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O-Zone: Stay safe

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – We’re Houston-bound as of late Saturday morning and will be there through at least Monday. Thoughts obviously will be in Jacksonville.

Let’s get to it …

Kyle from Jax:
Hey O, do you have a generator so you can keep the streak going even if Irma knocks out power? Stay safe!

John: I do indeed have a generator. I have a generator because I am a hardy, self-made, get-things-done-around-the-house, live-off-the-land man who long has believed in self-reliance. In the event of anarchy and the accompanying rioting in the streets, I have enough food and supplies for my family and I to survive and indeed thrive until early 2019. That’s why I have a generator. No, wait: That’s my brother-in-law, Chad. I have a generator because my wife’s boss was good enough to help us get us one for a good price just before Hurricane Matthew. The generator scares me. It’s loud and smelly. I have trouble starting it. Actually, I can’t start it. I have to call Chad.

Quinn from Tampa, FL:
Will O’shaug Hennessy be present in the starting line up? He can thank Key & Peele for becoming my new favorite player.

John: I’m not cool enough to have any idea what you’re talking about.

Sam from Orlando, FL:
When Yoda says “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.” Isn’t that an absolute? Also, any chance Blake can throw for 300 yards Sunday AND we win?

John: Yes, Yoda’s line is an absolute. And that’s ironic. But that’s the thing about irony. It can be pretty ironic and often is. Yes, the Jaguars can win Sunday with Blake Bortles throwing for 300 yards. The Jaguars would prefer he needn’t do that. The bigger question is whether the passing offense can generate a 200-yard, no-interception efficient day. Bortles and the Jaguars’ offense were disasters in Houston in Week 15 last season. The Jaguars don’t need 300 from Bortles, but they can’t have disaster.

Wallace from Jacksonville:
Bruce from Green Cove Springs might feel a bit differently about Blake Bortles if he considered Blake’s W-L record and number of interceptions thrown versus the other 15 Jaguars quarterbacks to have at least one passing attempt. Cherry-picking stats proves nothing.

John: Your question refers to an email this week in which Bruce noted that Bortles had impressive statistics in career passes, touchdowns and yards. And you’re right that Bortles’ errors through three seasons have overshadowed his accomplishments – by a wide margin. At the same time, Bortles’ yards, attempts and completions aren’t nothing. They show he has some potential and some capability. Can he reduce errors and increase accuracy enough to become a winning quarterback? Now’s the time he must answer that question.

Dave from Oviedo, FL:
Answer: If not, we’re in for a long season, but if yes, this could get real interesting. Question: Can the Jags run the ball against stacked defenses?

John: The reality of the NFL is few teams run consistently against stacked defenses. It’s paramount to have a quarterback who at minimum can make teams pay for single-covering outside receivers. Bortles and the Jaguars’ offense must at least get to the point where they can do that. This doesn’t look like an offensive line that can line up and impose their will on eight-man fronts. Few NFL offensive lines have that look.

JT from Rosamond, CA:
We need to pay Alex Smith want he wants next year. This team is a quarterback away from being a playoff contender.

John: OK.

Dave from Duval:
Honest prediction: Houston, 27-9. Jason Myers misses a field goal and an extra point. BB5 has two turnovers. One getting taken back for six. We rush 39 times for 75 yards as a team. Dante Fowler Jr. has just one penalty this game. Houston gets three sacks and one batted down three-down pass.

John: So, pretty much just take every team weakness and thing that happened last season and assume it will happen Sunday? That’s fair. It’s not overly clever, but that’s OK. I’m not either.

Ray from Monroe, CT:
O, I hope you share this … BB5 will be MVP this year with 39 touchdowns, six interceptions and 4,217 yards, five rushing touchdowns and 450 rushing yards … Jags 12-4 #Boldpredictions #GOJAGS

John: I’m guessing you’re not related to Dave?

Mike from Atlanta, GA:
Do you think the offense will incorporate a lot of bootlegs, rollouts and waggles given the uncertainty with the offensive line and Bortles’ ability to move and throw on the run?

John: I think the offense will have Bortles move more this season, and I think he will be encouraged to run more quickly when his first or second read isn’t there. I don’t think that has as much to do with the Jaguars’ offensive line as it does with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s philosophy.

Ryan from Fremont:
Part of the reason Bortles had a good couple of games at the end of the season was because Marrone decided to move Allen Robinson around on offense in order to get him more involved. Do you see this happening again this season?

John: Yes.

Chris from Columbia:
Your response to London Chris is exactly what’s wrong with the Jags’ attitude toward winning. One-and-one would not be a good start; 2-0 would be a good start. Settling for mediocrity in your personal life is one thing, O-man, but not for the Jags if they want to win. Too long have the fans had low expectations of this team, and I for one am tired of it.

John: Be tired all you want, Chris. The Jaguars went 3-13 last season, and they are opening with two division rivals. One game is on the road and the other is at home. Two-and-oh would be the ideal start. It would be a great start. It’s the start they want and no one’s talking about the Jaguars losing one of the next two games. But if the Jaguars are 1-1 after these first two games that would be a good start.

Tres from Jacksonville:
We know that Tom has the final decision on personnel moves and is heavily involved on that side of operations. Now that the season has started, is he developing the week to week game plan with Doug and the coaches?

John: No. Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone said this week he leans on Coughlin for advice and Coughlin no doubt offers input. But Coughlin is not “developing” the game plan.

Miguel from Section 144 and Duvalllllll!:
Does it make me a bad person that I love when you belittle people? The littler the better….

John: Yes, that makes you a bad person. But hey … bad people are cool. People like them.

Bill from Hammock, FL:
John, I’m not sure that the Jaguars can realistically be expected to win at Houston considering all the factors. However, the Tennessee game is critical to win. How do you see this?

John: I don’t see a victory at Houston as all that unrealistic. The Jaguars, remember, are supposed to have a strong defense that should be a good matchup against a Houston offense expected to struggle. Remember, too, that these two teams played a very tight game at the end of last season – and you never know what to expect from a regular-season opener. I can’t realistically “pick” the Jaguars Sunday. That’s because we haven’t yet seen a high level of play from the quarterback position or offensive line. But I also think it’s very reasonable to expect this to be a close game decided on a few plays at game’s end. As far as next week’s home game against Tennessee … yes, it’s critical. It’s a home game in the division. Those are critical.

Brian from Section235:
Cam Erving. Chiefs picked him up, for a FIFTH-ROUND PICK and his chump change rookie contract worth a MAX value of just over $3 million for the next two years. First-round talent that never panned out … I get that. But he played guard at FSU and can fill a void if one of our “solid” tackles go down. I’ll just become Jerell 2.0 by the end of the season.

John: OK.

Ben from Jacksonville:
This season is already looking like a bust. No team in the NFL respects Bortles and our pass game, so they’re going to stack the box. So we’re relying on a rookie running back with a below average offensive line to carry our offense. How can fans be excited about this season?

John: I can’t control what excites fans, but I can tell you the Jaguars have a good receiving corps – and a rookie running back in Leonard Fournette who appears to have star power. They also have what appears to be a solid defense that has potential to be a game-changing unit. The special teams also have a chance to be good, and I sense this will be a team that has a chance to have a better turnover margin than recent seasons. All of those things could mean improvement. Is all of that worth being excited about? I don’t know. I do know the regular season begins Sunday. The Jaguars are 0-0.

Nate from York, PA:
Everyone in the path of Irma, stay safe! Go Jags!

John: #Staysafe
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: #Allesgute

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – A word before we begin:

This O-Zone was written late Thursday night, to be posted Friday morning. It was written with the knowledge that many who usually read it will not do so Friday.

They’ll be preparing for Hurricane Irma, their minds understandably far from football.

The minds of many here at the Jaguars also are understandably in a similar place: with family, friends, co-workers, etc., as the city prepares for what lies ahead.

We at jaguars.com will continue covering the team, obviously – just as the Jaguars will play a game Sunday in Houston. Duty calls in these times, and we do our duty … well, dutifully. I therefore will continue writing the O-Zone every day – as has been the case for the last six years, and as was the case during and after Hurricane Matthew a year ago.

How good will the O-Zone be? How dedicated to football? As good as it can be, as dedicated as seems appropriate. We’ll see how it goes.

We continue on not out of disrespect or callousness to the events around us; rather, we continue because it’s what we do. It won’t likely be all football all the time in the coming days – even with the regular-season opener at hand. It will be what the readers dictate, as always.

Judging by the inbox, the readers are concerned. And thinking about a lot of things at once. And dealing with a lot. And not just thinking about football. Understandably so.

So, for now … stay safe, everyone. And keep staying safe through the weekend.

Let’s get to it …

Mandy from Section 414:
My friend, O. No questions. No complaints. Just a Jags Teal girl wishing you and yours along with everyone else a safe journey through the upcoming days dealing with the weather. Sometimes, unfortunately, it takes something like this to give everyone a swift kick on our bottoms to remind us the important things in life. Be safe, my friend — and I will see everyone on the other side of Irma. I look forward to sitting in our seats to watch our city’s team play their first home game…

John: This is the best way to start this O-Zone. Well said, Mandy. Well said.

Kenny from Seaside Heights, Seaside Heights:
Why is so much stock put into how the Jaguars play during the preseason? I mean, the last few years they looked good in the preseason only to get a Top 5 pick in April’s draft.

John: People put stock in the Jaguars’ 2017 preseason because it’s the only thing this version of the Jaguars has done that can remotely be judged. And looking at things objectively, it’s hard to feel great about the Jaguars’ preseason. The offensive line struggled to run block, and quarterback Blake Bortles was inconsistent enough to have had to re-earn his starting position. The first-team defense also struggled. All of those issues are concerns. That doesn’t mean those struggles have to continue, but is it fair for people to be concerned? Absolutely.

Joel from Boston, MA:
Johnny-O: Given the questions with the offensive line and Bortles seemingly more comfortable on the move, would you tailor the game plan to exploit his mobility? Would the risk of injury and the associated $18 million loss shape your decision?

John: Absolutely not. First, the Jaguars assessed their risk when they made the decision to exercise Bortles’ fifth-year option. Second, you risk injury when you play him – no matter if you play him in the pocket or on the run. Third and most importantly: you don’t game plan with off-field issues in mind – even really expensive off-field issues. Once you make the choice to play Bortles, you play him. Period.
Paul from Jacksonville:
I’m as skeptical as the next guy about this season, but since we’ve yet to play a regular-season game, I choose to hope. Aye, hope and we may lose. Give up, and ye may not care, at least for a while. But sitting on yer couch, covered in Doritos dust all those weeks from now, would trade all the games from this one to that, for one chance – just one chance – to come back and tell the Texans that they may wear their “Battle Red,” but they’ll never take our FREEDOM! What were we talking about again?

John: Easy there, big fella … the Jaguars’ 2017 regular-season opener is Sunday in Houston at 1 p.m.

Sunil from Jacksonville:
O-Zone! The Cardinals signed Alex Boone, guard. The Jaguars … did not sign an experienced offensive lineman after cut day, even though it is a glaring weakness. Win Now? Really? How long do they (including Shad Khan) think the fans are going to just show up to the games for this nonsense? I have never been so freaking apathetic toward a season. And I’m not alone. This is something Khan should be very worried about. Once the fans leave, they may never come back. I mean why would they? I know you will “belittle” this, but I’m not sure you understand the suffering. #NoHomePlayoffGameIn18Years. #DTWD? I’m not sure any more. I’m just not sure.

John: I understand how much fans have endured. I also understand their frustration. The Jaguars understand these things, too – and while they haven’t won much lately, they well understand the importance of winning. No one is dim to this, perception of fans notwithstanding. At the same time, if the Jaguars don’t believe players will help them they can’t – and won’t – sign them just to prove something to fans. I understand fans’ desire for teams to do “something/anything” when things seem dire, but teams can’t and won’t operate that way. It may make fans feel good in the short term, but it’s no way to run a franchise.

Damian from Appleton, WI:
I asked earlier if you thought Ngakoue, Jack or Robinson would have the largest impact this season. You said Jack. Do you still feel the same way now?

John: I’ll assume you mean Cam Robinson and not Allen Robinson. If that’s the case, then I’ll change gears from my previous answer and say Yannick Ngakoue will make the biggest impact of three players. I think he’ll be a double-digit sack guy on a team that sorely needs pass rush.

Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:
Our biggest concern is Blake Bortles, for all the reasons you’ve laid out so clearly. But let’s keep a bit of perspective, shall we? There have been 16 Jaguar quarterbacks that have thrown passes (in the regular season). Only two – Mark Brunell and David Garrard – have more completions, yards, and touchdowns than Bortles. It ain’t ALL gloom and doom.

John: The concern with Bortles isn’t his ability to complete passes for yards and touchdowns; it’s his ability to do those things without making key, game-turning mistakes. No, it ain’t all doom and gloom, but if he doesn’t improve those areas it will be awfully gloomy (and doomy).

Al from Memphis, FL:
I think Dede will be pretty good this year, and with a quarterback who slings the rock like Blake Bortles, Dede’s speed just may be the difference maker.

John: I agree that Dede Westbrook could be a difference-maker this season. Both Westbrook and Keelan Cole are intriguing. They have clearly shown the traits to play in the NFL, but both are outside receivers and unlikely to play significantly over Marqise Lee and/or Allen Robinson at those positions. Neither has played extensively in the slot, and Allen Hurns figures to get the majority of reps inside in three-receiver sets early. Where does that leave Westbrook and Cole? They seem almost certain to have roles, but it could be a while before either is playing extensively on offense.

David from Orlando, FL:
Zone, I’d be willing to bet that a majority of Bortles interceptions comes when he’s force-feeding Allen Robinson. Therefore, why wouldn’t our opponents double-team Allen Robinson and dare Bortles to throw elsewhere? Westbrook and Cole had excellent preseasons, but it was with our No. 2 and 3 quarterbacks. I think it’s a major story line … can Blake Bortles establish chemistry with a talented receiving core or will he continue to force-feed A-Rob?

John: I went back and looked at as many of Bortles’ interceptions as I could. While I wouldn’t swear on the exact number, I counted roughly 13 of his interceptions as throws to Robinson. Considering Robinson has been the team’s top receiver throughout Bortles’ career, that number doesn’t indicate that he’s forcing the ball to Robinson unnecessarily. And while a few of the interceptions to Robinson appeared to have been forced, they frankly didn’t look nearly as forced as a lot of Bortles’ throws to either Lee or Hurns.

Jeremy from Wise, VA:
I hope everybody in Florida and all areas that may be impacted by Hurricane Irma is safe. This looks like this could be a nightmare and I hope you guys come out OK.

John: True that.

Luca from Breman, Germany:
Just wanted to wish all the best to those being affected by Irma; you’re in the thoughts of all German Jaguars Fans! Stay safe and hopefully I’ll see many of you in London and at my first game in Jacksonville against the Rams! Alles Gute!

John: #AllesGute
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: Hey!

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Rob from Orange Park, FL:
Why is Allen Hurns listed behind Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole? Is it because of injury? I’m surprised both of them jumped past Hurns on the depth chart. What do those two offer that Hurns doesn’t have? Speed?

John: Hurns indeed is listed third on the Jaguars’ 2017 Week 1 unofficial depth chart after Westbrook and Cole at outside receiver. My expectation is that doesn’t cover all scenarios, and that Hurns will be the Jaguars’ slot receiver in three-receiver situations Sunday. That’s not definite, but that’s my expectation. Hurns is by far the Jaguars’ most experienced and able slot receiver right now, as neither Westbrook nor Cole has played the slot extensively. I also don’t think you’ll see much of Allen Robinson, Arrelious Benn or Marqise Lee there. That could mean the Jaguars having all six receivers active Sunday because Lee and Robinson are sure to be active for offense and Benn is the special teams captain. Westbrook and Cole figure to have at least minor roles on offense and on special teams. Bottom line: this is an area to watch Sunday, and roster machinations could make that watch interesting.

Chris from London, UK:
Mr. O, two divisional games to start is huge. We have to win at least one of them. If we go 0-2, with both against division opponents, that is going to be a long season, luckily we will be 1-1!!

John: One and one would be a good thing. And a critical thing.

Steve from Upper Tract, WI:
I saw that Brandon Allen got picked up quickly by the Rams. It made me wonder just how quickly Blake Bortles would get picked up by another team if he were released. I mean, he does hold the record for pick-sixes in a season. That’s something … isn’t it?

John: While Bortles’ interceptions are returned for touchdowns at an alarming rate, he does not hold the record for that statistic in a single season. And while his 11 such passes in three seasons is mind-blowingly high, he would be picked up by another team immediately were he released. I doubt that team would want him to play immediately. It’s more likely that team would want him to be a reserve for a year or so then compete with the idea of rebuilding some areas of his game, but he would be with another team. Fast.

Jonathan from Jacksonville:
You keep saying they don’t want Brandon Allen so they waived him. If that is true, then why just not release/cut him instead of waiving him? You and I know why they waived him because they were hoping to get him back and be put on practice squad but their gamble failed. The notion that they don’t want him back is BS, but I understand your company line….

John: I can’t speak for what you know – rather, what you believe you know. Here’s what I know: The Jaguars waived Allen because he’s a second-year veteran and therefore can’t be released; he must under NFL rules be waived. If a team releases or waives a player, it’s because they no longer want him on the active roster; if they’re worried about losing the player, they don’t waive or release him. If a team thinks a player – particularly a quarterback – is a highly valuable asset, they keep him on the roster because you don’t run the risk of losing a highly valuable asset. This is not complicated.

Dave from Duval:
History shows that decisions the Jaguars front office made and you think are logical turn out to be unwise, bad or just plain dumb.

John: OK.

Patrick from Merced, CA:
Wow, John: Tony Boselli sounded like a self-absorbed, it’s the “all-about-me-show” on the most recent Jaguars Monday podcast. He needs to stop being so pompous. Just saying.

John: History says you shouldn’t hold your breath.

Todd from Jacksonville:
I’ve been looking at the Miami/Tampa situation. Now that the NFL has canceled the Week 1 matchup, and rescheduled it for Week 11 – taking away both teams’ byes – what do you feel the best resolution would have been?

John: There’s not always an ideal solution. Plan Bs are called Plan Bs rather than Plan As because they’re not as good as Plan A. Late-season bye weeks are cool. Teams like them. But are they cool enough to outweigh fairness and common sense? In this case, it wouldn’t have made much sense to have Miami lose a home game when both teams had a bye the same weekend.

Warren from Jacksonville:
Zonezilla, Jerell keeps saying 3-13 and I think he is right. The Jags will probably win this week 13-3. Stoked with Jerell.

John: You’re in good company. Jerell is a visionary.

J from Fernandina Beach currently in Fort Lauderdale, FL:
Prediction: 9-7. Leonard Fournette is touted as the second coming of Freddy-T. Jags Nation has a great fall and winter of football!

John: Speaking of visionaries …

Travis from North Dakota:
How do you think Cam Robinson will hold up against J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus? Do you think he will struggle against them rushers or do you think he will hold his own with maybe giving up a couple pressures?

John: I think Watt, Clowney and Mercilus will get pressure when playing Robinson, and I imagine at least one of those players will get at least one sack. They’re veteran players and Robinson had several lapses during preseason that make you think there will be one or two Sunday. But that’s to be expected from a rookie, and that shouldn’t cost the Jaguars the game. I do believe Robinson will get out of the game only allowing a sack and a couple of pressures – and if that’s the worst that happens to the Jaguars offensively, they’ll be OK.

Noel from St. Augustine, FL:
Hey O! Not really a football comment. I like the design for ‘O-Zone’ with your spectacles making the “O’s.” I think it’s a safe assumption to say you weren’t one of the ‘cool’ kids growing up and maybe even picked on. Do you look your design, hold your head up high, and say to yourself “how do you like me now?!?!”

John: Hey, Noel … go ask the trail of broken hearts I left in my wake if Johnny O was cool, OK? No, wait. That wasn’t me.

Frank from Ponte Vedra, FL:
Are the Jags that thin at cornerback that they need eight of them on the practice squad?
John: No. That’s why they only have three on the practice squad.
Craig from Jensen Beach, FL:
If we end up with another Top 5 pick this year what are the odds that Caldwell is still GM?

John: Better than people think. I also think the odds are very, very good that Tom Coughlin as executive vice president of football operations will have final say over football decisions in the coming offseason – just as he did this past offseason.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:
I think the Texans’ defensive line is a nightmare matchup for the Jaguars’ offensive line. They will probably need to run a lot of screens and counter runs to take them out of the game as much as possible.

John: Not only that, somebody better block 99. And 90. And 59.

Geoff from Jacksonville:
I’m afraid, John. Afraid of that first pass that Blake throws on Sunday. Can’t shake this feeling that it’ll be a pick-six. I hope I’m wrong.

John: That’s fair. Bortles’ track record in the last few seasons is such that he has earned that. His interception totals are rough, but what has been rougher is an almost mysterious tendency for the interceptions to go the other way. I have a different feeling about Bortles than most. I don’t see him magically turning into an All-Pro, but I think he’s going to be closer to the Bortles of the last two regular-season games last season than many others believe. We won’t have to wait long to find out who’s right.

Howard from Loveland, CO:
I believe that the decision to release Luke Joeckel was a worse decision than the front office has made with its quarterbacks. Don’t you think that releasing a first-round draft pick before you even know what you have in the offensive line demonstrates a poor effort to scout one’s own team? Also, please don’t brush off my question with a passive-aggressive remark like “one for Joeckel.”

John: I have written several times this offseason that I thought the Jaguars would have been well-served to have re-signed Joeckel. Now, from his perspective it’s quite possible that a fresh start in a new situation was the best thing. But from the standpoint of the Jaguars’ offensive line, I never believed he played as poorly as fans believed, and he certainly would have been valuable for this line. As for as “one fers,” they’re not meant to passive aggressive; they’re simply, well … one fers! Come to think of it … Hey! One fer one fers!
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: Always and forever

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Geoff from Virginia Beach, VA:
What’s the feeling you’re getting at left guard? Do you think Earl Watford is the choice or do they give Patrick Omameh a shot due to the coaches liking how he played last year? Anyone else we should know about who might have a shot at the starting spot?

John: The Jaguars listed Omameh, Watford, Tyler Shatley and Josh Wells equally at guard on the unofficial Week 1 depth chart released Tuesday. Based on Omameh starting and doing well at times early in preseason, and based on Jaguars Executive Vice President Tom Coughlin saying Watford did well in his lone preseason start Thursday against Atlanta, it feels like it’s between Omameh and Watford to start Week 1. Purely speculating, I’d guess Omameh starts Sunday with a strong possibility Watford plays/starts soon if Omameh falters. This feels as if it could be fluid early. Marrone has been asked several times about offensive-line cohesion; his answer usually is to the effect that finding the best five linemen is more important. Here’s guessing the Jaguars keep trying to find the best five and worry about cohesion after that.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:
Let the road to 3-13 low end and 4-12 high end begin. I am stoked, John. How ‘bout you?

John: I’m seeing a slightly higher end. But if you’re stoked, Jerell … hell … I am, too.

Dave from Duval:
“The Jags’ handling of the quarterbacks hasn’t been perfect.” Easy there, Johnny: don’t be so harsh after just 16 years of futility. Let’s give this organization another decade or so before we just jump to conclusions and start judging.

John: No one’s “giving” the Jaguars anything, and no one’s saying the quarterback situation is good. At the same time, this organization has selected three quarterbacks in the last seven drafts, with two of those quarterbacks selected in the Top 10. If the position falters this season, it’s likely another one (or two) will be selected – or acquired through trade or free agency. I can’t speak for the approach before that, but during the current span it hasn’t been negligent. Unsuccessful? Possibly. Negligent? No.

Paul from Jacksonville:
John belittle? I think Dave from Duval has you confused with Mike DiRocco.

John: Who’s Mike DiRocco?

Mike from Jacksonville:
I am tired of the complaining about Chad Henne. He has never had a decent line in front of him; for that matter, neither has Blake Bortles. They also have not had a decent running game to protect them. Ezekiel Elliot makes Dak Prescott look like a stud. Let’s hope our new running back can do the same. One fer our quarterbacks.

John: I sense you’re a small dog barking solo (or close to it) into a loud, stiff storm, but sure … Hey! One fer the quarterbacks.

Dave from Dallas, TX:
So, Brandon Allen found a very quick welcome with the Los Angeles Rams. That worked out well for us. I mean, what could possibly go wrong at quarterback. Idiots!!! #DT we can’t take any more!

John: Whatever does or doesn’t go wrong at the Jaguars’ quarterback position this season – and I’m not saying a lot can’t go wrong – my sense is history won’t show this past weekend as a watershed moment.

David from Jacksonville:
Tom Coughlin has been here eight months and hasn’t turned this team around yet? I want my money back! He dared to cut the future of the Jaguars?! Turrible!

John: Come in, David. Have a seat. You’ll find yourself among like-minded folks.

Rob from Section 122:
What does it mean when a player is “waived/injured?” Is the player still on the team (injured)? Or is he just waived, injured? If he’s being waived altogether, why even mention the injury?

John: A player who is waived/injured is waived. If he goes through the waiver process unclaimed, he reverts to the waiving team’s injured reserve list. If a player is simply waived, he becomes a free agent if he goes unclaimed.

Jim from Neptune Beach, FL:
I thought Brandon Allen’s game looked a lot more like Bortles’ game in that he was more mobile, could throw on the run, better able to evade a rush, etc. When Head Coach Doug Marrone decided to make Bortles the starter, weren’t a lot of those reasons applicable to that decision? The O-line needed some help. Henne’s knock was he wasn’t as mobile. So, in a game situation, given those circumstances, if Bortles were to be injured, wouldn’t Allen make a better, more offensive-line compatible sub? The game plan wouldn’t need to be adjusted to a different style of quarterback play. If that’s the case, then Allen would have been a more logical “next QB up.”

John: If this were next week, this would be Look-Ahead Wednesday with no more discussion of the previous game. We’re reaching Look-Ahead time with Brandon Allen – though I realize many fans/readers won’t completely look ahead for some time. Bottom line: this didn’t appear to be a hard decision. While there was a buzz among fans for Allen to be the backup or perhaps push for a starting role, there were no signs that Allen was remotely close to starting or particularly close to being the backup for the Jaguars. One sign of this was when Marrone made a point to say Henne was the backup quarterback early in training camp; this from a head coach who revealed comparatively little about the depth chart throughout August. Another sign of this was while Marrone opened up the starting quarterback competition midway through preseason, he referred repeatedly to two quarterbacks – Henne and Bortles – and not Allen. Lastly, the Jaguars released Allen this weekend; considering the relatively uncertainty they had at the starting position, to release Allen shows they certainly did not want him starting or as the first option. I make none of these points to denigrate Allen. I like him and thought he had played well enough to be the third quarterback. The team clearly did not. Why? While no one on the Jaguars has anything to gain by going overboard in detailing Allen’s shortcomings, Marrone did indicate late in the preseason that he had played better in games than in practice. And while it’s good for a player to be a “gamer” against third-team competition in straightforward preseason work, the Jaguars clearly saw enough in practice that they believed he would not fare nearly as well in the regular season against front-line players with teams game-planning and scheming. The feeling was strong that the concerns about Allen would be magnified the more he played. This undoubtedly won’t placate fans who understandably question most about an organization that has struggled in recent seasons, but perhaps that explains a bit of why Allen now is with the Rams and not the Jaguars.

Hassan from Irving, TX:
The Texans’ O-line doesn’t seem to be too good and they are missing their best lineman in Duane Brown. How do you think our D-line will do against them?

John: The Jaguars’ defensive line versus the Texans’ defensive line is a match-up that should favor the Jaguars Sunday. The presence of end Calais Campbell, tackle Malik Jackson and end Yannick Ngakoue make that so; it should be a solid run-defending unit with some ability to bother the quarterback. Houston’s defensive line appears to have a more pronounced edge over the Jaguars’ offensive line. A major question for the Jaguars entering the game is whether they can make their perceived edge matter on big plays. When the Texans’ defensive line dominates, players such as J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney disrupt and cause havoc. That sort of disruption creates turnovers and can change games. The Jaguars’ front in recent seasons has lacked disruptive, game-changing plays. Can Campbell, Jackson, Ngakoue and Dante Fowler Jr. form the core of a disruptive line? Aside from offensive line and quarterback, that’s my No. 1 question about this team entering 2017.

Alan from Aurora, IL:
Any news on the offseason injuries? Do you know if any players aren’t expected to play Week One?

John: Marrone said all players practiced Monday. The Jaguars will release their first official injury report of the season Wednesday. Stay tuned.

Jeff from Jonesboro:
I am back from my annual summer disconnect from the Jags. Anything important that I need to catch up on?

John: It’s all good.

Patrick from Springfield:
How can the Jags improve their record with the current quarterbacks and offensive line? Won’t opposing teams just crowd the line of scrimmage to shut down the run?

John: Yes, teams almost certainly will crowd the line against the run when defending the Jaguars. How to prevent that? Block. Make plays in the passing game to get defenses off the ball and out of the box. The preseason didn’t indicate the Jaguars would be effective in those areas. The preseason is not the regular season.

Nate from York, PA:
I never knew we had so many experts in our fan base.

John: I knew. I always know.
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: #hottakes

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Dave from Duval:
You try to belittle anyone who criticizes the handling of quarterbacks by this organization, but four years ago when the brass drafted BB5 we were told Chad Henne was going to start and play that season. Henne played so poorly that plan was scrapped after six quarters. Then, it was sold to us that “Well, Henne’s not a very good starter, but he’s a great mentor for Blake.” Now, we see that had no effect on BB5 – or not enough to matter. BB5 plays so poorly that Henne gets another shot to show us he’s not an effective NFL quarterback. No, you can’t draft quarterbacks every year, but you can draft one-to-two (not counting your starter) who have upside and are hungry to keep around developing and competing for the backup and starter’s job until you have “the man.” And taking a seventh-round stab on Brandon Allen is a very feeble attempt.

John: I actually rarely “try” to belittle anyone, Dave; belittling in this forum usually happens when I set about answering a question and somewhere along the line … Voila! As if by magic … and with scant effort … belittlement!! As far as the Jaguars’ approach at quarterback, it hasn’t been perfect. If their approach had been perfect, they would have a quarterback situation with a front-line starter. My approach when people criticize the organization’s handling of quarterbacks has been to try to answer questions when asked. I have answered honestly about Bortles over the years, and have said since his 2015 season he had significant areas he needed to improve to reach the status many less belittlement-prone observers once believed he already had attained. The organization absolutely could have drafted more quarterbacks; at the same time, there have been reasons along the way for how they have approached things – and it’s my job to explain their decision-making as clearly as possible. If the tone of the answers is not always to your liking, and if sometimes it hurts a feeling or two, for that I apologize. Also, Brandon Allen was a sixth-round selection. Wait … making that about Allen was a bit belittling. See? Voila!

Gary from Centerville, OH:
So, fans are upset that the front office didn’t make enough moves to improve the offensive line. Then a player, who isn’t good enough to be a starter (on that so-called horrible offensive line), gets traded and they get upset. Hmmm.

John: Yeah, it’s quite a scene here.

Tom from Charleston, SC:
I read a “comment” a few days ago that seemed to hit the nail on the head. It said something like, “With all of the attention and changes that have been directed to the defense and the relative ignoring of the offense one point has shown: The best hope for the season is for the defense to hold the opponent scoreless for five quarters and play for 16 ties.” Looking at the reality of the situation, that comment seems pretty accurate. John, other than the stock answer about waiting until the season plays out before making judgement; what can you tell us that would disprove this theory?

John: I don’t know about proving or disproving theories, but it never has been a secret the Jaguars’ approach this season will be to run, play defense and win low-scoring games. Not to belittle the comments’ section, but that has been obvious for months.

Carlos from Mexico City, Mexico:
I thought I’d chime in with some unbridled enthusiasm to change the tune a bit. I for one am feeling very excited for the season. We have an ascending team with potential stars at wide receiver, running back and frankly all over the defense. We have a tough, young quarterback with his career on the line, a proven winner running the show from the press box, an awesome owner and an equally awesome fan base. Nobody knows anything about how an NFL season might play out – not the analysts, pundits, players and certainly not us fans. This is the sole reason why we watch this game. The beauty of it is everybody is doing their very best to rise above everyone else and win – every team, every coach, every executive and every player, to a man. Even you, O-Man. We’ll keep reading, and watching, and hoping, because, you know what? The baloney stops now, except I won’t be saying baloney. #DTWD from way south of the border!!

John: #DTWD

Doug from Section 104 and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
Logan from Wichita might be a lineman expert, but trading Luke Bowanko to a team where he might be a better fix is not waving a white flag. He just claimed two more offensive line guys off the waiver wire. Which of the five new guys intrigues you most, O-dude?

John: Early-September waiver-wire claims don’t actually intrigue me all that much. You’re realistically talking about releasing players who were going to play sparingly or in emergencies and signing players to replace them who are going to play sparingly or in emergencies. This is not to disparage the player involved, or to diminish the time and energy spent acquiring them, but the odds of the players acquired Sunday making immediate, franchise-altering impact are pretty long. Oh, and the Wichita lineman thing? Well done. Obviously.

Stephen from Glorieta:
To heck with watching the games with Dave or Daniel. I want to watch the games with Jerell! Can you please give him my email and … on second thought, never mind.

John: Yeah, you’re not ready for that.

Charles from Midlothian, VA:
Remind me again what is the most important position on a NFL team? Quarterback, isn’t it? My condemnation of cutting Brandon Allen isn’t about preseason; it’s about the future. So, are we to assume that they felt Brandon Allen is no longer worth developing? Also, Dave has effectively doubled down on Bortles for 2018 since now we have no developmental quarterback. If it was about not keeping a third quarterback, why not cut Henne? He has no future as a starter; Bortles shouldn’t need any mentoring and Allen possibly could be a starter. That’s why I question the front office more now than ever. Not due to the preseason.

John: I Googled it, and quarterback indeed is the most important position on an NFL team. And yes: if the Jaguars or any other team release a quarterback or any other position and do not reacquire that player, it means they do not plan to develop that player any further. As for “doubling down” on Bortles for 2018, Allen’s release has so little to do with the Jaguars’ 2018 quarterback situation as to not belong in the same conversation. If Bortles doesn’t develop this season into a quarterback the team believes can lead the franchise, they will almost certainly be pursuing quarterback – or quarterbacks – from outside the organization next offseason. There’s little in life that’s set in stone, but that’s as close as I can imagine.

Jesse from Layton:
Most of the time the fans are right and the Jaguars’ organization are the ones looking like fools.” Just wow. Selective memory much? The Jags have not done very well building talent compared to the rest of the league, sure… But this just seems like a complete denial of reality. The thing about fanning is you can criticize every move and say they should have done this or that, and you won’t get a couple thousand people pointing out when you are incorrect. When you are a professional at it, you don’t have that luxury.

John: Well, of course no one’s going to point out when fans make mistakes. Why in the world would anyone want to do that? Being wrong is not cool. People don’t like it. Heck, I don’t like it. I’m used to it. But I certainly don’t like it.

Jimmy Greek from Greece:
Zonio, here is how I see it against Houston. We give up one touchdown and one field goal defensively. Probably another touchdown opportunity on a turnover or sudden-change short field. That’s 17 points. We just need 18 points to win and I bet our defense gets us seven or sets the Jags up for an inside-the-10 possession. So, we just need to score more than 18. Let’s go out and score 21 and it’s all good. Shirley, we can do that. #1-0 #Letskickthispig

John: #DTWD #kickthispig

Steve from Upper Tract, WV:
Here we go again with a quarterback that admitted to Rich Gannon last season that he is not a “natural passer.” With this offensive line, he will be running for his life. So will Brandon Allen be good enough to be the backup when the train wreck finally wrecks? By the way does all of the Jacksonville media work for the Jaguars? They sure are afraid to call the front office out when they do stupid stuff seemingly all the time!!!

John: Not to be belittling, but “hot takes” are hotter when you know who’s on the roster.
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: Daniel, my brother

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Charles from Midlothian, VA:
I have supported some of the moves by our front office, but the cutting of Brandon Allen is the most ignorant thing I have seen. Are you telling me any of the five waiver pickups were worth losing Allen for? Now, we are stuck with Blake Bortles and Chad Henne maybe going into 2018. Stupid. What are they thinking?

John: I’ll explain the logic – though judging by the inbox it seems emotion is overriding logic for many Jaguars fans when it comes to Sunday’s release of third-team quarterback Brandon Allen. The logic is that the five waiver-wire pickups Sunday – defensive tackle Eli Ankou, tight end James O’Shaugnessy, linebacker Donald Payne, defensive back Lafayette Pitts and offensive tackle Wiliam Poehls – all have a legitimate chance to be on the field for the Jaguars this season. Allen as the third-team quarterback had a relatively low chance of getting on the field. I already hear the response: “But wait!!! He looked better in preseason than Bortles!! And Henne!” I agree that Allen had more flash moments than the aforementioned duo, but one of the biggest misconceptions by observers is the mammoth difference in the way teams analyze play against starters compared to play against third- and fourth-team players. There also is little game-planning in the preseason. This helps explain why observers can believe that a third-team quarterback is the best quarterback on the roster when a team believes he merits being released. That won’t appease those who believe Allen should be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback, but perhaps that explains the disconnect. As far as Bortles and Henne being the Jaguars’ quarterback in 2018, the only way Bortles is the Jaguars’ quarterback next season is if he has a big enough season to merit that. If that happens, no one will worry about Allen. If Bortles doesn’t have such a season, then the quarterback room as a whole almost certainly will be overhauled next offseason. If that happens, it’s highly unlikely Allen would play heavily into that overhaul.

Adam from Lynbrook, NY:
John, listen: the Houston game can’t get here fast enough. I’m tired of wondering and I just want to know. You know?

John: Yes, I do.

Aaron from White Hall, AR:
As soon as the Brad Allen stuff started I knew that Brandon Allen was done. It seems like any time on here a player starts getting attention like that it all ends soon. #FreeMattScott

John: The Brad Allen Phenomenon had nothing to do with Allen’s release. What had a lot to do with it was the Jaguars clearly not believing he was one of the top two quarterbacks on the roster, and believing that from early in training camp. The bottom line: while it’s understandable and perhaps even compelling to some to analyze and fret over players released and signed on the first week of September, those transactions rarely define seasons. That’s true even when analyzing and fretting over the third-team quarterback.

Rob from EverBank Doldrums:
Now that we have a roster, what are the expectations for wins this season? Seven still – or lower?

John: My expectations for seasons don’t rise and fall on cut day. The importance of moves made on the first weekend of September pale in comparison to moves made during the offseason, and even moves made in the offseason typically pale in comparison to the development, maturity and growth of players already on the roster. My expectations throughout the offseason have been that the Jaguars would be at least pretty good defensively and perhaps very good if they can generate pass rush in big situations. I believe the Jaguars will be at least somewhat better offensively because it should be a better run offense, but that the quarterback position must be far more consistent with fewer mistakes. Because of those expectations, I believed the Jaguars would have a chance to push for seven or so victories. Those expectations haven’t changed.

Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL:
Hey John, if it happens they’ll never admit it, but sometime down the line, on the inside they’re gonna regret cutting Brandon Allen.

John: I would be surprised if this happens. I wouldn’t be overly surprised if Allen plays for some NFL team – perhaps even the Jaguars again – someday, but I would be surprised if a front-office executive looks back on a decision involving Allen as a watershed moment.

Chris from Mandarin, FL:
Sometimes it appears the Jaguars are deliberately making poor football choices.

John: That’s an easy assessment to make when the Jaguars have lost as much as they have in recent seasons. But some perspective is needed here. As far as the moves in recent days, the Jaguars have released and signed players at the bottom of the roster who apparently figure minimally in their plans if at all. I wouldn’t call these choices meaningless, because all players could eventually contribute. I would say the chances of the weekend’s decisions having major impact on the season are minimal. At best.

Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
John, I would hope the brain trust makes at least an effort to sign guard Alex Boone from the Vikings.

John: OK.

Steve from Denver, CO:
Did you hear the Packer game? The announcers ripped the Jags? If/when J’Ville has another year of underperforming Top 5 draft picks, how can Shad agree to keep Dave on staff in charge of getting players that perform?

John: I didn’t hear the “Packer game,” but if the announcers criticized the Jaguars … well, the Jaguars need to start winning to stop such incidents. As far as Owner Shad Khan keeping Jaguars General Manager Dave Caldwell on staff, we’ll see. It’s a bit early in the season to discuss such things, and the dynamics of such conversations can change in a hurry. It was about this time last season, remember, when people (not this writer, but “people”) were projecting a Jaguars playoff run. As for who’s in charge of what, remember: Caldwell’s the general manager and runs the scouting department. Tom Coughlin’s the team’s executive vice president of football operations has final say on overall football decisions. The decisions are no longer “all Caldwell.” Analyzing the football operations in the future should and will be seen through that lens.

Jessie from Orlando, FL:
John, there doesn’t appear to be much effort in fixing the issues the team is having. How is trading Luke Bowanko helping the offensive line?

John: The idea that a team is going to “fix” its offensive line issue on September 2-3 is a combination of hope and delusion, with a huge lean toward the latter. You can make moves to address depth days before the regular season, but you probably won’t turn weakness into strength. The Jaguars, for example, released Jeremiah Poutasi Sunday and replaced him with first-year veteran William Poehls, who has not played in a regular-season game. The move could strengthen the bottom of the roster, but it’s likely not a franchise-altering move. As far as trading Bowanko, what the trade mostly meant was that you had the chance to get something in return for him. That wouldn’t have been the case if he had been released, which is likely what would have happened.

Al from Orange Park, FL:
Do you think whether or not a player is practice-squad eligible factors into who makes the 53? As in, a player not eligible might have a slight edge over someone that they could possibly get back on the practice squad?

John: Without question.

Bill from Jacksonville:
What are the Jags plan fo

John: Bill? Bill!? BILL???!!!!!!

Dave from Duval:
Well, the cuts have been made and the Jaguars’ 53-man roster. “It is what it is” as they say. As Tom Coughlin said, “It’s time to go play!” Now we can truly evaluate Bortles, the offensive line, the offseason free-agent signings and the rookies. As well as Doug Marrone and TC. Let’s Kick It!

John: I get your point. It all counts now and nothing counted before, but please: Can we watch a few games that count for the sake of watching them before we move on to “evaluation?”

Steve from Section 203:
O-Man: Remind me again, please: What’s the difference between released and waived?

John: Waived players can be claimed by other teams, and must “clear” waivers before becoming free agents. Released players become free agents immediately upon their release. A player with four years of service is not subject to the waiver process.

Scott from Aurora, IL:
It matters not the moves that were made this offseason. We have the same quarterback and largely the same porous offensive line. I’m left yawning heading into the regular season. Very little reason to be excited if you’re a Jaguars fan, unfortunately.

John: Wake up, Scott. The Jaguars’ 2017 regular season begins Sunday. That’s when the games start to, you know, count.

Dave from Jersey City, NJ:
As a Dave from Jersey City, NJ. I have to ask who the hell is Daniel from Jersey City and why are we not best friends watching Jags games together every Sunday? Daniel hit me up brother. (please send my email to him)

John: I talked to Daniel. He took a pass.
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: In-saaaane!

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Greg from St. Johns, FL:
John, a few questions. The first one is, “Will starters continue to be part of the special teams units? I saw Poz on the kickoff return team and Calais on the field-goal team … is that their choice or new coaches?” Also, if the “kid” were a high draft pick, we would be saying that he is the first to actually lead our receivers, throw tight spirals, made a bunch of good passes … but have a few bad decisions. #playthekid.

John: You actually asked two questions. The answer to the first question: “Yes, starters will be on special teams this season.” Special teams are a big deal to Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone, and he has made clear he won’t hesitate to play starters there.” The answer to the second: “It’s the coaches’ decision, but players such as Paul Posluszny and Calais Campbell are more than willing to play special teams if the coaches want them to do so.” As far as the kid’s draft status … I get your point, but I’m not feeling it. Now, if Brandon Allen had Blake Bortles’ size and physique, and if he had been drafted early, and if he had 45 NFL starts, and if he had practiced better, and if his good performances had come against first-teamers (not under his control, I know), then that might have changed the conversation.

Jeff from Jacksonville:
I still have hope for this season for one reason: Leonard Fournette! If he truly turns into the next Adrian Peterson and can make his own holes to spring for big plays, it will bring defenders into the box and allow Bortles to do what he does best: buy time with his legs and throw downfield. One fer 904nette, I believe!

John: Hey! One fer Fournette!

Rob from Jacksonville:
I thought we were expecting big things from Jonathan Woodard this year.

John: The Jaguars liked Woodard very much when they drafted him in 2016. He missed last season with an Achilles injury. It’s a very difficult injury from which to return. That and the drafting/emergence of Dawuane Smoot made it difficult to keep Woodard on the 53.

Chris from Goodnight, TX:
With Luke Bowanko being traded and Patrick Omameh and A.J. Cann demonstrating this preseason that they cannot play at the level of an NFL starter, the Jaguars’ starting guards Week One should be Alex Boone (just released by the Vikings) and John Greco (just released by the Browns). Pay ’em.

John: OK.

Dave from Duval:
So what do you think is the long-term plan with Brandon Allen?

John: Allen is on the Jaguars’ roster to start 2017. I believe he will remain the third quarterback, and that he could potentially play later this season if things go really wrong at the starting position. I doubted that early in the preseason, but his performance in preseason games has me coming around a bit. Whether it gets to that point this season remains to be seen. Beyond 2017? Well, if things go really wrong at the starting position then the entire quarterback position could be different in 2018. Stay tuned.

Greg from Asheville, NC:
Isn’t it possible that part of the issue with both of our lines came from a demanding camp schedule and they are still recovering from that?

John: Sure, it’s very possible. We’ll see if that’s the case.

Rob from Orange Park, FL:
A challenge: For your written game wrap ups this year, use a unique way of saying we lost (i.e. ‘Jags came up short,’ ‘Jags fell to,’ ‘Jags bested by,’ etc. Might need to get pretty creative in December, although I certainly hope not …

John: Nah. I’ll probably just write “Jaguars beat,” “Jaguars won” or “Jaguars lost.” There’s no reason to complicate the language unnecessarily. And I don’t need another challenge; getting through the day is tough enough.

Jeff from Jacksonville:
Question, I’d like to say how much I appreciate your efforts in answering our questions all year long. Your news articles are also excellent. What is your favorite part of the football year? Draft, game days, or something else?

John: Something else.

Logan from Wichita, KS:
It is becoming more and more obvious to me the Jaguars’ coaches and front office give zero cares about how terrible our offensive line is. They did nothing to improve it and then they just give away our only serviceable backup for probably a seventh-round draft pick. We have arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL and we keep compounding how bad it is. I won’t say we are in for a 0-16 season … but I also won’t say we aren’t.

John: Most backup offensive linemen traded as cut-down day approached are traded for a reason – because they were going to be released, and because their teams believed they were expendable. Bowanko’s issues with power and strength at the point of attack made it so the Jaguars believed him expendable. I like Bowanko and wish him well, but if the Jaguars struggle anywhere near the level you anticipate he will be low on the list of reasons.

Mark from Archer, FL:
Ugh, John: it is very depressing to see many good teams making these last-minute trades for offensive lineman and backup quarterbacks. I know that the guys being traded are backups on their old teams. But come on man: our line is horrible and I bet some of these guys are probably better than what we have. Then I read the Patriots just traded their third quarterback – Brissett – to the Colts for a wide receiver. We have enough talent at wide receiver; I would have loved for the Jags to do that kind of trade because that kid looked great in the two games he played last season. Much better than our starting and backup quarterback, at least. But no: We are just sticking with what we have.

John: I think the Jaguars have some talent at receiver, though I don’t believe them so talented there that they can give players away willy-nilly. What did you think of Bowanko trade? Logan didn’t think much of it, apparently. I was mowing the lawn when the Brissett trade went through, by the way. I looked at my phone and said, “Hmm, I bet I get an email or two – or three – about this.” I then toweled off and thought little more of it. (The lawn looks OK by the way; just glad to have it done).

Peter from Jacksonville:
Do you agree that if any team lowered the price of preseason tickets by 50 percent they would just raise the regular-season prices accordingly? They still would have to take in their budgeted amount for the season. Either way, the cost of 10 game season tickets would still cost the same amount. If people want individual preseason cheap tickets, they can readily be found. I get it. It just seems more painful to look at the face value of PS4 but it would still end up the same.

John: Yep.

Brian from Gainesville, FL:
Big O, the Jaguars must be interested in trying to sign safety T.J. Ward, recently released by the Broncos. Ward would offer either depth or an option for a starter at a thin position group, not to mention leadership. And he has gas in the tank. He was just too expensive for Denver. So, cmon?!

John: Ward almost certainly won’t sign somewhere where he is not going to start. As far as your assessment of the Jaguars’ safety position, the team sees it differently.

Jim from Middleburg, FL:
Dear John, yada, yada, yada. Let’s play football. #GoJags

John: Fair point.

Scott from Jacksonville:
Many times these last few years the Jaguars make roster moves and we fans are left scratching our heads, but you always reply to the question you’re asked, ‘Well the Jaguars felt…..’ or ‘Clearly, the Jaguars see something in….’ or ‘the Jaguars know a little more about this than we do’ … well, you get the picture? Most of the time the fans are right and the Jaguars’ organization are the ones looking like fools. I know they pay you and you have to be politically correct, so to speak but surely deep down you have to be scratching your head also? ….wait….Don’t answer that: don’t want you to lose your job. Let’s instead create a safe word so whenever you have to respond and lost for words as we are just somewhere in your answer type and we’ll know that you are still sane and scratching your head too but have to answer the question correctly.

John: Believe it or not, there are times the Jaguars do know more than the fans. There are times the team makes mistakes when it releases or signs players. There are times when they make moves or don’t make moves and I try to explain why. But either way, I won’t lose my job for saying I don’t understand or don’t agree with a move. I do have an obligation to try to be as fair and clear as possible when discussing the team’s moves. And I don’t need a safe word. How will you know I’m sane? Maybe I’m not. Let’s keep this interesting. And don’t call me Shirley.
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: Barely hanging on

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Dallas from Jacksonville:
Do you see us cutting more than 22 players Saturday so we can claim players from other teams? I can see us picking up an offensive lineman or cornerback from another team that is deep at that position – or maybe Cooper Rush from the Cowboys if he gets cut. He was on fire during preseason.

John: I absolutely can see the Jaguars claiming players from other teams this weekend – most likely on Sunday. I could see this happening along the offensive line, as well as at tight end, interior defensive line, cornerback and even linebacker. I doubt it will happen at all of those positions, but the team certainly could have serious interest in multiple offensive linemen and/or cornerbacks. I’m not thinking they will claim a quarterback, but that would depend on what’s available. Either way, the Jaguars won’t have to cut beyond 53 active players by Saturday to do that. I would expect the Jaguars to cut to the 53-player limit Saturday, then release and sign players as warranted on Sunday. And Monday. And so on.

Marcus from Melbourne, FL:
G’Day, O-Man: Do you think now that Brock Osweiler has been released we will look at bringing him in? I have been waiting for the Browns to make a decision on him as I feel he would be a better backup than Chad Henne and a better option to start if Blake Bortles struggles. What do you think?

John: Meh.

Mike from Eagle River, AK:
I think it’s somewhat clear what will happen if Blake Bortles does really awful or really well this year, but what happens if he is super average? I’m talking true mediocre: nothing special, but nothing too bad. I imagine that would be a good thing short-term with the emphasis on the run game this year, but would we still try and draft a quarterback high and move on at that point? #BrandonAllenforpotus

John: I think it’s safe to say Bortles needs an obviously super-above average season for the Jaguars not to pursue at least one quarterback next offseason. Or two. Or three.

Daniel from Jersey City, NJ:
At the end of the day, if we WIN the game, it doesn’t matter how many interceptions were thrown. Brandon Allen won the game, so Brandon is the man.

John: You’re right. Winning the fourth preseason game is all that matters.

John from Jacksonville:
Question about the NFL this time of year. Each team will be releasing 37 players that know their team’s playbook, install, checks and audibles, etc; a significant number of those will end up with other teams and possibly division rivals. Is there an unwritten code, or is it just a free for all of information that may change hands this time of year? What if one of our (or any team’s) released receivers ends up with their Week 1 opponent and already knows a significant part of the game plan. Is that info shared?

John: When a player is released, he is free to share anything he knows, believes or senses about his former team with anyone he so chooses. But remember: teams scout opponents tirelessly and have every play of every preseason game on video, so the value of a team’s playbook when game-planning for an opponent is minimal. There would be value to having a team’s checks and audibles, but those can be – and often are changed pretty regularly.

Glen from Orange Park, FL:
Doesn’t Abry Jones wear number 90? Doesn’t that make him accountable for whatever number 90 does in a Jags uniform? I think you’re letting him off the hook a little too easy.

John: Abry Jones wears No. 95.

Graham from Reading, UK:
I can see Allen Hurns missing out, which I really think would be a sham as he always has a big play in him. How do you see the wide receiver roster looking?

John: Like this: Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, Hurns, Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook and Arrelious Benn. There has been speculation that Hurns could be traded, and I suppose that’s possible if the deal is right. But it’s tough to project a trade. Barring one, I see Hurns on the final roster.

Derek from Centreville, VA:
O, in your opinion, who are our best five offensive linemen? Granted, I’m biased because I went to high school with Luke Bowanko and to college with Earl Watford, but I’d go Robinson, Watford, Linder, Bowanko, Parnell. What do you think?

John: I’d go Cam Robinson at left tackle, Watford at left guard, Brandon Linder at center, A.J. Cann at right guard and Jermey Parnell at right tackle, but I wouldn’t be real passionate about Watford or Cann.

Daniel from Jacksonville Since Day One:
Paying full price for preseason games has always felt like a rip-off, but the fourth game has become a joke. If you’re not gonna play a single starting player, then the tickets should be less than half price. It’s a rehearsal for the understudies. No one should have to pay for that! Even Jeff Lageman and Tony Boselli said playing one quarter was better for them than not playing.

John: Well, if Lageman and Boselli said it …

Fat Matt from Nashville, TN:
While this is Todd Wash’s second year as defensive coordinator, it’s his first year in a long time that he has not worked under Gus Bradley. I have not seen enough of the preseason play to tell, but how does Wash’s defensive scheme look this year compared to the past few years? Are there any significant changes in philosophy or approach now that Wash is not in the shadow of his former boss and mentor?

John: The defensive scheme is the same as what Wash ran under Bradley. That’s particularly true for the front seven, with players saying during training camp there essentially is no difference. That’s a bit less true of the secondary, where the defense is using safeties Tashaun Gipson and Barry Church a bit differently. The team last season used Gipson as a free safety and Jonathan Cyprien as a strong safety whereas this year Church and Gipson play more similar roles.

Micky from Orange Park, FL:
Denver traded a former second-round offensive lineman to the Falcons Friday, That’s the third time this week an offensive lineman has been traded. Why not the Jags?

John: They evidently didn’t want those offensive linemen any more than the teams trading them wanted them.

Chris from Birmingham, AL:
Statistically, what does Leonard Fournette have to do in his first season to justify a No. 4 overall pick? Being from New Orleans, I am highly optimistic that he will be on the Jaguars’ Mount Rushmore.

John: I’m a bad person to ask this question, because I don’t pay all that much attention to statistics; I find them often to be an inaccurate gauge of a player’s true value unless viewed through the proper lens. Fournette, for example, might run for 800 yards, but still help the Jaguars enormously if his presence helps the passing game, or if he scores 15 touchdowns. But for the statistics-centric among us, I’d say Fournette needs to be a 1,200-yard, 10-touchdown back to keep that group happy.

Ed from Ponte Vedra, FL:
I hope that the Colin Kaepernick thing don’t become another Tebow thing: When are fans going to realize that if the guy can play NFL quarterback he would be playing NFL quarterback even if they kneel for different reasons.

John: Regarding your premise, it’s a little late for that.

Anthony from Madison, WI:
Hey John, can you give your thoughts on a developmental league and why there isn’t one in the NFL? After looking it up first, it seems almost everybody wants it (fans, coaches, owners), but I almost never hear about it. It seems like it would be extra revenue, an additional chance for fringe-roster players, give more entry points for new coaches, give more practice for referees, and give of course more football for the fans. I’m sure there must be some downside, but I’m not personally seeing it. Thoughts?

John: The drawback of a developmental league is money. While your point is it would bring in extra revenue, how much revenue is debatable. I suppose some people would pay a small amount to attend developmental-league games, and there might be some value in a television contract for the league, but enough to cover costs of operations such as support staff, players, coaches, etc.? You would need 40-to-45 players, trainers, equipment staff, front-office staff, coaches and so on. There would be some value to developing players, but with the high injury risk in football, teams would be reluctant to put players they already have under contract there. I wouldn’t say there never will be a developmental league, but I would question whether or not the league would have a huge impact on quality of play and whether it would be a viable long-term operation.

Limo Bob from Neptune Beach, FL:
Do you have a real job?

John: For now, from what I hear.
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: Tough crowd

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jesse from Orlando, FL:
John, Dede Westbrook’s preseason numbers remind me of Allen Hurns’ rookie season. Hopefully, he can stay on that path and not the one another troubled wide receiver of ours went.

John: I suppose it’s to be expected that every young Jaguars wide receiver causes some observers angst and worry. It’s the legacy of Matt Jones, Justin Blackmon, etc., etc. But it’s not as if those are the only Jaguars wide receivers. There were Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith. And in recent years there have been Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee. It’s those last few players who are influencing Westbrook as teammates. Not to mention McCardell as the Jaguars’ wide receivers coach. There’s every chance he will follow those leads as opposed to the leads of troubled receivers from the past.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:
With preseason behind us, which receivers will be on the roster? I think they will keep Westbrook on the active roster. I think this means that Cole will be the odd man out, or maybe they can keep him on the practice squad. What do you think?

John: Keelan Cole will be on the 53. Here’s my list at receiver: Robinson, Lee, Cole, Hurns, Westbrook and Arrelious Benn. That leaves Shane Wynn out, and that could be wrong. But I think they’ll need to keep seven receivers to keep Wynn. But Cole will make the roster for a couple of reasons. He has earned it, and you won’t be able to get him to the practice squad.

Steven from Duval:
I hate the picks and maybe it’s desperation but I still like Brad Allen over Chad Henne … it’s pretty simple. Henne is no good and BRAD can’t be much worse. Let’s just throw a Hail Mary.

John: I’ll assume for the sake of this question that the tongue is firmly in cheek with the Brad Allen reference. I’ll assume that because Brandon Allen needs to be discussed in this O-Zone. I’ve said throughout training camp and preseason that I doubted seriously Allen would get first-team repetitions in the preseason. I still doubt seriously he’s in any sort of immediate consideration for starting repetitions. But he has looked good enough in the preseason that it would no longer shock me if at some point he got a look with the starters. It would need to be after a whole of other things went really wrong, and I’m not guaranteeing it would happen, but could it? Yes, perhaps.

Don from Duval:
I thought that Brandon Allen played very well Thursday. All of the interceptions are very correctable though experience. One, the defender made a pretty good play on it. A lot of good from a guy making his second start. He moved the chains all night long. The next step for young quarterback is earring game when to be conservative and how to finish drives with points.

John: I think I speak for all of us cool people in the room when I saw earring game is big for everyone. Not just young quarterbacks learning when to be conservative. #Earringgamestrong

CD from Fleming Island, FL:
Hey, John: it was really kind of emotive listening to Coach Marrone this week regarding cuts. I’m sure that day is tough for all coaches, but you could tell it was especially difficult for Marrone, to the point that he volunteered his thoughts well above and beyond the questions asked. You could hear the emotion in his voice and how much profound respect he has for all 90 players on the roster. I was really impressed.

John: You’re right that Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone is heartfelt when talking about cut-day being difficult. He was in that position often as a player, and he understands well the emotions and reality of that day. I think most NFL coaches struggle with the day to some degree, and I never have been around one that didn’t feel as Marrone does – that it’s the toughest day of the year for a head coach. You’re having to release players who have done what you’ve asked and are sometimes experiencing the end of their careers. A coach who doesn’t struggle on that day is probably in the wrong business.

Dave from Glass Half Full:
Zone, does this make us contenders, since we beat both of last year’s Super Bowl opponents this preseason? In all seriousness, what did you think of Earl Watford? Did he show enough in one game to make the squad? I was impressed in his first action this year. One play stood out at around the 6:36 mark of the third quarter; he pulled and met the outside linebacker five yards down field and sent said linebacker back on his hind quarter another four yards. Maybe we did try and address the line in the offseason. Also, Jean-Baptiste maybe did enough.

John: Three thoughts on your thoughts. One, sure the Jaguars are contenders; preseason games are that important. Two, I liked what I saw from Watford and I do think he has a chance to make the team; the Jaguars signed him for a reason – he has proven to be a solid option on the interior. Three, I doubt Stanley Jean-Baptiste will make the roster because I think cornerback is a position the Jaguars could address once teams cut to 53 Saturday.

Adam from Jacksonville:
If the Jags’ front office won’t even consider playing Brad Allen then I will be forced to give away my season tickets. I never fail to keep it real.

John: Play the kid. #Keepitreal

Steve from Section 214:
Zone, I believe I speak for many fans when saying we appreciate your more realistic Jags outlook of late. After driving the offseason hype train with constant references to overall roster improvement every day since your arrival, your empathetic responses to the fan plight makes me think you might actually be wondering internally along with us whether any of the moves since 2013 will make a difference. …

John: You wrote a lot more, but I thought I’d address your first comment. I’ve written for several years that the roster was improving. I never wrote at any point that this was a playoff team, and I’ve also written – and said often – that there was a long way to go at key positions. I’m as honest as possible with my answers without getting sucked into some readers’ opinion that that everything must be portrayed as awful in order to be driving the hype train. And I’ve always been empathetic to the plight of the fans. They’ve endured a lot of losing. Too much. Let’s hope it ends soon.

Cole from Jacksonville:
Standing outside the locker room alone waiting for an interview with Brad Allen. #shadricksighting

John: I laughed really hard at this.

Tom Loughborough, England:
I feel that Dede Westbrook could prove to be an absolute steal from Round 4 of the draft. If he can stay fit, then Blake Bortles could rely on him as a deep threat – an area where Bortles had the worst passer rating in the league last year. The Jaguars seem to have a strategy of run Leonard Fournette whatever happens. If the defenses try and put more players up front to stop the run, Dede could create separation from the defensive backs as we have seen him do in Oklahoma, and Bortles could throw over the top of the secondary. Thoughts?

John: Westbrook has an exciting skill set that potentially makes him a real weapon for this team. He has shown that multiple times during the preseason, and he did so again in the preseason finale Thursday. Throughout training camp/preseason, he has struggled in a couple of key areas. One has been staying on the field enough to become a reliable, integral part of the offense. Another has been the ability to get off press coverage. Both Marrone and Westbrook have discussed his struggles in this latter area – and struggling in that area makes it difficult to get into the lineup. Westbrook could prove really valuable to the Jaguars – possibly as early as this season. But getting through these two issues will be the first step.

Doug from Jacksonville:
Two names that have been around for a while who looked poor Thursday: Abry Jones and Luke Bowanko. I do not claim to be a coach, I don’t “watch film,” but there were too many examples of those two playing poorly in Atlanta. Sure, sometimes someone looks out of position when they actually “stayed home” or was expecting help over the top or whatever, but the game those two played Thursday is going to get them cut.

John: I did see one play when Luke Bowanko appeared to get pushed into the backfield Thursday. This is something that has been an issue throughout his career, and the one play wasn’t pretty. As far as Jones, I was surprised you thought he played poorly. The reason this surprised me was he didn’t, you know … play. Aside from that, though, I thought your assessment was dead on.
 
 

 

 

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O-Zone: Everybody’s All-American

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Mike from Jacksonville:
You mentioned that you believe we will draft a quarterback next year. We seem to have a lot of talent on the roster and want to win now. Is there much chance we would trade for a quarterback that has had a chance to develop and could contribute to wins right away rather than waiting for a rookie to develop: a veteran like Alex Smith or an unproven – yet somewhat tested – backup like Jimmy Garoppolo? We have drafted Byron Leftwich, Blaine Gabbert and Blake Bortlesand missed on all. Do you think there is much chance we’ll try a different approach for the next bridge or franchise guy?

John: I wrote recently that I believe the Jaguars will draft a quarterback in the 2018 offseason because it appears the team will be in a position to need one – and because the draft is the most conventional route to acquire a potential franchise quarterback. Several factors will play into this decision: The play of Blake Bortles this season, the play of the overall team around the quarterback position, which veteran quarterbacks are actually available next offseason. If the Jaguars’ decision-makers believe they’re close to contending and a player such as Smith were available, would be make sense? Sure, that’s possible. But remember, there’s a dilemma involved if you go this route: do you pursue a “known” older player such as Smith, or a young entity such as Garoppolo? The downside with the proven entity is he’s going to be an older player who will play a comparatively short time. The downside with pursuing a younger veteran is there is still the unknown factor that you get with a rookie. Take the case of Garoppolo, for instance. People assume he’s good. Some believe he’s really good. But is he franchise-level good? That’s what you’re going to pay for him, so that uncertainty is a major factor. Just like it’s a major factor when selecting a quarterback in the Top 10.

Max from Jax:
Met Brad Allen at the airport. He flies coach like the rest of us regular folk! Turns out he manages a Dairy Queen in his spare time!! I told him the team needs more leaders like him. He’s so humble … acted like he had no idea what I was talking about!!

John: Play the kid.

JV from Iowa:
Tell me there’s another quarterback option that will be available after the NFL trims rosters to 53. Logic would say that a quarterback another team cuts wouldn’t be worth signing, but considering the alternative, I’m almost looking forward to seeing what quarterbacks are available once the cuts are announced. Tell me that’s silly.

John: That’s silly.

Ryan from Dearborn, MI:
John, I’m trying to custom order my Brad Allen jersey for this season, but I can’t find his number on the roster. What uniform number does Brad have? Thanks!

John: It’s on the super-secret, password-protected, no-you-can’t-have-a-password-because-if-we-gave-people-like-you-a-password-it-wouldn’t-be-superscret-anymore jaguars.com site. I’ll see if I can find Brad Allen’s number and let you know.

Justin from Hampton, VA:
I told you months ago we should’ve picked up Kap; now the media is realizing it. You didn’t agree. That tells me you failed to keep it real about our quarterback situation, John, and so did management. This is a disaster. We need to make a change before Week 1. The Vikings pulled it off. I believe we can, too.

John: Not believing Colin Kaepernick isn’t the answer to a problem is not necessarily the same as not keeping it real. Still, if the media realizes something … well, it must be true, right?

Brandon from Duval:
John, what’s up with Yeldon? I like him more than Chris Ivory, but I seem to be in the minority. Do you foresee the Jags keeping four running backs?

John: Yeldon hasn’t been practicing this week because of an undisclosed injury. He is listed right now on the team’s unofficial depth chart as a co-starter along with Leonard Fournette and Ivory. Realistically I expect him to play a third-down role this season. And yes, I foresee the Jaguars keeping four running backs: Fournette, Ivory, Yeldon and Corey Grant.

Jim from Madison, WI:
Johnny-O, a couple of months ago I asked you when we would start to talk about the 2018 NFL Draft in this column. I set the over/under at Week 8. You refused to really answer the question. I will revise the over/under to Week 6 now, and draft talk will be limited to the quarterback position. Do you take the over/under now?

John: I won’t take the over or the under, because it wouldn’t be fair. It’s not fair because I know when I’ll start seriously talking about the draft: after the season – most accurately, around the time of the Senior Bowl in late January. That’s when the draft starts to interest me, and it’s when I start following it enough to be at least somewhat intelligent in my responses. Some people don’t like that and think I should talk about the draft before the season. That’s OK. Not everyone has to like everything.

Paul from Jacksonville:
What happens at The Fox, stays at The Fox. Also, J.P. Shadrick is a fine, upstanding member of the jaguars.com staff and he deserves – nay, commands – our respect. I’d appreciate it in the future if you would remember this.

John: Well said, Paul. Well said.

Dave from Oviedo, FL:
Is it just me or have the linebacker play been somewhat underwhelming, even with the big three in the game?

John: Pretty much everything about the first units in the last two preseason games has been underwhelming, from the first offensive line to the quarterback play to the defense. Still, this is a largely veteran defense with a good combination of talent and experience. I believe that combination will allow the group to play well once the regular season begins. We’ll see.

Jerell from the Columbia, SC:
John, Jags more like 3-13 this season or 7-9? What ya got?

John: I’m going closer to 7-9. I’m sure that’s fewer victories than you’re predicting, Jerell – but we’re different, you and I.

Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:
If, at some future date, the Jaguars decide to seriously explore options for acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo, what are the advantages/disadvantages of that deal vice-drafting a first-round quarterback?

John: If Garoppolo is as good as advertised? Then the disadvantages/advantages don’t matter because you have a franchise quarterback. Is he fool’s gold? Then, the advantages/disadvantages don’t matter because you don’t have a franchise quarterback. The advantage in theory would be you don’t have to give up a draft selection if you acquire him in free agency. But if you trade for him, you’re giving up some sort of equity. You realistically are going to have to pay a first-round quarterback or even a medium-profile free agent huge guarantees/signing bonuses. That’s why you better like the guy enough to make him a starter – and why it’s so difficult to bring in “competition” at the quarterback position.

Dave from Jacksonville:
Trade the Allens (plus) for Garoppolo. With Julian Edelman down, it may be an option. Or try to trade the Allens for Aaron Donald. Imagine the D with him. We seem to have a good group of young, fast receivers.

John: Trades are cool. People like them. They actually seem to like them a lot more than teams like them, but that’s OK. Different people like different things.

Nate from York, PA:
Even if the O-line and quarterback struggle again this year and we have another bad season, they are really the only glaring holes we have as long as other positions play to expectations. With a good quarterback draft class next year, that and the line can be addressed along with adding depth to positions that need it. We can very well be only one offseason away from being legit contenders. There’s still a lot of optimism.

John: There may be good points here. I suppose I’m going to wait until the Jaguars lose a game or two – or at least play a game or two that, you know … count – before I write about how many offseasons the Jaguars are from being legitimate contenders.

Wow from AreYouSeriousClarkville:
Jaguars are first in ESPN fantasy football defense rankings?! What?!

John: #DTWD

Scott from Aurora, IL:
I once saw Brad Allen throw the ball 50 yards on a dime for a touchdown, make a circus catch for another touchdown, and rush the opposing passer for a strip/sack fumble that he returned for yet another touchdown. This was all on the same play. #playthekid

John: Play the kid.
 
 

 

Joe Z’s poll question:

“Who has peed in the pool?”

 

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