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O-Zone: Tears of a clown

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

JACKONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Don from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

How do you think the players are going to respond to the new culture? We know that some will want out. They will be asked to do things that they will not want to do.

John: I imagine the “new culture” will send some shockwaves through the Jaguars’ locker room, and I don’t doubt there will be day-to-day changes in meetings, practice, the locker room, etc. Still, I don’t foresee players being overwhelmed or confused by the changes. These guys have played football most of their lives for different coaches with different approaches. The atmosphere under Head Coach Doug Marrone seems certain to have a harder-edged, old-school feel than the atmosphere under former Head Coach Gus Bradley. Will that be a change? Sure. Will it cause players to flee for the door and go crying to their mommies? I don’t see that. They’re football players. They’ll adapt to the changes – or they won’t. If they don’t, I don’t get the impression saying good-bye to them will bother Marrone all that much. I don’t get the impression it will bother Tom Coughlin all that much, either.

Mr. Chan from Springfield, FL:

If Tom Coughlin is “Vice President” of Football Operations, then who is the “President” of Football Operations?

John: /Raises hand

Mike from Mount Isle of Palms, SC:

I am all for trading for Philip Rivers at any cost. Then maybe we could finally beat San Diego (uh-oh … Los Angeles)!!

John: I keep hearing about Philip Rivers to the Jaguars, and he indeed is an elite quarterback who usually gives his team a chance to win and who will go down as one of the better quarterbacks of his era. He’s a quarterback a lot of teams would love to have on their roster. I guess I haven’t heard yet why the Chargers are no longer one of those teams.

Joe from Jacksonville:

So, the Chargers can change their helmets design three times in a week. Not the Jags, though; we are stuck with the laughingstock helmets of the NFL. Why is that, Mr. O?

John: The Chargers have not changed their helmet design. The logos that have been seen this week were marketing logos and not helmet designs.

Jon from Ocala, FL:

Hi, John. Do you know the last time there has been an NFL season with no head-coaching changes? I would Google it, but I’d rather have you do that. Thanks!

John: I didn’t feel like Googling it, either.

Paul from Jupiter, FL:

Man, this really smells like David Caldwell got demoted to Head Scout. I thought Dave did a good job. Sure, the jury is still out on , but he had a lot of doubles and triples. Then again, why would he sign a three-year extension if he felt demoted?

John: Caldwell is more than head scout. Just how the responsibilities break down with Coughlin now on staff remain to be seen. I thought Jaguars Owner Shad Khan said it best this week when he talked about Caldwell being a talented young executive. He’s that – and the best thing that could happen for his reputation around the NFL is for the moves made by the Jaguars this week to work. If so, a lot of the players Caldwell has drafted in the last four seasons would be a huge reason – and Caldwell would then correctly get a lot of credit for the Jaguars’ success.

Dave from Jacksonville:

Something tells me you would like to see the Jags lose next year just to support your refrain of “coaching doesn’t matter.”

John: I’ve never to my recollection said coaching doesn’t matter in the NFL. I have said that coaching is often blamed far too much for everything that goes wrong in the NFL when in fact coaching of course is always part of it when something goes wrong – but rarely all of what goes wrong. It’s hard for people to accept that, because people want to blame one thing and want to rid their teams of one thing in the hopes that doing so will cure all that ails that team. I can’t control what is difficult for people to accept. What I can control is what I write here in the O-Zone – and what I often write here in the O-Zone is that it’s always coaching in the NFL … because, of course, it’s always coaching in the NFL.

Robert from Moorpark, CA:

Zones, are you as surprised as I am that teams are putting their trust in very young first-year head coaches? The guy for the Rams’ introduction speech was exactly the same as Gus Bradley’s except I’ve never even heard of the guy. “It’s not about winning … it’s about getting better every day … blah, blah, blah.” WHAT? Do teams not pay attention to what happens to other teams? I’m pumped for the Jags and Tomcat next season, though.

John: I’m not surprised teams are putting trust in young, first-year head coaches. One reason for that is I have ceased to be surprised at the decisions of NFL owners. These are wealthy, successful men who have the right to their own vision and often implement that vision without regard for outside opinion or conventional wisdom. I specifically was not surprised by the Los Angeles Rams hiring 30-year-old Sean McVay as head coach; his reputation as a young-up-and-coming coaching talent has been growing rapidly. As far as his introduction speech being similar to Bradley’s … that absolutely didn’t surprise me. It has become vogue among fans and observers to believe that everything that Bradley did, said or thought was absolutely and utterly wrong. That’s what happens when you lose as many games as Bradley did in a four-year period. And it’s wonderful that Coughlin and Marrone are speaking more about winning than Bradley did; that’s a shift in focus that could help change the culture and create a needed sense of urgency. The losing has gone on long enough in Jacksonville that clearly change was necessary. At the same time, the philosophy of getting better every day, focusing on improvement and not constantly talking about winning is by no means an idiotic, delusional approach. There are plenty of successful coaches, teams and programs that take the same approach. So, am I surprised when I hear other coaches discuss a similar philosophy? Not in the least.

Troy from Dover, PA:

How does this sound? … San Diego Jaguars

John: It sounds like some things you might find in a very famous zoo, and it also sounds like something an uninformed observer might say – or something a frustrated San Diegan might say. Considering the obvious, consistent commitment Jaguars Owner Shad Khan has shown to the city of Jacksonville for more than five years, it mostly sounds silly, outdated, petty, pointless, tone-deaf, sad, foolish, inaccurate and desperate – essentially, it sounds like something that isn’t happening.

Mark from Archer, FL:

John, count me among those who have been swayed after the press conference Thursday. With Coughlin running things, I expect us to win. This team needs a firm hand to guide – and now we have that with our VP and the coach that I have read that Coughlin wanted. If Marrone is good enough for Coughlin, he is good enough for me to coach the team.

John: #TCTWD

PK from Atlanta, GA:

With the recent hires of Vance Joseph, Anthony Lynn, Sean McDermott, Sean McVay and our own Doug Marrone, it seems NFL owners were less worried about making a big splash with name recognition than they were with hiring someone they felt could best do the job. History tells us that at least a few of these won’t be successful, and this is not a knock on Smith, Shanahan or McDaniels, but maybe fans don’t know nearly as much as we think we do sometimes. Thoughts?

John: Stop right there, PK. Fans are always right. So is the media. And it’s always coaching in the NFL. There are truths in life and there are TRUTHS – and we mustn’t forget the big ones.

Mike from Jacksonville:

When fans questioned the “culture” under Bradley, the team, this site and former players made us out be crazy. Now from the owner down all we hear is how we needed a new culture. So, essentially, we had to endure a losing culture for four years.

John: When teams lose, the culture is bad and gets changed. When teams win, the culture is awesome and stays the same. It’s professional sports’ circle of life.

Keith from Summerville, SC:

Will Tom Coughlin have any say on that square table you guys use for Jags of the Round table? I can’t watch the show just because of that table.

John: Coughlin mentioned this to me Friday at lunch. I knew this was a key moment in our relationship, and knew I needed to stand my ground or risk him losing respect for me forever. I gave him a blank look and began to cry.

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O-Zone: Still here

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Christian from Orlando, FL:

I am very happy with Tom and the attitude and direction he brings. I think Doug Marrone will have a much better handle on head-coaching duties than Gus did, at the very least. However, I can’t stand how little due diligence seems to have been done. An outside firm was hired and a handful of coaches were interviewed, but the man in charge wasn’t there for anything. He simply gave two names and said pick one? Anything that was done without Coughlin in the room was a waste of time and effort, in my opinion. How can Khan be so sure that this was the right direction for the franchise?

John: Your concern is understandable, but things in this case aren’t as they seem for a couple of reasons. First, the Jaguars interviewed five head-coaching candidates; that’s a standard, reasonable number. Also, your question implies that Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin had little knowledge about Marrone. Coughlin is legendarily diligent in preparation and had an entire offseason and season off this past year, during which he worked to stay close to the game and gather information on coaches, players, etc. If Coughlin offered Marrone as one of the two candidates who was right for the job, it’s safe to say he didn’t do so without careful consideration and research.

Matt from Orange Park, FL:

Hard to starboard! Ship righted. Titanic just got upgraded to a Win Craft. You heard it here first: Jags win Super Bowl LIV in Miami!

John: How many consecutive titles will that make?

Glen from Riverside:

I hear people saying Tom Coughlin is taking a big part of David Caldwell’s job. I tend to think Caldwell will continue in the same position and responsibilities, while Coughlin steps in and does more of Shad Khan’s job. What is your feel for this?

John: Coughlin’s duties as executive vice president of football operations will resemble those of Jaguars general manager David Caldwell far more than those of owner Shad Khan. Coughlin and Caldwell both primarily will deal with football operations – and Coughlin and Caldwell both will be heavily involved with shaping the direction of the team and building the roster. Khan certainly has interest in those areas, but he doesn’t delve into the details on a daily basis.

Austin from Orlando, FL:

What a difference a couple of years make. I remember when everybody said Wayne would sell the team to someone that would move it to L.A. Instead, both St. Louis and San Diego lost their teams while Wayne sold it to a guy committed to keeping it in Jacksonville. Can we get a one fer Khan and a one fer the Weavers?

John: One fer Khan. One fer the Weavers. #DTWD

Jeremy from Dodge City, KS:

O, if I could make a quick statement to all the fans out there: Tom Coughlin believes in . It’s time to stop doubting Bortles and get behind – and believe in – him as our quarterback!!! I’m thinking at least playoffs … at least!

John: Coughlin has been in his position for less than a week, and he pretty much started in the building on a full-time basis Friday. Coughlin and Marrone on Thursday both said Bortles is the quarterback. They will dive deep, deep into personnel and roster evaluation in the coming months, and they will certainly look at every position on the Jaguars – and all players available in free agency and the draft. That includes quarterback. What direction the Jaguars go at all of those positions remains to be seen. I don’t think there’s any question Bortles will have a chance to be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback next season. I think there’s a good chance he will be the starting quarterback. But to say it’s a guarantee he’s the Week 1 starter? No. Not yet.

Kyan from Le Mars:

Ben Roethlisberger in his third season had fewer yards, fewer touchdowns and more interceptions than Blake Bortles in his third season. I know you can’t assume that Blake will be as successful as Big Ben, but hopefully Doug can put him in a better situation and he can be a franchise quarterback. He is young; he just needs to grow. As Aaron Rodgers would say R-E-L-A-X.

John: I suspect Bortles will have every chance to be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback next season.

Pradeep from Bangalore, India:

Hi John, with increased criticism on Blake Bortles by fans and media, I still believe he for sure will be the improved quarterback the Jaguars are hoping for. He has always displayed great leadership qualities when we lost so many games. Plus, he is always humble and willing to learn. We just need to be patient for one more year.

John: I imagine we’ll see improvement from Bortles because I believe he is aware what he needs to do to improve in the offseason – and I believe he feels an urgency to do so. I believe he worked last offseason, but now realizes that the work needs to involve basics and fundamentals with his personal quarterbacks coaches in California. He has shown the benefits of offseason work before. We’ll see if he can make similar strides this offseason.

Scot from Aurora, IL:

If the OTTO position is to go away, would it make sense to move Poz to the strong-side linebacker position to make room for my guy, , at the middle-linebacker position? I only ask because his ceiling is supposedly absurd in its height.

John: I wouldn’t rule it out.

John from Cape May, NJ:

I mentioned this idea a few months ago during the darkest moments of the season, and with the recent news of Chargers moving to L.A. – combined with the fact that Shad Khan wants to win now – and throw in the fact that Philip Rivers has publicly stated he does not want to play in LA – could the Jags pull the trigger on a deal? Considering Rivers had a down season, where I believe he led the league in picks, he would be a prime buy-low candidate. If all it took was a second-round pick, and perhaps a later-round pick in the 2018 draft, I think that’s a deal you make. The time to win is now, and Rivers would give us a much better chance than Blake ever will.

John: It’s fine for Rivers to not want to play in Los Angeles. And it’s true he didn’t have his best season this past season. I like Rivers as a quarterback very much and I think he would improve most teams’ quarterback situations, including the Jaguars. But as tempting as it may be for fans to think of trading for Rivers … well, considering he’s still an elite quarterback – and considering how tough it is to find elite quarterbacks – I’ll believe the Chargers are trading Rivers when I see it.

Hugo from Albuquerque, NM:

John, now that the new regime has officially said the word “winning” what can be done if this team still doesn’t win after having said that magic word?

John: Panic, chaos … you know, the normal responses.

Marcus from Jacksonville:

In my estimation, Doug Marrone and Mike Smith were the best candidates for the Jags’ head-coaching job, so I was pleased with the Marrone hiring. I am even more pleased as I have seen the hirings made by other teams … a lot of young, inexperienced coaches (in terms of head coaching). I am also surprised Smith didn’t land one of those jobs and chose to extend with the Bucs. Do you think that was his choice, or do you think teams weren’t as interested in him as previously thought? I assumed he would be one of the first coaches to be hired.

John: I thought Marrone and Smith felt very similar in several ways, with the most important way being that both had proven they knew how to win in the NFL. Marrone’s record wasn’t as impressive as Smith’s, but he had a winning record in his second and final season, so the grade was “incomplete” and certainly not failure. There are a limited number of head-coaching jobs open in every offseason and more candidates than can be hired. That means some qualified candidates aren’t going to get jobs. I figure Smith will get a head-coaching job next offseason. We’ll see.

Michael from Middleburg, FL:

Coughlin is not a god, a genie or even a miracle worker. Let’s wait until he does something to improve the Jags before anyone appoints him one.

John: Fair point.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

What is the minimum number of times that Coughlin/Caldwell/Marrone must say “winning” in order for the Jags to have a winning season? There has to be some research on this.

John: I have some calls out on this. I’ll report back when I hear more.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

I don’t think this new structure will work. I think Tom still wants to coach. He went out in New York kicking and screaming and Dave has been reduced to a high-paid scout.

John: Ladies and gentlemen … Jerell!!

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O-Zone: Classic

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Trent from Fernandina Beach, FL:

Who has more say in who the team drafts: the general manager or head coach? And does one of them have all of the drafting control?

John: Who has what level of say over who an NFL team drafts depends on how a team’s front office is structured – and that depends on how each particular NFL owner wants it structured. In the case of the Jaguars, general manager David Caldwell and executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin – as well as head coach Doug Marrone – will work as a team to come to decisions. Coughlin made that very clear throughout Thursday’s press conference at EverBank Field. Jaguars Owner Shad Khan made it equally clear at that time that the ultimate decision will be made by Coughlin.

Alexis from MD:

I’ve been a Raiders fan for years and I’ve been drawn to the Jaguars for a number of reasons other than them being a top-tier team. Do you think can actually get it together? Do you think the problem is him or a mix of his shoulder injury and offensive line? I’m loving the moves Jacksonville is making and I’m just praying for a great team in the years to come. I pledge my allegiance to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

John: Bortles sustained his shoulder injury in November, so whatever struggles he had this season at the most could be partially attributed to that situation. And while his offensive line wasn’t elite, he more often than not had time enough to be effective. Can Bortles get it together? That is the most important question now facing this organization. He has done good things. He played better in the last two games of the regular season in 2016 than he had during most of the first 14 games. He appears likely to spend a lot of time this offseason with his personal quarterbacks coaches, Adam Dedeaux and Tom House. He worked with them extensively in the 2015 offseason and made good offseason progress – and he realistically needs to make as much or more progress this offseason. Do I think he can do it? It’s possible, but far from a guarantee. As for your new allegiance … welcome aboard.

Daniel Since Day One:

He’s back! We missed you, Tom, and wish you all the best. Ya got some real good tools to work with, and I know you’ll get the most out of each one! May I suggest you start with this O-Zone character. … He works every day – I mean, for real. Every freakin day! And yet it seems like he’s not used to his full potential! I think you can get more out of him. Bring it… #tctwd #ozthd

John: #TCTWD … indeed. #OZTHD … nah.

Dave from L.A.:

Just watched introductory event. Tom and Doug are true football men. There’s an intensity and hunger for winning there that I haven’t seen in Jacksonville for quite some time. Count me as cautiously optimistic. See ya in September.

John: Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone both indeed have a hunger and intensity for winning, and they did an outstanding job articulating that during Thursday’s press conference.

Cliff from Las Vegas, NV:

Here we are four days later and I still can’t make clockwise circles with my right foot and draw a six in the air with my right hand at the same time … ahhhh, the offseasons in Duval.

John: Stay at it.

Tim from Lancaster:

The most positive way I can spin this hiring is hoping that it turns out like Mularkey did for the Titans with a seemingly uninspiring hire leading to unexpected success. Time will tell.

John: I wonder why people believe the Marrone hiring needs spinning, or why people believe it uninspiring. We’re talking about a head coach who went 9-7 in his final season with the Buffalo Bills and who also is a rare NFL commodity: a head coach with head-coaching experience whose last season featured a winning record and who never has been fired from an NFL head-coaching job. Considering that, is success really that unexpected?

Matt from Section 133:

I’m excited about having Tom Coughlin back. The man is a champion. But didn’t his decisions as de facto general manager during his tenure here lead to crippling salary-cap issues? I always got the perception that he was a brilliant head coach, but iffy GM-type. The memories of those days temper my excitement somewhat.

John: Yes, Coughlin’s 1990s/2000s Jaguars ran into brutal salary-cap issues following four consecutive playoff appearances. Such cap problems are far rarer in today’s NFL and there’s no reason that issue must repeat itself.

Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:

Jason Garrett. Art Shell. Don Coryell. Marty Schottenheimer. Marv Levy. All interim head coaches who went on to success as permanent head coaches. None of them supported by an executive vice president of football operations who coached a team to two Super Bowls. There is hope in Duval.

John: #DTWD

Chris from Section 437:

I’m fine with Bortles being the guy. I just hope they have him on a short leash next season with a legitimate backup plan in case the season starts off like 2016. This franchise can’t afford another lost season because of poor quarterback play. What do you think?

John: I think Bortles is the Jaguars’ quarterback right now, and I think Coughlin, Marrone, Caldwell and the next offensive coordinator will be having some intense, serious, well-thought-out discussions over the next few weeks about just what that means.

Stephen from Glorieta:

O-man, the title “Executive VP” that Tom Coughlin has … just what does that job entail? I don’t question his ability/knowledge in the least. I just want to know how involved he’ll be. I hope it’s a lot.

John: It entails what Khan wants it to entail. In this case, it entails that Coughlin is running the Jaguars’ football operations – and in the case of Coughlin, that means he’ll be involved a lot. In everything. And when it comes to the Jaguars’ football operations, that ain’t a bad thing.

Michael from Middleburg, FL:

After hearing who’s going to do what this year … if the Jags end up with a winning season and maybe even got into the playoffs … do you think Marrone will get credit from the public and media or will it fall to Coughlin?

John: I’ve never been good at knowing who’s going to get credit from the public and media when it comes to an NFL team. That’s probably because I don’t care much who gets credit from the public or media when it comes to an NFL team. What I do know is that if the Jaguars end up with a winning season, Coughlin and Marrone both probably will get a lot of praise. If they lose, I’m sure Marrone will get the blame. That’s because studies show that it’s always coaching in the NFL.

Lamar from Los Angeles:

Hi John, I’ve been a Jags fan from the beginning, and I need some help understanding why the Jags gave Tom Coughlin complete control over the roster. First, let’s not forget that Coughlin’s previous tenure with the Jags and most recent tenure with the Giants ended poorly. Disciplinarians who don’t win tend to lose favor quickly in professional sports. Second, I’ve read that Super Bowl-winning head coaches who go on to run a franchise often have trouble repeating their previous success, and none according to reports have even won a playoff game. Finally, I think Dave Caldwell has done a fine job in the draft, while Coughlin’s record as a talent evaluator/selector seems questionable, particularly in the later rounds of the draft. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

John: Khan gave Coughlin control of football operations because the Jaguars haven’t had a winning season 2007 and haven’t been close since 2010. And while all of the points you make are true – about the end of Coughlin’s tenures with the Jaguars and Giants, about ex-Super Bowl head coaches who eventually run franchises and about Dave Caldwell – this move isn’t about what has happened in other situations with other franchise. Success is difficult in the NFL. There’s no sure formula for finding it and just because one former NFL head coach failed in a certain role doesn’t mean a different head coach will follow suit. This is about Khan’s belief that what Coughlin can bring to this situation in this moment is what’s needed. Stay tuned.

Will from Orlando, FL:

Zone, I watched Tom Coughlin speak and I was immediately pumped, ready to take the field. SO EXCITED! #DTWD

John: “This is all nice and dandy, but winning is what this thing is all about.”

Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL:

Something tells me Shadrick won lunch.

John: I was absolutely, positively certain after Thursday’s press conference that I wouldn’t hear a better line for a long time than “this is all nice and dandy, but winning is what this thing is all about.” Then, I read this email.

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O-Zone: Impressive stuff

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, will Coach Marrone, Hackett and Wash get another four years to achieve success? Please don’t think this question is all snark. The truth is Shad Khan, for better or worse, clearly believes in giving his folks time to realize their visions. Now that it’s a new vision, will Marrone have multiple years to see it through?

John: I imagine Jaguars Owner Shad Khan will be asked some sort of time-frame question Thursday at the press conference to introduce Tom Coughlin as executive vice president of football operations and Doug Marrone as head coach. Until Khan answers that question, we won’t know for certain – but I seriously doubt Khan is expecting to wait four more seasons to win. This is a much different situation than when Gus Bradley and David Caldwell took over as head coach and general manager, respectively, in 2013. That was perceived as a major rebuild and a resetting of the very foundation of the roster. This 2017 version is a team that appears to be talented at many positions and that therefore appears capable of winning relatively quickly.

Jeff from Jacksonville:

Jason Garrett was an interim coach when he was hired full-time by the Dallas Cowboys and he’s probably about to win coach of the year. Just because you work for someone else’s staff doesn’t mean you have the same philosophy. It also helps to have guys like Romo and Prescott at QB making you look good.

John: Yes. Yes.

Seth from Denver, CO:

When I first heard the news about Marrone being hired as HC, my reaction was “meh.” Then I got a little disappointed, having hoped for Mike Smith. Finally, I realized there’s a really positive, seemingly overlooked benefit to retaining Marrone and the rest of the staff: continuity. Haven’t we been complaining about how has had multiple offensive coordinators and how that is not ideal for his development, having to learn a new system every year? Well, now it looks like he’ll finally have the same offensive coordinator two years in a row. That has to be good, right?

John: How much continuity the Jaguars do or don’t have entering next season will largely depend on the identity of the Jaguars’ offensive and defensive coordinators. I’m in no way ruling out Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator or Todd Wash as defensive coordinator. They are capable young coaches and the logic behind keeping them in their current positions is sound. At the same time, the Jaguars have not announced their coaching staff yet. When they do so, I’ll be in a better position to discuss continuity.

Tommy from Corona, CA:

This just in: Accountability just walked through the front door. LOVE these moves!

John: The Jaguars almost certainly will have a hard edge with Coughlin as executive vice president of football operations and Marrone as head coach. Players will know what is expected and there will be no doubt about rules and consequences. There will be a more intense feel around the Jaguars on that front.

Daniel from Honolulu, HI:

Why all the negativity from the fan base on the promotion of Marrone? No one knows what he will bring as a head coach – and certainly no one can predict how successful he will be. The other question I have is about the so-called good defense we had last season. They were in the Top 10 in fewest yards allowed, but they were in the bottom of the league in points allowed. I’d rather have them give more yards than points; you still can win that way.

John: Why all the negativity from the fan base? Because Marrone was part of a staff that won eight games over the last two seasons, so there’s naturally a lot of guilt by association – and because many people were hoping the Jaguars would hire one of the Hot Candidates of the 2017 Offseason. As far as what Marrone will bring as a head coach, I actually think we do know. He’ll bring a harder, old-school edge, attention to detail; professionalism, a head-coach demeanor, leadership, and a resume that shows he can win in the NFL. Those things don’t automatically make you a great head coach, but they sure are qualities that can help. I also believe Marrone will inspire confidence and belief among players, and that he knows how to run an NFL organization. As far as the defense last season, I wouldn’t call it a “so-called” good defense; I would call it a good NFL defense. It certainly was an improved one from the previous season. What it wasn’t was an elite defense. That’s because it struggled to get pressure on the passer in key situations and didn’t force turnovers. Those are areas in which the defense must improve.

Kenny from Rochester, NY:

It feels good being the laughingstock of the national media again. Last year’s optimism was weird and didn’t feel right. We are back to where we are supposed to be and it is a good feeling isn’t it?

John: I know many people in the national media. I consider many of them friends. Frankly, what they find amusing concerns me not in the least. Unless they think Dane Cook is funny. Then, I just don’t know what’s going on.

Rusty from New Iberia, LA:

Do you think Gus Bradley will ever be a head coach again, or was his reputation completely ruined by this team?

John: I think it will be very, very difficult for a team to hire Bradley as a head coach because of his record here. Then again, I thought it would be difficult for Jack Del Rio to get another opportunity and I thought it would be very, very difficult for Mike Mularkey to get another opportunity. The NFL is a weird league in which it’s difficult to predict the future. Do I believe Bradley will get another opportunity to be a head coach? Probably not. Is it conceivable? Sure.

Steve from Jacksonville:

My question is about scouting. When a scout is “scouting” a college team, does he have direction from his NFL team to scout a particular quarterback, running back, etc. or is he looking at all of the players for the next projected Pro Bowl player?

John: Area scouts are assigned to college teams, usually by conferences or areas of the country. They are expected to scout and know all draft-eligible players at those schools.

Dave from Duval:

O-Zone, TC IS IN THE HOUSE!! That is what is “different” and “splashy.” The Jaguars have completely restructured their football operations and hired a sure Hall of Famer with two Super Bowl Rings – and he is really the ultimate Mr. Jaguar. Doug Marrone is as qualified a candidate as anybody interviewed. David Caldwell gets to learn from TC. Blake Bortles has one year to prove himself or we draft a quarterback in a quarterback-loaded 2018 class. It’s all good!

John: #TCTWD

Chad from EverBank:

Whether you like it, or hate it, the organization made a coaching decision. What is important is that the team now has a voice to dictate its direction. I’m a Jaguar, so I was going to support their decision, regardless of the candidate. I did immediately question how the Coughlin hiring affects his ability to be welcomed into the Hall of Fame. Does this push his five-year waiting period out, or has it already started?

John: The five-year waiting period for the Hall of Fame applies to players and coaches. It doesn’t not apply to contributors. So unless Coughlin returns to the sidelines as a coach, his clock will be based on his final season coaching the New York Giants: 2015.

Wild Bill from Riverside:

Do you think Coughlin will wear a 20-year old, original Jaguars logo polo when he gives his initial press conference???

John: I doubt it, but I’ll probably be wearing the 11-year-old blazer that I wear for most of the O-Zone video mailbags. And a bobby hat. Or a Santa Hat. Yeah, probably the Santa hat.

E Nuff from Banner Elk, NC:

Austin from Green Bay’s conclusion is spot on. Several reliable sources have noted that no one – I repeat, no one – was interested in the Jags job with Blake Bortles at quarterback. So just as everyone suspects –Marrone got the job by default! Enough of the media spin: this is the worst-case scenario. Unless they bring in an A.J. McCarron or someone of the sort (by the way can play circles around Blake Bortles). The Jags are doomed to another sub.-500 season and another complete overhaul! Thanks Dave Caldwell.

John: You can repeat – I repeat, repeat – whatever you want as often as you want. But I fear your reliable sources aren’t so reliable. Marrone was not the only candidate for the position, nor was he the only coach who wanted the position. This also was not the only position for which Marrone was a candidate. That said, your confidence in your beliefs and conviction in your words is impressive. Being impressive, alas, is not always the same as being correct.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Clear conclusion

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Dave from Dferris:

I’m pretty bummed, John. I was really hoping that Shad and the front office finally “got it” with this past nightmare of a season. However, we are going to roll into the 2017 season with the same quarterback, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator that brought us one win in the last half of 2016. Really?!? Continuity with losing is NOT a good thing! It looks just like an extension of the last four years!!! Whatever – I guess us dumb fans should just shut up and leave it to the “football guys” who know so much more than us. Right.

John: I don’t consider fans dumb, and I don’t think they should shut up. What I do think is that we need to wait a few days to get a clearer idea of what Tuesday’s reported changes will mean. It has been reported that Nathaniel Hackett will return as offensive coordinator and that Todd Wash return as defensive coordinator. What isn’t yet known is how much Hackett and Wash will change their respective schemes. Hackett took over as offensive coordinator with nine games remaining this past season and never had time to overhaul former coordinator Greg Olson’s system, so I expect there to be at least some noticeable change there. Wash ran Head Coach Gus Bradley’s Seattle-based single-high, hybrid-Leo-Otto-based scheme this past season and believed in a lot of what that defense did. How much will Wash change the scheme? That’s a key storyline. Also key is the team’s stance on quarterback . Will competition be brought in? How serious will that competition be? We’re a few days into this thing, and there are a lot of unknowns. Until more is known we won’t know the extent of the continuity you seem to dislike so much.

Don from Ponte Vedra, FL:

You’re talking about a coach who beat Bill Belichick twice in the Super Bowl and ended one perfect season with less talent. He is a legend and it would be a wise thing to listen to him because he knows what he is talking about. How is that a bad move? Doug Marrone will be the next great coach in the league if Tom gets his way. You make it work! That’s the secret. Go Jags!

John: #TCTWD

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

Will the defense continue playing with a single-high safety, or two deep safeties? Do you have a sniff of this yet, or should I check back in a couple weeks?

John: This is one of the key issues to be addressed in the coming days and weeks, and I imagine it will be asked of Head Coach Doug Marrone at the introductory press conference Thursday morning. I expect there will be changes to the defense even with Wash returning as coordinator. I expect we will stop hearing about Otto and Lotto linebackers, and I’d be a little surprised if we hear too much more talk about Leo pass rushers. I don’t have as much of a feel for how Wash will ask the secondary to play. How much will change about the defense remains to be seen. Wash has spent a lot of time working with the defense, but he also has worked in different schemes … so yeah, I expect change. The question is how much.

TJ from Orlando, FL:

Oh, snap: Papa Tom’s home and he has more power than last time. I hope everyone is ready for this. Better be doing their homework this offseason. I, for one, love it.

John: I’m all for “Papa Tom” being home, though I’ll probably drop the “Papa” when I see him and just address him in normal fashion (I’d advise all others to do the same, incidentally). And it indeed will be intriguing to follow Tom Coughlin’s progress as he again puts his stamp on the Jaguars’ organization. But let’s not rewrite history: however much power Coughlin has within the Jaguars’ organization as this moves forward he will not have more power than he did in his last tenure with the Jaguars – that is, unless he owns the team.

Paul Paul from Duval:

What have the Jaguars done in the past decade that would warrant any sense of optimism? I don’t think success is inevitable. I don’t “know” football. Shad Khan is an amazing businessman who has done plenty for Jacksonville and built great infrastructure around the team, but when I saw what happened Monday all I felt was hollow. What needs to happen to turn this feeling around? Winning? Yes, but if it goes like it always does … ah crap … I’m writing O-Zone again. Shoot me.

John: You’re not alone in your feelings, and those feelings are understandable. The Jaguars have lost so much and so consistently in recent seasons that many fans wanted complete change this offseason. Many of those fans now feel hollow in the wake of Monday’s moves and they seem to be waiting to see how the team will perform before getting excited. That all makes sense. The Jaguars for the last decade have earned those feelings of ambivalence, and they really have earned it over the last half-decade. So much has gone wrong and hope has proven so false so often that it would be really, really weird if many people didn’t have doubts about the team’s moves. The only thing that will earn people’s faith will be winning. That’s what it will take. And you know what? That’s OK. That’s what it’s supposed to take.

Steve from Jacksonville:

Would it be fair to assume that the “Super Bowl-winning coach who suggested hiring Marrone” was in fact, Coughlin? If so, I consider that all the praise and recommendation I need at the moment to feel at least pretty good about the choice.

John: You’re referring to a media report late last week that a Super Bowl-winning coach suggested to the Jaguars they hire Marrone as head coach. I rarely assume anything because I don’t want to … well, you know the rest. But I had to guess … well, yeah.

Miguel from Section 144 and Duuuvallll!!!:

I’m glad the Shad Khan had the courage to make his own decision on the next coach (it is his team, after all!). It’s not the sexy or splashy pick, but I believe Coach Marrone – from what he has shown us since becoming the interim coach – has the fortitude and ability to command the position. I think the fact that multiple teams were wanting interviews shows us his value around the league. Familiarity and proximity can taint fans appreciation of in-house coaches abilities i.e. all former Jaguars coaches having success in the league right now. One ‘fer Khaaaaaaan! #DTWD

John: Interim head coaches in the NFL are rarely the popular choice. That’s because interim head coaches are usually promoted from a staff that has played poorly enough that the former head coach is no longer there. But that doesn’t make interim head coaches poor choices. It’s equally true that “sexy,” “splashy” hires have a guarantee of being good hires than unpopular ones. Marrone’s resume and history suggests he is very capable of the job at hand. How the team will fare is anyone’s guess and depends on the Jaguars’ improving in a lot of areas next season. Those areas include pass rush, quarterback play, turnovers and running game. What will the Jaguars do to improve the areas? How much will the areas improve? Those are some of the primary storylines of the offseason and next season. We’ll see.

Brian from Gainesville, FL:

Big O, you recently answered the following: “I expect Bortles to have to compete to be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback next season and ultimately I expect him to be the starting quarterback next season.” Is this because the competition won’t be serious given how Caldwell liked Marrone’s “belief” in Bortles?

John: I believe Bortles will be the starting quarterback because I believe the Jaguars will have a difficult time signing a player who is clearly better than him. You’re probably talking about quarterbacks along the lines of A.J. McCarron and/or Tyrod Taylor. Or Jay Cutler. Or Brian Hoyer or Ryan Fitzpatrick. If the competition doesn’t come from that group, it probably would be from a player around the level of those players. Those players aren’t elite, but they likely would come at a very high price. Will that be a price worth paying? My gut right now is that the leadership of the Jaguars’ organization believes Bortles is capable of developing into a winning quarterback – and that obviously also will play a role in the direction moving forward. We’ll find out more on this Thursday. Stay tuned.

Austin from Green Bay, WI:

John, so the Jaguars fire Gus Bradley two weeks before the end of the season because they say they want to start the coaching search early. They then end up hiring a guy in-house and don’t wait until Josh McDaniels and some of the coaches whose seasons aren’t over are available to interview. It sounds like to me that Caldwell knew not many people were too interested in the Jaguars job. …

John: Many people are drawing that conclusion. It’s not a correct conclusion, but it’s one that’s often drawn when a team hires a coach who wasn’t considered The Hot Candidate of the Offseason. If Marrone wins, it will be a good hire. If not, it won’t. That’s how the NFL works.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Judgment day

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Trevor from Jacksonville:

Same ole Jags (literally) … Sigh

John: This was a common refrain among readers Monday evening, and I understand the sentiment: I really do. I realize because Doug Marrone was the interim head coach, there is a strong feeling among Jaguars fans/observers that assigning him the position permanently doesn’t signal a monstrous change/overhaul. But remember a couple of things: one, Marrone absolutely is a qualified candidate who was going to be a head coach in the NFL relatively soon; and two, he absolutely has a different approach than former Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley. He is older-school, more traditional and more of a no-nonsense guy. The job of an NFL head coach is to run the team, set the tone and establish the direction of the franchise – and I don’t doubt for a minute Marrone can do those things. He showed during his two-week interim status that is he more than comfortable in the head-coaching role. The most intriguing question involves his coordinators. I would be surprised if he doesn’t retain Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, and early reports are that he could retain defensive coordinator Todd Wash. Does that mean the status quo? Perhaps not. Hackett this past season took over Greg Olson’s offense with nine games remaining, so while he tweaked the scheme after that, it was not really “his” offense. So, I doubt the offense will be status quo. As far as Wash and the defense … we’ll see. If he does remain, how much will he change? That is an important question that as yet remains unanswered.

T Revor from 133:

I LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

John: Thanks. I have a pair of pants the same color.

JT from Jacksonville:

With reports out that the Jags will retain the defensive coaching staff, does there need to be some backpedaling from all the players that were bashing those coaches after the season ended? This sounds messy to say the least.

John: Things get said at the end of disappointing seasons. People talk things out, and because players and coaches are “people,” they talk out – whatever issues may linger. Will it be a little awkward? Perhaps, but I doubt it will be a huge issue. Coaches coach and players play. I imagine whatever mess exists can be cleaned up remembering that.

Scott from Aurora, IL:

Feels like a punt.

John: It’s understandable it feels that way. You don’t make a move like this for offseason splash; you make it to win in the regular season. If the Jaguars lose next season, it will be a punt. If they win, it will feel like the splish-, splash-iest hire in NFL history.

Ryan from Largo, FL:

I like the reported Marrone hire. However, I read that the defensive staff will stay. Their stats were good, but how would you see the players’ comments after the season affecting this decision.

John: I wrote at the time the players made the comments that I doubted much if any of what they said would impact the decision regarding the coaching staff’s future. I believed that then and I believe it now. You don’t make decisions on NFL head coaches or staffs based on players’ comments in the media. You make them based on coaches’ ability to coach. This was a staff that for the most part this past season did a good job with a defense that was marked by turnover and new, young players. If the staff stays, a very strong case can be made that the coaches deserved the opportunity.

Joshua from Virginia Beach, VA:

Will remain the starting quarterback?

John: That remains to be seen, and it’s certain to be one of the primary topics of Thursday’s press conference with Tom Coughlin, Doug Marrone and David Caldwell. I expect Bortles to have to compete to be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback next season and ultimately I expect him to be the starting quarterback next season.

Steve from Atlanta, GA:

It appears that Mr. Khan really did think it was coaching after all, huh? I mean if the only difference next year is the absence of Gus, it seems to point that way. Your argument that it wasn’t coaching takes a major shot here.

John: It’s always coaching in the NFL. I think I’ve been pretty consistent on that front.

Chris from Jacksonville:

Can I go ahead and answer a question instead of asking? We at Jaguars.com did not report on the Jaguars signing Coughlin and Marrone first because it is our policy to not report on signings until, well, they have actually signed.

John:
Correct.

Dave from Jacksonville:

Please answer this question seriously: What changes have occurred that should provide hope for us long-suffering fans? It appears that there will only be one change on the coaching staff (a promotion), and you have drilled into our heads that coaching doesn’t matter anyway. The roster will not undergo an overhaul (the GM’s contract was extended), and the dysfunctional quarterback will keep his starting role. In all seriousness, why should we hope for a better record in the near future?

John: The biggest reason to hope for a better record in the near future is that this team was very close to winning a lot of games this past season, which could mean that what is needed is more of a tweak and an adjustment than a major overhaul. This thought process likely will draw outrage in some circles, but I can’t control that; I can only write what I believe. Marrone appeared to have the confidence of players late in the season. They appeared to believe in his direction. The offense also appeared to be more effective at times in the final two games; perhaps that was a result of Marrone and Hackett dictating the offense with more authority and with more control than they had been able to do under Bradley. Those are reasons to believe the Jaguars could be improved next season. But the biggest factors continue to be quarterback play, turnovers, run game and pass rush. Improving those areas remain critical.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

I have zero hope for the future of the Jaguars. Reasonable expectations for next year in my mind is four wins. Get there and I will be shocked. Anything more than that and hell might freeze over. That is how pathetic this team has been the last six years.

John: If I’m reading your email correctly, it seems you feel pretty good about the future of the Jaguars.

James from Grand Ridge, FL:

Your thoughts on the NFL banning a suspended player (I think on like the third-time violation) from the team’s building. I can understand the ‘punishment;’ however, wouldn’t it benefit the player’s rehab to have the structure and support of the team more than a weekly phone call if player is sincere in wanting to stop his addiction or behavior?

John: NFL rules currently mandate that players suspended under the substance-abuse policy can remain with the team during the “initial” four-game suspension but not on subsequent suspensions. A player suspended under the performance-enhancing-substances policy can’t be around the facility. I believe the more players can be around the facility the better, though once they get to the one-year level it indeed has reached a point where perhaps an outside approach – and separation from the league – is needed and warranted.

Doug from Jacksonville:

I wish I spent more time watching highlight reels on YouTube, then I could talk about “watching game film.” I wish I was proficient in “Madden,” then I could talk intelligently about play-calling. I wish I had clamored for to be cut the last two years like all the other general managers writing in so I could … oh, wait. Well, I guess I won’t call for Bortles to be cut. I won’t demand anything except what I can only assume Khan is doing … putting together the best people for success. I may wait a year to renew my season tickets since it hasn’t even been fun to go to EverBank, but that’s still up in the air. I wish I had the conviction of people who can make categorical demands like “Cut Bortles” or “Draft Manziel,” but I don’t have the info the general manager does. So, I feel like it would show my ignorance to make such demands.

John: Madden’s cool. People like it.

Gamble from Brasilia, Brasil:

You know why few diehard fans are excited about Marrone? Because this had to be his narrative: “Yes, the Jaguars have been on a historic run of losing and incompetence while I was the assistant head coach — but I was handcuffed and watched helplessly the last two years as Bradley alone crushed dreams.” Is that and 15-17 a winning argument?

John: I’m guessing Shad Khan was less concerned about offseason narrative and more concerned about trying to structure the organization in the best possible manner and trying to find the best possible head coach. The narrative will give way to reality once the season begins. That’s how Monday eventually will be judged.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Impossible scenario

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Gary from St. Augustine, FL:

The Jaguars’ interview with Josh McDaniels reportedly went well. How would you handicap the head-coaching search right now?

John: Mike Smith, Doug Marrone, Kyle Shanahan, Josh McDaniels. That’s based on media reports and my understanding of what the Jaguars are looking for in this search. These are all qualified candidates with strong arguments. Smith and Marrone have head-coaching experience and have won in the NFL. Shanahan has had success in different situations. McDaniels has a strong argument as perhaps the hottest candidate of the offseason. I’m still leaning toward Smith being the Jaguars’ next head coach. He feels like the right combination of experience, leadership, past success, etc. Stay tuned.

Jeremy from Dodge City, KS:

Am I the only fan left that feels optimistic?? It seems like everyone is feeling the “All is lost moment.” I feel excited about getting a new head coach and I feel this team is going to do great next year!!! PLAYOFFS!

John: #DTWD

Robert from Moorpark, CA:

Anyway you see Tyrod Taylor being snagged by the Jags in the offseason? Please help make this happen, Zone.

John: Tyrod Taylor indeed is the sort of quarterback who theoretically could be brought in as competition for . He is experienced, has had success and it appears he may be available. He also has a strong arm and can make plays with his legs. The question about Taylor and the Jaguars is the same question as about any quarterback and the Jaguars: what role is the team envisioning him playing, and what role does he want? Would a player such as Taylor come to Jacksonville to compete with Bortles? Would the Jaguars pay as much as a player such as Taylor might demand if he’s not coming in as the starter? Those are serious issues to consider. And they’re the reason that while bringing in competition for Bortles sounds logical, finding the right competition could be easier said than done.

Marcus from Jacksonville:

If the Jags decide to retain at left guard, do you think there will be any hesitation from him accepting a left-guard contract, or do you think he might try to pursue a move to a team that would let him play left tackle? That’s a big pay cut if he thinks he can still play tackle.

John: Because of his knee injury this past season, Joeckel may not be in a position to dictate terms this offseason. I easily could see a scenario under which Joeckel signs a one-year deal and agrees to play guard with the Jaguars. If he plays well and remains healthy that could lead to an opportunity somewhere at left tackle.

Dave from Duval:

What a conundrum. If Doug Marrone had been named interim head coach after the Tennessee game, you could have gotten the best assessment possible of Marrone for nine games. That would be some handy info to go off of now to help with your decision. This franchise has been plagued by bad decision after bad decision. Bottom line.

John: People are making a big deal out of the issue – probably bigger than necessary. The Jaguars have been around Marrone for two seasons. David Caldwell and Shad and Tony Khan have a good idea what he is about. He also has a resume that includes two seasons as an NFL head coach and four seasons as a collegiate head coach. He clearly showed in the final two weeks of the season that he can handle himself as a head coach and handle the leadership role. An NFL head coach isn’t a magician. He’s rarely a cure all. We saw that in the final two games of the season. Marrone did a very good job. The Jaguars were focused and inspired and motivated. They won one game and lost the other. Had a few things gone right in one of the games they could have gone 2-0. Had a few things gone wrong in the other they might have gone 0-2. Had Marrone had taken over with nine games remaining and reeled off a 6-3 record, then yeah … the decision might well have been easy. But what if he had gone 4-5? Or 5-4? Would the losses have been his “fault” and made him a bad candidate? Did the loss to the Colts in Indianapolis make him a bad candidate? Marrone is a good candidate for the Jaguars’ head coaching position. That’s true no matter how long he held the interim head-coaching position.

Fred from Naples, FL:

You hear a lot of rumors about certain coaching candidates for the Jaguars being concerned about the quarterback situation here and the risk of Blake really being a franchise guy. How do you think Doug Marrone feels about Blake? Do you sense concern on his end? I just think we are going to end up with Doug … and I would be OK with that.

John: I think very few head-coaching candidates entered the interview process 100 percent confident in Bortles as a franchise quarterback. Bortles in three NFL seasons hasn’t played well enough consistently enough to earn that level of confidence. I imagine in his heart of heart of hearts he has the same concerns, but Marrone also has been around the Jaguars and around Jaguars offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett enough to see things in Bortles that can develop and be built upon.

Mark from Archer, FL:

John, count me among those who hope we do not make Doug Marrone the new head coach. If you retain him you have the possibility that he retains the coaching staff. While everyone blames Bradley, I believe the whole coaching staff should be blamed. Personally I want a completely fresh start from the current coaches.

John: Yes, blame all of the coaches. Every #@%&*$d one of them. Because it’s always coaching in the NFL.

Jim from Meridian, ID:

John: Despite the fact you never respond to my comments, I love reading the daily back and forth banter. People are very passionate about this team, which is cool. I like it. My question: What’s your relationship with Jerell from S. Carolina?

John: I haven’t spoken to Jerell since the last time our families vacationed together. It is now known as the Little Debbie Star Crunch Incident, and my wife and son know better than to bring it up.

JG from Silver Spring, MD:

Hi John. Regarding Bortles, according to Pro Football Reference, there have been 38 35-plus-touchdown seasons in NFL history. By my count, 28 of those seasons were put together by quarterbacks who are in the Hall of Fame or are near-locks. Also, only three QBs have achieved this before turning 24: Dan Marino, Matthew Stafford and Bortles. Obviously this year was a regression, but I really hope we get to see whether Bortles can fulfill his potential. It would be nice to be able to look back at 2016 as a stumbling block on the way to something great. Happy New Year.

John: Bortles will get a chance to show he should be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback. That doesn’t mean he automatically be anointed the starter, but if he deserves to start he will start.

Tyler from Jacksonville:

I believe Doug Marrone did a great job as interim coach. He said more in two weeks of press conferences than Gus did in 200 weeks or so. He grabbed leads in his only two games that would rank among Gus’s Top 3 leads in 62 games. But no way can he be the coach because it is a faithless, uninspiring hire. If the team’s brass thought Marrone was an upgrade, they would have given him more time to prove himself. A Marrone hiring signals that Dave Caldwell is on thin-enough ice that a sub-par 2017 results in a full-clean house akin to the Gene Smith/Mike Mularkey pairing. I suppose that is the reality of the situation but with a Shanahan hire, amongst others, it would mean that it was possible for the coach to outlast the GM and use 2017 to kick start installing his own system.

John: The hiring of the next head coach shouldn’t be about signals or faith or inspiration. It should be about hiring the best head coach. If that’s Marrone, hire him. If not, don’t.

Stephen from Jacksonville:

One thing we learned last season was that teams with a dominant defense and smart, average quarterback play can still win championships. Is there any chance the Jaguars focus mainly on improving the defense again in this year’s draft? There are seemingly already several pieces in place that would enable the defense to be very good in the near future (, , , and ). If the right talent is available when the Jaguars select, are you in favor of trying to build an elite defense through the 2017 draft class? Aside from pass rushers, where do the Jaguars need the most help on the defensive side of the ball?

John: You can’t be too dominant at pass rusher or anywhere on the defensive front.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Well-coordinated

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jeremy from Wise, VA:

If it was up to you, using only the information you have right now (i.e. no interview, so forth), out of the candidates being associated with the opening, what candidate would you hire as head coach and why?

John: I’ve said from the beginning of this process that I don’t know that there’s a clear-cut best choice. That’s because all of the candidates being mentioned – Mike Smith, Josh McDaniels, Kyle Shanahan, Doug Marrone, Tom Coughlin, Harold Goodwin and Anthony Lynn – appear very capable of leading the team, earning the respect of players and creating an environment in which the team can be successful. Those are the key traits for a head coach. If they go the coordinator route I like the idea of Shanahan because he seems to be a bright, young mind who has been successful in multiple situations. I admit am a little partial in this search to a head coach who previously has had success. That’s because this team is still young and in need of a reset, and an experienced coach with a resume of success could garner immediate respect under those circumstances. Smith and Marrone clearly both have those traits, as does Coughlin. I doubt Coughlin is the guy at this point, so go with Smith in my scenario – though I have a hard time saying that there’s a mammoth difference between him and Marrone.

Mike from West Palm Beach, FL:

It appears to me the offensive line needs some serious work. Not only could they not protect , but there were not enough holes for our running backs. There were some games that the running game was OK, but was a disappointment. Do you think the Jags should concentrate on the offensive line this offseason and the draft?

John: I agree that the Jaguars’ offensive line needs to be addressed in the offseason. The question is whether it needs an overhaul or a tweak. The guess is it’s more of a tweak with perhaps two positions addressed. The Jaguars need to determine if is the right tackle moving forward, and they need to determine if they will move forward with at left tackle. I’m not sure on Parnell and I imagine the Jaguars will retain Beachum. The other issue is left guard … will they re-sign to play there, or will they go another direction? But keep one thing in perspective: while the Jaguars indeed struggled to run this past season – and while much of that was because the line struggled to run block – the Jaguars were a vastly improved pass-blocking unit, improving from 71 sacks allowed in 2014 to 51 in 2015 to 34 this past season. The Jaguars weren’t the league’s best pass-blocking line, but for the most part the line blocked more than well enough for the passing game to function.

Aaron from Chantilly:

I know Blake Bortles is candid, and that’s refreshing to some extent, but they are still excuses. That line of thinking is only going to enable him.

John: If Bortles doesn’t develop into a frontline NFL starter candidness won’t be the reason.

MrPadre from Kingsland, GA:

In regards to Jaginator’s comparison to the Bucs losing for draft position, there’s a HUGE difference between playing backups and “trying” to lose. Tanking is when you are trying to lose the game by not performing at your best on purpose. Removing your starters and allowing others to play is not the same thing … just thought I’d put that out there. #DTWD

John: Well, it’s kinda, sorta the same, but you’re right: it’s a little different.

Travis from North Dakota:

Hey John, I would like to know your opinion on Kelvin Beachum. Do you think he played well enough for the Jags to pick up the option on his contract or do you think we will let him walk?

John: I do think Kelvin Beachum played well enough for the Jaguars to pick up his option, and I think that’s what the team will do. Beachum wasn’t perfect in 2016, and he said throughout the season he wasn’t satisfied with his play. But considering he was right at a year removed from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, he played at a remarkably high level. He pass-protected well for the most part with no oh-my-goodness games – the kind you fear from your left tackle. He didn’t run block as well as he pass blocked, but that should improve as his knee gets healthier this offseason.

Andre from Honeytown:

Khan’s last head-coaching decision came around January 17. Do you think this time it will be before, after, or right on the honey mark?

John: I imagine it will be before. That’s because the Jaguars got an earlier start in this process than in 2013. Remember the Jaguars hired David Caldwell as general manager before getting full-bore into the process to hire Gus Bradley. The timetable therefore could be moved up a few days. Depending on circumstance, it’s reasonable to think that could be the case.

Dennis from Macclenny, FL:

Why not give Marrone a one-year deal? This is not a rebuild and the reality of it is Blake Bortles will be the Jaguars’ quarterback next season. Marrone believes in Bortles, so let’s get on with it.

John: Doug Marrone is a legitimate head-coaching candidate who has been successful as an NFL head coach and who will be a head coach in the NFL again soon. Not only would offering him the job with a one-year deal be insulting, why in the world would he accept it if offered?

Michael from Middleburg, FL:

Hey, O: do we have a coach yet?

John: No, but there’s a guy in ticketing who can wiggle his ears. There’s also a girl in marketing who can make clockwise circles with her right foot and draw a six in the air with her right hand at the same time and we all think that’s just the most adorable thing.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

I am out of the loop. Were Bortles’ shoulder separations in his throwing shoulder? If so, that could explain some of his accuracy issues. I hate excuse-makers, but sometimes it’s simply an explanation. Gravity isn’t an excuse for an apple falling from a tree, it is the reason it falls from the tree.

John: Bortles’ separations were in his throwing shoulder, but they happened in the second half of the season, so they don’t explain his early-season accuracy issues. They also don’t explain that Bortles improved in the final two games. Bortles when discussing the issues this past week said there probably times the separations affected him, but he in no way tried to say that the separations defined his season.

Marc from US Assure:

Does wanting to rush standing up indicate he wants to play a different position, or is it acceptable for a 4-3 defensive end to stand up to rush? I’m curious because in high school (don’t laugh), I rushed much better standing than with my hand in the dirt. The coaches pushed me to keep my hand down, but eventually relented as I was much more effective standing. I never played past high school so there is that.

John: I don’t get the idea Fowler cares what his position is called. I get the idea he wants to play in a way he thinks he can be more effective. He believes that’s standing up as a pass rusher – and who knows? Maybe it is. It’s difficult in a 4-3 defense for an end to stand up on all downs because of the run responsibility – and because if he’s standing up it’s sorta not a 4-3. Still, it’s way too early to know the Jaguars’ scheme next season, so we’ll see. Oh … and you know how you said (don’t laugh)? Well …

Keith from Palatka, FL:

First of all, I hope that Blake Bortles does improve and succeed. It would be foolish not to think that. Do you think that we need a Plan B (backup plan) just in case Bortles struggles again? What would be your idea of a Plan B?

John: I don’t doubt there will be a Plan B at quarterback for the Jaguars next season. That’s because while I think Bortles will start, I don’t think it’s necessarily a given. The tricky part of a “Plan B” at the quarterback position is determining what is meant by “Plan B.” Does that mean trading for a quarterback such as A.J. McCarron? Or does it mean signing a player such as Jay Cutler? Does it mean a player such as Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyrod Taylor or Brian Hoyer? The overriding question about all such players is what would it take to sign them – and if it takes a lot to sign them, are they truly a Plan B? Are you going to pay a player front-line quarterback money – and even non-front-line quarterbacks are very, very expensive – to compete? Those are the questions the Jaguars must answer upon the hiring of a new head coach.

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O-Zone: Timing isn’t everything

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:

I believe it was about a week ago you thought the next head coach would likely come from the group of Tom Coughlin, Mike Smith or Doug Marrone … if my memory serves me right. After a week into the full process and all the prognostication going on, who are your Top Three most likely now?

John: Kyle Shanahan, Marrone, Smith in no particular order.

Brian from Atlanta, GA:

I keep hearing that the Doug Marrone interview went well. If he was seen as an in-house solution, it really seems like it was foolish for the team to hold on to Gus Bradley as long as it did. I just want to put my voice out there that I don’t want it to be Marrone. Is he going to fire his now two-time offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett? Is he going to replace Todd Wash? If the same coaches are in place, how much of a change can we really expect? If we are supposed to expect a big change, with such little coaching change, how poor of a decision was it to hang on to Bradley that long? We need to bring in some new blood. I don’t think Marrone is a bad coach, but I really don’t think he’s the answer.

John: If Marrone is the permanent head coach, I would be surprised if Hackett doesn’t return as the offensive coordinator. Hackett was Marrone’s offensive coordinator in previous stops at Syracuse and with the Buffalo Bills, so it’s reasonable to think he would be the guy here. What would happen with Wash? That remains to be seen, though it wouldn’t be out of the question for him to return considering how the defense played this past season. How much would change? That would depend on Marrone’s direction. It could be argued, though, that the Jaguars don’t need a big change. This was a team that was close in a lot of games and perhaps it’s a tweak or two and a change in voice that’s needed more than an overhaul. We’ll see.

Gary from Wesley Chapel, FL:

Mr. O, not every good or even great offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator or position coach is a good or great “head” coach. The qualities that define a great head coach do not necessarily match all of the qualities of the others. Marrone appears to me to be someone who could be a great head coach. Not just because of the last two games, and the way he handled himself in that situation, but also some of the insight he provided into his coaching style, the way he presented himself, etc. There are other reasons as well, having more to do with stability and continuity for the team. Maybe it just comes down to more of a gut feeling- but to me, Marrone is the right choice for the job. What is your assessment of him as far as being head coach material, O great and wise…guy?

John: Marrone has six seasons of experience as a head coach – four at Syracuse and two with Buffalo in the NFL. It was evident during the two weeks he served as interim head coach that he was comfortable in the role, and it was evident players respected his approach and responded to it. I got the impression from being around Marrone that he is “head-coaching” material, that he can provide leadership and establish a structure and culture that can provide the framework for success. He can lead, make big-picture decisions and provide the environment. That’s what you need from a head coach, so there’s no reason he can’t do the job.

Jason from North Pole, AK:

I think people are forgetting that is 22 years old and has been in this league for about eight months. I will take his opinion on the defensive scheme with a grain of salt. I tend to find more value in the opinion of the men who have been coaching and playing this game for 30-plus years. I love the kid, but let’s not act like the players know best here. Thoughts?

John: I think everybody can have an opinion, and I think players such as Ramsey, and Fowler know their styles of play and how they are most comfortable playing. That may not always fit exactly into what all 11 players are required to do in a defense. I wouldn’t have minded the Jaguars being more aggressive in the secondary at times – and I’m sure as a first-year coordinator, there were things Todd Wash would tell you he could have done better this past season. But this defense improved dramatically this past season with massive changeover in personnel and without a great pass rush when rushing four down linemen. It just didn’t look like a defense in disarray throughout much of the season.

Jeremy from Bossier City, LA:

“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing. If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score? Winning is not a sometime thing…it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while … you don’t do the right thing once in a while…you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit.” – Vince Lombardi. Let’s not criticize Beachum for wanting to win and advocating that it should be the mentality of the coach. Beachum is a smart guy. Maybe we should listen to him.

John: No one around the Jaguars is or ever has been against winning, but yes, absolutely Beachum is a smart guy. It’s a good thing that he wants to win and that he wants a coach to want to win. And yes … when players talk they should be heard. Nothing wrong with that.

Brian from Section 238:

Touché, John – touché. I read all of the Jags stories. It’s what diehard fans do. Here’s my question: Since a winning team was a reasonable expectation last year, what’s this year’s expectation? Do we temper our hopes because of last season’s disappointment? I don’t see how that would be fair.

John: I think expectations entering next season should be pretty much what they were entering this past season – and I expected the Jaguars to push for a winning record last season. I think if a few things had gone differently they could have done that. The biggest issue remains /quarterback position. Can he make the strides in Year 4 many wanted/expected in Year 3? Can the Jaguars get more leads and more pressure on opposing quarterbacks? Can they reduce give-aways and get more take-aways defensively? If those three things happen, then this team can push for a lot of things.

Luke from Wautoma, WI:

I live in Packer Country. As the playoffs begin and the Packers take part in their eighth straight postseason, I sit here frustrated yet again; along with the rest of the fan base. The Jags finally had the talent and did absolutely nothing with it. Thinking back to how the season started … driving to beat Green Bay down four with under a minute left … it’s really disappointing. I remember how promising things seemed at the time. Bortles looked improved … had a touchdown catch…the defense kept Rodgers in check … A-Rob looked like a force at the end of the game … everything was looking up. I don’t have a question. It just bums me out as the local media here is hyped for Packers-Giants this weekend.

John: I almost didn’t reply to this one because of the “I-don’t-have-a-question” part, but then I thought about your email. And you’re right. The Jaguars’ 2016 season was a disappointment – because the vast majority of games played out strikingly like the Green Bay game. The Jaguars lost 13 games and 10 of them were decided in the fourth quarter. Two others – the San Diego and Oakland games – turned because of turnovers and mistakes, and then there was the one-sided prime-time debacle against Tennessee. Was it disappointing? Absolutely? Was it bad? Yes. But if there is something to provide hope it’s that this overall looked like a team that didn’t quit, that was close and appears young and ascending. I don’t know how the key questions of the offseason and the future will be answered – i.e., whether or not Bortles is the quarterback and if the Jaguars can get things right at the position – but it does seem there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle in place. Now, can the Jaguars get the right person in place at head coach and quarterback to make sure the pieces all work? That’s what’s next.

Scott from Daytona Beach, FL:

With many head coaching jobs available and now two teams basically gutting their defensive coaches, how important is to hire a new coach quickly to be able to get his assistants in place?

John: It’s important not to dawdle, but it’s not always necessary to rush. A head-coaching candidate typically has multiple assistants for each position, and more often than not, he is reasonably certain he will be able to get a person from that group. It is sometimes the case, for example, that a head-coaching candidate with an offensive background knows exactly who he will hire as a defensive coordinator – and in that case, timing of the hire is not nearly as important as otherwise is the case.

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O-Zone: Setting a precedent

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Brian from Section 238:

No one wants to read these “Poor ” stories. He can’t look anyone in the eye because it’s his fault he fumbles. It’s his fault he didn’t prepare enough in the offseason. isn’t throwing interceptions. Blake is. Way too many. Shoulder was hurt. Blah, blah, blah. Stop the excuses and win. It’s time to grow up. Sorry for being cold, but my goodness …

John: I’m the first to say Blake Bortles had a sub-par year. I said throughout the season his struggles were the Jaguars’ No. 1 storyline of 2016 and the No. 1 reason for the team finishing so far below .500. But I can’t get on board with people criticizing him for discussing his season this week. Bortles is candid and answers questions when asked. He never made excuses during the season – and when asked after the season, he outlined some issues that he believes were factors in his season. That was the appropriate time to discuss those topics. Bortles needs to play better. He knows this. He said any number of times throughout the season that what was going on with the Jaguars, the offense and certainly himself was on him. He’s the quarterback. It’s his responsibility. There were reasons he didn’t play well. There’s nothing wrong with him talking about the issues. And as far as people not wanting to read the Poor Blake Bortles stories … I don’t know … I bet people read them.

Daniel from Urbandale, IA:

Of the coaching candidates mentioned, the only one I really dislike is Josh McDaniels. Not because of Tim Tebow – everyone makes mistakes – but because he’s only considered because of Tom Brady. Every coordinator Brady has ever had looks good. That success doesn’t translate anywhere else that Tom Brady isn’t playing.

John: That indeed is the reason to be cautious when considering McDaniels. He knows this. Everyone in the NFL knows this. But just as McDaniels shouldn’t get a job simply because of Brady and his association with the New England Patriots, neither should he be ignored simply because of Brady and his association with the Patriots, either. He is considered a very capable, bright young head coach and many, many people believe he will be successful at his next stop.

Ed from Ponte Vedra, FL:

I reflect on the last few years and the player I feel the worst about is Paul Poz. He came in as a free agent and gave the Jags a superstar performance. Too bad he was playing for a very mediocre team. Do you think he will be back?

John: I do. While much will depend on the scheme and the opinion of the next head coach, one of the errors made by the Jaguars in 2013 was not having enough experienced, core players on the roster. The rebuild cut too close to the bone. Releasing Posluszny would smell very similar.

Jaginator from Section 124:

“Players and coaches don’t think that way – not even during meaningless games.” Please stahp. Players don’t tank. But coaches have done this before. In the 2014 season finale, the Bucs led New Orleans 20-7. After halftime, Lovie Smith began yanking the starters. Final score: NO 23, TB 20. And the Bucs secured the No. 1 overall draft position. If they’d kept their starters in (and won that game), they wouldn’t have gotten Winston or Mariota.

John: Point taken. That’s not what happened Sunday.

Greg from Section 122 and Jacksonville:

It is amusing that people think we would blow a game just for draft position. I mean cause we blew a LOT of leads this year late in the season.

John: Indeed, if the Jaguars’ poor fourth quarters this past season were about draft position … well, they got a very early start and pretty much mastered their craft.

Tim from Jacksonville:

If the Jaguars still aren’t sure that 11-34 is a losing record, then next year will be more of the same. Caldwell’s support of Bortles is the most worrisome aspect of the offseason so far. Let me just say that as long as Bortles has no true competition, I won’t be renewing for my 11th consecutive season of watching losers fail at football. It’s not his throwing motion insomuch as it is the organization’s dogged refusal to cut ties with losers. We don’t need a “good guy” in the huddle. We need someone who can play quarterback and win, no matter what their personality, race, school or background. The only question that matters is, “Does Bortles win?”

John: OK.

Keith from Palatka, FL:

At the risk of Tony Boselli becoming even more egotistical, which some believe is an impossibility, I have to say he is the best left tackle that I ever saw play. John, you’ve watched a lot of football; have you ever seen any left tackle better than Boselli?

John: I never covered a left tackle on a weekly basis better than Tony Boselli. The only left tackles I believe may have been better were Anthony Munoz and Walter Jones.

Dylan from Stillwater, OK:

If it came down to re-signing or , who would be more important to the team?

John: Smith. He is a core player.

Terry from Jacksonville:

I do not know why you cannot tell what has been really going on in the locker room this year since most of the coaches will be gone. We all read your comments every day and you never tell it like it is; you are still defending Gus Bradley and coaches instead of listening to the players. Maybe they know better.

John: The players have done a pretty good job in recent days of sharing their thoughts, and that’s great: it indeed has provided a lot of insight into their feelings about what went wrong with the Jaguars this past season. Perhaps those feelings are right, and perhaps they’re not. Most likely there is some truth in what the players say and it’s also likely that the disappointment and frustration of a 3-13 season shapes their comments as well. That’s human nature. As far my every-day comments … I learned long ago that telling it like it is and telling it like readers want me to tell it are often not the same thing. I prefer to do my best to do the former. That doesn’t mean people like what I write or agree with it, but that’s going to happen no matter what I write.

Daniel from Jacksonville:

As burned out as I am on Bortles talk, I would be interested to hear your assessment on this. There are classic sayings about rookie struggles and sophomore slumps, but it would seem to me that difficulties in a third season are not so easily explained by cliches and are much more concerning about a player’s true ability. I guess what I’m getting at is this: can you name a quarterback in NFL history that has had the kind of glaring regression Bortles has had in his third season and still gone on to be a franchise quarterback? Is there any NFL precedent for that kind of transformation at this point in a quarterback’s career? If not, then I think we have our answer about needing to move on. Either that or the Jaguars are hoping that he will do something unprecedented in the history of the NFL, and that kind of hope doesn’t seem like a reasonable strategy for winning.

John: I don’t care all that much about precedent because what other quarterbacks have done doesn’t necessarily apply to Bortles. But there absolutely have been quarterbacks who have struggled early in their careers and gone on to success: Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Alex Smith come to mind. Were their struggles as pronounced as Bortles? It depends on how you judge struggles. Bortles lost more games than those three, but those players and others have had trouble with interceptions and efficiency early in their careers before being successful later. One topic I keep considering, though, is the idea of Bortles regressing. I suppose he did to some degree, but I guess I’m not as much a believer in the idea as might be the case. He had some accuracy issues during a stretch of this season – but beyond the 50-50 ball to not working as effectively this season as last, he was much the same quarterback both seasons. Bortles threw for about 500 yards less this past season than in 2015 and Robinson had about 500 yards less receiving; Robinson’s long reception was 90 yards in 2015 and it was 42 this past season. The difference in Bortles and the offense from 2015 was pretty much that defenses took the deep ball to Robinson away and the Jaguars didn’t have an answer. Bortles overall has struggled with mid-range accuracy, interceptions, pocket awareness and decision-making throughout his career – even in 2015. The question: Can Bortles improve? It’s possible. He has a base. He has been effective at times. But it’s time. It has to happen now.

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