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O-Zone: A fine, noble bunch

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

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Happy New Year. One more Game Day.

Let’s get to it …

Jeremy from Dodge City, KS:

John, with your infinite wisdom, will we make playoffs next year?

John: Judging by comments and emails I receive throughout the season, your definition of “infinite wisdom” differs from many others … but that’s OK: It’s a new year, so maybe I’ll be better in 2017. As for my expectations for the Jaguars in 2017, we’re so far from next season with so much change ahead that it’s hard to predict. I will say I will be surprised if the Jaguars aren’t .500 or right around it next season. I thought this team was about a .500 team this season except for quarterback play, some pass-rush and discipline issues and some pretty glaring special-teams issues – with a heavy, heavy emphasis on quarterback play. Overall, though, this season to me was defined by the seven consecutive one-possession/fourth-quarter losses to contending teams in October, November and December. My feeling was those losses were the sign of a team getting closer to contending. The 38-17 victory over a playoff-contending Tennessee team on Christmas Eve heightened that feeling. I think there’s a good chance many of this season’s fourth-quarter losses can becomes next season’s fourth-quarter victories. As far as the playoffs? Let’s let the Jaguars reach .500 first. One step at a time.

Chad from EverBank:

I heard a comment made on the radio this week stating basically that there are people who think Shad Khan is being cheap in his efforts with the Jaguars. I’ve never heard this before, and was amazed that someone – anyone – would think that. Have you heard such nonsense being floated around? We can cite all the efforts and money he has invested to no end: His passion for owning an NFL team, his passion for Jacksonville, his willingness to invest money without a surefire guarantee for success. Are people really blaming Khan’s spending for our woes? Ridiculous.

John: “Ridiculous” indeed is a good word here. That’s not surprising. There was a lot of “ridiculous” going on this week.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

Do you think the new head coach will implement his own defensive scheme, or keep the current one? I feel like the personnel here is built to play Cover 3. We have corners, particularly Ramsey, who don’t need safety help, so it would seem like an inefficient use of his talents in a Cover 2. I think the front seven would be fine in either scheme, but I think the secondary is built to play single high safety. What are your thoughts on a possible defensive scheme change?

John: I think I don’t know much about the Jaguars’ next defensive scheme because I don’t know the identity of the new head coach. That’s not a snide or evasive answer, but it’s difficult if not impossible to accurately predict the Jaguars’ next offensive or defensive scheme until we have at least a sniff of an idea about the next head coach and coordinators.

Joshua from Pittsburgh, PA:

Are we going to TALK about those comments on Sirius Radio? New, Earth-shattering coaching philosophy … WINNING. This makes Gus look bad.

John: When your record is 14-48 as a head coach, most everything said in the wake of your firing is going to make you look bad. When the team you were coaching wins convincingly in the game after your departure, people are going to write and say things that you did wrong and the new guy did right. Look, Bradley lost too many games as the Jaguars’ head coach and people are going to believe what they want about him. His will not be a winning legacy. And Marrone did a nice job last week. But Bradley believed in winning just as much as Marrone and just as much as any coach. His approach of emphasizing improvement and process as a means to winning was not novel and does not make him unique. It also did not mean he didn’t want to win, and it doesn’t mean that winning wasn’t the goal. He didn’t win enough. That’s clear. But not saying the word often enough isn’t why he lost. I mean, does anyone really think NFL players don’t understand that the idea is to win?

Ronnie from Jacksonville:

I have to disagree about quarterback play having a greater effect on the Cowboys’ success. Looking at the rushing stats, 2015: 408 attempts, 94 rushing 1st downs, 8 TDs vs 2016: 478 (and counting) attempts, 24 (and counting) rushing TDs and 138 (and counting) rushing 1st downs. I’d say it’s safe to believe the much better rushing game helped make the passing game better. What say you?

John: I say the Cowboys were a good rushing team last season and went 4-12. They are a very good rushing team this season and are 13-2, so there’s no question the running game has been a positive factor. But I also say the Cowboys have gone from a negative touchdown-interception ratio last season to a 24-4 touchdown-interception ratio this season – and quarterbacking in the NFL trumps all else. Drafting running back in the Top 10 is a luxury that a team with an elite offensive line can sometimes afford. Otherwise …

Kris from Copenhagen, Denmark:

Happy New Year’s O, rumor is Tom Coughlin is already out of the picture. Which coach do you see will accept the job, considering (as you said, Bortles will be next year’s quarterback) the chance of choosing their own quarterback option isn’t likely?

John: Your question assumes a few things that I don’t know can be assumed yet. First, I don’t know that we know the head-coaching picture yet. There’s a long process ahead, and it really doesn’t begin until the regular-season ends. Also, the new head coach will have significant input into the starting quarterback. The reason I believe Bortles will be next year’s starting quarterback is it’s not all that likely that there will be a significantly better option. That’s true no matter who is making the decision. As for who will be the coach, I’m guessing Mike Smith, Coughin or Doug Marrone. That’s my guess now, but until the regular season ends, it’s very much a guess. Stay tuned.

David from The Island:

Harbaugh said he’s staying at Michigan. Maybe so, but I don’t think for the long-term. He knows how to win and he’s not a cuddler. Any chance he gets the job?

John: I don’t get any sense Harbaugh is leaving Michigan this offseason.

Geoff from Orlando, FL:

Could you please explain why Tom Coughlin is getting such attention for the Jags’ head-coaching position? He was slightly above .500 (68-60) when he was here and slightly above .500 (102-90) when he was on the New York Giants. I know he won two Super Bowls up there, but I feel like we need more consistency than that at head coaching. I would love to have him in the front office, but why is everyone making him out to be the Jaguars savior?

John: I don’t know what everyone else is saying about Coughlin; I do know I’ve said I think he would be a good choice for the Jaguars’ head coach. He’s getting a lot of attention for the position because he made multiple playoff appearances and championship-game appearances with two different franchises, and because he won two Super Bowls with the Giants. He also has a reputation for getting a lot out of teams in various situations. Is he the only good choice? No. Is he a good choice and is he someone who is capable of providing a winning structure and direction? Yes.

Shawn from the Mean Streets of Arlington:

Bold prediction: The Jaguars start the new season undefeated.

John: Good call.

Arthur from Drexel Hill:

Can be considered a bust?

John: Any player can be considered anything anyone wants. Yeldon hasn’t been a dominant runner, but I don’t know that any runner would be dominant in the Jaguars’ offense the past two seasons. The unit has improved as a pass-blocking unit, but still isn’t a great run-blocking line. Most backs can’t outperform their offensive line when it comes to run blocking. Yeldon in that sense is like most backs.

Keith from Jacksonville:

Happy New Year O-Man. It seems most of the Jag blogs agree with you about the first- and fourth-round trade for Garappolo ONLY if Josh McDaniels comes to us as well. It makes sense in that case as Dave Caldwell until this year has, at best, a spotty first-round draft record, which cannot be denied unless and until BB5 and Fowler pick up their games. With McDaniel, you would have a quarterback who did well in a system with one of the best teams in the league coming into his prime. However, any other offensive coordinator would be reason to stay away from that trade. What say you?

John: I say whatever the Jags’ blogs say I agree with – 110 percent! Those guys are awesome and I respect them a great deal. A fine and noble bunch, they are. In fact, I respect and admire them so much that I would list them by name if I only I could remember them.

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O-Zone: Serious question

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

JACKSONVILLE – Indy-bound. Last day of 2016.

Let’s get to it …

Joe from Hall of Fame City, OH:

John, I am telling you and the world the Jags will not lose on Sunday. No tricks here. So, when we beat the crap out of Indy, just post it, John #SHOCKDANATION

John: This O-Zone is one of our last chances to talk about a football game before we dive neck-deep into the offseason … and pending change … and all of the stuff that goes along with pending change. So, let’s talk about the game, shall we? As far as that goes, the Jaguars have won two consecutive games against the Colts and have held huge leads in both of those games. They were within two late missed field goals of sweeping the Colts last season. They played the AFC Championship Game-bound Colts tough in the teams’ final meeting in 2014. They are playing an Indianapolis team on Sunday that is 7-8 and out of the playoffs. The Colts are perfectly capable of winning Sunday, but considering how well the Jaguars have played the Colts recently, I don’t know that a Jaguars victory would SHOCKDANATION or anyone else. I think the Jaguars will win, though. I do agree there.

Rob from Brunswick, GA:

If you wrote a book about your time in the O-Zone to date what would it be called?

John: Why I Love People.

Sebastian from Mexico:

Next year: or ?

John: There’s no law that says it has to be either Julius Thomas or Ben Koyack at tight end for the Jaguars next season; it’s not as if the two can’t co-exist. If I had to guess, though, I would say Thomas won’t be back next season and that Koyack will return. That’s the thought now. Check back when a new head coach is hired. His thoughts will change many things.

Not HJT from Jacksonville:

Hey, would the Jags trade for a second and draft Trubisky if Browns and 49ers pass on him?

John: I’m not yet familiar enough with draft talk to have a real feel for the top of the first round. I start diving heavily into the draft around the Senior Bowl. But I don’t know that any team is going to be beating down the doors to trade a second-round selection for Bortles. Would you?

Ric from Jacksonville:

Have you sensed any urgency in the organization to find a replacement coach quickly? With other teams now looking for a replacement for Jeff Fisher and Rex Ryan and what not, there has to be a bit of a thought in the back of David Caldwell’s head that another team might grab up the coach – or one of the coaches that they would seriously consider. Also, I would think the other teams would have the same thoughts. What are your thoughts on that? Is it something they want to wrap up as quickly as possible?

John: The Jaguars want to move quickly to hire a head coach. That was one of the reasons for dismissing Gus Bradley two weeks before the end of the season, and one of the reasons for interviewing Tom Coughlin this week – before the end of the regular season. Having that interview done will give them a chance to move quickly when the regular season ends Sunday, but the idea is to get the best grade possible on the final exam – not to be the first one finished.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

Hype is scary, O. What are the odds that once teams start to analyze ‘s play this season, they find ways to attack him with relative success? As cautious as you can be, I am going to hold off on declaring Ramsey a multi-year All-Pro until I at least see him to it consistently through next season. Clearly, teams learned how to scheme against Bortles. Does the same thing happen to defensive backs?

John: Teams scheme against cornerbacks mainly by throwing away from them. I have no doubt that will happen with Ramsey because it already has happened at times this season. The good news is that still helps the defense; when a team is unwilling to throw at a defender it by definition takes a wide receiver out of the game. That’s a victory for the defense.

Charles from Savannah, GA:

I was very disappointed in Trent Dilfer’s comments not only about Blake Bortles but about the city of Jacksonville. Unfortunately, there is still this campaign by national sports media that Jacksonville isn’t worthy of an NFL franchise and to move the Jaguars out of Jacksonville. When will this ever end?

John: Trent Dilfer’s comments about Jacksonville and Bortles were his opinions – and I guess I’ve become accustomed enough to hearing ill-informed, inane, baseless, stir-it-up comments from national media about the Jaguars and Jacksonville that I don’t pay much attention anymore. It’s not a campaign as much as it is laziness. Jacksonville’s considered an easy shot because it’s a small market and because the Jaguars haven’t won a lot lately – and because when a lot of people take shots at something, it’s easier to pile on than to think for yourself about a topic. Don’t misunderstand: I have a good grasp of laziness. I’ve been lazy at times, too. I’m actually a big fan of the genre. The good news for Jacksonville is that Shad Khan believes in Jacksonville and is committed to Jacksonville. His opinion matters. Dilfer’s? Not so much.

Jeff from Rutland, MA:

Does it seem like if the Jags play Indy the way they played the Titans last week, it will raise more questions than answers? Was it indeed the coaching? Or are they just a team that can only play well in garbage time (be it during a game or season)? Whatever. Getting another quality win is worth a few more questions.

John: The Jaguars playing well against Indianapolis might raise questions among the fan base about whether it was coaching versus garbage time, etc. I doubt it will confuse the actual interview process, though. It appears that the Jaguars have their hiring plan in place and are following it. The on-field results of the last two games will be a factor, but probably not a confusing one.

Rob from Brunswick, GA:

John, what are the chances that any of our assistant coaches stay until next year? When a new coach comes in, is it common to keep some or even most of the staff? I know Jerry Sullivan worked under the previous head coach before being retained by Gus Bradley. Do you think we could see some position coached or even coordinators stick around next season?

John: Yes, we could see that. As far as the chances of it happening, that’s impossible to know until we know the identity of the new head coach – or at least until we get a sniff about the direction the organization plans to take. Remember, when it comes to staff and regime change/organization in the NFL, what’s common and what has taken place before doesn’t mean much. An owner can organize and change as he sees fit based on what he believes is best for the organization. That’s what’s cool about owning. You decide – not history or the beliefs of others.

Greg from Jacksonville:

John, for a large portion of the fans you are the No. 1 source for Jags info – and you are doing them an enormous disservice by continuing to perpetuate this myth that has “phenomenal athleticism.” HIs 7.40 3 cone, 32″ vertical, 112″ broad jump, and 47 total SPARQ score are all below average to way-below average. He’s a very poor athlete. Also, his counter moves aren’t the problem. His counter moves aren’t working because he doesn’t have the athleticism to burst and bend around the corner. An OT that isn’t scared of you beating him around the edge isn’t going to be beaten by a bull rush/spin/swim/etc.

John: I don’t need scores and numbers to know that Fowler is not a “very poor athlete.”

Christopher from Valparaiso, IN:

I would much rather have Tom Coughlin in the front office than as a head coach. The man has an eye for talent and would be perfect in that role. Unless Coughlin hires an heir apparent as a coordinator (which will be difficult because his staff in NY is unavailable), then I do not see the point in hiring him.

John: I have no problem with Tom Coughlin in either capacity, but I do wonder about people not seeing “the point” of hiring him as a head coach. He is probably going to be a Hall-of-Fame selection because of his head-coaching ability and he won two Super Bowls as a head coach. If you’re a believer that a head coach makes an enormous difference in an organization why wouldn’t you hire him?

KC from Loganville, GA:

This is a serious question, so please don’t think I’m just trying to be a wise guy. Do you think a talented group of players with no coaching staff could beat a team of average players that has a coaching staff?

John: Which team has the better quarterback?

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O-Zone: Wonderful problem

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

So, after one good game everyone believes the quarterback is on the roster for 2017? Please don’t fall for it. That’s exactly what happened in 2015 and got the Jags in this mess in 2016.

John: There unquestionably has been renewed enthusiasm around Jaguars quarterback this week. It’s not head-over-heels stuff, but it is hope. That’s to be expected – because he looked very good Saturday against Tennessee, and because a player’s most recent performance is the most fresh in our memory. The reality, though, is Bortles likely is the Jaguars’ starting quarterback to start next season. That has almost nothing to do with how he played against Tennessee and everything to do with it being difficult to find better options in the offseason. It’s easy to say, “Ditch Bortles and find someone else.” It’s more difficult to find a better option at a price that makes it reasonable to pursue him. It’s not written in stone that Bortles starts next season’s opener, but the odds? They’re pretty good.

Travis from High Springs, FL:

Hi, John. I would like to take a page from your book and guarantee that the Jaguars do not lose to the Colts in 2016. Do you agree?

John: Good call.

Kyle from Oshkosh, WI:

Is there any way you see us keeping Doug Marrone as the offensive line coach and bringing in a new head coach?

John: You learn quickly when covering the NFL to never say “never,” because weird things happen when teams hire coaches and put together staffs. But if the Jaguars’ next head coach is not Doug Marrone, it seems likely that the new head coach likely will install a new offensive staff. It would be unlikely that Marrone is retained in that scenario. Also, don’t rule out Marrone being a head coach somewhere next season. If it’s not in Jacksonville, it’s hardly unreasonable that it would be somewhere else.

Igor from Jacksonville:

I completely agree with you about us not regretting the pick at No. 5 – and even before the draft, I hoped that the Cowboys would select Ezekiel Elliott so that we would have the chance to get Ramsey. I screamed for joy when Ramsey was available for selection. But this draft has no Ramsey … Jalen Ramsey was talked about being the No. 1 overall pick last draft. Now, if it was a Myles Garrett versus a running back I get your point.

John: My thoughts about not selecting a running back in the Top 5 or 10 have nothing to do with Myles Garrett and they don’t really have all that much to do with Ezekiel Elliott – or Dalvin Cook, or Leonard Fournette, or any particular running back for that matter. They have everything to do with running back generally not being a position of value when selecting so early; it’s simply not usually enough of an impact position. Consider Dallas this season. The Cowboys ranked eighth in the NFL in rushing last season and second in the NFL this season, so while Elliott indeed has had an impact, it’s probably not the difference between 3-12 and 13-2. Cowboys quarterbacks threw 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions last season compared to 24 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. It’s probably safe to conclude better quarterback play had more to do with Dallas’ success this season than better running back play. That’s not a knock on Elliott as a player, but it does speak in part to why many believe running back isn’t a position you take early in the draft.

Paul from Jacksonville:

I hear Blake and the other players refer to Coach Bradley as “Gus” or Coach Hackett as “Nathaniel” in interviews. … I can’t ever imagine Tom Brady referring to Coach Belichick as “Bill.” It feels like the relationship has been too buddy-buddy around here and there isn’t enough respect or accountability. When those days end, I think the losing has a good chance to end, too.

John: This doesn’t bother me either way. I don’t consider it a thing.

Brian from Greenwood, IN:

Despite the miserable year we all agree has occurred, the Jaguars have a chance to get to .500 in the division – as well as to not only sweep the Colts, but to also make it three in a row. Those are reasons enough to make this game fun! Do you agree?

John: Sure.

Chris from Houston, TX:

With both Poz and Smith seemingly entrenched at middle and weak-side linebacker respectively, and Cyprien likely leaving through free agency, any chance that we see Jack transition to strong safety full time? As evidenced by him chasing down Lamar Miller from behind earlier in the season, Jack appears plenty fast and he was great in coverage in college. Seems to make a lot of sense to me.

John: I don’t know if it’s accurate to say is “likely” to leave in free agency. He hasn’t been spectacular this season, but he has played better in a more defined, in-the-box role – and it wouldn’t be a ridiculous move to re-sign him. He’s not great in coverage, but that doesn’t make him unique among NFL strong safeties. What will happen on that front? I have no idea, and no one else does until more is known about the head-coaching situation. That’s even more true of ’s future role. We can speculate all we want, and the idea of him or playing safety isn’t absurd. And there’s no question Myles Jack will be on the field in more of a full-time role next season somehow, some way. In what capacity? In what role? We’ll start getting a better feel for that once the new head coach is hired, though not before.

Tim from Atlantic Beach, FL:

throws a 20-yard touchdown pass and it’s a national footnote. Dez Bryant throws a 10-yard touchdown and it is lauded as the greatest thing since sliced bread. A winning record isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.

John: Are we surprised that a 13-2 team gets more notice than a 3-12 team? Is this news?

Galen from Colorado Springs, CO:

I’ve been seeing a lot about trying to get Jimmy Garoppolo for a first- and fourth-round selection, and I think that is downright stupid. There’s another team in our division that just splurged $72 million on a backup who played a couple of decent games in relief of a superstar. He is already an expensive benchwarmer. I don’t think we should be so eager to run away from Blake Bortles.

John: I would be very, very surprised if the Jaguars trade for Garropolo. I would be less surprised if the Jaguars hired Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as head coach, but that’s the only way I see it happening.

J.T. from Jacksonville:

“Terrible city for an NFL Franchise.” Pretty sure a throat punch would come Trent Dilfer’s way if I ever see him. Plus, he called Blake Bortles the worst quarterback in the NFL. Dilfer was absolutely terrible as a quarterback and only got a Super Bowl because he had the best defense maybe in league history.

John: I like Dilfer as an ESPN analyst, and though I liked him more before his shouting on Dilfer’s Dimes reached deafening levels, we live in an age in which Louder is Better in sports television and radio, so I understand and tolerate the yelling. And while Dilfer wasn’t a great quarterback, that has nothing to do with his ability as an analyst – and while it’s also true that he was harsh regarding Bortles, his analysis in this case hardly was without merit. As far as Dilfer saying Jacksonville is a terrible city for an NFL franchise … again, he’s entitled to his opinion. Just because it’s incorrect, ill-informed, irrelevant and not really all that interesting doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with him voicing it.

Scott from Jacksonville:

Jalen Ramsey just isn’t all that great at playing the ball while it’s in the air. He may be late getting his head turned around sometimes, but not so late that he doesn’t have time to break up the pass. Or, he might flail a bit at the ball instead of snatching it out of the air. Maybe he’s just playing the receiver more than the ball, which is probably what he is supposed to be doing. If the last two weeks are any indication, I don’t think it’s going to be a “problem” we have to worry about.

John: Jalen Ramsey has made more impact, memorable plays this season than I ever have seen a rookie cornerback make, and he has done so with remarkably few harmful “rookie moments.” He has made more impact plays in each of the last two games than many, many good cornerbacks make in an entire season. It’s fine if people want to pick apart the fact that he has dropped a few interceptions, but Ramsey is a high-level rookie who is on his way to being a player any team in the NFL would want on its roster. Oh, for the rest of the Jaguars’ roster to be so flawed.

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O-Zone: #DROY

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL:

So, it has been reported Tom Coughlin interviewed Wednesday. That is hardly breaking news given Dave Caldwell’s recent comments, but it is good to see the ball rolling on meetings. I find myself wanting to see Tom get the job. Other than age, which is a legitimate issue at 70, he has everything else. He has credibility. He has proven he can win. He fights for his players and brings discipline. Oh yeah – and he loves Jacksonville … and the Jaguars. Some part of him is and will always be a Jaguar. Some hot coordinator might be the sexy pick, but I’d rather see Tom come take this team to the playoffs, go into The Pride and make some coordinator his successor like McAdoo was in New York. Maybe that’s even Todd Wash … if you get my drift. Thoughts?

John: I’ve said before and I’ll say again that I’d like to see Tom Coughlin get the Jaguars head coaching job – and I think he would be a very good choice. There’s no guarantee that he’s the best choice because there are no guarantees in coaching or in life. I personally also like the idea of Mike Smith as head coach, and there are other intriguing names. Kyle Shanahan, Josh McDaniels … all have appeal and make sense. This process should gain some serious momentum after Sunday’s regular-season finale. I don’t necessarily have a vibe that Coughlin is the favorite at this point because I don’t get the idea there is a favorite at this point – and there shouldn’t be a favorite at this point. Owner Shad Khan and General Manager David Caldwell need to conduct the interview process, and that needs to be a real process. But if it’s Coughlin who is the head coach after that process … yes, that would be cool for many reasons. The coolest is he is a capable head coach whose reputation precedes him. His direction, experience and ability to discipline and set a tone would be an immediate positive – and I think those elements would help create an atmosphere that would give the Jaguars a chance to succeed. That’s the first thing you want from whoever gets the job. It’s hard to imagine players not believing in him, and that’s important, too. He also would get the fan base excited and give some fans who might have lost some hope this season a reason to regain it. That’s not as important as the first couple of elements, but it would be a positive. This is about to get interesting. Hang on.

Dave from Duval:

Do you think the Jags have just used sparingly to save wear and tear on his knee and while he adjusts to the NFL on and off the field?

John: No.

Jordan from Little Valley:

Games are won Monday through Saturday. The game on Sunday just shows how prepared you were. NFL teams are not drastically different with talent as many people want to believe. The Jaguars were crushed by the Titans and the Titans were crushed by the Jaguars all in the same season.

John: NFL games more often than not are decided by a few key plays. Take for instance this past Saturday. Yes, the Jaguars led throughout and won by 21 points. But with a little more than eight minutes remaining, the Jaguars led 24-17 and faced second-and-7 from their 38. Wide receiver on the play made a remarkable one-handed catch that led to a touchdown pass from wide receiver to quarterback . Had Robinson not made that remarkable catch, the Jaguars would have faced third-and-7 – a difficult down and distance. That could have led to a punt and a very pressurized Titans possession. Sometimes, winning and losing can be as close as that – even in games that end looking like blowouts.

Bill from Springfield, VA:

Oh, mighty O, please explain to me why the team had their best effort after the head coach was fired, but they did it for him. Why not do it for him when he is the coach???

John: Good question. Maybe the pressure was off. Maybe the players played with more intensity after a shakeup. Maybe it was a combination of the two.

Nate from York, PA:

If the Jaguars play as well this Sunday as they did Saturday, I think it would play in Doug Marrone’s favor as far as taking a permanent head-coaching job. However, is two games really enough to look at to see if the success really is because of him? This makes me wonder if waiting so late in the season to let Gus Bradley go really was the best thing. If it was done sooner, it would have allowed a better evaluation of Marrone.

John: I’ve gotten this question a couple of times – and there’s no question a larger sample size would have given the Jaguars a better idea about Marrone as a head coach. But I don’t know that there’s that much reason to sweat the issue too much. The Jaguars know plenty about Marrone. He has been the assistant head coach-offense/offensive line for nearly two seasons. He has been in the building. He knows the staff and the players. At some point, the Jaguars must interview candidates and decide on a coach. Those coaches won’t have coached the Jaguars this season, either, so beyond the final two games of the season, the Jaguars will do with Marrone what they do with all candidates: judge him on his interview and his resume, make a decision and go from there.

Bill from Jacksonville:

John, there have been some weird playoff scenarios, but the Packers and Lions have maybe the weirdest yet. If they tie this week, both teams make the playoffs. I’m sure it would never happen, but what would be the reaction from the league office, around the NFL, and fans, if both teams just decided to take a knee the entire game ensuring they both make the playoffs? Thanks! Go Jags!

John: It wouldn’t “sit well.”

Daniel from Jax:

I don’t know if it’s just me, but even Blake’s wind looked better last week against the Titans. Could it have been that he was purposely playing bad until Gus Bus got fired?

John: Are you serious, Clark?

Igor from Jacksonville:

So, John! You would not use the … let’s say No. 5 overall pick … on a running back (Dalvin Cook). How did picking Zeke Elliott work out for the Cowboys? Playmakers are playmakers … I think Cook is too much of a baller to pass up, regardless of draft spot.

John: No, I would not use the No. 5 overall selection on a running back. That’s why I said on Wednesday that I would prefer a wide receiver, or an offensive lineman or many other positions with a Top 10 selection. The reason for that is a running back more often than not is dependent on the line to be effective. Ezekiel Elliott, for example, is impressive and could even be the NFL Most Valuable Player this season. Would he be that behind the Jaguars’ current offensive line as opposed to the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line? I doubt it. The Jaguars took No. 5 behind Ezekiel Elliott. They don’t regret the selection.

Marcus from Jacksonville:

I have heard over the years that head coaches keep a short list of other coaches that could be potential hires in the event that they lose an assistant. Do general managers do the same sort of thing with potential head-coaching candidates? Do you think Dave Caldwell has had a list of potential candidates in mind since before Gus was let go?

John: Of course.

Dave from Duval:

Not to rain on the Jalen Ramsey Parade, but many of his passes defensed could have been picked. That was the biggest negative on him coming out: his lack of interceptions. Why do you think he’s so good at getting a hand on balls but not catching them? He has adequate hands as he caught everything at the combine they threw at him including the Jugg machines.

John: Ramsey indeed has dropped some interceptions this season, but while it was a knock on him entering the NFL, it’s a vastly overrated knock. A cornerback’s job is to break up passes and defend passes. Ramsey’s athleticism allows him to do that more than most players at his position. Interceptions are a bonus. Ramsey has two interceptions this season and has nine pass breakups in the last two games. His negatives are pretty scarce right now. As far as why it happens, I have no idea. Maybe he’s so physical and attacking so strongly that it’s difficult to catch. Maybe he’s going at such a rate when he gets to the ball that the catch is more difficult. Maybe it’s just sort of fluky. Whatever it is, I’d far rather have a cornerback with the ability to get into position to knock the ball down than one with great hands who can’t get into position. With the former, you have a bunch of plays getting made for your team. With the latter, you have a bunch of plays getting made, too – but it’s the opponent making them.

Cody from Washington:

#RamseyDROY

John: Sure.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Infinite wisdom

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

JACKSONVILLE – Look-ahead Wednesday.

Let’s get to it …

Rob from Middleburg, FL:

Why do people want to declare a bust after his rookie year? Look at Vic Beasley for Atlanta; he had 4.5 sacks last year and people were yelling bust. This year he’s in the Pro Bowl.

John: People want to declare Fowler a bust for the same reason people often declare high-profile, early-drafted pass rushers busts after rookie seasons that don’t feature a lot of sacks: because people expect big-time results even though history tells us many pass rushers take time to begin registering big numbers. Pass rushing is a combination of athleticism and technique; even the greatest often need time to learn the latter. Fowler was in his second season this season, but he indeed was essentially a rookie. He needs to hone his pass-rush skills. He needs to become more technically sound. He needs to use his hands better and develop better moves. He needs to learn counter moves. He must do these things, because he can’t be productive in the NFL solely on phenomenal athleticism and a high motor. If he doesn’t work at his game and learn these things, then it’s indeed entirely possible he will continue to struggle. But there’s also no reason he can’t develop these things; if he does, he can be elite. His potential and skill set is that good.

Pete from Ponte Vedra, FL:

The bookstores are full of self-help books noting that anxiety is the result of a lack of preparation and organization. So, all of this talk about playing freer and without pressing without Gus Bradley does in fact mean to me that it was a coach problem more than anything. So, stop snickering at everyone who says it was the coaching. Being likable does not make you a great coach.

John: OK. (Tee, hee).

Ray from North Augusta, SC:

A lot of fans are now pulling for Doug Marrone to be the permanent coach. That’s fine, but I have an issue with him because he has had two years to develop the offensive line and they are – in my opinion – the weakest link!

John: The Jaguars allowed 71 sacks in 2014. They allowed 51 last season. They have allowed 32 this season. The Jaguars’ offensive line is not a dominant run-blocking unit, but if you believe that the performance of the line is solely a coaching issue and nothing to do with the players, then the coaching of the pass-blocking at least appears to be improved.

Chris from London, England:

Hey O, please confirm the Jags were never going to lose Sunday as the game was on Saturday and not because you have magical mystical powers. Too many people seem to be missing this.

John: Me knowing that there was no way the Jaguars were going to lose Sunday had nothing to do with my mystical powers.

Travis from High Springs, FL:

Hi John, I’ve read recently that the Jaguars could be interviewing Tom Coughlin not just for the head-coaching position, but possibly a position in the front office – head of football operations. What exactly would he be doing in that position? Isn’t the general manager the head of football operations? Could you please clarify the difference?

John: The Jaguars indeed reportedly will interview Tom Coughlin, and reports are it could be for the head-coaching position or a different position. It’s impossible to know Coughlin’s exact role until he is hired – if indeed that happens. An NFL owner can structure a front office as he sees fit. There have been cases when a general manager has run the football operations and there have been times a club president has overseen operations allowing a general manager control of the draft. There have been other times when a club president has run the whole show with power over the draft and personnel decisions. Bottom line: we won’t know the structure of the Jaguars’ front office or the roles within it until Owner Shad Khan decides how it will look.

Ray from Palatka, FL:

Hey John, if the way we played Saturday was how we played all the time, what do you think our most glaring position of need would be for Caldwell to address other than head coach? My personal opinion would be running back, especially with No. 5 pick.

John: If the Jaguars played all the time as they did Saturday, they wouldn’t have nearly as many needs as they do now. But considering the team struggled to run Saturday … sure, running back would seem like the biggest need. I still wouldn’t take it No. 5 overall, though. I would rather have another pass rusher there, or another wide receiver, or another defensive tackle, or another cornerback, or another …

Adam from St. Johns, FL:

Are you ever wrong? Can you ever say, I missed it? The fans were right and you can’t admit it. It was a terribly coached team. It was obvious, but you can’t blame your buddy, Gus. It really is a slap in a face to those who read this every day.

John: I’m wrong a lot. I’ve missed things a lot. And there’s no doubt the Jaguars played far better Saturday under Doug Marrone than they had under Gus Bradley in the first 14 games. And it indeed is reasonable to say something was missing under Bradley. Had the message stopped getting through? Could Bradley have had a harder edge? Perhaps. Whatever the reason, my thoughts on coaching have nothing to do with me being buddies with anyone. I wasn’t buddies with Bradley. And while I do believe that Marrone did a nice job Saturday – and that he needs to be considered for the head-coaching position – that won’t make us buddies, either. No one I ever have covered has been my buddy – and the more I think about it, I have very few buddies. Except you, Alan. You are my buddy. My bestest buddy. Ever. You and me … buddies ‘til we die. #BTWD

Adam from Brisbane, Australia:

Is already the best corner in Jaguars history?

John: Ramsey probably has played at a higher level in the last three or four games than any corner in franchise history, so if you assume he always will play like that … yes.

Anthony from Columbia, SC:

I believe that some who are emphasizing that Bortles isn’t the only one that had their best game Saturday don’t quite understand the effect a hot quarterback has on a game. It’s not a coincidence that Dante Fowler Jr. looks much improved as a pass rusher when his team is leading the entire game. It’s also not a coincidence that Jalen Ramsey gets his first pick-six late in the game when he knows Tennessee has to throw the ball. Having a hot quarterback often puts you ahead on the scoreboard, which allows the defense to get more sacks and interceptions because players know the opposing team has to pass. O, it’s always quarterbacking.

John: But if it’s always quarterbacking then how is it always coaching?

Chris from Mandarin:

Hey, O-Zone … you know how I know Fred Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame? He used to convert third-and-20s regularly. What is your favorite memory of Fred, as a player?

John: Tampa Bay, 1998. Taylor ran for a 70-yard touchdown with 2:52 remaining to give the Jaguars a 29-24 victory in what is still the best game I’ve ever covered at EverBank Field. Taylor calls that his favorite NFL moment, and he loves telling the story of the game. I like hearing Taylor tell the story, so that ranks No. 1 with me.

Zeleznoc from Jacksonville:

Nice to hear ‘s name, even though one time was for a penalty. As I recall, following draft comments on him were extremely positive and many wondered how/why he dropped and regarded the pick as a big win for Jags. Has he been on the field much before Saturday’s game? Don’t recall seeing him or hearing his name.

John: Day has been on the field regularly in a reserve role and the Jaguars are high on him. He is having the sort of season that is common for rookies: a lot of flashes and some inconsistency. He looks like a good selection and he looks like he’s going to get a lot better quickly.

Steve from Section 215:

If I’m the coach and we win, it’s always coaching. If we lose, it’s never coaching – even if we win and lose on back-to-back Sundays (or Saturdays).

John: No, Steve. It’s always coaching in the NFL. (Tee hee)

Greg Section 122 and Jacksonville:

So, it has been a couple of days and it is tough to say this: You were right, O-Man – and I was wrong. You kept saying the Jags would win at least one more game after I kept disagreeing with you. I lost the faith and you proved to me that you can never lose the faith. My apologies for ever doubting your infinite wisdom. Happy Holidays!!!

John: No worries.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Hmmmm?

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

David from Maplewood, NJ:

John, I’m on the fence; probably some other fans are as well. Doug Marrone becoming the permanent head coach would allow some continuity, which is a point that cannot be ignored. The rate of young quarterback success reduces significantly the more systems they have to learn and I’m not ready to give up on – if for no other reason than there isn’t an obvious franchise quarterback option in the draft. That being said, it wasn’t all Gus Bradley … the rest of the staff and, of course, the players share responsibility. This is complicated – and it’s frankly more complicated because of how the team performed Saturday.

John: This will be the No. 1 topic this week among Jaguars fans and observers – and considering the Jaguars’ level of play in Doug Marrone’s first game as interim head coach, it’s an understandable, important topic. The Jaguars on Saturday had their most impressive victory of the season — and one of their most impressive victories in several seasons. This was a Titans team with their season on the line – and it was a Titans team that was playing at a high level. They were a Top 10-ranked offense that had just won on the road against Kansas City, a team that has a real chance to go deep in the postseason. The Jaguars didn’t fluke into beating the Titans; they led the entire game and held Tennessee to its second-lowest yardage total of the season. The Jaguars also played their best offensive game of the season. Was this all because of Marrone? Was it a pressure release after Bradley was relieved of his duties the previous week? Was it the post-coaching-change surge that is relatively common in the NFL but often not sustainable? Those questions are hard to answer. You don’t want to overemphasize one victory – impressive though it was. Teams often play well immediately following a coaching change because of the urgency associated with the shakeup – and many teams settle back down to earth. That’s the argument for pumping the brakes somewhat in this situation. At the same time, Marrone is a very capable head coach who almost certainly will be an NFL head coach soon. He showed himself very capable for two seasons in Buffalo. It would be very unwise to ignore a very, very good candidate just because of familiarity.

Daniel from Duval:

RAMSEY!! He is gonna be a shutdown corner for 10-plus years.

John: indeed appears as if he’s going to be a front-line cornerback for a long, long time – and he’s going to be intriguing to watch. I don’t know that he’s quite the lock-down cornerback on the level of a Darrelle Revis in his prime, but that’s all-time, all-time stuff. Ramsey’s physicality, his ability to defend the ball in the air, his ability to play the run, his ability to separate receivers from the ball … well, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything quite like the way Ramsey does those things from the cornerback position. He is headed for greatness. Soon.

Roger from Valdosta, GA:

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I took the Jags in my weekly football pool because you said they would not lose. And guess what: I won the pot. Forty-six other people took the Titans. Thanks, O. You ever in Valdosta, buzz me. Beer is on me.

John: Good for you, Roger – although it’s still beyond me why more people didn’t realize the Jaguars simply were not going to lose Sunday. It was right there for all to see.

John from Clearwater, FL:

I keep reading something that concerns me more than the losses, the uncertainty of a coach or just about anything else. I keep reading that there was too much pressure on this team and now the season’s over and there’s no pressure and they played well. We’ve seen this in games where once it’s garbage time, the team suddenly plays different. It’s very concerning going forward that we have a team that cannot even be competent because the game is on the line. How do you fix that? Gus Bradley seemed to be the most easygoing coach ever and there was still too much pressure, apparently?

John: I’ll be honest: I don’t know quite how to interpret that storyline, either – though I do think when it comes to the team as a whole, the “too-much-pressure” theme has been a little overblown. On an individual basis, quarterback Blake Bortles indeed said afterward he may have been placing too much pressure on himself – and that he was able to exhale and play loose Saturday. If so, then that’s a good sign that he can play at a high level – and it’s a concerning sign that he was unable to do so for 14 games for whatever reason. I don’t know that the rest of the team was all that loose on Saturday, because I don’t know that “looseness” is that big of a deal outside the quarterback position. It seemed the rest of the team played with a real urgency, so perhaps that was the difference. Maybe I’m just not smart enough to know how pressure did or didn’t impact the team. I do think I’m smart enough to know whoever is the head coach next season needs to figure out how to get Bortles to play as he did Saturday. If he plays to that level, the pressure on everyone – including himself – will lessen a great deal.

Mario from Orlando, FL:

If coaching changes translate to teams playing better and getting wins immediately, then coaches would be fired and hired left and right. Time to enjoy this win, but it’s also time to keep things in perspective and take it one day at a time. Go Jags!

John: Nah … it’s time for knee-jerk reactions and jumping to conclusions. Those things are easier and a lot more fun.

Kent from Jacksonville :

One of the biggest differences between Gus Bradley and Doug Marrone was summed up to me after the fumble. Marrone was in Ivory’s ear coaching him up whereas Gus tended to be their buddy more with a pat on the shoulder and a good job buddy we’ll get ’em next time. The team looked like what everyone thought they would look like back in September. Guys played like they were being held accountable for the first time since Gus Bradley took over. Just some thoughts, what do you think?

John: The Accountability Issue is a hot topic among Jaguars fans this week, and understandably so. Marrone without question brings a harder, old-school persona. He brought that style last week with a few tweaks in approach. Did that wake players up? It’s quite possible, even probable. Such is the nature of change – and there’s no doubt that accountability is a big thing for Marrone. Could Bradley have been tougher and more old-school hard line in this area? Sure. At the same time, it’s incorrect to say there was no accountability under Bradley and that players were never accountable in the past four years. That’s going too far the other way.

MrPadre from Kinglsand, GA:

It’s kind of ironic that when Bortles plays poorly and the Jags lose it’s all because of the quarterback but when they win and he plays great it’s all about the “team.” **sigh**

John: Bortles played as well in the first half against the Titans as he has in any game of his NFL career. It’s probably not a coincidence that the Jaguars had fuller control of the game than they have had in any previous game in his NFL career. When the quarterback position is shaky, a team often is shaky. Bortles was steady in the first half and the Jaguars’ hold on the game felt correspondingly steady.

Rob from Brunswick, GA:

Who do you think is our biggest rival John? I know everyone says the Titans. And that’s certainly plausible. Early on, I think it was clearly the Broncos. For many years after that, it was surely the Colts. If you asked the players, who do you think they would say is the current most hated rival?

John: I could list the Colts or the Titans, and I suppose they would qualify because of history and/or status as divisional opponents. But I honestly don’t think the Jaguars have a real rival right now. I don’t get a sense Jaguars players have any real hate or animosity toward any other team – at least not enough to make things interesting. It’s hard to have a rival until one team or the other is losing/gaining something from winning or losing, so it’s hard to have a rival when your team is losing double-digit games every season. When the Jaguars begin to win again they’ll develop rivals soon enough. That’s when a whole lot of things will get fun again, too.

Jags Fan 818 from Jacksonville:

WOW – I finally lost my voice this season!!! So excited!! Go JAGS!!!

John: What?

Pages: 12

O-Zone: The great truth

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Miguel from Section 144 and Duuuuvall:

This is why you don’t bench the quarterback until you are absolutely sure he’s not your guy. He has to get better, but we haven’t seen the best of yet. #DTWD

John: This may be the biggest long-term takeaway – and the biggest positive – from the Jaguars’ 38-17 victory over the Titans Saturday. It’s far too early to know if interim head coach Doug Marrone has a chance at the permanent job, and it’s really too early to know what Bortles’ future holds. But no matter who is hired as the Jaguars’ permanent head coach, it’s a safe bet that Bortles probably is going to either be the starting quarterback or a serious contender for the position. That’s true because of the difficulty of finding a franchise quarterback or even a front-level starter. And yes … Saturday’s performance is exactly why you don’t bench a potential franchise quarterback until you’re certain he’s the guy. Bortles didn’t show on Saturday that he is definitely a franchise quarterback. He has a lot of improvement to make in a lot of areas before that’s the case. But he did show why the Jaguars haven’t given up on the possibility. That’s a start.

Maty from Easton:

O-Man, how good was it to see have a productive game and flash some of that rare talent?

John: If you want the Jaguars to start contending for the postseason in the near future … very.

Marcus from Jacksonville:

I know the Jaguars cannot speak to currently employed coaches until the season is over, but they are able to speak to coaches who are not currently coaching or – presumably – who are currently employed by the Jags. If they choose one of those coaches, are there any rules preventing them from finalizing a deal before the end of the season? I’m sure it won’t happen because they have to do their due diligence and interview a wide variety of coaches, so I’m sure they won’t make a decision that quickly. I’m just wondering, because if they really want a coach who isn’t currently coaching or is already on the team, maybe they would want to lock him down before other teams start their coaching searches.

John: The Jaguars indeed could interview unemployed coaches and college coaches before the end of the regular season, but they almost certainly will not hire a coach before end of the regular season. One obstacle could be the Rooney Rule, but – as you point out – that’s not the biggest reason. The biggest reason is that to do so would mean severely reducing the pool of candidates – and even if you think you know your target, you would rather have a more thorough process.

Al from Fernandina Beach, FL:

John, what is going on with ? I can’t always watch the game so I look for print and stats on him and can barely find anything – and the stats in the box score don’t even list his name for Saturday’s game. Is he hurt? Is he a disappointment? Is he playing behind Poz and can’t get on the field? What is going on with him?

John: The story with Myles Jack remains the same. He is starting at the Otto linebacker position, which is the strong-side linebacker position in the Jaguars’ defense. He is playing mostly in pass-oriented or base situations with playing in more run-heavy situations – although Jack appeared to be in some more run-heavy spots Saturday. Jack is neither hurt nor a disappointment. He’s not playing middle- or weak-side linebacker because and are playing at a high level at those spots. He is playing fewer snaps than otherwise would be the case because Otto plays fewer snaps than the other two linebacker positions – and he is sharing time there. I believe Jack will be on the field in some full-time capacity next season. Where that will be, time will tell.

Hippy from Fleming Island:

If isn’t the best football player I’ve seen in a Jags jersey, he’s destined to be. He has made more impact plays in the last two games than average corners make all year. Do you think he plays at an All-Pro level in Year Two?

John: Ramsey indeed appears well on his way to being one of the best players in franchise history. That sounds like hyperbole – until you watch Ramsey play. Then, it sounds less like hyperbole and more like something that’s destined to be the case. I would caution it’s wise to remember that to be better than Tony Boselli/Fred Taylor/Jimmy Smith, you have to play at or near a Hall of Fame-level, but yeah … Ramsey has the skill set to sail in that stratosphere. As far as being an All-Pro in Year 2 … well, it’s not out of the question. In fact, it’s a very good possibility.

Dave from Jacksonville:

All about Bortles? He played much better, but he didn’t carry the team to a win. The entire team played significantly better in ALL three phases. Many guys had their best game of the season. You can’t chalk this up to coincidence. Bortles has had better days than this and usually those turn out to be losses. I can’t believe you are spinning this like this was all about Bortles playing better. We agree that Gus is awesome human, being but this is more proof he’s just wasn’t a good fit here for whatever reason.

John: Saturday’s game wasn’t all about Bortles. Not by any stretch. But Bortles completed 15 of his first 16 passes, and threw for more than 200 yards in the first half. He was efficient and accurate and made good decisions. I don’t know that he actually has had better games than Saturday’s – and if he has it’s a very, very short list. He set the tone early, and for one of the first times in his career you could point to him and say, “He played well and was a reason for the Jaguars winning and did very, very little to hurt the team.” That has been sorely missing this season – and its absence is the biggest reason the Jaguars are 3-12 and not around .500. Was Saturday about Doug Marrone? Absolutely, because the Jaguars played their most complete game of the season under his watch – and did so in very difficult circumstances. But to think that Bortles’ play wasn’t a major, major difference between Saturday and the first 14 games … well, I guess it really is spinning to think that. Spin away, O-Zone. Spin away.

Sam from Orlando, FL:

Do you think the Jags will re-sign ? Man I hope so.

John: I do think there’s a good chance Jaguars will re-sign Amukamara. I don’t think they will do so if he demands a long-term, break-the-bank contract, but I don’t know that he will be quite at that level of free agency. But Amukamara deserves some credit. His goal this season upon signing a one-year free-agent contract was to play the entire season and prove he could stay healthy. He missed two games early in the season – Week 2 and 3 – and was upset when that happened, but he has played the last 12 consecutive games. If you didn’t know injuries had been an issue throughout his career you wouldn’t know it by watching him this season. The Jaguars’ secondary may be their most improved unit this season. Ramsey is the most obvious reason, but Amukamara is a factor in that, too.

Jacob from NC:

I do not believe it was “all coaching,” and in the NFL it probably never is. However, all I hear from you is a sarcastic “it’s all coaching” or are you saying it’s really never coaching? What proof could you receive to make you say it was coaching? Or is it just “not always coaching” and that is final? Thanks

John: I’ve rarely if ever said “it’s never coaching” in the NFL – because as I often have said, coaching does matter in the NFL. What I long have said is that coaching is far too often blamed for all that ails a team – and coaches are often fired far too quickly at the expense of continuity. It was clear on Saturday that something made a difference for the Jaguars, and Marrone absolutely must get credit for the Jaguars playing better. There was clearly a surge and an urgency that hadn’t been there before. At the same time, to say that there was a dramatic difference in the game plan all because of Marrone – or that Bortles suddenly was calm, collected, poised and accurate all because of Marrone is probably a stretch, too. The Jaguars played well Saturday, far better than I or anyone else imagined they would. But when I say, “It’s always coaching in the NFL,” all I ever mean is it’s not always coaching. That’s because it’s players in the NFL far more often than not.

Moodachay from Corrales, NM:

It’s always coaching John, always.

John: Yeah, I know.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Merry Krimma

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

JACKSONVILLE – Merry Christmas to all.

Let’s get to it …

Joshua from Lakeland, FL:

John, the players wanted to win for Gus. They played their hearts out and it was amazing to watch. But why couldn’t they play this inspired while Gus was still here? Is it guilt that’s motivating them?

John: That’s indeed the $1 Million Question today – and of course, we’ll never know for sure. I don’t think it was guilt, necessarily – though the victory over Tennessee Saturday certainly was a galvanized, impressive effort. And while there will be cynics who say, “See, it was all coaching after all and Gus Bradley should have been fired long ago,” Saturday’s result can’t reasonably be all attributed to a coaching change – though it is always coaching in the NFL. So, what was it? Why now? After talking to players in the locker room Saturday, the most reasonable explanation was a combination of urgency and absence of pressure. The urgency came about from a lot of players perhaps realizing for the first time that nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, and that a lack of performance has serious ramifications. The absence of pressure is about quarterback , who told reporters after the game that he had been placing pressure on himself and was able to exhale Saturday. There’s rarely one reason things happen in the NFL, but perhaps those two factors help explain a little of the difference between what happened Saturday and what had been going on with this team all season.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL:

I … they … um, the off … speechless. Merry Christmas!

John: Merry Krimma.

Ryan from Charlotte, NC:

Yo.

John: ‘Sup?

Don from Duval:

It’s amazing what coaching can do.

John: It’s always coaching in the NFL – and it’s never, ever, ever, ever the quarterback playing by far his best game of the season.

Tim from Winston Salem, NC:

This is what we expected all year!

John: It’s indeed what Jaguars players expected all year, too – perhaps not all victories being quite so one-sided, but certainly something closer to the level of play we saw Saturday. That’s what made the victory somewhat bittersweet for players and coaches alike. The Jaguars truly wanted to make this work for Gus Bradley. Something linebacker said afterward perhaps rings as true as anything I heard after the game. He said that perhaps Bradley’s dismissal sent a real message for the first time to some players that a lack of performance indeed can mean real ramifications. Did Bradley get that across enough? Perhaps not, though one game might not be enough of a sample size to know for sure. At the same time, it seemed a more relaxed team. Whatever it was, it was the right mix on Saturday. Will it last? We’ll see.

Chris from Toronto, Canada:

It’s a Christmas miracle!

John: Ho, ho, ho.

Richard from Las Vegas, NV:

Great win all the way around. And we could talk about Robinson or Bortles, but that was ’s best game as a pro against a very good Tennessee line.

John: Indeed it was. Fowler by my count disrupted at least two passes by Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and he also had a first-half sack that helped set the tone early. It has become vogue among some observers to call Fowler a bust – and one good game does not a big-time player make – but Fowler this season has shown flashes of why he was the No. 3 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, and the violence of his first-half sack was such a flash. He must improve his pass-rushing technique and he must improve in a lot of areas, but the window on Fowler is far from being closed.

Mike from Jacksonville:

Wow that was fun! Let’s do that more often next year!

John: Winning is cool. People like it.

Jon from Portland, OR:

Doug Marrone for head coach 2k17!!!

John: I don’t know that one late-season victory will catapult Marrone into the favorite’s position for the head coaching search. Realistically, this is going to be an extensive search. Reports are that the Jaguars will interview Tom Coughlin next week, and I expect the search to take some unforeseen twists and turns. But Marrone is a proven head coach who now is 16-17 in the NFL. I wouldn’t color him remotely a favorite, but stranger things have happened – and there are far, far worse candidates.

Joe from Surf City:

Ummmmmmm??????

John: I got nothing.

Renee from Jax:

John! I forgot to tell you! MERRY CHRISTMAS! And a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sing it. It makes you feel good.

John: OK.

Ty from Duval:

Well, O-man … maybe you should have guaranteed wins earlier in the season …

John: I knew there was no way the Jaguars were going to lose to the Titans on Sunday. It simply and absolutely was not going to happen.

Dave from Duval:

If I woke tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet I wouldn’t be more surprised.

John: I’m excited about it, too, Clark.

Steve from Hudson, FL:

I respectfully disagree with your opinion on full-time officials. Year-round physical conditioning and film study would greatly improve the craft of officiating. Being in the correct position to see, spotting the ball correctly and consistently as far as time – even working on their huddles to communicate. We expect players and coaches to put in this kind of effort in year round … why not officials? If it was a full-time job you got paid well to preform – and if you could get cut, released, benched for poor performances – I think the officiating would greatly improve. The league makes plenty of money. There is no reason not to improve this part of their product. Why would you go cheap on such an important part of the business?

John: You’re referring to my opinion that the NFL doesn’t need full-time officials. While coaches indeed work pretty much year-round, players typically are away from facilities from January through mid-April – and again from mid-June through the end of July. That makes it about a seven-month-a-year job, with some of that year spent strictly working out – and unable to communicate with coaches about football. Look, I get that people are fired up about this officiating-year-round thing. I’m just not one who believes seven or eight officials employed year-round will dramatically improve officiating. It’s a game of big, strong, fast men that moves at a high rate of speed. Calls get missed. That’s going to happen whether or not officials are employed year-round.

Tom from Jacksonville:

Mr. O: First, the helmets are still gross. Second, I never thought that when driving down University and watching “THOSE” apartments being built that I would see a world-class sports authority spring from there. Third, may you and your family (and Coach Gus) have a safe and Merry Christmas. Not too much egg nog tho.

John: I was going to say there’s no such thing as too much egg nog. That is not true.

Josh from Grand Island, NE:

So, Zone … what are your plans for this year’s holiday party since cornering the Culligan girl under the mistletoe is out of the equation?

John: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Nathan from St. Augustine, FL:

If anyone needed smoking-gun evidence that Gus should have been fired after last season, this game was it! This season should not have been the disaster it turned out to be. Let’s hope the next head coach brings more of what we saw Saturday. It’s time! Merry Christmas, Jags nation.

John: Saturday was a big victory for the Jaguars. Does it mean the Jaguars would be over .500 if Bradley had been dismissed sooner? There are going to be those who believe that – and if people want to believe it, that’s fine. For the sake of Jaguars fan and the franchise, I certainly hope it was all coaching and that the team will now turn around in a big way. It’s probably a little more realistic to think that the team played a bit more relaxed with a little more urgency Saturday, and that what we saw Saturday was a very encouraging one-game surge that might not necessarily be what the team would have been all along … but hey, who wants to hear that? It’s Christmas. Enjoy the feeling.

Charlie from Jacksonville:

There will undoubtedly be those who try to assert this victory is proof that Gus’ coaching was all that was holding the team back, which is preposterous. But I do believe there is a grain of truth the team was pressing significantly in an effort to save Gus’ job because he was so well liked.

John: I think perhaps it was more than a grain, but yeah …

Wes from Green Cove Springs, FL:

I know: it’s players not coaches. But do you think players might play better with better coaching/game planning?

John: The people game-planning for the Jaguars on Saturday were the people who game-planned for the first 14 games of the season.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

Merry Christmas to you, too Zone, O-man, O, Mr. Oehser, John Oehser … call you anything but late for dinner right? Merry Krimaaaa!

John: Merry Krimma.

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O-Zone: Sane asylum

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

JACKSONVILLE – Game-day, Christmas Eve O-Zone.

Let’s get to it …

Jeff from Rutland, MA:

If I were interim head coach, and a candidate to return in 2017, I’d want to test out all my offensive weapons in these next two games before I applied – so I’d know more about what I was getting into. But that’s me.

John: In the case of Doug Marrone with the Jaguars – as is the case with most NFL interim head coaches – he had been on the coaching staff an extensive period of time before ascending to interim head coach. Marrone has coached the offensive line, so he has a pretty good idea the talent on the roster at that spot. He has a relatively good idea the talent at other positions, too. Could he play third-team quarterback Brandon Allen in the final two games? I suppose – and if he did, he automatically would become a phenomenally popular guy among a big portion of the fan base. But I don’t see it happening because Marrone and Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell appear to believe Blake Bortles is still the team’s best option to win. As far as other spots on either offense or defense, I can think of few spots outside perhaps Myles Jack at Otto linebacker where I think there are players potentially being under-used. Still, the conversation is in a very real sense moot. I wouldn’t say there’s no chance of Marrone being the head coach next season, but it’s obviously pretty slim – and I don’t think he’s coaching the next two games with the idea of looking ahead to next season.

Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire:

Mighty ‘O,’ Happy Christmas from this side of The Pond. One ‘fer Krimma?!

John: One fer Krimma.

Daniel from Urban:

Two things, John: 1. After consistently saying he wouldn’t fire Gus Bradley during the season, what changed Shad Khan’s mind? The Houston loss didn’t seem worse than that Titans loss. Second, any chance we could see Marty Schottenheimer on the coaching candidate list? I get the playoff knock but the man always seems to build competitive teams.

John: The timing of Bradley’s departure isn’t really the mystery people seem to believe. Khan and General Manager David Caldwell met in Dallas at the NFL Owners Meetings last week and made the final determination that Bradley indeed would need to be dismissed. It had seemed obvious to everyone that dismissing Bradley was likely and even inevitable, but that was when the final decision was made. At that point, with both wanting to start the process of searching for a head coach, it was decided to make the move as soon as possible. Because it was already so late in the week, it was decided to wait until after the Houston game. The timing of the decision had nothing to do with the Texans loss – and the decision actually had been made to do it whether or not the Jaguars won or lost in Houston. That was really what went into the decision; it wasn’t more complicated than that. Could it have been handled better? I suppose, but there aren’t many really good ways to part ways with a head coach – particularly one everyone admired as much as Bradley. As far as Schottenheimer, I was a big fan of his when he coached and never thought he got the credit he deserved as a front-line, all-time head coach. But I don’t see him becoming a head coach again. It would appear that time has passed.

Hippy Ryan from Fleming Island, FL:

I’m confident every player on this team felt responsible for the letdown that ended in Gus’s release as they shook his hand on the plane last Sunday. Let’s hope something positive will be gained as a team. Tighten up

John: #Tightenup

Biff from Jacksonville:

Hey O, can you ask Bill from Danville to share that crystal ball he uses to verify that Jack wouldn’t play better than the two veterans in front of him?

John: Bill may not have a crystal ball, but Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith have played well enough this season the he probably doesn’t need one. I’m all for seeing Myles Jack on the field more, but at the expense of Posluszny or Smith? Nah.

Matt from Easton, PA:

In his exit interview, Gus revealed something that makes it clear to me (and I imagine many others) why he wasn’t successful as a head coach and excelled as a defensive coordinator. He explained that once a player is given to him, he will work as hard as he can to help that player be the best he can be until the player is taken away from him by someone else. With Seattle, he had a head coach to give and take players from him. No one was going to make those decisions for him with the Jaguars, and he admitted that he needs someone in that role or he will constantly stick with the guys he has (i.e. Bortles). Am I just rambling here or do you think there is any truth to this thought?

John: I would say there’s probably some truth to it. Bradley certainly seemed to think so. There were many, many reasons the Jaguars struggled over the past four seasons, and I can’t say this was near the top of the list. But is it a way Bradley could have done better? Sure.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

HAHAHA … I will believe your “guarantees” when I see it. Till then I highly doubt your “guarantees” because a 2-12 record, 44 yards of offense last week and a 36-22 beat down from the Titans last time that was more like 36-0 says you are delusional. Better put down the spiked egg nog for a bit there, O.

John: My guarantee that the Jaguars won’t lose Sunday has nothing to do with the 2-12 record, the 44 yards offense last week (150 yards, actually) and/or the beat down in October. I won’t be drinking any egg nog until Sunday because, either. I might drink it Saturday after the game, though.

Chuck from Jacksonville:

At this point, the comment “the coaches think” has no credibility. The current coaches will be gone, so I don’t get why we should agree to the concept that Jack should not play more. Bad coaching decisions are the reason they are out. So the one regarding Jack, in theory, could be a wrong one.

John: No one’s asking you to agree to anything. It’s very much OK if you don’t.

Kyle from Jacksonville:

I know quite a few people have brought up Myles Jack and the reasons they believe he should or should not be playing. I understand those points. However, it seems everybody is only looking at this in a very in-the-box fashion – i.e., “We have three linebacker spots, which one does he play?” They should be asking “Is Myles Jack one of our 11 best defensive players?” If the answer is yes, get him on the field, no excuses. I don’t care if that means somebody making a move to safety, get him on the field. Last I checked our defense is ranked 24th against the run so any excuse involving Dan Skuta as a run defender is a hollow one. Also, is your house on fire, Clark? Merry Christmas, O!

John: It’s very easy to say “move someone to safety,” but the reality is you’re not going to move Paul Posluszny to safety, so that leaves Smith or Jack. Smith has played linebacker since entering the NFL and has played it at a high level, so you don’t want to move him. That leaves Jack, which would mean moving a linebacker to a new position in his first NFL season. That sounds easy and it might work in Madden. Perhaps it’s not as easy in real life. As far as Skuta is concerned, I find the notion that the coaches feel they need to make an “excuse” to play him curious. Why would they force Skuta on the field over a highly-touted draft selection if they didn’t think he was the best player to play? What possible incentive would they have to do that? Also, don’t overemphasize rushing yards allowed per game as a way of measuring the Jaguars’ run defense. A better gauge might be yards per run allowed. The Jaguars rank seventh in that area at 3.8 yards per attempt. And by the way, Kyle: Those little lights? They’re not twinkling.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

“I will go a step further and guarantee they will not beat the Jaguars Sunday.” Very sneaky, O. Everyone knows that it’s always the Jaguars who beat the Jaguars.

John: My guarantee that the Jaguars will not lose Sunday has nothing to do with the Jaguars propensity for beating themselves on Sundays.

Brian from Round Rock, TX:

To the surprise of sports fans everywhere, the definition of insanity is not doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. In fact, practicing something is often the act of doing the same thing over and over again, expecting to improve at the task. Look it up! Am I right?

John: Yes, you are.

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O-Zone: Harder than it looks

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Bob from St. Augustine, FL:

Wait a minute, Oh Willy Namath … are you actually guaranteeing a victory or is this simply a warranty?

John: I guaranteed that the Jaguars will not lose to the Titans Sunday. And I stand by that. No way, no how.

John from Browns Mills, NJ:

What happened? Blake looked great last year. I really thought we would get .500 ball this year.

John: What happened is sort of complicated, but not incredibly so. What happened was was good enough last season to look really good at times – but not good enough for the Jaguars to win very often. What also happened was he didn’t make some necessary strides in decision-making and accuracy in the offseason. What happened along with that is defenses this season schemed to take away his best receiver’s best play – i.e., ’s deep, 50-50 ball. What happened is that a combination of those things and a bit of digression has meant that Bortles really has struggled this season, particularly with games in the balance. And yeah, you weren’t alone: a lot of people thought the Jaguars would improve, but when you have a minus-17 turnover ratio and don’t play well in the fourth quarter it’s difficult to win in the NFL.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

So for Christmas all of us Jags fans just get another year of the middle finger. All our old coaches are succeeding. A lot of our former players are Pro-Bowl bound. And we have our ninth straight losing season and sixth straight top ten pick. Why do we never get anything nice? I’m sick of this constant hopelessness.

John: Merry Christmas, Logan.

Jordan from Jacksonville:

What is the culture like inside the building during the Doug Marrone era?

John: The culture during the Doug Marrone era is the culture of a team with an interim coach. That means it’s a culture of players trying to adjust quickly while playing the final two games of a season long since lost. Marrone is a very capable coach and I think he has handled a difficult situation as well as can be expected. But to expect a major culture change in three days is expecting a lot.

Dan from Jacksonville:

Am I the only one who believes Gus should not have been fired? I honestly believe the Jags let a very talented (albeit imperfect) coach go – and in doing so, decreased their chances of long-term success. Gus turned the Jags into a competitive team that could potentially beat any team in the NFL. As a fan who has followed the Jags closely since 1999, I truly believe Gus was building something special here and was on the verge of breaking through a barrier that would make the Jags a playoff contender. The barrier perhaps was a strong, consistent quarterback. To me, the Jags no longer seem like the Jags without Gus. Something special died last Sunday. Am I alone in these sentiments! John or are others feeling the same way?

John: You’re not alone, though you’re obviously in the minority. I said often I didn’t believe Gus Bradley was the predominant reason the Jaguars were 14-48 during his tenure. I also thought a lot of the 2-12 record this season was out of his control. At the same time, it’s close to impossible to maintain even the most positive of cultures forever in professional sports when you’re not winning. I’m all for continuity, but as I also said many times in recent weeks: continuity was going to be a tough, tough sell after four years with so few victories.

Matt from DC:

You indicate that “Bortles has some attributes that still give him a chance to be a franchise quarterback.” Other than size, what are the attributes that you believe he has that are indicative of franchise quarterback potential?

John: Size. Leadership ability. The proven production from 2015. The moments – and there have been moments – when he makes special plays and special throws that not every quarterback can make. These things I’ve listed aren’t enough, and he has to add a lot, but those are the attributes that at least give him a chance.

Carol from Jacksonville:

I watched Blake’s press conference Wednesday and I am extremely sad that he continually said “we” should have done more, etc. about Gus getting fired. If you are the quarterback you should just say you should have done more … the “we” part really shook me – this man has not been taught to take the blame for what he has caused – two offensive coordinator firings and one head coach.

John: I was at the press conference, Carol – and I heard Bortles say “I.” I also have listened to most of Bortles’ public press statements during his NFL career. I can tell you that of all of Bortles’ shortcomings as an NFL quarterback, an unwillingness to take the blame for his play is not among them.

Pamela from Atlantic Beach, FL:

John, I know we’re looking ahead, but Tom Savage was yet another example of a backup ready to play; so I’m hoping we can see someone other than Bortles under center this week. If he truly gives us the best chance to win then there can be no debate as to whether we have the worst quarterback room in the league, and if Billy O can pull his $70 Million dollar man we can certainly sit Blake.

John: I have received many, many emails along these lines this week. I get it. I understand the sentiment. I wouldn’t be against seeing play. At this point, there’s probably not much harm – and at this point, I don’t even know that it would shake up the dynamic of Bortles potentially being the franchise guy moving forward. What I can tell you is I would be very surprised if Bortles doesn’t start and play all of the games the next two weeks.

Ken from Ontario, CA:

For Bortles to be our “Franchise Quarterback” we need to address the offensive line this coming offseason. Plain and simple. Give him another second every play to be protected, a line that can be better at the running game and a line that’s healthy. Plain and simple. Oh… and a head coach with a “run-first-to-get-a-second-and-short” mentality. Blake’s got potential, just need to surround him with some big healthy offensive linemen.

John: OK.

Morgan from Jacksonville:

I know it is very unlikely, but what would you think about bringing Gus back to be the defensive coordinator under a new head coach? The defense is on the rise for the most part and we brought him here after his defensive success. Is it just too much going on after his release for him to have a chance at coming back in a lesser role?

John: Gus Bradley won’t be the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator next season.

Dan from Orange Park, FL:

Zone, I’m counting seven Raiders Pro Bowl selections that all could have just as easily been Jags either via draft or free agency over the past four years – as compared to our zero. So, if Reggie McKenzie is the standard by which all other general managers shall be measured since 2013, what grade would you give Caldwell?

John: Not as good as McKenzie’s yet, obviously.

Ryan from Dearborn, MI:

John, I just read the best quote of the week regarding the firing of Gus Bradley, and it comes from . This is why some of us wanted Gus fired earlier in the season. Jackson: “It is what it is. The train doesn’t stop for anybody. Gus got fired. We’ve got to keep rolling and go out here and win some games, or Khan’s going to fire one of us, too.” That’s what this team needs. A real fire lit under them and a belief that their jobs really are on the line if they don’t turn it around.

John: Jackson’s quote pretty much sums it up. As for whether a substantial “fire” would have been lit with a coaching change – it usually doesn’t work that way. A coaching change usually results in a one- or two-game impact – and then the team settles back to its normal level. Alas, we’ll never know.

Steve from Crystal River:

It may be obvious to some but I am really struggling with this. There are hundreds of college football programs in this country. That means there are hundreds of quarterbacks in this country playing college. I realize that the level of competition is different. However, why is it so hard to find 32 competent quarterbacks in the NFL with so many that play the position? I get it … not everyone can be Tom Brady. But shouldn’t it be easy to find the Andy Dalton-like or Dak Prescott-like kids out of all the colleges? It just seems like it should be easier than what it has been for teams than it is. What is the problem?

John: One problem is that college and professional football are different enough to practically be different sports. The difference in the speed of the game makes it so. Why is it hard to find a quarterback who can play at a high level in the NFL? The simplest answer is it’s a hard position. Like, really hard.

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