Category: Uncategorized

O-Zone: May we walk

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Organized Team Activities Week 2.

Let’s get to it …

Norman from Palm Coast, FL:
Dear Zone, do you find it difficult to have to defend your answers day in and day out? After all, we write in questions to hear … your opinion!! Not everyone will like it and you have said repeatedly that you get that. I for one enjoy the answers – some serious, some silly – but I also know if I don’t like it I can do what my mom always told me: if you don’t like the site, then stop getting on it!! One fer Mr O!

John: I don’t actually find it difficult to “defend” my answers day in and day out. That’s because while some questioners do assume an attacking tone at times, I try not to “defend” in my answers. There are a couple of reasons for this. I try not to “defend” myself because this forum isn’t about me; rather, it’s about the Jaguars. I also try not to “defend” the Jaguars, because it’s fair for fans to show anger and discontent – and because for the most part the people making decisions, coaching and playing for the Jaguars don’t need me to defend them. What I try to do instead is answer questions as honestly as possible, with as much insight as possible while trying best as possible to take the emotion, anger and immediacy out of the equation. I also try to not worry much about whether or not people like the answer because if I worried about that, the answers over time would seem disingenuous. In the case of the last few years, it would be easy to write that former Head Coach Gus Bradley, General Manager David Caldwell, quarterback Blake Bortles or any number of other primary characters in the Jaguars’ story were awful in their roles and singularly to blame for all that has ailed the Jaguars. It would have been particularly easy last season and this offseason to categorically take the approach that Bradley was the primary reason the Jaguars struggled the past four seasons. When coaches get fired, organizational cultures shift and all that came before it is painted as the culprit. This is an easy approach to take because it allows fans to believe that the “problem” is solved and that things will magically improve. There typically is far more to be done than simply changes coaches, and that’s the case with the Jaguars. But I digress … the point here is that, no … not everyone’s going to like that opinion or a lot of others. And that’s OK, but one fer Mr. O? Nah. One fer those who don’t like Mr. O’s opinions but keep reading. Bless ‘em – and may we all keep not getting along and kinda, sorta getting along at the same time.

John from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
Is it true that Bortles has never won a division road game and has only two division wins at home, one of which came in London? That can’t be correct, can it?

John: It’s not correct. Bortles and the Jaguars indeed haven’t won a division road game in the last three seasons. They have won five division home games, including one in London.

David from Munich, Germany:
I felt the team kind of lost its way last season after the Week 1 loss the Packers; they were (in my opinion) the better team and got screwed by some bad calls. I felt the disappointment and loss of confidence after being close but not getting there – paired with the terrible game against the Chargers – derailed the whole season. Could you imagine an alternate universe in which the Jags would have won at least seven – maybe even nine – games last season only based on the different vibe around the team after beating Green Bay in Week One? This idea gives me hope for this season. I feel like if the team wins close ones early it could snowball into a really good season.

John: A good start absolutely can help a team; it would behoove the Jaguars to start well under Head Coach Doug Marrone this season and it would have behooved them to have started well under Bradley last season. That’s because there’s a belief factor for any team, a factor that is particularly important for a team that has lost as much as the Jaguars in recent seasons. I don’t know that the Packers loss changed everything, though, just as I don’t know that I buy the theory that Bradley “lost” the team in the awful loss at San Diego in Week 2. The Jaguars responded to that start with a close loss at home to Baltimore that they could have/should have won, then won back-to-back games after that. The season to me started to turn bad fast against Oakland in Game 6 – and then after that … well, yeah. How important are the first two weeks for Marrone and the 2017 Jaguars? They’re important, to be sure, because a good start always is important. But I don’t know that they’re make-or-break games. I think this is going to be a pretty mentally tough team. And a mentally tough team should be able to overcome some early adversity.

Jeff from Jacksonville:
I’m not as down on the preseason as most. Yes, it’s boring, bad football and every fan hates to watch a key player get injured in a meaningless game, but what would happen if you eliminated it? These are warmup games for the regular season, and you can’t really simulate that practicing against another team. The first couple weeks of the regular season are usually sloppy enough; if they get rid of the preseason we’ll be watching bad football until Week 6 or 7!

John: That’s indeed the dilemma. I believe front-line players need at least two preseason games to get some level of preparation for the regular season, and I believe you need at least one – maybe two – more to get enough evaluation for roster players. That’s probably the old-school guy in me talking, and perhaps the league could make due with three preseason games. It’s not that I love watching them; I don’t. But I do believe in the preparation/evaluation value. None of that means I think the old-schoolers will win out on this in the long run. I don’t – and I believe that at some point in the next 10 years or so we’ll see a shorter preseason.

Nathan from Provo, UT:
O-Sure, let me get this straight . . . the man who took an NFL franchise to a record, most successful first-five seasons, went on to coach another team, to two Super Bowl victories over the dynamic New England Patriots (both times against Tom Brady) is now again involved with this franchise? With the talent I’m seeing on paper, I am excited for the future. Here’s one for the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars!

John: Tom Coughlin indeed is back in Jacksonville, and that indeed has a lot of people excited about the 2017 season. I like this question for its simplicity and its truth – and because it might get us back looking at the present and future of this franchise rather than bickering over its recent past. But to answer your question … yes, the man who took an NFL franchise to a successful first five seasons and who went on to coach the New York Giants to Super Bowl victories over New England is now again involved with the Jaguars. That doesn’t mean the past doesn’t count, and it doesn’t mean the past five, six, seven or more seasons haven’t been long and frustrating for the Jaguars and their fans.

Mark from College Park, MD:
Not living in Jacksonville anymore due to work, it looks like Daily’s Place is a real hit. Did you let your hair down this weekend and jam out?!?

John: I didn’t. But many did. Daily’s Place indeed is a hit. That’s not a surprise. Jaguars Owner Shad Khan took a big swing at a game-changing pitch. His swings usually don’t miss.

Tommy from Jacksonville:
We all know Dante Fowler Jr. is a bust. The guys we could have drafted other than him should have got Dave Caldwell fired on the spot. John, I know you got to laugh at the fact Dave still is with the organization. If you don’t you should; because his performance is pathetic. He was never meant to be more than an assistant. You’ll support the organization as you should but if there is anything I can guarantee it’s that Dave Caldwell will not be the general manager after next year and he will never have a job as general manager again.

John: Few things are of more value to a man than a wise confidant who can tell him when he must laugh – and for that matter, who can tell him generally speaking what he should do and how he should feel about things. Rare it is to find someone you can trust to do these things who also can give you a sound, clear, level-headed road map for the future. I don’t know much, but I do know enough to take note of such a man, thank him and make sure I walk with him through the rocky road of life. So, you are noted, Tommy. Thank you. And may we walk on, you and I, down our rocky path. Yay … may we walk.

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O-Zone: Mr. Right

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jake from Illinois:
Zone, was Leonard Fournette a pretty highly-touted baseball prospect coming out of high school? Shortstop and centerfield? I thought I saw something about that during draft season. Maybe it doesn’t necessarily translate to catching a football out of the backfield, but if he was a shortstop (and a good one) I dunno if we need to worry about his hands.

John: Fournette to my knowledge ran track and played football in high school, and I’ve seen nothing in his background about baseball. Whatever his athletic background, I don’t sweat the concern over Fournette’s hands as much as many. From what I saw Friday during the third organized team activities, Fournette’s hands are at least adequate – and Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone talked positively about Fournette’s receiving ability after Friday’s practice. Here’s the main thing on this issue: while it would be great if Fournette can catch, block and do all of the periphery things backs are asked to do, he’s here to run – and as Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin put it during the draft – to put the ball in the end zone. If he can do the last two things, the Jaguars won’t spend much time worrying about his hands out of the backfield. And anything he gives them as a receiver will be a bonus.

Aretha from Jacksonville:
We know that Poz has had a big impact on Myles Jack, and the way he has handled that deserves great respect. But, it also sounds like a one-fer is due to Chris Ivory after Fournette’s statement on Friday.

John: Ivory indeed apparently is working closely and professionally with Fournette – that despite Fournette clearly being in Jacksonville to be the No. 1 running back. Fournette made mention of this Friday, saying that Ivory had taken him under his wing. It’s relatively common for NFL veterans to be helpful with young players, and many veterans feel an obligation to do so. Still, that doesn’t mean they have to do it, and it doesn’t make it less notable. So, yeah … one fer Ivory!

Ricky from Fairport, NY:
A wise man is one who understands who is boss in the family …the wife. She obviously he hasn’t told you, however, that preseason games need to be reduced or totally eliminated. Making rules changes that benefit their importance is absurd. When she tells you at 4 a.m. that she has to pay full boat for these unimportant games that don’t even showcase her favorite players while you sit in your comfy press box I bet the neighbors will hear it!

John: I dislike preseason as much as the next person. It turns training camp into perhaps the longest month of the season from a coverage standpoint, and there’s no question that in the ideal world for fans teams would go straight to the regular season. But there is a preparation/evaluation element to preseason games that teams value – that despite the games not being aesthetically pleasing. Now, as for fans having to pay full price for tickets … though the issue is well above my pay grade, I’m not a fan of that. Either way, this latest rule change won’t change the preseason conversation one way or the other. I suspect sometime in the next decade or so the league will reduce the preseason schedule to two or three games per team. I suspect that will happen when it becomes financially feasible to do so, and I expect the football people who miss preseason for evaluation purposes will just have to live with that inconvenience. Until that happens, this new rule eliminating the Preseason Week 3 cut to 75 will help all involved.

Chris from Mandarin:
Is it possible that strong-side linebacker ends up being an even more natural fit for Poz’s skill set? I don’t see anything from that role that he couldn’t do better than Dan Skuta did, and that includes blitzing. He has been effective in that in the past.

John: I agree that Posluszny seems to possess the skill set to play the strong side, but it’s hard for me to say he’s a better fit for strong than middle. You’re talking about a player who has played middle linebacker in the NFL at a high level for a decade. As far as rushing the passer, I don’t doubt Posluszny will figure out a way to be effective at times. But he’s not likely to rush off the edge as regularly as Skuta, who was more accustomed to doing so from the strong side. The trick will be getting Posluszny in blitz situations, where he indeed has been effective quite a bit from the middle.

Aaron from White Hall, AR:
I know it’s not that big of a deal for a rookie to miss OTAs because of the PAC-12 rules, but why does the NFL honor that rule? The NFL has no obligation to the NCAA or the PAC-12 so I’ve just never understood why the NFL abides by the rule if they don’t have to?

John: The rule that rookies can’t participate in OTAs until their school is finished with the spring semester is a mutual rule between the NCAA and the NFL. The NFL basically abides by it because it’s a good look for the league to “encourage” players to stay and finish the spring semester rather than withdraw from classes to join practice. It’s a silly rule at this point because most players in NFL camps opted to not attend the spring semester anyway. That means the end result of the rule is it hurts marginal players’ chances of making the team – and it also sets drafted rookies back, at least to some extent. The NFL sticks with it because it would be a bad look to get rid of a rule that appears to promote academics, but I agree – it’s time for it to go.

Notatroll from Jacksonville:
If I be your best friend, will you get me season tickets?

John: No.

Bradley from South Lake Tahoe, UT:
Do you think the Jags will be better than, worse than, or about the same as the league average in the following categories: One, turnover differential; two, rushing yards; three, sacks; four, red-zone touchdowns; and five, penalties?

John: I think a huge focus for the Jaguars will be on all five areas. I would be surprised if the Jaguars don’t get significantly better in the first two areas (turnover differential and rushing yards) and the fifth (penalties), and if they get better in those areas the record should get better, too. Where will the Jaguars rank in turnover differential, rushing and penalties? Let’s say close to the Top 10 – somewhere in the Top 10-to-15. The most intriguing area to me next season will be sacks. Can the Jaguars get pressure when it matters? That will go a long way toward deciding their season.

Will from Jacksonville:
What players on offense and defense would you take in a hypothetical game if that player had to play all 11 positions? For example, 11 Leonard Fournettes vs. 11 Jalen Ramseys. Or maybe 11 A-Robs vs. 11 Telvin Smiths.

John: Eleven Carson Tinkers … on both sides of the ball.

Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL:
Hi, John. I believe that Blake Bortles’ down-the-field accuracy will improve if he can throw a decent spiral. I’m hoping his ability to lead his receivers on crossing routes will improve. I think he had at least three interceptions last year by throwing behind his receiver and the ball being tipped.

John: There are obviously situations in which Bortles would be helped by throwing a tighter, more-accurate spiral. I don’t think that issue is as big as his decision-making, but it’s still clearly an issue to some extent.

John from Imperial:
We need to convince the owner and general manager to go all out and draft a couple of quarterbacks and a couple of running backs and re-sign Eben Britton for right tackle do you agree? We need to go back to smash mouth football from ’07.

John: #DTWD

Dave from Orlando, FL:
Your opinions are clearly biased when you can’t even bring yourself to admit Gus Bradley did a very poor job coaching and preparing this team last year. It’s dishonest. It’s why most of us don’t value your opinions at all. It makes you seem very petty, too, when you try so hard to argue with fans and want to be right all the time. So just delete this one, too, because you’ll never post this.

John: Hmm … Maybe you’re right, Dave. Maybe I am petty. Maybe I do owe it to fans to tell them what they want to hear rather than answer honestly based on thought, analysis and experience. Maybe I should take the easy way out. Or maybe I should just keep being right all the time. I’ll probably do the latter, and here’s the weird thing: being right all the time doesn’t take me nearly as much effort as you seem to think.

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O-Zone: Perfect fit

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Steve from Hudson, FL:
Does elimination of the first roster cut make it more difficult for our personnel department to make decisions on filling the roster with depth positions? It seems like there will be a lot of players available all on the same day.

John: I’m getting many questions about the NFL’s elimination of the first roster cut-down date, and it seems there’s a whole lot of overthinking happening here. The NFL this week voted to have just one preseason roster cut-down date rather than two, eliminating the post-Preseason Week 3 cut to 75 players. People seem to be trying to figure a negative to this, and I’m just not seeing one. Starters and front-line players are held out of that game far more often than not. Because of that, teams sometimes had a tricky time with roster management for the final preseason game. Having 90 players rather than 75 should make that easier for teams. It benefits players all around because players who are assured of roster spots won’t have to play in Preseason Week 4 and 15 more marginal players now will get an extra week to impress a team around the league. It won’t make it more difficult for personnel people. If actually will make it easier because they will get a more extensive look at some players they otherwise might not have had a chance to evaluate.

John from Jacksonville:
I hope Abry gets everything he wants … here’s one for Abry Jones and I hope we remember his play for a very long time!

John: Hey … one fer Abry!

Marc from Jacksonville:
Regarding the run game and its impact on the tight-end position, I kind of feel we may not actually see lots of two tight-end sets with the addition of a dedicated fullback. I guess it depends on how often they use the fullback. Otherwise, you are flirting with keeping a high number of talented receivers on the sideline a bit too often. Gotta keep those defenses honest, right?

John: I don’t believe the Jaguars will be in two tight-end sets anywhere near all of the time next season, but I think you’ll see a good mix of three-wide, two-tight and fullback-oriented formations. I think it will be pretty balanced, but I think two tights will be on the field for the Jaguars a pretty good percentage of the time if the offense is working efficiently.

Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
John, I was very enthused when we were able to get Myles Jack last year. I was also saddened to see his lack of use. He was magnificent at times, and I feel good about him playing middle linebacker. I hope he plays more with instinct rather than thinking too much. He and Jalen Ramsey have a chance to be outstanding. Yes, we all want it to work. What are your feelings on Jack’s future?

John: I think Myles Jack has all of the talent to have a very bright future, and he absolutely last season showed flashes of the potential that had many analysts believing he would be a Top 5 selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. All reports are that he is adapting well to the move to the middle, and there’s no reason physically he won’t excel there. The question for Jack this season is how quickly he can adapt to the mental demands of playing middle linebacker in the NFL. I think it would have been very difficult if not impossible for him to do last season as a rookie, particularly considering he had to miss organized team activities because UCLA hadn’t completed spring classes. Because Jack seems like a bright, motivated player, I have no reason to think he won’t do very well in the middle in time.

John from Cape May, NJ:
Do you think the Jaguars will allow Dante Fowler Jr. to move around the defense this season? I asked this question last season and you replied (I’m paraphrasing), “Let him learn one position first.” So, do you think it’s time to experiment with him in different positions along the defensive front? His strengths at Florida were that he was a movable chess piece that came from all different angles, so why not embrace those traits? Otherwise, what was the point in picking him if you’re not going to play to his strengths?

John: I did reply “let him learn one position first” about Fowler last season. My reply this season: “Let him play one position at a high level” first before moving him all around the defense. Fowler indeed was a dominant player at Florida because he was a movable chess piece, and he also was dominant because he could overpower, out-athlete and outrun opponents. That’s far harder to do in the NFL than in the SEC. Fowler’s task now is to turn ability into production, and that’s a huge storyline for this team this season. I think the Jaguars will move Fowler around some, but I’d be surprised if they do it extensively until he solidifies himself a bit more in one position.

Rhonda from Jacksonville:
Here’s one for bringing back the prison leagues. Take the skirts off quarterbacks, have real practices and put violence back in the game. Might put the NFL out of business.

John: Hey, one fer the … wait … what?

Logan from Wichita, KS:
This is why Doug Marrone is heads and tails above Gus. Gus was always “gumdrops and ice cream; mistakes are a good thing. Everyone gets a trophy.” Doug Marrone knows you don’t get diddly until you earn it. No pat on the back: “Awww, poor you … it’s just a bad day” anymore. Doug Marrone will let players know when they let up that it’s not OK. I LOVE IT! Tough love is the best love. Dr. Feelgood!

John: Marrone’s approach is much different than Gus Bradley’s – both in how he approaches players and in how expresses his thoughts to the media. I, too, like Marrone’s candor and think it’s fine for a coach to express to the media if he’s unhappy about something. Marrone will be the first to tell you that how speaks with the media doesn’t really have all that much to do with what happens on the field, and he’ll be the first to tell you that none of it means diddly if the Jaguars don’t win. But sure … one fer candor.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:
You spent years covering Peyton Manning with the Colts. What is your assessment of Blake Bortles? Does he have deficits that are insurmountable? Can he be a franchise quarterback? I feel like he has the physical tools. He is big, he can move, his arm strength is good enough, and he doesn’t appear to be shell-shocked by the amount of pass rush/pressure he has dealt with. I think his accuracy problems stem from mechanics and some turnovers can be attributed to this. Some turnovers are a result of bad decision-making.

John: My years covering Manning with the Colts don’t really apply to Bortles, just as I don’t think years covering Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and quarterbacks in that class apply to covering quarterbacks outside the Rushmore Debate. This is not meant as a criticism of Bortles because the great majority of quarterbacks to play the game aren’t in the Rushmore Debate. You ask, “Can he be a franchise quarterback?” I answer now as I have answered often before: I have my doubts. He indeed has all the attributes you cite – big, good arm, gutsy in the pockets, etc. – and he has had a lot of adversity to overcome. I’m not as concerned over the Accuracy Crisis as many observers, either. It’s difficult to succeed without pinpoint accuracy, but it can be done; the Jaguars indeed had times in 2015 when they moved effectively, and Bortles wasn’t particularly accurate that season. The concern I have with Bortles now is the same as the last two-plus seasons – decision-making, pocket awareness reading defenses. His struggles in those areas too often have led to long stretches of offensive inefficiency and critical, avoidable turnovers at key times. Can he improve in those areas? I honestly don’t know, but I do believe his ability to do so will determine his future.

Jody from St. Augustine, FL:
John, a question yesterday about Poz got me thinking about his future role with the team. I know the move was made to maximize Myles Jack’s opportunities and his athleticism, but do you think a possible side effect of having Poz play less snaps is he gets an extra year or two of high level play? I would Love to see him finish his career as a Jag, Do you think this move makes that more likely?

John: Yes.

Cliff from Jags4life:
Have you ever argued loudly with your wife at 4 a.m. and woke the neighborhood?

John: My wife and I don’t argue. We have a perfectly healthy relationship based on her pointing out my flaws and me acknowledging her accuracy.

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O-Zone: Worse and worse

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Tommy from Fernandina Beach, FL:
Big O … from the limited video from OTAs, it looks as though Blake Bortles is throwing a tighter spiral. Do you see that?

John: Friday was the first day of Jaguars 2017 organized team activities in which the media was allowed to observe the entire practice. It therefore was the first time this offseason those who cover the team could watch Blake Bortles’ motion in extended work. I thought it looked …. Good. Not great. Not awful. OK – and yes, better than last year. He had some really accurate passes Friday, and he had other passes that would have drawn a lot of concern had they been viewed by the public. I thought overall Bortles threw well enough Friday – with a tight enough spiral – to be effective in games. That he wasn’t dazzlingly spectacular doesn’t concern me because I don’t think Bortles ever will be a pinpoint, precision, timing passer who dazzles the eye in practice. I don’t see him reeling off 15 consecutive completions in games very often and I don’t seem being a quarterback that “makes it look easy.” I believe he’s going to need to be more accurate more consistently than he was last season, and I believe he needs to get back to being able to make big plays the way he did in 2015. I believe most of all he needs to dramatically reduce interceptions and lost fumbles. I also believe the way he threw Friday was good enough to do all of those things – and I believe the way he threw Friday was good enough for him to play well next season.

Luis from El Paso, TX:
Should Dante Fowler Jr. should move to strong-side linebacker in your opinion?

John: No. While many seem to have given up on Dante Fowler Jr. as a pass rusher who can disrupt off the edge from the end position, I don’t think it’s time for that yet.

Tom from Charleston, SC:
You say that keeping the 90-man roster until the final cut is a positive. You have also said that giving players snaps that obviously aren’t going to contribute takes valuable snaps away from starters or second teamers that are going to contribute – i.e., your reasoning for Brandon Allen getting so few reps in training camp) Doesn’t this new rule take away from those “may make the team” in favor of those that “won’t make the team?”

John: The new rule that keeps 90 players on the roster for an additional week applies only to the preseason finale. Many players who are going to contribute or start in the regular season won’t be playing that week anyway – and regular-season contributors or starters who play in the preseason finale usually don’t play past halftime. This rule is a way to have enough players to play the preseason finale and not risk injuries to players teams plan on contributing. It also gives marginal players one more week to try to impress their current team or potential future teams. That’s what it is. There’s no need to overthink it.

Glen from Orange Park, FL:
In your opinion, what will it take to get Branden Albert to report? I don’t think wanting some guaranteed money from your new team is unreasonable and would love to see this resolved in a positive way, even if that means the Jags’ front office giving in a little.

John: I think Albert probably will report when it’s mandatory he do so. Until then, I don’t see it as a crisis.

Steve from Jacksonville:
With Myles Jack moving to middle linebacker, is he going to be making the calls on defense or will they ease him into that and have Poz make the calls this year?

John: Myles Jack will make the calls from the middle this season.

Dylan from Tulsa, OK:
Do you see Jalen Myrick making an impact as a rookie?

John: On special teams, yes. As far as making an impact on defense, much could depend on injuries in front of him.

J. Hooks from Orange Park, FL:
Dang, Hurnsey looks like he put on some “man pounds.” It’s amazing how young they look when they join the team versus. A couple of years in the pros!

John: Indeed. The biggest difference that many casual observers miss about the NFL is the remarkable physical difference between first- and second-year players and players in their fifth, sixth and seven seasons. It’s indeed the difference between youth and grown men. It’s particularly notable at times on the offensive and defensive lines – and it’s also what can make it difficult for young teams to be on a level with older ones. This is not to say this is why the Jaguars have struggled in recent seasons, because there are far more reasons. But getting older and more mature mentally and physically certainly won’t hurt moving forward.

Trae from PVB:
Doug Marrone looks to be a pretty big dude.

John: If you say so, Trae – though I hadn’t thought about it that way … oh, you said pretty “big” dude.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:
Am I the only one not worried about Poz moving to the strong side? He has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL over the last several years against the run. I’m pretty sure he can handle it.

John: You may not be alone in not worrying, but more people are worrying about than I expected. And I’m pretty sure he can handle it, too. The move isn’t to be taken lightly. As Posluszny himself will tell you, he’s playing on the line of scrimmage in this new position compared to playing off the ball. That’s a significant change. But is he professional enough and capable enough to do it? I believe so.

Nate from Orange Park, FL:
John, I’m glad the Jags will get to see the Bucs up close and personal for joint practices, in hopes our brass can learn something about amassing talent able to go from 2-14 to a winning record in two years. Perhaps completely decimating a roster and sitting on your thumbs in free agency the first year to establish a “culture” isn’t the correct approach to rebuilding as we were made to believe so many, many years ago…

John: You’re right. Jameis Winston does appear to be developing into a solid quarterback quickly while Blake Bortles has taken more time to develop. I couldn’t agree more.

Josh from Pensacola, FL:
One reader tried to make a comparison of Gus Bradley’s time in Jacksonville to Bill Belichick’s time in Cleveland. Belichick’s 36-44 record doesn’t make him a bad coach. Sorry, but 36-44 is a heckuva lot better than 14-48. No comparison – and Bradley was indeed a bad coach. It would’ve taken Gus a decade to reach 36 wins.

John: OK.

David from Oviedo, FL:
Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time rushing leader with 18,356 yards. The only active running backs in striking distance of that record are Frank Gore (5,291 short) and Adrian Peterson (6,609 short). Do you think either one of them has enough in the tank to claim arguably the greatest record in the NFL record books?

John: No.

Russell from Mason:
I have been a Jaguars fan since day one of 1995. I had to relocate to Cincinnati and I have never been able to see the Jaguars play a game. It is my hope that the fans will become a rabid as the Browns fans are … win or lose … the Browns fans are extremely loyal and passionate. Jacksonville, appreciate what you have in this team and this owner!!!

John: The Browns have great fans, but whatever you say about this franchise – or whatever debate, argument, discussion or accompanying free-for-alls you may read in this space each day – make no mistake: Jaguars fans are phenomenally loyal and passionate. Do they criticize the team? Sure. Remember, there’s no law that says fans must like everything a team does. There’s no law that says fans must never criticize players. There’s no law fans can’t be frustrated and angry when a team loses. That’s part of being a fan. I believe the Jaguars’ fans rank with any in the NFL in terms of passion and loyalty. This is a franchise that for a variety of reasons has lost in all-too regular fashion in recent seasons. That has helped the franchise and the city sometimes be unfairly criticized in national circles. Yet, through it all the fans have remained strong, loyal and passionate. I have said often that I no longer root for teams. I’ve covered sports too long to get overly emotional about the victories and losses. But if the Jaguars could win and give this fan base the winner for which it has waited and that it definitely deserves … yeah, even this cynical writer would get a little emotional over that.

Irrelevant from Jacksonville:
I heard from an anonymous source that you’re the kind of guy who tends to worsen a person.

John: That’s on the record.

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O-Zone: Name game

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jake from Jacksonville:
If Poz struggles early in the season at Sam, who do you see on the roster that could fill that position?

John: I’m getting a version of this question quite a bit in recent days, and I find it a curious one. While the transition to strong-side linebacker indeed will be an adjustment for Paul Posluszny after a decade playing NFL middle linebacker – and while he has called it the toughest challenge of his career – that doesn’t remotely mean he won’t be able to do it. He’s not going to be asked to put his hand on the ground and rush the passer. I guess the coverage aspect of the position has people concerned, but he’s not going to be a pass-coverage specialist; besides, he’s far better in coverage than most observers seem to want to believe. He’s going to play a heavy run-defending position, one that’s on the field far less than the middle-linebacker position he has played before. Will it be easy? No, but he’s a smart, dedicated player. I don’t know why he wouldn’t be able to make the transition. Who would play it if he can’t do it? Hayes Pullard, I suppose. Or possibly Blair Brown in a pinch. I doubt that will be necessary.

Ricky from Fairport, NY:
Regarding the 90-man roster you said: “This is a positive change for teams, because it allows them to keep 15 additional players for the final preseason game that normally would have been released the previous week.” There’s nothing “positive” about benefitting preseason games.

John: Wow. Little benefits or thrills me more than when people quote back to me prose I penned just hours before – for without such a reminder, I surely would have forgotten my well-crafted words. But alas … while fans may see no benefit in preseason games, I assure you teams will benefit from having more players available for the preseason finale.

Gabe from Washington, DC:
I had the same thought regarding snaps for Brandon Allen versus Chad Henne in the preseason. Then something occurred to me: If Henne is better right now, does the team need him taking snaps with the second team to determine how good everyone else is? It’s probably my not fair to the receivers (or coaches) to be judged on their performance with a lesser quarterback. Or nah?

John: The issue here probably won’t be as much wanting to judge the second group of receivers as wanting to get your backup quarterback preseason repetitions. If Henne indeed is to be the backup quarterback, then Henne needs preseason reps to prepare for the regular season. Because he is an experienced veteran, he doesn’t need to play every snap of every preseason game, but you don’t want him on the sideline the entire time, either.

Chris from Mandarin:
Okay, John, what are the circumstances that prevented Gus Bradley from being successful? Was it his inability to hire competent coordinators to run the offense and defense, or was it the inability to put players in position to be successful, such as having Julius Thomas block way more often than should have been considered OK (and this is only one of a myriad of examples so don’t latch on to it) or maybe it was lack of comprehension of in-game situations that caused poor clock management? Perhaps none of these things were of Bradley’s control and that is why you do not think he was a bad coach. Uh no, John, Gus Bradley was a poor head coach. Maybe he will be better if he goes on to be a head coach elsewhere, but if he does I imagine he will change his approach.

John: Believe me, I understand that this is one way to look at the issue …

Roger from Houston, TX:
Cliff from Washington, DC: As head coach of the Browns, Bill Belichick was 36-44, and 5-11 in his last season with the team. I suppose that makes him a bad coach.

John: … and there’s also another way.

Joe from Fleming Island, FL:
Happy Memorial Day weekend. It would seem that a player, or players, who miss voluntary workouts in May is highly unlikely to a significant effect in September. However, does it not show a little bit of unprofessionalism or immaturity not to contact the team and inform them of plans or intentions. I taught my kids that it is common courtesy to keep people around them informed. Shouldn’t it be expected for professionals making millions of dollars to take the five minutes to make a phone call?

John: I think it’s safe to say that in the case of Jalen Ramsey not attending the first day of organized team activities that Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone would have appreciated a call. I also think it’s safe to say I’d be surprised if this issue ranks highly on the myriad of issues on this team in the coming months or even weeks. Or even days.

David from Orlando, FL:
I’m disappointed that Denard Robinson is still a free agent. He’s a great young athlete with elite speed, and I don’t think he got much of a chance to shine here. In my opinion, it appeared the coaches wanted him to be the “run-full-speed-to-where-the-hole-should-be” guy, not the patient “use-your-instincts-to get-into-the-open-field” guy. Here’s hoping someone takes a chance on him and that we haven’t heard the last of Denard Robinson. Can I get one for D-Rob?

John: I don’t know when or if the NFL will hear again from Robinson, mainly because I don’t know that he is enough of a position fit to get a serious long-term look after his rookie contract. I hope I’m wrong, because I like Robinson a lot. So, yeah … one fer D-Rob.

John from Jacksonville:
I think we might tempt the Patriots for what could become known in media as “CampGate.” Yes, the Patriots are very interested in gaining intelligence on the Jags for an advantage in the preseason and beyond.

John: You make a valid point.

Brett from Jacksonville:
I know at one point there was discussion about the amphitheater also being an indoor practice facility. Was that idea abandoned, or is it just not being talked about with the excitement of the concerts?

John: The flex-field portion of the Daily’s Place project is scheduled to be completed this summer. The amphitheater portion will open Saturday.

Kyle from Riverside:
O-Man, you’re right! I completely agree. The talent is better since David Caldwell took over four years ago. However, you could have improved the talent on this team by blindly throwing darts at a draft board (which some believe out there is what really happens in the Jag War Room).

John: OK.

Ray from Jacksonville:
John: Two comments on Wednesday’s column. I suppose Mike Mularkey was a bad coach here and is now looking to be a good coach in Tennessee. Oh yeah, he now has a good quarterback. As to hits and misses, Byron Leftwich is considered a “miss,” but he had a better first three years than our current first-rounder.

John: Ray: Two comments on your comments. Yes. OK.

Damian from Appleton, WI:
I realize we are dedicating to the run and we know you want great run blockers on the field such as tight end Marcedes Lewis. Who do you think will be the No. 1 tight end? Do you suspect multiple tight-end sets? Is Lewis the starter? What do you think about who plays what roles as our current group of tight end?

John: I think Mychal Rivera will be the No. 1 receiving tight end with Marcedes Lewis the No. 1 blocking tight end, and I think Neal Sterling and Ben Koyack essentially will be the backups at those positions. And yes … I do think the Jaguars will use a lot of two-tight end sets. That’s the most balanced formation, and therefore a very tough formation to defend.

Jon from Brentwood, UK:
John, just been listening to Poz on Jaguars Live and his emphasis that it will be reps that help him increase his confidence and familiarity in the new role. How much of a hindrance are the CBA rules on offseason/preseason OTA /practice restrictions to someone who is suddenly thrust into a new and unfamiliar role?

John: Not too, too much. NFL teams have 10 organized team activities and three minicamp practices. They then have an entire training camp of practices in late July and August. While teams will always want more practices if they can get them, that’s a pretty fair amount of offseason work.

Jon from California:
Hey O-man, you know how the media always use to refer to the Vikings as “Adrian Peterson and the Vikings” as if Christian Ponder wasn’t even there? Do you think we will be “Leonard Fournette and the Jaguars” on Sundays or will Blake Bortles come off enough as the leader of our team to the media? Thanks.

John: I haven’t thought about this, and I hope I don’t have to start.

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O-Zone: O-Zone: Diehard fan

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Marcus from Jacksonville:
John, I’m wondering why the determination of “hit” versus “miss” in terms of draft picks and free-agent signings is skewed. It seems as if, in your estimation, a guy can be deemed a “hit” after just one good season (Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack, Yannick Ngakoue, etc). On the other hand, a guy like Blake Bortles can’t be determined a “miss” after three seasons because he needs more of a chance. I feel the same was true about Luke Joeckel, who was often deemed a question mark (not a hit or miss) until the day he left town. Is there a reason you feel like it takes three-plus years to prove you’re bad but only one to prove you’re good?

John: First, I don’t know that your assessment of my assessment is accurate. Yes, I think Jalen Ramsey is unquestionably a hit; the plays he made last season and the way he performed consistently leads me to believe he will be a multiyear Pro Bowl section in this league. If it were possible, I’d probably sign him to a second contract right now; he’s that sort of talent. As for Ngakoue and Jack, I wouldn’t put them anywhere close to that level. I think Ngakoue showed some seriously good signs as a rookie, but he in no way firmly established himself as a difference-making pass rusher. That’s not to say he can’t or won’t, but more time is needed to know. As for Jack, I have no idea the level he will reach and he absolutely has a long way to go to fulfill his talent. I wouldn’t remotely call him a hit yet, though he obviously has the talent to be just that. As for it taking a while to know if players are going to be good … that’s just a matter of learning from experience. I have seen too many cases of players developing in their third and fourth seasons to believe a few seasons at the beginning of careers necessarily define all players.

Brandon from Duval:
Hey John, do you foresee any dark horses coming out of nowhere to make the 53-man roster this year? Also, thanks for all you and the staff do for us fans!

John: This annually is a tricky question, because it’s difficult to know the definition of a “dark horse.” Is it an undrafted free-agent rookie? Do people consider veteran player such as guard Earl Watford or defensive tackle Stefan Charles “dark horses” because they weren’t the highest-profile free agents? The last two sentences might serve as a hint about my answer, because I see players such as Watford and Charles making the team. The other area to watch is collegiate free agency. It’s way early, obviously, but players such as Hunter Dimick and Amba Etta-Tawo have college credentials that make you think they have a chance to stick.

Mike from Orlando, FL:
Do you think Jalen Ramsey has given up on the Jags after last season being so bad? I feel like if he takes a step back this year it will be the end of him ever being elite. Losing can ruin teams and players.

John: Are you serious, Clark?

Sam from Orlando, FL:
You mentioned something interesting and just for fun, here’s a question. Take this exact team. Add Tom Brady. Where do you see the record and what is the season expectation?

John: This answer perhaps isn’t quite so simple as it seems. Are the Jaguars running the Patriots’ offense in your scenario? Is Brady as comfortable in the offense as he is in the one he has been running more than a decade and a half in New England? If all of that is the case, then I think adding Brady would get the Jaguars to the playoffs in the 10-to-11 victory range.

Terez from Illinois:
Who do you think will be the Jaguars’ leading receiver this season. And what will his stats be?

John: Allen Robinson, who I believe will put up good numbers – though probably not on par with his 1,400-yard, 14-touchdown season of 2015. It’s not that Robinson can’t have a very big year; it’s just that even if he does those numbers will be tough to duplicate.

Cliff from Washington, DC:
So, if Gus was not a bad coach, what makes a coach bad? I’m pretty sure wins and losses are what determines if a coach is considered good or bad. I know you have talked about it a bunch before but I’m still baffled by your response. I guess it’s just your opinion but this in fact isn’t even up for debate. He was a bad coach because he lost way more than he won.

John: I’m sorry you’re baffled. Being baffled can be … well, baffling. That’s true with or without debate. It’s also absolutely true that wins and losses are “considered” what makes a coach good or bad, but in fact that’s not always the case. Yes, Bradley lost far more than he won here, and yes … people are well within their rights to believe to their core he was a bad coach. And perhaps he was. Shoot, I probably would have believed the same thing in my younger days when I followed the game with a fan’s unbridled passion. But I try to see things in a somewhat objective way. Objectively, I know that coaches throughout NFL history have been fired after losing in one stop and gone on to far greater success at their next stop because the circumstances were right.

Dreamweaver from Section 241:
My theory on coaches and player relations is this: Players believe in a coach at first, but they truly buy into his message after they win a tough game that, in their hearts, they were more than 50 percent sure they would lose. Every tough win after that compounds the effect. Which makes the Texans opener a big game for Doug Marrone, although it already is one. What say you Zone?

John: There’s a lot to this theory, though I don’t know the exact percentages. Though my experience is that NFL players rarely believe in their heart of hearts they will lose, I do believe a team needs some measure of success to continue buying into a coach. That’s a psychological element that can’t be ignored. History tells me a coach can overcome a Week 1 loss, so I’m not going to overplay the regular-season opener. It would be big for the Jaguars to win it. Absolutely. But how big was it if they lose the next two?

Preston from Oakville:
O-man, what do you make of the new rule to eliminate the first roster cut? Will it help players more, teams more, or both, to have just one roster cut from 90 to 53?

John: This is a positive change for teams because it allows them to keep 15 additional players for the final preseason game that normally would have been released the previous week. That gives the teams far more options in a game in which they are typically not playing starters and front-line players. The benefit to players is that it gives borderline players one more game to audition for their current and other teams. The teams probably benefit more, but it’s good for all parties.

Charles from Midlothian, VA:
Any real reason to even start Chad Henne in preseason? Shouldn’t we be grooming Brandon Allen to be the No. 2? We know what we got in Henne, and he won’t be competing with Blake Bortles for the top quarterback position. But Allen is still young and could and should.

John: Brandon Allen started the preseason final against Atlanta last season. I see little reason why he wouldn’t do so again. I also think he’ll play in the other three games. As for who gets how many reps and when, I imagine we’ll know a lot more about that come training camp.

Matt from Easton, PA:
This question may be better suited for once training camp starts, but what impact (if any) do you think Coach McCardell will have with the receivers? Will there be any noticeable differences in how the receivers play this year?

John: I don’t know that you’ll look at the Jaguars’ receivers as a group next season and think, “My goodness … this is a Keenan McCardell-coached group.” That’s in part because while players such as Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee aren’t necessarily completed products, they are experienced enough to have their own style already developed. One thing you might see from a McCardell-coached group is grit, toughness and professionalism. He displayed that as a player and I can’t imagine he won’t demand it from his receivers.

Chris from Jacksonville:
This is the time of year when I become consumed with childlike optimism for the Jaguars’ 2017 season. Despite our lack of success, I do this to myself every year. Am I a diehard fan or just a chump?

John: You’re not just a chump.

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O-Zone: Once in a lifetime

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Marc from Oceanway, FL:
Hey O: Am I an idiot or something? I listen to Blake Bortles explain how he is improving, along with the confidence he has in himself, in [offensive coordinator] Nate [Hackett], in the system, and in his refined mechanics. It all sounds so genuine and believable. It makes me excited for the upcoming season … again! What is wrong with me?

John: You’re not an idiot – at least not because of your belief in Bortles. The offseason is about optimism and fresh starts – and Bortles has had enough success that it’s not unreasonable to think he could improve. Remember, too: the Jaguars this offseason could have drafted or pursued another quarterback, and they believed enough in Bortles to continue with him as the starting quarterback. That doesn’t guarantee Bortles anything for the long term, but it shows a measure of belief that he can play at a winning level. In the case of Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin, there was no tie to Bortles; it stands to reason Coughlin sees something in Bortles. Those are all factors that make you think Bortles could develop and improve. It’s also not unreasonable to think he could struggle again. I wish I had a better, more definitive answer, but the reality is Bortles is the Jaguars’ great unknown entering the 2017 season – and the reality, too, is we won’t have any idea how to assess his progress until that season begins. All we can do between now and then is speculate, project and discuss – and we undoubtedly will do just that.

Lance from Jacksonville:
Why is it OK for someone getting paid millions of dollars to miss work but for anyone working a 9-to-5 for far less can’t even be one-minute late? These missing players need to grow up and do their job. We were 3-13 last year! There are no days off for losing teams!

John: This link might help.

Jordan from Joplin:
You’re starting a team from scratch and can take any defensive player in the NFL to be on your team. Who would you want?

John: J.J. Watt – and I don’t disagree with some who believe he’s a little overrated. That’s because some analysts worship his every move and rate him as inventing defensive football. He didn’t invent defensive football, but he’s still a once-in-a-generation guy. And when healthy, he still is the NFL’s best defensive player.

Justin from Hampton, VA:
I remember not too long ago when the 49ers were in our position. Stocking up on top 10 talent for years until they got Jim Harbaugh, who turned that organization around in one year. Do you think we’ll be able to do the same? It’s overdue!

John: The situations are in fact similar. A key for the 49ers of the Harbaugh Era was that Alex Smith turned into a productive quarterback under Harbaugh after struggling beforehand. If Bortles improves similarly, then yes … there are pieces here for a turnaround. I don’t know that I realistically see three consecutive seasons of 11-plus victories, because that’s a turnaround of historic scale, but I do expect improvement in the .500 range.

Chris from Norfolk, VA:
How much of the offense will be new and how do you see Bortles and Brandon Allen‘s preseason snaps?

John: The terminology is new, and I expect a much heavier emphasis on the run with more sets featuring the fullback. As far as preseason repetitions, I expect Bortles to get what starting quarterbacks usually get – about a quarter in the first game, more in the second, into the second half in the third and none in the finale. I imagine Allen will get more than he did last preseason, with that number depending largely upon how he and Chad Henne perform during the offseason and training camp.

Emory from Jacksonville Beach:
I’ve attended Jags training camps since the first one. When it comes to organization, Tom Coughlin’s was a coaches’ dream. Will Coughlin give advice to the coaching staff on how preseason practices will be conducted?

John: If Head Coach Doug Marrone asks, Coughlin will advise in that area, but remember: Marrone has been a head coach two seasons in the NFL and four seasons at Syracuse University. He has his own approach and has consulted with many coaches – including Coughlin – about many things. I imagine Marrone’s practices will be disciplined, fast and strenuous – and sure, there likely will be a hint of Coughlin if for no other reason than Marrone and Coughlin share many of the same beliefs and philosophies.

Justin from Hampton, VA:
I respect Poz, one of our best players over the last couple of seasons, but moving him to the strong side sounds like a setup for an epic fail. He couldn’t cover in the middle, and I doubt he’ll be able to cover on the strong side as well. I noticed we’re working out a lot of linebackers, too. Maybe I’m not the only one seeing the end of an era. I wouldn’t be shocked if we cut him this offseason. You have to agree, O-man.

John: No, I don’t.

Bryan from Tampa, FL:
How do you feel about the Jaguars traveling to Foxborough for joint training camp practices? Do you think it could benefit the Jags to observe “The Patriot Way,” or will that not really be on display in such an environment?

John: It will be on display, though it’s not realistic to think a team can take another team’s entire system and implement it based on a few days of observation. Also: while I haven’t checked on it, I don’t think the Patriots will let Tom Brady join the Jaguars and begin playing quarterback for them — and that’s really the part of the Patriot Way that would most benefit any team.

D-Frame from Jacksonville:
John: Man, I’m a Jags fan and I’m ready for not just improvement but a winning season what all will it take?

John: Few giveaways, particularly from the quarterback. Better pass rush, particularly in key situations. More takeaways, which will happen with better pass rush. Better running game, particularly late in games.

John from Mexico, NY:
O, do you really think firing Gus Bradley was the answer to our slump? I’m from New York and am familiar with both Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone; I feel the team would have benefited most with all three coaches on board. I know T.C. had great luck with the Giants over the years but was often questioned on his lack of consistency. D.M. has head-coaching experience but was lackluster at best even at Syracuse University. I know Gus was great in his stint at Seattle but obviously struggled at the helm. I feel he just got a bad shake. Under the eyes of Coughlin and the help from Coach DM he could’ve done better. How bout #oneforgus.

John: I’m fine with one fer Gus Bradley, but it was time for a new direction. Many believe he’s an awful coach. Despite his record, I don’t agree with that. But whatever you think of Bradley’s abilities as a coach, a coach can only lose for so long before players stop believing in the message. It was time for a change late last season, and the change was made. Now, players will get another message, Marrone’s message. Players will hear it so long as they believe it gives them a chance to succeed personally and as a team. Right now, they’re hearing it.

Ernest from South Side Jacksonville:
Hey O, I have two questions for you. First, do you think we will see some two-back sets on offense? Secondly, have we reached the point where good but not great players will finally get cut from a Jags roster that normally gets other teams’ second-string options in the offseason? Oh – and we finally have a wide receiver corps that is deep, and a wide-receiver coach that I think is not scared to get in their face after dropped passes.

John: Ernest, a few responses for you. I believe you’ll see a lot of two-back sets if by two backs you mean a running back and a fullback; I doubt you’ll see much two-running back stuff. Secondly, I suppose some good players will get released this preseason, but the Jaguars have released some good players in recent seasons, too – particularly last season. Oh, and former wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan was one of the most respected receivers coaches in the NFL; he wasn’t scared of any players.

David from Orlando, FL:
“And you may ask yourself, how do I work this? And you may ask yourself, where is that large automobile? And you may tell yourself, this is not my beautiful house! And you may tell yourself, this is not my beautiful wife!” Do you ever worry that trying to make sense of every illogical or unintelligible question, day after day, year after year, will cause mental illness?

John: My God, what have I done?

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O-Zone: Binging

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Rob from Jacksonville:
Circumstances factor so much into a player’s development. Suppose Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr had been the choice instead of Blake Bortles in 2014 … I would put my chips down on the fact we would be talking about them in the same manner as Blake Bortles. Just a hunch.

John: This is a question with no answer, obviously. Circumstances indeed influence NFL careers. Had Tom Brady been drafted by a franchise with a young quarterback who never got hurt, would he have had the same career he has had in New England? Had Dak Prescott been selected by a team without a dominant offensive line, would he have had the rookie season he had in Dallas last season? There’s no way to know, but those players undoubtedly would have taken different paths. How would Carr or Garoppolo have fared in different circumstances? Carr looks to me like a player who would have succeeded no matter where he was drafted; time will tell how Garoppolo fares when he gets a chance to start full time. Would either player have succeeded with the Jaguars? That’s impossible to know. The circumstances around Bortles during his first three seasons were less than ideal, and though Bortles without question has contributed at times to those circumstances, many quarterbacks indeed would have struggled here the last few seasons.

Chris from Norfolk, VA:
Maybe the best move we could do is try to sign Darrelle Revis to come in on a one-year deal for his knowledge alone. I know those tires are worn and he hasn’t had other offers. Am I reaching with alligators arms?

John: I obviously didn’t cover Revis last season, but based on the opinions of those who did, Revis’ knowledge wasn’t all that beneficial to the Jets.

Cliff from Jersey City, NJ:
Hey O, what do you remember of the XFL?

John: I remember watching the first game on a Saturday in February 2001. I remember thinking the spectacle was interesting and hoping it would work. I remember the football being bad, then I remember losing interest pretty quickly when the football didn’t improve. So, in many respects my XFL experience was pretty common.

Glenn from Orange Park, FL:
I’m not sure how anyone can justify giving Caldwell an “F” when he brought in players like Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Telvin Smith, Jalen Ramsey, Abry Jones, Brandon Linder, A.J. Cann, Malik Jackson, Yannick Ngakoue, Sheldon Day, Dante Fowler Jr., Tashaun Gipson, etc. This team has far more talent than when Caldwell arrived. Has every move worked out as hoped? Of course not. But let’s not ignore all the good and focus only on the bad when in reality the majority is still incomplete, including Bortles. Caldwell’s biggest mistake may turn out to be not changing head coach sooner, and do we really know if that was in his power? Looking forward to seeing this team with a new coach.

John: Caldwell’s legacy indeed still is yet to be determined. I believe this team is more talented than when he arrived. At the same time, that talent has won eight games in the last two seasons, so those who question the talent level have reason to do so.

Don from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
Take a good look at the defenses Blake Bortles played against last year. That schedule was brutal. Blake played the whole year and had his two best games at the end with a very young team. From Day One, he has been able to move the ball. When the team gets better he will get better. A lot of his mistakes came from trying to do too much. I think all the critics are wrong about him and at the end of the Super Bowl they will know. Star player in my book!

John: The Jaguars have placed a lot of faith this season on the crux of your theory – that what they saw from Bortles in the final two games of last season can be part of a foundation on which to build. That’s the ray of hope based on a very, very small sample size. If the Jaguars are right, perhaps this franchise can improve quickly. If not …

Nathan from Provo, UT:
Sounds like Steve from Denver plays video games too much. As far as this team? Calais Campbell said it best because, yes, the pieces are in place. Don’t be surprised when this team, which is loaded with “winners,” does just that. Here’s to a home playoff game this season!! … Believe.

John: #DTWD

Bill from Rochester, NY:
The Jets recently have drafted a lot of quarterbacks in the second and third rounds: Geno Smith, Bryce Petty, Hackenberg … none are starter-worthy and all three used draft selections that could’ve been used on other positions to strengthen the roster. There’s really no system, just scout and hope!

John: This is in response to a recent O-Zone question about teams drafting quarterbacks every year until they find one, and the response does point out the counterargument: If a team takes a quarterback it doesn’t believe in around the second or third rounds every year, the absence of those second- and third-round linebackers, safeties, offensive linemen, etc., can weaken your roster in a hurry. But yeah … of course there’s no system. If there was a system then everyone would use it and succeed … well, systematically.

Shea from Sellersburg, IN:
Dear Mr. John, sir: who do you think will have the biggest impact on defense? Campbell, A.J. Bouye or Myles Jack moving to the middle – and why good sir?

John: Of the group you reference, I think Campbell will have the biggest impact – provided, of course, he remains healthy for most of the season. The reason: defense is about disruption, and Campbell as a member of the defensive front is in a position to create that disruption. Furthermore, the Jaguars need Campbell to make the most impact of the three players you mentioned. The Jaguars last season for the most part played adequately defensively – and in some cases, the unit played very well. The players Bouye and Jack are replacing, Prince Amukamara and Paul Posluszny, were far from liabilities – and in many cases, Amukamara and Posluszny played very well. The missing piece for the Jaguars’ defense last season often was the ability to disrupt the quarterback in crucial situations. If Campbell can help the Jaguars generate that sort of pass rush, his impact will be enormous.

Josh from Fernandina Beach, FL:
O-Man, there appears to be little to no expectation that Bortles will be challenged by Allen (at least at this juncture). In your expert opinion, what aspects of Bortles’ game, as compared to Allen’s, give Bortles such a seemingly decisive edge (exclusive of experience)? Thanks!

John: Bortles has started three NFL seasons, and that’s not to be ignored. He also has shown at times many attributes you want in a quarterback – toughness, leadership, production in yards and touchdowns. His main issue has been key turnovers at key times. It’s hard to judge Allen – and therefore, hard to have an expert opinion – because he has had so little time in NFL action. He’ll be in Year 2 this year, and perhaps there will be a notable Year 2 progression that forces the issue in the offseason and minicamp. We’ll see.

Ed from Ponte Vedra, FL:
Everything I read or hear is T.C. this and T.C. that. Is Coach Marrone a second fiddle?

John: No, you read a lot about Tom Coughlin because he’s well-known and well-respected nationally – and by Jaguars fans. Because of that, it stands to reason people are going to ask questions about him – and that he’s going to be a focus of national media when discussing the Jaguars. He also has the final say on football decisions, so when people discuss the actions of the organization during the offseason those discussions are going to focus on Coughlin’s style and philosophy. But Doug Marrone is the head coach and he makes decisions and runs the team on a day-to-day to basis. Now, the team will very much have a “Coughlin feel,” but that’s because Marrone and Coughlin share on a lot of views and believes – not because Marrone is a “second fiddle.”

Ivan from Hollywood, FL:
Here is one for Allen Hurns. He spoke at his former high school, Miami Carol City, about the importance of commitment and perseverance in tough times. He also made a donation to the school’s athletic department. Carol City is a neighborhood with a high poverty rate where crime and drug use is wide spread.

John: All true. When Hurns speaks about commitment and perseverance in tough times he knows of what he speaks. One fer Hurns? No doubt.

Art from Drexel Hill:
Seems like a lot of people have “film” mixed up with YouTube highlights.

John: Shhhhh. If you tell would-be scouts that binge-watching YouTube highlights isn’t real scouting you’re going to have a lot of very disillusioned would-be scouts.

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O-Zone: Romper room

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

James from Jacksonville:
Would we really be losing much if we let Branden Albert go considering we only gave a pick that doesn’t mean that much? I’m not a big Albert fan and I think Cam Robinson will win the left tackle job anyway. Been watching film on him and he’s a beast – Robinson, that is. Albert in my opinion has seen his better days. Thanks and just want to say you’re awesome.

John: You buried the lede – and you can write anytime, by the way. But, yes … the Jaguars potentially would be giving up a lot if they released Branden Albert. They would be giving up a starting-caliber left tackle – at minimum, a starting-caliber offensive lineman. They also would be giving up an experienced player who has proven he can play at a Pro Bowl level – not to mention a player Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin clearly thought he fit what the team wants to do offensively next season. But the biggest reason for not releasing Albert is there’s no reason to release him. There are, incidentally, reports that he will attend organized team activities this week; if he does so, then the holdout that wasn’t in fact a holdout will seem meaningless in a hurry. And even if he doesn’t attend OTAs, there’s no reason to release him. It’s the offseason. While the goings on at EverBank Field are undoubtedly of great importance, they are nonetheless voluntary. VOLUNTARY.

Jaguarrior from Duval:
I wish I could behave like a Texans fan, but unfortunately, my team loses. Geez, even the so-called fans wanna coddle Bortles.

John: OK. I guess.

Rob from Brunswick, GA:
John, we open against the Texans who are either going to be starting a rookie quarterback, or will not have their shiny new first-round quarterback ready to go. Either way, seems like an advantage for us. Plus, it’s the Texans; you know we’ll be up for that game. I predict our first season-opening win in a very long time!

John: A rookie quarterback indeed adds uncertainty to any game, particularly the regular-season opener. While I caution against people assuming the Texans will struggle this season because of their quarterback situation, there’s no question that situation will be a major storyline Week 1 – and it could work to the Jaguars’ advantage. But don’t forget: the Texans have overcome such uncertainties against the Jaguars in recent seasons. Don’t assume they can’t do it again.

Will from Green Cove Springs, FL:
Zone, you recently said something to the effect that Caldwell has drafted well, if not “spectacular.” Saturday you gave his efforts, which per the reader’s question generously omitted the dismal 2013 draft, a “C.” As much as I would have loved growing up in the Oehser home where I was told my C-grades were borderline spectacular, the fact remains that if we have to re-draft the quarterback position in 2018, Caldwell scores a D-minus at best. Carson Palmer and Alex Smith were both available in 2013 free agency. Derek Carr will be a ten-year Pro Bowler, while Jimmy Garoppolo could have commanded a king’s ransom in trade; both from Blake’s class. And, even though Dave claims the Bills never called with the same offer they gave the Browns to move up for Sammy Watkins at four in 2014, common sense dictates they did. It wouldn’t have been the first time a GM has said what he thought he needed to say after the draft in order to both alleviate further scrutiny of his pick, and not allow for additional pressure on his rookie quarterback resulting from such high opportunity cost. That trade ammunition would have moved us up for Winston or Mariota in 2015. Any of those moves would have been exponentially better than reaching for Bortles. I take it back; if we have to re-draft the quarterback position in 2018, the grade is an “F.”

John: I don’t know that I ever said Cs were borderline spectacular, and my answer wasn’t meant to imply that Caldwell’s draft record has been anything close to spectacular. And while Carr indeed appears on his way to a very good career, it might be a sliver early to anoint him a 10-year Pro Bowl selection and I don’t know that I’d recommend preparing the bronze bust that goes along with such a career. Look, right now Bortles absolutely looks like an iffy pick. I won’t dispute that, and I’m on record saying I don’t know his end game. Did Caldwell miss on Garoppolo and Carr? Perhaps, though I’ll let Garrappolo start for an extended period for a team other than New England before determining that – and no way, incidentally, were Carr and Garoppolo going No. 3 overall that year, either. Bottom line: Bortles hasn’t been good enough yet, and it’s easy to say in retrospect he was a reach. But I’m not one to base a general manager’s entire grade on a quarterback, though considering the importance of the position I understand the tendency to do just that.

Dallas from Jacksonville:
Some people seem upset that we didn’t draft a quarterback in the late rounds. Did they forget that we drafted a quarterback in Round 6 last draft in Brandon Allen? Is it possible for Brandon Allen to potentially develop into a decent NFL quarterback?

John: Yes, it’s possible, but his situation also reflects the difficulty of solving your Quarterback Issue through the mid-to-late rounds of the draft. You might solve it there, but it’s tricky trying to solve it immediately with any rookie quarterback – particularly one selected in the later rounds.

John from Jacksonville:
The biggest answer to … why didn’t we draft a quarterback in the late rounds? I think it is because we did that last year; he is still on the roster, and appears to have more (if not at least as much) upside then anyone that was around later in this year’s draft. Do you think Brandon Allen is one of the most forgotten players by the fans?

John: I think a lot of fans remember Allen because I get a lot of questions about Allen. It’s understandable he’s overlooked because the media and the team doesn’t talk about him a whole lot. He didn’t play after the preseason last season, so no one outside the team has seen him play. It’s easy to get forgotten in those circumstances. As of now, I honestly doubt Allen will push Blake Bortles significantly for the starting position –primarily because there hasn’t been much chatter around the team about that. Maybe that will change during organized team activities. We’ll see.

Paul from Orange Park, FL:
Stranded island movie? Monty Python and the Holy Grail….Ni!

John: What’s your favorite color?

Kent from Jacksonville:
Now that T.C. is back, I noticed the minicamp was closed to everybody, even the media. Will this continue during training camp? Or will some of the practices be open to the public?

John: Many of the practices at the beginning of training camp will be open to the public – and to the media.

Daniel since Day One, Jacksonville:
I didn’t mean to say that a great quarterback isn’t important, but there aren’t that many great quarterbacks selected in the top 10. The success percentage isn’t that much higher than it is farther down the draft… maybe it’s one of the most difficult to project? I think you should take a low second-to-fourth-round pick every year or two – and your chances of finding one are as good or better than anything else you can do. You pretty much got to give the guy two years on the bench to see if he’s got it. If you don’t see it by the second year, grab another one until you’ve got two that are outstanding! Every first-round pick needs to be a solid starter on the team long-term. Dig through the haystack looking for quarterbacks … just keep digging!

John: Drafting a quarterback in the middle rounds of the draft every year is a theory that is floated a lot – and many people I respect a great deal are among those doing the floating. Though it’s a theory that indeed makes sense, that’s where it usually stays – very much in theory. The trouble with implementing it is that teams value second- and third-round selections and expect those players to be on the field. Most draft selections these days contribute on special teams and they often add speed/depth while keeping the roster young and comparatively inexpensive. There are also a lot of realities similar to the one currently facing the Jaguars – that while Blake Bortles hasn’t proven himself as a front-line NFL quarterback, he is a more appealing option to the team than playing your typical rookie fourth- or fifth-round quarterback. That prevents the late-round selection from getting extensive repetitions, and reduces at least somewhat the chance that the later-round selection will win the job.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:
Hey John, do you want to get matching rompers?

John: Of course.

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O-Zone: Victory dance

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Tommy from Jacksonville:
John, what really frustrates me about this offseason is the fact we didn’t draft a quarterback in the mid-to-late rounds. Most NFL quarterbacks have not been drafted in the first two rounds. It seems crazy why you wouldn’t give it a shot in Round 5 or even 6. No one knows how a quarterback develops, but without giving it a shot you are guaranteed not to hit on a stud. Instead, you have someone that will be lucky for a second contract and hardly have playing time.

John: I understand your frustration. When a team has a quarterback who hasn’t played like a franchise guy, it’s easy for everyone involved – fans, included – to be frustrated. But I don’t necessarily agree with your assessment about where you find quarterbacks. Sure, quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, and Dak Prescott are notable late-round finds, but your percentages of finding a front-line starter go up dramatically in Rounds 1 and 2. Aaron Rodgers. Matt Ryan. Cam Newton. Philip Rivers. Ben Roethlisberger. Eli Manning. Derek Carr. Marcus Mariota. Jameis Winston. Drew Brees. Carson Palmer. Alex Smith. Joe Flacco. All were early-round choices. That’s not to say the Jaguars couldn’t have found a potential starter in the late rounds in this year’s draft, but considering this was not considered a great quarterback class, it’s not shocking in retrospect that they passed on the position.

Jags Fan 818:
OK, Zone … I’ve got to spit it out. For those idiots out there who believe POZ can’t cover – have you not watched the Jaguars over the years since Poz has been here??? He has been the “constant” player on this team. There are very few plays Poz isn’t/wasn’t involved in!!!!! Poz definitely deserves RESPECT. He will put his heart and soul into his new position and if for some reason he can’t do it, I believe he would bench himself! Go Poz, Go Jaguars!

John: Hey, one fer Poz!

James from London, England:
As a Brit that follows – but doesn’t know all the intricacies of – the NFL, what do analysts mean when they say a “smash-mouth” offense? Do they mean that the Jags are gonna have one hit and then fade away into oblivion? No disrespect to Smash Mouth.

John: Clever – very clever, in fact. But it actually sounds like you did intend disrespect to Smash Mouth. And while I don’t know that that’s necessarily a crime in these parts, it’s not very … well, respectful. At least not to Smash Mouth. But no, when analysts talk about smash-mouth football they don’t mean one hit; they mean a physical, aggressive, constant commitment to a running offense that eventually wears defenses down and establishes the offense as the team able to enforce its will. The Jaguars appear committed to at least getting closer to that style than they have in recent seasons. When it works, it can be effective – and perhaps most pertinent to the Jaguars, it absolutely can help a quarterback.

John from Durango, UT:
What would a guy from Provo, UT know about being stranded on an island?

John: Maybe he meant Provo, Spain.

Trae from Ponte Vedra, FL:
Thanks for answering my earlier question about starting left tackle. You predicted Branden Albert. Does this prediction project Robinson to the bench or to left guard?

John: I in no way expect Robinson to be on the bench next season. If he doesn’t start at left tackle, I feel confident he will start at guard.

Tommy from Cherry Valley, PA:
Fans are definitely gonna fan. I was actually fanning this morning watching old footage from ’99 when I first became a Jaguars fan. I remember that year like it was yesterday. Though I’m only 28 now, I still remember Steve McNair torching us for five touchdowns – and for some reason Kyle Brady is a pretty vivid memory. I’m excited for this upcoming season. With that being said, how about one fer brady? 1999*

John: Fans should fan. Fanning is what makes football fun. One fer Brady? Absolutely.

Michael from Saskatoon:
Can you please explain to me why the Jags have not shown interest in Colin Kaepernick? This team definitely needs a quarterback competition, and am I the only person that thinks that could be a good fit? A good defense with special players on offense … why not try him out? He wants the opportunity to start and this team needs someone else at the quarterback position to help if Blake Bortles regresses further? Tell me, O-Man. Am I crazy??

John: You’re not crazy, but in this case the Jaguars don’t see Kaepernick as an upgrade over Bortles – and they don’t see Kaepernick as a good enough option to have as a potential backup. The best explanation I’ve heard about Kaepernick not yet being signed is that teams don’t see him as a starter, and his style makes it necessary to build much of the offense specifically for his skill set. This was similar to the issue teams had with Tim Tebow toward the end of his time in the NFL; it’s tricky to have a backup quarterback who doesn’t fit your style of offense because the team will have to make major adjustments in game plan and approach if the starter is hurt. If you add potential off-field noise then it makes it doubly tricky. Now, the argument many fans have is Kaepernick might be better than Bortles – and that the Jaguars should bring Kaepernick in and have camp competition. That’s an understandable opinion. The Jaguars don’t see that as a productive alternative and therefore aren’t doing it. That answer won’t satisfy many fans, but that’s the answer.

Stephen from Jacksonville:
Obviously, the construction cameras don’t show everything, but from what I can tell it looks like there are still more than a just few things left to do before the new facility is finished. Is the amphitheater really going to be concert ready in one week?

John: Yes.

J from Jacksonville:
I don’t disagree that David Caldwell has done some good in the later rounds of the draft and with cap management. But let’s not forget: his first three years of Top 5 picks have been subpar at best. Jalen Ramsey was a gift, and we will see how our newest selection turns out. That makes me a little hesitant in crowning him as the general manager of the future and extending the contract.

John: OK. I suppose we could go round and round on this in the O-Zone from now until the regular season. The Jaguars took a long-term approach early in David Caldwell’s tenure. The result of that is there were a lot of young players on the field in the past four seasons. The result is that the Jaguars still aren’t exactly a veteran-laden team. Caldwell’s last three drafts will look better if the team improves this season. If the team doesn’t improve, they won’t look better. That’s pretty much the story on this one.

Kendrick from Jacksonville:
Do you feel like the Jaguars have a good team chemistry that’s being developed during the offseason? Also, do you think I’tavius Mathers and Tim Cook can be offensive threats. I see from their highlights they have a similar running style to Leonard Fournette.

John: I see no reason why the Jaguars won’t develop good team chemistry this offseason. They have some strong veteran leaders such as Paul Posluszny, Calais Campbell, Telvin Smith and Barry Church. As far as Mathers and Cook, we really need to wait to see them against NFL competition before figuring their ability to be offensive threats. College highlight reels are cool. People like them. But they don’t always show much about how a player will adapt to the NFL.

Daniel Since Day One:
Your comment about the Texans winning the division with their quarterback array proves something I’ve always believed. They have beaten the No. 1 pick in the draft, the No. 2 pick in the draft and the No. 3 pick the draft. Maybe the other players on the team are more important than you and many other people think?

John: Other players matter very much, but if you watch the NFL playoffs year after year after year and don’t believe your percentages of winning go way, way, way up with an elite quarterback … well, if you’re doing that, then we’re not watching the same playoffs.

Luke from Jacksonville:
Are any of the OTAs going to be open to fans this year?

John: No.

Bryan from Jacksonville:
Is Myles Jack getting a new number? I see someone else wearing 44 in the pics of rookie minicamp.

John: No, there were dozens of tryout players in rookie minicamp who never will be in organized team activities or minicamp, so they therefore won’t ever be on the same field as Jack. Those players had to have numbers during that weekend, so many wore numbers of players on the regular roster.

Hey from Jacksonville:
Why did the Oehser cross the road?

John: To take his shirt off and do a sweaty, rain-soaked victory dance underneath a glorious morning rainbow. No, wait. That’s not why.

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