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O-Zone: Good times

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

John from Jacksonville:

First, I am so tired of hearing and reading about ‘ “mechanics” in every article and during every game. OK – just had to say that. I’m confident Bortles will be a franchise quarterback but am growing more concerned as each game goes by that it will be too late to prove it here and he will be sent packing only to become elite somewhere else. Also, just want to mention that we should win this weekend because the odds are in our favor due to losing so much. Could this be the start of a streak?

John: First, while I understand people being weary of the “Mechanics Issue,” it involves the starting quarterback – so it will be an issue until it’s not. As far as Sunday’s game, I do believe the Jaguars have a chance to win, though I don’t think the recent losing streak gives them an edge. I actually think that works against them because they’ve lost enough that there may be a feeling of “Here We Go Again …” when something goes wrong. No, I believe the Jaguars have a chance to win because the Lions’ defense isn’t dominant – which could give the Jaguars’ offense a chance to be productive and finish drives. The Lions also have forced just seven turnovers, which is the second-fewest in the NFL behind only the Jaguars’ five. They’ve trailed in every game this season and have come from behind in the fourth quarter to win five times. So, is this the week the Jaguars start a streak? Who knows? But it’s not as if winning is an impossible dream.

Steve from Hudson, FL:

Would a four-touchdown, 300-plus-yard, zero-interception game and a win get some of the heat off Bortles?

John: It sure wouldn’t hurt.

Terry from Jacksonville:

John Madden always said that games are won and lost in the trenches. My question is why the Jags have not really addressed their offensive line in the last four years.

John: The Jaguars have used a first-round draft selection (left tackle ) and two third-round selections (guard and center ) on the offensive line in the last four years. They also during that span have signed a left tackle () in free agency, as well as a right tackle () and a guard (Zane Beadles). They have done this while essentially drafting and/or signing and/or tearing down and rebuilding the entire 53-man roster during that same time. While the line has pass blocked well this season, it’s perhaps correct to say that the Jaguars’ offensive line could and perhaps should be better. It’s not correct to say the Jaguars haven’t addressed the offensive line in the last four years.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

Losing sucks. Can we stop doing that already? That would be nice.

John: Wouldn’t it, though?

Bill from Orange Park, FL and Section 104:

Best owner in the NFL?!?!?! Certainly not based on win/loss record or keeping home games at home. This franchise has seen all-time lows since Shad Khan took over. Please enlighten us as to why the fans of teams like the Patriots, Seahawks, Broncos, Cowboys, etc. are jealous they don’t have Khan.

John: Khan is the owner of the Jaguars. He is not the owner of the Patriots, Seahawks, Broncos or Cowboys. As such, he faces challenges in one of the NFL’s smallest markets that owners of those teams in larger markets don’t face. Since taking over the team, he has dramatically transformed the business side of the franchise and has taken dramatic measures to stabilize the franchise in Jacksonville. I frankly am not sure if the Jaguars would be in Jacksonville if not for Khan, and I certainly don’t think the franchise’s future would be as stable in the city if not for him. Having a game each year in London is a big part of that stability because it has helped local revenue in a huge way that was sorely needed. Are the Jaguars as good on the field as would be ideal? No, but that’s an area Khan can’t control. In the areas that he can control he indeed has been an exemplary owner – and yes, Jaguars fans indeed should be glad he owns the team.

Mike from Mandarin, FL:

O-man, I know I have been somewhat harsh on my emails to you, but that’s only because I’m passionate and have been going to the games since the beginning. But all I want to do now is cry, and move on from this season. Can I cry now, or is it still too early in the season?

John: I cry often – not very much over the Jaguars, but certainly in my daily Moments of Self-Assessment. So, yes, Mike, if it helps … Cry on, Good Man. Cry on.

Travis from Melbourne, FL:

I guess this isn’t as much of a question as it is a vent. The biggest problem I have so far this year is that we essentially have “wasted” a full year of all of our young “talent” by giving Gus another year to prove he is equally as bad at coaching as he was the last few years, The door is closing on utilizing this talent and he is gonna be the one to slam it shut. Oh well, there’s always next year.

John: Yes, it’s all coaching. It’s always all coaching in the National Football League.

Nick from London, England:

The Thursday night games appear to consistently lack quality, probably due to the short preparation time – and not just this season. Do you think the NFL should extend the regular season by one week, give every team a bye before their Thursday game, making two byes each in total? It allows the league to make more revenue by having an extra week of games on television, means there’s more time to extend the International Series if that’s what they want to do – and most importantly, it should help to improve the quality of the product on the field on Thursday nights.

John: I’m not a fan of anything that adds another bye week. While I am all about time off and take as much of it on a daily basis as I can get away with, the NFL tried the two-bye-week thing once. This was in 1993, and the extra bye week extended the season so much – and caused it to feel disjointed enough – that the concept was immediately scratched. Contrary to my own personal feelings on the matter, it turns out there is such a thing as too much rest.

Sam from Jacksonville:

O … I don’t feel sorry for you because you’ve got a great job. I’ve never called you a homer … BUT your recent article on Blake Bortles is like putting lipstick on a pig. The season is lost … the franchise is losing fans and support by the day. Bortles should be released ASAP and the Jags should offer anything short of a first-rounder to the Cowboys for Romo in the offseason.

John: The Jaguars aren’t going to release Bortles ASAP.

Jason from Jacksonville:

John, you consistently say that the Jags need to stick with Blake Bortles the rest of the season to find out what they have. OK, let’s say they do that and nothing improves. Then what? I’ve heard you and Ryan O’Halloran say that Blake is still going to be on the team next year and still part of this offense. If that’s the case, then what difference does it make if they let him play out the season or try to win with someone else if he’s still going to be part of this team next year regardless of the outcome this year? This thought process seems to negate the argument for letting him play the season out no matter what happens.

John: The arguments for benching Blake Bortles center around the Jaguars theoretically believing Bortles is not the best quarterback on the roster and that he is not going to be the Jaguars’ quarterback in the future. That’s not the belief within the building.

Lou from Uzbekistan:

Mazzy Star or Hoodoo Gurus?

John: Hoodoo Gurus because Bittersweet.

Glen from Section 408:

I know you have to protect Blake and suppress certain things that show him in poor light. I feel the need to continue shining that light on him. I know you won’t post it but I’ll continue sending it. First quarter passer rating 37.8. Passer rating when game is tied (e.g. 0-0) 39.3. He can only compete against soft secondaries.

John: Glen, come over here and sit in the truth chair. Comfortable? Good. Here’s the truth: I don’t post every email I receive in the O-Zone every day. I get many, many emails on a given day. I answer some. I don’t answer others. I also certainly don’t “Protect Blake,” nor would I be in a position to do so if I so desired. Only he can do that by playing better.

Ryan from Jacksonville:

One day we will win a Super Bowl. For all the fans that have stuck around during these years, it will be a great day.

John: True that.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Peering into his soul

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Mickey from Ocala, FL:

Tony Boselli, Hall of Fame … at last. Is this the year?

John: Tony Boselli indeed was named a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist for a second consecutive year on Wednesday evening. That means the former Jaguars offensive tackle is one of 26 candidates in the running to make the Hall next year. The list will be reduced to 15 in January with the 2017 class announced February 4 – the night before Super Bowl LI. Writing on Wednesday evening, Gil Brandt of NFL Media ranked Boselli sixth of the 26 semifinalists – and while that guarantees nothing, it’s not insignificant. I sensed legitimate momentum for Boselli late last year when voters really started digging into and studying his career. While he didn’t make the hall last year, I had a far better feeling about his chances than I ever had had before. I’ve always firmly believed Boselli deserves to be in the Hall, though I wondered about his chances because of his career longevity and because people for a long time seemed to overlook his accomplishments. Boselli was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the NFL 1990s All-Decade team. He was perhaps the best left tackle in the NFL during a Golden Age for the position. That has been overlooked by voters for far too long. I’m sensing a significant sea change on that front over the last year or so – and I now believe Boselli indeed will get in at some point. It’s hard to predict if this is the year it happens or not, although it’s not remotely out of the realm of possibility.

Aaron from Milroy, PA:

You say it’s not Bradley’s fault that Blake is missing open receivers, but it is. He did not coach Blake properly and did not continue to work on his mechanics during the offseason.

John: LOL. OK.

Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL:

Hi John, something tells me Blake will have to compete to be the starting quarterback next year. With every pass being like “a box of chocolates,” I hope he spends significant time with his quarterback guru – or whoever – this offseason or he’s not going to win that competition.

John: I agree that there’s a chance will have to compete in a significant way for the Jaguars’ starting quarterback position next season. That doesn’t mean he won’t be the starter, but it does mean it may not be guaranteed. And I agree that there’s a really good chance he will spend a lot of time with his quarterbacks guru (Adam Dedeaux) this offseason.

Sebastian from Mexico:

MJ play weak side this game?

John: If does not play Sunday, then yes – will play weak-side linebacker. My guess is Smith will play.

Roger from Jacksonville:

On January 15, 2000, the Jaguars humiliated the Miami Dolphins 62-7 in what would be Hall-of-Fame quarterback Dan Marino’s last NFL game. Clearly, the football gods were deeply offended by this upstart franchise’s impertinence, and placed a curse on the Jaguars. Nothing good has happened to this franchise in the nearly 17 years since that fateful day (starting with the third loss of the season to the Titans a week later). How long must we endure the curse of the Marino? What sacrifice must be made to appease the football gods, and persuade them to grant us mercy?

John: Nah, that ain’t it.

Clif from Washington, DC:

“First, I don’t believe the Jaguars will be 2-12 …” Haven’t you been wrong on just about everything regarding this season?

John: Yes and no. I thought the Jaguars would be better than 2-7 at this point, but I had serious doubts about whether they would be the playoff-contending team many observers projected. I also said often during the offseason that I believed the offense and Blake Bortles would be the major storylines this season, and that their ability to improve – particularly Bortles’ ability to do so – would be what decided success or failure. I also said I believed while the Jaguars’ defense wouldn’t be great, it would be improved enough to keep the team competitive. So, while I am often wrong – and while I am indeed comfortable drowning daily in a rampaging sea of wrongness, I actually have not been wrong about “just about everything regarding this season.”

Jack from Jacksonville:

Well, that wasn’t much of a look-ahead Wednesday; it was the same old complaints!

John: What else ya got?

Richard from Orange Park, FL:

This is a tough question to ask as a fan. I suppose as a writer it actually won’t be as tough to answer. Is the real reason you stick with Blake this season, and I suppose in a lesser degree Gus, so when you move on from them next year you can do so knowing you gave them every chance? We want to be the franchise that when we sign a player or hire a coach his agent can look to him and say, ‘You are getting fair-market value and you are going to get every chance to be a star. It is up to you now.’ Do we have the best owner in the league if they were to be ranked top to bottom?

John: You stick with Blake Bortles as the starting quarterback this season for a few reasons – that you believe he is the best quarterback on the roster, that you believe he will work his way through his issues and that you must find out if he is the franchise quarterback going forward. You stick with Bradley because you believe that midseason coaching changes don’t yield positive results and because you want to be a stable franchise – and of course because you still believe him coaching is the best chance to win games. I indeed would rank Jaguars Owner Shad Khan at the top of the list of NFL owners. That’s perhaps a bit skewed because I have seen first-hand his approach with this team on and off the field. I don’t have such first-hand experience with every NFL team, but within the context of what I do know I can honestly say … yes, I believe he’s one of the best owners in the NFL.

Kyan from Fort Myers, FL:

Last game the announcers were saying that was a Top 10 safety in the league?? Am I missing that the other 22 strong safeties in the league have been struggling that bad or am I not realizing that he is playing at a high level? Maybe I am just used to his missed tackles and horrible coverage that I haven’t noticed he has changed …

John: Cyprien indeed has played better this season than he did the past three seasons. He appears very definitely to have benefitted from ’s presence at free safety. The team’s hope in the offseason was the addition of Gipson would allow Cyprien to concentrate on playing in the box, where he typically had played OK in the past. He has been able to do that and his play has improved. I wouldn’t put him among the Top 10 strong safeties in the NFL, and he still has struggled at times against the pass. Still, he has improved overall – and definitely has improved against the run.

Howard from Loveland, CO:

It may not always be management’s fault, but it is difficult to imagine the Denver Broncos having three years like the last three in Jacksonville. Same with the New England Patriots. Don’t you feel that coaches and general managers who have a knack for getting the most out of their talent rise to the top?

John: Sometimes yes – and sometimes no. The Patriots and the Broncos are in the middle of remarkable runs of success. There are many reasons for this, and there’s no question that Bill Belichick is a remarkable head coach and that John Elway has done a very good job running the Broncos. But I would say the same is true of, say, the Baltimore Ravens – and they had a down year last season. The Green Bay Packers also have outstanding coaching and management – and they are struggling right now. When a franchise goes into a long-time downturn – which the Jaguars certainly have done – it’s extremely difficult to escape, although escape indeed does happen. The Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and other teams in recent decades have gone through long droughts. They eventually broke that cycle with runs of success. That will happen with the Jaguars. I can’t predict when, but it will happen.

Chuck from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

A TV commentator on Sunday speculated that Bortles has never been benched in his high school, college or pro careers, thus lacks the motivation to fix his mechanics. Any truth to this?

John: I lack the ability to peer into Bortles’ soul and know his motivations. I do know he worked hard to fix his mechanics in the 2015 offseason, and I do know that those mechanics seemed to be fine until early this preseason. I don’t know how much his high school-playing time had to do with whatever happened in late August, but who knows? Maybe it played a role.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Path to hope

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Marc from US Sad Club:

Hi John, I know this is a difficult question, but given your experience with the league – along with what you have seen so far – what do you think is Blake Bortles’ ceiling?

John: The question indeed is difficult because Bortles’ ceiling largely depends on his ability to fix his mechanics issues – and on his ability to improve his decision-making. He made real progress in the mechanics area between his rookie season and second season, and he seems to have regressed there this season. The odd part is the mechanics seemed OK during the offseason and early in preseason – and then they seemed to go away in a hurry. Can they be fixed? Considering his improvement from Year 1 to Year 2, you would think so. As far as his decision-making, that’s tougher – and in my opinion it has been the bigger concern this season. The area has been a real issue throughout his career – not all of the time, but at a lot of crucial times. Time and experience can be major factors in improving decision-making and ability to read/see the field. Some quarterbacks eventually get it. Some don’t. If Bortles improves these two areas, his ceiling is very high. He is gutsy, confident and a very good leader. He has shown he can make winning plays. He can lead a productive offense. If you can do those things, you can win in this league. If he doesn’t improve these things, then the ceiling is what you’re seeing now – and that ceiling clearly isn’t good enough.

Art from Drexel Hill:

At this point in the season what do you see as our biggest need – besides wins?

John: I’ll assume you’re not asking about quarterback because goodness knows we’ve discussed the position enough. Beyond that? Dominant run blocking. The offensive line has pass blocked well this season. It generally speaking has not run-blocked nearly as well.

Christian from Titusville, FL:

Hi John, I know you dismissed the question today about Philip Rivers, but if Dallas does keep Dak Prescott and Tony Romo doesn’t want to remain a backup, what do you think in terms of draft picks, etc. it would take to get him? I realize that might not be the Jags’ line of thinking for the future, but could you humor me?

John: I would guess it would take a second- or third-round selection to trade for Romo. One issue is that the Cowboys theoretically could – out of respect for him – allow Romo to have input into where he wants to be traded, which would then get into the question of whether he wanted to go to the Jaguars or go to a team he perceived to be closer to contending.

Scott from Daytona Beach, FL:

Geez, let’s give BB5 a little break here. I know he’s struggling; you can see it in every game. But everyone on that side of the ball is struggling – dropped passes, no running game and poor play-calling. It’s on everyone— not just the quarterback.

John: You’re right. Quarterback is magnified because it typically has far more influence on the game than any other position, but there’s no question that Blake Bortles is far from the only part of the Jaguars struggling right now.

Jason from Jacksonville:

John, on the O & O show Tuesday night, you seemed inclined to agree with the thought that if the Jags are 2-12, why not put Brandon Allen in for the last two weeks to find out what we have in him and to see how the team responds to him as the quarterback? Is this the only scenario, outside of injury, you could see Allen getting a chance to start this season? Would 3-11 be reason enough to give him a chance?

John: I’ll clarify this: While I indeed said on 1010XL Tuesday that I agreed that putting Brandon Allen in in the final two weeks or so of the season might make sense, I did not mean to imply that I believed that would happen. First, I don’t believe the Jaguars will be 2-12 at that point – and I tend to believe that Bortles will play well enough in the next few weeks that this won’t be quite the hot-fire issue in a month that it is now. Either way, I’ll be surprised if it happens. I’m not sensing any leaning toward starting Brandon Allen at any point this season. We’ll see if that changes.

Jay from Duval:

Will having losing records year after year have an impact on keeping key free agents such as Telvin, A-Rob and Linder?

John: It won’t help, but it’s hard to accurately predict that until after the season. Once players and agents know the direction a franchise is taking, it’s a lot easier to get an idea how negotiations may go.

Mason from Palm Bay, FL:

Gus made a comment about the ideal passes Blake throws a game being less than 30. Could we see Nathaniel Hackett looking to run the ball more in unconventional situations, such as second- and third- and long? I don’t know how we could cut 20 passes off Blake’s total Sunday if we didn’t try that.

John: The more sought-after scenario is for the Jaguars to be in fewer second- and third-and-long situations. That would go a long way toward accomplishing the objective.

David from Broward County:

O-Man, earlier in the season when Bortles’ struggles began, I suggested to you that Bortles didn’t work hard enough in the offseason on his footwork/mechanics. You said you didn’t think that was the case. Now it has been reported that in the offseason before the 2015 season, Bortles spent six weeks training with the private quarterbacks coach. He made great strides of improvement in these areas in 2015. It was also reported that in the offseason before the 2016 season, Bortles spent less than a week, maybe two or three days with the private quarterback coach. In 2016 he has regressed big league. He has not taken his footwork/mechanics issues seriously enough. We still have seven games to go and see if he can right the ship, but clearly Bortles needs to dedicate himself to fixing these issues in the next offseason (maybe more than six weeks with quarterbacks coach) or he may not even have a future as a backup quarterback. He will have to do this the rest of his career as well to keep these issues at bay. What do you think about this now?

John: I think I’d be surprised if Bortles didn’t spend a lot of time this offseason working with his quarterbacks coach, Adam Dedeaux.

Matt from Fernandina Beach and Section 132:

Being realistic, barring a miracle this is going to be another losing season and changes are coming. John, for those of us who have been through at least two unsuccessful rebuilds now, what is a realistic expectation after this season? Are we talking another four years, or are there enough pieces in place to make it quicker? Do we draft a quarterback or try and sign one to skip the line? Do you think Khan goes with an established winner at head coach if there is a change? We have put in a lot of time, and I am tired. I am curious what your thoughts are if you were to speculate.

John: I don’t yet know what the end of the season will bring, and I don’t know what Jaguars Owner Shad Khan’s thoughts will be at that point. I’ve never much cared about the “established-winner” thing as a head coach, because there’s no guarantee that past success will dictate future success – or that past struggles mean a coach won’t succeed. What do the Jaguars do at quarterback? You decide whether or not you believe Bortles is the guy. If you believe he is, you get to work on fixing the ongoing, well-chronicled issues. If you don’t, you get to work figuring out what’s available in the draft, free-agency or trade and get to work upgrading the spot as much as possible. As far as realistic expectations for the future? No, I don’t think we’re talking four more years until this team contends, and that’s true no matter what occurs at season’s end.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

Blake did not spend as much time with Tom House this past offseason as he did the previous offseason. If he spends even MORE time this coming offseason working on his mechanics than he did in 2015, he could see a lot of improvement. That does not even account for the steady improvement that he could accomplish by continuing to put in as much time in all future offseasons. Pair his measured improvement with any significant upgrade to the running game and the pass rush, and we start to look WAYYYY better. I’m not saying I believe this will happen (I don’t), but there is a path to success with Bortles, and it’s not that far-fetched. One fer hope!

John: Absolutely. Hope is cool. People like it.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Walk in the woods

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

JACKSONVILLE – All right! New week!! Look-ahead Wednesday. All is right in the world.

Let’s get to it …

David from Duval:

Please explain why the responsibility for this fiasco should not be on the shoulders of one Gus Bradley, and why the media tiptoes around this.

John: The responsibility for the Jaguars’ current situation indeed is on Gus Bradley because he is the head coach – and in big-time sports, it always eventually ends up being “about the head coach.” I can’t speak for “the media” and how they approach this issue. I can speak to how I approach it – and when I discuss the topic of head coaching, I rarely say losing or winning is All the Head Coach because it’s my experience that that’s rarely the case. Bradley this season certainly is at least partially responsible for the 2-7 record, but is he totally responsible? Is it his “fault” the offense couldn’t take advantage of multiple opportunities against Baltimore? Did he fumble three times against Kansas City? Has he missed open receivers? Yes, the head coach is going to bear the brunt as he is ultimately responsible for what goes on, but to say a head coach is entirely at fault … nah. While that may be conventional wisdom, and while Bradley may or may not retained after this season, you’re not likely to read me saying “it’s all on the head coach.” That may be easy writing and satisfying reading on some level, but it’s not reality.

Gerry from Arlington:

Did Gus Bradley really say “I don’t see anything in the future that shows is not our guy?” Really? What’s he seeing? More importantly, is this how the Jaguars really see this?

John: Bradley indeed said that, and he indeed expressed confidence Monday in Bortles as the Jaguars’ franchise quarterback. And yes, that’s the belief within the building. Bortles certainly has struggled this season in comparison to last season, and he could be making better decisions with more accuracy on some key throws. No one inside the building disagrees with that. But the team also believes Bortles will get through this rough stretch and that he is doing some positive things – and that he remains the guy for now and for the future.

John from Cape May, NJ:

This may be a farfetched, longshot scenario, but the season’s lost, so I’m gonna throw it out there, anyway. The Jags in the offseason should trade for Philip Rivers. The Jags have a solid nucleus of talent, but obviously the quarterback position is holding us back. The Chargers look like they will be moving, and Rivers has publicly stated he does not want to move with the team. The Jags could offer their first-round pick, which will be a Top 5 pick, to the Chargers. It seems like a win-win scenario for both teams. We would get a top-tier quarterback who could play for three-to-five more years, while the Chargers get a chance to draft a new franchise quarterback if they wish. The only downside is we would be giving up on the chance of drafting a guy like Garrett, Allen, Peppers, or Adams – all of whom would look real good on the Jags’ defense – but the quarterback position takes precedent over all that. It’s a scenario that the new regime should at least consider.

John: I’m all for it, but only if the Jaguars also trade their second-rounder for Aaron Rodgers. You must not neglect the backup quarterback position.

Clif from Washington, DC:

You just listed a punter as a “bright spot” on the team. That should show everyone just how bad this season has actually been.

John: has been good. He has been one of the bright spots on the team. But if you needed to read that to understand how bad this season has gone, you haven’t been paying attention.

Gabe from Washington, DC:

How could you forget to include Tinker on the list of pretty consistent bright spots this season? The man is Pro Bowl-bound; maybe even Canton.

John: You’re right. My bad.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

You know what is starting to concern me? Bradley seems like the kind of guy that when we lose and someone like Fowler makes a huge mistake, he acts like the players are five-year olds playing in the backyard. He needs to open up a can of whoop @$$ and shut that down not say “aww, that’s OK little guy we will do better next time because I know you tried and that’s all that matters, here is your juice box.” Players need to be held responsible and based on our record and the repeat offenders I don’t think Gus is actually holding anyone accountable. Prove me wrong … 14-44 says you can’t.

John: is not starting. His playing time is down over the last month of the season compared to the first part of the season. He has been pulled from the game after his last two 15-yard penalties. Bradley’s overall record, as much as Jaguars fans understandably use it in every anti-Gus Bradley argument, isn’t really the issue here. The issue is that the coaches have tried to discipline this out of Fowler. So far, it hasn’t worked. It’s an issue, but it’s not as if it hasn’t been addressed.

Chris from Mandarin:

John, let’s be realistic here. There are seven more games to figure out whether Gus Bradley or Blake Bortles are worth giving another year. There have been flashes of brilliance from Bortles, tucked somewhere in between innumerable stretches of dumbfounding play. Gus Bradley has been consistently bad. What could realistically happen between now and the end of the season to make Shad Khan and/or Dave Caldwell think these two are the answer going forward?

John: The Jaguars could win many games and lose very few.

Josh from Green Bay, WI:

After Game One of this season, I had high hopes of a season of 8-8 or better. After the first nine games, I think I expect a 2-14 finish, a coaching change in the offseason, another Top 5 pick, and a five-win season next year. This has truly been the hardest season for me.

John: You’re not alone. This season seems to have been the more difficult for many fans to accept than previous losing seasons – with the obvious reason being so much more was expected. I didn’t expect the playoffs, necessarily, but even my tempered, cynical expectations expected the Jaguars to hover around .500 with a chance to push for better if things went right. I don’t know yet what the next seven games or the season’s immediate aftermath will hold. It’s far from unreasonable to think this team could be looking at yet another Top 10 selection. So, I agree with you on many fronts. But I don’t agree with your outlook for the future. What’s separating this team from contending? Turnovers and missed opportunities. A lot of that stems from the quarterback position. Will Blake Bortles be the one to fix that issue? Will it be someone else? We don’t yet know the answer. But whatever the answer, a correct one will help a lot. It won’t correct all the things going wrong, but it would make a lot of what’s going wrong a lot more fixable.

David from Duval:

So you’re saying Gus believes they can make second-half run? A run at what? The first pick in the draft? A run at hot dogs after the game if they go an entire quarter without a turnover, personal foul or special teams blunder? But seriously, though: Gus’ perception of reality is way off.

John: What would you have him believe? What do you expect him to say?

James from Yulee, FL:

I am going to sound like a ol’ timer (I’m 37). Sometimes a young man needs a swift kick in the rear end. God knows, a lot of young men don’t get that enough these days. Bortles needs it. He’s freakin’ begging for it. I understand not all will respond to it. I get it. It’s worth the shot.

John: OK, so you bench Blake Bortles for a game, or yell at him … is that going to cause him to throw more accurately when is running open? Is it going to cause him to see a linebacker in Kansas City? It’s not that Borles isn’t caring, or preparing, or trying. Maybe he’s capable of playing better or maybe he isn’t, but kicking him in the rear end isn’t the cure all.

Louie from Jacksonville:

As much as I want Gus and Dave fired, it’s the players, too. It has been hard to see how bad Blake is playing this year. Do you see the Jags making a quarterback change when the season is over??

John: This is impossible to answer without knowing the future. I don’t get the idea the Jaguars right now are ready to move on from Blake Bortles. How he plays in the final seven games and what – if any changes – occur after that could change that idea.

TJ from Orlando, FL:

Just got back from a relaxing weekend in the woods. I assume nothing’s changed.

John: Nope.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Labor of love

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

JACKSONVILLE – One more day to Look-Ahead Wednesday.

Let’s get to it …

Keith from Palatka, FL:

‘s brother dying transcends football. Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to the young man. God bless you, Telvin.

John: Indeed.

TC from Kingsland, GA and Section 114:

I am already past this week. I want to be the first email for next week. These guys suck, Bortles can’t play, a minus-14 turnover ratio and no pass rush. What do we have to do to fix this?

John: Get better quarterback play, reduce giveaways, force more takeaways and rush the passer better … yeah, pretty much all of the above. That’s the easy answer – and on a serious note, a lot of the issues holding the Jaguars back right now feel interrelated. Bortles’ struggles have contributed to the turnover ratio, and the turnovers combined with Bortles’ struggles have caused the Jaguars to seemingly always be behind early and playing from behind throughout games. That has hurt the Jaguars’ ability to run and to rush the passer – and it’s hard to win when those things are consistently bad. It’s not that the Jaguars would be great in these areas under normal circumstances, but constantly playing from behind strangles both sides of the ball. How to fix it? Play better early in games. Get faster starts. Get a lead. Rush the passer given the opportunity. It’s a simple formula – and a lot of it comes down to playing better early in games.

Alex from Waco, TX:

Hey O-Zone, can Blake throw a spiral? An actual spiral? Dead serious: I’ve never seen a pro quarterback throw an uglier ball in my life.

John: This is a legitimate question, and no doubt the ball comes out of Bortles’ hands in a … well, unorthodox way. That doesn’t mean he can’t be effective. There have been plenty of successful quarterbacks who have thrown an “ugly ball” with plenty of effectiveness. The issue is when it routinely affects accuracy. I don’t know if Bortles’ spiral is what negatively affects his accuracy or if the two issues are coincidental. It does seem his throws are often very off the mark and that they’re at least a little off the mark a lot more often than that. Bortles on Sunday completed a lot of passes, but receivers also had to dive for a lot of passes, which makes the process more difficult than necessary and lowers the percentages of success. It also doesn’t help the receivers’ ability to run after the catch. To answer your question, though: yes, Bortles can throw a spiral. He just hasn’t done it much lately.

Aaron from Chantilly:

John, I hope Bortles can go mistake-free for the next seven games … this quarterback thing is really draining.

John: It’s not realistic to think Bortles will be mistake-free for the final seven games. Can he make enough big plays and be consistent enough to negate some of his mistakes? That is the bigger question that he must answer.

Paul from Jacksonville:

Who would have guessed at the end of last season that would be the lone bright spot this season?

John: It’s incorrect to call Myers the only bright spot. Telvin Smith. . . . . . All have been pretty consistently bright this season … but yeah, Myers has played well, too.

Nathan from Broomfield, CO:

I don’t get it, John. Blake looks like a Pro Bowler sometimes and other times he looks … well, just sad. I hope he figures out his mistakes or we are in for another quarterback hunt!

John: True.

Brian from Gainesville, FL:

Big O, Dave Caldwell has done a good job of assembling a nice group of talent. I’ll leave the subject of why that talent cannot seem to find ways to win to another conversation. My question: how at risk is this team of losing its quality players at the first chance those players have a chance to go? How unlikely is it that other quality players will want to come here?

John: When you’re losing and you’ve lost for a long time it does increase the risk that players will leave and that free agents won’t want to sign with the team. You combat that by winning and creating a strong culture where players want to play. That culture seemed very strong for three years under Head Coach Gus Bradley. With frustration mounting at 2-7, I don’t know that it feels as strong now. Will that feel differently after the season? Will it take a change to make that feeling happen again? We’ll see.

Darius from New Milford, NJ:

Week by week, the light on Bortles’ inefficiencies shines brighter and brighter. After Sunday’s game it’s blinding, John. How much longer?

John: A while.

Jessie from Kissimmee, FL:

John, we are getting close to December and the games are close to becoming meaningless. If the team does not win in November, do you see the Jags letting Gus go and seeing what they have with Doug Marrone?

John: No.

Aaron from Milroy, PA:

Why can’t it be time to give up on Bortles? I guarantee you if or started since the beginning of the season we would be 5-4 right now. That’s saying something. Give up now and move on from the scrub and see what we got in Allen. 2015 was a fluke. Garbage time stats made us believers.

John: I understand the sentiment for removing from the lineup. I don’t agree with it and I don’t believe it’s going to happen, but considering the Jaguars are 2-7 with Bortles making a lot of key mistakes it’s not a ridiculous notion. Where I would take issue with your email is your guarantee. While Bortles is indeed struggling I think it’s a reach to think that Henne or Allen over nine games is absolutely, without-question a more viable option. I don’t think that’s remotely the case.

Tommy from Jacksonville:

Johnny, just when I thought your O-Zone would always keep me around I have to give up at this point and move on. I’m ending this chapter now – and until Gus and Bortles are gone, I won’t be starting another. I hope the O-Zone is still going strong when that day comes. Cheers.

John: I’m responding, but will he read it? If he does read it, will he ever forgive himself? Ah, life’s eternal questions …

Dalton from UCF:

, a linebacker, outran Lamar Miller – one of the best running backs in the NFL – to save a touchdown. WOW!

John: Myles Jack is fast. His future appears bright.

Brent from Gainesville, FL:

There is definitely talent on this team. When we “rebuild,” it won’t be anywhere close to the complete gutting we did a few years back. Whoever takes the team over next year will have work to do but they’ll have some nice pieces to work with.

John: I don’t know what the direction of the team will be in the offseason, but you’re right and I’ve said it often this season: this is a far better roster now than four years ago. I don’t know how long it will take until the Jaguars win consistently, but it doesn’t have to take three or four years.

Brad from Sanford, FL:

Given the preseason expectations set out by Shad Khan, is there a chance he makes a coaching change following next week’s loss to the Lions, which would guarantee another season without a winning record?

John: I learned a long time ago never to say “there’s no chance.” Khan’s a human being, and human beings have minds that can change. That said, Khan long has stated that he doesn’t believe in midseason NFL coaching changes. He reiterated that stance after the Jaguars’ loss to Tennessee two weeks ago. Given the ugly nature of that loss – and it was among the uglier losses I have witnessed in 22 seasons covering the NFL – if Khan didn’t alter his stance on midseason coaching changes after that game, I can’t imagine a scenario under which he would alter it.

Tim from Jacksonville:

Please, John. Please, please, please make it stop. It’s gotten way too painful to care about this team anymore. Will it ever turn around?

John: Yes.

David from Jacksonville:

What does, “We believe in these guys” mean, Johnny? Belief that – despite all evidence to this point – that these guys are going to play disciplined, well-coached football for an entire game?

John: Yes, that’s what Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley means when he says he believes in the players. He also means that he believes this team is capable of a second-half run.

Michael from Jacksonville:

Yes to all the frustration. Nothing will change until the offseason. I am a rookie season-ticket holder and may not renew. BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU? You, The Great Satirist, have trudged through the mire of fans’ crap; you have gone on air sounding like a 70’s era classic rock DJ whilst fighting a flu/pneumonia/plague! You labor for us, St. Zone, and for that I am grateful! ONE FER ST. ZONE! And? #DTWD

John: Nah on sainthood, but as far as #DTWD? Yeah. No doubt.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Let it out

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

JACKSONVILLE – Quick disclaimer:

The astute reader may find this morning’s answers lacking – yes, even more so than usual. And not for the first time in recent weeks, I don’t know how much new there is to say.

The Jaguars have lost four consecutive games – and Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans at EverBank Field felt like it happened for much the same reason as last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City.

It felt that way Sunday when I was answering questions for O-Zone Late Night and it still feels that way as I push through the inbox for the Monday O-Zone.

Quarterback Blake Bortles is struggling with accuracy. The special teams are struggling with coverage and ball security. The defense is playing well but not forcing turnovers. The offense isn’t playing well enough early to get a lead and it’s also committing turnovers.

The Jaguars are playing well enough overall to keep games close and lose games late – and in the NFL that’s pretty much the same thing as not playing well at all. That’s because keeping games close and losing is still losing. Losing still stinks and that’s where we are.

I’ll do the best I can to have something new to say. We’ll see how that goes.

Let’s get to it …

Mark from College Park, MD:

Is there still hope?

John: For what?

JT from Jacksonville:

I’m so sick of this playing from behind and losing John. I’m sick of it!

John: In your understandably frustrated email is a very key point. The Jaguars have played from behind an extraordinary amount this season. They haven’t led in the last four games and the only time they have led in the last five games is when they took the lead against Chicago with 2:49 remaining. With the exception of a victory over Indianapolis in London in which they led the entire game, the Jaguars basically have led for about one quarter this season. Playing from behind not only taxes an offense that must throw into the teeth of a defense playing to rush the passer, it also strains a defense that rarely gets to play an opponent in obvious passing situations. You are in essence playing uphill the entire game, which means even the slightest of mistakes often put you in insurmountable situations. That scenario is caused largely by an offense that has started notoriously slow over the last two seasons. I don’t have answers, but I do know the situation makes everything difficult every week.

John from Jacksonville and Section 202:

Furious that Fowler is still getting flagged for stupid fouls. Can we bench him for a game?

John: I doubt that happens. But considering he has eight penalties this season – and considering he has two really bad unsportsmanlike personal fouls in the last three games – I wouldn’t call the idea ridiculous. I have said often that Fowler’s season has been more defined by penalties than production. That was true before, and it’s even truer in recent weeks.

Travis from Boynton Beach, FL:

Only way to sum this game up is with explicate words. $&#- #+%* jags

John: Well put.

Trae from Jacksonville:

John, I watched the Jags game and I wasn’t entertained. I’m currently watching Fletch for the first time; this is entertainment.

John: Well, I’m not even sure that’s a crime anymore. There have been a lot of changes in the law.

John from 227 Duval:

Did not expect anything different, but somehow knew that Bortles will throw a pick-six, defense will not be able to rush and Fowler will remain an IDIOT! Dare you to post it, Johnny.

John: OK.

John from Thornton:

The Titans are in Year Two of their rebuild and already they are a million light years ahead of us. We are the worst team in the NFL. What did we the fans do to earn this terrible a team?

John: Nothing. This isn’t the fans’ fault.

Nick from Panama City Beach, FL:

This is the most undisciplined, unprepared team in the league. I get that firing Gus Bradley may not accomplish anything this season, but keeping him isn’t accomplishing anything, either.

John: I don’t expect Jaguars Owner Shad Khan to make a midseason coaching change. His philosophy is clearly that he doesn’t believe in them in the NFL. If he didn’t do it after Tennessee, I don’t think he will change his mind.

Tommy from Corona, CA:

I am so exhausted. … It’s maddening. Defense playing well and we get bad quarterback play, bad special teams play. Another observation: This scheme constantly leaves the defense susceptible to the tight end. Seattle has the same problem. Too much talent for these results. Nathaniel Hackett has done a nice job but this quarterback is killing us and the kick coverage has been brutal all year. I don’t believe we are losing to more talented teams. I feel sorry for Gus. I like the guy but they just aren’t getting the message. Sorry. … I just needed to vent.

John: No need to apologize. This 2-7 record stinks. It should have been better. There are a lot of reasons for it, and the reasons keep showing themselves each week. This team is minus-24 in turnovers over the last two seasons. You lose a lot of games when you play that way. The team also is struggling with accuracy at the quarterback position. You make a lot of turnovers and miss a lot of big plays when that’s the case. Both of those things make it hard to win in the NFL.

Tommy from Jacksonville:

John, can we sit him yet?

John: You’re asking about benching Blake Bortles. I understand the question, but I get zero sense that the Jaguars are anywhere remotely close to even remotely considering benching Blake Bortles.

Jacob from NC:

Another loss … what more can be said. At this point do you just copy and paste previous articles? Or has that been going on for a while?

John: That’s not what I do, but I understand the confusion. This loss looked a lot like last week and when you’ve lost seven of nine games a whole lot starts to read and look the same.

Tony from Fedup:

I can only imagine how all the other players on the team feel knowing they have a good team but can’t win because the team has to see if No. 5 is the guy. Every play is an adventure. The receivers get open but either it’s a pick, overthrow or they have to dive for the ball with no chance to run. I think only reason why fans still come to this deplorable website is to see how you try and spin this dumpster fire or what will be the teams talking point for the week.

John: Yes, it’s the website’s fault.

Josh from Eyotam, MN:

Every week special teams does something to put the game out of reach. I’d like to see the punt team abolished. Seriously, this team just kills itself over and over.

John: Yes, it does.

Tony from Atlanta, GA:

Is ‘ willingness to complain publicly about his playing time a sign that the locker room is in turmoil? He seems like a stand-up guy, and it can’t be a good sign that he’d be that open about his frustrations.

John: I wasn’t around when Marks said what he said, so I don’t know the exact context. I know Marks is an honest guy who says what’s on his mind, so if he was bothered by not playing more I’m not surprised he said it. It’s never a good thing when things like that make headlines, but it’s not a shocking thing considering the frustration that goes along with a season of unmet expectations.

Ronnie P. from Jax Beach, FL:

Considering Bradley has gone through coordinators like diapers, how does Mike Mallory still call himself special teams coordinator? The unit is playing just horribly.

John: Three lost fumbles in four weeks, two long punt returns … no, it hasn’t been good. A long punt return is roughly equivalent to a turnover and the 57-yarder that set up the short touchdown in the third quarter Sunday … well, it was a killer. No doubt.

Mark from Basildon, England:

Dear John, apart from ’ kicking I’m finding it increasingly hard to draw any positives from another disappointing result. It’s painful being a Jags fan right now!

John: I know.

Miguel from Section 144 and Duuuvall!!:

Another infuriating game. With four turnovers last week, two this week and still in the game with two minutes left? What if they didn’t turn the ball over???!!!! This team could be contending for the division. DON’T TURN THE BALL OVER!!! AAAARRRRGH!!!

John: Your frustration is well-placed. I’ve said it so much in recent weeks that I’m sick of hearing myself say it, but for all that is wrong with this team right now – lack of pass rush, struggling quarterback, etc., etc., etc. – the minus-14 turnover ratio is the most glaring statistic of all. The Jaguars have committed six turnovers in the last two weeks and forced none. They haven’t created a turnover in the last five games. They are minus-24 turnovers in the last two seasons. Cut away everything else and that’s the overriding reason for the 7-18 record during that span. Aaaarrghh? Yes, Miguel. Aaaarrggh.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Glimmer of hope

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

JACKSONVILLE – It’s game day – and game days are better than most other days.

Let’s get to it …

Paul from Duval, FL:

I disagree that the roster is functional; look at the record. I played a fun game in my mind to come up with players that were safe and building blocks: our three wide receivers, maybe Yeldon, maybe Linder because people say he’s good but honestly I don’t know enough about offensive line play and from what I see, we can’t run or pass – so I’m not sold. … Jackson, Fowler and Yannick (they young), Telvin, Jack (he young), Colvin and Ramsey (our soon-to-be-best player). Otherwise, everyone else is in play to be replaced due to age, injury or level of play and I would love to have some of what you and Jason are drinking.

John: It’s fine to disagree with me – and even with Jason, for that matter – and indeed everyone’s entitled to his or her own thoughts. And there’s no question the Jaguars aren’t winning enough right now. Still, just because an NFL team is struggling doesn’t mean all players on the roster are bad. As for your list, it contained by my count 12 players. All of them aren’t core players, but if we’re saying all are good, functional, building-block players … well, that’s actually a good start because most teams turn over multiple players each year. I would also suggest that Sheldon Day appears to be a player worth keeping, as are Tashaun Gipson, Prince Amukamara, A.J. Cann and very possibly Kelvin Beachum. Are there holes to be filled? Certainly. Is this an elite roster? No, but it’s not a bad one and it’s one with a lot of players who should still be improving. A major difference between this roster and many other rosters that are at .500 or better is that a lot of those rosters are getting consistent quarterback play. Consistent quarterback play can make that much of a difference, and the Jaguars simply have not gotten that enough this season. Because of that, it makes the entire roster look worse than otherwise would be the case. This is not a roster that needs a complete tear-down and rebuild. This is not a roster that is horrifically worse than any other in the NFL. This roster still needs a few impact players and some improvement, but I don’t see that road being overly long. We’ll see.

Coach QB from The Couch:

To my (very-untrained) eyes, Blake Bortles’ feet are the biggest reason for poor throws. Can’t speak to feet not pointing the right direction or anything technical like that. The wind-up certainly is contributing to late/batted balls, but the worst of his throws seem to me to be all arm. What do the Eyes of O see?

John: I don’t pretend to be well-versed enough in quarterback mechanics to give an accurate blow-by-blow breakdown of Bortles’ mechanics. I agree that Bortles’ footwork seems unstable, and that he doesn’t seem to throw from his legs all the time – but that’s usually the case for a lot of quarterbacks’ inaccuracies. When Bortles discusses his mechanics he most often talks about trying to tighten the motion and trying to get his feet and legs correct. Those are areas to watch.

Brandon from Athens, GA:

Do you think Tony Romo could be an option for the Jags in the offseason?

John: This has been a topic in the O-Zone in recent days. First, I have no idea if the Jaguars will be in the market for a veteran quarterback in the offseason. I’ve heard nothing to indicate that that would be the case, but with eight games remaining a lot can change on many fronts for the Jaguars between now and the offseason. There’s also no guarantee Romo will be available.

Brian from New Hampshire:

I get the frustration with Blake. I do not understand people ready to give up on him. He has not flashed enough – I get that – but looking at the quarterback draft class … I can’t say any of them will be any better than Blake, so giving up on him does not make sense yet.

John: It’s not time to give up on Bortles. It is time for him to play more consistently. If he does, then a lot of this sort of talk will cease very quickly.

Cir-Ike Love from In the Heart of Jagland:

John, my questions are simple (in my mind). Winning coaches find what their team/players do best and incorporate a lot of that into their game plan. Why are we failing to accomplish this formula??? Is it because the team doesn’t know or hasn’t figured out what they do best??? Or is it because the team doesn’t do anything best and what we see is what we get???

John: I don’t know how simple the question is or isn’t, but yeah – a big part of coaching is to take what players do best and have them do it. That has been the frustration for the Jaguars on offense this season – is finding what this team does well and establishing that as an identity. Greg Olson in retrospect couldn’t find enough of it and Nathaniel Hackett seemed to find some more of it last week, particularly in the running game. I’ve said often in recent weeks that I think one of the most fascinating storylines for the rest of the Jaguars’ season is to find out what Hackett believes Bortles does best. If he can find a few things and start to build on it, you could see a dramatic difference in the Jaguars’ offense.

Eder from Mexico City, Mexico:

John, please make the Jaguars great again!

John: On it.

Daniel Since Day One from Jax:

In the discussions about whether or not Ramsey should cover one player for the whole game, doesn’t it seem that a cornerback who studies that one player all week has a better chance of predicting their moves? As the game goes on, doesn’t the cornerback have a better measure of their burst speed and how they might attack at the line or fake to try to get open?

John: Sure, that sort of study should help. The question when deciding whether to have a cornerback cover a receiver one on one the whole game isn’t really one of preparation. Rather, it’s whether or not that player is capable of handling the assignment and whether or not the approach is best for your defense. Sometimes, it makes more sense to have both of your cornerbacks defend a side of the field. In other cases, teams prefer to double the opponent’s best wide receiver and have another corner take away the No. 2 wide receiver. As is often the case in the NFL, the approach often depends on the match-up.

Travis from High Springs, FL:

Hi John. This question doesn’t have anything to do with the Jags’ situation this season; I just don’t know the answer and was hoping you could help. If a team wins all of its division games in a season but no other games and they finish 6-10 and another team in the same division wins no division games but goes 10-6, which team is declared the division champions and goes to the playoffs?

John: The team that goes 10-6 wins the division in your scenario. Division standings are based on overall records. The only time division records come into play is when there is a tie.

Josh from Harrisburg, PA:

So, Jose makes you a billionaire and you make yourself 6-2. What does Mrs. O have to say of these changes?

John: She’s pretty fired up about the billionaire part. She even says she’ll visit me from time to time.

Darius from New Milford, NJ:

So no one (including myself) wants to talk about how if the Jaguars win Sunday they are still in the race for the AFC South. It’s understandable and downright ridiculous to even mention it. Considering how poorly the Jags have played, and how many times (countless) they have let us fans down, it’s a given that they will fail, especially when it matters most. But you know what? The offseason is WAYYYY too long and the regular season is WAYYYY too short (especially when it CONSTANTLY ends by Week 9), to just give up and already look forward to next September. The long, strenuous offseason will fill us all full of hope and expectations, only to be shattered again by mid-October. So what am I gonna do? I’m gonna hold onto the hope and say that IF THE JAGUARS WIN SUNDAY WE ARE STILL IN THE RACE FOR THE AFC SOUTH. Likely/unlikely/crazy/whatever, it’s a glimmer of hope that us fans can and should hold onto; it’s the very least we deserve.

John: #DTWD

Pages: 12

O-Zone: All fer Nortman

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jim from Section 142 and Duuuuuval:

Important question, O-man … do I break out the paper-bag attire for Sunday? Haven’t had to do so in a while with all of the optimism I’ve had for the team, but it has completely been washed away by a number of factors – with Blake’s regression being at the forefront. I wish this team would give us something to be hopeful for, yet every year it’s more of the same. I’m happy that I at least got to see a win in Chicago (sad that I can’t ever see one in the ‘Bank). Sorry for the rant, I’m just about done with them after having season tix for 15 years. They are pushing me to the brink!!

John: Your feelings are understandable. That doesn’t mean they’re enjoyable, or that they’re anything positive for the Jaguars, but considering the expectations for this season, considering the long run of losing … yes, absolutely the brink-ness feelings are understandable. I can’t control those feelings. I also can’t control what you wear to the game. I can tell you that I have this weird feeling the Jaguars are going to win Sunday. Part of that feeling is I just don’t believe this team is far from winning against some legitimately good opponents – and yes, the Texans fit that category – and part of it is I believe that there are a lot of good things offensively and defensively about this team. Part of it, too, is that I just don’t believe this team is going to go on a long, downward spiral – and considering the Jaguars have lost three consecutive games, they need to win soon to avoid such a spiral. As for apologizing for the rant … hey, if you’ve held season tickets for 15 seasons you’ve had a lot of frustration and you darned sure had the right to expect better things from this season. So, no apologies necessary. Rant away.

Paul from Jacksonville:

One of the reasons that teams stick with a struggling quarterback like Blake is that the number of potential starting quarterbacks out there is really small. Let’s say the Jags were completely frustrated with Blake’s play this season … who else on this team gives them a better chance to win? Blake was started earlier than planned in his career in part because ‘s play did not live up to expectations when he was made the starter. has potential, but I doubt he’s ready for live, regular-season NFL action. Past those two, the last time I checked, the quarterback tree had already been shaken pretty hard and didn’t have a ton of players still available for picking …

John: True that.

Jason from North Pole, AK:

I am trying to figure out which positions need an influx of talent for us to turn the corner. But, the roster seems solid top to bottom, so how do we improve? Do you think we need more talent or do you think we just need more time?

John: The roster is solid for the most part. It’s not great, but it’s functional. I don’t know if an influx of talent is needed or just improved consistency/experience/play, but the Jaguars need to get better quarterback play, they need to get pressure on the quarterback and they need more production from the tight-end position. They also could use more deep production from the wide-receiver position. It’s difficult to determine how much of the tight end/wide receiver issues are because Bortles is struggling, but bigger impact is needed in those areas this season. The running game obviously needs to be better, but Sunday’s effort against Kansas City was good. Let’s see if the Jaguars can repeat that before we revamp the offensive line.

Aaron from Chantilly:

Dr. O, I know it may be crazy, but if the Jags were to win this game against our divisional foes how far could it take them?

John: It would take them to the point where they trail the AFC South by two games instead of three. Would it take them further than that? Would it be a game that gave them momentum for a dramatic late-season run? Is that possible? Sure, but we’ve said that a lot in the last season and a half. I can’t say it again. At least not yet.

Will from Jacksonville:

Is it at all concerning that was the guy David Caldwell locked up as our No. 2 receiver? I say this with the assumption A-Rob gets locked up as a No. 1 guy. Because it seems brings a lot more of a dynamic threat to the offense than Hurns, and Hurns is now the one struggling with injuries, drops, etc. Thanks.

John: There’s a while before this plays out, but yeah … it appears there’s a chance Lee could look very much like at least the Jaguars’ No. 2 receiver by the end of the season. That doesn’t mean locking up Hurns was a bad move. Also, remember: the Jaguars are only really committed to Hurns for two seasons under the contract he signed last offseason. There is no dead money involved for the 2018-2020 seasons if he is no longer on the team at that point. That made the Hurns deal a two-year contract worth $16 million guaranteed if the Jaguars want that to be the extent of the contract. I don’t see that being an issue at this point, but it does give the team options.

Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

John, Troy Polamalu was described as a hybrid linebacker/safety/freelancer. With his innate athleticism, could you see filling such a role? I just feel we are not using his God-given talents properly.

John: I do think Jack eventually could fulfill such a role. I think such a role is very difficult to play eight games into an NFL career.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

I’m not thrilled about changing out the coaching staff. They have spent three years adding personnel that play in a specific scheme. Would I be wrong in saying that half of the front seven would need to be changed out? I’m not sure where you would play some of those guys as they don’t fit into the more traditional defenses. On top of that, young guys like Myles Jack would have to learn a new defense. How difficult do you think it would be to transition to a different defensive scheme? Would the offense be set back because they would have to learn a new scheme?

John: It’s hard to answer this question specifically without knowing the theoretical future scheme. The Jaguars have a lot of good players on the front seven, and there’s no real reason players such as , , , , , Sen’Derrick Marks, , Myles Jack and couldn’t return next season and play effectively in a different scheme. As for how much the offense would be set back in the scenario … no, it wouldn’t be ideal. There would be an adjustment. That’s always the case when you change schemes. The decision that must be made is whether the benefit of a change would outweigh the negatives of a transition.

Josh from Waunakee, WI:

Good Morning from WI! I went to the KC/JAX game the other day and came away feeling OK about the team, but Bortles still concerns. My question: if Bortles can’t improve over the remainder of the season, what would your thoughts be on looking at a potential trade for a guy like Tony Romo? The upcoming quarterback draft is bad, and I feel Romo could be a great stop-gap guy IF Bortles proves to not be the future. Thoughts?

John: This question like so many others in the O-Zone these days is impossible to answer because it depends on so many factors that have yet to play out. Yeah, I think Tony Romo’s really good. Do the Cowboys want to trade him? Do the Jaguars want to trade for him? Those questions are a long way off.

Matt from Manhattan:

Hi, John. So a lot of people have been talking about the ratings around the league being down. Take this for what it is, as I am a fan who still watches every game (Jaguars and others) but the product just is not as good. Maybe it’s a combination of lack of practice with incorrect referee calls, but the game just isn’t as good as it was just a year or two ago. It doesn’t make me as sad as the Jaguars make me, but it does make me sad. Your thoughts?

John: I have heard this a lot, and while it’s possible I’m wrong, I just don’t see this great decline in the quality of the game. My guess is that the decline in ratings is far more from a change in viewer habits, particularly people being more highlight/Vine driven than long-event-viewing driven. I also can’t help but think people streaming on Roku, tablets, smart phones, etc., has more to do with it than many believe. I’m not saying the NFL will be as popular forever as it has been the last two decades, but I think the stories of its immediate decline are being greatly exaggerated.

Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire:

C’mon, O Man, even Jaguars Twitter is getting behind for the Pro Bowl Vote. Surely, we can have a one fer Brad!

John: Hey, one fer Brad!

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Keep on keeping on

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Scotty from Points North:

Am I wrong to feel this season is no longer about winning football games? It has been distilled down to simply, “Can be our starting quarterback in the future?” If had this performance as the starter, he would long ago have been pulled for someone else. So, it isn’t really about winning anymore, because the best quarterback option isn’t necessarily playing. Our season is now really just a long scrimmage for one player.

John: No, it’s not wrong for you to feel that way. Bortles’ future has been discussed enough here and in pretty much every other Jaguars-oriented forum that it’s easy to think it’s the only story around the organization. And indeed, it is a huge issue; the Jaguars absolutely must come out of the season with a clear picture about his future. Still, that’s not how players and coaches view the rest of the season – and it’s not how they should view it. Players and coaches want to win games, and that very definitely remains their focus. One thing regarding your email, though: I don’t think it’s right to say the best quarterback option isn’t playing. Bortles obviously hasn’t played well enough for this team to be above .500, and his season by any measure has been disappointing, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be starting. He’s maybe not as clear-cut a choice as would be ideal, but he’s still the best option.

Nathan from St. Augustine, FL:

Maybe you should change this to the “if” zone. If this, if that, the Jags would be 5-3. Name any team in the NFL without those “ifs.” This season should have been so much more than that. My only hope is this roster is talented enough that no more rebuild is needed. Just a reset.

John: I thought about it – and I’m probably not going to change the name of the O-Zone. What I probably will do is continue to answer questions people ask. There may be times those answers point out that the Jaguars’ record would be better if they hadn’t committed turnovers or if they had been just slightly more efficient offensively in some games. When that is the case, those answers won’t be making a case that it’s OK that the Jaguars aren’t efficient offensively, and it won’t be making a case that the Jaguars are good “except for turnovers.” It also won’t be making a case that losing is acceptable. It will just be answering a question, which last I checked is one of the points of this forum.

Preston from Oakville, CT:

O-Man, I agree that 8-8 would at least get Gus one more year. Two questions about that, though: If Gus is retained, is next year a definite playoffs-or-bust season? And: if Gus is fired, could you see a scenario where he is “demoted” and becomes our defensive coordinator? I know that would be an odd situation, but I think he at least has our defense heading in the right direction and he is a good presence to have around.

John: I have no idea if Bradley will be retained after the season. If he is, then yeah … I think playoffs would be the expectation next season. As for your second question … no, I do not think Bradley will be on the Jaguars’ coaching staff next season if he’s not the head coach.

Jason from Jacksonville and Section 140:

John, for some reason, I actually think the Jags are going to win the game despite my belief these three things will happen. One, Blake throws two picks; two, Parnell gets abused by Clowney and Mercilus; 3, kicks 3 field goals. I understand these three predictions would typically indicate a loss, but Brock Osweiler is not a quality quarterbacks and he will keep us in the game. The Jags’ defense will force at least two turnovers, earn a game ball and Jason Myers will score the winning points.

John: If the defense forces turnovers, the Jaguars indeed have an outstanding chance of winning. If they have a positive turnover ratio, I absolutely think they will win. There have been a lot of things ailing this team the last two seasons, but committing too many turnovers and not forcing enough may be the biggest reason they are 7-17 during that span. It’s not that the minus-22 ratio over that span is hard to explain. It’s not. Defensively, the Jaguars have struggled to create pass rush, and when you struggling to create pass rush turnovers are often scarce. Offensively, Blake Bortles has thrown 28 interceptions in 24 games; when your quarterback throws that many interceptions you’re probably going to have a negative turnover margin. Still, whatever the reasons, it has defined the Jaguars in recent seasons and the team probably won’t improve until the definition changes.

Geoff from Jacksonville:

So, our D played really well last week against Kansas City’s backups. The feeling I have for this week is that they’ll make Osweiler look worth every penny of that contract. That’s Jaguars football for you.

John: OK.

Jim from Jacksonville:

John. I’m so tired of all the Blake haters. I for one still have faith in the young man and think the Jags can win with him. I think some fans don’t realize that with a running game and a good defense we can win with Bortles. Just look at Peyton Manning last year. His arm was trashed but his defense and running game got him a second Super Bowl ring. Then, there are the 1970s Steelers. Terry Bradshaw has just as many touchdowns as interceptions, but he has four rings. Do you agree that the Jaguars will start winning once we have a running game and shut down defense?

John: I absolutely believe those things will help. They sure can’t hurt. I also believe Blake Bortles needs to play better than he has for the most part this season to be the team’s quarterback.

Bobby from Draper, UT:

Yo, O man. Do you think this is the week that gets his first interception? Ramsey follows the best receiver, so he should be shadowing DeAndre Hopkins. There is no way that Brock Osweiler will shy away from DeAndre, so Ramsey should have plenty of chances to pick it off, correct? What say you?

John: I say I never know how to predict interceptions. That’s because far more often than not interceptions happen either because of mistakes by the quarterback or because of pressure created by the defense on the quarterback. That pressure usually leads to … mistakes by the quarterback. My point here is while interceptions are important, they are usually not very indicative of how a defensive back is playing on a given day. Ramsey might play extremely well and get a few pass breakups in situations where interceptions were nearly impossible. If the quarterback throws a ball that’s intercept-able or the defense forces an errant throw then he might get an interception. We’ll see.

Jay from Redondo Beach, CA:

O man, just a couple questions. What happened? Last year it was “It’s built.” This year it was “playoff expectations.” How were these guys so far off???? Is it on Blake? On Gus? I think a mix of both. We have talent. There is a common denominator here that is obvious. That is, if you’re not the “optimistic” type that you’re perceived to be. Tell the truth Thursdays just opened for business.

John: I’ve always told the truth when it comes to the Jaguars. The problem is that the truth in the NFL very rarely is about “one common denominator.” Rather, it’s almost always many factors. Blake Bortles has struggled this season; that has been an issue in a few losses. There have been discipline issues that certainly must be attributed to the head coach. Have those contributed to losses? Perhaps, but not nearly as much as other factors. Could Bradley have moved more quickly in regard to offensive coordinator? Was Nathaniel Hackett the long-term answer at offensive coordinator? Time will tell. Could Dave Cadlwell have drafted better in sports? Sure – and that’s true of nearly every general manager. That’s a lot of denominators and all may have played a role in 2006. What does it all mean? What’s the end game? Nothing is set in stone because eight games remain. If things don’t improve I doubt this coaching staff will be in place next season. If Bortles doesn’t improve, I don’t know what the future holds. If the team doesn’t improve, what does that mean for Caldwell? I don’t know. None of that sounds very optimistic. Maybe the truth is I don’t know how to define it.

Scott from Jacksonville:

Philip Rivers has one of the quickest releases in the game and is very accurate, so his funky throwing motion doesn’t matter. Bortles’ windup gives defenses a jump on his passes and affects his accuracy. Pick someone else as an example.

John: What I’ll do instead is continue answering questions and using examples I believe appropriate … yeah, I’m pretty sure I’ll do that.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Standing strong

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Steve from Jacksonville:

John, I never had expectations of a division championship or playoffs for this season, but I thought we would see a team that competed through the end of games, stressed the better teams and split those at or near the same talent level. Unfortunately, we are not seeing that outside of what I believe was the Baltimore game. Three blowouts, a now-overrated game against Green Bay and two wins against teams that are a mess. Not sure exactly my point, but that is symbolic of my feeling for our team. A loss of words to describe what we’re seeing.

John: I understand the frustration – and I also understand there is a perception that the Jaguars are a total mess. At 2-6, they undeniably have not been a good team this season – and they have played very poorly three times. The maddening thing: as poorly as they played in those three games, the season could be so much better so easily. With the slightest uptick in offensive efficiency and a slightly better turnover ratio, they would have gone 5-0 against Green Bay, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Chicago and Kansas City. Yes, if they had played even slightly better in those games, the Jaguars would be 5-3. In other words, they would be the Houston Texans – this week’s opponent and the AFC South leaders. But they didn’t get offensive efficiency enough – and far too often in the last two seasons they haven’t gotten offensive efficiency at important times. And far too often in the past two seasons, turnovers and mistakes – and the inability to force opponents into turnovers and mistakes – have killed this team’s chances. So, what are you seeing? A team with enough talent to win, but a team that makes too many mistakes to do so enough? That may not be the entire description, but it’s a start.

Derrick from Jacksonville:

Bill Parcells once made one of the most accurate statements ever: “You are what your record says you are.” The Jags are 2-6 this season and Gus Bradley is 14-42. BB5 has shown us who he is and I don’t think we are going to discover anything else about him by letting him continue to quarterback this team. My question to you: Do you see anyway that Gus Bradley and this coaching staff are retained for another year?

John: My answer to you: Sure, but they have to win a lot of games and they can’t lose a lot.

John from Nowheresville:

Hey O! You keep avoiding my question related to who this team will beat on the remaining schedule. I would really like to hear your thoughts on who this team will beat based on the fact that they can’t seem to beat anyone but themselves. I am all in and DTWD, but honestly: this is bad. Like, dumpster-fire bad. Go Jags. At some point in the future they may be able to win some games. Until then, I’ll be watching each week as the fire grows bigger and bigger.

John: Who can the Jaguars beat on their remaining schedule? This is actually quite simple. If they play to their potential, avoid turnovers and hit plays when they are there to be made, they can beat any team remaining on their schedule – and yes, I mean any team. The Jaguars haven’t done those things enough this season, and because I can’t predict when they will, I can’t really give a good answer to your question.

Tim from Atlantic Beach, FL:

John: If we have such “advanced, modern and compelling television experience on game days” (your words), then why can’t the referees get a decent replay of a Chris Ivory fumble/touchdown? It seems like teams with better markets get better replays (more cameras). If replay is going to be used and is such a game-changing factor, why isn’t this standardized throughout the league?

John: Tim: (I know my words; I write them). Prime-time or nationally-televised games indeed have better replays because the networks send more cameras to the games. It has been this way since replay was implemented. Why? Because networks are free to determine the number of cameras they send to games – and because as of now, the league/teams haven’t been moved to incur the costs needed to change the system.

Matt from Easton, PA:

Can we stop comparing the mechanics of Bortles to Rivers, who is incidentally headed to the Hall of Fame? It’s one thing to have an odd delivery, but an entirely other thing to have that odd delivery prevent you from throwing a catchable, accurate pass.

John: I’ve never compared Bortles’ mechanics to those of Rivers. I have cited Rivers as an example of a quarterback with unorthodox mechanics – and I have done so as a way of demonstrating why unorthodox mechanics don’t automatically make you an undraftable quarterback.

Kevin from Jacksonville:

O-man, our ‘long, rangy, physical press corners’ that Bradley covets don’t play press, which means the three defensive tackles on our starting line don’t have time to generate pressure. With your insight to the team, do you anticipate any adjustments being made by Wash to try and generate pressure? I know the offense has been terrible, but our defense hasn’t been lights-out either.

John: I don’t anticipate Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash changing the defensive scheme. I do anticipate Wash will blitz when he feels blitzing will be an effective way to generate pressure. He did this a lot against Kansas City and it was effective against Nick Foles. It would be reasonable to think that it might be effective against a relatively inexperienced quarterback such as Brock Osweiler of the Texans.

Neil from Gloucester, UK:

Hi, John. Not my field of expertise as I am a recent follower of the NFL, but I have cast my eye over the remaining schedule for the Jags and our AFC South counterparts. If, and I know it’s a big if at the moment, we beat the Texans this weekend, then I predict we will win the AFC South. Is this possible or am I being exceptionally naïve, nay, foolish. COYJ (come on you Jags)

John: Sure, it’s possible. That’s because the AFC South is relatively bunched-up – and a Jaguars victory would make it even more bunchy. But this team has lost three consecutive games and has a minus-12 turnover ratio. It has found a way to lose games in a bunch of different ways. We also spent most of last season saying things like “if the Jaguars can win this game they can get back into a struggling AFC South …” Is that statement true this week? Sure, but it’s a hard thing to keep saying until they start winning.

Julio from Hesperia, CA:

Let’s pretend you are a billionaire and you own this team. Based on what I saw Sunday I really think this team is about to go on a run. What record for the last eight games would you need to see to keep Bradley?

John: Hold on … I’m still pretending I’m a billionaire – oh, and 6-2.

Richard from St. Augustine, FL:

O-Man, is it reasonable to believe that the Jaguars will not exercise their fifth-year option on Blake Bortles unless his play improves in the final eight games this year?

John: Yes. That answer doesn’t imply that the Jaguars have decided whether or not to use the fifth-year option on Bortles. It is to imply that it’s reasonable to believe that his play over the final eight games will play a role in the decision.

Joe from Canto, Ohio:

SEASON LOST!!!!!!????? Are you kidding me? I mean, how can some people call themselves fans? Now, while this is not what anyone expected nor is it ideal, we see this type of play around the NFL every season from one team or another. My point: we have all seen teams win only eight or even seven games and still win their division. As a fan, we have to believe. We have to scream it from the rooftops!! DUVAL TILL WE DIE! – not till we lose, Our team feeds off this. We will win. We will be the franchise to be feared. So stand up and shout John stand up and SHOUT!!!!!!!!!

John: OK.

Paul from Jacksonville:

O, if three years in you’re trying to figure out if your quarterback is the guy … don’t you already know he’s not? Three years into Brady, Manning, Favre, Elway, Marino, etc. … their coaches and their fan bases weren’t asking questions if they were the guy.

John: You’re listing a pretty elite, Rushmore-type group there – and those quarterbacks indeed proved very early in their careers that they were elite. But there are other cases – Drew Brees and Eli Manning come to mind – of quarterbacks who appeared iffy two or so seasons into their careers. I’m not saying things don’t appear shaky right now with Bortles. That indeed is the case. But he’s done enough positive things to merit more opportunity.

John from Jacksonville:

I am still a Gus supporter, and I believe once it turns (and I think it will soon) it could be great for a long time. Really not looking to start over again. There are still some of us out here. Here’s one fer Gus, and hoping it turns around as it looked like it really started last week.

John: Hey, one fer Gus!

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