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O-Zone: Full analysis

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Trevor from Jacksonville:

Greg Olson. Fired.

John: This was a common sentiment in the inbox Saturday, and I get it. Many readers had focused on offensive coordinator Greg Olson as the reason for the Jaguars’ issues this season – and the team indeed parted ways with Olson on Saturday and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Nathaniel Hackett. I long have said I’m not given to a midseason coordinator or head coaching change because it’s usually change for change’s sake – and because such changes often produce little long-term gain. Hackett is very smart and very capable of running the offense, but I am skeptical Saturday’s move will have an earth-shaking impact on the offense. That has nothing to do with Hackett and everything to do with being skeptical that what ails the offense – quarterback ’ struggles and the offensive line’s struggles to run block – will be magically fixed. At the same time, the Jaguars’ offense had reached a point where nothing was working. The unit scored six first-half points in the past three games and the performance in a 60-yard, zero-points first half against Tennessee Thursday clearly had the effect of frustrating players on both sides of the ball. Maybe this move is change for the sake of change, but – as many readers have noted – there seems little harm to the team in changing. Perhaps the change will yield earth-shaking results. Perhaps it will spur players to respond. Perhaps Hackett will find something to help Bortles regain confidence. That’s certainly possible. Here’s hoping for the sake of this offense, the franchise and the quarterback that it happens. The aforementioned group and anyone associated with the Jaguars sure would think that was cool. They would like it.

Hank from St. Augustine, FL:

Gus Bradley said Friday he planned no staff changes. You wrote on Saturday there would be no changes. On Saturday, the Jaguars fired Olson and promoted Hackett. What happened?

John: Bradley changed his mind.

Scotty from Points North:

Sometimes, the fans are right. Sometimes, the pros are wrong. I think the Jag fans had this scented out a long time ago with Gus Bradley. I think it is unfortunate because I think we all hate to start over. As far as Blake Bortles goes, I think we all fear a prolonged rehash of the Blaine Gabbert situation were the organization keeps giving him more and more time to prove himself at the cost of the team. I want Bortles to be the man but I don’t want this to drag into the next season. Full disclosure … I looked at the draft boards for next year about a month ago. Never too early for a Jags fan. Thanks.

John: Many fans indeed gave up on Gus Bradley long ago. Many just as certainly did not. Many pros gave up on Gus Bradley a while back. Many did not. As far as Bortles … sure, it’s fair to fear that the Jaguars are traveling a road right now where they must give a young, highly-drafted quarterback a chance to prove whether or not he’s the guy. That’s the deal when you draft quarterbacks early. They must be given time to prove if they’re the guy. The signs haven’t been good the last two weeks. They were better last year. Which are right? The rest of the season could determine the answer.

CJ from Singapore:

Ok John, I’ve been a fan since the expansion year and I’ll admit this is by far the hardest year to remain a fan. I can’t think of a time more depressing for a true JAGS fan. Can you please tell me a time in Jaguars history when coaching change was needed more than now? The lack of discipline and accountability is embarrassing.

John: This is a brutally tough season so far – and indeed, the masses are expectedly roaring about coaching. And that roar has reached deafening levels. But that roar gets deafening whenever teams lose and whenever fan bases grow weary of a team’s direction. I won’t argue the fact that the Jaguars’ discipline on the field has been troubling this season. The unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties point to that. If the season continues in this vein, I can’t imagine changes won’t be made. Nine games remain. Time will tell.

Jeff from Rutland, MA:

I wish there was even one credible reason to believe this team could do better in any of the nine remaining games. There isn’t.

John: The way the Jaguars have played the last two weeks makes this point difficult to argue. What needs to happen to make the Jaguars play better? Improvement at the quarterback position would be a start. Improved run blocking would help, too. If those areas could have some success early in games and give the team a chance to play with a lead, it’s my belief that the Jaguars’ defense is more than capable of playing well throughout an entire game. That combination could move this team a lot closer to being competitive. This didn’t remotely happen Thursday but it has happened enough that it’s not insane to think it could happen again. It’s very difficult to win scoring two points per half offensively. That has been the Jaguars’ offensive production in the last three games. If that improves, everything else will look much better. Will it happen? I can’t predict that. If it doesn’t, it’s going to be a long nine weeks.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL:

O … I heard the press conference. I hear what Coach Bradley is saying. What I don’t get is why we – and in this ‘we’ I’m including you and media more broadly in addition to the fans – are expected to buy into the CoachSpeak stuff? It never has been converted to action on any level of consistency or sustainability. I’m starting to tune it all out and becoming a bit apathetic. I fear I am far from alone.

John: There’s little any coach can say in a press conference to inspire confidence if results aren’t happening on the field. A press conference is by definition “talk” and therefore words. Action is what happens on the field. Actions speak louder than words.

Zach from Baltimore, MD:

I’m giving you a shot here. For the fans, can you make a valid point that Blake Bortles stats are not inflated because of garbage time/prevent defense?

John: Not in the last two weeks. As for last season, his statistics indeed were partly compiled late in one-sided games, but by no means were all of them overly inflated. He wasn’t great last season. He needed to improve entering this season. Those things are true, but to paint all of last season as being worthless and inflated is incorrect.

Jacob from North Carolina:

Too soon for draft. Too late for this season. No head coach changes. So, what do you think? Over or under: we win two more games.

John: Over.

Emile from Tallahassee, FL:

I’m not the oldest guy you’ll meet and I’m sure there are many people who’ve watched more football than me. However: I’ve seen a few good, franchise quarterbacks go through slumps – that’s not what this looks like to me.

John: No, this does not look like a slump. This at best looks like a young quarterback still finding his way and needing serious work on throwing motion and mechanics This at worse feels like a young quarterback who won’t develop into a franchise quarterback. Because of the last two games many believe it’s the latter. It’s up to him to prove it’s the former.

Ross from Fleming Island, FL:

More of a thought as opposed to a question. I do not expect Mr. Khan to make a change midseason. He is a brilliant businessman that realizes his product is failing. Instead of a knee-jerk reaction, I expect he is working on a plan to make changes, and will patiently wait (though painfully) to execute his plan when he believes it is in place and the time is right. I believe he hates losing as much as every Jags fan everywhere (maybe more), but he will approach this rationally. What says you?

John: I say you’re right. I don’t know that that means Khan absolutely has decided to make changes, but there’s little question he has a plan.

David from Jacksonville:

John, I can’t help but think if only we had beaten Green Bay we would be looking at a completely different season right now.

John: When the Washington Redskins lost to the Chicago Bears 73-0 in the 1940 NFL Championship Game, Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh was asked if the outcome would have been any different had a Redskins player not dropped a touchdown pass early in the game. Baugh said it would have been different. The score would have been 73-7. Had the Jaguars won against the Packers they would be 3-4. Would that make the last two games feel different or changed their outcome? I can’t say that.

Shawn from the Lost:

Full analysis and tell us all the answers. GO!

John: ….

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Somehow, someway

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

JACKSONVILLE – And so we move on.

We enter the weekend with the Jaguars 2-5 and the inbox in an uproar. Considering the result Thursday in Tennessee, that’s understandable.

We’ll say here what we’ve said the past few days: what’s going on is not acceptable, and it’s not pretty. Can the Jaguars find a way out of it? That remains to be seen. Nine games remain in this season. Something needs to happen or those are going to be nine long weeks.

We’ll try not to make this an all-Gus-Bradley-all-Blake-Bortles weekend. Considering the circumstances, there may not be an alternative.

Let’s get to it …

Howard from Jacksonville :

Why won’t we give a shot? We know what we have in , so no need there. We will never be able to run the ball if the defense does not respect the quarterback. Bench Bortles and by default running game may improve!

John: The Jaguars haven’t benched Bortles because they have seen enough in Bortles to believe he can develop into a quality NFL quarterback. If he is benched it becomes unlikely he ever will develop into such a player for this franchise. The way Bortles has played in recent weeks has caused many to question his future, but for now the Jaguars must support him and believe.

Bill from Folkston, GA:

I see Shad Khan has stated that he will not fire the coach. OK, it is his team. Do you think it is time to sit Bortles? Even when he has time to throw, he has that deer-in-the-headlights look and he cannot throw a short pass accurately at all. Now, he can’t throw the long ball, either. He says it isn’t a confidence problem; then it must be a talent problem. To continue like they are is just driving this team further and further into the ground and driving fans away. Some change has to be made because it is apparent that this idea of fixing Bortles to fix the problem isn’t working. At least try Chad Henne; it couldn’t be any worse.

John: Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever say it couldn’t be any worse.

Sebastian from Austin, TX:

O, I’m with the rest of the 100 percent of Jaguars fans still left. I’m disgusted, hopeless and resigned but I have to ask: Taking into consideration your years of experience around football, when there’s not one thing wrong and it truly feels like everything is failing, is there any chance something just clicks and the team starts to execute better and win – or does it truly takes months off and an offseason to start over fresh and right the ship?

John: Every situation is different. There have been situations in which 2-5, struggling teams indeed right the ship and even make the postseason. This does not feel like one of those situations, but those situations never feel savable until they are saved. What will it take for it to click? It must start with better quarterback play. That’s not to say that is all that’s going wrong. Not even close. The defensive effort and performance Thursday was questionable at best and bad at worst – and there are ongoing discipline issues. There also is the ongoing issue with the team’s run blocking. Still, it’s a quarterback-driven league. When the position isn’t functioning very little around it can function, either.

Dave from Los Angeles, CA:

I suppose it’s time for a full reappraisal of the rebuild project. Lately I’ve been leaning toward coaching being the problem – as in, Gus must go – but Dave can stay as he has generally built a talented roster (though quarterback now appears to be a huge issue). Thursday was dumbfounding. Are we sure Dave has built a talented roster? We keep saying we have a lot of talent, but talented players do not get blown out like that. Or is it mental? Has Dave assembled a physically-talented roster that somehow lacks the psychological/emotional strength to compete? How can a fully rebuilt roster in Year 4 play identically to the scrubs on the field in Year 1? Sorry for the rant. I’ll take your comments off the air.

John: When teams play as the Jaguars did Thursday everything gets called into question. I believe this is a more talented roster than Year 1 – or 2013, if you will. I believe it showed that in the first five games of the season. Frankly, so much is going wrong right now that it’s hard to pinpoint a reason. I believe the offense’s struggles are reaching the point where it is eroding a lot of other good things around it. I believe coaching has been an increasing issue in terms of discipline this season, and while that surprises me, something absolutely must be done to stop that being an issue. Mostly I believe that as bad as a lot of things look right now a lot could get solved with more efficient quarterbacking. It’s not the end-all and it hasn’t been the primary issue for four seasons. But it’s a glaring one right now.

JV from West Des Moines, IA:

John, please tell me what Shad expects for the rest of this season. To put it another way, how on earth does keeping Gus Bradley around for the next nine games benefit the team? It feels like there’s rock bottom, and then there’s what we saw Thursday. Just feels like something HAS to be done or it’s going to hurt the fan base.

John: This is a question I’m getting a lot. The benefit of keeping Bradley is there is little evidence historically of mid-season coaching changes making a tangible difference. That means that if there’s a chance of salvaging this season then that chance rests on stability. It’s clear Khan wants the organizational philosophy to be one of stability, and midseason coaching changes are the hallmark of unstable organizations. The cynical among us may state that 2-5 franchises that get blown out on national television while getting outgained 354-60 in first halves aren’t exactly rock solid in terms of stability, and it would be hard to argue that point right now with the cynical types. But the bottom line is that’s the reasoning for staying the course. A mid-season coaching change might have a short-term positive effect, but it likely wouldn’t be lasting. That’s the reasoning. Feel about it how you will.

Aaron from Duval:

You change coaches because this team has absolutely quit, John. You change coaches to see what you have in the players on the roster the rest of the season. You change coaches to give the fans any glimmer of hope going into next season. If you think carrying this momentum into next season and simply a new head coach and draft in the offseason will sell tickets I’m speechless. This franchise is at the point of losing diehard fans. Changing coaches may not alter the win-loss record for the season but giving us the same garbage every week and saying it’s fine is just disrespectful and embarrassing to people who spend their dollars and time supporting this franchise.

John: This is the other side of the coaching conversation. The points are valid. Readers are as upset and disillusioned, and understandably so. The product on the field hasn’t been good enough, and to follow up the Raiders performance with the Titans performance? Well, you used the word “embarrassing.” That fits.

Chris from Palatka, FL:

John, has this team quit on Gus? Do you think “they STILL believe in victory?”

John: It obviously hasn’t looked good on this front the past two weeks. It appears we have nine games to find out for sure.

MrPadre from Kingsland, GA:

John, I’m much more worried about the lack of effort than I am the lack of ability. After the loss to the Raiders at home … with their beloved head coach’s job seemingly in the balance – AND a pep talk from their Owner – they go out and look as if they aren’t even trying and worse … like they don’t even care!? How can professional athletes paid millions to “do their job” show that kind of apathetic performance? I’m sure this isn’t true but it dang near looked like they were “trying” to get their coach fired!

John: You’re right that the players weren’t trying to get Bradley fired, but I can’t argue how it looked – and I can’t argue that it appeared there was a lack of focus or effort at times. Something was undoubtedly lacking. That’s how it looked. Why did it look like that? I wish I knew.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

I’m at a loss for words. What does a successful 2016 season look like at this point?

John: A successful season right now would be going 8-8. That would mean winning six of nine games. It would also help if the Jaguars got good quarterback play and went through the final nine games with no wheels-are-off moments. There must be progress. Somehow, some way. That’s what’s necessary. There has been little indication in the last two weeks of such a turnaround, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.

Pages: 12

O-Zone Late Night: Titans 36, Jaguars 22

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

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Wow. That was disturbing.

How else to describe what happened to the Jaguars in Tennessee Thursday night? The Jaguars lost to the Titans, 36-22, at Nissan Stadium and it didn’t seem that close.

Most of the questions in the in-box focus on Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley’s job security. Many fans want change. I understand that; it’s very understandable in the wake of a 2-5 start that isn’t remotely living up to expectations.

A one-sided loss on national television in the manner that the Jaguars lost on Thursday is the sort of loss that often leads to change. Will that change come? I do not know.

I do know what happened Thursday was bad, disturbing and ugly at times.

I’ll answer questions best I can. I doubt many answers will satisfy. Apologies in advance.

Let’s get to it …

Tommy from Corona, CA:

This is unbelievably pathetic. Looks like the ’76 Bucs. I love Gus, but this is Keystone Cops stuff. I am in shock.

John: Frankly, I am a bit shocked, too. I didn’t expect greatness from this team. I expected a push for .500, perhaps – and I certainly didn’t expect anything like what we saw Thursday. There’s very little to say. Thursday was total defeat. It shouldn’t be this way.

Paul Paul from Duval:

Week 8. Season over. Goodnight.

John: That’s how it feels. It shouldn’t feel that way because this season shouldn’t be 2-5 with one-sided, national-television losses. But that’s how it does feel. Bad. Really bad.

Terry from Chester, VA:

Pathetic and embarrassing.

John: For long, long stretches Thursday – yeah, pretty much.

Devin from Charleston, SC:

Are the wheels completely off yet?

John: If they weren’t off in the first half I don’t want to be around when they do come off.

Moshe from Mexico City:

The players have spoken: it’s obvious they want a new head coach. We (fans) deserve better, much better.

John: That’s an understandable sentiment. This was a team that needed to bring its best effort Thursday. That did not appear to be such an effort.

Shane from Washington, DC:

Just no offense…

John: No, there was no offense Thursday – at least not when it mattered. But on Thursday there honestly wasn’t enough of anything. There’s little question the offensive stagnation hurt, and ineffectiveness on that side of the ball drags everything down. But the Jaguars’ defense also allowed a 36-yard second-quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Kendall Wright that was far too easy and the Titans had 354 yards offense at halftime. This was bad – inexcusably, franchise-shakingly bad – all around.

Brian from Does it Matter?:

You can see it in his face. No confidence. Gun shy with throws. Where is Blake’s head at John? And don’t say above his shoulders.

John: This is not the time for cute answers, though I’m sure I could think of a few. There seems little question that Bortles is struggling with confidence right now – and with reason. He’s not playing well. The Jaguars’ offense showed few if any signs of life early Thursday, and you never had a real feeling – particularly in the first half – that that was going to change. I don’t know where Bortles’ head is at. I only know this Jaguars offense doesn’t seem to have answers and it’s tearing apart the season.

Adam from Lynbrook, NY:

I have a feeling I’ll be going to bed early tonight …

John: This was the much-anticipated, over-analyzed, oft-ballyhooed first email of the game. No word on when Adam drifted into the land of nod.

Marco from Lima, Peru:

O, this project has failed. We have been out-coached by two former head coaches in a row. Offense is non-existent. Defense is undisciplined. Time for a change.

John: Thursday’s performance was the sort that often prompts change. I don’t know if it will prompt change in this case. We’ll see.

Chris from Mandarin, FL:

This year’s team is one of the worst versions I’ve seen. 14-41.

John: That’s certainly true of the offense, with the frustrating thing for the team obviously being that the defense in many stretches has played OK. They didn’t play remotely OK during the second quarter Thursday. But whatever … we won’t nit-pick on this one. Yeah, it’s bad.

Ross from Fleming Island, FL:

I feel for you. Your job is like trying to arrange the deck chairs on the Titanic. It is shocking how utterly lost this team is.

John: Shocking was absolutely the right word – for parts of this Jaguars season, but certainly for what transpired Thursday night. I expected the Jaguars to play disciplined and turn in an inspired performance Thursday. I don’t know that I realistically expected them to win because I thought without defensive tackle III this was going to be a tough matchup for the defense. I also doubted whether the offense could suddenly find itself in four days. But I didn’t expect 27-0 at halftime. I didn’t expect a 354-60 total-yardage edge for Tennessee at halftime. The degree to which the Jaguars were dominated was shocking. Absolutely.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: It’s always something

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

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Let’s get to it …

Tim from Arlington, VA:

Having Shad Khan talk to the players and coaches and ask them flat out “Why aren’t you winning?” surely must be the last straw for Khan before he fires Gus Bradley, right?

John: Not necessarily. Shad Khan meeting with the coaches and players as he reportedly did Monday certainly is not a great sign because it wouldn’t have happened had the team been 4-2 as opposed to 2-4. And while Khan has said often that he’s not pro-midseason coaching change there obviously for every owner is a tipping point when a change must be a made. I have no idea what will happen if the Jaguars lose to the Titans because I’m not Khan and deep down only he knows. But I don’t know that it’s correct to Khan speaking with the means he’s on the verge of a change. If he thought a change was the necessary move I imagine he would simply make a change rather than going through the process of speaking to the team and trying to find answers.

Marcus from Jacksonville:

In your assessment of the coaching staff you seem to be focusing only on in-game decisions. In that regard, they cannot be blamed for the team’s lack of success. Sure, there have been some bad play calls, but that isn’t the crux of the problem. However, you seem to forget the coaches are responsible year-round to make sure players are prepared once the season starts. They can’t take all the blame, but I think the coaches are partially at fault for the poor run-blocking, the poor quarterback play and the stupid mistakes that are happening on seemingly every play.

John: There’s no question coaches are partially at fault. I don’t think I would ever say coaches weren’t partially responsible for on-field goings on; that’s their responsibility. But far too often in the NFL coaches are blamed and fired for the sake of blaming and firing – and are blamed and credited for things over which they in fact have comparatively little control. I’ve said often a head coach’s primary job is to create a structure and an environment in which players can be successful and in which winning can occur. That in essence is “steering the ship” and ensuring all players are essentially moving in the right direction. That is what Head Coach Gus Bradley has done well even while the talent level on the team precluded the Jaguars from winning more games. That’s what was concerning about the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to Oakland. There was some out-of-control stuff that reflected on the culture of the organization. It certainly didn’t appear all players were on the same page. That’s a bad sign. It doesn’t mean things are absolutely out of control; remember, Bradley’s teams don’t have a trend of such behavior … but the fourth quarter Sunday was bothersome. No doubt.

Deb from Jacksonville:

John, I really hate the word “poise.” We aren’t talking about bladder protection or little girls in a ballet. We are talking about grown (or semi-grown as the case may be) men playing football. Thanks.

John: OK.

Jay from Gainesville, FL:

So, would you like to see Marks and Jackson man the middle – or Jones and Jackson? Marks is a beast! He is good in the run game and passing situations.

John: I think you’re going to see a heavy rotation inside – heavy enough where it won’t matter who starts. I agree that Marks is a beast, but he’s a beast who has had injuries in recent seasons and you don’t want him playing 900-1,000 snaps a year. Rotation, rotation, rotation.

Tom from Charleston, SC:

Is it not possible and even probable that the poor run game is a consequence of Gus’ determination to use a zone-blocking scheme? He has changed personnel and moved people around and still can’t run at a high-school level. It has become obvious this team is not capable of running a zone scheme. Why not change up and go in a different direction? It couldn’t possibly be any worse than what we’ve seen to this point. Isn’t four years of failure enough?

John: I’ve never been under the impression that the zone-blocking scheme is all Bradley, but yeah – at this point I wouldn’t mind seeing more power running.

Newt from Jacksonville:

I need to ask another quarterback-related question. I know Blake Bortles worked with Tom House before last season. What other quarterbacks have done the same with Mr. House? Additionally, how – if any – is Mr. House currently employed? If I were the general manager or higher, I would pursue Mr. House’s talents with extreme urgency. Just adding my two cents to the end there….

John: Multiple quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Andy Dalton have worked with House and Adam Dedeaux on throwing mechanics and other quarterback-related skills. They run their program from Southern California. I have no idea how much they make. My guess is it’s enough in both cases that they don’t need to seek full-time employment elsewhere.

Matt from Jacksonville:

John, been a fan since the beginning but I’m starting to sense a growing discord between the players and fans. To call out and/or slight our fan base for being upset at the poor product on the field is a tacky look. First Telvin Smith then Rashad Greene and now Allen Robinson. Sure, Shad signs the checks but I guess these players are starting to forget where the $$$ comes from..Sad. (If any of the above players are reading this, the money comes from the same fans that have been filling the stadium since 1995. We’re talking about the stadium where there hasn’t been a winning season since 2007!)

John: I’m including this email because it remains a major topic a few days removed from Robinson’s comments about the fans and Wembley Stadium. I’m not ignoring the questions, but I can’t answer them all. Fans are mad about it – and reasonably so. It wasn’t a good thing to say. You can’t touch the third rail. It never plays well.

Stu from Wrestlingworth, UK:

Here’s my take on the season so far. We lost a close game to the Packers, the team’s collective heads then weren’t right against the Chargers. We lost a close game to the Ravens with some poor quarterback play. The team stumbles to two wins against poor teams then falls heavily to a good one. At this moment, it feels like the coaches are playing conservatively to prevent major blowouts, the offense is under too much pressure to perform and is forcing plays and the defense – certainly last Sunday – is getting frustrated with playing some winning football and not winning. Fair or no?

John: I don’t think the coaches are playing conservatively. I think they’re trying to do the things they feel will work based on the strengths and weaknesses of the players. I also think it’s a struggle right now for the offensive coaches to know what this team is doing well, but that’s quibbling. Yes … fair. Very fair.

Bill from Folkston, GA:

Do you think it was the youth of Jalen Ramsey to say he would do the same thing 90 percent of the time – being ejected for fighting – or do you think that he really has no concerns about the team?

John: Neither. I don’t think he was saying he would get ejected for fighting 90 percent of the time. I think he was saying he would react the same way and that his actions normally wouldn’t get him ejected for fighting. In watching what occurred I had the impression Ramsey and Raiders wide receiver Johnny Holton were ejected largely because there were other incidents going on in the fourth quarter and that the officials ejected the players to maintain control of the game. Had Ramsey’s incident occurred in the first quarter of a game with no other altercations I don’t think it would have gotten him ejected. I believe that’s what he was saying. Perhaps he could have made that point clearer, but I was standing next to Ramsey when he spoke. I didn’t remotely get the idea that he was saying he has no concerns about the team.

David from Orlando, FL:

Of the top 10 salaries on this team, eight are from free agency. We’ve reached a point where some of Dave Caldwell’s draft picks are going to be demanding big money. That means this very team that struggles to win games is going to cost Shad Khan a lot more money in the near future. Houston, we have a problem. What are your thoughts?

John: I think it won’t be difficult to discern who should be signed long-term and who shouldn’t be signed long-term.

Adam from St. Johns, FL:

Bortles isn’t passing the Eye Test and we always hear people saying to trust the eyes. I guess his mechanics can improve over time (footwork is atrocious) but decision-making … well … that might not. I’m afraid we’re witnessing the mighty fall of one BB5 and that just sucks.

John: I don’t think we’re there yet, but it’s a legitimate discussion … and yeah, if you’re a Jaguars fan, that does suck.

Tom from Katy, TX:

OK, John: You’re Greg Olson. You’re watching a line that can’t produce consistent runs, a quarterback that can’t make routine NFL throws and is off the mark more times than not and several drops by normally sure handed receivers. You look down at your play sheet – what do you call? My point is…I’m not sure it’s coaching!

John: Oh, Tom, Tom, Tom … in the NFL, it’s always coaching. You know that.

Adam from Saint Johns, FL:

If we all agree the Jaguars suck, then why don’t we ever see anything different? Same post-game speeches, same culprits making mistakes. Other places the media gets after the team and ask real questions. Other places, they fire an offensive coordinator or a defensive coordinator to make a statement. We just stay status quo because everything is fine. This team is losing everyone and it doesn’t seem to care.

John: I was wrong in my previous answer. It’s not always coaching. Sometimes the media is to blame.

Thomas from Jacksonville:

Not that you care. But it seems all of my friends who are diehard football fans have had enough. It’s not the Jaguars losing, coaching. It’s officiating: killed the integrity of the game. Honestly we’re done. Declining ratings are just the beginning. But hey … greed kills everything. Corruption.

John: Oops: wrong again. It’s the officiating.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: The Pretender

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Josh from Section 106:

It was disappointing to see speak disparagingly about the home crowd. I have owned season tickets for the last 15 years – since I could afford them – to the tune of several thousand dollars annually. We have put up with season after season of losing. If they win some games, I bet the crowd doesn’t boo as much. Let him know I said don’t worry about the boos and just go cash his game check. Too bad they can’t dock his pay for those two drops … Oh, well.

John: This unsurprisingly is a hot-button topic this week – and you know what? It absolutely should be a hot-button topic. Robinson on Monday commented about fans booing during a one-sided loss to the Raiders Sunday at EverBank Field. His comments drew pretty much the same reaction from fans and readers as similar comments by Telvin Smith early in the season: anger and resentment. That reaction from fans is correct and understandable. Fans had every right to boo the performance Sunday, just as they had every right to boo earlier in the season – and just as they have every right to boo whenever they choose. I get that booing bothers players. I get that it hurts. I get that from their perspective they’re doing all they can to win and they’re working hard. This is an emotional, high-intensity game and many players understandably react emotionally to being booed. At the same time, when teams don’t meet expectations, being booed is part of the deal. It’s also the third rail of NFL fan-player relations. Players who touch that rail by criticizing fans do so at their own risk. It’s never going to play well. Never.

DJ from Charleston, SC:

Please give me a good reason to let Blake keep starting. Put in Henne or Allen and look for our new quarterback in the offseason.

John: The reason you don’t bench Blake Bortles is doing so pretty much finishes him as a starting quarterback in Jacksonville. He has struggled this season, but he hasn’t struggled enough yet to change the direction of the franchise at that position.

Michael from Tucker, GA:

During the preseason, I made mention that the Jags can’t stop the run if either Miller or Poz is not in the game. Well, this news about Miller is probably the worst news possible. The only thing we had going for us was a defense that kept us in every game. My question, now that we can’t stop the run the rest of the year, what can be done to save our season?

John: You say the news about Roy Miller III being out for the season is about the worst news possible. You are correct. Miller’s presence has been key to this team’s run defense the past several seasons, and there usually has been a pretty direct correlation to the presence of him and middle linebacker Paul Posluszny to stopping the run. Abry Jones and Sen’Derrick Marks are expected to play in Miller’s place. How they play and how the team responds to Miller’s absence could go a long way to determining how this defense plays the rest of the season.

Josh from Jacksonville:

I remember repeatedly saying “I’m not worried about the offense…” during the preseason. Is it rare for things to have regressed so badly in the offseason with very little personnel changes?

John: This is the most prevailing question around the Jaguars in recent weeks, but the reality is the Jaguars’ offense hasn’t regressed all that significantly. This was not a great offense last season. It was a good offense at times that produced very good statistics at times. But many of the same issues from last season – slow starts, running-game issues, turnovers, not scoring enough when the game was in doubt – are plaguing it again. The problem is the offense was expected to improve with a group of young players having played together two seasons. That hasn’t happened and the result is a lot of disappointment within the team and outside of it.

Daniel from Jacksonville:

Jalen says he would “do it again” and “won’t be disrespected.” Stupid hothead. Doesn’t he realize that he can’t help us win games if he’s ejected and that he just made himself even more of a target for every receiver he’ll face the rest of the year to try and bait him into a fight? Make your statements with your play, not your mouth, rookie.

John: I look at the Jaguars right now and think there are a lot of things about which to worry. Jalen Ramsey’s not on that list.

Scott from Section 237:

Can you explain why Blake Bortles is so inaccurate and such a long release and trouble throwing fade routes after three years? Are there any other successful franchise quarterbacks playing in the NFL with those types of mechanical issues? Also why doesn’t Bortles throw any timing routes? Finally when I watched Bortles the whole game he seems to wind up to throw with a delayed motion like Byron Leftwich.

John: Can I explain why Bortles is so inaccurate? I honestly can’t, except that his footwork doesn’t seem fundamentally sound right now and his mechanics from the naked eye don’t seem sound, either. Sure, there are franchise quarterbacks in the NFL with mechanical issues; Philip Rivers’ motion is hardly textbook and he’s absolutely elite. As for why Bortles doesn’t throw timing routes, so far they don’t seem to be a strength. Look, we can pick apart all of these issues with Bortles – and I’m sure we will until he begins playing better – but he has shown in the past he can play far more effectively than this. He’s going through a very difficult time right now – the toughest time of his three NFL seasons. It’s up to him to pull out of it. The Jaguars believe he will. We’ll see.

Graham from Dundee, Scotland:

O! Out of curiosity, after all the penalties against the defense how would an opposing team assess the Jags’ D? Would they say that it is indeed still a young team up and coming and learning how to play together? Or would they see this as an already good “D” and beginning to look nasty and getting a reputation of being physical and strong?

John: I’d say they would see it as a young, ascending defense that still lacks a dominant pass rush. That makes it a formidable defense – but a beatable one and one that has a tough time intimidating or forcing turnovers.

Garrett from Ballston Lake, NY:

O-man, this week is a HUGE week for us. Well, every week is from here on out. But if we beat Tennessee and Indy and Houston lose to two very good teams we are a game out of first place in the AFC South, which is absurd to think about. Hope is still alive. Somehow, someway we still have a shot! Go Jags!!

John: You’re right, but the standings are a periphery issue right now. This team needs to beat the Tennessee Titans Thursday and they need to look like a composed, disciplined team with a functioning quarterback. If they do those things then hope is still alive.

Marco from Lima, Peru:

The only bright side on the Jags; debacle is that our division sucks. We are still a game and a half away of the Texans and by beating Tennessee and the Texans in the upcoming weeks we can get back on top of our division. They just need to start playing some football. Moodachay!

John: #DTWD

Mike from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

John, I am confused about our passing game. If teams are double covering A-Rob then why are we not throwing deep to Lee to pull the safety away from A-Rob? Lee is our fastest receiver, yet I do not recall us throwing deep to him once this season. Look what Derek Carr did with Michael Crabtree at the end of the half. A-Rob will continue to be doubled until we force them to respect our deep shots.

John: Teams are playing more two-deep safeties against the Jaguars to take Robinson away, but the two-deep approach can discourage deep balls to other receivers, too. Still, your point is a good one. Bortles did throw deep to Lee once this season: in Week 3 against Baltimore. It nearly worked. It wouldn’t be a horrible idea to try that again.

Jerrel from South Carolina:

If I pretend to be Jerrel from South Carolina will you answer my question? Is the AFC South the worst division in football? We had so much hype in the offseason now we have the most pathetic division.

John: Jerell spells his name with one “l.” I know this because we’re close.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Reasonable expectations

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Julio from Hesperia, CA:

O, be honest right here, right now! Do you think this team is way too talented to be underperforming, which points to coaching as the issue?

John: I in fact never have been dishonest on this issue. I said repeatedly this past offseason I really didn’t think we’d know about Head Gus Bradley and this staff until this season. That’s because the talent level the past three seasons didn’t really give the Jaguars a legitimate chance to win. That was very true in 2013 and 2014 and it remained relatively true last season. Now, we’re six games into this season. Is the 2-4 record to be blamed on coaching? I think this defense this season has played well. It’s the first time in this four-year era that either side of the ball has played at what could be called a winning NFL level – and yes, I include the 2015 offense in that assessment. The major issue right now is the offense is ineffective because the run-blocking is struggling and most of all because the quarterback is struggling. If you believe the coaching staff is responsible for struggling run blocking and quarterback play, then coaching is the issue. I don’t believe this staff has coached poorly this season. Neither do I believe it has been great. I believe it has coached OK by NFL standards and that if the team had good-to-average quarterback play, the team would be above .500. That doesn’t mean this staff automatically will be back. I doubt the Jaguars can finish below .500 and there not be changes, but what has gone on this season is by no means all the fault of the coaches.

Gerry from the Westside:

was bad Sunday. Really bad. But it’s a reach to blame him for the intentional-grounding penalty. That should not have been called.

John: You’re referring to the play in the fourth quarter when Bortles was called for intentional grounding after the Raiders were called offside. I wrote Monday that Bortles needed to be more aware of the situation. I looked at the play again later that day. I was wrong. Khalil Mack was unimpeded to the quarterback and Bortles grounded the ball. A penalty should not have been called.

Michael from Yulee and Section 214:

At what point does the staff step back and say what are we doing wrong? And when will they start making the right play calls? Correct me if I am wrong, but in the beginning of the fourth quarter the Jags had only thrown 12-23. I understand you can’t throw the ball a lot if it is just three-and-outs. But I think they called way too many running plays when pass plays should have been called. It is to the point we the fans are just excited for a 40 field goal to get a free sub.

John: Jaguars running backs ran 11 times Sunday. To run any less would be the equivalent of not running at all. It’s also not particularly prudent when your quarterback is struggling to complete passes.

Jake from Chicagoland, IL:

Zone, this week it seemed in general pass protection looked pretty good; some plays Blake had a lot of time. It’s tough to see receivers on television …. was there separation? How about on the season? Accuracy issues are obvious and much-discussed. It’s tougher to know when other opportunities are there.

John: The separation hasn’t always been great this season, but generally speaking this hasn’t been a problem severe enough that it should completely shut down the offense.

Kyle from Panama City, FL:

It’s nice to see stay healthy and become an important part of the offense. That’s about all the positive I can see out of this team right now.

John: That’s probably not quite fair, because the defense actually has a lot of components playing at/near a winning level. Still, your point is a good one: Lee has remained healthy this season and has impressively earned a role in this offense. He is the only receiver right now consistently productive in the middle of the field, and he was the only part of the offense Sunday that provided any consistency. He entered this past offseason with a goal of staying healthy and letting the rest – playing time, production, opportunity – take care of itself. He has stayed healthy and improved accordingly. Credit to him.

Travis from Athens, GA:

John, you are wrong again. This team is very, very, very consistent. Once again we at 2-4 we are on the bottom of the AFC and one of the six worst teams in the league. And that my friend is very consistent with the last few years.

John: Point taken.

Scott from Minneapolis, MN:

The offense is just leaving too many plays on the field. Plain and simple. Now how to fix that? That’s the question I’m happy I’m not being paid to answer.

John: The fix is better execution – not only from the quarterback position, but from receivers and the offensive line in terms of run blocking and the running backs. The offense seems broken; I get that. But there were opportunities to score Sunday and the Jaguars didn’t take advantage of the opportunities. Criticize play-calling all you want – and right now everything is up to be criticized – but the simple truth is the offense must play better.

Taylor from Maryland:

What happened to the in training camp that dominated?

John: Much of Robinson’s drop in production this season stems from fewer big plays. Much of the reason that has happened is defenses are scheming to take away the deep pass. An argument can be made that Bortles needs to throw the ball his way even with defenses scheming against it, but whatever the reason, the lack of production on deep passes has been noticeably absent. The other issue seems to be that Robinson – like many of the Jaguars’ offensive players – appears to be pressing and trying to make big plays. That perhaps attributed to Robinson’s drops Sunday.

Tim from Atlantic Beach, FL:

In reference to the intentional grounding call, why doesn’t a quarterback get called for this when he intentionally spikes the ball to stop the clock? Obviously, the center’s foot isn’t an intended receiver.

John: That’s not intentional grounding because the rules say it’s OK to ground the ball to stop the clock if that’s clearly the intent of the quarterback.

Josh from Green Bay, WI:

Consistently inconsistent … is that a fair assessment?

John: Yes.

J Hooks from Orange Park, FL:

I know this has been overlooked for other more pressing issues, but what is with and his really, really boneheaded penalties? Give the kid a rulebook! His ignorance of rules and not being able to line up in a straight line aren’t helping our cause.

John: You’re right.

Lee from St. Mary’s, GA:

Would these issues even be issues under a Tom Coughlin-led Jaguars team? I know it’s players not plays, but what we saw Sunday isn’t new. Blake looked lost.

John: The penalty issues in the fourth quarter Sunday … yes, a strong argument can be made that that’s on coaching. There were far too many personal-foul/out-of-control incidents, and while you would like to think that professional players would conduct themselves accordingly, coaching is going to rightfully be blamed when such things happen. That sort of behavior hasn’t been a trend, but one such afternoon is too many such afternoons. As far as blaming coaching for Blake Bortles looking “lost” … that’s difficult. Blame coaches for play-calling and discipline, but if Bortles looks lost, it’s up to him to look un-lost.

Tom from South Dakota:

Ramsey is legit.

John: Yes.

Depressed fan from Jacksonville:

How is the defense so good and the offense so bad? Help me understand, O.

John: The defense is playing better this season because it added better players and for the most part those players have been good additions. It’s not a great defense because it’s not rushing the passer at a dominant level or creating turnovers, but it’s a good enough defense to usually keep the team in games. The offense’s struggles are in one sense surprising but in another sense not. Many believed the offense would be good this season because it was productive at times last season. The problem was while the offense indeed was productive at times last season, it struggled early in games, lacked consistency and depended on big plays in the passing game for success. Bortles also threw too many interceptions. Many of those issues remain issues and without the big plays in the passing game the offensive struggles look even more glaring.

Jon from PEI, Canada:

Hey O. Going into this game I didn’t expect a win, though I definitely expected a close game. This was far from reality. Am I wrong in expecting the Jags to be competitive in most of their games at this point in the regime?

John: No. Absolutely not.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: One simple word

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Jonathan from Virginia:

I think Gus needs to shake the tree a bit with BB. Do you think benching him for a half or a game would help? I ask because of how Fitz responded this week and how Miami seems to be doing better with their benching policy on players.

John: No, I do not think benching would help the current situation. Bortles’ problem this season is not a lack of motivation. His problem has been accuracy, interceptions, decision-making, carelessness with the ball at times and turnovers. Those aren’t going to get fixed by a half-game benching. Plus, you don’t bench a franchise quarterback in the NFL until you know it’s over for him as the starter. That’s because in many respects, franchise-quarterback benchings are permanent. Once you bench The Guy it’s very hard if not impossible for him to ever be The Guy again. There’s no going back. Bortles is struggling, but we’re not at the point that it’s over for him as the starter. Not yet.

Rob from Rochester, NY:

I understand Blake was drafted to be the Franchise Quarterback and he started to look like one last year. This year, he has taken a major step back. The stats that showed last year was more luck than talent are sure looking accurate. When do you get another quarterback to compete for a starting job? Do you let Blake play out the contract and assess?

John: First, what Bortles did last season wasn’t luck – but there’s no question his struggles this season are getting to the point of being confidence-shaking. Bortles has a year left on his rookie contract after this season. If you’re asking if the Jaguars absolutely will start him throughout that contract if he continues to play like this the rest of the season … no, I do not think that’s automatically the case. He needs to show improvement between now and the end of this season.

Juan from Port Orange, FL:

I’ve been behind Gus Bradley for all this time, defending him and wanting to give him more time for the turnaround. But enough is enough. Gus and the players can keep saying that they are not the team we see on the field (undisciplined, inconsistent, etc.), but in the end you are who you are and they are indeed not a very good team right now. I hope Gus can still salvage the season, but I can’t defend him anymore! Thanks for the vent??

John: This is as good a place to vent as any – and certainly a lot of the poise issues in the fourth quarter Sunday must be attributed to the coaching staff. While players such as middle linebacker were blaming themselves after the game (Posluszny was taking responsibility as a team captain), such a breakdown of discipline must be addressed by the coaches. There overall has been of lack of discipline this season; while that hasn’t been the norm under Head Coach Gus Bradley and the staff, through six regular-season games this season that has been the character of this team. That said, the Jaguars didn’t lose Sunday – and they haven’t lost this season – because of those issues. The biggest reason for the struggles this season is an offense that was expected to take a step forward has not in fact improved. That’s why the Jaguars are 2-4 and if they don’t get better in that area the record is going to get worse.

Thomas from Williamsburg, VA:

Can we talk about for a second? Lines up offsides twice in the same half and then should have been flagged for shoving that guy in the back (luckily the Oakland guy got a personal foul for retaliating) when the defense just made a huge third-down stop in the fourth. I’m just a curious fan looking for answers. Thanks.

John: Fowler so far this season has been as noticeable for his mental mistakes as his big plays. That’s not a positive statement.

Mike from Atlanta, FA:

The defense is very good. They are on the field way too much. The offense is holding them back because they can’t stay on the field. , is he there yet? He looks like a shutdown corner from where I’m sitting.

John: The defense is good and the unit indeed has been on the field too much. The main issue with the defense is it hasn’t affected the passer enough with the pass rush. As a result, it has not forced turnovers. Still, even with that being true it has played well enough to win at least four of six games. Did it play well enough to win Sunday? Perhaps not, but it sure played well enough to keep the team in the game a lot longer than it should have considering how the offense and punt-return team played in the first half.

Rob from Section 122:

I don’t understand how our offense can’t move the ball when ‘s deep/jump balls are taken away. Shouldn’t that mean either , or should be able to beat one-on-one coverage? If the line is pass-blocking well, and there are plenty of proven weapons, how are we not easily scoring 21 a game? Has Bortles accuracy/awareness been that bad to where the receivers are not being found/hit?

John: At times, yes. Sunday was one of those times.

Matt from Fort Worth, TX:

Is Dante Fowler Jr. a great pass rusher?

John: Not yet. That’s not unusual for a player in his first season. Most great pass rushers take enormous steps from their rookie seasons to second seasons.

Greg from Fernandina Beach, FL:

III out? I don’t like that, Zone …

John: You’re correct not to like it. Jaguars defensive tackle Roy Miller III left the game in the third quarter with an Achilles injury. He was immediately announced as not returning. The whole situation sounds like a very serious injury to a player who is critically important to the defense. Miller played at a high level throughout last season and had done so again this season. He’s a reason this team is usually stout against the run and he is a team leader. If he’s out for the season, that’s a big loss.

Jason from Jacksonville and Section 140::

John, this game was a measuring stick for the Jags and the Raiders as both teams have been on the rebuild with similar draft pick positions. The Jags are behind dramatically on offense, and most notably, quarterback. If Bortles doesn’t show marked signs of improvement for the remainder of this season, the Jags are going to have a decision to make about their future at quarterback – and whether they can continue to fall behind.

John: Well, yeah.

Dakota from Fleming Island, FL:

Putting the entirely disappointing start to the season to the side for a moment, in how did we get an intentional grounding after an offside penalty Sunday? I’ve never seen that and it seems entirely wrong. The quarterback is allowed to save himself from a hit in that way (at least according to every other game I’ve seen in my life) since the opposing team jumped offsides to be able to hit them that way. Was this somehow different?

John: The play was not blown dead. The perception that offsides gives the offense a free play is a correct one in the sense that the ball will not be awarded to the defense if there is a turnover. The quarterback must be aware enough to realize that. The quarterback also must be aware enough to know that if both the offense and defense commit a penalty on a play those penalties offset – even if the defense is offsides and the offense’s penalty is intentional grounding.

Noel from St. Augustine, FL:

Time to read your columns that help perpetuate this false narrative that this team is any better than seasons past.

John: Sunday was a bad performance – and yes, that was almost all my fault.

James from Socorro, NM:

Intentional grounding on a “free” defensive offsides play? That is the most Jaguars thing ever.

John: It was not a “good look.” It also showed a lack of awareness. The play is a free play in the sense that if the quarterback throws an interception it will not count. It does not mean a penalty can’t be called on the defense. Bortles took a situation that should have been a free opportunity and turned it into an offsetting penalty. That’s rookie stuff. It shouldn’t happen in a quarterback’s third season.

Josh from Section 106:

One word. Undisciplined.

John: There were a lot of words that could be used to describe the Jaguars’ performance Sunday – disappointing, frustrating, ridiculous, inexcusable – but yes … the one you used was certainly as good as any.

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Hidden identity

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

JACKSONVILLE – Game-day O-Zone.

Let’s get to it …

Alex from Orlando, FL:

This game is huge. Who do you think wins, and why?

John: I’m not a big predictions guy here in the O-Zone, but I think the Jaguars will win Sunday if they play well – and yes, I expect them to play well. They’re playing at home with at least some measure of momentum. They have saved their season with victories in the last two games – and they have a real chance to put themselves in a very good situation over the next five days. If they win the next two games then the 0-3 start that threatened the season suddenly seems far in the past. Their defense is covering well – and it seems to be improving by the week. I also expect the defense to play the run well – and the run is where Oakland’s offense really begins. The ‘X’ factor, of course, will be the Jaguars’ offense. If it can protect the ball and hit big plays, then I think the Jaguars will win. They haven’t done either enough this season. I expect they will Sunday.

Damien from Jacksonville:

How much, if any, advantage is it to the team that Greg Olson worked closely with Derek Carr a few years ago? Thanks!

John: Very little.

Ed from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

I don’t see why fans are complaining about our running game. Our offensive line has a few problems – but overall our running game is OK. Am I totally wrong?

John: You’re not totally wrong – though to be honest, you’re kinda close. The Jaguars have shown signs of running well at times this season – early against Green Bay and San Diego; in London against the Colts – but overall this area hasn’t been good enough. Not nearly.

Dave from Orlando, FL:

O-man, now that he appears to have lost his starting job, what is the role of on this football team?

John: Back-up.

Spence ‘O Matic from Jacksonville:

O-Man: ‘s display of ability last week in Chicago gives the offense a vital third weapon at wide receiver … that in many formations will still allow the Jags to have a tight end to block and help the running game. To me, Lee’s emergence will do more to help the running game than a lineman’s development. The only thing this does, though, is leave multi-million $$ man Thomas on the bench. What say you?

John: I say the Jaguars need to get their best players on the field. Yes, that may mean Lee playing instead of Thomas in some early-down situations. I doubt the Jaguars take this approach too much because they like the balance a two tight-end set gives – and they like the defensive match ups created by two tight ends. But Lee is playing well enough that he could be forcing his way onto the field more regularly.

Jim from Middleburg, FL:

This team has made great progress. Because there are 31 teams that place great value on the offensive line, you can’t just go shopping at Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of spare tackles, guards, and centers. I wrote during preseason this team would start slow and improve as the season and develop into a 7-9 or a 8-8 team. I still believe it will happen. We play six games in the AFC South against teams that we are able to beat. Add just one or two wins outside the AFC South and we all can celebrate. Keep Gus Bradley for this season. Period.

John: OK.

Chris from Mandarin:

No, John, the best option to play center was Alex Mack, but the team elected not to pursue him. If they had, we could have left at left or right guard depending on where him or Cann were better at. You can’t spend all the monies at once, I suppose.

John: Your opinion and that of David Caldwell differ on this matter. That’s OK. Differing opinions are legal and healthy in this country.

Pogie from Orange Park, FL:

Top eight in yards per game on defense … take the Charger game out, probably Top 2 or 3. Guess what I’m saying is once this offense gets going … look out. Fans need to recognize this is possibly one of the best teams we’ve seen in Duval. Ever! Go Jags.

John: Let’s let the Jaguars get to .500 first, Pogie.

Will from Orlando, FL:

Is it fair to expect a well-rounded, solid game from considering the subpar defense coming in to the ‘Bank on Sunday? I feel like this team doesn’t just need a win, it needs a convincing “W.”

John: It’s fair to expect anything you want. I don’t know that Blake Bortles’ issues will be magically solved because the Raiders are ranked 32nd in the NFL. So far, his issues this season seem to run deeper than that – and by that I mean they are more about what he’s doing than what defenses are doing. He needs to be more accurate, make better decisions and be sounder with the ball when under pressure. He will face pressure Sunday because Khalil Mack plays for the Raiders. Either way, if Bortles plays well Sunday, it will be because he played well and made strides in areas where he needed to do so; not because the Raiders allowed him to do so.

Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:

29th in total offense; 24th in total defense. Tell me if I’m off-base, but I can’t see how overall performance in the bottom tier can translate to a winning record. I’m not giving up, mind you, but I’m struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. John, you’ve been around a long time – is it more a personnel issue? Or is it that the personnel we have simply aren’t performing to expectations?

John: The Jaguars are ranked No. 8 in the NFL in total defense.

Preston from Oakville, CT:

I may be in the minority here, but the way the Jaguars are playing has me filled with optimism. The offense has struggled much more than I would like, but we have seen that they have big-play ability. The fact that the defense is as far along as they are means that we have the pieces in place and it’s time to see them bring it all together. Your thoughts?

John: My thought is that this game Sunday has a chance to be a very important game for this franchise. I do get the feeling that this team is close. That feeling doesn’t come from the offense nearly as much as it does from a defense that indeed appears to be improving rapidly – and appears to have the tools in terms of speed and ability to stop the run to be sustainably good. As far as the offense …. yes, there is big-play ability. More important than that, though, it must improve in the running game and Bortles must be more accurate and reduce turnovers. The good news for the Jaguars is those latter two areas don’t need to improve dramatically for results to be positive. The smallest upturn could yield significant results. We’ll see if that happens.

Jeremy from Wise, VA:

I expect to see more three- and four-wide receiver sets and more no-huddle in the game Sunday. I know Gus wants to run the football, but how about letting the pass set up the run? We all know too well that this year, they haven’t been able to run consistently on traditional running downs and situations. What say you, O?

John: The pass only can set up the run if the pass is effective. We’ll see if that happens Sunday.

Tom from Orlando, FL:

My prediction for the first three rounds of next year’s draft: Right tackle, guard, strong safety.

John: There obviously is a long way to go before the draft – as in, 11 regular season games and perhaps more games after that – and much can change between now and then. But those indeed are spots where the Jaguars could have needs next offseason. The good news for the Jaguars is none of those are spots that traditionally have to be filled in the first round to be filled effectively. The other good news for the Jaguars is it’s no guarantee that all three will have to be filled. We’ll see.

Will from Orlando, FL:

How much longer can we expect to be a highly-paid acquisition with minimal impact on the offense?

John: The Jaguars haven’t gotten Thomas as involved this season as would be ideal, and some of that has been Bortles’ trouble getting him the ball (witness a third-down overthrow early in the third quarter last week). Thomas is an important piece of the offense. His presence does help others around him because defenses have to account for him. But there’s no question the Jaguars would do well to get him more involved.

Glen from Section 408:

Great job this week; here’s one for you Oehser!!

John: Is this Jerell?

Pages: 12

O-Zone: Well on his way

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Don from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:

How about rating quarterbacks by who you want with the ball on the last drive when it counts? That’s why I like . He is going to win the game. All that other jazz is fine but mostly the games are decided by who has the ball last. There is an art to winning and the clock always works forward. It’s important to get to that point of the game. That’s when Blake is at his best. He is as clutch as any in the league and he does everything very well. Fun to watch! Go Jags!

John: This is a legitimate point and should not be overlooked. Bortles indeed is very good, very poised and very clutch at game’s end. He believes in himself and – perhaps as importantly – his teammates believe in him. Those things matter and they are a strength. Bortles without question needs to improve some areas to allow the Jaguars to be in that situation more – and to be ahead late so he doesn’t always need to make clutch plays at the end of games – but his late-game ability indeed is something that gives this team a chance to win. We’ve probably brushed past that too much in the constant analysis over his skills/progress in recent weeks. We shouldn’t do that. Being clutch late counts.

Irving from New Britain, CT:

I want to ask your opinion on the play of . I think his current performance has allowed opposing offenses to feast on the Jaguars. I don’t know how he remains in the starting lineup. What is your opinion on the play of Cyprien this season?

John: We’re more than three years into his career, so it’s safe to say Cyprien is what he is. He has missed some big tackles throughout his career, and he has missed some this season. He also has gotten beat in coverage quite a bit, though that hasn’t happened quite as much this season. I believe overall Cyprien has played better this season than past seasons. He probably hasn’t played to the level expected from his draft positioning, but he’s the best option for this team at strong safety this season.

Alex from Los Angeles, CA:

The way I’ve always looked at the running game is it’s the line’s job to get the running back to the second level a few yards downfield, and it’s the back’s job to make linebackers and safeties miss for extra yardage. So far, the backs are constantly being hit in the backfield. I wouldn’t blame that on Yeldon or Ivory.

John: Nor would I.

CD from Fleming Island, FL:

“During games, Bradley often will let Olson know essentially what he wants in a given situation – run, deep pass, etc. – after which Olson calls the specific play.” I was pretty surprised to read that; I always thought that Gus let Olson do his thing during the game, and that his role in the offense was identity/game-planning. If that’s not the case, I think that puts Olsen in a different light for me. Trying to focus and establish an offensive rhythm would be difficult I think with someone else’s input. Is that normal for an NFL team? And does Gus Bradley being a defensive-minded guy hinder that at all?

John: Allow me to clarify this a bit. When I say Bradley “often will let Olson know essentially what he wants in a given situation,” I’m not saying he’s in Olson’s grill every two or three plays. What I mean is Bradley and Olson will talk between series and decide their general approach based on field position, time of game, etc. Sometimes, Bradley might want the Jaguars to run clock. Sometimes, he might want them to be aggressive in a given situations. It is not a case where Bradley is trying to call four out of five offensive plays – but yes, the approach is common with coordinators and head coaches.

Donny from Heathrow, FL, Section 132:

The constant criticism from fans and local media regarding Greg Olson, Gus and the coaching staff is so misguided it’s embarrassing to me. Olson isn’t the one making poor throws, dropping passes, failing to run block – and he’s not responsible for refs missing obvious penalties. As Tony Boselli tried to help Pete Prisco understand on Monday Night, the offense’s problem is primarily the players – specifically Bortles and the offensive line’s run blocking. While we can nit-pick some play calls, the main issue is execution by the players – not coaching. When they did their jobs in the first series and the fourth quarter, they executed what they’ve been coached to do! This isn’t complicated and the offense is not fixed by playing more up-tempo if they don’t execute the plays … and I thought we won last Sunday – or did I just dream it, Oehser?

John: The problem in the NFL always is coaching. Always. Just ask anyone.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

Why can’t they get the personnel they need to run the zone-blocking scheme? It seems to me based on what I hear that the personnel on the offensive line may not be great zone blockers. Is it difficult to find lineman that can zone block?

John: This line this season hasn’t zone run-blocked well, but it really hasn’t run-blocked that well in any way, either. The line’s not perfect, but they have pass-blocked for the most part quite well – and because of that the group overall is playing better than it did a year ago. I think you may see more power blocking moving forward. We’ll see.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

Based on how poorly the offense has played and how good the Raiders are, I have zero hope we will win Sunday. I just pray we can keep it close. A blowout would end any false hope we had in this team. However, you know what? A loss period will suck. Can we just skip to the preseason? This no hope in sight sucks.

John: Fans gonna fan.

Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL:

Hi John, Seems like everyone is picking Oakland over the Jags but Oakland is eighth on offense to our eighth on defense and they’re last in defense to our 29th on offense. Looking forward to a good game.

John: Yeah, but try telling that to Logan.

Jarret from Crosby, ND:

Why does everyone keep perpetuating this idea that the Jaguars’ offense was good or that they didn’t struggle last season? They weren’t and they did. A huge chunk of their yardage and stats came in so-called “garbage time” which apparently people have forgotten.

John: You’re correct. I wasn’t as concerned about the so-called “garbage” statistics last season, because I thought for the most part that angle was overblown. The Jaguars did move the ball at times last season, and they were effective at times. The offensive statistics they compiled weren’t fake and they mattered. My bigger concern is that there were huge chunks of games when the Jaguars struggled offensively and they weren’t efficient in ways that lead to winning – i.e., running, third-down conversions, consistency. I thought the offense needed to take a step forward in a lot of those areas. So far, it hasn’t.

David from Oviedo, FL:

O-man, is it possible that we have the same old Blake – and that the defenses found the kryptonite to take away his strengths? Are defenses saying “If we take away this and that play, what have you got?” So far, it’s not much. In the theory of evolution, if you don’t evolve, you will become an endangered species.

John: This indeed is part of the issue this season. The Jaguars’ strength most of last season was Bortles throwing 50-50, deep balls to Robinson. Defenses have done more this season to take those passes away with safeties over the top of the defense. Bortles has struggled in other areas with accuracy and consistency. The offense has struggled accordingly.

Mike from Atlanta, GA:

I think is there already. He looks like an elite corner to me. I think the more experience he gains, the more frequently we will see him make late, game-changing plays. I have seen him in at least two games already come up and get the stop or help get a turnover when the defense absolutely needed it. What’s more, I think he is the best player I have watched for the Jaguars at this stage of his career. I don’t remember Boselli’s rookie year, but was he this dominant this quickly? That could be attributed to the difference in the position they play, but I think Ramsey is already an elite-level player. It seems like I’m watching a free safety play cornerback – very well.

John: Yes, Boselli was this good this quickly. As for Ramsey being elite … I wouldn’t put him there yet, but I would be stunned if he’s not there very quickly. I’d also be really surprised at this point if he doesn’t wind up being one of the best players to play for this team. Ever.

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O-Zone: Bold prediction

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

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Scott from Gilbert, AZ:

John: “Block better” … is really the answer? How ’bout, “Two third-rounders, two free agents that were undrafted out of college, and a guy coming off an ACL on a prove-it-deal is just never gonna give you what you need up front in this league?” You’ve always said a team would be much better off with a stud offensive line and average running backs, so why can’t you just tell it like it is? Using a second-round pick, in conjunction with giving a guy $32.5 million over five years to tote the rock – and spending so little to actually create space for them to do so – is unacceptable.

John: I’m not sure when I said this was a great offensive line, but I’ll check. Look, the line could be better – no question. It’s not yet a team strength. The question is what could the team have done differently? How much more equity could the Jaguars have used on the area in recent offseasons? And at what expense to building the rest of the roster? The Jaguars could have used their first- and second-round selections in each of the last four drafts on the line, but then you wouldn’t have Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, Dante Fowler Jr., T.J. Yeldon, Jalen Ramsey or Myles Jack. A lot of those players are good; people like them. As for unrestricted free agency, the Jaguars spent big money three times in recent offseasons on the offensive line – Kelvin Beachum, Jermey Parnell and Zane Beadles. That’s not a Pro Bowl Trio, but teams aren’t lining up to allow Pro Bowl offensive linemen to sign elsewhere in free agency. My point is not to say that the Jaguars’ offensive line is great. I in fact believe there’s a good possibility they will address a spot or two next offseason. That could be left guard if Luke Joeckel isn’t re-signed, and it could be other positions – right tackle, perhaps – if the positions remain inconsistent. But the Jaguars haven’t left the line unaddressed. It’s tough if not impossible to adequately address every position on the roster – yes, even in four offseasons – and offensive line may be a spot where a piece or two still remains to be added.

Logan from Wichita, KS:

Stealing Bortles’ glasses, Zone? Come on, man! Just because you miss Scobee now Bortles has to be the goat? Why, Zone … why?

John: Shh.

Greg from Section 122 and Jacksonville:

Have watched the Jags since the first game. Something that is really getting old is that ever since Tom Coughlin left it seems we always have one area of the team that is severely needing improvement. Just an example is last year the offense was looking up and seemed to be a strength on our team and defense needed serious work. Now this year, we drafted and invested a lot on defense and it is becoming the strength of our team, yet the offense – with little-to-almost no loss of talent – has now begun to become a weak spot. Is it too much to ask to just have all three phases be satisfactory? They don’t even need to be great, but something that is not considered a weakness? You would think after four years of roster improvements and free agency we would be further along than this.

John: There has been much surprise expressed about the Jaguars’ offense being an issue early in the season, and equal surprise about the defense being a team strength. Frankly, I’m not all that surprised with either outcome. Yes, the defense is a little ahead of where I thought it would be so early, but I wrote throughout the offseason that I believed there was no way this defense wouldn’t be improved enough to at least get into the Top 20 or so and give the team a chance. I was far more concerned about the offense. That’s because while the unit statistically was good last season it did not often play winning football. It was not consistent and did not usually play well early in games. It had too many long stretches in which it wasn’t productive – long, long stretches of three-and-out possessions – and the running game struggled all season. I also believed quarterback Blake Bortles needed to improve in some key areas in terms of efficiency and decision-making – and though I thought he would make those improvements, I didn’t think they would be easy. The Jaguars’ offense this season actually is strikingly similar to last season. The exception is that deep balls to wide receiver Allen Robinson were very effective last season and they have been not so effective this season. As far as your question, the special teams and defense have been pretty strong for the most part this season, so that’s two of three. If the running game and quarterback can be more consistent then you’ll have your Holy Trinity. Stay tuned.

Jerell from Columbia, SC:

Do you feel the Jags are inferior to the Raiders?

John: No, but I’m sure you do, Jerell.

Jerry longtime fan:

The run game starts at center so why did we let Stefen Wisniewski go and experiment with a lineman who is usually hurt in Brandon Linder?

John: There are a few reasons for this. One: the run game wasn’t very good last season and the Jaguars believed they needed to upgrade from Wisniewski. Another: when they made the decision Linder had played two seasons, missing most of one with a shoulder injury; that’s not “usually hurt” as much as a guy having had an injury and missing much of one season. The biggest reason the Jaguars made the change is that Linder isn’t an “experiment; he’s good and was the best option available to play center. That’s usually why teams make moves such as that.

DJ from Charleston, SC:

Do you think the comment by Gus Bradley when he said doesn’t see “urgency or speed” from the offensive line will motivate them or irritate them? Brandon Linder was quoted saying he had no idea what Bradley meant. Do you think the other players feel the same as Linder? Basically, what I’m asking is will they take that as motivation to get better or will they become bitter towards Gus because of his comments?

John: I got the idea from listening to Bradley this week he was trying to say that the offensive line and running game as a whole needed to play with the same tempo and – and at the same level – as it did early in the preseason. I got the idea listening to Linder that he wasn’t sure what “urgency” meant, exactly, but that he also felt the running game needed to get back to the same level of play as early in the preseason. Did Bradley’s comments about the running game irritate players? Perhaps. They probably didn’t love them. But the Jaguars have rushed for less than 75 yards in four of five games this season. If I’m the head coach I’m starting to not care too much if I’m irritating the players involved in the run game.

Jan from Fairfield, CT:

Imagine that the Patriots have enough of losing all those games and decide to get rid of their inept coaching staff. Imagine also that they have identified another head coach (let’s say, Gus Bradley) as the solution to their problems. Can they start negotiating with their target right now, or how does that work?

John: Teams can’t negotiate with coaches who are under contract with other teams because contracts.

Bobby from Draper, UT:

Hey, O-Dude. Have Gus and the team thought about bringing in a fullback to start helping with the run? They need to try anything and everything to get this run game going. I have seen a few plays the last couple weeks where having a fullback would have done wonders (T.J. Yeldon was a shoelace tackle away from breaking that 90-yard run against the Colts). Do you think they will bring one in or starting having either Tyson Alualu or a tight end play it more?

John: This is an idea that has gotten a lot of run in the O-Zone this week and it’s understandable that Jaguars fans would want a fullback because of the success the team had when Greg Jones played the position here. The theory more and more these days in the NFL is that having a fullback in the game tips the defense to the team’s intent to run, negating the advantage of having the fullback in the game. That’s a reason the Jaguars don’t carry a fullback and I don’t see them changing that approach midseason.

John from Jacksonville and Section 202:

Curiosity question: do West Coast teams struggle coming east as much as the reverse? Or is it a Jaguar thing with travel?

John: Conventional NFL wisdom is that West Coast teams traveling to the East Coast – particularly those playing 1 p.m. Sunday games – struggle more than teams going the opposite direction.

Matt from Jacksonville:

Remember when folks thought Ramsey was going to be a safety? I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict that he could be a pretty solid corner.

John: You may be right. I’ll Google this.

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