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O-Zone: Not so sure

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

JACKSONVILLE – Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.

Let’s get to it …

Mike from Jacksonville:

The Jags D held Kansas City and Denver to 2-of-27 on third downs. The Jaguars lost both games. They’ve actually been very good in that stat for the last five weeks but lost all five.

John: There are many, many staggering statistics around this Jaguars season – and goodness knows, a lot of them aren’t great for the Jaguars – but that’s as staggering a statistic as any. The Jaguars on Sunday held the Broncos’ offense to 1-of-13 on third downs; even considering the Broncos were playing rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch, that’s an incredibly good defensive day. And third down isn’t the only area in which the Jaguars have played well defensively in recent weeks. The defense pretty much had been good in every area lately. The exception has been takeaways, but when the opponent has a lead – which is often the case with the Jaguars – the opponent usually is not going to take chances to allow take-away opportunities. Even without a lot of take-aways, though, I honestly don’t know how much better the Jaguars’ defense can play. It has been impressive. Really, really impressive. But it hasn’t been good enough to win and that’s just … weird.

Greg from Section122 and Jacksonville:

Only four games left. Are you still feeling confident the Jaguars will get another win? ‘Cause I don’t think anyone else is. Yeah, I am calling it: 2-14.

John: Yeah, I’m still confident the Jaguars won’t finish 2-14.

Rick from Amelia:

I was going to complain about the no-call on the first. But the one on fourth-and-4 is just criminal. What is up with the refs and A-Rob???

John: This is a legitimate question and it’s one that Jaguars wide receiver did his best to address on Sunday without drawing the ire of the league office. Robinson referred to the officiating this season as “amazing,” and while he declined to openly criticize the officials, his frustration was as clear in the postgame locker room as when he drew a penalty for taking his helmet off while complaining about a non-call on what could have been interference late in the game. While I try to watch the Jaguars as objectively as possible, it indeed is a bit mind-boggling that Robinson so rarely seems to draw pass interference penalties while so often being contacted before the ball’s arrival. Robinson afterward talked about trying to increase his physicality; he was right to approach it as he did, because the league doesn’t take kindly to players criticizing officiating. Still, my answer to the question of what is up with the referees and Allen Robinson is that I frankly haven’t the faintest idea.

Daniel from Jacksonville:

The complaints about officiating are getting old. This team and its players need to stop complaining about officiating and start worrying about playing better to avoid officiating determining games.

John: You are absolutely correct, and it’s why I usually discuss officiating very little here in the O-Zone. I usually think officiating evens itself out – and it’s rarely the sole reason teams lose games. I don’t think it’s the sole reason the Jaguars have lost any game this season, including either of the last two games. And there’s no question that better teams are hurt less by missed calls because they are playing well and therefore can overcome calls and breaks going against them. But I do think Robinson’s inability to draw pass interference penalties is a major issue for the Jaguars. He seems to have had an undue number of pass interference non-calls not go his way this season. That in turn has severely limited the Jaguars’ offense at times. Because of his importance to the offense, that’s a real issue. I have no idea of the answer, but it certainly is an issue.

Armand from Jacksonville:

John, can a team ask a player to do things in the offseason or is that strictly forbidden – like Blake working with Tom House and his quarterback coach?

John: A team can’t tell a player he must do anything football-related during the offseason with the exception of a three-day mandatory minicamp in mid-June. In the case of working with his quarterbacks “gurus” – Tom House and Adam Dedeaux – this offseason, I don’t think the team needs to request this. It’s pretty obvious Bortles needs to work this offseason, and I’m sure he grasps that.

Jags Such Unfortunately Jax:

14-46. Gus Bradley does not even have an average of three wins per season for five years. Pathetic!

John: Yeah, it ain’t a good situation.

Scott from Columbus, GA:

Players just going through the motions. Poles are in the water and the fish are nibbling.

John: You are implying a lack of effort by the Jaguars Sunday. I’m not saying the 2-10 record is excusable, but I will say it’s hard to see a lot of cases in the last five games or so where the players weren’t giving effort. As for Sunday, this is the NFL. If you hold an opponent to 206 yards you’re putting forth effort.

Dan from Fort Dodge:

Turnovers sigh 🙁

John: The Jaguars are minus-18 turnovers for the season and minus-28 turnovers over the last two seasons. Forget how well the offense moved at times last season and forget how well the defense has played at times this season. When you have a minus-18 turnover ratio and compound that with punt coverage that routinely gives away field position, you make it exceedingly difficult to win.

Fan from Jacksonville:

You defend yourself as a used-car salesman does. Your position makes you even slimier.

John: You have no idea what makes me slimy.

Jesse from Kissimmee, FL:

John, how does this get turned around? The offense seems to regress every week. The defense steps up week in and week out, only for the offense to flounder.

John: Yeah, that has pretty much been the pattern. If you’re only discussing Sunday’s game, the pattern was understandable and even expected. This game featured two really good defensive teams and it probably wasn’t surprising considering Bortles’ history of mistakes to think that the Broncos would force a game-turning turnover or two. Unfortunately, it is what we have come to expect. But with a few exceptions you’re right that good defense and floundering offense has defined the season. How does it get turned around? I don’t honestly know this season. We’re 12 games in. The Jaguars most likely are what they are, and so far that has been a good defense with an offense that just can’t produce enough to win.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

Teams don’t feel threatened by Jags when they play them. That’s why the defense can’t force any turnovers. They know if they play it close to the vest the offense under Blake can’t pull away and that there is a 95 percent chance Bortles will give them seven points. Your thoughts on this analysis.

John: Well, it ain’t wrong.

Steve from Stevensville, MD:

The Jags punt coverage is not very good. This is detrimental to winning a close football game.

John: Yes.

David from Duval:

How many pick-sixes and losses until someone says enough is enough?

John: More than three and more than 10, apparently.

Jacob from North Carolina:

Could have been worse. Same story. But did we try a deep ball? Maybe I missed it.

John: Yes, Sunday could have been worse. It wasn’t worse because the Jaguars’ defense held the Broncos to 206 total yards. And the Jaguars did try a couple of deep balls – if you count 50-50 balls to Robinson as deep balls. If not … then, no – the Jaguars didn’t go deep a lot. That actually made some strategical sense because the Denver pass rush is aggressive and dangerous enough that it’s difficult to get enough time to throw deep. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have liked to have seen a couple of deep shots, but it makes sense that they weren’t a prominent part of the game plan.

Roger from Jacksonville:

Are you SURE it’s not a curse?

John: Roger, the Jaguars are 2-10. I’m not sure of anything anymore.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: True believer

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Frankie from London, UK:

Mr. O, a quick question for you. In the offseason, do you think there’s any potential for Brandon Linder to return to left guard and bring in a quality center to improve the overall line? I still maintain that we didn’t do enough on the offensive line in the previous offseason and the consistency of a poor run game overall this season I think proves that somewhat, but what does an Englishman know about football?!

John: I’d say in this case the Englishman knows enough to be in the right ballpark. You’re right that the Jaguars need to run better – and that likely will involve addressing the offensive line in the offseason. Moving Linder could be an option because he can clearly play guard, but he has played well at center this season. Moving him therefore might not make sense because it’s theoretically easier to find guards than centers in free agency or the draft – and if you have a quality center you might as well leave him there. A lot of that decision could depend on who’s making the decisions on the personnel and coaching side. If things stay the same, then I can’t imagine Linder moving. If not … we’ll see.

Biff from Jacksonville:

If Paxton Lynch outplays Blake Bortles Sunday, it’s going to be another gut punch from a team with a young quarterback who is supposed to be the future of the franchise. We need this signature win, Dr. O.

John: Ya think?

Bill from Hammock, FL:

Zone, next week is at least the third time this season we have played a team coming off of a bye week or off of a Thursday game. This has to be an advantage by having additional resting, healing and preparation time. Does the league take any of this into consideration or is it luck of the draw?

John: While fans of every team can and usually do find quirks in the schedule that work against their team, remember: the schedule-makers are scheduling for 32 teams and it’s a complex process in which not all teams can be treated equally or fairly. More often than not, quirks of the schedule are just that and therefore …. luck of the draw.

Chris from Columbia, SC:

It blows my mind that people are calling for a new general manager when Gus Bradley goes, which still isn’t certain in my opinion. Am I wrong here? Dave Caldwell has hit on free agents at a pretty good rate and the most recent draft classes look like they’re filled with players that will be big contributors in the future, even if Blake Bortles, Dante Fowler Jr., or Luke Joeckel never pan out. So if Gus is fired do you think Caldwell will be fired too?

John: I believe David Caldwell should be the Jaguars’ general manager next season because I believe the talent level has improved significantly under his watch – and because I believe he has done a good job building the roster while maintaining cap room to continue building the roster. As for what will happen on this and other major fronts, the season isn’t over yet. As such, I am quite certain Jaguars Owner Shad Khan still has final decisions to make on many things about the organization moving forward. It’s quite possible and even likely that the next five games will factor into those decisions.

Mick from Jacksonville:

Every week I watch the Jags games with my friends and they have coined the term Gus Bradley Force Field. This means every time we get close to winning the Gus Bradley Force Field prevents us from winning. While we all like Gus and have always hoped he would do well, seems like there is some validity to this force-field theory. Your thoughts?

John: I think when teams lose a lot, fans engage in gallows humor. While this gallows humor indeed helps ease the pain of loss after loss after loss it’s not always based as much in reality as its practitioners believe. But hey … all’s fair at 2-9.

Ed from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

My wife wanted me to stay home and not go to the game and help with Christmas decorations. I did a quick calculation that tells me (and her) that less than one percent of all NFL fans get to go to an NFL game. That also means one fan gets to go and 1.5 million stay home. You went to Episcopal. Do you agree with my math on how lucky I am?

John: My instructors at Episcopal can affirm I was as bad at and as disinterested in math I was in all subjects, and that I unwisely but most definitely (mis)spent most of my time there hanging in the courtyard and thinking I was better at basketball than reality suggested. Still, as far as your strategy: Less Christmas decorations and more football is a wise choice indeed. While it is well-documented that I am a big fan of Krimma … helping with decorations? That’s not me. It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just that my wife trusts me to not mess up the whole process not one iota.

Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

John, in your opinion how has Myles Jack progressed this year? Would he be more effective in a 3-4 alignment?

John: Myles Jack appears to be progressing as many NFL rookies progress, and I think he has the capability of taking a very big jump next season. As far as a 3-4 scheme … he may be effective in the formation, but the scheme likely wouldn’t solve the Jaguars’ dilemma of how to get Jack, Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith all on the field at the same time. Posluszny and Smith likely would play inside in that formation, and it’s uncertain if Jack would be a fit at outside linebacker in a 3-4 as opposed to Yannick Ngakoue and Dante Fowler Jr.

Ryan from Apopka, FL:

The Jaguars this year are 2-6 in one-possession games. If the Jaguars want to take the next step, they must close out/finish games. Lions are 7-4, Cowboys are 6-1, Raiders are 7-1. All the top teams each year can finish the games and don’t make that one mistake that costs them. So yes, the Jags can win any game as we keep them all close, but just have to finish them!

John: Yep.

Joshua from Jacksonville:

At what point did celebrations after every single play start?

John: Yeah. Fair point. I’m not a fan, either.

Wayde from La Mirada:

Hi, John. Maybe I’m lost here but everyone is talking about re-signing Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, Telvin Smith, Blake Bortles… but don’t they still have one more year under contract before we have to worry about re-signing in all reality?

John: Robinson, Lee, Smith, Brandon Linder and Aaron Colvin as members of the 2014 Jaguars draft class indeed have one more year remaining on their rookie contracts, so the Jaguars technically don’t have to re-sign those players until after the 2017 season. But the Jaguars under NFL rules can extend the contracts of those players following this season – and in the cases of Robinson, Linder, Smith and Lee I believe the Jaguars likely will move to do so this offseason. I imagine they’ll wait on Lee and approach him about extending early next season if he continues to progress as he has done this season. Bortles is a different situation because as a first-round selection he signed a four-year contract with the team having the option for a fifth year. That option must be exercised in the coming offseason. Will the Jaguars exercise that option? That will be a major topic in the offeason and I don’t get the idea it’s certain yet.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

Franchise quarterbacks are becoming exponentially expensive. What if a team took a new approach and decided they weren’t going to pay $80 million-plus for a quarterback – that they were going to distribute that money to pay offensive linemen and defenders more than anyone else in the league will (because they are putting such a large percentage of their cap into the quarterback). Then you just draft talented quarterbacks, keep them four years and get rid of them if they want too much money. Build a team that can win with any decent quarterback. Could it actually work? Probably not, but it is an interesting way to think about going against the norm for the league right now, and trying to take advantage of the market for talented non-premium players.

John: It could work in theory, but you’re still better off having a franchise quarterback. The odds of consistently winning and contending on a year-in, year-out basis go up exponentially if you have one – which not coincidentally is why they are becoming exponentially expensive.

Don from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

The Jags lost two blowout games and the rest of the games they should have won. They are not a bad team and Blake is going to be a star. This team is going to be great – just not this year. Go Jags.

John: God Bless Ya, Don. #DTWD

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Easily done

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Keith from Jacksonville:

#DraftDalvin – regardless of what the coaching situation looks like next year. Most importantly, he is what this offense needs. He’s also what the fans want to see. Why not have three good backs? His game translates well to the pros, and he provides a missing element that a lot of us thought we’d see more of from T.J. Yeldon. Big-game player, reliable, durable … and with what Zeke is doing in Dallas, prime-time backs may soon be back in high demand. It looks like an easy decision to me.

John: I have nothing against Florida State running back Dalvin Cook and it appears he has a very good chance to be a very good NFL back. Still, even with Ezekiel Elliott’s success in Dallas as a rookie this season, I’m not a huge Running-Back-in-the-Top-10 guy for all of the reasons that the NFL generally speaking is usually no longer a Running-Back-in-the-Top-10 League – namely, that no matter how good a running back may be, his success or failure typically depends on his offensive line. It is for that very reason that I’d be surprised if prime-time backs are soon in high demand – and it is for that very reason that I don’t see taking a back in the Top 10 being an “easy decision” any time soon.

Branson from Charlotte, NC:

The Jags’ defense actually has been pretty dominant when you look at it statistically minus the Oakland and Tennessee games. But while the offense is getting better under Nathaniel Hackett, it’s still a work in progress. The root of that problem seems to be generating from Blake Bortles. Do you see next year’s coach (whomever he may be) drafting a quarterback early? Not so much in the first round but early third round.

John: That is the most important question currently facing the franchise – and unfortunately, it’s an impossible question to answer right now. There’s no question the quarterback position must improve. Whoever is making the decisions must decide if Blake Bortles can improve – or if the improvement will come from another player. That decision must be made – soon and preferably correctly – but it’s unanswerable until we know the overall direction of franchise leadership.

Mike from Middleburg, FL:

Mr. O, why not give our third-string quarterback some love and rest Blake Bortles’ shoulder a game or two? Brandon Allen has a rocket arm. Thank You.

John: The Jaguars are still trying to win games and the consensus within the building is that Bortles gives them the best chance to do that. You’re welcome.

Dave from Dave:

But possibly, maybe when it’s this many players with issues it’s the coaching.

John: Sure. After all, it’s always coaching in the NFL.

Greg from Section 122 and Jacksonville:

As a security professional in the IT world just a word of advice: Don’t fall for Gafari’s email plan about you being rich. You could, however, give him the name of your good friend Tony Boselli.

John: I already did. Boselli’s very excited about it.

Jefferson from Phoenix, AZ:

Next year we spend 12 draft picks on O-Line. 2018 Super Bowl for the win.

John: OK.

Mike from St. Augustine, FL:

In your opinion, does the organization realize that this is the true sentiment of the fan base? It’s a busy month, so the wife and I are working out the family calendar. I just sent her the email below regarding our season tix for the upcoming December home games. “I’m going to Denver but putting the last 2 games on StubHub. The whole tailgate group is sort of in the same boat. The team is so disappointing that none of us truly want to go if there are other options. Personally, I’m having fun playing golf on Sundays. If the team were playing for something, we’d all be dying to go. But watching them is just too frustrating for the effort/$ that goes into going to the stadium.”

John: The people running the team absolutely understand this; of course they do. No one in the organization ever has doubted that fans are frustrated and no one around the organization will tell you that 2-9 isn’t a mammoth disappointment. No one around the organization believes winning is unimportant. It’s not the fans’ responsibility to attend games when the team is struggling. It’s the team’s responsibility to win and earn support. Whatever the record on the field, never doubt that this organization fully grasps that concept.

Donny from Heathrow, FL Section 132 and Year 1:

John, after many, many years of reading and writing I have never stated this before but I … I dare you to print my comments because I doubt you want your pal Duval Doom to look bad. I’m just done with misguided passion and ignorance: Earlier this week the O-Zone had one of the most idiotic questions I’ve ever read in this column. … Doom guy questioning Mr. Khan’s ability as an owner?!?! To say the rebuild isn’t working at all just based on the current record is closed-minded at best, ignorant at worst. Mr. Khan is doing wonders for the city and the stability of the franchise. The NFL turns over 20-to-25 percent of its head coaches each year, so does that mean that most of the owners are unfit to own? Why not let the self-made multi-billionaire stick to his plan and decide what to do at season’s end instead of looking for more things to question and criticize? Oh yeah, it always comes to m … emotional “fans” are going to fan ignorantly!

John: Who’s Duval Doom?

Tom from Jacksonville:

It looks like there are going to be seven-to-nine teams looking for new head coaches next year, which means there is probably going to be a shortage of qualified people. I don’t think changing coaches is going to fix Blake Bortles – in fact, it most likely give us another excuse for a losing year (having to learn a new system again). I think we should stick with Gus Bradley and try to find a quarterback that has a couple of good years left and let BB play behind them. What do you think?

John: I think I always lean toward continuity and I am long on record saying that head coaches get far too much blame in times and stretches such as the one the Jaguars are enduring. I also think the reality of the overall record the past four years and the fans’ perception of what is going on with the organization will make continuity a very, very difficult call for Shad Khan to make at season’s end.

Jeff from Rutland, MA:

It’s fitting that it’s Christmas time, because any win the Jaguars get this month will be a gift. Yes, they have been close in the past few games, but the real hallmark of this season has been the team’s ability to consistently find new ways to shoot itself in the foot when the game is on the line. I don’t believe this team can make a play when it matters most. It is possible, however, that an opponent will make the kind of critical, late-game error that the Jags are famous for. And if so, thank you Santa!

John: I have little to add to this. Finding new and creative ways to lose achingly winnable games indeed has defined this season.

Jim from Middleburg, FL:

I have heard a lot of talk about Gus being a “players coach” and nice guys finishing last. Before Jack Del Rio was fired he received complaints of the same, yet he is doing fine now. You played in the NFL so tell me what you think about the validity of this argument. I think it’s silly! Players gotta play or coaching doesn’t matter.

John: During my distinguished NFL career, I indeed saw both sides of this. I typically played very well for player-friendly coaches – and didn’t fare nearly as well when playing for disciplinarians. This made sense because my attributes as a player were speed, agility, athleticism, raw power and strength. These attributes gave me an inherent advantage in a game that essentially was brutal, hand-to-hand warfare – an environment for which my raw upbringing on the 1970s and early 1980s Mean Streets of Arlington made me a natural. Mostly, though, I responded to player’s coaches because player’s coaches allowed me to tap unrestrained into my inner creative force. A young Zone needed his freedom. To try to hold down a talent like that … well, it just wouldn’t have been fair to anyone.

Dave from Duval:

Here’s an interesting stat: the Jaguars are 11th in the NFL in plus/minus total yards. It’s extremely hard to be 2-9 with those numbers.

John: It’s actually not hard at all. All you have to do is have 15 more giveaways than takeaways, mix in a few pick-sixes and continually allow long punt returns to set up scores. If you do those things, you can go 2-9 pretty easily whatever else you do.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Admiration zone

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Ryan from Dearborn, MI:

John, since you are so adamant about the Jaguars being able to add “multiple wins” by the end of the year, please name the two opponents left on the schedule you think the Jaguars will beat.

John: I don’t know if it’s correct to say I am “adamant” that the Jaguars will get multiple victories the rest of the season. I have said that they have a chance to win any of their remaining games – and that I do not believe they will finish 2-14. As for which teams specifically they will beat, I have no idea. That’s because I believe the Jaguars’ success or failure in their final five games largely will depend on how they play as opposed to the quality of their opponents – or even how their opponents play. I believe this because the Jaguars have played four consecutive decent-to-good teams very tough with a legitimate chance to win those games. The Jaguars have lost those games, but it wouldn’t have taken an absurd happening for them to have won. Therefore, if the Jaguars play well, they absolutely can win any of the remaining games – and I do mean “any” of them and I do mean including Sunday. If they do not …

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

John, at this point with nothing to play for – i.e., playoffs, winning record and with the coach and general manager being fired at the end of the season – the Jags should continue to lose to set up a high draft pick. What’s your thought?

John: I think you’re assuming one or more things that aren’t set in stone yet, and I don’t think the Jaguars should continue to lose for draft positioning.

Josh from Grand Island, NE:

Don’t beat yourself up, Zone. That’s what we’re here for.

John: OK.

Tyler from Jacksonville:

The Broncos will contain Blake Bortles and take away the short routes. … GO LONG!!!

John: This is a wonderful idea because of its simplicity. It’s also an exciting idea – as evidenced by your use of CAPITAL LETTERS and exclamation points!!!!!! A long-pass-only game plan is perhaps not as appetizing an idea for Bortles or a Jaguars offensive line that must figure out a way to protect Bortles against Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. We’ll see.

Abe from Mobile, AL:

I get that people question a lot about a two-win team. But Dave Caldwell has done a great, admirable job at building up the roster thus far. Consider the wide-receiver position as a good example. After Keenan McCardell left, we began trying to find a good complement for Jimmy Smith. Then Smith retired and we went through a huge rotisserie at the wide-receiver position for a decade. We had draft miss after draft miss and high-profile free agents. But in one offseason, we got Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns, and Allen Robinson. That’s what Caldwell does.

John: Hey … one fer Dave!

Will from Calgary, Alberta:

Most of a team dragging around on defense, improper route-running offense … who is to blame?? Head coach takes blame for team loses.

John: Yes, a head coach takes the blame for a team losing, but if you think the Jaguars are “dragging around on defense” then apparently we have watched different teams for pretty much the last month.

Chuck from Tennessee:

Do you think Coach Gus Bradley keeps his job if he wins the remaining five games?

John: Maybe, but I’m not betting my house.

Chris from Los Angeles, CA:

Enough of the “what-can-we-do-to fix-this” commentary or questions. So to make lemonade, I think it’s time take the spoiler approach and it’s time to take out all our frustrations on the next five teams. Don’t care about their records or who their quarterback is or what their defense is ranked or not ranked. It’s time to come into these last five games like rabid, feral dogs with rabies and every team we bite poisons their playoff push. The best revenge is massive success. No more woe is me.

John: #DTWD

MrPadre from Kingsland, GA:

I asked you a couple years ago with the quarterback position SO important, why we didn’t go ahead and draft another top quarterback prospect high in the draft to basically “hedge our bets.” You said it won’t work because there just isn’t enough practice time to go around. I didn’t get it then and I still don’t. I understand they can’t both/all practice with the ones at the same time but if the quarterback means the difference between competing and 4-12 every year I still think it makes more sense to keep drafting them until you find “the guy.” We have three quarterbacks on the roster right now, anyway. If the roster is pretty much built now then we need to find “the guy” for this team. Either way … this four-year cycle could be shortened if we didn’t keep waiting four years to see if the guy we took was the right guy and then started all over again. #frustratedjagfan.

John: I don’t know how passionate I was against this idea a couple of years ago, but I’m probably warmer to it now. I still don’t think you’re going to see struggling teams take quarterbacks in the Top 10 in two or three consecutive years, but would it make sense to draft a guy early – say in the top couple of rounds – back-to-back seasons? Perhaps – or perhaps I’m just tired.

Andrew from Matton, IL:

I seem to have misplaced Shad Khan’s phone number. Will you let him know I’m OK with guys staying another year? I’m sure he’ll want to know.

John: Which guys?

Ross from Jacksonville:

I’ve seen Blake Bortles, Gus Bradley, Dave Caldwell and Shad Khan all blamed for our unsuccessful run in 2016. I propose it’s your fault. With your power naps, stealing from the fridge and leaving early constantly … these set a bad example and break down the foundation of the organization. I’d send a strong worded letter to Shad, but I’m afraid he wouldn’t know who I was referring to.

John: Fair point.

Bobby from Doboy Island, GA:

2-14 or 3-13 or 4-12 … who cares? All those records stink.

John: This also is a fair point.

Ed from Section 144:

Ok, John: I’m biting. Which teams do you think we match up well enough with that gives us a good chance of winning?

John: All of them, pretty much – and I’m not being sarcastic. The Jaguars have played well enough to be really close with their last four opponents. If they match or come close to that level defensively and play a tick better offensively in the final five weeks they can win multiple games. There’s not a team left on the schedule against which I believe the Jaguars have no chance.

Mark from Charlotte, NC:

What is the most disappointing and/or unexpected thing this year that you did not foresee prior to the opening day?

John: I didn’t expect Blake Bortles to struggle quite to this degree. I didn’t think he was elite entering the season, and I thought he needed to improve in many important areas. I also thought and wrote often that I thought the improvements he needed to make would be difficult, but I also thought – based on his improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 – that he would get at least marginally better in accuracy, decision-making, etc. I thought if he marginally improved that would get the offense at least consistent enough to complement what I believed would be an improved defense. As for the defense, I didn’t expect it to improve this much quite so quickly. I thought the defense would be better than last season, but it’s a lot better and I didn’t expect that.

David from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

In a league where collective bargaining determines salary and player movement, and with the player’s non-union as weak as ever, how can you characterize signing unrestricted free agents as overpaying? Free agency is actually the most accurate player valuation available. To say otherwise is to be spoiled by all the salary structures that grossly underlay player’s.

John: I characterize signing unrestricted free agents as overpaying because you’re paying premium prices that are often driven up by lack of supply – and you’re paying those prices for players who weren’t wanted by their previous teams for one reason or another. As a result, you more often than not sign players who aren’t as good as the players who resigned as core players with the team that drafted them. For those reasons and more, those players rarely develop into core players for your franchise – but you are paying them “core-player” salaries. You can characterize it however you want; I’ll characterize it as “overpaying.” It doesn’t make them bad people or even bad players. In fact, God bless those overpaid bundles of awesome. We should all be so lucky.

Ralph from Jacksonville:

I admire you Zone.

John: I’m aware.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Windfall!

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Dave from Orlando, FL:

Mr. O, is getting mugged this year, but isn’t getting the pass-interference calls. Do you have a theory as to why this might be?

John: This actually began to be an issue at times last season. It made sense to me at the time that defensive backs were contacting Robinson a lot before passes arrived because his style of play dictates that they do so. He’s not a burner, so his advantages as a receiver are body positioning, wingspan and the ability to high-point the ball. Defenders almost by definition are going to have to go through him and be physical to defend him. It also made sense last season that Robinson didn’t get many interference calls because he was still a comparative unknown without much of an NFL reputation. I thought that would change this season because he established himself in this league last season. I try to see the Jaguars through as objective a lens as possible, but so far this season it doesn’t appear he has gotten a reasonable percentage of calls. Is it because the Jaguars are 2-9? Is it because Robinson still isn’t perceived as a big-time receiver? I’m not sure, but I did say early in the season it was a concern because defenders would keep playing Robinson that way – i.e., with enough contact to merit an interference penalty – until they were forced not to do so. Defenders indeed have been allowed to play him this way, and that has hurt the Jaguars offensively this season.

Derek from St. Augustine, FL:

Almost two years ago on my birthday the Jags came back on the Giants. Good times.

John: That was a good game. I enjoyed it.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

Does anyone else see the stark difference in ‘ mechanics and passes now compared to earlier this season? The results are marginally better, but he isn’t losing games singlehandedly. He still needs to complete more passes and make better football decisions, but he is now a quarterback a good team can win with. No matter how good they were earlier in the year, there was no way they could win with him, and that was due to bad passes caused by poor mechanics. I think the improvement is Yuuuuuuuuge.

John: Bortles played better and eliminated mistakes this past Sunday. Still, he threw interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in each of the preceding two games, so it’s perhaps fair that observers aren’t quite prepared to ordain him “fixed” just yet. I believe the final five games of this season remain important for Bortles. He showed some good things in terms of decision-making and his delivery was a bit quicker Sunday. It was better, but there is a lot of improving left to do.

Sam from Orlando, FL:

So, what’s the deal with ? Is he really injured? Is his blocking that atrocious? Does he just not fit into what the Jags are trying to do?

John: The deal with Thomas? Yes, he is injured. No, his run-blocking is certainly not a strength and is certainly a reason he wasn’t starting in the last few weeks before his injury. And no, he has not fit into what the Jaguars are trying to do nearly as well as was hoped.

Mike from Tallahassee, FL:

Can we blame the recent run of poor seasons on our helmet design? We need some scapegoat, and you seem to poo-poo every other idea the fans are suggesting.

John: Hee, hee … you said “poo-poo.”

Wallace from Jacksonville:

A 7-9 record is still possible. If the Jags win out, does Gus get another season?

John: The Jaguars have won two games this season. I suppose I’ll let them win two more before I start thinking about five-game winning streaks.

Trae from Jacksonville:

Will you and Jerell be exchanging Christmas cards?

John: I hope so. I like Jerell.

Connor from North Carolina:

Is there any logical reason why Mike Mallory still has a job or is it a foregone conclusion that there is zero accountability on this team?

John: Special teams coordinator Mike Mallory has a job because sometimes it’s not always coaching in the NFL. Sometimes it’s players, too.

John from Port Orange, FL:

Don’t give up on Bortles quite yet. It is imperative we draft a power running back and firm up the offensive line to take the pressure off Bortles. I believe he thinks he needs to do it all and as a result presses and makes poor decisions. Give him a power running game and you will see a better Bortles.

John: OK.

Michael from Tucker, GA:

Hi John, as we close on this terrible season, I can’t help but reflect back. What actually happened? We have as much talent as the Titans, Bucs and Raiders. All rebuilt their teams at the same time. We have young studs on both sides of the ball. Yet, we suck and those young teams are fighting for the playoffs. What did the #DTWD movement miss going into this year?

John: Few anticipated Bortles struggling to the degree he has, and few foresaw the offensive struggles that have gone along with Bortles’ struggles. And the turnover margin … oh, goodness the turnover margin. And the special teams returns allowed haven’t helped, either.

Matt from the Matt Cave:

O, you haven’t answered me in a while and I’m getting worried. Just hope you are OK. Please get back to me whenever you can just so I know you are alive. And also maybe you could give me some advice to deal with Bucs fans mocking me for being a Jags fan right now.

John: Stay gold, Pony Boy.

Bruce from Gotham, NY:

How do you think this year will impact Mr. Robinson’s contract situation? Do you feel the emergence of Mr. Lee will also have an impact? Also, do you feel that Mr. Lee’s performance kind of makes Mr. Caldwell wish he held off a year on Mr. Hurns contract? It seems a difficult decision will need to be made at the wide receiver position due to financial/contract implications.

John: I don’t think this season will keep Robinson from being a major priority for the Jaguars this offseason, and while bigger numbers this season would have helped Robinson’s bargaining power, I still imagine he’ll sign a very, very lucrative deal. I do not think the Jaguars regret re-signing . He essentially signed a two-year extension and the Jaguars can get out of the contract at the end of 2017 with no salary cap ramifications if they so desire. As far as Lee, I don’t see him signing a long-term extension this offseason, but I do see him being approached by the team in a big way some time relatively early in 2017 if he continues to ascend.

Jason from North Pole, AK:

Sammy Watkins got away with a push off on that long ball against Ramsey. The coverage was terrific, but there is a reason the ball was just out of Ramsey’s reach when it arrived. Just sayin’.

John: Yeah, great receivers tend to do that effectively.

Rob from the duuu:

Zone, what do you think of Dante Fowler’s development at this point in season? Do you think he can develop mentally and become a productive player in this league? Is there absolutely no hope he becomes a competent long-term starter at this point? Is starting more of a testament of how good he is or how much of a liability Dante is? Thanks, moodachay.

John: I think Dante Fowler has not developed as much or as quickly as a pass-rusher as would be ideal, but I also think that first-year defensive ends very often do not develop quickly in the NFL. I do think Fowler can develop mentally and be a very productive player in the NFL because to do is not uncommon at all, particularly at the defensive-end position. He already is a competent starter in the NFL and is not a liability. He is very good against the run and has made a lot of plays in a lot of areas – with a notable exception being that he hasn’t yet developed into a high-level pass rusher. Ngakoue is starting over Fowler because Ngakoue is better right now. He’s a more developed pass rusher more quickly than Fowler. That doesn’t mean Fowler can’t develop, but that’s why Ngakoue is starting.

Sam from Duval:

Do you think there is any chance we will see a regular-season victory at EverBank Field this year?

John: Yes.

Gafari from Ghana:

Dear John, I received your email with thanks and I really appreciate your kind attention towards my business proposal, I am a solicitor and personal finance lawyer to late Mrs. Emily Morley client of mine who has a servicing firm affiliated with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Oil & Gas. She was awarded a contract worth of (US$33,600,000.00), immediately this contract was signed, an initial amount of (US$20,600,000.00) was paid to her as mobilization fee to kick off the contract. She duly completed this contract pending when her remaining balance of (US$13,000,000.00) will be paid to her. However, on the 27th November 2014, my client, her family were involved in a ghastly boat capsize in Accra-Ghana. Unfortunately, all the occupants in the boat lost their lives, and not too long after her untimely death, her outstanding contract balance of US$13,000,000.00 was approved and deposited in a bank here in Ghana. Right now the funds are still floating unclaimed in the suspense account here, and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Oil & Gas have issued me a notice as the personal financial lawyer to the deceased to provide the next of kin or appoint a foreign executor next of kin of my choice to lay this claim, or have this account confiscated in a short period of time from now, unfortunately her supposed next of kin being her only child died along with her. So in all faithfulness, I have reasoned very professionally to seek your concept to present you as my appointed foreign executor next of kin to the deceased since you are at an advantage bearing the same last name with her, so that the proceeds of this remaining balance of her contract funds valued at US$13,000,000.00 can be paid to you, and we shall both share the funds 55% for me while 40% will be for you and the remaining 5% will be for any incurred expenses and for donation to charity organizations, and I will like to invest my share of the funds in your country into a profitable business which I will like you to guide me into hence I am not too familiar with your country system of business, that is why your advice will be highly needed when there is need. So in this regards, I want you to be rest assured that this transaction is 100% risk free and all I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this opportunity through as I guarantee you that this transaction will be executed under proper legitimate arrangements that will protect you from any breach of the law since it is within the ambit of law, and as her personal financial lawyer I have all the necessary legal documents that will be used to back up any claim we may make. So I will appreciate to hear from you regarding to this subject so that I can provide you with more details about this transaction as to enable us proceed further with the fund transfer process. Thank you and remain blessed with your family. Best Regards, Mr. Williams Gafari.

John: I’m in.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Shouldering the blame

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Greg from Section 122 and Jacksonville:

Okay, so I get you say “No” to 2-14. But if we don’t win another game this season, what do you say then? From the fans’ perspective, we don’t look like we can beat anyone except ourselves – and we are REALLY good at beating ourselves. Stupid penalties, mental mistakes and blown assignments all make for a 2-9 record. So, what do you see that will make this team come together all of a sudden and get a win in these last five games? It would really help if you explained your reasoning to us fans who have lost all hope.

John: If the Jaguars don’t win another game during the 2016 season and someone sends me an email that reads “2-14?” … I would answer “Yes.” I don’t believe that scenario will take place for a couple of reasons. One is that the NFL is a difficult-to-predict league in which teams often play better than expected for a game or two. But the biggest reason I think the Jaguars will win again this season is they have played very competitively the last four weeks and could have won any of those four games. An argument could be made that they should have won at least once if not more during that span. They are well within range of winning. As long as they are doing that, I believe they have a chance. This does not mean I think the Jaguars have fulfilled expectations this season, or played well – or anything of the like. It does mean I think they can win multiple games before the end of the season.

Ryan from Apopka, FL:

Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan mentioned last week that the Jaguars could be the most talented 2-8 team in the NFL. Could this year’s Jaguars be similar to the Chiefs of 2012? That team went 2-14 and had the No. 1 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, but most people would have said that team underachieved and had good individual talent. The next year they got a new head coach (a proven head coach in Andy Reid) and went to the playoffs and have now have had a solid run for the past four years. Will next year be the start of something? I’m ready for things to turn around!!!

John: I think the Jaguars are acquiring and developing young talent that will give this team a chance to be good going forward. I don’t who will be coaching the team when that takes place.

Ronnie from Jacksonville Beach, FL:

You told Duval Doom the expectations for this season “were so high.” Shad Khan said in the offseason that .500 was a reasonable expectation, and most media and fans alike believed .500 was reasonable and expected. When did going .500 become such a high expectation? That’s a sad commentary for exactly where this franchise is. Del Rio was run out of town for going .500 and look at us now.

John: Considering the Jaguars had five, two, four, three and five victories in the seasons before this offseason … yes, I considered a winning record “a high expectation” at the time. No, a winning record ordinarily should not be a high expectation.

Brian from Gainesville, FL:

Big O, I agree with the general sentiment that bad calls/missed calls work themselves out in the wash, but – as has been noted – it’s not balancing out for the Jaguars. That is both ridiculous and disheartening. What can be done about this besides just sending calls into the league for postgame review? That’s not fixing the problem. The Jags are being treated terribly by the officials. Shad Khan is an owner, too. What can be done?!?! And please don’t say “winning” or “having more Pro Bowl players” or some such nonsense. I’m ready to sue or have Yannick bum rush a ref or… something!

John: While I agree the Jaguars have been unquestionably hurt – perhaps to an unusual extent – by some missed calls this season, there is little to do in the way of recourse. I also don’t believe there’s a conspiracy against the Jaguars. There’s no meeting each week taking place with an evil man in a long coat, cracking knuckles with a grin and saying in a creepy voice, “Let’s keep the Jaguars from winning. Haa, haaaa, haaaa, haaaarrggjjhh!!! ” And I don’t believe officials consciously make calls to hurt the Jaguars. I believe most of them have just been missed. Would winning or having players with bigger reputations help? Perhaps on some level. Mostly, what the Jaguars have to do is play well enough to overcome the calls. They’re not doing that often enough yet.

Mike from Jacksonville:

I read an insightful article the other day about sports writers who have covered NFL teams with the worst records. It included Cleveland, Buffalo and the Jaguars. The writers spoke of the four-year perpetual cycle of doom and rebuild that occurs when teams have losing records each year – i.e., start over …lose, start over … lose … start over … lose. Some blamed coaches, Some blamed general managers. Others blamed owners. I do not understand why this continues to occur to the same teams. How can this horrible cycle of doom be broken for the Jaguars??

John: There is no across-the-board reason teams lose consistently, just as there is no easy fix for breaking out of a long stretch of losing. The best, most-reliable formula is to build a solid roster with a mix of veteran core players and young, ascending players – and add an elite quarterback to the mix. The first takes time, good drafting and patience – and the other takes some good fortune. The Jaguars appear on the way to building a solid roster with some core players and ascending players. Time will tell on the quarterback, but it isn’t an easy process. In fact, it can be brutally difficult and frustrating. Obviously.

Jonathon from Jacksonville:

What will be the keys to Jaguars winning this weekend against the Broncos?

John: They must avoid turnovers. They must find a way to function offensively against a defense that is capable of making very good offenses not function. They must pressure the quarterback and stop the run. I think they will do the latter two. I worry about the offense functioning against the Broncos. Defensively, these guys are really, really good.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

You can’t call Davon House a miss. We had money we needed to spend and holes we needed to fill. He was the best cornerback on our team last year and provides solid depth this year. That’s what we (over)paid for, but free agency means overpaying. Even Julius Thomas took some attention away from Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, which helped them both break out in 2015 – though I would have liked to see more out of JT for longer. He got over-overpaid. Dan Skuta was never meant to be anything more than a solid, experienced body to help hold down what would have otherwise been a weak and shallow linebacking unit. It’s OK to spend free agency money (when you have it) on bodies like that (when you lack them).

John: If you’re going to spend in free agency, you’re going to overspend and have players who aren’t as good as their hype. The Jaguars have participated heavily in free agency at times in the last few seasons in the hope of upgrading the roster. For the most part, the players added have been at least marginal upgrades. Have they turned out to be core, franchise-defining players? Malik Jackson appears capable of being an exception, but for the most part — not expectedly – they have not.

Aaron from Chantilly:

John, I am probably in the minority but given the team they have and lack of playing time together and Blake Bortles’ regression, I just don’t see why Gus is taking the blame for all of this. I think he is a fine head coach who has the team’s respect. Would I like him to be a bit tougher with guys? Yes, but I think he is as good as they come but needs time to put a team together. Disagree?

John: The head coach takes the blame because that’s how it is, and no: I don’t disagree with your premise. I have said often that I don’t think Bradley is an awful coach and I don’t for a second believe that he is all that ails this franchise. But at 2-9 with expectations much higher than this, NFL reality is that heat on Bradley is very, very hot. Like scorching.

Greg from Jax:

John, do you realize that Gus will not have won a full season’s worth of games after four years? That is pretty fascinating. One has to think part of that is attributed to the curse you bring to this franchise.

John: Your question assumes that the Jaguars will not win two more games this season. I think they will win at least that many and possibly more. Either way, the Jaguars haven’t won enough games the past four seasons – and yes, a lot of it is on me.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Credit where it’s due

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

DUVAL DOOM from Section 217:

At this point I firmly believe you’re correct: Shad Khan won’t be making a mid-season coaching change. At what point do you feel it’s appropriate to begin questioning Shad’s ability as an owner? We’ve seen a rebuild that has not worked, a decision to cater to opposing fans because they can’t get any more Jags fans to show up and the worst record of any team in the last few years. Making changes to make changes may not yield results, but this has not, either.

John: Fans can question whatever they want whenever they want; it’s absolutely within their rights to do so. That’s especially true considering the Jaguars’ 2-9 record is not what anyone wants – and considering the expectations were so high entering the season. Considering those factors, it makes sense that people are questioning a lot that’s going on around the Jaguars right now. But Shad Khan has made significant moves to stabilize this franchise in Jacksonville, so in that sense I’d call him a successful owner – and that’s the part that is under his control. As far as win-loss record, the approach he has taken with the football side was not unsound. Has it had the desired results? No, but I don’t see Khan’s approach being the reason.

Vishwa from Jacksonville:

Hey, Zone. I understand for obvious reasons why Gus Bradley is on the hot seat. But why does Dave Caldwell get a pass? His first three picks were all top three picks and looks like none of them have worked out – Luke Joeckel, Blake Bortles and Dante Fowler Jr. How can a general manager be considered good if he has that poor a record with three Top 3 picks? Shad needs to clean house, including Dave. Agree?

John: No.

Tom from Orlando, FL:

I think Sunday was Jalen Ramsey‘s worst game this season. He has been a bright spot on an otherwise terrible team in a dismal year. While his performance wasn’t terrible, he was beaten on both of the Bills’ big plays. He took a bad angle and LeSean McCoy blew by him on his long touchdown run. He was also beaten by Sammy Watkins on his long reception. At the end of the day, he is still a rookie, although he has played like a Pro Bowl cornerback for most of the season.

John: Ramsey indeed is still a rookie, but he didn’t take a bad angle on McCoy’s long touchdown run. He played his gap, which was to contain outside. Free safety Tashaun Gipson filled the same gap as Ramsey and McCoy ran through the inside gap. As far as the long reception by Watkins … yeah, Watkins beat Ramsey on the play. Ramsey actually had pretty good coverage on the play, but Watkins won that one.

Keith from Jacksonville and Section 436:

2-14???

John: No.

Bruce from Gotham, NY:

The past few weeks there has been considerable drop off in the run game once Mr. Ivory leaves the game. This was very evident this past game. Did Mr. Caldwell miss on Mr. Yeldon? It does seem that he is more of a No. 2 change-of-pace back than a true No. 1, does it not, Mr. O?

John: Yeldon on Sunday was playing through an ankle injury, so I’m not sure his performance that day is the greatest gauge – and there have been times in his two NFL seasons when he has run very well. But overall, I would say yes: Yeldon looks like he has a chance to be a good complementary back, but I don’t know that he’s going to be a workhorse, No. 1 running back.

Big Brother from Duval:

You are your record and if your record says you’re not talented then you’re not talented; 2-9 and zero wins in November means you’re not talented.

John: OK.

Mike from St. Mary’s, GA:

Johnny O. It does not matter how talented this team is. All that talent is not coming together into a winning team. That’s got to fall on the coaches. How can it not be time for a change at the top? Just asking.

John: It’s not time for a change at the top because Khan does not believe a midseason coaching change is the way to go in the NFL. I do not know what will happen at the end of the season, but it stands to reason that all will be evaluated. It has been the sort of season that demands that.

Justin from Jacksonville:

Did it seem to you that Blake Bortles appeared to have a little more zip on his passes Sunday? I noticed fewer ducks and – dare I say – a spiral or two.

John: I thought Bortles played better Sunday than he had in most games this season. He did not commit a turnover and made some big plays with his legs. He also indeed had some impressive passes and overall seemed mechanically better than he has most of the season.

John from Jacksonville:

Of course you re-punt: that’s the smart move 95 percent of the time in that situation. You gave up a 15-yard return. Now, you gain five yards and have a shot at a turnover or pushing them back a good 20 yards and eating up another 10 seconds on them by re-punting. The problem wasn’t the decision; again, it was execution. Line drive punt and weak coverage.

John: Yeah, pretty much.

Chris from Houston, TX:

Since Tyson Alualu has been comparable to Jared Odrick, it seems like Odrick will be among the veterans who are released at the end of this season. Other candidates appear to be Julius Thomas, Dan Skuta and Davon House. Do you see any of these players remaining on the 2017 squad? P.S. All of these players were major free-agent additions brought in by David Caldwell. Seems like he deserves some criticism for not getting bang for his buck in free agency.

John: I’d be somewhat surprised at this point if the players you mentioned return next season, but I’ve been surprised before … so we’ll see. Yes, they were all major free-agent acquisitions brought in by Caldwell – and because everything’s open to criticism at 2-9, Caldwell certainly will be criticized for those acquisitions. At the same time, Caldwell’s free-agency approach has been clear from the start: sign free agents to what essentially are two-year contracts and get what you can from those players until you can draft and develop potential core players at the positions. It’s very difficult to get “bang for your buck” in free agency. One reason is you’re paying so much that it’s hard for a player to live up to the contract and another is that there are usually reasons players are available. Caldwell has “hit” on some free agents such as Sen’Derrick Marks, Malik Jackson, Prince Amukamara and Roy Miller III and he has “missed” on others. That’s pretty much the nature of free agency and it’s why it’s best to build through the draft.

Ron from Orlando, FL:

Why would the team spend $90 million on Malik Jackson, only to have him start over a near equal Sen’Derrick Marks? Seems like an awful large waste of money when there are so many other spots needing to be filled with “superstar” unrestricted free agents.

John: While I’m not a big free-agency guy, I will say Malik Jackson is one of the better unrestricted free-agent signings I’ve ever covered. While it’s impossible for a player to “live up” to that kind of money, he’s remarkably close to doing so. As for superstar unrestricted free agents … well, I guess I just I always smile when I hear the term “superstar” connected to unrestricted free agency.

Jeff from Troutman, NC:

I agree with Blake: there was a crucial call missed; however, refs do not make or break a game. Plenty of opportunities were presented to pull away in the first half. Our Jags failed us once again. As [Bills Head Coach] Rex [Ryan] said, they are the most talented 2-8 team in the NFL. On the upside, when they start meshing as a team, it could look deadly.

John: I answered enough questions about officiating Monday that there’s not much to add today. But your second point is a good one: the Jaguars pretty much lost Sunday’s game in the first quarter. They led 7-0 entering the second quarter, but they had missed three opportunities to increase that lead. That’s a formula for losing more often than not and that formula bit hard Sunday.

Mike from Jacksonville:

How can you say Bortles played one of his better games? He threw for only 126 yards. You are not going to win many games throwing for that many yards. Check Sunday’s stats and see how many winning quarterbacks threw for that fewer yards. I guess because no interceptions makes it one of his better games. Just sayin!

John: Bortles played one of his better games Sunday precisely because he did not throw any interceptions and because he did not make negative plays to hurt his team. He has done those two things too often and he has been criticized when he has done so. Is it not OK to mention it when he does the right thing?

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Positively positive

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

JACKSONVILLE – I don’t like Mondays. I want to shoot the whole day down.

Let’s get to it …

Logan from Wichita, KS:

I am starting to think that everyone who said before the season started that “this is a talented team” is an IDIOT. This team is worse than mediocre talent-wise and 2-9 proves that. With this losing environment and lack of ACTUAL talent, we won’t win another game until 2019 or later. I’m sick of this.

John: You’re far from alone being sick of what’s going on, Logan. The current six-game losing streak is bizarre, disheartening and frustrating on a pretty grand and epic scale. Not only was a 2-9 record unexpected, a 2-9 record in this fashion is just strange. The Jaguars now have played four consecutive pretty good teams very tough and easily could have won any of those games. Instead, they won none of those games. But to say that this team is “mediocre talent-wise” is to pretty dramatically miss the big picture. Yes, losing stinks – and 2-9 stinks right now. But the last few games also show that this team indeed has talent and is closer to being good than it has been in a while. That doesn’t make 2-9 better, but it should mean some victories before 2019.

Emily from Richland, WA:

Just punt the ball out of bounds. Ridiculous.

John: Well … you’re not wrong.

Daniel Since Day One from Jacksonville:

So sad … better in several areas, but still not good enough. I have never understood why we have a nose tackle in a hybrid 4-3 defense, but did a great job the last few weeks and I certainly didn’t think that it hurt us. Sunday, no nose tackle and I certainly didn’t think it hurt us … in fact, it helped get more sacks on a highly mobile quarterback?

John: The reason the Jaguars use a nose tackle in base situations is the same reason they have a strong-side defensive end. It’s because of the defense’s emphasis on the stopping the run on early downs. The Jaguars’ defense has played well in recent weeks with or without a nose tackle, and yes … having Sen’Derrick Marks and on the field at the same time does give this defensive front a speedy, athletic element that can’t hurt against mobile quarterbacks. It didn’t hurt against the Bills’ athletic, multi-look running game, either. Would the quicker look have worked as well against a run offense based more on power than that of the Bills? I don’t know.

Tony from Murray Hill:

is better than .

John: There’s certainly no drop off from one to the other. Alualu always has been a good, solid, reliable player for this team. He is proving to be that again. That has been important in light of the five games that Odrick has missed this season.

Mike from Jacksonville:

How do you compete when three possessions are taken away from you? That’s the equivalent of three turnovers – “forward progress”, “DPI”, and a no call on A-Rob.

John: Yeah, I know the plays you’re referencing. I usually don’t spend a lot of time rehashing/discussing penalties because they usually balance out. I didn’t see a lot of balancing getting done Sunday.

Dakota from Fleming Island, FL:

I feel this needs to be said, so here goes. We aren’t good enough to clearly beat average teams. We need to be better (execution, coaching, players, all of it overall) so we can beat these teams. But this season the officiating in these close games has been brutally against us. The Green Bay game was bad, there were some very questionable calls in some close games early in the season and Sunday may have been the worst. From the supposed non-fumble early on all the way to LeSean McCoy clearly stepping out of bounds on his own in the last drive and them running the clock. … We probably didn’t deserve to win but the officiating has not been anywhere near fair towards both teams and has taken away opportunities that we needed for us to win close games.

John: You’re not alone in your feelings. Nor are you necessarily incorrect.

Mark from High Springs:

I have never seen such a blatant showing of bias by a referee crew in all my years of watching the sport. This is not the first game this season heavily influenced by the refs, but it seems to be the most obvious. What can we do when the integrity of the game seems to be in question: bad ball spotting, the missed PIs, the clock moving while McCoy is a yard out of bounds, all favoring the home team? Is this what we can expect for the remainder of the season?

John: I don’t know.

Brian from Section 238:

Time for another rebuild. Only way this pathetic excuse for a team gets better.

John: No, no, no, no, no. No. I understand the frustration and I understand a six-game losing streak is unacceptable and inexcusable. I never would have predicted it and I doubt many other people would have predicted it, either. I don’t know what the end of the season will hold and I don’t know what direction Owner Shad Khan will choose. I do know that whatever the direction this is not a team in need of a dramatic rebuild. Not even close.

Ed from Jacksonville:

We are hard on Blake for his decision-making in Year 3 and rightfully so, but how about good ‘ol Gus? Let’s have them re-kick a punt when our punt coverage has been horrendous and are now gassed when we had them on about their own 40 with our defense playing great. Or how about calling a timeout on fourth-and-1 while they are sending their kicker out for a field goal with less than a minute to go in the first half. Or how about not calling timeout in the crucial fourth-and-4 on our last drive in which a coach with any clue would have done in such a critical situation!! Seems like our fourth-year coach still can’t get some of the basics down yet, either. But Wow: we have a great culture with Sen’Derrick Marks celebrating he didn’t actually jump offside on their late fourth-and-inches. Wow. What you think?

John: I think people criticizing Bradley in the wake of Sunday’s are understandably upset about Bradley’s record and therefore see every decision he makes that doesn’t turn out favorably as bad decisions. Re-punting late in the first half made sense because the Bills had just returned a punt 16 yards and it was reasonable to assume that would punt the next punt better than he did – and that the Jaguars could improve their field position. I get that the Jaguars’ punt coverage has struggled, but a head coach can’t make that decision assuming his special teams will allow a long return. Bradley’s decision to call timeout late in the first half was made with the idea of getting the ball back for the offense, which is a perfectly legitimate strategy with a minute remaining in the half. As far as not calling a timeout at the end on fourth-and-4 … yes, that would have been a decent idea. At the same time, the clock was stopped after an incomplete pass. You shouldn’t have to call timeout in that situation to get a play off.

Travis from High Springs, FL:

Hi, John. Do you believe if Nathaniel Hackett had started the season as our offensive coordinator that our running game would have been better earlier in the season and led us to some more wins? It just seems to me that our offense has been way better or more competitive since he’s taken over. Do you agree?

John: The running game has been better since Hackett took over as offensive coordinator four weeks ago, and there certainly has been noticeable improvement when running back has been able to get into a rhythm. Part of the improvement, too, has come from Bortles running more decisively/effectively at times. At the same time, while the Jaguars have improved offensively in recent weeks, they have lost all four games and have been unable to score at critical times – particularly in the fourth quarter. So, has it improved? Sure. Would the Jaguars have won more had it improved earlier? Harder to say.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

Blake actually looked like a backup quarterback or once this year. That’s a major step in the right direction for him.

John: I was going to admonish Jerell for being mean here, then I realized that I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Jerell be quite so nice. And you know what? I was proud of Jerell. He’s making progress. But yes – Bortles played one of his better games of the season Sunday. He didn’t throw interceptions and he was pretty decisive taking off and running. Maybe it’s something on which he and the offense can build.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Burning sensation

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Game-day O-Zone.

Let’s get to it …

John from Jacksonville:

I find it very interesting how teams are labeled very good versus very bad by the simple measure of who makes one or two extra key mistakes in the course of 60 minutes of action. It’s quite a generalization for such a fine line of difference between two opponents. Yes, some teams have a knack to win the close games more than others but, to me, defining a team as good or bad lies more to the full body of work/effort versus the fortune of getting that edge of the extra good play to win. Losing so much like the Jags have done this season sucks, but I don’t place them in the category of being a “bad” team this season. They are about 10 total plays of being in the chase for the division lead, but that’s the price of having a young team trying to get playing time together.

John: There’s a lot of truth in this point, and I think it’s indeed something that gets overlooked because the frustration of losing is so overwhelmingly … well, frustrating. Whereas two or three years ago the Jaguars were not “a play or two away” in most games, this season that’s indeed the case. Does this mean the Jaguars are a good team? No. A 2-8 record is a bad record so the Jaguars are, in that sense, a bad team. But it’s probably fair to put them in the category of an “ordinary bad team” rather than a “bad team with a long way to go” – the latter being the category they found themselves in 2013 and 2014. That means while things still need to get fixed, the fixes are perhaps not so difficult and might not take so long as was the case a few seasons ago. At the same time, remember: winning close games and making plays at the end of games to do so pretty much defines the NFL. If you can’t do it, you’re going to lose a lot more than you win.

Attila from Budapest, Hungary:

John, what is the eye problem precisely that keeps inactive? Did it happen in practice/game or off the field? Do you think he will be with the Jags next year?

John: Jaguars Leo defensive end Chris Smith sustained an eye injury against Kansas City November 6. The exact nature of the injury hasn’t been revealed, but he has remained inactive because physical exertion and contact would put the eye at risk. I don’t know if he will be with the Jaguars next season. But he has improved since his first two seasons and has a year remaining on his contract, so I’d be surprised if he’s not in training camp in 2017.

Josh from Lynchburg, VA:

I liked Jack Del Rio, and never thought he was a bad coach. He just gave up on the dumpster fire in Jax and got out of dodge.

John: I liked Del Rio, too. And he didn’t give up in Jacksonville. He was fired.

Preston from Soeprasetyo:

O-Man, I completely understand those who want to be benched. I don’t agree, because I think he can overcome at least some of his issues. But how can ANYONE believe is a better option?

John: When starting quarterbacks struggle in the NFL people want to see backups play. I don’t think benching Bortles is the answer, but that’s why those who want to see Henne think that way.

Steven from Woodbine, GA:

Why is it that you are always right and the paying fans are always wrong? When was the last time you paid to watch the Jags lose? Whatever happened to the old saying “the CUSTOMER is always right?” It seems you treat your readers’ thoughts as irrelevant and sometimes ignorant. I will admit that some of the comments are just that, but many of the fans have very good points to make and you just brush them off with either the company line or some other pointless response. Remember when the fans feel as if they don’t have a voice, they will just lose interest as many already have. Help us out, John, with some true candid answers.

John: I was going to say something about not always being right, but I realized that was wrong. I was also going to say something about the irony of getting an email complaining that the fans don’t have a voice in a forum specifically designed to … you know, give fans a voice … then I got caught up in the deliciousness of again being right and decided to take a nap. Before I napped, I remembered that my job is to answer questions and not to necessarily trying to accomplish the impossible task of answering every question in a manner that every reader likes. I unsurprisingly slept quite well.

Tom from Ponte Vedra Beach and Section 106:

It is said that football is a game of inches; I’d say it is also a game of split seconds. One consistent trait of very good quarterbacks is all have very quick releases. Philip Rivers with the wacky mechanics gets the ball out in the blink of an eye. Russell Wilson is a bit short but he releases the ball superfast. Ben Roethlisberger is built more like a linebacker – but bang, it’s gone. It seems true of them all. So much has been said about Blake good and bad, mechanics, desire, on and on … I’m afraid his slow release is going to hold him back no matter what he does. It doesn’t matter if he makes a great decision if the window closes. Do you think this is something that can be coached and drilled or is it just something the great ones are blessed with?

John: I don’t know if quarterbacks are “blessed” with a quick release or if it’s developed over time. I do know I agree that the great ones have it. I also believe it’s something that can be improved upon. Whether Bortles will ever get it to the point where he reacts to what he sees and throws as quickly as the quarterbacks you mention … only time will tell, but it is a key issue.

Aaron from Duval:

Okay, hear me out. A team practices special teams and field goals and various other situations which happen only a couple times a game. Is it time for us to start spending more time practicing tackling after an interception? With the near guarantee of this happening a couple times a game now we might as well start practicing keeping them from being touchdowns, right?

John: I heard you out. I am now wiping away tears.

Hunter from Jacksonville Beach:

Be the spark, John. This team hangs on your every word. They look to you to lead. So lead.

John: Nah.

Dave from Oviedo, FL:

O-Zone, in Blake’s first season, due to his bad mechanics, he was an arm thrower (not using his body in his throws), which led him to admit that his arm was tired at the end of the year. With the mechanics regressing and the high number of passes that he’s thrown this year, I’m afraid his arm is only going to deteriorate the rest of the season.

John: This is indeed something to watch. I haven’t seen much this season to make me think Bortles’ arm is getting tired. He actually seemed to throw better – with a quicker motion much of the time – for the most part the last few weeks since spending time with his quarterbacks guru, Adam Dedeaux. Will it deteriorate the rest of the season? I kind of doubt it – at least not as much as it did when he was a rookie – but we’ll see.

Geoff from Jacksonville:

How long before Lee overtakes Robinson as WR1? That guy can play!

John: I think we’re a ways from this – mainly because Robinson has shown since pretty much his rookie year that he can be consistent, productive and healthy over the long haul. Lee is starting to do that, but he hasn’t quite reached Robinson’s level of reliability. But the good news for Lee and the Jaguars is there’s every indication he’s still improving at a rapid pace. Considering his ability and his current level of play, that makes Lee’s future as bright as any player on the roster.

Neal from New York:

I don’t understand why no one is talking about . The guy has been playing lights-out the last few weeks and has done exactly what we brought him in to do. He was definitely worth the big contract. Do you think he earned a long-term contract and is on the team next year? Thanks.

John: I would try to re-sign Prince Amukamara for exactly the reasons you cite. Whether the Jaguars will do this or not only time will tell. At 2-8 very little about the coming offseason is yet certain.

Jason from North Pole, AK:

If I held your hands to the fire and asked you if sees playing time at all this season what would you say?

John: Ow.

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O-Zone: Shocker

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Chris from Los Angeles, CA:

O, man … they are roasting us right now. , Gus Bradley – and now Shad Khan is being accused of keeping Yes Men around. I don’t think he became a billionaire by employing Yes Men. This is BB’s fault. He has to know he’s killing the entire team. I saw a gentlemen point out that our last two coaches were called bad when losing. Now, both coaches have winning teams that improve every week. The point, again: it’s the players. And more focused, it’s BB. He is a literal Franchise Killer. He should have the decency to step down as the “Man” because he knows he’s the reason the record is as bad as it is. His teammates are fed up with his performances. is in tears because he doesn’t like losing. So you lose Ramsey’s desire to play here – and what now? He needs to do the right thing. He needs to step down before he ruins the careers of others.

John: Whoa, whoa, whoa, Chris!!! Slow down. Take a breath. Now, another … Good? Good. Look, this is a really disappointing season. The Jaguars are 2-8 when much more was expected. Because it’s usual for a coach to have coached this long with so little success, it’s drawing national attention. But whatever is said about the Jaguars, “Yes Men” had nothing to do with it. Khan has stuck with this because he believed in the plan and because he believed the Jaguars’ situation four years ago was dire enough that the building process needed an unusual amount of time; Khan believed that the Jaguars were far enough away at that point that it was going to take an unusual approach – i.e., drafting and developing without any early emphasis on free agency – to climb out of the hole that existed at the time. The idea was that the Jaguars would struggle for a while then reap the rewards of the growing process – theoretically beginning around this season. That hasn’t happened – and as you suggest, struggling quarterback play is part of the reason. But while what’s going on is frustrating, it’s not as if hope for the future is gone. This team has been competitive. Turnovers and missed opportunities are the major difference between 2-8 and much better. The end of the season will come in about five weeks; at that time, Khan will begin the steps toward figuring the franchise’s future direction. But until then, Bortles is not going to step down as quarterback and no one’s going to take Jalen Ramsey’s desire to play away. Ramsey will be fine – and the Jaguars in time will be fine, too.

James from Upper Marlboro, MD:

I have not lost faith in the Jaguars. I do, though, have reservations about David Caldwell. Many people blame Gus Bradley for Blake Bortles, but didn’t Caldwell pick Bortles – or was that a group consensus pick?

John: Caldwell has final say over draft selections.

Tony from Atlanta, GA:

Since this rebuild has been a total failure, do you think a team will ever do it the way the Jags did? It’s a reason a rebuild like this wasn’t tried before.

John: As difficult as this season has been, it’s premature to call the Jaguars’ building process a total failure. No, the Jaguars aren’t winning enough, but the roster is stronger than four years ago – and if the roster grows into a contending team in the coming years, the approach the Jaguars took could be viewed far differently than is currently the case. As far as other teams following the approach … we’ll see. Each team follows its own path based on its own circumstances.

Pete from Jacksonville:

I am tired of hearing that Bradley’s first two or now three years should be discounted because the roster was poor. We were posting historically bad numbers and performances over and over. He NEVER gets his team no matter the roster to play better than the sum of the parts and without mistakes. A competent coach would have stolen more wins, surprised a few times, and lost way more close ones. We will never get to .500 with him as head coach.

John: OK.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

What’s this nonsense that the Jags still believe Blake is the guy of the future????? I hope Shad Khan cleans house. That way new general manager and head coach won’t hitch their wagon to THE PICK MAGNET – aka, Blake “The Pick Six” Bortles.

John: There remains belief within the Jaguars’ organization that the team can win with Bortles and that he can improve his mechanical issues, decision-making and accuracy. I don’t know what the direction of the Jaguars’ franchise will be after the season. I am fairly certain that whatever the direction one of the first postseason orders of business will be to figure the direction of the quarterback position. I believe Bortles will be part of that position going forward. Exactly in what capacity, I do not know.

Tom from Orlando, FL:

A wise man once said, “Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.” This is how I feel about the Jaguars now. I embrace the fact that they are terrible. I wear my jersey in public and laugh along with people when they make fun of my team. It hurts less, and is the only way to hold onto my sanity when this was supposed to be the year we could be proud to be Jaguar fans again. We just need a pathetic nickname like The Bungles now.

John: It has been a tough year.

Justin from Jacksonville:

I may be in the minority here. In fact, I’m pretty sure I am. But I say give Bortles another offseason to work on his game. I just feel like we haven’t seen what this man is capable of just yet.

John: I think Bortles will get the opportunity to work on his fundamentals and mechanics this offseason, and I think he will get the opportunity at least to compete for the Jaguars’ starting-quarterback position moving forward.

Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL:

Hi, John. People seem to be down on , especially after last week’s fumble, but he took a hard, direct hit directly on his ball-carrying arm. Even if he had both arms on the ball that hit could still have caused a fumble. Fumbles aren’t always caused by careless running backs.

John: People do seem a bit down on Chris Ivory – but I don’t get the sense observers are down on Ivory specifically as much as they are frustrated with all things Jaguars. I get the feeling that Ivory’s fumble issues this season have been more coincidental than a matter of him being fumble-prone – and I’d be surprised if his fumbling continues. We’ll see.

Charlie from Fort Mill, SC:

Hey John, Krimma?

John: Soon.

John from Centreville:

I understand how easy it is to blame the head coach for everything going wrong with the franchise right now, but if you could go back to the beginning of the year and swap Gus Bradley for Bill Belichick – or swap Blake Bortles for Tom Brady (assuming no suspension) – which move would have the biggest effect on the Jags’ record right now? I’m not trying to absolve Gus of his responsibility for our record nor am I blaming Blake for all of our ills, but it’s probably an easy choice for most people. Having said that, if Tom Brady had been our quarterback for the last four years, I would wager that nobody would be talking about firing Gus Bradley right now. Your thoughts?

John: Tom Brady is one of the elite quarterbacks in NFL history. It’s not a commentary on the worth of Blake Bortles to say that if you put Brady on pretty much any NFL roster the team would be better for his presence.

Scott from Atlantic Beach, FL:

When I watch Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins, Sam Bradford, Matt Stafford, etc., etc., they look so smooth and throw accurate passes. Then, I look at Bortles. The Jaguars organization really thinks Bortles can still be the future? That seems absurd to me, am I wrong?

John: We’ll see.

Stephen from Jacksonville:

It’s hard to watch NFL football because all it does is remind me of how far behind the Jaguars are. How far behind they are from average NFL football. Shameful/painful.

John: The Jaguars are a long way from being an elite, Super Bowl-contending team. They are not far away at all from being an average NFL team. They are, in fact, a play or two and a few fewer turnovers from being exactly that.

Don from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

The Jags are going to win the remaining games and win the division and shock the world! Go Jags!

John: #DTW … wait … who’s going to do what?

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