John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …
Nick from Fort Pierce, FL:
John, we the fans are terrified of another joke of a season. Another first-round bust. Another lame-duck coach. Another football bouncing off our running back’s foot when we are trying to dead the ball that subsequently leads to another interception. Fans gonna fan. We do every single year. But damn, John: Jags gotta Jag every year, too. Fans will get better when the team does.
John: I know the source of the terror, Nick. And there’s no doubt Jaguars fans have every right at this stage to view seasons with trepidation. The past few seasons have done nothing to inspire confidence, and it would be abnormal for fans to be giddy with optimism. I can’t write anything to make you feel differently because only winning is going to make you feel differently. I can tell you I get a good feeling about the professionalism of Head Coach Doug Marrone, and I sense at this early juncture that he’s a head coach who can get a lot out of his team. I think the players will respond to his approach, and I think there is young talent on this team that can continue to grow and give this team a chance to win. But until that happens, there will be skepticism. Considering how the last few seasons have played out, how couldn’t there be?
Jerry from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
Does Dave Caldwell have a budget given to him by Mr. Khan or Mr. Lamping? Otherwise, we appear to be witnessing “insanity.” Why cut or trade players when you don’t have better players already on the roster? We have proven that free agency and the draft are a crap shoot at best. The cap will not be relevant for this team for the foreseeable future. Therefore, there must be a budget. It’s likely this “insanity” is reducing our chances of winning more games again this year.
John: The Jaguars have released two players this offseason, defensive end Jared Odrick and cornerback Davon House. It’s far from insane to think the Jaguars can and will adequately replace those players.
Glen from Section 408:
As a season-ticket holder, I welcome your smart aleck responses and Airplane humor. Here’s one for the O-Man!
John: I didn’t understand the question, Glen. Can you pay someone to close-caption it?
Richard from Callaway, FL:
I am officially on the Solomon Thomas hype train – left defensive end or three technique, dude is a beast. What say you, O-Man?
John: I say there’s a lot to like. Around the combine, Thomas – a defensive end from Stanford – was talked about like a sure Top 20 player. There seems to be some momentum for him in the Top 5 or 10, and he did nothing at the combine to slow that momentum. There’s a long way to go before the draft, and Thomas feels like a player who could ascend – and stay there once he does.
Wallace from Jacksonville:
O-Man, could you expand upon the “seriously-good numbers-that-Bortles-has-put-up” portion of your recent response to Ryan from Apopka? How is a 2016 season rating of 78.8 and 16 interceptions (how many pick-sixes?) considered good at all? Yes Bortles has prototypical size and at times has looked like a decent NFL quarterback, but “seriously good numbers”? Sorry, but not buyin’ what you’re sellin’.
John: (Sigh.) Anyone who has read the O-Zone any time in, oh, the last year and a half knows I’m not sellin’ anything that says Bortles has played like an elite quarterback. But he threw for 35 touchdowns and more than 4,400 yards in 2015 and has nearly 60 touchdown passes over the last two seasons. I don’t believe those numbers make Bortles elite and I’m not saying those numbers make up for the other poor numbers Bortles has put up in the same span. But he has put up some seriously good numbers in his three seasons. That he also has put up some bad ones doesn’t make that untrue.
Micky from Orange Park, FL:
MJD and T.J. Yeldon both had 36-inch vertical jumps. Barry Sanders had a 41.5 vertical. It foretells burst and explosiveness. Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook were not impressive in the vertical or broad jumps. They’ve been eliminated from consideration at No. 4 in my book. Solomon Thomas has been added, especially with Sen’Derrick Marks being shopped around. Would love an elite safety even more, though.
John: OK.
Steve from Jacksonville:
Oddball question, I guess, but here goes. In a draft that “appears” to be very deep at certain positions where the Jags may need help (running back, defensive line, defensive back), would it be counterintuitive for them to draft someone highly rated on their board from a “not so plentiful group” – say a wide receiver or tight end or offensive lineman and go for the deeper prospects later on? Zig when everyone zags? Or do you just NOT pass up talent where it’s slotted because “fans”…
John: I wouldn’t say it’s an odd question at all, and a position’s depth absolutely comes into play when plotting strategy before the draft. As with most draft-related questions, there’s not one answer that applies to all situations – and a player deemed a special talent trumps a lot of other factors. For instance, if the Jaguars truly believe a player such as Leonard Fournette of Jonathan Allen or Jamal Adams is a can’t-miss, redefine-the-franchise talent then it might not matter that a lot of very good starting-level players are available at their positions later in the draft. True difference-making players are rare and one of those is worth multiple so-so starting-level players elsewhere.
Darren from Arlington:
I’m not sure I understand the release of House. He was inconsistent, but he played well as a whole when he was on the field. Why would we not keep him as a reserve? Was he going to count that much against the cap? And does that even matter given how much cap space we have? Please help me understand this.
John: When a player such as House gets released when a team has as much cap space as the Jaguars it has some to do with the cap and a lot with the team believing it will be better off without that player. Also, remember: cap space can be rolled over, so you don’t want to keep or sign players with a high cap number just for the sake of having a player. You do want to make sure the player gives something close to value for the investment.
Jefferson from Phoenix, AZ:
O-Zone, playing free agency feels like playing against the House in Vegas: no matter how much it seems you win, you still lost. I can’t really tell what to think. Supposedly the way a franchise treats its players matters to what players are excited to come and stay with the team … but then, money talks. So, to me I would think that Julius Thomas, Odrick and House would leave a bitter taste for other free agents, but it seems just as likely that instead it will be more like a “More $$ Here” neon sign for them. I’m thinking I close my eyes until November and hope we have a winning record before I bother with learning names or numbers.
John: Your question implies that Odrick, House and Thomas were somehow treated poorly during their time with the team. That implication tests reality.
Ed from Ponte Vedra, FL:
Probably out of ignorance, I always felt that when you load free agents’ pockets with money, they take a step back. Thomas is the first example. But then I look back at Paul Poz and he was worth three bad picks. What do I know?
John: It’s a common conclusion with an underperforming free agent to say that the player’s newfound wealth contributed to a decline – and yes, there are times that’s true. But there are numerous other factors, too. Sometimes, a player simply was not a fit. Other times a player perhaps wasn’t as much an elite talent as he was a player who was playing well and performing in another team’s system. Other times a player has reached a point in his career when his performance is going to decline. The last factor often is overlooked, but in a league when injuries and wear and tear mean short careers, it’s not uncommon for a player to decline after five or six seasons – the very time when he is playing his first seasons for a new team. What you want from free agency are ascending players who can fit into a new scheme and perform immediately at a high, difference-making level. You also want players who can adapt quickly to a new environment and be exemplary for teammates on and off the field. What you want for the kind of money you’re paying are players who you know are going to be building blocks for your franchise. Of course, every franchise wants those kinds of players and most franchises don’t let players like that sign elsewhere as free agents.
O-Zone: Moving forward
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …
Greg from Section 122 and Jacksonville:
I would like further clarity on the whole let-the-players-test-the-market thing. Is this happening because the team never had an intention of re-signing them or did they have talks and the players pay expectations were way too steep? If you never had intentions of re-signing them, you are really saying, “Your services are no longer required.” It would be refreshing to see the whole double-talk, politically-correct, politeness thing dropped and call it what it is: “You are fired; thanks, but we think we can do better. Good luck.” You said teams rarely re-sign players in this situation, so this what is really happening, right?
John: Not exactly. Teams sometimes indeed let a player test the market with no intention of re-signing the player – and with the idea that they’ll click their proverbial heels when that player is gone. That’s not the case with Johnathan Cyprien and Prince Amukamara. The Jaguars liked those players, and I think they would particularly like to have Cyprien back. But both Cyprien and Amukamara also are being mentioned among the top free agents at their positions. When players are among the top free agents at their positions, they often get paid well beyond their true value. So, teams let those players test the market hoping their market is in line with what the team is willing to pay, but knowing that’s probably not going to be the case. So, no: if the Jaguars don’t re-sign Cyprien and Amukamara they’re not firings. It’s just a case of the Jaguars not wanting to pay what those players likely will receive on the open market – and believing they can get better by going a different direction.
Travis from Analla:
We gave Amukamara a one-year, “prove-it” deal and I feel he more than proved himself. Could him possibly walking be the product of such a good class of defensive backs in the draft and in free agency?
John: Yes.
Mark from Jacksonville:
Do you think Dwight Freeney could be an interesting option to add some veteran presence to the Jags’ pass rush?
John: Freeney absolutely would be a good option for veteran pass rush, but I don’t think Freeney would want to sign with Jacksonville this offseason. He is by every definition an aging veteran, and aging veterans typically want to sign with teams with a chance to contend. I believe the Jaguars will have a chance to push for a .500 record next season, but there certainly would be other teams that would appear to be closer to contending.
Paul from San Antonio, TX:
Hey, O: Do you think the Jaguars will pick up a quarterback sometime during this year’s draft? I know Coach Doug said Blake is still the guy at quarterback, but do you think competition may boost his play?
John: I think the second-to-fourth rounds of the draft in late April will be interesting on this front. I wouldn’t project the Jaguars taking a quarterback there, and I don’t think they’ll go into those rounds thinking, “We must take a quarterback.” But if the right quarterback with the right value is available at spot – say, a player the team has graded a round higher – is available … yeah, maybe.
Anthony from Lancaster, CA:
Is it possible that we will start Chad Henne for the 2017 season or will Blake Bortles be our quarterback again?
John: Bortles is the clear favorite to start at quarterback for the Jaguars next season. I don’t foresee a scenario other than injury in which Henne starts at quarterback for the Jaguars next season.
Logan from Wichita, KS:
We have $70 million to spend … SO WHY would we not re-sign players that have played well for us???? Sign back Cyp, Prince, Joeckel and Beachum, then try to bring in top free agents. If they don’t sign, we are fine; if they do, then we have two top end players actually competing for a starting spot. Now, we have to hope and pray we get the players we want in free agency and the draft, both of which are a crap shoot. I would rather have a guy that we know will do “x, y, z” than gamble on a rookie or someone just looking for money. Letting Cyp and Prince go was a horrible mistake.
John: Front-line free agents don’t sign with teams to compete for starting positions, and teams don’t re-sign players to front-line free-agent contracts with the idea of having them compete for the positions. The NFL’s salary-cap structure doesn’t allow it.
Steve from Section 215:
Some people actually write questions in search of a serious answer without the gratuitous smart-aleck remark. For example, not being able to hear the question during the video press conferences. Rather than trying to “get a refund,” it might make sense to see if there is actually something that can be done. Maybe a variation of closed captioning? Inserting a text version of the question? Other? As a season-ticket holder since Day 1, I don’t consider the website free. I believe most season-ticket holders feel the same way.
John: First, I never take the money season-ticket-holders spend on the Jaguars for granted. Second, I answered the question to which you refer and have addressed the issue more than once. But to go over it again: My supporting cast at jaguars.com indeed makes every effort to allow viewers to hear the questions in videos when possible – i.e., at EverBank Field and in many other situations. In a podium situation at the NFL Scouting Combine, that typically is not possible and it also is not feasible to provide close caption or a text version of the question. The alternative in this case is to not run the video. That doesn’t seem fair to the many viewers who seem to enjoy the videos on this (not free) website. I hope that answer comes somewhat close to making the reader whole when it comes to the financial outlay this site requires. I also always have thought of the many stories and videos on the site – as well as a daily question-answer forum for the reader – as a similar return on that investment, however paltry that return may be. As for the smart-aleck remarks, those truly are free of charge. My treat.
Ryan from Apopka, FL:
Booger McFarland recently compared Jamal Adams to Ed Reed and said he believes Jamal to be the most ready player in the draft this year. What are the chances that the Jags let Cyprien walk and draft Adams at No. 4.
John: I’d say it’s possible. I wouldn’t say the chances are as good as the Jaguars selecting a defensive lineman there, but it’s definitely possible.
Al from Orange Park, FL:
Why do some fans seem to think that a free agent who was a really good stopgap until better talent is found (Davon House) was a poor decision? Oh, I forgot, fans gotta fan….
John: True that, Al. True that. And because free agency.
Bob from Sumter, SC:
If Jonathan Allen is gone at No. 4 is Solomon Thomas a reach or a legit Top 5 pick?
John: The closer the draft gets the more it seems he may be a legitimate Top 5 selection. Stay tuned. He looks like he will be one of the most-discussed players when it comes to the Jaguars in the coming weeks.
Ray from Monroe, CT:
Do you think the Jags potentially consider picking up Darrelle Revis and making him a safety? Kind of like what happened with Charles Woodson? Better question: do you think Revis can make that change and be as good as Woodson ever was at safety?
John: I didn’t cover Revis closely this past season, but people who did believe his play declined dramatically. They also believe that he wasn’t particularly strong tackling. If that’s true, then Revis playing safety would be a tough sell.
Tyler from Jacksonville:
Jags could sign the Top 5 free agents and get A on all their draft grades and I still wouldn’t be excited for this year …
John: OK.
Brian from Charlottesville, VA:
John, I get that Jared Odrick, Davon House, Dan Skuta and Julius Thomas have fallen out of favor and haven’t performed to their contracts. By all means, the Jaguars should try to upgrade the positions (and in theory any position where you’re not elite). With that being said, these all appear to be capable, slightly above-average players. Considering that all play different positions, it is almost a guarantee we will be looking for help at one of their respective spots due to injuries next year. Considering we have all the cap space in the world, why release/trade valuable depth that can help you fill a gap if an injury occurs? Ask the Packers how much valuable depth would have helped them in the playoffs.
John: The Jaguars feel they’re better without those players, and that the depth/starters they can acquire elsewhere will be a better option. Remember, you can roll over cap space into future years, so saving it is a good thing. If you are absolutely sure you don’t want a player, then it’s better to release him and move forward.
O-Zone: Apple of their eye
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
INDIANAPOLIS – Heading home.
Let’s get to it …
Travis from Analla:
I get that people like Leonard Fournette and that he might be good, or even great. This is also a guy that decided to not play in a bowl game with his team that he battled with all year. He also came into the combine weighing 240, and making the excuse that it was water weight. Am I looking too much into this or should this not be a concern to any team drafting him?
John: There inevitably is a prospect that gets overanalyzed and over-discussed in the wake of the NFL Scouting Combine, and it appears Fournette is this year’s model. That became the case when the former Louisiana State running back showed up at this year’s combine at 240 pounds and when he didn’t jump as high in the vertical jump as many expected. So now, analysts and draftniks undoubtedly will speculate and breathlessly quote “people in the NFL” about Fournette’s falling draft stock. I honestly doubt Fournette’s stock truly drops all that much. First, I care not one iota about Fournette missing the bowl game – and I imagine the great majority of NFL people feel the same way. It’s perfectly OK for prospects to protect their bodies for the NFL once their final college regular season ends; my guess is draft-eligible players foregoing their bowl games is going to be far more the norm than the exception moving forward, particularly for players with NFL millions at stake. As far as Fournette weighing 240 pounds … sure, that will be a topic. But Fournette is going to go somewhere in the Top 10, and how he early he goes will depend far more on his game tape and how teams feel philosophically about taking running backs early than anything that happened this week in Indianapolis.
Jeff from Keystone Heights, FL:
I don’t pretend to know how to run a football team or a scouting department and whether or not to put a running back in your Top 4 or not. But I know I don’t remember EVER a discussion about a Jags dominant offensive line, yet two of the greatest players in my mind in Jaguars history are both running backs … Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. If the staff believes either of the top two running backs in the draft can be the type of playmakers those two were you take them at No. 4 regardless of the thought about it not being a premium position. Get the ball into their hands … in space … with the ability to score … from anywhere. If they can do that I’d draft them at four every day of the week and twice on. … Thursday evening.
John: I don’t think you should underestimate the quality of the offensive lines that blocked in front of Taylor and Jones-Drew. Were they dominant? Perhaps not, but some of those lines were very good run-blocking units. As far as the running-back-premiere-position thing … it’s nearly two months from the draft and I can already see myself getting a little worn out over the debate. I’d be surprised if the Jaguars take either player at No. 4. I can see the reasoning for doing it, especially if they believe Fournette is a build-the-offense-around-him player – which might well be the case. If he’s that guy, and if he can define the franchise for a while … then, sure, take him. This franchise hasn’t had enough defining guys in a good, long while. It sure could use one. Still I doubt it happens. I believe the value of other positions at No. 4 eventually will win the day.
TJ from Tuscaloosa, AL:
Seems safe to assume we aren’t taking a running back with the No. 4 pick with those sub-par performances from the big dogs.
John: I wouldn’t assume that – certainly not because of 40-yard dashes at the combine.
Ryan from Apopka, FL:
I understand the notion of bringing in competition for Blake Bortles at quarterback and not wanting to pay an arm and a leg. What are your thoughts on Mike Glennon and Colin Kaepernick? I would gather both could be signed at a reasonable contract and could provide solid competition.
John: One part of this discussion is the definition of “reasonable.” Is paying starter’s money for a player who might not start reasonable? That’s a matter of opinion. I don’t get the impression that Glennon’s contract is going to come cheap – and Colin Kaepernick’s likely won’t, either. Another issue is something former Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Mark Dominick noted on Jaguars.com LIVE Friday — that a lot of quarterbacks don’t want to sign somewhere to compete with an incumbent because the belief is the incumbent has a big advantage. It’s easy to see how that could be the perception of Jacksonville. Bortles has started for the better part of three seasons and he has put up some seriously good numbers. Many who watched this team in recent seasons know he struggled, but trying to find a quarterback to compete against him may be trickier in real life than it would be in Madden.
Michael from Tupelo, MS:
Would it be possible to see Myles Jack playing safety this year? Do you see him as a possibility there?
John: Yes, it’s possible. No, I don’t believe this will happen. I think there’s a good chance Myles Jack plays middle linebacker with Paul Posluszny at strong-side. Another option could be having Posluszny in the middle on passing downs, and having Jack play the position in passing situations. Either way, I think Jack plays linebacker and not safety.
Charles from Midlothian, VA:
Give Caldwell credit where it is due: he can cut these free agents easily due to the way he is structuring their deals. No general manager hits 100 percent in free agency, but to make the release painless as possible is something he controls very well.
John: This is true, and it stems from Caldwell’s general philosophy when it comes to free agency. He considers it a necessary evil, something he reiterated at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine this week. There’s no way to avoid overspending in free agency and the chances are great that you’re going to miss on players – or that at the very least those players won’t perform as well as they did at their previous stops. It’s the nature of the beast. But the Jaguars indeed have been able to get out from under disappointing free-agent situations. The positive is that they will be able to sign more free agents this offseason. The downside may be that they are able to sign more free agents this offseason, but we’ll see.
Dan from Ormond Beach, FL:
You often hear that teams are going to let potential free agents test the market to set their value. Do you think with the salary cap going up annually as much as it is that perhaps that’s a bad idea? Teams are so flush with cap space that if you let your free agent test the market, he is probably gone these days.
John: Letting potential free agents test the market is a fine idea if you’re OK with losing that player. If you want to keep him it’s a horrible idea because he usually winds up signing elsewhere.
Jim from Middleburg, FL:
Having played guard, center and a little nose tackle, I question a comment you made Thursday when you talked about a rushing game was basically sticking your “chest out.” I agree. When you can impose your will on another team it’s a beautiful thing and dovetails very nicely with the Lombardi principal of attacking the teams’ strengths. Is it wise to attempt this with a line that’s not there yet? An attempt with failure will take the wind out of your sail pretty quickly. Are we ready for this yet? Like most very old linemen, I believe a great offensive line can solve most issues, but how do we do without a great line? #DTWD
John: I think the Jaguars’ offensive line will be different entering next season, with at least two new starters. Will that make them great? I have no idea. Will it give them an opportunity to be a better run-blocking team? That’s the Jaguars’ hope.
David from Oviedo, FL:
Johnny-O: Free agency is like a dance club; everybody is eyeing the same pretty girl. We act as if we can pick up anybody we want, greasing back our hair and flashing our $69 million wad of cash. What we don’t seem to realize is three other teams actually have more cap space than us (Cleveland, San Francisco, Tampa Bay) and eight teams have more than $54 million to woo away the apple of our eye. My point is that there’s a lot of competition on the dance floor; try not to fall in love, because there’s a good chance you’re not going home with the one you want.
John: Yes, because free agency.
O-Zone: Grab a towel
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
INDIANAPOLIS – Let’s get to it …
Jonathan from Daytona Beach, FL:
Why is it so important to let really good players test free agency? It’s too much of a risk to lose players like Johnathan Cyprien and Prince Amukamara. Can you explain?
John: You’re referring to Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell saying this week at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine that the team will allow Cyprien and Amukamara to test free agency – and he indeed did say it was important to let them do that. This was really Caldwell’s way of officially announcing the aforementioned players will be allowed to test the market. What he didn’t say this week was that it’s unlikely players that test the market will return to their former teams. It’s not that it never happens, but it is relatively rare. So, with Amukamara and Cyprien now unlikely to return, that leaves the Jaguars probably needing to acquire a starting cornerback and a starting strong safety. Some would say that’s risky, and perhaps that’s true. The Jaguars obviously disagree, or they wouldn’t allow them to test the market. Remember: the Jaguars went 3-13 last season. It was unrealistic to think they wouldn’t change some things in the offseason, and while Cyprien and Amukamara played well, they weren’t playing at elite levels. It’s reasonable for the Jaguars to believe they can improve those positions.
Sebastian from Mexico:
Manziel to Jacksonville? Thoughts?
John: Eh.
Daniel from Dival:
With a report saying that the Cleveland Browns are considering taking Mitch Trubisky with the No. 1 overall pick, if this did end up happening do you think the Jags would trade for No. 2 overall and select Myles Garrett? What do you think it will take to get the No. 2 overall pick?
John: I rarely predict a team will trade up in the draft, particularly if the trade is to get into the top two or three. That’s because trading to get there is often prohibitively expensive and very risky considering the uncertain nature of most draftees. Could a trade from No. 4 to No. 2 happen? Sure. What would it cost? It likely would cost a future first-round selection or a combination of a second- and third-round selection. That’s pricey – as in, really pricey.
Chris from New York City:
Caldwell has mentioned that Brandon Linder, A.J. Cann and Jermey Parnell all played well last year towards the end of the season. That’s more than half the line. Why didn’t we run the ball better if that much of the line was playing well?
John: The Jaguars did run better at the end of last season than they did at the beginning, though they generally speaking didn’t run well enough most of the season. I don’t know that I’ve heard Caldwell say Cann played well at the end of last season, and Cann in fact struggled a lot of the season. He has said that Parnell played well at the end of last season and that Linder played well throughout. But, whatever: it appears the Jaguars are going to have at least two new starters on the offensive line: Branden Albert and whoever plays left guard. That’s not “more than half,” but it is 40 percent. That’s a significant percentage and it’s enough to give the line a new look.
Gabe from Washington, D.C.:
Haven’t shown they’re elite yet? Come on, O: Neal Sterling and Ben Koyack can be good contributors for this team, but let’s not pretend that there is a chance they will ever reach elite status.
John: No one thought Julius Thomas, a fourth-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, would approach elite status after his first two seasons, either. He had one reception for five yards at that point. He then caught 12 touchdown passes in back-to-back seasons, and people started talking about him differently. I wouldn’t project Sterling or Koyack as eventually being elite, either, but there’s not much difference in their status at this stage of their careers as Thomas’ status at a similar stage. In fact, when I look at Sterling I see a player who very well could develop into really good move tight end. As good as Thomas? We’ll see.
Paul from Jacksonville:
If you were quoting “Airplane!” to be uproariously funny, then Kek has a point, but if you were quoting “Airplane!” to give us fellow old-timers a chuckle and a grin … well that’s an entirely different kind of humor – altogether!
John: I just want to tell you both good luck. We’re all counting on you.
Jeff from Jacksonville:
John, with the needs the Jags have, and the players they need available later in the first round, do you in your infinite wisdom see the Jags looking at moving back in the draft to pick up extra draft picks and still get a difference maker? Thanks.
John: If the Jaguars can find a trading partner willing to give fair compensation, sure – by all means trade back. That’s a significant “if” in the NFL.
Clyde from Jacksonville:
With all the talk about Jason Pierre-Paul I’m thinking we have two young pass rushers that can be really good in 2017. Both were more or less rookies in 2016. Isn’t the second year when pass rushers figure out how to really play the position?
John: It absolutely is the case that pass rushers many times take a significant step from their first year playing to the second year. At the same time, you can’t assume that will happen – and you therefore can’t assume that Yannick Ngakoue and Dante Fowler Jr. will take major steps. And you know what? Even if they do, it’s OK to have more than two good pass rushers.
Glen from Orange Park, FL:
O, what do you think the most important part of the combine is – and do we put too much stock in the combine? Isn’t game film more telling of a player’s abilities?
John: The most important part of the combine is the medical evaluations. That makes sense because that was the main reason for the combine when it began. Because of the importance of the medical evaluations, and because of the hype around other parts of the combine, it’s vogue sometimes among personnel types to say the rest of the combine is pretty much meaningless. I don’t buy that, because there are cases when a player’s on-field workout dazzles or disappoints enough to help or hurt draft stock. And there are cases when a player can be impressive enough or disappointing enough in an interview situation to make teams take notice. But for the most part, the game video indeed is the most important thing for most prospects, and for the most part teams put more emphasis on the medical evaluations from the combine than anything else that happens this week.
Mike from Atlanta, GA:
How do you feel about the top half of this years’ draft class? Do you feel more, less, or the same amount of confidence that the Jaguars will get a player at No. 4 that is worthy of a Top 5 draft pick?
John: Than when?
Scott from Aurora, IL:
I don’t know if targeting a Pro-Bowl tight end would be a surprise in free agency, but Martellus Bennett fits a particular need the Jaguars seem to have: an athletic player at the position who is adept at both blocking and pass catching. I’d be surprised if the Jaguars don’t push hard for his services.
John: I wouldn’t share your surprise.
Michael from Middleburg, FL:
Please do something about the video press conferences. It makes it a waste of time when whoever it is being interviewed answers a question when you cannot hear the question asked.
John: I get this question quite a bit. I can tell you that my colleagues here at jaguars.com – aka, the Supporting Cast – work to ensure questions can be heard in the videos whenever possible. This is an NFL issue during the NFL Scouting Combine, and there’s little we at jaguars.com can do to ensure that every question is heard. Either way, I’ll alert the powers that be at jaguars.com to this issue, and I’ll see if I can get them to provide a refund for the costs incurred to view press conferences on the website.
TS from Tallahassee, FL:
Is drafting Telvin Smith in the fifth round the best value/biggest steal in Jaguar drafting history?
John: It’s up there.
Zach from Keystone Heights:
Is there any chance for a 3-4 system? I can’t help but think about signing a 3-4 end like Calais Campbell, who I feel is as premiere as Jason Pierre-Paul is as a 4-3 end. Also, Dante Fowler Jr. seems made for the outside-linebacker role in a 3-4. I salivate thinking of a Yannick, Malik, Calais, Dante, Myles, Poz, Telvin front seven.
John: The Jaguars are making some changes to the defense, but they’re not considered major. Switching to a 3-4 is pretty major, so I wouldn’t hold your breath. As for your saliva issues, invest in towels – big, thick ones. I’ve found napkins and paper towels are insufficient when things really get out of hand on that front.
O-Zone: Legends of the fall
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
INDIANAPOLIS – The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine rolls on.
Let’s get to it …
Logan from Wichita, KS:
You do realize by writing about how important drafts are and that they make or break your team you are just showing us how everything went wrong for us starting in the early 2000s and got significantly worse since 2010. We have had 1.5 good drafts in last 17 years. That would be last year (for now) and bits and pieces of late picks since 2014. We are never going to win is how I interprete your article.
John: I can’t control how you “interprete” what I write, Logan. I can – and often do – point out that free agency is an extraordinarily difficult way to build a roster for obvious reasons that typically get forgotten when the new league year begins. That’s what I did in a “View from the O-Zone” that published on jaguars.com Wednesday, and I wrote it because it’s a timely issue with free agency fast approaching. As far as “interpreteing” your question …of course the Jaguars haven’t drafted well enough. If they had drafted well enough over the last 15 seasons they would have been a lot better during that time. As for taking the story as me saying the Jaguars are “never going to win,” no … that’s not what the story said. Now, if the Jaguars don’t continue to draft as they did in 2014 and 2016 – years in which they in fact drafted pretty well; much better than “bits and pieces” – then obviously they are going to struggle for the long term. The Jaguars have to draft better. That’s not open to “interpreteation.”
Phil from Woodmere, NY:
Could the Jaguars be planning to move Myles Jack to strong safety and Dante Fowler Jr. to linebacker in order to get Jack’s talent on the field and, at the same time, replace Cyprien?
John: I doubt it.
Jessie from Kissimmee, FL:
With Jared Odrick being released, Julius Thomas being traded, and now hearing Davon House is next to be traded/released, the big 2015 signings are gone. Why do you think Caldwell has such a hard time in free agency? I know FA is hit and miss, but we have been all miss for the most part.
John: Caldwell has a hard time in free agency because free agency indeed is hit or miss. He has signed Sen’Derrick Marks, Roy Miller, Prince Amukamara and Malik Jackson as free agents. All of those players have made very positive contributions since signing with the Jaguars. Most of the other players signed as free agents in recent seasons … just OK, at best. Because free agency.
Jerell from Columbia, SC:
Do the Jags go quarterback at end of first round or top of the second round?
John: I wouldn’t rule it out, and it in fact makes a lot of sense considering their circumstance.
Bobby from Sandy, Utah:
I saw that New York just released Darrelle Revis. Do you think he will be someone that the Jaguars look at for free agency? Imagine Revis Island opposite of Ramsey. I like the sound of that. What about you, O-dude?
John: I like the sound of that if it’s Revis Island circa 2011 opposite Ramsey. I don’t know that it sounds nearly as good if it’s Revis Island circa 2016 opposite Ramsey. Revis didn’t play well in 2016, which is why the Jets released him. Remember, there are usually reasons teams release players with very familiar names and it’s usually not because they’re fired up about letting good players leave their organization.
Travis from Analla:
With the Jags trying to make running the ball more of a priority, will that mean more Blake Bortles under center? I always felt that run plays from the shotgun are not as effective. Also, I feel that with Bortles being good at play-action it will help him out in the long run.
John: I don’t expect the Jaguars to share many details on the specific offensive changes for 2017 any time soon, but I do expect there to be changes. I do expect one of these changes could be more Bortles under center. If you really want to be physical and really want to establish the run, it’s difficult to do that from the shotgun. That’s not to say you can’t run effectively from the shotgun, but it’s not as effective for establishing the play-action or for sticking your chest out and telling your opponent you’re physical.
Stephen from Jacksonville:
Which of the Jaguars’ positions groups don’t require rebuilding or acquiring additional depth this offseason? The only position groups that come to my mind as an area where the Jaguars can stand pat are wide receiver and punter. Do you agree that those are the only positions exempt from immediate overhaul, upgrades, or reconfiguration?
John: That’s about right, though I don’t think linebacker needs a major upheaval as much as a major dose of playing Myles Jack on three downs rather than one or two.
Thrill from the The ‘Ville:
The only way to beat an elite quarterback is to have a more elite quarterback or a pass rush to knock him down. The most recent Super Bowl aside, that’s how the Giants beat Tom Brady. That’s how the Seahawks won, too.
John: Yep.
Bo from Dresden, NC:
I saw that Blake has 60 plus turnovers in a little under three full seasons. Wow! Have you noticed anything at all in Brandon Allen to A: think he was worthy of a draft pick, B: can push Blake enough to take over?
John: Brandon Allen was a sixth-round selection who the Jaguars think can develop into at least a solid backup. Was he worthy of that selection? Sure, partly because you don’t have to do a whole lot to be “worthy” of a sixth-round selection. Can he push Bortles for the starting position? Anything’s possible, but that’s not a likely scenario entering the offseason.
Dave from Orlando, FL:
Mr. O – When Dave Caldwell took over as general manager, he began cutting the roster even before fully exploring it. Maybe, the reasoning being, a three-win team doesn’t have much talent. In the process of gutting the roster, some of those discarded players went on to great success with other teams. Dave Caldwell would later lament that he may have cut the roster too deep. I fear that Tom Coughlin may now be in the same position. He doesn’t have an intimate knowledge of the Jags’ roster, yet he’s letting some solid contributors walk out the door. In 2016, Johnathan Cyprien was second on the team in tackles (more than Telvin Smith) and Prince Amukamara was fifth. My point, are we again in position to lose more talent than we gain because our decision maker under-appreciates solid contributors on our current roster?
John: Different year, different situation. First, remember: Caldwell is still heavily involved in the Jaguars’ personnel decisions, and his knowledge of the roster is as intimate as it gets. Second, a player such as Cyprien is a high-profile free agent, so if he indeed is let go it will be more about whether or not he’s worth keeping at the price than a decision to “gut the roster.” This is not a massive rebuild on the scale of 2013, and there won’t be players released for the sole reason of creating room and time for young players to grow. As for Amukamara, Coughlin was the head coach when the Giants drafted him and he coached him for five seasons. If Amukamara isn’t with the Jaguars next season, it won’t be because Coughlin doesn’t know him as a player.
Eric from Cumberland, MD:
Hey O-Zone, my wife and I have been season-ticket holders from Day One and like the direction we are heading in. One question, I have not heard or seen any news on signing the offensive tackle from Miami. Am I missing something?
John: The Jaguars’ trade with the Miami Dolphins for Branden Albert is pending. It cannot become official until March 9, the start of the new league year.
Eric from Red Lake Falls, MN:
John, the No. 4 pick of last year’s draft got a contract worth approximately $6 million a year. How much does this weigh into a decision on who a team drafts? If you pick running back or safety at No. 4, you’re essentially committing to paying them a top 5 to 10 contract for their position in the NFL.
John: Caldwell actually touched on this on Jaguars.com LIVE Thursday. He pointed out that while such positional concerns once did play into draft-day decision, making that’s not nearly as much the case anymore. The 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement got rookie salaries under control enough that it’s not as much of a concern anymore.
Ryan from Apopka, FL:
What are your thoughts on Mike DiRocco’s tweet of a picture of you and Pete Prisco and the tag line stating, “Jacksonville sports media legends?”
John: My first thought is I don’t have any idea who this Mike DiRocco is, although people keep emailing me about him. My second thought is if this guy thinks Prisco also is a legend, I can’t keep him from tweeting about it.
O-Zone: Taking it personally
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
INDIANAPOLIS – Combine, Day Two.
Let’s get to it …
Justin from Toronto, Ontario:
There is a lot of talk about the Jaguars possibly signing A.J. Bouye in free agency, and he is considered a top-level corner by almost everyone. However, do you think he might have thrived in Houston due to the really good pass rush the Texans have there? I think that the situation he was in may boost his value more and he might get overpaid, and he wouldn’t perform as well with the Jaguars’ pass rush.
John: Bouye indeed is a good player. He almost certainly will be one of the most highly sought-after – and highly-paid – players in 2017 free agency. And rightly so. I think he’s a player the Jaguars should and will pursue next week because putting him opposite Jalen Ramsey would give the Jaguars a pair of top-level corners for the foreseeable future. At the same time, there’s no question Bouye benefitted from the Texans’ pass rush because any corner in the NFL benefits from a quality pass rush – just as every corner is hurt when his team’s pass rush is ineffective. That’s not a knock on any NFL corner; it’s just a statement of fact that most NFL corners need a pass rush to force mistakes. NFL quarterbacks for the most part are that accurate. So, yes … unless the Jaguars improve their pass rush, Bouye probably wouldn’t be as effective with the Jaguars as he was with the Texans because the Jaguars’ pass rush wasn’t as good this past season as that of the Texans. That doesn’t mean the Jaguars shouldn’t pursue Bouye. I believe they should. And if the Jaguars do sign Bouye, they certainly will overpay to get him. Because free agency.
Mike from Atlanta, GA:
Who is now going to catch passes from the tight end position? I’m not necessarily opposed to the Julius Thomas trade, but I am wondering what the Jaguars will do at tight end. If you are going to run Air Coryell, or some variation, you want someone to be able to catch passes over the middle; otherwise, you can bracket the receivers on the outside with corners and safeties over the top. I remember this being a thing about 10 years ago and the drafting of Marcedes Lewis was supposed to – at least in part – address that issue. Also, having been an observer of the NFL for a long time, obtaining a productive pass-catching tight end who isn’t too much of a liability in run blocking isn’t easy in free agency or the draft. What do you think about this quandary, and what do you think they will do?
John: First of all, I think you need a quality tight end in the NFL no matter the offense because no matter the offense teams can bracket receivers if you don’t have one. I do think the Jaguars will address the position at some point between, say, Rounds 3-5 in the 2017 NFL Draft, and I also think they’re intrigued by Ben Koyack and Neal Sterling. They haven’t shown they are elite yet, but they showed good signs last season and the tight-end position really didn’t have a dropoff when they moved into the lineup as Thomas’ playing time waned.
Glen from Orange Park, FL:
I was not thrilled about trading for a 32-year-old tackle coming off his worst season and injured. Then, I read that Albert is an awesome locker-room guy and will be an excellent mentor for our young linemen. If he is the kind of player that makes those around him better then it makes total sense and tell TC and the boys I’m sorry for doubting them.
John: I’ll let them know. And then I’m sure they’ll sleep soundly.
Gabe from Washington, D.C.:
What does your gut tell you is a more likely pick at #4 overall: running back or cornerback?
John: If those are my choices, running back.
Bob from Hilliard, FL:
Wow. Your answer to Kim from Section 130 recently was depressing. “A chance to be .500.” I believe you wrote that last year. This team hasn’t been .500 since 2010 (which included a three-game losing streak) and has not been to the playoffs in a decade. Your answer confirmed why it isn’t worth the fans’ time to go to a game this year.
John: I can’t speak to what the answer confirmed. Only you can interpret that, so I’ll leave that to you. I can tell you this, “Bob:” The Jaguars went 3-13 last season. Am I supposed to write they’re going to win 10 games next season? Is that believable right now? I think they’ll be better – perhaps even a lot better. I think a lot went wrong last season and I think that if they can get some things going right – pass rush in key situations, fewer key turnovers, better special teams play – they have a chance to improve significantly. But getting to eight victories would be a five-game improvement and would be the Jaguars’ best season in seven seasons. It’s my experience that such turnarounds are rare. It doesn’t mean they can’t happen, but it does mean they’re rare. I’m sorry that’s true and I’m sorry that that doesn’t “wow” you. But a five-game improvement would be dramatic and would be cool and would make things look a lot brighter than before, and I do think it’s possible. I could lie for your benefit and generate false hope, but I’m not sure what purpose that would serve.
Kek from jags4life forum:
Hey Shirley, your jokes are soooo played. No one thinks they’re funny anymore. Not that they were in the first place.
John: Good call, “Kek.” You figured me out. I quote “Airplane,” a movie that came out nearly 40 years ago, thinking people are going to find me stunningly, uproariously funny and clever. Way to bring it.
Weston Greenville, DE:
My name is Weston and I am 11 years old. I think we should get Alshon Jefferey or DeSean Jackson for a wide receiver to give Blake Bortles more options. I know our wide receivers are good but I think we could use another option. Do you think that we will get them?
John: Weston, I don’t hate your idea. The Jaguars are indeed good at receiver, and I think Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns have a chance to have really productive seasons next season. But I still would be particularly intrigued by Alshon Jeffrey because I don’t know that a team can have enough playmakers for whom defenses must account. Jeffrey is such a player. He’s a true No. 1, and while Allen Robinson has shown signs of that, signing one wouldn’t be absurd. I don’t believe the Jaguars will go this route next week because there are needs elsewhere, but I wouldn’t think it was tragic if they did it.
Mike from Horseheads, NY:
Hey, Zone: I like how nobody has mentioned that Branden Albert was the starting left-tackle for a Miami team that rushed the ball for 200-plus yards in three games last season with an average running back. That counts for something, right?
John: If Branden Albert was an upgrade, that would mean the Jaguars’ front office made a good move. That’s possible, but a lot of people aren’t ready to discuss things in that context.
Dalton from UCF:
What do you think about putting Myles Jack at strong safety? We had troubles trying to find ways to put him on the field last year and coming out of college he was known for his versatility. He even stated during his combine press conference that some teams envisioned him in that Kam Chancellor role. If we put him there, we don’t have to spend big money on a free agent or overdraft for the position at No. 4. Do you think this is something to consider or am I out of line here?
John: You’re not out of line. I think Myles Jack is a linebacker and I think he’s going to play linebacker for the Jaguars next season. A lot. And by the way, if you’re referring to Jamal Adams of Louisiana State as a possibility at No. 4, I’m not sure that qualifies as over-drafting. He’s special, and he can cover. Drafting a safety that early would be unusual, but if he’s special that means he’s “elite.” If he’s elite, he wouldn’t be overdrafted at No. 4. Elite players are cool, and the Jaguars don’t have enough of them.
Nate from Fogertyville:
R-E-L-A-X!!! I’m pretty sure Tom, Doug, and Dave have a plan. How about we let them execute it before we criticize?
John: Where would the fun be in that?
Bo from Dresden, NC:
John, we have to be the only team with a VP of football operations on our team page. Players make plays. I’m having a hard time hanging my hat on office personal.
John: OK, but don’t take it “personnel-ly.” The marketing department is just trying to promote the team.
O-Zone: Getting his due
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …
Marcus from Jacksonville:
You make it seem like bringing in another quarterback to compete for the starting job is a challenge because you pay two guys “starter money.” The problem with that argument is Blake Bortles isn’t making “starter money.” He is still on his rookie deal, so if you bring in another guy for more money, it’s not like you’re paying two guys $15 million-plus a year. Bring in one of those guys via free agency or a trade, let them compete through the offseason and preseason, then cut the one that doesn’t win the job.
John: I can’t speak for how I’ve made it seem, though I can tell you there often is a difference between what is read and what is written. I can tell you that the Jaguars’ challenge in acquiring a quarterback to compete with Bortles has nothing to do with paying two players starter money. It does have a lot to do with not wanting to pay a player starter money – or trade for such a player – if you don’t see him as starter. It also might be difficult to sign a player such as, say, Tony Romo or Jay Cutler, if that player believes he’s coming in to compete rather than be the starter. It also might be that the Jaguars legitimately don’t see a quarterback available who’s clearly a better option than Bortles – and who therefore is worth paying front-line money. If they don’t see such a player, that could very well preclude them signing a quarterback, and that has nothing to do with how much money Bortles is making.
Go git ‘em Oehser:
A.P.! A.P.! A.P.! A.P.! A.P.!
John: Stop.
Tom from Orlando, FL:
JPP getting the franchise tag has crushed my free agency dreams.
John: Good players are cool. Teams tend to like them, and they tend to find ways to keep them.
Thomas from Williamsburg, VA:
Hey, wasn’t Jimmy Smith a free agent? That should end that debate.
John: I assume the debate to which you refer is the one about the best free-agent signing in Jaguars history. Smith indeed was a free agent, but he was a “street” free agent, meaning he had been released by the Philadelphia Eagles and essentially was out of football when the Jaguars signed him early in the 1995 offseason. The discussion to which you refer was more about “unrestricted” free agents, which refers to players who become free agents after the expiration of the previous league year. If the discussion included street free agents, then yeah … Smith would be the best in Jaguars history, and there wouldn’t be a debate.
Dave from Orlando, FL:
O-Man, Tom Coughlin has placed a major emphasis on toughness. Do you have any plans on toughening up your act?
John: Does weeping count?
Glen from Orange Park, FL:
How difficult is it to get our best three linebackers (Telvin, Puz and Jack) on the field for the majority of snaps?
John: It was pretty difficult last season, and the Jaguars didn’t do it enough. I don’t know how much more difficult or easy it will be next season, but I expect it to happen a lot more.
Mike from Jacksonville:
What do you think about Tony Romo being signed to compete with Blake and – if nothing else – to be the No. 2 guy? Seems Blake could learn a lot from Romo as far as being a legit in-pocket quarterback that can run.
John: I don’t think Romo will sign anywhere to compete and possibly the No. 2 guy.
Mike from Jacksonville:
Of course Bortles needs to play better and getting a big-name running back would be awesome, but with Tom Coughlin running the show do you anticipate a focus on building up a dominant offensive line and defensive line? It seems the teams that are consistently good have solid big men.
John: I do think the Jaguars will focus on improving the offensive line and defensive line under Coughlin. I think the Jaguars focused on those areas in recent seasons, and I think they were more successful in the efforts defensively than they were offensively.
Jim from Neptune Beach, FL:
Maybe not a question but I, for one, will be glad to not watch the previous seasons’ conversations rattle on about Leos and Ottos and why any particular player fit a Leo scheme and/or an Otto scheme. To me, going back to the traditional position schemes will be a treat.
John: You’re not alone.
Nick from Fort Pierce, FL:
Why does Davon House seem to be on the outside looking in? If I recall, he was our No. 1 corner two years ago and did a decent job on the best wide receivers in the NFL. I don’t mind him opposite Jalen Ramsey if A.J. Bouye doesn’t pan out and Prince Amukamara leaves. We have bigger fish to fry, what say you?
John: I like House and the Jaguars like him when he is playing at a high level. He was inconsistent at the beginning of last season, and has been inconsistent at times since joining the Jaguars. I think the Jaguars will try to upgrade the No. 2 spot beyond both Amukamara and House.
JP S from Tuscaloosa:
So, it sounds like the new offense could best be termed “exotic smashmouth.”
John: I get the reference, because there do seem to be some similarities between how the Jaguars may wind up building their offense for 2017 and how the Tennessee Titans built the offense they began calling “exotic smashmouth” last offseason. But those comparisons as of right now are premature because the Titans signed DeMarco Murray and drafted Derrick Henry last offseason and the Jaguars have yet to acquire a running back this offseason. Also, the “exotic” part of the Titans’ scheme had a little to do with the running/escapability of quarterback Marcus Mariota, and while Blake Bortles is mobile, he perhaps isn’t as “exotic” as Mariota. But I do sense there’s a chance the Jaguars could be moving in a similar, physical direction to that of the Titans. Right now, that’s just speculation, but it has a similar early feel.
Bryant from White Plains, NY:
Do you think there are veterans on the roster that the Jags are interested in cutting, but they are waiting to see how free agency and the draft plays out before doing so?
John: I wouldn’t say the Jaguars are “interested” in that, but there are positions where veterans could be released depending on future acquisitions. House, right tackle Jermey Parnell, running back Chris Ivory and defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks could be in that situation.
Darren from Arlington, TX:
OK, I’ll try again. … I really like Amukamara opposite Ramsey. Do you have any insight on how the organization feels about him? If you’re playing GM, how much are you willing to pay to keep him here?
John: Thanks for continuing to try. I get many emails every day and answer a lot of them, so sometimes your efforts may result in failure. That’s OK. Failure is good. It builds character. The Jaguars liked Amukamara last season, and there likely is a price at which they would want him back. I get the sense that that price won’t likely match the lengths and terms Amukamara believes he will get on the open market.
Jerell from Columbia, SC:
Draft Fournette!
John: I think this is a possibility, and the best part would be that a strong running game would really help quarterback Blake Bortles. Isn’t that right Jerrel? Jerell? JERELL!!!???
Joe from Woodbridge, VA:
I asked the question about the importance of the pass rush. The point was to question the logic of the importance of the position. If you look at the playoff teams of this past season what teams were actually dominant on the defensive side of the ball? The Jags play the Texans twice a year and I think you can walk away saying you don’t fear the Texans as currently constructed even with a fully healthy JJ Watt. Is it nice to have a dominate pass rush? Yes. Is it necessary to win a championship? You can look as far as this past Super Bowl with Atlanta and the Patriots. The feared pass rusher was in that game was Vic Beasley? How did he do? Successful teams every year have solid quarterback play and running game – two things that the Jags have not had both at the same time since the productive years of 1996-2000. Am I wrong here?
John: I understand that your question was to question the logic of the importance of pass rusher, and believe me: no one who knows the NFL is going to question the importance of the quarterback position. But while a running game is important, the ability to pressure the passer is absolutely critically important to success in the NFL. Is it more important than a running game? In this era of the NFL, yes … I would say that’s the case.
Shane from Atlanta, GA:
I didn’t see Tinker mentioned on your toughest list. I’d watch my back if I were you.
John: Fair point.
O-Zone: Coach ’em up
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …
Michael from Tupelo, MS:
Can you see us going out and getting the two best guards available in free agency and a tackle to take the job or compete with Jermey Parnell? We would have major depth at that point. We then address defensive needs in the draft. Let’s make the offensive line both a strength and priority. Extremely difficult to be tough without a very good offensive line.
John: I would be stunned if the Jaguars don’t sign at least one guard in free agency. I don’t know that they need to replace A.J. Cann, because I don’t think he was the liability last season many fans believe. General Manager David Caldwell in fact said Monday on Jaguars Today that the team sees Cann as a player who can be a high-level NFL guard, so two veteran interior linemen may not be the free-agency direction. As far as right tackle, that will be intriguing in free agency and/or the draft. Caldwell said on Monday that Parnell played well when healthy late last season, so it’s not as if the Jaguars can’t function at that position if they don’t upgrade. Still, if an upgrade is attainable … yeah, I think it’s a real possibility.
Mike from Section 238:
I know you won’t print this because it’s not the party line, but after reading your column the past several years I think I finally figured out what needs to happen to satisfy the fan base: Shad Khan must get on his knees and apologize to the fans; the players have to cry, throw their helmets like Jared Odrick, and be generally inconsolable during the offseason and after every loss; Dave Caldwell and Doug Marrone need to guarantee a Super Bowl victory next January no matter how unlikely that is; and Tom Coughlin needs to announce that the league has passed a rule that free agents cannot turn down any reasonable Jaguars offer. Can you make that happen soon please so I don’t have to listen to any more whining about spilt milk?
John: /drops mic
Mark from Archer, FL:
Tom Coughlin has been a great coach in his career. But just like past failures from a coach do not mean he won’t be successful, neither does past success guarantee future success. My point: all these moves that Coughlin is making, everyone is saying Coughlin was great, etc. There is a sense that to many he can do no wrong and all his moves are smart. Are there any moves he has made thus far that you do not agree with?
John: You say “all these moves,” but the only things of roster-shaping significance the Jaguars have done thus far this offseason is release Jared Odrick, trade Julius Thomas for a seventh-round selection, trade for left tackle Branden Albert and opt to not exercise the option for left tackle Kelvin Beachum. I said “only” in that previous sentence because entering the offseason Odrick’s release felt pretty much like a foregone conclusion and I doubted Thomas would be back. So, the one that stands out is acquiring Albert and not retaining Beachum at left tackle. That move did surprise me because I thought Beachum played OK last season, but Albert is a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle who is considered a better run-blocker than Beachum. Would I have let Beachum go? Probably not. Would I have let him go had I known Albert was the replacement? Yeah, probably.
Kim from New Smyrna Beach and Section 130:
John, I need some help. I’ve been a Jaguars fan for a long time and a season-ticket holder for 10-plus years. For the first time ever, I am having a really hard time hitting that renew button to spend another season at EverBank Field. Please, John: I need some inspiration, a pep talk – give me a reason to renew!
John: Kim, I’ll be honest: I don’t in this forum “encourage” fans to buy season tickets or any type of ticket. It’s not that I don’t want fans to do this, and I hope they do. But that’s not my job, and it would feel false if I went on this website and pumped answers full of unreasonable hope as opposed to trying to write as accurately and honestly about this team I know how. Now, I can tell you that the fan experience at Jaguars games is really cool and that there are far worse things to do on a Sunday than go to an NFL game. I can also tell you I foresee a time in the coming few seasons when the patience and perseverance of this fan base will pay off, and I have to think it’s going to be cool to be in EverBank Field when that happens. I also can tell you that I believe the Jaguars have a chance to be improved next season. I believe these players will play hard for Head Coach Doug Marrone, and I believe Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett have a chance to get more out of quarterback Blake Bortles – and therefore more out of the offense – than he produced last season. I also think the defense will be improved. And I do sincerely believe that Marrone will be able to get a lot out of this team, and that the Jaguars have a chance to push to be around .500. I think that would generate a lot of excitement because it would be a five-game improvement. I also think that would bode well for the future. I don’t know if that’s a pep talk, but that’s what I tell readers, friends, family, etc. who ask about the Jaguars. I believe there is a core of good young players here, and I believe it can be an exciting season if Bortles takes some significant steps to improve. Is that enough to renew? Only you can decide that.
Ed from Ponte Vedra, FL:
We can move around players and improve the defense all we want. But until Blake Bortles can prove with consistency he is the guy, we will never hit the 8-8 the fans are looking for.
John: Kim’s not going to like that statement, Ed.
Aaron from Chantilly:
I’m loving Coughlin’s attitude and respect for the team. He doesn’t go out of his way and paint a negative picture of someone, but you can tell he isn’t pleased with a number of performances/players from last year, which is appropriate given our record. Very excited about free agency and the draft.
John: Tom Coughlin is a professional football man and carries himself as such. The Jaguars have struggled for a long time and lost 13 games last season. It stands to reason he might look at the roster and figure some adjusting was needed.
CC from Duval:
Quick question. Everyone is freaking out about the Jags possibly letting Johnathan Cyprien walk in free agency, but if the team decides to go running back No. 4 overall in the draft after addressing the offensive line in free agency what do you feel the organization feels about James Sample? I know his health is a concern but I haven’t heard anything on him in a while. What do you think about him being Cyprien’s replacement?
John: James Sample has talent. He also has played in four games in two NFL seasons. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he plays a role for the Jaguars next season, but if the Jaguars don’t re-sign Cyprien I think it’s safe to say they’ll draft or sign someone outside the team to address strong safety.
Bo from the Highlands:
Can you tell us your thoughts on the running back position excluding the draft – Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon, Corey Grant, D-Rob and Joe Banyard? Do you sense a trade? And do you think Grant could take the No. 2 running back spot? C’mon: Ivory and Grant’s speed.
John: I don’t sense a trade for a veteran running back happening, and I do think the Jaguars will draft a runner in the first three rounds. I think Yeldon has a chance to be a very good player as part of a rotation and I think Ivory has proven he can be effective in the right situation. I also think Grant can be an effective reserve/special teams player. But overall, there is not a game-changing back on the Jaguars’ roster. My gut is the Jaguars will try to change that during the draft.
Jeff from Keystone Heights, FL:
Would you agree if a team releases a starter it’s not only because they believe they can upgrade the position, but they may also want a different type of player to fit a scheme or philosophy? For example, releasing Julius Thomas doesn’t mean they don’t think he’s capable of being a productive tight end … they may envision a better blocker or quicker style than what he brings. A 3-13 record, multiple losing seasons and new staff must bring these types of thoughts and decisions. Surely, no one thought we would have the same starting 22 and just coach them up.
John: Apparently some people did think that. They were wrong. And stop calling me Shirley.
O-Zone: Hanging tough
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …
Keith from Palatka, FL:
I believe that Doug Marrone and Nathaniel Hackett will run a version of an “Air Coryell” offense, since this is what they ran at Syracuse and Buffalo. Oversimplified, the Coryell offense is a combination of deep and mid-range passing and a power running game. It should come as no surprise that they are going to build an offensive line that will feature power run blocking and a power running back (like Leonard Fournette). Why are people surprised and angry that Kelvin Beachum, who does not fit that scheme, is being let go in free agency?
John: I believe Hackett’s offense ideally will look much like the one you describe, and a lot of the offseason tea leaves indeed look that way, too. I say “ideally,” because I believe right now Hackett and the offensive coaches are deep into installing the offense, and I imagine that process is about building a system that these players – particularly quarterback Blake Bortles – can execute well more than it is about designing a particular style of offense. And yes, ideally the Jaguars next season will run effectively to control tempo – and to help Bortles, who has shown effectiveness as a play-action passer. Why are people angry that Beachum is being let go? Because Beachum didn’t play poorly last season, and because there’s a perception that he was the best option possible at left tackle – and because fans gonna fan, as well they should.
Dave from Oviedo, FL:
Mr. O – Do teams have integrity anymore when signing players that break the law? I’m afraid we’re getting to a point where a star player could shoot someone in the street, and they’d still make a roster if that player could score touchdowns and help a team win. I know: you don’t want a team of boy scouts, but where do you draw the line … and why does that line (of right and wrong) keep moving based on a player’s ability to win football games?
John: There’s actually no moving line. If one team believes a player can help it win that player will usually play in the NFL if he is legally allowed to do so. There are exceptions, but they are relatively rare. This has not changed much in the time I have watched and followed the NFL and I don’t expect it to change in the foreseeable future. This is not much different than other major professional sports.
Emile from Tallahassee, FL:
Fans during the season: “This team stinks! Let everyone go! Trade them!” Fans during the offseason: “What!? Why are the letting that guy go? How dare they trade him?”
John: Yes. Fans gonna fan.
Genuinejag13 from Jacksonville:
Is there a chance that Bortles and Henne could play special teams or does everyone not mean everyone?
John: C’mon, Genuinejag13 from Jacksonville … be better than that.
Mike from Jacksonville:
A few years ago I hoped the Jags would draft Jay Ajayi. They drafted Yeldon in the second round, whereas Ajayi landed in the fifth. Do I want the Jags to spend the fourth overall pick on running back? No because you can get quality much, much later.
John: You’re a long way from wrong.
Steven from Memphis, TN:
Blake is out west working on his mechanics. My question concerns the other area of his game that you have pointed out a number of times. Pocket presence, decision making, seeing the field, protecting the football among others. Will fixing his mechanics correct these mistakes, or are these problems only corrected once camp starts and with coaching and experience? It just seemed to me that Tom Coughlin is not very happy with Blake and I wonder if he sees these problems I mentioned as unfixable? IF Blake cannot correct these issues and we do not get a quarterback in free agency or the draft we are in a lot of trouble next year and the next several years.
John: Better mechanics can’t hurt Bortles in the other areas he must improve, but neither will they fix those other areas. Experience should help, as should comfort level in the offense. Hackett certainly is working on creating as many situations in which Bortles is comfortable and as confident as possible. That’s not an overnight process, but that’s Hackett’s objective. As for quarterback-related feelings, I didn’t get the impression during his Friday media availability that Coughlin dislikes Bortles, but there’s no question Coughlin believes Bortles has to protect the football and make better decisions. I don’t think Coughlin’s in that belief, though perhaps he addressed it a little more directly than we have heard in recent seasons.
Mark from Archer, FL:
John, I get that after such a horrible season a lot of changes need to be made. I also get that I am just a fan and not a coach or scout or anything. But from my point of view we are addressing the wrong issues. Right tackle to me was the worst spot on our line. I cannot even count how many penalties were on our right tackle last season. My opinion is Parnell should have been the first player cut after the season.
John: OK.
Fred from Naples, FL:
Is Paul Posluszny the best free-agent signing in Jaguars history?
John: He’s in the conversation. Leon Searcy and Keenan McCardell are in the conversation, too, and I’d have to put McCardell on the top of my list.
Hunter from Jacksonville Beach, FL:
Over-under on a 15 percent chance Luke Joeckel stays for 2017 …
John: Over. Barely.
J Hooks from Orange Park, FL:
John, my biggest take on the Coughlin presser is that it’s not necessarily particular players that need to be replaced, but more-so the overall mental and physical constitution of the “team.” I also believe he saw that one of the biggest flaws was special teams play, which is ALL about mental and physical constitution! Am I too far off base here, or was he sending a message to the players more than appeasing the media? On a side note, isn’t Jerell Superman’s dad or something?
John: I wouldn’t say Coughlin’s Friday presser gave a message that particular players didn’t need replacing. Particular players are starting to be replaced, and I anticipate that continuing. When I asked Coughlin his impression of the state of the roster on Friday, he twice said, “We have work to do.” That work is going to be about upgrading players. Now, there’s also little question Coughlin believes the overall physical and mental constitution of the team needs work, too – and he clearly believes special teams must be more of a priority. When it comes to the target of his message Friday, I’ve never thought of Coughlin as one to “appease” the media – or anyone else, for that matter. Was he sending a message to players? I suppose, but mostly he was answering questions honestly about where he believes this team stands. He believes this team has to be tougher mentally and physically, and he was pretty clear about that. As far as Jerell, you know what … maybe he is Superman’s dad. That would explain a lot, and it would leave some things unanswered. And I bet Jerell would like it that way.
Eric from Portland via Duval:
Can we tell Joe from Woodbridge that the reason Texans’ defense was still the best after JJ Watt went down was because guys like Jadaveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus were ready to step in? This proves the importance of the pass rush and having multiple productive rushers, not the other way around.
John: You can’t have enough pass rushers in the NFL. It has been that way since before the modern passing era. It is that way now. I don’t anticipate it changing.
Bo from Desden, NC:
If Tom is not sold on Blake do you think we will bring in more quarterback competition or just go with Chad, Blake and Allen?
John: If Coughlin is not sold on Bortles I think Coughlin will explore every avenue to legitimately make the Jaguars’ quarterback position as strong as possible this year. That’s not a vague answer as much as it is one that reflects the quarterback market this offseason. There does not appear to be a quarterback available at No. 4 overall that is a bona fide franchise guy, and the veteran quarterback market as usual is questionable at best. Are Tony Romo, Jimmy Garropolo or Jay Cutler worth big-time trade or salary equity? Coughlin’s not going to tip his hand on this. If he likes any of those quarterbacks my sense is he would pursue them.
Marc from Oceanway:
Coughlin wants and expects toughness in his players. Blake Bortles at least has this going for him. How do you think Bortles fares in the toughness category? Any other Jaguars that stand out to you as being an example of the toughness Coughlin expects?
John: Yes, Bortles is tough. As far as other Jaguars who exhibit that toughness, there are many. Paul Posluszny, Tyson Alualu, Allen Hurns, Roy Miller. There are others, but those guys stand out.
O-Zone: Memories blur
John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com Follow John on twitter Like The O-Zone on facebook
JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …
Logan from Wichita, KS:
All I got from Tom Coughlin’s press conference Friday was “blah, blah, blah … the players we have are wimps that need to tough up, our quarterback is terrible and we still suck…” Yippee.
John: Logan, I assure you Coughlin’s not walking into his press conferences worrying about what you and the fans think about what he’s saying. That doesn’t mean he’s not working to improve the team, but that work doesn’t extend to saying what fans want to hear or trying to make them happy when he speaks publicly. I also can assure you he’s going to be honest in his assessment of the Jaguars and he’s going to be steadfast in his effort to articulate his thoughts about the team. I thought Coughlin’s press conference Friday was forthright and honest. He clearly believes the Jaguars need to get tougher, and he believes that not only must quarterback Blake Bortles improve, but players around him must improve, too. I didn’t get the impression he believes Bortles “sucks,” and I actually thought he sounded more supportive of Bortles than he did in the introductory press conference. It also sounded to me as if he likes the potential of pass rushers Dante Fowler Jr. and Yannick Ngakoue and that he really likes Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny. Mostly, I got the impression that the Jaguars are going to work to build the offensive line and improve this running game. That maybe didn’t peel back the curtain into all of Coughlin’s Jaguars-oriented thoughts, and maybe it doesn’t excite you. I guess that’s just the way it be.
Glen from Orange Park, FL:
JPP or Melvin Ingram? Prince Amukamara, A.J. Bouye, Stephon Gilmore, or Logan Ryan? Kevin Zeitler, or Larry Warford?
John: JPP, Bouye and Warford, but hey … I’m guessing.
Bob from Sumter, SC:
I’m in the minority. I like the Kelvin Beachum/Branden Albert/Julius Thomas moves. Albert is a better run-blocker when healthy. Thomas is not a good run blocker. Running the ball is Priority One. Jared Odrick was OK, but the message is we’re not paying big bucks for OK. Obviously, I think they’ve given a little thought to who might replace him before they released him – just a wild guess. There’s a reason we were 3-13 and it wasn’t just Bortles. The Jags will improve under TC and Marrone. As for how much, as you say “stay tuned.” #DTWD
John: #DTWD
Gabe from Washington, DC:
If all of the following guys were available in free agency, and the Jaguars deemed them upgrades, would the team be able to afford paying top dollar for Jason Pierre-Paul, A.J. Bouye, Eric Berry AND Kevin Zeitler? That would make me excited.
John: Berry won’t be available, but the Jaguars could afford to pay a top dollar to a point for the other three. I don’t know that doing so in one offseason would be prudent – or if they realistically could lure all three – but it’s not impossible.
Matt from Section 133:
In your response to Bob from Hilliard, you said, “This is a different organization with Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone in charge.” I noticed that David Caldwell was conspicuously absent from that sentence. I truly don’t mean this to sound flippant, but what is he still doing with the organization? Is it disingenuous to allow him to keep the title of General Manager? If not, then why isn’t he more at the forefront of the picture this offseason? It feels to me like the public perception is that this is now Coughlin and Marrone’s team. (I don’t see Caldwell’s serious face scowling at me on the homepage, after all.)
John: David Caldwell is still the general manager and because he’s still the general manager it’s not disingenuous for him to have the title. As Coughlin said repeatedly on Friday, he and Caldwell and Marrone are running the Jaguars as a team. But when it comes to final decisions, Coughlin makes those. And when it comes to coaching the team, Marrone does that. Hence, the use of the phrase “in charge” when referring to those two.
Aaron from White Hall, AR:
I would rather stick with Blake this year to make sure he isn’t our guy before moving on, but I wouldn’t mind trading for Jimmy G as long as it wasn’t for our fourth overall pick. The guy I would rather see that wouldn’t cost a draft pick and would bring in competition is Mike Glennon. Thoughts?
John: If you trade for Garoppolo it’s probably going to cost the No. 4 overall selection – or it will at least cost enough that he’s going to come in as a starter. As for signing Glennon, sure … I guess. But is he better than Bortles? Significantly? And if he’s not, then are you willing to pay premium $$$?
Scott from Jacksonville:
Beachum wasn’t any worse than Albert last year, and being two years removed from ACL surgery, Beachum should only get better. On top of that, Beachum is entering his prime, while Albert is past his. I just don’t get this one, O-Man.
John: Reread your first sentence and assume that someone very prominent in the Jaguars’ decision-making hierarchy – perhaps someone who has coached here before and who was recently hired to make decisions regarding the direction of the organization – doesn’t agree with the aforementioned first sentence.
Brett from Jacksonville Beach:
Off topic, but with the Daytona 500 approaching, can you speak about covering Dale Earnhardt’s death? Frank Frangie mentioned your coverage during a show this week.
John: I indeed covered the 2001 Daytona 500. It was the last of about 10 or 11 consecutive Daytona 500s I covered for the Florida Times-Union. I actually didn’t “cover” Earnhardt’s death any more than the hundreds of other reporters there. I worked the race as I always did from the Benny Kahn press room in the infield of Daytona International Speedway and I watched Earnhardt’s last-lap collision with the wall on television. I like many others thought comparatively little of it because at first and second glance it didn’t seem any more violent than many incidents at DIS. Having covered double-digit NASCAR races there, I had seen many drivers walk away from far worse. Following Earnhardt’s collision, I interviewed other drivers post-race and was writing my stories when I got a call (and I believe I’m remembering this right) from an assistant sports editor saying one of our photographers was hearing rumors that Earnhardt had died. I dismissed it because it still didn’t seem possible. This was before Twitter and instant news, remember, so information traveled comparatively slowly. Soon after the call, the mood in the press room changed. My memory is fuzzy, but it seems likely that the more tied-in reporters and media types were hearing similar rumors, and that if Earnhardt hadn’t died, something was happening. After what I remember as a long time, NASCAR President Mike Helton came into the room. By now, the press room was packed. And by now, it seemed everyone sensed what was coming when Helton said the now infamous words, “We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt.” What I also remember was walking from the press room to Halifax Medical Center with my friend from the Florida Today, David Jones. I don’t know, really, if I was thinking I’d talk to someone when I arrived at Halifax or if it just seemed like what a reporter was supposed to do. I honestly don’t even recall now if we walked there before Helton’s announcement, or if we walked afterward; it has been a long time and details fade. What I remember is the walk was long, and I remember from a relative distance seeing Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt – Earnhardt’s wife – outside what was probably the emergency room. The absurdity of our walk to Halifax dawned on us both around this time; whatever had happened to Earnhardt there were going to be no comments from family at Halifax. This was bigger than that. We walked back to the press room. Here, the memories again blur. What I remember most is the stunned feeling leaving DIS that night. There was always eeriness to the track on Sunday evenings after the 500. Two weeks of Speedweeks were over, and the sudden quiet always seemed odd. This obviously felt eerier. I don’t pretend to have known Earnhardt, and Dale sure wasn’t my friend, but you couldn’t cover Daytona for the 10 years I did without feeling his presence. He only won one Daytona 500, but he was a master of that track. He won countless smaller Speedweeks races there, and as little as I knew about the ins and outs of racing, you didn’t have to know much to understand his greatness. He was simply the best driver of his era, the most intimidating, the biggest personality, the sport’s defining presence. He was always the biggest story at the 500, win or lose, and it goes without saying that his death didn’t seem real as I walked from DIS that night. This was a guy who in a very real sense was bigger than life around NASCAR, and now he was gone. I left the Times-Union later that summer and haven’t covered a race since, but I doubt I’m alone among media members who count that day as one of the saddest and most memorable days of my career.