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier will be this weekend? He is a freak athlete and the heart and soul of their defense. Without him, I think we can control the ground game.

John: Shazier arguably was the Steelers’ best defensive player. They have played well without him, but they’re not as good without his freakish speed and athleticism. I don’t think his absence will allow the Jaguars to control the ground game because the Jaguars have shown little evidence of controlling the ground game whoever the opponent. But it sure could open up a play or two in the middle of the field in the passing game and open up the opportunity for a big play or two in the running game.

Bob from Jacksonville:

The weather for Sunday looks to be a bit chilly. How much of a factor do you think this will be?

John: Big.

Jason from Colorado Springs, FL:

May I remind you someone was 9 of 14 for less than 100 yards in Week 5 of this season? It’s a proven formula that must be repeated. We need the offensive line to dominate here to put up the rushing numbers from Week 5.

John: The Jaguars rushed for the most part OK in that game, and they had an unbelievable series when they ran on 12 consecutive plays to drain clock and kick an important field goal. Fournette also rushed for 91 yards on 27 carries before his 90-yard fourth-quarter run put him at 181 yards for the game and significantly increased his average. My point? The Jaguars’ offensive line probably isn’t going to dominate the Steelers or any other team enough to single-handedly carry the offense. The Jaguars need balance, and they’re going to need Bortles and the receivers to make plays in the passing game to get it.

Matthew from Tomah, WI:

Mr. Zone: You’ve written that you expect BB5 to be under center next year. I tend to agree and that makes me a sad Jaguars fan. You’ve pointed out (correctly) that BB5 has been responsible for winning games this year. But doggone, the last few weeks have been rough to watch. I’m not asking for Aaron Rodgers, Big Ben or Drew Brees to sling it 45 times a game but even completing half of the passes might get teams from stacking the box and selling out against the run. For instance, Minnesota has three quality quarterbacks on the roster but none signed past this year. I know it’s hard if you’re dropping 19 large on BB5 next year, but do you bring in anyone else to compete?

John: I don’t know what the Jaguars will do at quarterback next offseason, but I suppose I look at it at least somewhat like this: Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin, General Manager Dave Caldwell and Head Coach Doug Marrone presumably did a good job putting this team together this past offseason. I presume that because they’re one of eight teams still playing football this weekend. Those men probably made good decisions at least part of the time when judging this roster and determining whether to make changes at certain positions. If those men – who presumably did a decent job putting together the roster – decide that Blake Bortles is a better option than available rookies or veterans when weighing other factors such as needs at other positions, cost, etc., are you absolutely sure that should make you sad? If the Jaguars believe there is a better option available than Bortles, they’ll bring him in. Fans may or may not agree with the decision they make, but don’t doubt that they will try to improve the quarterback position – or any position – if it’s possible and feasible to do so.

Karen from Jacksonville:

I don’t get why we are waving white towels at football games when our primary color, I thought, was teal. And by the way, I would like to see more teal in our uniforms and clothing. Let’s make more of a statement with TEAL terrible towels!!!!! Let’s Go Jagggggssssssss!!!

John: What a glorious time it is in Jaguars Nation when the big crisis is the color of towel being waved at a sold-out home playoff game. #Divisionchampionproblems

Nick from Annapolis, MD:

After watching the “Playoff Memories” video, I can’t help but think this game could have a very similar ending. It wouldn’t surprise me if it came down to one final drive in the fourth quarter, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Blake Bortles gets it done with his legs on that drive. It also wouldn’t surprise me if it results in the Jaguars coming back to Jacksonville with a win and momentum heading into a matchup against Tom Brady and the Patriots. This time, though, it will be for a chance to go to the Super Bowl, and the Jaguars will go to Gillette Stadium with the best defense in the NFL. #DTWD

John: #DTWD

Gamble from Jacksonville:

John, I love Jalen Ramsey as much as the next Jags fan, but can we hold off on prematurely crowning him the best Jags cornerback? Pretty sure Rashean Mathis still deserves that title, and going into this game against the Steelers I can’t help but think of all the times Mathis was a thorn in the Steelers side.

John: I didn’t cover the Jaguars from 2001-2010, so I missed much of Mathis’ time with the Jaguars. I therefore can’t say whether or not there were seasons in which Mathis was better than Ramsey. I can say that I’ve covered 23 NFL seasons, and Ramsey is the best cornerback I’ve covered during that time with A.J. Bouye a close second.

Glen from Orange Park, FL:

The Steelers have a winning record at home against every NFL team since drafting Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 except New England (2-5) and your very own Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4). They know it and we know it. Can you speak to the relevancy of this?

John: I don’t think the Jaguars’ 4-1 record in Pittsburgh since 2004 means all that much when it comes to Sunday’s game. I do think the fact that this Jaguars team won in Pittsburgh this season and doesn’t care all that much about the tradition of the Steelers matters very much in this game.
 
 
 

 

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O-Zone: Full strength

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

JT from Rosamond, CA:

This feels like going against the Broncos again in the playoffs. Everybody is killing us right now. Of course none of our favorite national media will pick us, but if we play our game we can beat anyone. Hope Good Bortles shows up this game.

John: Let Divisional Playoff Week officially begin – and indeed, no NFL playoff week is complete without complaints about a lack of respect, love or recognition. I say this not to dismiss the idea that the Jaguars this week will be overlooked by many and loved by few; that almost certainly will be the case. Few national analysts will pick the Jaguars. Few fans nationwide will give them a chance. People in Pittsburgh? The Pittstonians? The ‘Burghers? They certainly will dismiss the little Jaggies’ chances against Big Ben and his Mighty Band of Steel Marauders. All of that’s OK, and here’s why: National analysts – analysts of any kind, actually – don’t decide NFL games. Whatever the perception, the Jaguars indeed can beat anyone left in the postseason. That includes the Steelers. I believe the Jaguars have fewer ways to win than the Steelers, meaning the Jaguars probably need to play with a lead, get turnovers and make a big play or two – and I don’t believe the Jaguars can afford to get down multiple scores. But can they win in Pittsburgh? Absolutely because they already … you know … did.

Jon from Ocala, FL:

Hi O! What is the goal in the playoffs? From what I have read/heard from fans and national reporters, it seems that you need to score 25 points or more, even if you lose.

John: Hold on. I have to Google this.

Taylor from Jacksonville:

Is it fair to wonder if Keelan Cole should be on the field more than Hurns? I love Allen Hurns, and that crawl off the field to save a 10-second runoff against the Chargers was the personification of GRIT, but Keelan was ballin’ and Hurns wasn’t all that productive prior to the injury.

John: Cole played 32 snaps on Sunday against the Bills; Hurns played 31. Here’s the reality about the Jaguars’ wide receivers right now: there is no easy answer. No receiver in the group represents a magical solution to the passing game issues because there’s not a go-to, elite player in the bunch. The Jaguars have one of those: Allen Robinson, and he’s on season-ending injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. What the Jaguars have at receiver is three young players – rookies Dede Westbrook and Cole and first-year veteran Jaydon Mickens – who play with the inconsistency that the combination of talent and inexperience often produces. They also have a couple of veterans – Hurns and Marqise Lee – who have been limited by injuries and are not yet back to their pre-injury level. The bad news for the Jaguars is Robinson isn’t returning until next season. The good news: at various times in their careers and this season the five aforementioned players have played at a high level. They can make plays. They are capable. The challenge now: have one or a couple of them make plays Sunday in the biggest game of their lives.

Peter from Perth, Australia:

Hey, O: A 2:00 a.m. wake up to watch the game over here is hard work, but the “W” makes it worthwhile. Any advice for telling the wife it’s happening again this week?

John: Yes, tell your wife I said she can—

Bob from Sumter, SC:
Is it me or does Myles Jack seem to be playing faster and making more impact plays lately?

John: It’s not you. It’s him. And he is.

Dane from Jacksonville:

If a forward shovel pass hits the ground, is it ruled as an incomplete pass or a fumble? What if the quarterback is in the process of getting sacked?

John: It’s an incomplete pass.

Brian from Gainesville, FL:

Big O, I know there were multiple factors affecting Blake’s performance on Sunday. Among the most significant and potentially most concerning was that he seemed extremely nervous. He seemed to have been very cognizant of the fact that if he turned the ball over the game would be at risk. Was this first-playoff jitters? Was it that the coaches beat the game plan into him so much that he psyched himself out? Something else? More importantly, can he shed it before the weekend? Can he regain his confidence now that the first game is notched in his belt?

John: You asked a bunch of questions and only time will determine answers. Yes, Bortles seemed nervous Sunday – and I have no doubt he was aware that not turning the ball over was the No. 1 key to victory. I think the Jaguars will have a game plan Sunday that allows him to throw earlier and therefore play looser. It’s not uncommon for quarterbacks to struggle in their first postseason games. Will a game’s worth of experience and a more aggressive plan mean improvement for Bortles? We’ll see.

Rick from Jacksonville:

John, I can be just as disappointed with Blake as anyone else, but I find myself rooting for the guy. There is a lot to like; I think he’s improving over time.

John: #DTWD

Jack from Oviedo, FL:

Blake gets a lot of attention on his shortcomings, but watching Leonard Fournette … he appears to be giving up too soon on his runs. He had an open-field run with one defender to beat and he goes down with his shoulder instead of moving around him. He would have scored a 55-yard touchdown if he beat him. Blake is not getting the run game needed to win. What is up with our running back?

John: The Jaguars’ run-game struggles in recent weeks have been well-documented. The line has had trouble run-blocking, especially on the interior. The Jaguars also have faced a lot of run-oriented fronts. Fournette has been injured. But Fournette’s elusiveness as you note hasn’t been ideal, especially late in the season. The thought here is the ankle and lower-body issues of late probably play a role in that. We probably won’t know until next season.

Brian from Round Rock, TX:

John, I think at this time of year a team needs to game plan recognizing exactly who they are, not who they want to be. On offense, I think that means taking advantage of Blake’s mobility and not expecting a dominating running game. They should try to get Blake going in the passing game with more intermediate and deep passes on early downs. What do you think?

John: I think the Jaguars will need to be more aggressive and take at least a few shots downfield Sunday. They certainly will have to do it more against the Steelers than they did against the Bills. I believe they will do that. Stay tuned.

Tom from Charleston, SC:

How can you not be majorly concerned about the lack of development in Blake? Something is horribly wrong when the offensive game plan is built around having to defend against your supposed franchise quarterback making-game altering mistakes. Dave Caldwell made a career-altering mistake by drafting him. It is a shame that the coaching staff has to keep trying to minimize his detriment to the team.

John: There’s this …

Chris from Mandarin, FL:

Blake Bortles threw a touchdown on fourth-and-goal in the playoffs in the second half of a tied game. That’s big-time stuff, John.

John: … and then there’s this.

Rob from Duuuvall:

I’ve heard a lot recently that we were sixth-ranked offense this year. I’d like to ask if defensive touchdowns count toward that statistic? If so, it would seem our offense may not deserve such a high ranking – and even if not, our defense has a lot to do with putting them in good positions to score.

John: The Jaguars were sixth in the NFL in total yards and fifth in total points. That statistic doesn’t at all prove that the Jaguars were consistent offensively, because that wasn’t the case. But it does show that the team not only was capable of scoring in bunches at times but that the offense was capable of producing points and yards on its own at times.

Jeff from Jacksonville:

There are a lot of good stats from Sunday, but here’s my favorite: zero injuries! The key disadvantage to not getting the bye was avoided and the Jaguars will be the healthiest they’ve been in a while going to Pittsburgh. Go Jags!

John: The NFL playoffs are as often as not about attrition. A key injury or two can bring down a team that otherwise might have contended, and a glance at the rosters of teams that make deep runs often reveal that those teams had remarkably good fortune with injuries. The Jaguars’ health on defense absolutely is a reason that unit has been consistent this season. The team’s best unit is at full strength at the most important time, which gives the Jaguars a chance on Sunday.
 
 
 

 

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O-Zone: Not that cool

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Michael from Middleburg, FL:
There will be plenty of people hating on Blake Bortles this week, but I don’t care. That man deserves all the credit and respect in the world for gutting out that victory Sunday. He put his team on his back and carried them. Would love nothing more than to see him light it up in Pittsburgh next week. One ‘fer No. 5!

John: Ah, ‘tis the question of the week: Was Blake Bortles the reason the Jaguars beat the Buffalo Bills in an AFC Wild Card Playoff game Sunday or was he the reason they struggled in the first place? It seems to fit his career that the answer could be both. Bortles’ accuracy issues in the first half of the Jaguars’ 10-3 victory were pronounced. He looked very close to how he looked at times while struggling in 2016 – and his footwork issues from that season returned. Is this a late-season slip in mechanics? Was it a short-term thing? That seems reasonable, because while Bortles had not been perfect this season he had improved in a lot of areas – and he certainly had not had those issues so severely often this season. And yet, despite all of those first-half struggles, Bortles found a way to make plays with his feet on a field-goal drive at the end of the first half and on a third-quarter touchdown drive. What he did was enough to win Sunday. I doubt such a performance will be enough to win in Pittsburgh Sunday. I think Bortles will have to complete passes downfield – probably more than a couple. I also think the Jaguars will give him more chances to do so. If Bortles gets protection and makes plays like he made in early December, the Jaguars have a chance Sunday. If not …

Louis from Pickland:
Zonio, remember all that talk before the draft about Jalen Ramsey having bad hands and not being able to make interceptions?

John: I do remember that.

Tim from Fernandina Beach, FL:
John: Like you, I felt the offense had its training wheels on Sunday. Why do people insist on blaming Jaguars offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett? If I were a betting man, I put money on Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone for dictating the VERY (Caps on purpose) conservative game plan.

John: Why do people blame coaches? Because it’s always coaching in the NFL – and people blame offensive coordinators because when plays don’t work, it’s always play-calling and never execution. That age-old NFL truism aside, I do believe the Jaguars entered the Buffalo game with the idea that the only way the Bills were going to beat them is if the Jaguars allowed the Bills to get momentum with takeaways. The Jaguars had a high-percentage chance to win playing that way – and if that indeed was the approach, Marrone certainly signed off on it. When the Jaguars prepare for a game, they don’t do it with the offensive coordinator in one silo and the defensive coordinator in another. The plan is about what both sides of the ball can do to give the team the best chance to win – and Marrone certainly is in charge of that. I have no idea the plan going forward and I doubt Marrone plans to tell me. But I’d be surprised if the Jaguars can win in Pittsburgh with a conservative approach and I’d be surprised if the coaches disagree with that.

Gary from Fleming Island, FL:
Yes, Blake passing was sub-par and the running game was ineffective, but the coaches deserve a little discredit for the play-calling too. After the first interception running three screen passes? What happened to going for the big play after a huge turnover?

John: One reason you don’t go for the big play there is you need time to throw to hit big plays; the Jaguars’ offensive line has not pass protected great in recent weeks. But yes … the Jaguars were conservative in the situation in question and conservative in a lot of areas Sunday. Sunday’s game called for a conservative approach. I don’t think the Jaguars will take the same approach Sunday.

Tommy from Pensacola, FL:
John, I find it fair to criticize Nate Hackett. Yes, Blake is more comfortable in the offense and he should command it as such. But throughout the season the play calling has been inconsistent and erratic. Why no shots going deep, Sunday? I’m pumped we won and are moving on. But this isn’t a new issue. And honestly, it’s a fair criticism of the offense in general. Whatever. #GOJAGS #DUVAL

John: I understand this question because it’s always coaching in the NFL. I also know the Jaguars finished sixth in the NFL in total offense and fifth in points despite a bunch of players in and out with injuries and despite playing with two rookie receivers and a first-year receiver in the final half of the season. All of this in the first season in the offense. So, yes it’s fair to criticize because it’s always OK to criticize in professional football, but this hasn’t been the worst possible season for the offense despite the “inconsistent and erratic play calling.” (And yes, I used the quotes intentionally; I often use quotes when I’m laughing).

Ron from Jacksonville:
Is Mychal Rivera eligible to return from injured reserve? Don’t you get two now?

John: You are allowed to have two players return from injured reserve. But that’s only for players who were on the active roster after the September 2 deadline. Rivera was placed on injured reserve before that, so he never could be eligible to return this season or postseason.

Howard from Homestead, FL:
What’s your take on the sack by Dante Fowler Jr.? Honestly, was it legal? Was it clean?

John: Yes and yes. You’re allowed to tackle a player hard in the NFL if that player has the ball. Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor had the ball on the play in question and Fowler tackled him hard.

Travis from Winter Garden, FL:
O, offense playing not to lose lately, that’s gotta change. Throwing screens into a stacked box repeatedly isn’t exactly creative and doesn’t help slow the defense down.

John: OK.

Kevin from Jacksonville:
Why is it that Leonard Fournette can’t seem to really get going and average more than 3.0 yards per carry? Is it Fournette? Is the run-blocking poor? Are defenses still just keying in on him and stacking the box?

John: This has been a season-long issue, and I don’t know that it gets solved. The Jaguars despite being the NFL’s No. 1-ranked running team this season have not been a dominant running team much of the season. They have had a few games that felt they truly controlled the line of scrimmage – Seattle, Indianapolis and perhaps the first game against Pittsburgh come to mind. Beyond that, it has run well by committing to the run and having some long runs. So, this is really a season-long issue that has heightened in the last five or six games. Why the heightening of late? It does appear that Fournette is perhaps still dealing with at least some remnants of his ankle issues. And the run-blocking as a whole simply has not been effective enough often enough this season. As far as defenses keying to stop him … yes, there is an element of that. Fournette is still facing a lot of stacked boxes because teams know the Jaguars want to run to win. But it’s not as if there are eight or nine in the box all the time. The Jaguars are having some running opportunities. They certainly will have some against Pittsburgh. They need to start taking advantage better than they have, particularly in the last few weeks.

Josh from Dayton, OH:
Lack of production aside, BB5 avoiding turnovers continues to be a key part of the Jags formula for success, and he did that Sunday. We’ll need that again the next four weeks.

John: #DTWD

JT from Rosamond, CA:
Why does the national media seem so intent on us going after Eli Manning? He is not the same quarterback that he was and he wouldn’t be a step up from Blake. I know the offseason can wait, but this doesn’t seem to make much sense for this team in the future.

John: The national media says things about individual teams because they don’t know individual teams as well as the fans of those teams or the local media that covers those teams. National media has 32 teams to cover, so it’s very difficult for them to have a local feel.

Dave from Duval:
Dear Mr. O: GRIT.

John: Yes.

C from Jacksonville:
Co heck with Pukeburgh!!!!! They better get ready because Sacksonville is coming!!! GO JAGS!!!! Lock it up!!!!

John: Breathe, my man. It’s a long week. Oh, forget that: you do what you need to do to get yourself ready and enjoy the game. (Just don’t set anything on fire. Doing that isn’t as cool as some people think.)
 
 
 

 

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Ask Vic: Packers picked the right guy

Tim from Sun Prairie, WI
Vic, the Packers can’t pay all their WRs. Do they part with Nelson or Cobb? Is Montgomery a slot WR after all?

You’re not thinking new. You’re perseverating over what’s old. The Packers need to get younger and faster at wide receiver. The concern should be for adding players, not retaining them. I’m not being disrespectful. That’s just the way it is in the NFL. It’s a game of replacement.

Robert from Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Vic, I don’t like reaching for accolades but if Jacksonville’s defense carries the team to a Super Bowl in the same fashion it carried them to a win yesterday, should they be considered among the all-time great defenses?

Why wait? Overreaction is all around us. I am officially proclaiming “Sacksonville” to be the greatest defense in the history of the world.

Ben from Hilo, HI
What surprised you most during the wild-card weekend?

I guess I was most surprised by the Chiefs’ collapse, but I don’t know why. Andy Reid’s Chiefs teams bear a strong resemblance to his Eagles teams, soft.

Leif from Saint Croix Falls, WI
Vic, what are your thoughts on Ben Roethlisberger and his odds of retiring after the season ends?

During the first half of the Indianapolis game, he looked old and I felt strongly I was seeing him playing in his final season. Then, in the fourth quarter, he caught fire. He moved his offense up and down the field, rallied for the win and, in the process, looked young again, and it’s been that way ever since. I’m not sure about his future now. After a 14-season career in which the quarterback protections often weren’t applied to him, I could certainly understand why he would consider retirement, but I’m not seeing anything in his game that suggests eroding skills. Be that as it may, the Steelers need to draft a quarterback high.

Darren from Chicago, IL
You’ve stated several times before that Mike McCarthy is a leader of men. Considering all the coaching changes at (the Packers) and around the league, how high on your priority list is that trait and how hard is it to find it among candidates? And thanks for continuing your work!

It’s never been more important and we’re seeing evidence of that right now as it pertains to the Packers. When I first suggested the Packers need to become new, there was outrage in my inbox. What do you mean, they stormed? Aaron Rodgers will recover. He’ll be back and everything will be fine again, they said. Darren, I’ve lived a football life, and it was easy for me to see what was going to happen with the Packers, and the best news for Packers fans is they have a coach who also sees it and isn’t afraid to do what needs to be done. Change is everywhere. It’s in coaching and personnel, and it’ll extend to the roster, where I think change is most important. Coach McCarthy is a leader of men. He knows what needs to be done and he won’t rest until it’s accomplished. A new GM is in place. I believe Brian Gutkekunst is the right man for the job, and it’s believed he shares Coach McCarthy’s vision for what needs to happen for the Packers to begin a new run. Soon, we’ll begin getting a feel for what that vision is.

Randy from Medicine Hat, AB
Towards the end of the first quarter in the Jaguars/Bills game … Tony Romo said “we are in for a good, old-fashioned field position game.” Amazingly, that was what I was thinking at that very moment.

Romo says many things. He’s the “Chatty Cathy” of TV football analysts. After the Bills failed to draw the Jaguars offsides and called a time out before the play clock expired, Romo said the Bills should’ve taken the delay of game penalty and saved the timeout, since five yards would’ve been meaningless in the field goal attempt. Then, before the ball could be snapped for the field goal attempt, the Jaguars jumped offsides, giving the Bills first and goal. I guess that’s why you call timeout, Romo should’ve said, but he never did.

Michael from Fernandina Beach, FL
What do you think the Jags’ chances are next week at Pittsburgh?

In all sincerity, the Jaguars have a defense that can beat anybody. I don’t think “Sacksonville” deserves to be mentioned, yet, with the great defenses of all time, but it’s good, real good.

Jesse from Bethlehem, PA
Can you tell us anything about Brian Gutekunst? Should Packers fans be excited about this?

I love him. He’s a great scout and a wonderfully personable football man. He’s dynamite in press conferences and he’ll help bridge gaps between football and the other departments within the Packers. He’s just what the Packers need.

Bryan from Springfield, WI
Is picking the picker a crystal ball business?

It absolutely is because you never know how a picker will pick until he’s on the clock.

Roger from Auburn, CA
Vic, if the Packers GM position is such an attractive position, why would the Packers promote an internal candidate when the past several drafts have left us with a mediocre talent base?

I can’t get it across, can I? Roger, in my opinion, the Packers’ extended run at the bottom of the draft order weakened the team’s roster. Gutekunst won’t have that problem this year, and it might not be a problem for a few years.

Adam from Wausau, WI
I saw the NFL ratings were down almost 10 percent. How will this affect the cap going forward?

Ratings don’t affect the salary cap unless they result in a less lucrative TV contract. The cap is determined by revenue.

Chris from Bozeman, MT
I’m curious what you think it means when someone says “the Packers’ way”? You really only hear this in reference to teams like GB, NE and Pitt. To me, it’s a little smug. All teams place value on an opera non verba philosophy.

A little smug? For those of you who weren’t required to take Latin, “opera non verba” means “actions, not words.” The only reason I know the meaning is because Tom Coughlin hung a sign in the hallway with those words on it. He was real proud of it, in an altar boy sort of way, and he asked me, “How do you like the sign?” I told him I didn’t know what it meant. “I thought you went to Catholic school,” he said. “It was an elementary school, not a seminary,” I said. I don’t think the sign was a big hit with the players. As for the Packers’ way, the Patriots’ way, the Steelers’ way, it’s a smug way of saying draft Rodgers, draft Brady, draft Roethlisberger. Players, not ways.

Bob from Green Bay, WI
If the President proposed eliminating professional sports to combat global warming, I’ll bet you would have a different take on the subject.

Reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere offends you? I think we need to have an open mind on this issue, because a lot of people live on the water’s edge and if they have to move in mass, everybody is going to suffer. I’m being asked to avoid political discussions. This has nothing to do with politics. Those who think it does are the problem.

Mark from Nashville, TN
What are some of your all-time favorite responses from news conferences?

When Chuck Noll would get questioned about play-calling, he’d say, “What you’re really asking me is why didn’t we win?” Chuck had many ways of getting his message across with succinct use of words. For example, when Chuck found himself having to repeatedly answer the question about when a player would be recovered from injury and able to play, Chuck might answer, “Nobody knows.” If you were the subject of a “nobody knows” answer, it was time for you to get healthy. My all-time favorite draft-day response in a press conference comes from Tom Coughlin, who can be very diplomatic in choosing his words when the occasion demands. Following the selection of a player who had been suspended by the university for his part in a dormitory fire, Coughlin said, “Now, we all know the unfortunate story about a dormitory room and an incendiary device.”

Jonathan from Saint Joseph, MO
Is this a do or die year for Coach McCarthy?

Why do fans love to fire the coach? As the Titans were in the process of rallying for one of the great wins in franchise history on Saturday, Pro Football Talk was posting a story proclaiming Mike Mularkey might be the next to go. Mularkey is the coach of a team that won three games just two years ago. He’s reversed the fortunes of the franchise, yet, as the Titans were rallying for one of their greatest victories, Mularkey was on the hot seat. It’s Nutsville, but it’s what the fans want so the media and the owners play to it. The wolves are in control. Just howl, baby.

Steve from Phoenix, AZ
I’m a Badgers fan. I watched the first round of the playoffs. I hate to say it but I don’t think Wisconsin could have effectively competed with the all-around speed and depth I saw on the field. I think things worked out very well for them this year.

Wisconsin played a horribly weak regular-season schedule, lost to a non-playoff team in the Big 10 title game, and then beat a Miami team that finished its season with three consecutive losses, two of them by wide margins. Still, the record looks great, and Wisconsin has an opportunity to use their 2017 fame to recruiting advantage. That’s what has to happen for Wisconsin to go to the next level; it must recruit better. It’s a good three-star program, but Ohio State and Penn State are recruiting at a higher level.

Les from Oshkosh, WI
It would appear your 1/1 response to Brandon about putting Edgar Bennett and everyone else on the hot seat wasn’t an overreaction. I am disappointed he was dismissed so quickly while the head coach was given a year extension covertly in October.

Edgar is a top coach and he will grow from this experience. His situation is nearly identical to Tony Dungy’s. Tony became Steelers defensive coordinator at a young age but faced a demotion following a terrible season in 1988. Rather than accept the demotion to defensive backs coach, he took the same position in Kansas City. His career quickly blossomed. I believe the same will happen to Edgar. Just as Tony had spent too much time in Pittsburgh, as a player and then as a coach, Edgar had spent too much time in Green Bay. You can get stale when you stay in one place too long. With this, Edgar will begin to move. There are 32 teams in this league.

Curt from Pennsylvania
Vic, I’m just curious. Take yourself back in time to just before the first Packers-Vikings game, when the Packers had only one loss and, of course, not knowing all the subsequent injuries to come, what were your expectations of the Packers’ season at that point.

My expectation was Aaron Rodgers would camouflage the roster’s deficiencies and take the Packers into the playoffs.

Chuck from Madison, WI
Vic, glad to find you again! What is your opinion of Damarius Randall, his play, his on-field demeanor, his recent comments about teammates not being held accountable?

The more he popped off, the better he played. I can live with that. Deeds, not words, right?

Chris from Lexington, KY
I’d like to hear your take on Clinton-Dix’s comments.

He didn’t have a great season. The words ring a little hollow.

Derek from LaCrosse, WI
What is your favorite Ted Thompson story?

I don’t have one. That’s kind of sad.

Mike from McFarland, WI
Would Hundley’s value in this league be higher right now if he hadn’t played this year? Is mystery and hype more appealing to a team than knowing?

Gary Cuozzo, huh? Chico Ruiz said, “Bench me or trade me.”

Jerry from Savannah, GA
Vic, why do teams have to grant permission before certain interviews are allowed? Seems a bit communistic.

College football should be so communistic. If it was, it wouldn’t bear the embarrassment of the coach of one team coaching another team.

Dan from Michigan
How much of the Patriots dynasty is due to a weakness of the AFC? It seems like every year they have a bye and their first playoff game is against a team that isn’t playoff caliber. If the Packers received two byes every year for the last eight years, I think we’d have more than one Super Bowl as well.

What would you say about the Packers’ road to the Super Bowl in 2010? Jay Cutler and the Bears in the NFC title game, and Todd Collins and somebody named Mr. Hanie played most of the game? Packers fans need to see the Packers through the same eyes they view the rest of the league.

Ben from El Paso, TX
What if Mariota loses possession before the ball breaks the plane and tumbles into the pylon, incomplete or fumble?

Al Riveron would’ve burst into flames. Seriously, that’s a great question. Mariota wasn’t going to the ground to make the catch, so my guess is he wouldn’t have had to survive the ground, which would’ve made losing the ball into the pylon a touchback. That’s my take on it, but you never know about Riveron. Also, if I’m Mike Mularkey, I use that play as an example to my players to not use the pylon when you can use the goal line.

Steve from Natrona Heights, PA
Who do you like next week in the Pittsburgh/Jacksonville game?

I like Natrona Heights, because it’s my hometown.

 

 
 
 

 

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