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O-Zone: Sweet mysteries

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

James from Palm Coast, FL:

What do you see as the biggest difference in Blake Bortles this year compared to last year? The biggest difference to me is Blake’s arm strength and accuracy has diminished, though not on every snap. I also have seen where the receivers are not getting separation, plus he seems to be floating the ball on passes of 10 to 15 yards. Thank you for your response.

John: I don’t know that there’s any one huge difference between Bortles this year and last year. I think there unquestionably was a stretch this season when he was less accurate than last season – and he was really struggling in a lot of areas around midseason. But I honestly don’t know if there’s as mammoth a difference between Bortles this season and last season as many believe. He struggled at the start of games last season, and he also struggled with interceptions. The offense often was inefficient, and his decision-making often was a reason. As has been noted, some of his statistics last season came at the end of games with the Jaguars trailing. The Jaguars have been in closer games for the most part this season, so perhaps some so-called “mop-up” touchdowns and yards haven’t come as easily. I basically feel about Bortles as a quarterback similarly to how I did this time last year. He’s a guy with a lot of potential, and one who has shown he can produce in the NFL. He also remains a player who has to take a step forward in terms of decision-making, accuracy and game awareness. I think the accuracy stuff can improve in the offseason because he took steps in that area between Year 1 and 2. Can the decision-making progress? We’ll see.

Kris from Neenah, WI:

The NFL is a business, plain and simple – designed to earn revenue. If a fan truly believes this organization is not trying everything in its power to win, which in hand would generate more revenue … well, strictly speaking, they are insane.

John: I know.

Chris from Crestview, FL:

John, I don’t know how to say this, but is Bortles “Football Dumb?” There are times and places to make a bad throw: for example, on fourth down … if nothing else is open, wing it rather than take a sack. But on second and goal … throw that puppy away rather than force it. I don’t know what to call that, but I think that’s what I see: a quarterback that doesn’t take account when/where he is.

John: Decision-making and game sense have been issues for Bortles during each of his three seasons. They’re not issues all the time, but they’re issues often enough that they’re well … issues.

Jason from North Pole, AK:

A reader made a great point recently about our statistics compared to the Texans. This team is not far off and the roster is full of talent. At this point, we are going to be adding a Top 5 pick to a roster that already has the young core put together. Did we just project the turning of the corner a year early?

John: That’s not out of the question. With the Jaguars at 2-11 and in the midst of a terrifically disappointing season in which they in no way came close to expectations, I’m not going to spend a great deal of time banging the table about how close this team is to being competitive. At the same time, I expected this team to be about 7-9 to 9-7 this season and the Jaguars realistically are a few key plays from being at that level. So, is it possible that with slightly better play at quarterback — and with a year for these young players to grow – that the Jaguars could improve dramatically next season? Sure, it’s possible.

David from Orlando, FL:

O-Zone, shortly after Dave Caldwell drafted Blake Bortles, he said something like he graded Bortles to be the best quarterback prospect in this draft and the next. In other words, he projected Bortles to be better than Derek Carr, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Can you think of any single decision that had more impact on where this organization is today than that one?

John: Not right now, no. If it stays that way, then Caldwell missed big-time. Right now, it looks as if he did miss on Bortles. Sometimes, perceptions and career arcs change in the NFL. We’ll see if this one does.

Cliff from Washington, DC:

If Gus is not the overwhelming reason this team is 14-47 (which is so dumb to even write), then what is the overwhelming reason?

John: The overwhelming reason is there are a bunch of reasons – just as there are almost always a bunch of reasons when things go bad in the NFL. A huge reason for the overall record over the last four seasons is that the Jaguars were in a major rebuilding mode for the first few seasons, and it would have been hard for any head coach to have coached the Jaguars to a significantly better record than the Jaguars had in 2013, 2014 and perhaps even 2015. A primary reason that the Jaguars have struggled this season is that they didn’t get the needed/expected improvement from their offense; a lot of that is because Bortles didn’t make the necessary/needed improvement, but that’s not the only reason the offense didn’t improve. The defense also still lacks a slam-the-door pass rusher, and the combination of lack of pass rush and struggling quarterback play has contributed to a minus-17 turnover ratio that remains the critical stat in this disappointing season. The team also remains a little young at pass rusher and quarterback; that’s not to make an “excuse,” but it is reality that there aren’t reliable, core veterans in those areas. So, who’s at fault for this? Many will “blame” David Caldwell and still others will blame Bradley. Maybe it’s Bortles for not improving enough. More than likely it’s a combination of the above.

Nate from York, PA:

With having such a young and for the most part inexperienced team, is it wise to have an inexperienced head coach leading it? Gus Bradley may be a good coach and may have better success with a team of veteran players. But with a team that is majority rookie-to-third-year players, wouldn’t a veteran, experienced head coach be a better idea?

John: I’ve never been big on seeking a certain Type of Head Coach as in, “We Must Hire an Offensive Coach Because the Last Coach Was a Defensive Coach,” or, “We Must Hire a Disciplinarian Because the Last Coach Was a Players’ Coach,” or “We Must Hire an Experienced Coach Because the Last Coach Was a Younger Coach.” Hire the coach you think is the best one for the job. If he’s good, he’ll be good. If he’s not, it won’t matter if he’s a disciplinarian or a defensive guy or experienced or whatever.

Mike from Jacksonville:

I agree, John. Gus is not the biggest reason for the losses. Better quarterback play and the Jags would be at least .500 and no one would be blaming coaching.

John: Well, they still would be blaming it – it just wouldn’t be as dramatic.

John from Jacksonville:

Just like when Blake takes a huge hit in a game, he gets back up and plays the next play. He is tough and I believe this season will not define him. I think he will continue to fight his way through this and come back strong next year. He’s still a young man, with hopefully a long career in front of him. I think he’s learning how to manage himself with some very difficult lessons this season. I think that’s what his teammates and coaches see in him, and here’s hoping he comes back tougher and better than ever. He is a stand-up guy, and seems to be a guy who looks honestly at things and will not give up. I’m still wearing my No. 5 jersey.

John: #DTWD

Andrew from Honeytown:

Will the Jaguars find their honey this holiday season or will they be left at the altar? I disagree with you regarding Jags getting another win. I do agree with you now as I did two weeks ago that odds are the Jags should win one game out of five. However, I just don’t think it is in the MOJO cards with all the bad luck the Jags have experienced in the previous 13 games. Merry Krimma and hopefully a happier MOJO in the New Year.

John: I continue to think the Jaguars will win at least one more game this season. I believe this because I believe they’ll continue to be in games in the fourth quarter, and I figure the odds are with them that they’ll figure out a way to make a play in the fourth quarter to win one of those games. I well realize that I’m statistically running out of time for this to be true. So, which game will the Jaguars win? Ah, the sweet mysteries of this thing we call life.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Nine days away

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Don from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

Regardless of how everyone feels about Gus Bradley in 100 years, when they look at the archives they will not see your point of view. They are going to see a bad coach. Not that he is, but what determines that perception is his record. Nothing personal to the person. No stories. Just the record. That’s the way it works in the NFL. As much as you like someone and want to see them have success, you cannot defend not winning. Gus Bradley is directly responsible for the Jaguars’ poor performance because he is in charge. Everyone wanted this to work, but it is not close – not even a sniff close. Go Jags!

John: You are absolutely correct – and Bradley’s tenure undoubtedly will be judged harshly based on the record and the performance. There is no other way to judge it, and there is nothing incorrect nor mean nor harsh about fans disliking Bradley as a coach – or about wanting Bradley fired. There’s also nothing harsh about fans blaming Bradley and coaching for the record. That’s how most people judge it, and that’s how fans/owners/media long have judged coaches – because it’s the most measurable gauge, and because winning is what matters in the NFL. Still, when I am asked questions, I try to answer as honestly and accurately as possible – and I usually try to not answer by simply citing a statistic or a record. So, when I am asked questions that ask me to “admit” that Bradley is an awful coach and when those questions cite his 14-47 record as evidence that he is the worst coach of all-time, I’m not going to say I agree with that … because I don’t agree with that. I also don’t agree that Bradley/coaching is the predominant reason the Jaguars are 2-11 this season. Have there been too many penalties this season? Yes. Have the Jaguars looked undisciplined because of that at times? Yes. Are there times throughout his career that I’ve disagreed with Bradley on clock-management points? Yes. But I’ve seen many, many other teams win through penalties and the occasional clock-management snafu. There were times I disagreed with Tom Coughlin’s clock management and the man is a phenomenal head coach – possibly a Hall-of-Fame coach. I can’t write that Bradley is an elite head coach because there’s no evidence to suggest that, and it’s very possible that a few better decisions might have won the Jaguars a game or two throughout his career. But is he the overwhelming reason that this franchise has won 14 games and lost 47 in his career? No. He will get blamed for it and there may be offseason change because of it, but that won’t change my view.

John from Ponte Vedra, FL:

Four years ago today, the Jaguars were 2-11. New owner, new general manager, new head coach and revamped roster – and the Jaguars are 2-11. Success in the NFL is measured by the number of wins. To date, the Khan/Caldwell/Bradley era has to be judged as a total failure. Does winning any of the remaining games change this view?

John: I have no control how anyone views or judges things, but considering the preseason expectations for this season, I doubt most people realistically will see 5-11 as being all that different from 2-14.

Justin from Jacksonville:

The Texans are at this very moment leading our division and have a real chance to make the playoffs. Yet, the Jags have scored more points (240 to 229), gained more yards (4324 to 4109) and allowed fewer yards on defense (4113 to 4141). Not to mention has a better rating and seven more touchdown throws then Brock Osweiler. What it boils down to? Turnovers, John. Nasty, ugly, sickening turnovers.

John: Yes, there is that.

Zac from Gainesville, FL:

I understand that the entire team is frustrated. It also looks like the receivers have grown increasingly frustrated with Blake. A-Rob and Blake don’t appear to be on the same page or maybe even the same book. Maybe I am reading into things, but A-Rob from his body language and facial expressions following errant passes looks like he is over having BB5 as his QB. What are your thoughts on this, O-man?

John: I think Robinson is frustrated with pretty much the entire season and the entire offense. I think Bortles is frustrated with the entire season and the entire offense. Neither player’s body language has been great all the time this season, and certainly I think when you’ve misfired and as often as Bortles and Robinson have this season, there is going to be some frustration with everything. Considering that Robinson has dropped quite a few catchable passes and considering Bortles has missed quite a few complete-able passes, I think it would be more than a little understandable if somewhere deep, deep inside both were a li-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ttle frustrated with the other once in a while.

Jay from Gainesville, FL:

I honestly feel like would be a better fit as a hybrid strong-safety linebacker and should be the strong-side linebacker. The way Poz is playing, he has two more solid years left in the tank, and we can draft a MLB by then … your thoughts?

John: I think it’s too early to give up on Dante Fowler Jr. as a pass rusher, and because I sort of doubt the Jaguars move to a 3-4, I imagine that will mean Fowler staying at defensive end. I don’t think there’s much question the Jaguars will have Myles Jack in more of an every-down role next season. Assuming that the scheme remains a 4-3, I could see a scenario in which Jack moves to middle linebacker with at strong-side linebacker and at weak-side linebacker. This would allow you essentially to have a very good middle linebacker with a very good backup middle linebacker also starting on the strong side. We’re a long way from knowing future scheme/approach. Shoot, we’re a long way from knowing a lot of things about next season, but that scenario might make some sense.

Peter from Jacksonville:

Would you agree that it makes no difference to Jaguars management if they fill EverBank with fans for the opposing team or Jag fans as long as the numbers work?

John: Nope.

Daniel Since Day One from Jacksonville:

Four years of rebuilding, and the measurable success of the project is ZERO. It’s a total meltdown disaster on special teams. It’s ridiculously bad penalty after penalty. It’s a fourth-quarter team unable to do anything against anyone (except the Bears). When David Caldwell and Gus Bradley were hired, we all had high hopes but I pointed out several times that the lack of experience by both of them was a weakness. They have not been able to develop together and regardless of what you or anyone else thinks … the FACT is we were a better team five years ago than we are this year, and our arrow was pointing up. We may have more talent, youth, depth and potential now, but we were a better team then. Caldwell should have changed coaches last year and maybe kept his job, but he didn’t. I can’t say if one or the other is the only problem, but at this point they both got to go, don’t they? Caldwell is the guy who convinced the owner that hat he had a plan, and this is not the plan Shad Khan agreed to – or what he and the fans deserve. So let’s start talking about coaches and general managers, please. I kind of doubt the Jaguars are going to determine who wins our division, but even if they do, who cares?

John: I haven’t talked much in the O-Zone about the Jaguars’ chances of determining who wins the division. That’s because I understand interest in the subject among readers is pretty minimal. I haven’t discussed coaches and general managers much, either, because right now the Jaguars have a coach and general manager – and while I understand readers’ dissatisfaction with each it’s premature to delve into replacements for either party until its clear both are going to be … you know, replaced.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL:

We are looking ahead. My question to you, my fellow Arlington alum, is this: given what we have witnessed the last eight weeks, what are we looking ahead to?

John: Krimma.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Always

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Brian from Gainesville, FL:

Big O, what does it take to make special teams play better? A team’s top-grade talent plays on offense and defense with rare crossover. You cannot load your special teams up with starting-level players. So what does it take? Better coaching? Better evaluation of undrafted talent?

John: There’s no perfect path to big-time special teams. One path to having solid special teams is to have four-to-five players other than kicker/long snapper/punter who are special-teams specialists more than they are position players. These players are often referred to as “four-core” players because they play punt coverage, punt return, kickoff coverage and kick return – the four “core” special-teams units. It takes a high commitment level to special teams to carry four-to-five such players, and it also means finding players who are able to play special teams at a high level while also being good enough to contribute on a worthwhile level as backups on offense or defense. Coaching can and does play a role, though special teams coordinator may be the toughest job on the staff. You’re usually working with players at the bottom third/fourth of the roster – and those players are often removed from special teams to either move into starting roles or to be released when roster moves are made. The Jaguars for the most part during the past four seasons haven’t emphasized special teams with “four-core” guys. An argument can be made that that doesn’t help special teams. As good an argument can be made that the Jaguars’ special teams haven’t been good enough this season regardless of who is playing on the unit.

Scott from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

Please explain to me how can improve when for three years he stares down receivers, is horribly inaccurate and can’t throw timing routes even though he occasionally has a mediocre game and the receivers make plays. What basis do you have that he is improving? His performance in 2015 was mostly garbage time and the receivers were making difficult catches – not accurate throws. Where is your basis that he is improving or can improve? I hope you answer this question honestly.

John: I never said Bortles is improving this season. I actually have written quite often that he clearly did not make the necessary improvements from last season to this season to take the Jaguars’ offense to the level it needed to reach. Why can he improve? I don’t know that he can or will, but he did take steps between Year 1 and 2. His mechanics improved, and he had a better season in 2015 than 2014. Can he do it again? I have no idea. But that’s the basis for believing it’s possible.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

Is completely healthy? How can a player who the team considered to have first-round talent be getting half as many snaps as ? Does Dan Skuta give us a better chance to win than Myles Jack does and – if so – what does that say about Bradley’s ability to develop players? I just don’t understand why he’s still not on the field for more than half the snaps.

John: The Jaguars are splitting snaps between Skuta and Jack because they’re trying to play Skuta against “heavy” run-oriented personnel as much as possible and Jack against other personnel packages. That’s when the Jaguars are in base personnel packages. When they go to nickel looks, the Otto position that Jack and Skuta play typically comes off the field. As a result, Jack and Skuta are essentially splitting reps at a position that plays about half the time. Whatever the coaching situation next season the team must get Jack on the field more next season, but that’s why Jack is playing about half the snaps this season.

Jesse from Layton:

The Rams are not getting a head start on the Jags by kicking Jeff Fisher to the curb. The coaches a team wants to interview are still coaching somewhere, and likely will be coaching into the playoffs. The only thing the Rams gained was sending a message. Good or bad message is debatable. However, a side effect is to add a great deal of turbulence and chaos to their players on a short week. Maybe Fisher was a cancer they wanted to get out of their organization, who was sowing seeds of discontent. Whatever someone’s opinion on Gus as a coach, I don’t see him as that type of guy. Get this team to the offseason and take your time making the right decision for who leads this team in the future.

John: I don’t cover the Rams and can’t speak with any insight into why they opted to fire Fisher. I can tell you that Jaguars Owner Shad Khan’s philosophy to date is to not make a midseason coaching change in the NFL. As for the effect of such midseason changes, history suggests it’s minimal. Does it send a message? I suppose, but the only message that matters is that a team is trying to do what’s best to win for the long term. The Jaguars are doing that. They’re not succeeding at it yet, but that remains the objective – and that will be the objective when Khan makes his decisions in the offseason.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

So tell me what we have to look forward to? Another loss to a division rival that makes the loss hurt even worse? I really wish we could just cancel the game or forfeit. It’s already a loss because our offense is worthless and our defense – just like every defense to ever exist – can’t stay on the field for 45-to-50 minutes and expect to be fresh and dominate the last 10 of those minutes while being out of energy. This is where we are: Broken down, giving up, saying to hell with it because what have the Jags done lately to make us fans think or feel any different? Oh, yeah: that’s right … won two whole games… whoop-dee-do.

John: OK.

Jaginator from Section 124:

Can you please tell us when you have ever believed a team was poorly coached? Has it ever happened in the history of the NFL? Apparently, you don’t believe that 14-47 is enough to define a coach as subpar. We repeatedly get the snarky retort of, “It’s always coaching in the NFL.” So I really wonder how many games does a coach have to lose before you would admit that maybe, possibly, this one time, it really does have something to do with the coaching?

John: I have repeatedly said coaching matters in the NFL. What I also say – and firmly believe – is that coaching is far, far, far too often blamed for things because people understandably want an easy answer when things go wrong. Tom Coughlin was fired in Jacksonville and the masses wanted this. Jack Del Rio was fired in Jacksonville and the masses wanted this. Mike Mularkey was fired in Jacksonville and the masses wanted this. In the cases of Del Rio and Mularkey, the masses were sure that they were awful head coaches and that they were the problem. They were lampooned and ridiculed. The same was true, as I recall, of then-offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. All three of those coaches left Jacksonville amid the glee and celebration of the masses. All could well be coaching playoff teams this season – and this is a common tale throughout the league and throughout the decades. Did those men make mistakes here? Sure. Were they perfect coaches? No. But they were clearly capable people and capable coaches. Is Gus Bradley a perfect coach? No. Has he made mistakes? Sure. After four years of losing he certainly has had a longer tenure than most coaches with his record. Bradley certainly has contributed to the 14-47 record, but I would say an argument could be made that the Jaguars overachieved despite winning just seven games in 2013 and 2014. The 5-11 record in 2015 probably was about right for that team. This season is a disaster and Bradley is under mammoth criticism for it – and considering the discipline/penalties at times, he does deserve some of the criticism. But is he the absolute sole reason – or even the primary reason – the team has lost so much and won so little in recent seasons? Is he the sole reason they’re 2-11 this season? Not even close. So, while it’s clear that people believe otherwise and desperately want to read otherwise in this space, I do not believe that Bradley is a horrendous coach solely responsible for 2-11 or 14-47 – despite the fact that it’s always coaching in the NFL.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Days gone by

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

JACKSONVILLE – Look-Ahead Wednesday? Already? Why, yes it is.

Let’s get to it …

Jason from St. Augustine, FL:

Been a huge fan since ‘95. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Coach Gus and I was super-excited about possibly having a franchise quarterback in . After this season, I have no clue how anyone can say how either one should stay with the team. I believe we have a great nucleus; special teams is easily fixed with coaching. Unfortunately, finding a great head coach and franchise quarterback are not. That’s what worries me going forward.

John: Finding “great” anythings is difficult. That’s particularly true in professional sports because teams don’t often let people who are great at what they do go willingly, so you must project and speculate whether you think someone will become great when hiring or drafting them. As far as why Bortles should stay with the team, the reason is that while he has struggled in what he has correctly called a “nightmare” season, it’s difficult to know if those struggles are all him or if other factors such as route running, miscommunications, pass rush, play-calling, scheme, lack of running game, etc., etc., etc. are contributing. The body of work this season is not good, but the NFL is rarely just one thing – and there are factors that contribute to any player’s success or failures. He also has shown enough in three seasons that it’s not completely unreasonable to believe he can become a good quarterback. The guess here is he will have at least another offseason – and very possible another season – to show he can become that. Considering the difficulty of finding a great player at the position, it makes sense to at least give him a chance to be in competition for the starting quarterback job. Will he develop into a great quarterback? Who knows? But I don’t believe his window has closed – and I believe he can and should get that opportunity here.

Adam from St. Johns, FL:

With all three phases of the game failing, it’s just another strike against Bradley. Yet another way to lose. It’s ridiculous at this point to blame it on anything but coaching.

John: It’s always coaching in the NFL. It’s ridiculous to think otherwise.

Brian from Section 238:

He calls the snap count, but can’t remember it less than 15 seconds later. We might as well call him Blaike Gartles.

John: Things are a mess right now. What many players on this team need is a chance to get into the offseason, reset and restart. It has been that kind of month and that kind of season.

Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

John, how much of the D’s resurgence can be attributed to Monte Kiffin’s input?

John: Having Kiffin on staff certainly hasn’t hurt. He is a wise head who has seen and forgotten more about defense than many NFL coaches know. But the Jaguars have improved the talent on defense this season, and these players believe strongly in Todd Wash as coordinator. Don’t overlook those last two factors.

Aaron from White Hall, AR:

How come after a safety they punt the ball for the kickoff instead of just doing a regular kickoff?

John: Better hang time.

Jimmy from Section 007:

Part of me understands our ownership making not make a coaching change midseason. Another part of me continues to watch the same, if not worse, lack of attention to detail and wonders if ownership realizes our tickets have been devalued by that decision. Our coaches, players and fans have been in a “lame-duck” situation since that decision. Our stadium has been taken over by the visiting team and we can’t announce the offense during pregame anymore in fear of thunderous boos. Most business entities can’t afford this kind sustained inferior performance. The NFL is obviously different, but I continue to show up in hopes of a return on my investment, only to leave after taking my weekly swift kick in the gut by this organization.

John: Ownership and the people running the Jaguars’ organization well understand that these are brutally tough times for fans. It ain’t easy for the organization, either. Right now it’s a matter of getting through this time and figuring out the plan moving forward. That doesn’t make this time pleasant. It doesn’t make it less dark. But it won’t last forever. It just won’t.

Ethan from Rhode Island:

If Gus goes, I’ll be 50/50 on how to feel: excited for the future, disappointed that the players will have to move on to a new voice, just as they seemed to be truly hearing it. If he’s let go, I worry the new coach would likely install a new offense and start this thing all over again. Or even worse, bring in a new defensive coordinator and kill the progress on that side of the ball. Would you see Dave Caldwell (if he hires a new coach) keeping Todd Wash and/or Nathaniel Hackett on board as part of the deal?

John: I don’t know what the offseason will bring. I wish I did.

Brian from Staten Island, NY:

You wrote recently that you don’t see coming back next year. Do you think has shown enough in a small sample size that he can be an effective pass-catching tight end in this league, and where will they leave in this scheme?

John: I don’t know what the offseason will bring. I wish I did. But I do think that Ben Koyack and are starting to show serious signs of being quality NFL tight ends – and I don’t think Marcedes Lewis is done with this organization.

Jeff from Jacksonville:

This is a team playing in quicksand.

John: It has felt that way at times this season.

Duh from Jacksonville:

Not every pass rusher is unpolished his rookie season. See: Von Miller, 11.5 sacks.

John: I’ve never said every pass rusher is unpolished his rookie season. See: Pretty much every time I’ve talked about rookie pass rushers.

Sebastian from Poland:

Rams fired Fisher after giving him a contract extension a couple of weeks ago. I guess they don’t agree with letting the team burn until all movement has stopped and there is no sign of life. You gotta ride these things out to the end, right John?

John: You don’t gotta do anything. Shad Khan has chosen this path and he doesn’t believe in midseason coaching changes. What the Rams do has no bearing on that decision. Nor should it.

Robert from Kentucky:

But there was a polished pass rusher at the top of the draft last year. One that had far superior athleticism and college production than Fowler, one that is now leading the NFL with 13.5 sacks and 7 forced fumbles in just his second season.

John: OK.

Cathy from Jacksonville Beach, FL:

Are the Jaguars coaches misusing some players? For example, I can’t understand why is hardly ever on the field while gets the majority of snaps. Secondly, were Julius Thomas’s skills properly utilized before he went to injured reserve? It seems like the Jags coaches tried to make him into an overweight blocking tight end who ran short routes when he had great success as a receiving tight end running longer routes. Do you agree?

John: Jack and Skuta have pretty much split snaps since Jack took over as the starter. Skuta did get 23 snaps compared to 12 for Jack against the Vikings, but the thought process behind that was to play Skuta against “heavy personnel” – and the Vikings were in that personnel enough that Skuta got the majority of the snaps. As far as Thomas, coaches did not try to make him a blocking tight end. They wanted him to be a receiving tight end and an integral part of the offense. The integral part did not happen, although it wasn’t for a lack of desire on the part of either party.

Steve from Hudson, FL:

I still see effort. These young men will be special if we can keep them together and we show patience. It’s hard for all.

John: Effort isn’t the issue and it never has been under Bradley. But right now, the Jaguars are 2-11 and effort isn’t enough. Winning was needed, and it hasn’t happened.

Grant from Chicago, IL:

Seems like with free agents like and Julius Thomas out the door along with the coaching staff … could be another Jaguars overhaul all over again. O-Man, you excited?!? New content to spin!!

John: Whatever happens in the offseason I don’t think this roster will need an overhaul close to the extent that took place in 2013. As far as my excitement level over what takes place this offseason, I don’t know … I’ll probably just keep answering questions to the best of my ability as honestly as I can – you know, what I usually do.

Andy from Jacksonville:

Tonight I watched old Jags highlights on the YouTube. My girlfriend said it was like watching old wedding videos just after getting divorced. I told her it was not about crying about the past, but getting fired up for the future. DTWD

John: Last night I watched old girlfriend highlights on YouTube. My wife told me it was like watching old girlfriend highlights just before getting divorced. “What?” I said. “Nothing,” she said.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Lucky man

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

JACKSONVILLE – One more day until Look-Ahead Wednesday. Sigh.

Let’s get to it …

Jerry from Italia, FL:

John, you keep saying you don’t believe the Jags will end the season 2-14. Do you know something we don’t, like the Jags are playing a 17th game so they’ll finish 2-15? The way they’re playing that is the only way they don’t finish 2-14.

John: I suppose this is as good a place as any to start on this glorious December Tuesday, and because I have steadfastly – and perhaps foolishly – said over and over again that the Jaguars will not go 2-14 this season, I suppose there’s no point in changing now. But while I still believe the Jaguars will win again this season, Sunday’s loss to Minnesota did shake my belief more than a bit. The Jaguars had a chance in that game – again. Victory absolutely was there for the taking in the fourth quarter – again. The Jaguars led by two points entering the period and even after losing the lead squandered multiple opportunities to win. The quarter in a sense summed up much about this season. This is a team that has had opportunity after opportunity to win game after game against competitive team after competitive team. The Jaguars have lost time and time again in that situation. The reality is while this is a team capable of winning, and while it is not a team bereft of young talent, it is a team that loses winnable games in the fourth quarter. That’s the team’s identity and it’s an identity that is leading to one of the worst seasons in franchise history. There’s not much good in that.

Zach from Austin, TX:

Every week I don’t expect anything and I’m still always let down.

John: Welcome to my life, Zach.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

See, John: The Rams’ owner gets it. I don’t think Shad Khan has the stomach for this, John. No, there is no real gain to canning Gus Bradley now, but it sends the message that people will be held responsible for underachieving. Yet, Jags brass lets a below-average coach continue to collect checks and an awful quarterback in THE PICK MAGNET continue to not live up to average standards and expect change. I feel the Jags could have gone 2-14 without Gus. We know he is not the answer, but Khan lacks what it takes to make the tough decision. What say you, O?

John: I say Khan is perfectly capable of making tough decisions; he wouldn’t be where he is in life if that wasn’t the case. He’s also perfectly capable of making a decision – and following a path – that he believes is right even when many others believe it’s wrong, and even when it’s unpopular. Whatever decision Khan has to make will be no easier in the offseason than it would have been in October, November or December. I have no doubt that Khan will make necessary choices at times he deems appropriate. And when he does, I’m sure his stomach

will be perfectly fine.

Jon from Rockville:

Isn’t it true that the only way the Jags’ coaches can coach the Senior Bowl is if they don’t fire Gus?

John: Yes.

Andrew from Tehachapi, CA:

You don’t think the Jaguars will go 2-14? Well, you’re running out of opportunities to prove yourself right. As for your contention that better quarterback play would result in a mediocre record, ‘ play wasn’t bad at all Sunday and the Jags still lost. This is a bad team and bad teams will always find ways to lose.

John: Blake Bortles’ play indeed wasn’t bad Sunday. My point in saying that better quarterback play this season would have resulted in a mediocre record wasn’t to say that the Jaguars would have won every game in which Bortles played OK – and it wasn’t to say that mediocre is good enough. It also wasn’t to say this entire season is “Bortles’ fault.” When a team goes 2-11, there is more than one thing going wrong. Rather, the point was that better quarterback play would have allowed the Jaguars to win three or four more games than they have won this season. I still think a pretty strong case can be made that that’s correct.

Aaron from Chantilly:

Looks like we are going to have another busy year in the offseason.

John: Well … yeah.

Gamble from Brasilia, Brazil:

The 2016 season is odd because the Jaguars are in the midst of a 1990s Buccaneers/Bengals-level-of losing incompetence. Yet, unlike those infamous teams, this squad has talent. , , , and on defense alone are reasons for hope. So are we simply waiting for the next Tony Dungy to make this team take off?

John: There indeed is young talent on this team, and there are certainly areas that must improve. The biggest positive about the players you mentioned is that they are talented, but perhaps the second biggest positive is they are all comparatively young – and therefore should improve. That’s particularly important for Ngakoue and Fowler, who seem to have potential to be very good – if not better than that – pass rushers for a long time. Fowler’s not there yet, but young pass rushers can improve dramatically early in their careers, and perhaps Fowler can do the same. As for what will help this team take off … maturity will help and there must, must, must be more consistency on offense. What form that consistency will take and who will be leading the journey … well, right now perhaps only Khan truly has any insight.

John from Clearwater, FL:

It’s hard to get anything going on offense when you get inside the 30 multiple times and have a second-and-manageable and get a false start or illegal formation wait for it … at home! Not to mention the sacks.

John: The avoidable offensive penalties were a mammoth problem Sunday, and they’re the sorts of things that shouldn’t happen at home – or so late in the season. The responsibility for the pressure on the quarterback seemed to be spread pretty evenly among the offensive line and Blake Bortles, but the penalties? That indeed seemed very shoddy and on that front, it wasn’t the best look – or best day – for the coaches.

DUVAL DOOM from Section 217:

Whether the record is 2-14 or 5-11 it does not matter. This was supposed to be the payoff for years of suffering through mediocrity. Instead I sat through ANOTHER game where the stadium was filled with opposing fans clowning me and my desire to see this team win. What a disappointing, pathetic squandering of a season. This is supposed to be my escape. This is supposed to be entertaining. It’s not supposed to be like this every damn week.

John: True that.

Sam from Jacksonville:

A blocked field goal, a blocked punt, a roughing the punter penalty, a delay of game on the kickoff, and another long return given up. That’s comically bad.

John: I wasn’t laughing.

Tony from Farmington, UT:

I found myself apologizing to the defense out loud through my TV this past Sunday. The offense and especially the special teams put the defense in tough spots far too often against the Vikings. Do you think Mike Mallory will/should be fired before the end of the season? I personally feel it’s overdue.

John: I don’t think Mike Mallory will be fired by the end of the season – at least in part because only three games remain in the season. I have written often in the last four seasons that I believe Mike Mallory is a very capable special teams coach, and I still believe that. For the most part during his first three seasons the special teams was good at times and so-so at other times, but for the most part in 2013, 2014 and 2015 special teams just seemed like one more struggling area on a struggling team. The Jaguars’ special teams struggles have been far more noticeable this season and have contributed mightily to the current eight-game losing streak. I’m still not a believer that all of that is attributed to coaching, and I’ve seen more than enough good coaches fired because their players struggle that I rarely – if ever – think firing a coach is the cure to a struggling unit. Still, the struggles in this area have been epic. No doubt about that.

Marco from Lima, Peru:

O-Man, what do you think about the Vikings’ quarterback situation? It seems we might have a chance to snatch one – either Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Bradford. Do you think we should make a push for either?

John: The Vikings’ quarterback situation obviously will play itself out in the offseason, but it appears there’s a real chance they keep both. Teams would be reluctant to trade for Bridgewater because of the seriousness of his knee injury, and the Vikings could be inclined to keep Bradford for much the same reason.

Andrew from Section 203:

I wanted to write something in after the game yesterday, then this morning. But turns out I have nothing left to say.

John: How fortunate for you to have that option.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Perfect circle

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jonathan from Jacksonville:

Don’t even say it was a close game, John. The Vikings missed two opportunities in the red zone. You can’t spin this one.

John: Ah, nothing like starting a next-day Monday O-Zone with a “spin” question. That’s fine: bleak times call for such questions. I guess the only way to address this is to shrug and say that a game in which a team has a lead in the fourth quarter and then has possession twice more with a chance to take the lead is by definition a “close game.” The fact that the Jaguars have lost six consecutive such games is not a compliment. Nor is it a positive. Nor is it “spin.” It’s just how it is – as frustrating, season-defining and disastrous though that may be.

Steve from Woodbine, GA:

I am starting to think that is a busted free-agent signing, much to my dismay! What do you think?

John: The Jaguars placed tight end Julius Thomas on injured reserve Saturday. That ended his second Jaguars season, a season in which he caught four touchdown passes. He caught five touchdown passes last season. I hesitate to call a player who has scored nine touchdowns in two seasons a “bust.” There certainly have been free agents in NFL history who have fared far worse. But it’s safe to say the Thomas signing thus far hasn’t worked out the way either side hoped.

Ryan from Charlotte, NC:

I know Sen’Derrick Marks is getting older, has an injury history and is almost through his contract, but I’m not sure I want to just write off a dude that makes plays in the moments he does.

John: Fair point.

Dave from Jacksonville:

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

John: Also a fair point.

Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL:

Hi, John. With the missed tackles, penalties and critical lapses in pass coverage Sunday, the one word I kept thinking of was “undisciplined.”

John: Also fair point.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL:

Only the 2016 Jaguars can strip the quarterback and the offense still convert it for a first down – and it not be a surprise. #murphyslaw

John: You’re referring to a first-half play Sunday on which Jaguars defensive end stripped the ball from Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford only to have Bradford pick up the ball and complete a pass for a first down. The pass meant that instead of a sack – the normal result of a defensive end stripping the ball from a quarterback attempting to pass – Ngakoue instead got credited only for a forced fumble. It prevented Ngakoue from tying Tony Brackens’ franchise record of seven sacks for a rookie. In a sense, it defined a lot about the weirdness and frustration level of this Jaguars season. And yeah, it was pretty unreal.

Jon from Portland, OR:

Just wanted to say that I’ve been a Jags fan since birth, and despite the recent struggles of the franchise, (and constant heckling from coworkers) I’ll continue to be one. This team has a bright future and I’m convinced the core of a very, very dominant team is in place. Just gotta be patient and let Khan make the right decisions. #InKhanWeTrust

John: #DTWD

Fan from Jax:

The No. 6 defense is what some of us knew they are.

John: I’ll assume you’re referring to the Jaguars’ defense, which entered Sunday ranked No. 4 in the NFL in yards allowed – and I’ll assume you’re implying that the defense played well below that ranking Sunday. I don’t think anyone watching this defense closely this season believed it was the fourth-best defense in the NFL, and the unit has had some times when it hasn’t gotten off the field in big situations. Sunday was one of those times. I’d say this defense continued on Sunday to be what I’ve thought it was all season: a unit that’s much better than it was last season and one that has been good enough to keep this team competitive had the offense been functioning at the expected level all season. Is the Jaguars’ defense great? No. Has it been playing well enough for this team to be much better than 2-11? No doubt.

Tim from Jacksonville:

I keep hearing on the radio that as long as the quarterback doesn’t turn the ball over or hurt the team, then he qualifies as a franchise quarterback. That is the reason why the Jaguars will never be winners. Our quarterback has a very low standard of quality to meet in the eyes of the local media and fans. Why is that? Why is sub-par performance tolerated? Why can’t we just go out and get a better quarterback? Why does every other team in the league seem to be able to find quarterbacks that are better? Why is everybody still defending this performance?

John: First off, nothing that is said in the local media or on radio is a reason why “the Jaguars will never be winners.” Second, while I don’t know everything that is said on the radio, anyone saying a quarterback who just doesn’t turn the ball over or hurt the team is a franchise quarterback is incorrect. While a quarterback must not hurt the team with willy-nilly, avoidable turnovers, there is far more to the position than that. Mostly, he must not only put the team in position to win, but he must on occasion be the reason the team won. He must do special things and be capable of high-level – and relatively mistake-free – performances far more often than not. I find one of your questions more curious than others, though. You ask, “Why can’t we just go out and get a better quarterback?” I don’t know the answer, but I know many fired NFL head coaches and general managers reading that question would smile a very wistful smile.

Vikings Fan from Jax:

With and Thomas on injured reserve on a two-win season is it more beneficial to cut ties at the end of the season and allow the Jags to have $13 million more on the cap space entering next year or are we still wanting to hang on with this roster and hope it works out?

John: I doubt either Odrick or Thomas will be back next season. I could be wrong on that, but I doubt it.

Kevin from Jacksonville:

Jaguars Nation lost one of its most dedicated souls on December 3. Last week’s game was probably the first he ever has missed. Our friend and brother, Rob Rivera, was a wonderful person. He loved the Jags like they were family. Through ups and downs, he loved the team. When I went on my rants about the Jags, he reminded me to stay positive. He liked you too, John. Whenever I criticized you, he defended you. He just turned 30 this November. He was young, full of life, full of energy. This one cuts deeper than I could ever have imagined. I wish he knew just how much he was loved. Just wanted to share. Thanks for listening.

John: RIP, Rob.

Dave from Duval:

How did Fowler go from a standout, unblock-able defensive lineman in preseason to “he has a lot of work to do?” He looks wildly out of control at times rushing the passer. I understand he needs to work on his technique, but why draft a guy that needs this much work at No. 3?

John: The vast majority of pass rushers have a lot of work to do during their first seasons playing in the NFL. If you’re unwilling to draft unpolished pass rushers, you’re going to have a hard time selecting them early in the draft.

James from Elizabeth, NJ:

Should the jags hang out more during not the season and get mentors TG hat been there like Michael Irving or drink Sanders for

John: Kgh fer ot ghh deg

Adam from St. Johns, FL:

You constantly make smart comments about coaching questions. How in the hell can you keep defending a coach that will lose 50 games? There are plenty of teams winning with terrible quarterbacks. Those teams aren’t great, but win more than the Jags do. You don’t think continually losing by one score is just on the quarterback? How can the coach not hold some responsibility in your eyes? Hell with it, let’s just keep everyone here that sux.

John: It’s always coaching in the NFL.

Steve from Vancouver, BC:

Hi John, you glossed over Don from Richmond’s question recently regarding the Jags’ staff coaching Derek Carr in the Senior Bowl. At this point, it seems like a huge miss. Does coaching the Senior Bowl not actually give that much insight into players, or is quarterback development just that much of a gamble? Thanks.

John: The Senior Bowl does give insight into players. The Jaguars after seeing Carr up close didn’t think he was worthy of the No. 3 selection in the draft. They believed Bortles was worthy of that selection. Before this season, it was debatable if the Jaguars were wrong about that. Right now, it appears they were very wrong. Time will tell if that will continue to be the case. As for quarterback drafting and development … it’s absolutely a gamble. The teams that get positive results get big rewards. The teams that don’t get positive results find themselves gambling again and again and again.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Just win

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

JACKSONVILLE – Game-day O-Zone.

Let’s get to it …

Derrick from Jacksonville:

I understand that a team loses as whole and no one man is entirely responsible. However, in my opinion turnovers kill a team – and has killed this team with his untimely interceptions. The meeting with says a lot. My question is: at what point does the coach sit Blake Bortles? In my opinion, his turnovers are having a damaging affect mentally on the rest of the team regardless of what is presented to the public.

John: I have written for pretty much the last two months that turnovers – and specifically, turnover ratio – have been the main issue facing this team. I also have written that I believe the Jaguars would be hovering around .500 if Bortles had fewer turnovers and was making better decisions in the pocket. That said, I never have gotten a feeling the Jaguars will sit Bortles this season – nor do I get a sense that they are close to this decision. Bortles is the Jaguars’ starting quarterback for now and the future – and the franchise is not ready to give up on that. I don’t know whether that will change in the offseason, but that’s how it feels now – and until that feeling changes, you don’t bench the quarterback. Do the turnovers have an effect mentally? Yeah, probably – because they are leading to losing and losing has an effect mentally. Still, I believe Bortles will start the final four games barring further injury. We’ll see.

James from Elizabeth, NJ:

Will the Jags go running back in the draft?

John: I don’t know.

David from Orlando, FL:

O-Zone, who’s toting the rock for the Jags Sunday and why didn’t we sign Joe Blow off the street?

John: It appears and will be available Sunday with as a game-time decision. As far as not signing Blow … is he healthy? How much would he demand for a signing bonus?

Travis from On the Beach at Hanna Park:

Big ‘O,’ as I watched the game Thursday night between the Chiefs and Raiders, I was intrigued by Alex Smith’s accuracy. I’ve never been a fan of Smith and his reputation for being a game manager and not a playmaker (I prefer my quarterbacks to be the latter), but I was amazed and a little jealous that Smith put the ball right in his target’s hands every time. His receivers didn’t have to lay their bodies out to snag a relatively routine 15-yard pass. They didn’t have to stop in the middle of a five-yard crossing route to try catch a pass thrown behind them and at their knees. I didn’t see the Kansas City receivers have to unnecessarily display their freakish vertical jumping skills to prevent yet another overthrow from their quarterback. The Jaguar playmakers are good, and our offense would be difficult to stop if we had a quarterback that could just throw the ball with accuracy. With all other things being equal (pocket presence, footwork, reading schemes), which one of these two attributes is more valuable in the NFL: Arm strength or accuracy? I say accuracy.

John: I agree. I also would put arm strength below pocket presence, football, reading schemes, etc., in terms of importance. A quarterback’s arm must be strong enough to make all NFL throws, and there is a threshold below which a quarterback’s arm can’t drop. For example, if he can’t get velocity on the ball to avoid cornerbacks jumping a sideline route it’s very hard for a quarterback to make it in the NFL. But if a quarterback has a reasonably strong arm, then arm strength is pretty low on the list of meaningful attributes.

Jeff from Jacksonville:

Maybe the Jags will win another game? So, you’re saying there is a chance. Well, all righty then.

John: All righty.

Richard from Myrtle Beach, SC:

Can we stop paying top free-agent money to players from good teams? They look great because they play on really good teams. Denver has unloaded Beadles, Thomas and Jackson on us. No difference-makers. I’d rather have a standout on a losing team.

John: You were making a lot of sense until you wrote “Jackson.” At that point, you sort of became phenomenally incorrect.

Keith from Jacksonville and Section 436:

Any chance Poz will make the Pride of the Jags one day? He has the results and character and defined the Jaguars’ defense for years.

John: Yeah, I’d say there’s a chance. I wouldn’t call it in any way a dead-solid lock guarantee, but I wouldn’t rule it out.

Don from Richmond, VA:

The Jags coached Derek Carr at the Senior Bowl, so they had first-hand experience with the kid. They chose not to pick him in the first or second round. What does that say about their ability to evaluate players? Right now, the Raiders look much more smart than my Jags. That sucks. (No caps or exclamation points because I don’t want your snarky comments about those.)

John: I was getting really excited about my response to this, then I realized you didn’t use CAPITAL LETTERS or exclamation points!!!! I then realized you must not have been very passionate about your thoughts and I decided to just post a snarky comment.

David from Oviedo, FL:

“Your theory assumes officials enter games wanting one team or the other to win.” Yes, that is exactly the claim. However, I submit the ref’s motivation is not to punish the Jags, but to promote the big-money teams, like the Cowboys, Patriots, and Packers. Maybe those teams are the lifeblood of the NFL and deserve preferential treatment. A favorable call here or there is often all that’s necessary to sway the outcome of a game. It has been said that the NFL is all about the money – and when money is involved, nothing is sacred. I know you work for “The Man” and can’t condone any of this, but to suggest that the league is above all of this may not be entirely true.

John: My point on this issue long has been the same and will remain as such: I don’t doubt that calls get missed, and I don’t doubt that well-known, established players with reputations sometimes – rightly or wrongly – get calls for that reason. But to suggest that teams such as the Cowboys, Patriots and Packers get calls because the NFL is “all about money” by definition suggests that the league somehow is mandating that officials to make calls against teams. To do this would mean telling officials to do so – and to take that action would be to risk that action becoming known publicly. If such an action were to be proven publicly, it would risk the entire credibility of the league. I understand people’s love of a good conspiracy theory, but to think that the league office is asking officials to favor one team over another for the sake of ratings … nah. Not buying it.

Rob from Duval:

Can you shed some more light on the play and potential of ? You said he hasn’t been active all season? Why not? I saw him make some good throws in preseason and I think all of us saw at least some potential. (more than we currently see in ol’ pick-six). Has he just been awful in practice? Is he hurt? Bad attitude? What on this earth could possibly make him a worse option than the totally inept turnover machine who currently runs this offense which truly offends? Blake has great size and is athletic, but the most important thing a quarterback does has to still be accurately throwing the football, right? I want to see if Allen can accurately throw the football to our receivers. I think you might want to see it, too. The more you tell us we won’t see a quarterback change, the more we question the decision-making of coaches and the lack of accountability on this team. Cam got benched for not wearing a tie. Blake is unbenchable? I think not.

John: I can’t shed too much light on Brandon Allen because practices are closed after training camp. It’s not that he has been awful, and my understanding is he’s developing fine. As much as fans understandably get wound up over this issue, coaches see all quarterbacks and all other players in practice. As of right now, the belief is that Bortles gives the team the best chance to win and that is the best option if Bortles were to become injured. I can’t control what you’re questioning. I understand in fact what you’re questioning. And if I were making decisions without the benefit of seeing practice and without a full understanding of the team, I also might say, “Why not give Brandon Allen a shot?” But the organization believes Bortles is the guy and remains the guy – and that’s why there’s not a quarterback change.

David from Orlando, FL:

Mr. O – My brother says, the Jags “need a winning mentality.” What does that mean and how do we get one?

John: A winning mentality means a team is winning. A team gets one by, you know … winning.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Sniff, sniff…

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

I sense a disagreement. I have been impressed with from the beginning of the season. From the start it was clear he was a better pass rusher than Fowler. Ngakoue uses technique and moves, while seems to run directly into the tackles and tries to use athleticism to get past them. I think with technique and a couple of moves, Fowler could be good; he looks really explosive for his size. However, I think given what we have seen on the field, Ngakoue appears to be the better pass rusher now and for the future. Fowler’s on-field mental lapses have me concerned about his ability to learn his craft and develop his technique.

John: I wrote this week I believed Fowler is the best chance for a current Jaguars player to become a hammer-down, change-the-game, foundation pass rusher. This was not in any way meant as a slight to Yannick Ngakoue. I believe Ngakoue is headed to a long career in the NFL. I believe he has a chance to be a double-digit sacks guy. I believe he has a chance to be really, really good for a long time and to play in Pro Bowls. But Fowler was selected No. 3 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft for a reason. His skillset and athleticism is superior to that of many players around him, and it’s that skillset that gives him the best chance of any Jaguars player to eventually be an elite-level, change-the-game, foundation-of-the-franchise pass rusher. That being said, Fowler must work to reach that level. He must develop pass rush moves. He must become more of a student of the game. He must become more professional. He appears to be working toward that as the season goes on. We’ll see if it continues. One thing to your point, though … you said, “With technique and a couple of moves, Fowler could be good.” Nah. With technique and a couple of moves, he could be elite. He’s that talented.

Sam from Duval:

Hoping the players suck it up, quit making excuses, and beat the Vikings Sunday. If they don’t win, it will be more than a year since the last time fans enjoyed a regular-season win at EverBank Field. …

John: OK.

Richard from St. Augustine, FL:

NFL.com research rated all 32 NFL offensive lines and the Jaguars come out eight best. Wow! What a surprise. What say you, O Man?

John: I’d say the Jaguars’ offensive line probably doesn’t pass the eye test to be rated quite so high. That’s because it clearly hasn’t been a dominant run-blocking unit this season. What it has been is a significantly improved offensive line and a pretty darned good pass-blocking line – one that certainly has played more than well enough for this offense to be more productive than has been the case.

Andrew from Sampson:

Surely Blake and A-Rob should have gotten together before the 2-10 point of the season, especially if they needed to. Maybe some of the other WR’s should get together with Blake also. What say you, O’man?

John: I say Meeting Gate has become a little bit of an overblown story – in part because at 2-10 there haven’t been all that many eye-popping stories around the Jaguars in recent weeks. Bortles and Robinson talk often during the season. This week’s much-discussed meeting happened to include Jaguars offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and came after Head Coach Gus Bradley said early in the week the Jaguars needed the pair to figure out why Robinson’s 10 targets last Sunday had resulted in just three receptions. Will the meeting ignite the Jaguars’ offense and cure what ails Bortles? It’s possible. I wouldn’t bet the house. And stop calling me Shirley.

Clay from Atlantic Beach, FL:

It is popular to compare the recent success, and lack thereof, of the Raiders and Jaguars. What do you make of this? Did we start at comparable positions in our rebuilds? If so, is the cause of the disparate results just the quarterback? Or did they take a different strategy in any more general manner?

John: Yes, the two rebuilds started at pretty similar stages – and yes, the difference in the play of the quarterback is a pretty big reason the Raiders are ahead of the Jaguars right now. The Raiders’ offensive line also appears to be playing at a high level, and Khalil Mack has developed into an elite player while Fowler Jr. still appears to be going through a first-year transition that isn’t uncommon for young edge players. Right now, the Raiders are well ahead of the Jaguars. That’s non-debatable. It remains to be seen how long it will stay that way.

Sunil from Jacksonville:

The Jaguars’ horrendous on-field performance is absolutely sucking the life out of the most passionate fans of this franchise. There are very dark days ahead and if you can’t see that, John, then you may need to get your glasses fixed. I am typically a very optimistic Jags fan, but for the first time ever, I don’t see the light at the end of this tunnel. It’s now 17 years and counting since we have had a home playoff game. And it’s over 365 days since we have even won a home game! I wonder if Shad Khan even knows that. If you don’t have a quarterback, you don’t have a chance. Thus, we won’t have a chance for a while. How will the front office convince us to buy season tickets now? Oh yeah … We must keep the franchise “secure in Jacksonville.” I forgot. That’s how they got us to buy tickets in the first place. This is way too frustrating.

John: Shad Khan certainly knows all about the Jaguars’ on-field struggles, and everyone in the organization fully understands the importance of winning. The team’s failure to do so, while reflecting a lack of execution in the plan, does not reflect a lack of understanding or commitment. The Jaguars under Khan and President Mark Lamping never have taken the approach that fans are “obligated” to support the franchise for any reason. They know the team must earn loyalty and commitment – and the Jaguars will continue to do everything they can to earn and reward it. I get the frustration, Sunil – believe me. I hear and read it every day. The only way the Jaguars can end that frustration is to win and that’s what Khan and everyone involved will continue to strive to do.

Aaron from White Hall, AR:

I know the pass protection has been better this year, but not the run. How would you rate the signing of ? Do you think they will pick up his option to lock him up for four years?

John: I would rate Beachum a very good signing. The Jaguars’ pass protection struggled mightily the last two years and it hasn’t struggled nearly as much this year; Beachum’s not the only reason for that, but he’s a factor. As far as Beachum’s future with the Jaguars, this is one of many questions that can’t accurately be answered until the direction of the franchise is known after the season. I would re-sign Beachum because he has fared very well in the first season after a torn anterior cruciate ligament and I would assume he would improve next season. I believe that will be the decision if David Caldwell returns as general manager. There’s no way to predict what will happen if that’s not the case.

Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:

John, I have sent in many posts complaining about the coaching. Now? Not so sure. Special teams coaching? Maybe a change there wouldn’t hurt. Defensive coordinator change when you have the No. 4 defense in the league? No. Offensive coordinator? Head coach? Injuries aside, the only major things wrong with the offense is the quarterback play and running back fumbles. Maybe calling for a clean sweep of the coaching staff was a tad over the top. Do you think, as I do, that last year’s Bortles on this year’s team could have resulted in at least a .500 record?

John: No, because I think a lot of what has ailed Bortles and the offense this season – i.e., turnovers and inefficiency – ailed them last season. I do believe if Bortles had taken the Year 3 step that most observers – myself included – anticipated then the Jaguars indeed would be .500. That does not mean I believe that Bortles is entirely the reason the Jaguars have struggled. The defense still has not developed into an elite pass-rushing unit and doesn’t force enough turnovers. The special teams struggles have hurt and there were too many penalties early in the season. The running game also hasn’t been as effective as would be ideal. But overall … yeah, I think the Jaguars would have won four more games with increased efficiency at the quarterback position.

CliffLives/AntiHJT from Jacksonville:

Remember that time you were popular? Yeah, neither do we.

John: You hurt my feewings.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: “Struggling”

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Joe from St. Augustine, FL:

In regards to the officiating at Jags games, I don’t think it’s an agenda against the Jags so much as a “CYA” for the refs. People argue last year that some Jags wins only came due to the referees (Bills and Ravens come to mind), and they [the referees] don’t want to be seen as the reason why an underdog team that shouldn’t have won won. It’s not something only we are experiencing, but it sure is frustrating.

John: Methinks you and many others are overthinking this a bit. Your theory assumes officials enter games wanting one team or the other to win – or that they spend their weeks analyzing what teams are “good” in the NFL and what teams supposedly “aren’t good” – then make calls one way or the other based on that assessment. It’s not realistic to think it works that way. The Jaguars have had a bunch of calls go against them this season and they’ve had more than a few go their way. Wide receiver Allen Robinson in particular seems to not yet have the respect of officials needed to get some interference calls. I think some of the issue with Robinson is officials generally don’t want to call all interference calls and will lean the other way if possible. Maybe I’m right on that or maybe not. Either way, it’s just not realistic to think officials are conspiring against certain teams. They simply have no incentive to do so. Such a thing also would require a league mandate, and if you think a mandate against the Jaguars is likely … c’mon. If such a thing occurred it would threaten the entire league. Why in the world would the most popular sports league in the country do such a thing? Just to hurt a team that has been under .500 for more than half a decade? Toward what end?

Sam from Jacksonville:

Blake says, “I believe we can do this.” Do what? Extend his record of futility as the greatest quarterback in NFL history … at having more pick-sixes than career wins?? He is a joke, O. This organization has no hope with him as the quarterback. He is so bad that it defies my vocabulary to describe his ineptitude. I look forward to his release. I’ll probably throw a family party. I might even pick up the phone and buy season tickets. I’ve had two seats since 1998. I am not going to renew them as long as the turnover factory is our quarterback.

John: OK.

Brian from Gainesville, FL:

Big O, Tashaun Gipson has played well enough that we are no longer constantly lamenting about the need to fill the hole at free safety. He’s a keeper, for sure. Interceptions aren’t everything. Having said that, do you think he’ll have a way better shot at intercepting once the Jaguars’ defense develops a beastly pass rush?

John: You’re correct about Gipson, and there’s little question he has upgraded the free safety position this season. While he hasn’t been without lapses, he for the most part has been good against the run and has helped the secondary reduce the number of explosive passes allowed. As far the benefits of a beastly pass rush, Gipson is far from alone on that front. The Jaguars’ cornerbacks have yet to have an interception this season. That’s an eye-catching statistic. Some of it has to do with the defense’s focus on not giving up explosive plays, but the reason is mostly that the Jaguars haven’t been great at pressuring the passer with four down linemen. If the front is not disrupting the quarterback and causing errant throws and tipped balls, etc., interceptions usually are going to be relatively few and far between. Once the Jaguars develop a “beastly” pass rush, it will benefit not only Gipson but the entire secondary.

Dave from Duval:

Don’t get me wrong: Blake needs be replaced ASAP. But even if he were playing better this team still finds ways to lose, and would be a badly coached team by any measure.

John: Quarterback is an important enough position in the NFL that I’m not sure your statement is as inarguable as you might think. That’s particularly true of the first part of your statement.

Jacob from North Carolina:

Our defense looks a lot better. Is it mainly due to our offensive woes (opposing offenses can play a lot more conservatively) or are they that much better? Thanks.

John: All of the above. There’s little question there have been times this season when opposing offenses have been able to play more conservatively on the assumption that the Jaguars’ offense would not be capable of scoring enough to win the game. At the same time, the defense is much improved from last season. It’s still not a lock-down pass-rushing defense and I wouldn’t make the argument that it’s a Top 5 defense, but it has pushed its way into the top half of the league and that’s a major step forward compared to last season.

Landon from Jacksonville:

HOLD ON!!! How does Gus get any credit for the defense? The last three years it was complete and total garbage and now it is not. I give Gus zero credit for that. It is clear that we have talent that can make up for his terrible coaching. It’s that simple.

John: It’s always coaching in the NFL.

Ed from Ponte Vedra, FL:

What irritates me more than a 2-10 record is looking back at the Jaguars’ ex-coaches: Coughlin gets fired, he then wins two Super Bowls. Del Rio gets fired, he turns the Raiders into contenders; Mularkey turns the Titans into division contenders and now everyone thinks Bradley’s days are over. Something is wrong with that picture but I cannot figure it out.

John: It’s always coaching in the NFL.

Scott from Daytona Beach, FL:

Guess we’ll probably be coaching the Senior Bowl again!

John: Nah.

Joe from San Antonio, TX:

Let’s say for the sake of argument the Jags need to put another quarterback in the game. Do they play Chad Henne, or do they see what they have in Brandon Allen?

John: Allen has yet to be active this season and Henne has been active as the backup quarterback in all 12 games. Unless that changes – and I have no reason to think it will – Henne will play if the Jaguars change quarterbacks. Which I don’t expect they will do barring injury.

Bob from Fernandina Beach, FL:

I have been watching NFL football for over 40 years and I no longer know what pass interference is. Maybe you can shed some light.

John: Defensive pass interference is supposed to be contact with a receiver attempting to catch a pass – with incidental contact not to be penalized. The exception is when the defender has turned his head to attempt to intercept. It is in the exception and incidental contact that the gray areas have arisen. Basically, a receiver is supposed to be able to attempt to make a reception without contact from the defender before the pass arrives hindering from doing so. It seems defenders are allowed to get away with more now because most officials instinctively don’t want to call “too many” penalties. That’s good on one hand because it keeps games from dragging on and on. It’s not good if defenses take advantage of the situation to unfairly impede the offense outside of the spirit of the rules.

Jeff from Anaheim, CA:

What is your favorite Jimmy Smith story? Seems as an appropriate time as any to share given Sunday’s festivities and there’s nothing better to talk about, so let’s be nostalgic!

John: I have many fond memories of Smith. I covered him from 1995-2000 while covering the Jaguars for the Florida Times-Union, and perhaps my favorite memory is my first interview with him. This was in April of 1995 – shortly after I had moved from the University of Florida beat to the Jaguars beat and only months after Smith had signed with the Jaguars. I knew little about Smith’s story before working on that story, and his NFL story at the time of course had really just begun. He had spent two seasons with Dallas and had been out of football for a year after being released by the Cowboys and Eagles. He also already had been through one life-threatening illness while with Dallas, but neither I – nor anyone else – in April 1995 had any idea he would go on to be the player he became. It actually wasn’t for another year and a half or so that that Smith would begin to blossom into a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver, but once he did he was as good as any receiver I ever have covered (I’d put Smith, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne at the top of the list and have a difficult time ranking them in order.) I also remember writing a story about Smith midway through the 1999 season. I believe Smith had a dropped pass around that time– perhaps against New Orleans, though my memory is sketchy. I was assigned by an editor to write a story about Smith “struggling.” I argued that I wasn’t sure Smith was struggling all that much, and that it didn’t seem like a legitimate angle. I lost the argument and wrote the story. Considering Smith caught 116 passes for 1,636 yards that season, statistics do support my memory that whatever struggles Smith was having were short-lived.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Make a wish

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Brian from Duval County:

For the love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, can somebody please coach Dante Fowler Jr. up? Every time he rushes the passer he looks like a wild pig trying to escape. I haven’t seen Fowler bend rush one time this season. I’m not sure if it’s coaching or if he doesn’t trust his knee.

John: I don’t get a sense Fowler is worried about his knee. He has seemed confident in that area since training camp – and really, since the offseason. Fowler clearly has work to do to hone the fundamentals and techniques needed to be a high-end pass rusher. That’s something he has been doing this season and something I expect will be a major focus of his in the offseason and next season. Fowler does need work in this area – and he’s going to have to improve his techniques if he is to be an elite pass rusher. It’s not uncommon for pass rushers to enter the league needing such work, and in fact that is the case far more often than not. Still, it is critical he do the work and improve. The defense, while improved, lacks a hammer-down pass rusher; Fowler remains the current Jaguars player with the best chance to become that.

Alton from Melbourne, FL:

You DO NOT draft quarterbacks with bad mechanics!!!

John: Quarterbacks with unorthodox mechanics actually get drafted in the Top 10 more than people think. Philip Rivers comes to mind – and Sam Bradford doesn’t exactly have a textbook throwing motion. Quirky mechanics can be overcome, and I do believe Blake Bortles can overcome them, too. Bortles’ mechanics this season don’t actually concern me as much as his decision-making and failure to protect the ball. Those things lead to turnovers as much or more than the inaccuracies and it’s Bortles’ turnovers – he has 19 this season – that are particularly difficult to overcome.

Brian from Duval County:

Has Marks’ play been more down than up this season?

John: No.

Justin from Jacksonville:

Señor, O: I’m curious, do you see Poz starting for us next year? He embodies everything I want our team to be about. Toughness and heart, grit and passion. I read or heard somewhere that he never has been flagged for a personal foul in his whole career. That’s just insane to me. He’s gonna leave a big hole to fill when he’s gone.

John: Yes, I think Posluszny will start for the Jaguars next season. And yes, when he is no longer with the Jaguars, it will leave a very big hole. As far as his penalties, I asked Posluszny about this and he said he recalled being penalized twice for a face mask early his career – both on then-Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew. By my count, Posluszny has been penalized seven times in 10 NFL seasons – twice for face masking, once for pass interference, once for offside, once for holding, once for a personal foul and once for unnecessary roughness. So, yeah – Posluszny has been penalized for a personal foul/unsportsmanlike-conduct type of penalty on occasion, but it doesn’t happen often.

Todd from Jacksonville:

One reason you consider keeping Gus and this staff is because the Jags do not quit like the Jets on Monday. They are not very far away from very, very good, I really believe that. The momentum just needs to change and at this point it looks like that will probably take a full off season and a quarterback competition.

John: That indeed is the argument for not making a coaching change. The Jaguars under Gus Bradley rarely have looked disinterested, and they rarely have felt like a team in disarray. I have said often I believe that’s a major part of a head coach’s job. At the same time, the Jaguars are 2-10 in season that began with expectations far higher than that. Continuity based on belief and effort is a tougher sell now than it has been the past two or three seasons.

Jeff from Jacksonville:

Can Blake Bortles’ play this year be considered a two-year slump? Oh, I also think that Dave Caldwell is a very good general manager. He seems to have picked more good than bad players.

John: I’ll assume you meant “Year 2” slump when referring to Bortles – or Year 3 slump, or whatever. Sure, this season could be a considered a slump – provided of course he plays better next season. That could happen. I also agree that Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell is very capable and I believe the way he has built the roster does have the talent and foundation moving in the right direction. Not every player he has selected has worked out, but that never happens. His approach is a sound one that I believe will continue to improve the team. We’ll see.

Dakota from Dupree, SD:

Zone, is this team good enough to start winning with just good quarterback play alone or do you think it needs more than that?

John: I think better quarterback play would have gotten the Jaguars to around .500 this season. I thought that’s about where they would finish this season with a chance to make a serious jump to the postseason next season. That didn’t happen this season.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

Is it fair to say that Tashaun Gipson has not met expectations so far this season? Sure, free safety is not a glaring hole as it once was, but he has not been the impact player that I was hoping for.

John: It’s fair to say Gipson hasn’t created the turnovers expected this season. At the same time, the Jaguars’ defense overall is significantly improved and it is particularly improved against the pass. Also, Gipson has come close to several interceptions this season; had he made those interceptions I don’t know that there would be much of a discussion over his impact. I wouldn’t say Gipson has had the same impact as, say, Malik Jackson, but I would say his signing has helped the defense and that was the point.

Marcus from Jacksonville:

There are a lot of reasons to have hope in the future of the Jaguars right now, but one thing has me very concerned. Arguably the three most important people in the organization (quarterback, head coach, general manager) are question marks right now. Bortles hasn’t proven he can be a franchise quarterback. Gus Bradley hasn’t proven he can prepare a team to win a game. And Dave Caldwell, for all the good decisions he has made, has an “incomplete” in terms of his first-round picks … Bortles and Fowler are up in the air but trending downward, Ramsey is a hit and Joeckel is a miss (say what you will about his play, but he’s a guard now and you don’t draft a guard No. 2). Unfortunately, those 3 people are what make franchises great and it appears there could be major changes in the near future at those spots.

John: I wouldn’t say Dante Fowler Jr. is trending downward; he actually has played better as the season has continued … but yeah … it’s going to be a very interesting couple of months.

Chris from Mandarin, FL:

This season’s Jaguars defense reminds me a lot of the defense from 2011. If you recall, they finished at No. 6 in the league with Mel Tucker as the defensive coordinator and it was thought that Mike Mularkey would be able to lean on the defense in 2012 and win close games. I would caution anyone that thinks just because the defense is holding opposing teams to low-yardage totals that it means next year will trend the same direction.

John: You have a good memory, and a solid season on one side of the ball indeed in no way guarantees another good season on the same side of the ball. At the same time, the core of this defense appears to be young and ascending with players such as Telvin Smith, Yannick Ngakoue, Malik Jackson, Jalen Ramsey, Dante Fowler and Myles Jack all at an age where it’s reasonable they should continue to ascend. That’s no guarantee, but it should offer hope.

CD from Fleming Island:

Some people’s idea of Gus breeding a losing culture by emphasizing competition is just irritating. There’s a whole locker room of athletes that have been playing sports their entire lives. They want to win; it’s insulting to say otherwise. If that’s not enough motivation, the career span of an NFL player is short, and they could be cut at any moment, so it’s safe to say no one is OK with losing. I guess armchair quarterbacks just think they know more about winning than a player who’s dedicated his life to making it in the NFL. Criticize Gus for preparation, development, game-day decisions, etc., if you like; I feel that’s fair. But in spite of the record, you can’t argue that we’re seeing real progress on the defensive side of the ball. So that message of positivity and getting better every day isn’t the issue. Fans, can we please stop with that nonsense?

John: Yeah, I don’t think you’re going to get that wish, CD.

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