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O-Zone: Out to stud

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Darren from Arlington, TX:

I’m about sick of the “Brandon-Albert-is-holding-out” talk from these fans. Can you explain again, for the nth time, what voluntary means for those that can’t grasp it??

John: I’ve learned in many years discussing this topic that this is an answer many people won’t hear – mainly, I assume, because they don’t want to hear it. Teams hold voluntary offseason workouts because those workouts are permitted under NFL rules. Most players attend for a multitude of reasons – fear of losing their positions foremost among them. Media report on players not attending because it’s news – and because of that, players who don’t attend the workouts are perceived as going against the team’s wishes. They are indeed going against the team’s wishes, because the team obviously wishes the players were attending. But the team’s wishes in this case do not mean the players are required to attend. Voluntary means voluntary, and that means players are allowed to not attend the offseason program. I don’t know how to make it any more graspable than that.

Mark from Jacksonville:

If starts at left tackle opening day, do you think will start at a different position on the line? If so, which position would you think?

John: Guard.

Alan from Jacksonville:

Everyone is saying for the Jags to win half their games would be a quantum leap forward, but after reviewing the stats from last year, we were probably a slightly better than .500 team but for one reason: our minus-16 turnover imbalance. According to stats, a turnover is worth about four points and if a team has one more turnovers than their opponent, they win 69.6 percent of the time. According to a really interesting Harvard student study of 11 seasons of stats, they determined the single biggest factor was luck. So how do you coach turnovers? Hire a Greco-Roman wrestling coach for dealing with pileups, hire Dennis Rodman as our rebounding coach? Whatever it takes, to me this should be a huge focus for 2017. So how do you think we accomplish the goal of adding a in front of next year’s turnover stat?

John: I can’t prove it statistically, and despite incessant and sometimes annoying begging on the school’s part, I opted against going to Harvard. But two decades of covering the NFL tell me turnover ratio isn’t luck. Luck is involved in some turnovers, but you increase your chance over time of getting lucky by getting better and smarter quarterback play on offense and generating pressure on the quarterback on defense. Get better in those areas and watch your team become very, very lucky when it comes to turnovers.

Tommy from Rockford, IL:

As a guy who gets a lot of crap from Bears fans in Illinois for wearing a jersey and a color rush jersey I wore to the Bears-Jags game last year, I was wondering how much better do you perceive the on-paper-improved-defensive line helping Ramsey this year? Also if anyone is interested I still have a size large Justin Blackmon and Matt Jones game jersey for sale – if anyone is into that kind of stuff.

John: Improved pass rush always helps a cornerback, so if “on paper” translates to “on field” Ramsey should benefit greatly. As far as the jerseys … well, you may be stuck.

Travis from Jax Beach, FL:

Do Luke Joeckel and now three and four years in warrant Top 5 draft picks? I am hopeful for a yes or no answer.

John: Keep hoping, because while the world loves “yes” and “no” answers the reality is most answers are more complex. Joeckel in a very real sense clearly was not worth a No. 2 overall selection because he was not signed to a second contract, but the 2013 NFL Draft was historically weak and getting Top 5 value for a Top 5 selection that year wasn’t easy. As far as Bortles being worth a Top 5 selection … we’ll see.

Keisha from Virginia Beach, VA:

I was listening to a very popular football analyst who has his own show syndicated throughout the entire US. He was discussing the draft class of one of the teams. He started going into detail regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each player. My question is: how would he know that if he is a former player turned radio host? My understanding is that NFL teams spend a lot of time vetting each player throughout the year. I doubt they share their information. It made me realize that sometimes you have to trust a team’s personnel decisions because the media has it made. Unlike personnel employed with teams, when a media personality gets it wrong it is never talked about again, when they get it right they pretend to be the smartest talent evaluator out there.

John: Pretty much.

Steve from Nashville, TN :

It is fine to say that it is not reasonable to expect the Jaguars to compete for a playoff spot until 2018, but don’t tell us then that our window is closing because we cannot afford to re-sign our talented players in ’18 and ’19.

John: I suppose someone has said these things at some point. As for me, I generally avoid telling people what to expect – and I’ve never said the window is closing because of re-signing players in 2018 or 2019. The Jaguars have yet to sign any of the players whose contracts come up in those years. We’ll see how many truly merit second contracts. I think we’ll get a better idea about that this season.

Nate from Atlanta, GA:

All this angst about Branden Albert missing voluntary workouts. I’m guessing that if most of the people complaining all of a sudden had a “volunteer” week where they get paid even if they don’t show up to work, offices would be a little emptier than usual.

John: Ya think?

Mark from Orange Park, FL:

John, another reason I am hopeful for next season. In 2012 the Kansas City Chiefs went 2-14. Everyone thought the team was horrible. Andy Reid came in and the next season they went 11-5. I am not saying Doug Marrone is on the level of Reid. But it shows that with a great coach a team can turn it around in one season. AFC South Champs next season.

John: #DTWD

Brian from Traverse City, MI:

I really like our draft and don’t object to any of the picks, but had hoped for one or two more offensive linemen. Could you fill out the starting offensive-line depth chart as you see it working out? Do you foresee any free-agent pickups that could become starters? Are the Jags satisfied with the players they currently have? Thank you.

John: If you were hoping for offensive linemen in the draft beyond about Round 3, you were probably hoping for players who could make the roster but who probably weren’t going to start. That was why the Jaguars didn’t address line after selecting Cam Robinson at the top of the second round. As far as the starting depth chart, I see it being Branden Albert at left guard, and Robinson at the guards, at center and at right tackle – and while I don’t think the Jaguars would say they are “satisfied” with their line, I don’t anticipate any major moves to acquire a starting offensive lineman.

Steve from Nashville, TN:

What is the single-season total team rushing yards high-water mark for the Jags?

John: The 2006 Jaguars rushed for 2,541 yards as a team.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

Do you think the Jaguars will sign a veteran tight end after the roster cut down in the preseason? Will the Jaguars’ offense feature a single tight end this year?

John: I anticipate the Jaguars will play a lot of two tight-end sets next season, primarily because two tight-end sets are often the best sets for presenting a balanced look between run and pass. I don’t anticipate the Jaguars signing a veteran tight end after teams being releasing players unless there’s a tight end the Jaguars like better than Lewis, , or . I suppose there’s a chance of that happening, but I won’t hold my breath waiting for it to happen. This might actually have been more of a topic before the Jaguars signed Rivera as an unrestricted free agent. He fits what the Jaguars might have been looking for after roster cut downs, only with a much higher chance of being productive.

Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:

The post-draft roster is looking good. But no team can ever stop trying to improve. I’d like to see another stud offensive lineman and another solid tight end. Do you expect any more free-agent signings between now and training camp?

John: I think you’ll see a free-agent signing or two before training camp. I don’t think they will fit the description of “stud” players at any positions.

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Author J32bassPosted on May 8, 2017May 8, 2017Categories Uncategorized318 Comments on O-Zone: Out to stud

O-Zone: Picture this

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

David from Oviedo, FL:

So, in your recent answer, you indicated you don’t anticipate much competition at the running back position, with the four or five spots pretty much set. If Branden Albert doesn’t hold out, there wouldn’t seem to be much competition on the offensive line – with Cam Robinson assuming the left-guard position. We didn’t draft a quarterback, so we can pencil Blake Bortles in. Which leads me to my question: what position(s) are up for grabs?

John: There realistically are few starting positions on NFL teams truly “up for grabs.” Most teams know the great majority of their starters for the ensuing season entering the offseason, and they sign and draft players having a pretty good idea which ones will start and which ones will be backups. While there certainly is competition, a job truly being “won” in training camp or preseason is rare enough to be notable. Most competitions realistically are for roster spots. That’s pretty much the Jaguars’ situation entering this offseason. I expect competition for roster spots on the offensive line, at wide receiver, tight end, defensive line, linebacker and secondary. I don’t really expect much mystery about the starting lineup.

Aaron from Bethlehem, PA:

Would you trade Tom Brady in his prime for a kicker who was guaranteed to make all his field goals and extra points and had a max field-goal distance of 70 yards?

John: No.

Rob from Brunswick, GA:

I find it interesting that almost every fan of this team was jumping for joy when Tom Coughlin came home because they believe he knows how to win and will make the decisions we need to be successful. But now, many of those same fans are upset about many of our offseason moves so far (all of which TC signed off on and many of which were likely his idea in the first place). I, for one, am glad Tom is here and I trust his judgement more than my own on any football matters, so I don’t have an issue with anything he’s doing. But hey, I guess fans gonna fan right?

John: Coughlin won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants following seasons in which there were rumors about his job security. He has coached more than 20 seasons in the NFL. He has won division titles and conference titles. He has finished out of the playoffs and he has lost jobs. My point? No one knows better than Coughlin that fans are gonna fan.

Billy from Green Cove Springs, FL:

Zone, kind of a silly question, but if you had to form a team comprised of just rookies in a draft year with a couple more NFL-ready quarterbacks, along with every other rookie you wanted on that team, do you think those top 90 selections brought to camp and narrowed down to 53 after final cuts could win three games that season?

John: I think three would be about right. On second thought, how good is the quarterback?

Herbert from Midstate Office Supply Accountz Receevablez:

Why are the Jags so scared of competition at the quarterback position? The last time there was a legitimate competition we made the playoffs.

John: Fear obviously has nothing to do with it. The Jaguars believe Bortles is the best option at quarterback, and they didn’t believe any of the viable competition worth the cost. This may not sit well with fans, and it may prove to be bad decision. Or it may prove a genius decision. Whatever the outcome, “fear” of competition was not a factor.

Rob from Orange Park, FL:

What is your best guess on how well Myles Jack will do at playing middle linebacker in Game 1? Big splash, solid job, serviceable and learning, lost, or something else…

John: Serviceable and learning – with a splash play or two in the mix.

Marcus from Jacksonville:

When reading your stuff regarding the Jaguars’ potential record next year, I got the sense that a five-game improvement is very rare in the NFL. I agreed with you that 8-8 would be very difficult because they would have to achieve that rare feat. Then I looked it up and realized, it’s not really that rare. It’s not necessarily common, but it’s not rare. On average over the last 10 years almost 4 teams per year improve by five-plus games. In addition, nine out of the last 10 seasons has seen one team go from worst to first in their division. Those sorts of feats may not be statistically common or easy, but they happen every year. I think as fans it is reasonable for us to expect a five-game improvement … teams do it every year, why not us?

John: There’s nothing wrong with fans expecting a five-game improvement. As I’ve written often, I have no illusions that I can control expectations. My point when discussing a potential five-game jump is neither to curb expectations nor to tell people that it can’t happen – and based on your numbers, it’s hardly a statistical outlier. My point is to say that a five-game improvement is difficult and it’s not something I’m going to predict will happen. But the biggest point I’m trying to make in all this is that a four-game improvement would be a solid improvement for a franchise with a new head coach and a roster that is going to feature a slew of new players. There are those who seem to think 7-9 or even 8-8 would be a colossal disappointment. There seem to be those who would lump such a season into the abyss of losing seasons in the last five years. I would see a four-game improvement as a significant step for a franchise that has struggled mightily in recent seasons. Considering the recent history, I just believe it’s hard to “expect” a four-game jump. But for those fans who want to expect it … hey, expect away.

Mike from Section 122:

On Thursday’s show I heard Jeff Lageman saying the fans booing Roger Goodell was too much. Well, fans boo him because his decisions make the owners plenty of money, which is why they have him in that position. But the fans dislike his decisions because they are ruining the game of football. All in the name of safety, but he doesn’t advocate for rule changes that would cost the owners more money. He doesn’t want officials that get the plays correct, or allow such things as more coaches challenges because it would cost more and bother the sponsors’ bottom line, which means less money for the owners.

John: Lageman’s point as I understand it is that Goodell should remove himself from announcing the first-round selections in the draft because the incessant booing Goodell endures is bad for the league. I don’t necessarily buy that, and I actually believe the fans’ booing of Goodell is far more about booing for the sake of booing than anything else. It’s become trendy to boo Goodell when he appears in public so fans do it. As for Goodell, I don’t feel strongly about him either way, I don’t see him as someone who’s ruining the game with his decisions. The league’s move toward player safety is far more about the owners’ attempting to preserve the game’s future at a time when it is under serious criticism from many groups concerned about player safety. I’m not a big believer that hiring full-time officials is going to make a huge difference in the number of calls the league gets right because I think you’re apt to lose some good officials who don’t want to leave successful careers to officiate full-time, but whatever: if the league does go to full-time officials it couldn’t hurt. And yeah, a lot of the league’s decisions are about generating revenue. That’s not unique to Goodell’s tenure and it’s not going to change. Revenue is cool. Owners like it.

Perry from Orange Park, FL:

I understand wanting to establish the run and our physicality, especially with Leonard Fournette and Chris Ivory in the backfield, but doesn’t ball-control, run-heavy offense lower the margin of error for Bortles? It would seem that turnovers would be even more devastating with a deliberate, slow-paced offense?

John: That’s one way to look at it, I suppose, because if you’re giving Bortles or any quarterback fewer opportunities the quarterback’s mistakes indeed will stand out more. But the way NFL teams look at it is that an effective running game will create better down-and-distance situations for Bortles. It also should allow Bortles to see more defenses geared to stop the run, which in turn should mean more single coverage with linebackers and safeties crowding the line to stop the run – and with more defensive lineman focused on the run rather than rushing the passer. Put it this way: there’s no way an effective running-game should hurt Bortles, and it’s hard to imagine it not helping him.

Chris from Palatka, FL:

Picture me this, Johnny O! Two-minute offense with the Jags going four-wide with The Allens, Lee, and Westbrook, and Fournette in the backfield. Think on it!!!!! #whoyougonestop #DCnightmare

John: #!!!!!

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Author J32bassPosted on May 7, 2017May 7, 2017Categories Uncategorized373 Comments on O-Zone: Picture this

O-Zone: One fer fifty

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Cliff from Orange Park, FL:

All of the Bortles doubters seem to think other quarterbacks never had bad years. I looked at several years of stats and found years that quarterbacks had years similar to Bortles’ third year. Philip Rivers in 2007; Matt Stafford in ‘12, ’13, and ‘14; Joe Flacco in ‘11, ‘13, ‘15 and ‘16; Carson Palmer in ‘10 and ‘11; Eli Manning in ‘06, ‘07 and ‘13. Big Ben [Roethlisberger] in 2006 had stats almost identical to Bortles’ third year. Wonder what would have happened if teams gave up on these guys after three years?

John: They would have been sorry. Here’s the obvious reason Bortles’ doubters seem to outweigh his supporters: as of now, he hasn’t had a season complete enough to silence the doubters. He struggled mightily as a rookie in 2014. While he put up impressive statistics in 2015, he also threw too many interceptions. And while he had more impressive moments in 2016 than many people remember or recognize, he again had far too many interceptions and other moments of ineffectiveness. And through all of his first three seasons runs the unavoidable thread that the Jaguars simply have lost too many games. When you add all of those things together you have a quarterbacking career that to date is easy to criticize. What you also have are enough moments and enough circumstances that it’s still possible to look at Bortles and believe he can be an effective starter. That makes for an intriguing, ongoing offseason debate – and it obviously makes Bortles the overwhelming choice for the Jaguars’ No. 1 storyline of the offseason.

Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:

In 1998, the St. Louis Rams went 4-12. In 1999, they brought in a stud running back (Marshall Faulk) and some good draft picks, then (due to injury) started a suspect, inexperienced quarterback (Kurt Warner). They ended the ’99 season at 13-3, and blazed through the playoffs to a Super Bowl victory over the Titans. There are many other examples of worst-to-first turnarounds. Maybe it’s our turn. Go Jags.

John: #DTWD

Michael from Fruit Cove, FL:

Dave Caldwell has said it in years past and he said it again after this year’s draft: There were no players available in the third round or beyond who could have improved the offensive line. Was he not watching last year? We had about five different players start at left guard last season. You’re telling me a third- or fourth-round pick wouldn’t be an upgrade over Patrick Omameh, Chris Reed, my grandma and your little sister? Nothing against those guys, but it should be pretty clear to Caldwell by now that we can’t win with those guys in the lineup. So … I guess that actually is something against those guys.

John: This is understandably a difficult concept for people to accept because the Jaguars have struggled at times on the offensive line, but Caldwell realistically is correct that it would be very difficult for a late-round selection to start on the Jaguars’ offensive line as a rookie. That was particularly true this year in what was universally considered a weak offensive line draft. The disconnect for some on this issue seems to be the Jaguars’ approach to offensive guard in the ’17 draft. There is a perception that the team didn’t address it, a perception created to no small degree by Caldwell saying after the draft that the team considers Robinson a left tackle. That may be so, but it’s also true that Robinson can play guard — and that he almost certainly will play guard unless he wins the job over Branden Albert. Or unless Albert opts to not play for the Jaguars next season. Neither scenario appears particularly likely, so the Jaguars in reality did address guard for the short term in the ’17 draft.

Daniel from Urbandale, NY:

I was surprised by the Dede Westbrook pick but man, that’s looking like a pretty solid four-receiver group. If Blake doesn’t turn the ball over, the Jags could be interesting to watch.

John: True.

Keith from Palatka, FL:

Either our roster is improved to the point where only two or three rookies (Leonard Fournette, Cam Robinson and Marquez Williams) may start or we are grossly overestimating the talent of our starters. Which do you think it is? I am honestly stumped at this point.

John: Somewhere in the middle. What I mean by that is there is a large difference between college football and the NFL – and by large, I mean “mammoth.” That makes it difficult for rookies to start, especially if they are selected later in the draft. It would be concerning if players selected in Rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 were penciled in as starters. In fact, it would feel a lot like 2013 – and while the Jaguars struggled last season, I don’t think anyone but the most cynical of observers would say the talent level is the same as 2013.

Adam from St. Johns, FL:

A 7-9 team IS disappointing. The part of Doom’s comment you ignored was, this team was supposed to win seven games LAST season. When are expectations going to get serious? It’s time for this team to start winning. Losing seasons have to stop, but everyone keeps making excuses for them. It’s a joke.

John: I didn’t ignore Doom’s comment, Alan. I simply made the point that a four- or five-game improvement in the NFL is a difficult, significant one no matter what expectations might or might not have been the previous season. I can’t control what you consider disappointing. I can tell you that while the coaches, players and team executives absolutely aspire for a plus-.500 season, a four-game improvement to 7-9 would be a major step forward. That’s particularly true considering the record the last four or five seasons.

Rob from Brunswick, GA:

If we get to, say, Week 10, and Blake Bortles is not showing improvement, do you think the team shuts him down to avoid any chance of a torn ACL or something happening that would make that $19 million extension guaranteed?

John: We’re a long way from that, and it would take some struggles of pretty significant proportion to have this issue arise. And if he indeed is struggling enough to make this a topic he may be out of the lineup before that. But there’s no doubt that if Bortles struggles this season the scenario you cite could become a possibility. I don’t think the Jaguars would take that route, but is it conceivable that this is a topic in December? Absolutely.

Matt from Las Vegas, NV:

Now that the draft is over, what are some of the less-obvious storylines you are excited about following this offseason? Any ones other than new coach, rookie adjustments, Poz’s move? I’m excited to hear about how Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye battle it out this summer.

John: The most obvious storylines are Bortles and the development of the offensive line. A bit less obvious, perhaps, is the question of whether the Jaguars’ pass rush can be a reliable, front-line strength – meaning, can the Jaguars get pressure on third-down and other situations when it matters? Even less obvious than that: can the Jaguars get better play from the safety position than they have in recent seasons? I think the cornerbacks will play well, but the safeties haven’t consistently produced interceptions around here in a long time. And I do absolutely think Paul Posluszny’s move to the strong side will be a storyline, with an intertwining storyline being whether Myles Jack can become a reliable defensive leader the team needs on the interior of the defense. Finally, I’ll be watching the Jaguars’ receivers next season. While Bortles received fair criticism last season, the wide receiver corps as a whole missed a lot of opportunities. This is a group that’s perceived by many as being close to elite. Can it make the step to elite? Is it indeed an elite group? That’s an important question entering the 2017 season.

Ryan from Dearborn, MI:

John, we were 2-8 in games decided by one score or less last season. Even if we just achieve a .500 record in those games that bumps us up to six wins last season. If this team is AT ALL improved, then eight wins should be very attainable.

John: There’s a lot of truth to what you say – that the Jaguars weren’t all that far from winning four or five more games last season. That is cause for optimism for some – and it indeed should provide hope that the team will be competitive this season. But you don’t snap your fingers and win the close games you’ve lost in the past. If the Jaguars improve, then they can win more games, but to improve enough to win part is a huge step – and it’s still tough to predict a four- or five-game turnaround in the NFL. It doesn’t make such a turnover impossible, but it’s disingenuous to imply that it’s anything close to easily achieved.

Chris from Mandarin:

Can you just go ahead and book Telvin Smith for O-Zone Live every week? He makes me want to run through a wall.

John: Telvin Smith indeed was the guest on O-Zone Live on Facebook Thursday, and while we won’t have him every week, he obviously is welcome anytime. Smith is the sort of player who makes this job enjoyable. He entered the NFL as a confident, raw, talented player and it’s cool to see him continue to develop and mature into a leader and front-line player. One fer Telvin.

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Author J32bassPosted on May 6, 2017May 6, 2017Categories Uncategorized190 Comments on O-Zone: One fer fifty

O-Zone: All grown up

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Angel from La Habana de Cuba:

I can only imagine the emotional changes one would experience having to fill a gap knowing a 280-pound, half-rhino, half-fullback followed by a 240-pound man-child with a nasty disposition is coming straight toward me. What would you do? I foresee a lot of grown men needing to change their underwear.

John: I don’t know that every NFL defensive player will be out-and-out frightened at the prospect of taking on Jaguars fullback Marquez Williams and running back Leonard Fournette. These are, after all, two rookies who never have played an NFL game. Still, the two without question define the tone the Jaguars want to set offensively. The Jaguars want to be big, strong, physical, powerful – and any adjective that fits in that category. The commitment to the run is real. It’s undeniable. It has the potential to be franchise-defining. This is a team that wants to enforce its will. The Jaguars are putting the pieces in place to do it. I imagine the offseason work will focus on that as much as possible in a non-contact environment. I imagine the work in training camp will be intense in that area. This is the offense. This is the identity. Now, the Jaguars must work to establish it.

David from Oviedo, FL:

The first game of the season is against Deshaun Watson and the Houston defense. Beating them at home would send a message that there’s a new sheriff in town. How important is this game in setting the tone for the rest of the season? As far as opening games go, does it get any bigger than this?

John: It’s big, and it’s a tone-setter – and then that Tennessee game in Week 2 looms awfully large. And then Baltimore. I’m not trying to avoid the question, but the reality is the opening game of the season does look very, very big. We’ll talk about its importance for months, and in the days and weeks leading to the game it will look progressively larger and larger. And then once that game is played the next one looks big. It’s the nature of the NFL.

Glen from Orange Park, FL:

Whoever starts at quarterback for the Texans Week 1 will be inexperienced and will turn the ball over: 1-0. Week 2 is our home opener with this new regime; losing is not an option: 2-0. Week 3 in London against a Baltimore team that never has played out of the country and will be looking ahead to the Steelers: 3-0. Week 4 at the Jets in a total rebuild with no quarterback. 4-0. Week 5 … uh, maybe this is a good place to stop. Strong start to shock the world!

John: #DTWD

David from Jacksonville:

So I guess Blake Bortles is an elite/franchise quarterback? Wow! I’m such a dummy. I thought he has played pretty badly – especially last year. Thank goodness the true football minds like Dave Caldwell have set me straight. I am back on board with the plan now: bring in zero competition and pick up the option for 2018! Can we go ahead and put Blake Bortles in the Pride of the Jaguars?

John: I don’t know that the Jaguars have said this offseason that they believe Bortles is an elite quarterback or a franchise quarterback – and nothing they have done this offseason indicates they believe either of those things. What this offseason does indicate is they believe he still has a chance to be those things. Their offseason actions also indicate that they didn’t believe there were options significantly better than Bortles to warrant the costs to bring in competition. I thought there would be competition brought in this offseason, but I honestly can’t say there was competition available that I believed would be a significant upgrade. But to interpret the Jaguars picking up Bortles’ fifth-year option as a sign that they believe he is great is to interpret the move incorrectly.

Andy from St. Augustine, FL:

I know everyone expects our defense to be much improved and play at a high level, and the hope is that the offense (Bortles) can be average at the worst. It kind of reminds me of last offseason when we all thought the offense was going to be great with Bortles coming off of a 35-touchdown season and we all thought – if only the defense can at least be average, we’ll be in good shape. Kinda funny how things change in the NFL. While I certainly hope that the defense will be one of the best in the league, it wouldn’t be out of character for it to take a step back after taking two steps forward last year.

John: I’ve gotten some version of this email quite a bit this offseason. I can’t assure you the Jaguars’ defense will be elite next season. I can tell you that the Jaguars realized in the offseason that this was not an elite defensive unit and that moves needed to be made to improve it. The team made such moves by signing A.J. Bouye, Barry Church and Calais Campbell – and by moving Jack’s obvious talent to middle linebacker. I have a confidence that the defense will improve that I didn’t have in the offense last offseason, when I wrote often that the offense needed to take significant steps in the offseason. If you watched closely in 2015 there were things that indicated the unit was not elite – inefficiency early in games and too many long stretches of consecutive three-and-outs among them. The defense had a similar worrisome area last season: the inability to generate consistent pass rush, which in turn limited the team’s ability to force turnovers. So, does the defense need to take steps this offseason? Yes, but the presence of core, ascending players such as linebacker Telvin Smith, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive tackle Malik Jackson – as well as the aforementioned additions – makes taking those steps very possible.

Tucker from New York:

Many NFL analysts have questioned whether Leonard Fournette will be a capable third-down back. What is it about Fournette and third-down duty that makes analysts skeptical?

John: Fournette caught 41 passes in three seasons at LSU, and he wasn’t really utilized as an out-of-the-backfield back in the sense that NFL teams use backs on third down. He alleviated some of those concerns by showing good hands at his Pro Day at LSU. My sense is Fournette is probably better out of the backfield than many analysts believe, though I doubt he plays an extensive passing-down role for the Jaguars any time soon if at all.

Jags from Miami, FL:

Why did Dave Caldwell and Tom Coughlin draft for depth rather than draft for starters? I mean – like i just don’t think this team is good enough “yet” to be drafting, bench players or special teamers.

John: The Jaguars in no way drafted just for depth in the 2017 NFL Draft. They drafted likely starters in the first two rounds in Fournette and offensive lineman Cam Robinson. They believe third-round selection Duwuane Smoot will be in the line rotation, and I believe wide receiver Dede Westbrook will be on the field a lot this season. I believe the same could be true of fullback Marquez Williams. Beyond that it’s difficult to find a spot where a fifth- or sixth-round draft selection would start for this team. Maybe there is one, but I don’t see it.

Chris from Los Angeles, CA:

Yea Johnny Boy, I agree with DUVAL DOOM. And to further delve into facts: we lost nine-to-10 games by seven points or less … with the offense being inept until the last two weeks. The Cowboys went from bottom to top with Zeke. (No need to touch on our offensive line; I already know) And most of those games were lost in what was supposed to be our four-minute offense – I mean literally four minutes from securing a victory more often than not. I get curbing expectations as to not get your hopes too high but I firmly believe we are millimeters away from being that team we see on paper the last two-to-three years. Stranger things have happened.

John: There is certainly potential on the Jaguars. If I had to point to one thing that makes me think a major jump is possible it would be the collective maturity of some of the team’s core players such as linebacker Telvin Smith, wide receiver Allen Robinson, wide receiver Allen Hurns, center Brandon Linder and so on. I got the impression from speaking with Smith on O-Zone Live on Facebook Thursday that this group believes it is ready to be a solid core of a winning team – and having such a core of experienced players is important. People tend to look at second- or third-year NFL players as finished products but in many cases they are still developing as players and leaders. As I mentioned to Smith Thursday, it feels for the first time as if his core group of players actually have grown up. They feel like veterans. I get the idea that will matter a lot. And, of course, the quarterback play must improve.

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Author J32bassPosted on May 5, 2017May 5, 2017Categories Uncategorized328 Comments on O-Zone: All grown up

O-Zone: Go big or go home

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

DUVAL DOOM from Section 217:

Your response that it will be difficult for the team to win seven or eight games is logical, but it’s also a perfect example of where being a fan comes in, because to me they should have won seven LAST season. It bothers me that there’s this unwritten rule that a team can’t suddenly win four or five more games? Why? I’m pretty sure you’ve said you expect that for this to be a successful venture (the return of TC), they need to be in the playoffs in 2018, but you’re saying they probably won’t win more than six games this year. So either you believe there will be a massive jump between ‘17 and ‘18, going against the logic teams improve incrementally – or you don’t believe the new structure is going to work?

John: I do believe it will be difficult for the team to win eight games this season, though that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. I think a reasonable expectation is a three-(maybe four-) game improvement and if you follow that with another three- (maybe four-) game improvement the following season, then you have a team that’s in the nine- (maybe more) victory range. Could there be a bigger jump somewhere in there? Sure. Things happen. My point in saying I think a five-game jump would be a mammoth jump is to make the point that expecting nine or 10 victories from this team is a difficult ask. A four-game jump to 7-9? That would be real improvement and I don’t think such a jump should be considered disappointing.

Dan from Jax:

Hey, John. No question here. I just want to say that the guys that engineered and are working on the amphitheater are doing a hell of a job and I want to shout out to them. I stopped by the construction site today on my way home just to check out the grounds and it’s pretty impressive.

John: Hey, one fer the guys building Daily’s Place!

Les from Jacksonville:

I’m sorry, John, but it seems like they called GENE SMITH for advice on this draft. The only pick that made any sense to me was Cam Robinson. I guess they’re counting on the fullback to open holes and even if Branden Albert does play, he clearly doesn’t want to be here. I think we all should start praying NOW …

John: Pray if you would like, but I wouldn’t draw too many conclusions from the Branden Albert situation just yet. This is professional football, and contract issues arise during the offseason in professional football. April, May, June and even July are often times when players act on the advice of agents – and when agents speak to teams on a player’s behalf. It’s a time for business. The environment often changes in August and it becomes about football again. I don’t know how the Albert situation will play out, but don’t assume that he doesn’t want to play for the Jaguars or that the Jaguars don’t want him to play for them simply because of words or actions in May.

Michael from Jacksonville:

I just wanted to speak for most of us by saying: I’m having a very hard time stopping laughing about the Gene Fournette …

John: I also have a tough time not laughing when I think of Gene Fren— Oh.

Jeremy from Wise, VA:

I know the Jags would love to sign Allen Robinson and Telvin Smith to extensions, but Marqise Lee is also in line for one, too. His injury history will not help him, but he showed last season exactly how electric his talent is. Do you think they will approach him about a one-year “prove-it deal?”

John: The contracts of all three players almost certainly soon will be an issue. Remember: while Jaguars fans have watched these three players, Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin just arrived in January, and a lot of the assistant coaches are new. It makes sense to wait before signing the players to long-term contracts. As far as Lee, I would expect the Jaguars to wait until the season to approach him. If he plays comparably to last season, then it makes sense to talk about a long-term extension. But the only way I see Lee signing a one-year “prove-it” deal is if he’s injured this season. I otherwise expect him to be good enough this season to sign a long-term contract either in Jacksonville or somewhere else.

Jason from North Pole, AK:

I was surprised by the Dede Westbrook pick, but not because of the off-field issues. The description of him is that he is a young, talented slot receiver that can return punts but doesn’t have 4.3 speed. Isn’t that Rashad Greene? I just remember him taking one to the house at a critical moment this season so it seems weird that he may be replaced.

John: Westbrook reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.34-range at his Pro Day. I can’t speak to the accuracy of the time, but Westbrook has real speed and quickness. As far as Greene, he did return a punt for a touchdown in 2015, but he struggled this past season. It’s not surprising the Jaguars would try to upgrade the slot position. It was very upgrade-able.

David from Oviedo, FL:

O-Zone – just for conversations sake, how many running backs do we keep, who’s in and who’s fighting for a spot?

John: Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell said during an appearance on Jaguars.com LIVE Wednesday that he anticipates the team keeping four running backs in addition to a fullback. I expect that means the Jaguars will keep Leonard Fournette, Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant. I also would guess they keep rookie fullback Marquez Williams, though the team also signed veteran Tommy Bohanon this offseason.

Thrill from The ‘Ville:

I just bought a really big, really shiny new TV. At no point during the process did I do a background check on the engineering team that designed it, the factory workers that built it, the truck driver that delivered it to the store or the retail clerk that sold it to me. Any one of them could have had a troubled past, but that was of no concern. The only concern was to get best possible product for what I was willing to pay. Why should football be any different?

John: I’m on record saying I have no problem with the Jaguars drafting or signing players with less-than-stellar backgrounds, but that doesn’t mean I can agree with this analogy. Sports are by nature different than normal business, because part of the appeal of sports is an emotional attachment to the players and coaches involved. Look, there’s nothing wrong with people on either side of this argument. Domestic violence is a serious, emotional issue and it’s perfectly understandable if some fans decided they dislike a team acquiring a player with any such incident in his background. But the reality is that professional sports teams are not responsible for playing judge and jury, and professional sports teams therefore are going to acquire players whose backgrounds are not as pristine as most fans might like. If fans who realize this reality want to root for teams who choose to employ such players, there’s nothing wrong with that, either.

Catherine from Jacksonville:

During the Dead Zone, do you ever send questions to yourself under pseudonyms? Just curious.

John: This is the first one.

Dave from Orlando, FL:

O-man, after drafting Leonard Fournette at No. 1, do you think there was any serious consideration to draft Dalvin Cook at No. 2…or is this notion, too far out of the box?

John: I do not think the Jaguars seriously considered selecting Dalvin Cook in the second round. I don’t know that it was in or out of the box, but I do know there were a lot of other positions that needed to be addressed at that time.

Jim from Section 142 and Duuuuvall:

O-man, I am still greatly concerned with the O-line. Getting Cam is great and all, but what if the Albert situation doesn’t work out? Then we are essentially left with the same line quality as last year with the exception of a ROOKIE starting at left tackle, which will likely be a downgrade. I just don’t see how we are going to be able to make strides in the run game up front. I know you’ll come back and say people don’t pass up $8-9MM per year, but you never know. 904nette will make some difference, but I’m with you in the belief that the line is the key factor above everything else.

John: I understand your concern. Being concerned stinks. It can even be … concerning. But don’t worry much about Albert not playing for the Jaguars next season. I guess it’s possible, but it’s not probable. Can I think of another reason? Not except for the $8 million, no.

Brian from New Hampshire:

I get 8-8 being reasonable expectations for the year. But if the defense improves like it should, and if Fournette and Robinson help the run game, and Blake looks like 2015 Blake with the early schedule a 10-11 win season seems very possible. This season feels like 8-8 is more likely but playoffs aren’t out of the question if the improvements are real.

John: #DTWD

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Author J32bassPosted on May 4, 2017Categories Uncategorized128 Comments on O-Zone: Go big or go home

O-Zone: New hire

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Marc from Oceanway:

People are saying we could have just waited and used the franchise tag next offseason on Blake Bortles if he is deserving rather than exercise his fifth-year option. Why would we want to risk having to use the franchise tag on Bortles, when we may need to use it on Telvin Smith or Allen Robinson? There have been plenty of teams in the past who have lost a good player because they did not have enough tags. This was clearly a smart move. If he sucks, we can still cut him at the end of the year.

John: Sure, the Jaguars could have waited and used the franchise tag on Bortles, but as you said: why? The use of the fifth-year option is an almost all-upside, no-downside situation. If Bortles plays well enough in 2017 to show he should be the quarterback moving forward, the Jaguars have him under his rookie contract for another season. If he doesn’t play well enough to show that, then the team can release him following the 2017 season. The only risk is if he is seriously injured. Is that a risk? Certainly, but every major roster decision involves a certain risk. The big picture on this issue remains the same: Bortles must play well this season to be the franchise quarterback moving forward. If he doesn’t, he won’t be the franchise quarterback moving forward.

Dave from Jacksonville:

To David from Puerto Rico’s question about Dave Caldwell, if he’s still a big part of what the Jaguars organization does, then I feel that the Jags will still be just the same old lonely Jaguars with zero prime-time games and zero Pro Bowlers.

John: OK.

Erick from Jacksonville:

On paper, this looks like an impressive UDFA list. How many has a legit shot of cracking the roster? Who do you think has the potential to make it?

John: The 16 players who signed with the Jaguars as undrafted free agents Monday indeed included some players who appear to have NFL potential. History indicates perhaps two or three could make the team. There’s no cap, of course, but that’s usually the number of UDFAs players who realistically could be on the final roster. A few names to watch? Illinois defensive end Carroll Phillips, Utah defensive end Hunter Dimrick, Syracuse wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo, Middle Tennessee State cornerback Jeremy Cutrer, Texas A&M guard Avery Gennessy, Middle Tennessee State running back I’Tavius Mathers, and Tennessee State cornerback Ezra Robinson. All players were projected as possible draft selections, so that’s a place to start.

Bill from Melbourne, FL:

You always say that.

John: I know.

JV from Iowa:

Why Cam Robinson over Forrest Lamp? I am no expert, but it seemed like the overall feeling from scouting reports is that Cam never got better after his freshman year and has issues with “want-to,” whereas Forrest seemed to grade out positively three years in a row. Does it have to do with the type of blocking scheme they came from in college? I just came away with the feeling that we “might” have gotten a good player in Robinson, when we could have drafted someone who maybe is a bit hungrier.

John: The Jaguars liked Lamp (see what I did there?), and I have an idea they might have taken him in Round 2 had Robinson not been available. The Jaguars haven’t discussed the details of every player they didn’t take, but Caldwell, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin, Head Coach Doug Marrone and offensive line coach Pat Flaherty all did extensive research on Robinson. They all worked him out privately in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the week before the draft. Marrone also had close ties with not only Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban, but Alabama offensive line coach Brent Key. All in all, this feels like a decision far more about a major comfort level and belief in Robinson’s versatility, potential and talent than about how much they liked Lamp.

Eddie from Jacksonville:

I am really starting to question the inner working of the Jaguars’ HR Dept. With all these talented scouts available with nothing to do but write in to the O-Zone, why have none of them been hired by the organization? I mean seriously, what is going on over there?

John: Fair point.

Blues Man from St. Augustine, FL:

I may be one of the few pleased with the draft – though the Duwuane Smoot pick is surprising, at least to me. But I’m failing to understand how media people (you included) always say that for this team to go .500 would be miraculous. Other than the erratic quarterback we have, this team is and should be a .500 team. I just don’t understand the pessimism. I get that we don’t have Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, but come on … this team can’t win eight games? Are they that bad? I think NOT!

John: I don’t think it would be miraculous for the Jaguars to finish .500, but it would mean a five-game improvement. That’s a big jump in the NFL – and it’s difficult to predict a five-game jump. The other issue is the one you note when you say “other than the erratic quarterback.” When trying to assess this team, you can’t overlook the importance of quarterback. If you take the “erratic” description away, then pushing for .500 indeed seems realistic. If you can continue describing him as erratic, then .500 becomes a lot more difficult to achieve. Bortles certainly could improve enough for this team to win, but it’s difficult to project until it happens.

Geoff from Jacksonville:

I will not look at 2018 mock drafts yet. I will not look at 2018 mock drafts yet.

John: This is an important, even critical, time for you. Stay strong.

Preston from Oakville, CT:

O-Man, hypothetically, if Blake Bortles puts together an average-at-best season, but the defense and running game bring us to .500, what do you think the Jaguars would do next offseason at the quarterback position: draft a quarterback to compete with Blake on his contract year, cut Bortles, or stick with him? On the flip side, if he has a great year, would you expect them to renegotiate his contract to something long-term?

John: I don’t know. Yes.

Paul from Southern California:

So many people are up in arms about the Dede Westbrook drafting and I just don’t get it. Did the kid screw up? Absolutely. But just because someone screws up doesn’t mean that they should never be allowed to ever work in their field ever again. It makes no sense, as we have all screwed up one way or another in life. Let the kid go out and compete. The only time a person should not be allowed a job is when their performance hurts the company somehow. If we quit allowing jobs to those who made mistakes in their lives … let’s just say the job market would open up quite significantly.

John: This seems certain to be a topic in the coming months, and it’s likely to be a topic for many as long as Westbrook plays for the Jaguars. His background is well-documented and won’t change. People aren’t going to like it, and those who are dug in and passionate about the issue won’t change their opinions on his signing. That’s fine, understandable and it’s simply the reality. Another reality is the one you cite – that just because someone screws up doesn’t mean they should never be allowed to work in their field again. The biggest reality is that the NFL is going to field teams with players whose backgrounds make people angry and uncomfortable. I don’t have an answer that will change that, and it’s not going to change. But Westbrook is going to play for the Jaguars, and if he’s good, he will help the franchise. Will fans who dislike the signing ever come to accept it? We’ll see.

Glen from Orange Park:

Dede Westbrook won the Biletnikoff award, finished fourth in Heisman voting, 80 catches, 1,524 yards, 19.1 per catch, 18 touchdowns helping his Big 12 school to a 11-2 record. Why would he only be a second- or third-round pick if he did not have the off-field issues four years ago?

John: Who knows? He might well have been a first-round selection if not for the off-field issues. He’s not quite as big as your prototypical first-round wide receiver and doesn’t have quite the world-class speed of Washington wide receiver John Ross, so that may have kept him out of the first round. But whatever … he has NFL talent and should be able to make an impact.

Mike from Jacksonville:

John, I studied countless mock drafts for several months. I didn’t actually travel and watch any prospects or even watch any film, but did I mention countless (seriously, I can count how many) mock drafts? I am a self-trained, self-proclaimed expert and I don’t like the Jags’ draft. OK, Cam was a good pick but those others? Pass along my contact info because they really need me if they’re going to turn this around.

John: Will do.

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Author J32bassPosted on May 3, 2017May 3, 2017Categories Uncategorized380 Comments on O-Zone: New hire

O-Zone: Value added

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Mike from Navarre, OH:

They’ve picked up Blake Bortles’ fifth-year option. Let the fanning commence.

John: There indeed was an inordinate amount of fanning after the Jaguars on Monday announced they had exercised the fifth-year option on Bortles’ contract. I understand the fanning, because there was outcry and shock in the media about this. It’s the shock and outcry I don’t quite understand. This was a logical move because it protects the team if Bortles is indeed good in 2017. Is there some risk? Yes, but only if Bortles sustains a serious injury next season. That’s the only way the team is committed to him beyond 2017. Otherwise, the team can part ways with Bortles after 2017 – just as it could have done had it not exercised the option – with no salary-cap or cash ramification. Monday’s move gives the team control over Bortles’ contract in 2017 if the Jaguars want it. That’s it. The move doesn’t mean they believe Bortles is great. It doesn’t mean they are committed to him for the long-term. It doesn’t even really change the conversation about Bortles. He still must improve this season to be the quarterback long-term. Bottom line.

Nate from York, PA:

I’m still all in for Blake Bortles. Even the greatest quarterbacks have had rough seasons in their early years and it’s no reason he can’t bounce back. He’s shown he has the determination and maturity to do so. Also, I know it’s not all coaching, but how dramatic his improvement was the last two games of last season with Doug Marrone … it makes for some optimism.

John: Hey, one fer Bortles!

Zach from Baltimore, MD:

Regarding the fifth-year option, I’ve cooled off finally, because it does seem like an injury-guarantee contract. I just feel there are other players that might be more deserving for the option than Bortles. Statistically, he’s the worst fifth-year option picked up across the league. Khalil Mack plays a different position, obviously, but he definitely deserves his fifth-year option. I’m sure Branden Albert is scratching his head. Telvin Smith deserves money! The only reason I don’t like it is because I don’t think he earned a position where he should feel comfortable. I get nervous when the game is in his hands.

John: I’m glad you’ve cooled off because cooling off is … well, cool. People like it. But the things you mention don’t have much to do with Bortles’ option – and the option isn’t really something players “deserve,” because it doesn’t in fact benefit the players all that much. It just enables the team to keep them for a fifth year without renegotiating their contract, so for a high-performing player such as Khalil Mack it’s not really a very good thing at all. And it doesn’t have anything to do with Branden Albert or linebacker Telvin Smith, because Albert’s not on his rookie contract and Smith wasn’t a first-round selection. To be clear, the fifth-year option pertains to all first-round draft selections only. They all sign four-year contracts with the team having the option for a fifth year. If the team picks it up, the player is committed to play his fifth season under the contract. If the team doesn’t pick it up, the player’s contract runs out after four seasons. The team can still release the player after Year 4 if it picks up the option, with the exception being if the player is injured. The team can also re-sign the player if it opts not to pick up the option. It’s a very team-friendly rule, but the big thing to remember is it doesn’t make Bortles any more or any less tied to the franchise. Just because the team executed doesn’t mean he should feel comfortable and I can’t imagine it will have that effect.

Zac from Section 114:

No splash? College’s best offensive linemen and best receiver! Also, while not awarded … college’s best running back. Sure, I would have liked the addition of another offensive lineman, but there was some splash.

John: Draft splash, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. If you believe a running back is worth the No. 4 selection, and if you believe Fournette and the current Jaguars offensive line can make this team a dominant running team, then this is a splishy, splashy draft class. If you believe the Jaguars didn’t do enough in a weak offensive line draft to improve the offensive line, or if you expected a repeat of last year’s dizzying Myles Jack/Jalen Ramsey draft, then you probably didn’t like this year’s draft. Remember, dizziness such as the Jack/Ramsey draft doesn’t happen every year – or even every decade. And this offensive line draft was so thin that it was difficult to get much help if you didn’t get it early. We’ll know how exciting and effective this draft class is next season and the seasons after that, not before.

Josh from Pensacola, FL:

In my opinion people are getting carried away with their reaction to players’ off-field issues. I do not condone these players’ actions but the problems aren’t new. We just have much more access to players’ lives than we used to. Just look at some of the players that had questionable character. Lawrence Taylor, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Ray Lewis, Dez Bryant. I could go on and on and on. If put under a microscope, I’m sure more people than not would have some demons. People need to calm down.

John: We have more access to players. That’s one factor. The other is the information we do have is so much more accessible and it’s in our face 24/7/365. But your overarching point is correct: players with off-field issues and character concerns have been a part of professional sports since there have been professional sports. As of now, I see no reason that that will change.

David from Broward County, FL:

O-Man, Tom Coughlin/David Caldwell/Doug Marrone wanted to give BB5/our offense a better running game and a power-running game, along with a better O line. Knowing that, I get the first two picks. After much analysis and research I do not get at all the third-round pick, Duwuane Smoot. Clearly C/C/M know why they picked this player at that spot, but no one else does. He was drafted perhaps 100 spots too high, a potentially very bad reach. Far more talented players, especially offensive line, were available instead of Smoot. He still would have been available in the fourth spot – and maybe the fifth spot. Help me understand this pick and why the Jags didn’t pick up more OL in the draft.

John: The Jaguars didn’t select more offensive linemen in the draft for a simple reason I have discussed several times in recent days: they drafted Cam Robinson at No. 34 with the idea that he can play guard if Branden Albert starts at tackle – and that he can play tackle if Branden Albert doesn’t start at tackle. The offensive line class weakened considerably after the third round, and the Jaguars didn’t believe later-round linemen were an improvement over players already on the roster. As far as your research on Smoot, I assume it’s quite extensive and accurate, but remember: most observers don’t have the access to all 32 team’s draft boards as you do. I’m one of those observers, so I always assume that what I read on the internet might not always jive with what scouts and personnel people know.

David from Puerto Rico:

If TC has final say over personnel and DM is the head coach; what exactly does Dave Caldwell do for the organization? To me, it seems as if his place with the team is redundant. It was obvious his demeanor is completely different from last year’s draft. He did not look at all like he wanted to be there during the press conferences and the videos from the draft room of him making calls to the recent draft picks.

John: David Caldwell ran the draft and was integral in putting together the draft board and making decisions. I understand people thinking that Coughlin has made his position redundant, but everything I saw and heard this weekend indicates that’s not the case. As far as Caldwell’s demeanor, I’ve known him for about a decade and a half, and have watched him closely the last five offseasons. I noticed very little discernable change in his demeanor this offseason. Is the Jaguars’ organization structure common? No. But even if it’s unusual and difficult for outsiders to understand, Caldwell is a big part of it.

Richard from Jacksonville:

Would doubling the Jaguars’ win total from last year be considered a successful season for 2017? At six wins, it would be the first time since 2010 that the Jaguars would break the five-win mark.

John: I believe reaching .500 would be a successful season for this franchise. I believe winning seven games would be an accomplishment, because that would mean a four-game improvement – and that’s a big improvement in the NFL. I believe it will be difficult for the Jaguars to attain either goal, but I do believe it’s possible.

Peter from Jacksonville:

Is it true the Jags drafted Gene Fournette with the first pick in the draft?

John: It was a value selection.

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Author J32bassPosted on May 2, 2017May 2, 2017Categories Uncategorized502 Comments on O-Zone: Value added

O-Zone: Splish, splash

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Liam from London, England:

So, they’ve gone all in with Blake Bortles, John. The only thing left is picking up the fifth-year option, which looks inevitable at this point. My question is: after the abysmal last season, does it make sense to not bring in any legitimate quarterback competition – not only to push Blake, but at the very least as insurance in case last year wasn’t an anomaly? I’m scratching my head here, mate…

John: I’m surprised in retrospect the Jaguars didn’t bring in competition for Bortles. At the same time, at no point during the offseason or draft did I see an option that screamed, “This player is a much better option that Bortles.” There will be those who scream, “But Deshaun Watson …” in response to this, and I’m sure there may be fans who wish the team would have brought in a free-agent quarterback. And yes, I do wonder if a player such as Jay Cutler might make sense. But the veteran route to me is the only one that really made sense if you’re looking for real competition in 2016. I like Mitch Trubisky’s potential, but starting him as a rookie would have been difficult, and Watson brought far too many questions about his ability to adjust to the NFL game. So, what does that mean? It means Bortles indeed almost certainly will get one more season to show he can be the guy. And yes, I imagine the Jaguars will pick up the fifth-year option. But don’t lock in on that as meaning Bortles is assured of being the guy going forward. All the fifth-year option does is assure the Jaguars can keep Bortles under his current contract for 2018 if they so desire. If they don’t so desire, they can release him after the 2017 season. Whatever the Jaguars’ decision on the option, Bortles must show he’s the franchise quarterback this season. If not …

Dallas from Jacksonville:

One thing surprised me in the draft, and I’m pretty sure it surprised everyone. We didn’t draft a single tight end in a very favorable draft for tight ends. The only logical reason I can think that we didn’t draft a tight end is Neal Sterling or Ben Koyack has been developing nicely. No offense to Michael Rivera, but he isn’t a starter-worthy tight end. Why didn’t we draft a tight end?

John: I was surprised the Jaguars didn’t draft a tight end, and while it clearly wasn’t a high-priority area, I think the Jaguars would have liked to have addressed the position. When you select seven players, you don’t always hit every area you want to hit. The Jaguars do like Sterling and Koyack, but you may be reading Michael Rivera wrong. Is he a Pro Bowl tight end? Perhaps not, but the Jaguars expect him to be a key part of the offense next season.

David from Atlanta, GA:

All draft picks are risks from a football perspective, but the selection of Dede Westbrook goes far deeper and is testament to how the NFL still hasn’t learned its lesson on domestic violence. Understanding he hasn’t been convicted, where there is smoke there is fire. Getting drafted in the fourth round only reinforces the fact that so long as you can make big plays, NFL teams will give you a chance to make millions. Would David Caldwell, Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone draft someone accused of domestic violence against their daughters? Is there anyone who believes Westbrook has more credibility than Todd McShay, who revealed Westbrook was kicked out of a Combine interview less than three months ago? And then he responded absurdly Saturday he had no knowledge of it! No, he hasn’t matured or learned much from his transgressions. Jaguars leadership can’t change Westbrook; he must WANT to change … but if he can score touchdowns, all is forgiven. How can “the big three” of Jags leadership justify this move? Do you, John, truly believe that Westbrook’s demons are behind him?

John: You’re very emotional on this issue, which isn’t uncommon. And I know from experience people get pretty dug in on this topic. But I have no idea if Westbrook’s demons are behind him. That’s because I try to not be intellectually arrogant enough to believe I can predict the future actions of another human being – or to believe that I know the inner workings of a person who I’ve only read about on the internet and watched play football on television. I learned long ago that the National Football League is professional sports – not a place where only people who have never made mistakes are allowed to perform. The bottom line: if a player is legally permitted to work – which pretty much means if he is not in the criminal justice system – he probably is going to be permitted to play providing he can help a team. This bothers some people. It makes others phenomenally angry. It might even make some people not watch a team for signing a certain player. But in my 23 years covering the NFL, it has been a common thread that never has proven untrue. I don’t know how Caldwell, Marrone or Coughlin would handle the situation had they been involved on a personal level. That’s not their job. Their job is to win games. If they believe Westbrook gives them a chance to do that, then there’s nothing wrong with them investing a fourth-round selection in him. This is a talent-driven league. It may not seem right, and it may not be fair. But neither are a lot of things in life.

Mike from Albany, NY:

I think you are missing the point on Westbrook. We all understand risk versus reward. What Westbrook did was hit, multiple times, the mother of his child. Charges were dropped because the victim did not cooperate with the investigation. That alone needs to remove him from every NFL draft board. Why is professional sports the only industry that stands on a pedestal and says “so and so” deserves a second chance? Outside of minimum-wage paying jobs, no other industry that I know of would ever take that stance. I played football for ten years and love it just as much now as I did then, but the NFL needs to do better, and my two daughters deserve better!

John: I’m not missing the point. Professional sports is the industry that does that because it’s … professional sports – and ability and performance outweighs what goes on off the field. There is a demand for this ability, and the demand trumps a lot of other things.

Keith from St. Augustine, FL:

I am loving the Cam Robinson pick regardless if he plays tackle or guard. My question, though, is after trading for Brandon Albert and with the fact he is holding out, how likely is this situation going to resolve itself? Who is likely to play tackle and would the other be a back-up or fill the guard position?

John: First, it’s important to remember that Albert – a left tackle acquired in a trade from the Miami Dolphins in March – really isn’t holding out yet. That’s important to remember because the reason he isn’t holding out is he’s only missing voluntary activities, which means he’s not missing practices or minicamp or training camp. At the same time, there’s little question the team is disappointed that there has been no communication with Albert – and I don’t foresee much movement from the team in terms of renegotiating Albert’s contract. My guess is Albert will play under his current contract because you don’t walk away from starting NFL left-tackle money. In that scenario, I see Robinson playing guard in 2017 and playing left tackle for the Jaguars at a later date. This is the most plausible scenario, and until I see Albert announce his retirement or not show up for mandatory minicamp or training camp, I won’t consider any other scenario more plausible.

Brian from New Hampshire:

Everyone needs to relax on Westbrook. Give the kid a chance to redeem himself. It was four years ago and we have all done stupid stuff as a teenager. I believe he’s on a really short leash, so if messes up he’s gone.

John: True.

Nathan from St. Augustine, FL:

Some of the best highlights of Cam Robinson are against Myles Garrett – consensus almost-can’t-miss-No. 1-pick Myles Garrett. I know that doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does make me excited to see what he can do as a Jaguar!

John: I learned long ago that college success – even success against what many believe the best conference in college football – doesn’t guarantee NFL success. That’s because the talent, experience and strength of NFL players is so much greater than college players that it makes the two levels almost different games. But Robinson indeed played very well against a lot of good college players in the Southeastern Conference. To the degree that it matters, that’s a good sign. It’s certainly better than getting owned week after week in Division III.

Tom from Charleston, SC:

No splash in this class. I guess back-to-back good drafts are too much to expect. Better luck next year.

John: #draftsplash

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Author J32bassPosted on May 1, 2017May 1, 2017Categories Uncategorized259 Comments on O-Zone: Splish, splash

O-Zone: Keep him around

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Daniel from Jacksonville:

So, do we have a thing for drafting receivers with off-field issues? R. Jay Soward, Justin Blackmon. Now, Dede Westbrook. There were value options at defensive line, tight end and quarterback available. First pick so far that I’m questioning the wisdom of Tom Coughlin.

John: Goodness, if you’re going to bother listing Soward and Blackmon, why stop short of mentioning Reggie Williams and Matt Jones, too? Look, it’s fine to roll out the Jaguars’ troubled history at the position every time they draft a wide receiver with off-field issues – and Westbrook’s off-field and character concerns are well-documented. But Westbrook has nothing to do with Blackmon, or Soward, or Williams or Jones. He was a second-to-third-round talent available in the fourth round, so in that sense he’s absolutely a value selection. He also plays a position where the Jaguars could use an impact, playmaking player. The Jaguars’ wide receivers have been productive in recent seasons and the position is in no way a weakness, but there’s not an elite player at the position – and outside of Marqise Lee, there’s really not a player there whose speed or elusiveness really scares coordinators. Westbrook may be that sort of player. So, is he worth the risk in the fourth round? Certainly.

HJT from the Comments Section:

With that Blair Brown pick, I have officially ended my fandom of this team. We are so clueless. Blake is terrible and we did nothing to replace him.

John: I understand being upset that the Jaguars didn’t select Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson in the first round. I disagree with those who believe the Jaguars should have taken him, but I do understand the sentiment. But if you were watching Rounds 3, 4 and 5 of this draft – one that was not considered to have a good quarterback class, even at the top – expecting the Jaguars to take a quarterback who was going to win the starting job … well, no … I don’t think I can say I understand that.

Shepherd from St. Augustine, FL:

Great, another guy with serious character issues from the state of Oklahoma. Guess the front office ignored the lessons learned from the last time. Why not an upstanding kid like Nathan Peterman, especially when quarterback could well be a need sooner than we think?

John: You don’t judge prospects’ character based on their state of origin or the position they play. You judge prospects’ character based on research and conversation with the player. Then, you decide if the potential reward is worth the risk. Westbrook was selected in the Fourth Round, and you can tell the round is important here because I capitalized the “F” and the “R.” If he doesn’t work out, the Jaguars have invested a fourth-round selection. That’s a worthwhile risk. In fact, that’s about where it’s generally OK to take some risks because your odds of getting high-impact there are relatively low. As far as taking Westbrook over Peterman, the reason is simple: they thought Westbrook had a better chance of being a good player for them than Peterman. That’s usually the reasoning in the draft.

Paul from Jacksonville:

O-Man, it feels like the Jags the last two years have been able to acquire the top-rated cornerback, linebacker, running back and tackle at the time of the drafts. History may tell a different story but if the Jaguars keep assembling this kind of talent, the roster should eventually be highly regarded right?

John: Yes.

Raymond from Jacksonville:

What is Leonard Fournette’s number?

John: Fournette will wear No. 27.

Daniel Since Day One:

I find it hard to believe anyone considered Fournette to be their No. 1 choice in the draft. But I’m happy with Nos. 2 and 3. I’m really struggling to understand No. 4. There wasn’t a single offensive lineman available in the fourth round who could help us? And a six-foot, 178-pound wide receiver from a small school was the BAP? He may not even make the final roster unless they’re expecting him to be on special teams.

John: Dede Westbrook played at the University of Oklahoma and was a unanimous All-America selection, the Biletnikoff Award winner and a Heisman Trophy finalist. He also was considered a second- or third-round selection, so it’s far from a reach to think he was the best available player at the time of the selection. There are plenty of reasons to question the selection, the vast majority of which concern his well-documented off-field issues, but the selection is sound from a football standpoint.

Jerry from Hero, FL:

I always thought compensatory draft picks couldn’t be traded. This year it seems they were traded left and right, or is it right and left? Anyway was there a previous rule preventing trading compensatory picks?

John: This was the first year teams have been allowed to trade compensatory selections.

Dave from Duval:

We passed on another franchise quarterback – and on top of that, we let our biggest division rival get him. If Watson turns out to be a Top 12 pick it’s just another bad decision made by a bad franchise. And twice a year the Texans get to twist the knife more now.

John: OK.

Chris from Goodnight, TX:

No interior offensive linemen? Don’t be surprised when the Jaguars average less than four yards per carry next year.

John: I’ve written about this and spoken about this on the website ad nauseam in the last couple of days, but I’ll go over it again because it seems to be getting lost. There were a couple of reasons the Jaguars approached the offensive line the way they did this weekend. The first was that they loved Cam Robinson, and are confident in his ability to eventually be a left-tackle in the NFL. Their plan for now is to have him compete with Branden Albert at left tackle, but I’m guessing Albert eventually arrives in Jacksonville and starts at left tackle next season. If that’s the case, I believe Robinson will play guard until such time as Albert leaves and Robinson can move to tackle. That is a perfectly common path for some rookies to the left-tackle position — and considering Robinson’s skill set it’s a path that makes perfect sense. As for why the Jaguars didn’t draft an interior offensive lineman after Robinson, remember: this was considered a very weak offensive-line draft class. It’s not a surprise that the consensus belief within the organization was that a rookie lineman taken outside the top few rounds of this draft couldn’t make the offensive line better. The belief was that a sixth- or seventh-round offensive linemen would not make the roster. Debate that all you want, but that was the belief. You can’t draft wishing there were players worth taking. You have to draft what’s there, and the Jaguars clearly didn’t believe what was there after Robinson could help the interior of the line.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

It seems to me that drafting and roster maintenance is at a point where we want it to be. The first two picks will come in and be counted on right away. The rest is special teams, depth and drafting for the future. You don’t want to have to count on third- and fourth-round picks to come in and contribute because they rarely make a difference in their rookie season. You should know you are in trouble if you are counting on a mid-to-late fourth-round pick to come in and start or take significant reps.

John: You’re correct, and it is a commentary on the state of the roster that what you say generally is true. But I’d advise against considering Westbrook depth. I’d be surprised if he’s not contributing fairly quickly as a slot receiver.

Darren from Arlington, TX:

I love my Jaguars but O-man, I’m not happy with the final day of the draft. I’m hopeful that they all succeed and prove me wrong.

John: This is truly not meant as an insult to you or any reader, Darren, but the late rounds of a draft are a mystery to even astute football observers. Personnel people who spend entire years researching and scouting these players don’t come anywhere close to knowing all the time which later-round selections will be successful in the league and which ones won’t. Considering the difficulty they have of knowing much about the final few rounds of the draft, the idea that readers/observers may or may not like those final rounds isn’t very concerning at all.

Chance from Windsor:

What are the odds Chris Ivory gets released now that we drafted Leonard Fournette? I assume T.J. Yeldon will be the third-down change-of-pace back. Plus Ivory fumbles a lot … Que penses-tu?

John: I think the chances are very small that Ivory gets released because the Jaguars selected Leonard Fournette. Ivory is a very capable running back and you could argue he’s a good NFL running back. Players do get hurt in the NFL. Why do people feel such a rush to release good players?

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Author J32bassPosted on April 30, 2017May 1, 2017Categories Uncategorized621 Comments on O-Zone: Keep him around

O-Zone Late Night: ’17 Draft, Day 2

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Tony from Atlanta, GA:

I’m a little confused as to why we drafted a left tackle who never has played guard after we just signed a free-agent left tackle and needed a guard. Lamp seems both more versatile and less likely to have off-field concerns. Is there anything going around the back rooms there at the ‘Bank that might give a clue to Coughlin’s thought processes?

John: There’s no need to venture into back rooms on this one. The Jaguars selected Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson with the No. 34 overall selection of the 2017 NFL Draft Friday. He was the second selection of Round 2, and the Jaguars wanted Robinson enough that they traded the No. 187 overall selection – a sixth-rounder – to get him. The Jaguars liked Robinson a lot. They sent Head Coach Doug Marrone, General Manager David Caldwell, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin and offensive line coach Pat Flaherty to Tuscaloosa a week before the draft to work out Robinson. Marrone also talked Friday about a comfort he had with the selection based on a relationship with Alabama coach Nick Saban and Alabama offensive line coach Brent Key. This was in no way a darts-at-the-board selection – and when you couple that with Robinson being widely considered a first-round selection, it made it easy. All of that already was the case, and then you add in the fact that Jaguars left tackle Branden Albert is not participating in voluntary workouts … this was a chance to send a clear message to Albert and make sure that you had a viable left-tackle option for the present and the future. Another reason for the selection: Robinson is considered versatile enough to play guard, tackle and right tackle – and the Jaguars could use an offensive lineman who could potentially be really good at multiple positions. The final factor? Robinson at 6-feet-6 is a mammoth human being and Marrone and Coughlin really like mammoth, tough human beings. I personally wouldn’t have been surprised had Lamp been the selection because I figured the play might be to find a starting guard. But selecting Robinson gives you a player who could potentially start at guard and gives you a lot more, too. Considering the team’s comfort with a player, the selection made sense.

Cody from Boston, MA:

Since we took a running back at No. 4, what future do you see for T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory?

John: As running backs for the Jaguars.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

Please let the brass know for once they are doing a good job.

John: Stay where you are, Jerrell. I’ll call for help.

Scott from Aurora, IL:

Is Cam going to play guard???? I only ask because the Jags need, you know, a guard…

John: Robinson theoretically can play guard if he doesn’t win the left-tackle position. Listening to Caldwell talk about Albert on Friday night, I think the Jaguars are very serious about letting Robinson compete for the left-tackle spot. Can Robinson kick inside and play guard for a year if he doesn’t start at left tackle? Yes, he very much has that skill set.

Bryan from Tampa, FL:

Count me among the fans who were really hoping for a top safety or defensive line from the first round, but when I take a step back and ask myself, “Did we clearly improve at one of our positions?”, I have to answer yes. And that is what the draft is about.

John: True.

Bill from Dansville, NY:

Soo Albert’s holdout is probably only gonna last through the voluntary parts of the offseason, eh Zone?

John: Albert is missing voluntary activities – emphasis on “voluntary” – so he’s not really holding out. He is, however, reportedly making the point that he wants a new contract. Caldwell made the point Friday that the Jaguars don’t plan to give him a new contract. I don’t know when that means Albert will report. My guess is he will participate in mandatory activities, the first of which is a three-day June minicamp. I guess that because I always guess players will participate in mandatory events because not doing so means getting fined. We’ll see.

Mark from Oceanway:

Before drafting Cam Robinson, I think Branden Albert held most of the cards in his desire for a new contract. Other than Albert, we didn’t really have a starting-level left tackle on the roster. We may not plan to use Cam immediately at left tackle to begin his career, but how do you see his selection affecting Albert’s contract negotiations?

John: Significantly.

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Author J32bassPosted on April 29, 2017April 29, 2017Categories Uncategorized875 Comments on O-Zone Late Night: ’17 Draft, Day 2

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