{"id":5679,"date":"2018-12-31T15:09:13","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T15:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jags4life.com\/?p=5679"},"modified":"2018-12-31T15:09:13","modified_gmt":"2018-12-31T15:09:13","slug":"o-zone-people-are-people-2-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jags4life.com\/index.php\/2018\/12\/31\/o-zone-people-are-people-2-2-2\/","title":{"rendered":"O-Zone: Stay tuned"},"content":{"rendered":"
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JACKSONVILLE \u2013 Let\u2019s get to it \u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tony from Lilburn<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Okay, now that I’ve vented loudly and profanely after hearing that Tom and Dave will be back, is there something you can offer to engender some optimism that the front office will be able to pick wisely in the upcoming draft given its subpar draft record in the Caldwell era?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This probably will be a topic for the foreseeable future \u2013 understandably so considering the Jaguars\u2019 first-round selections the past six seasons. First-round selections are the most-scrutinized; selections such as defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., quarterback Blake Bortles, left tackle Luke Joeckel and running back Leonard Fournette have left Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell less-than-beloved by many Jaguars observers. And it was the retention of Caldwell that seemed to draw the most ire among a section of fans when Owner Shad Khan on Sunday announced that Caldwell, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin and Head Coach Doug Marrone all will return for 2019. We\u2019ll dig deep into the reasons for Khan\u2019s decision in coming days, but he clearly believed circumstances beyond the trio\u2019s control caused much of the issues this season. And he clearly believed the trio that got the Jaguars to within minutes of the Super Bowl following the 2017 season can get this team back to the postseason. Such a decision isn\u2019t going to be popular following a 5-11 season, but Khan\u2019s belief is stability and the group\u2019s ability was more important than making a popular selection. As for your question of whether I can offer something to engender optimism that the Jaguars\/Caldwell\/Coughlin will make a good decision \u2026 I can\u2019t. The only things that will change that perception are time and better performances from early selections. And winning, of course. That cures all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Morgan from Mandarin<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This is the first time I have disagreed with and been incredibly disappointed by a Shad Khan decision.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mike from Atlanta, GA<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It felt watching Sunday\u2019s game like I was watching a boxing match and someone needed to throw in the towel for the offensive line.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Blake from Minot, ND<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Oofda<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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No doubt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Bill from Springfield, VA<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Zone, season finally over. Looking forward to draft. My concern is our lack of depth across the board as well as offensive line, quarterback and lack of a No. 1 receiver. What did I miss? Happy New Year to you; may 2019 be a winning season.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Depth is a rare thing in the NFL. The Jaguars\u2019 honestly had as much as most teams defensively, and injuries early on burned through whatever depth there was defensively. It\u2019s realistically going to take time for the Jaguars to have a \u201cNo. 1 receiver.\u201d I doubt they select the position in the first round and you usually don\u2019t find turn-key No. 1 receivers in free agency or the later rounds of the draft. As far as quarterback, that\u2019s the top priority. Obviously.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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JT from Fort Worth, TX<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Truly grateful that I don’t have to watch this offensive football team anymore.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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More interested than the Jags<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Are we required to pay them? Sure looked like more than a few mailed this game in \u2026 with exception of the defensive line and the punter, most everyone else sure looked the part. Does Carlos Hyde know he is supposed to run North\/South? New nickname is sideways!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jeremy from Jacksonville<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Wow. I honestly don’t know how to feel after Sunday\u2019s game, or even after the season for that matter. And I know you won’t be any help as you’re not into telling others how to feel. Oh, well. It’s over. We went 5-11 and the offense was in shambles for the last half of the season or so. I guess it’s time to move onto the offseason toward the new year. Sometimes it’s just time (to move over on).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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You don\u2019t need me to tell you how to feel. You\u2019re already feeling it. You\u2019re tired, disappointed, confused, angry, mad, disgusted, disbelieving \u2026 I know this because the people around this team have been feeling it for the last couple of months. You don\u2019t need me to tell you what to do next, either. Be disappointed. Let the season fade into the review a bit. Sometimes, it\u2019s indeed time to move on. Now\u2019s that time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul from Gainesville, FL<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It was an ugly tree anyway.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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At least it\u2019s out of its misery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Austin from Jacksonville<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What happened to the discipline? I had a bad feeling after the Vikings preseason game with Yannick pelvic thrusting after a sack in a preseason game…<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Discipline turned out to be a major issue this season, and the culture of the locker room was a major topic in the waning weeks of the regular season. Notably, it was enough of an issue Sunday to compete with the return of Coughlin\/Marrone\/Caldwell as the most significant story of the day. Running backs Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon spent the game on the bench, notably disinterested in the game and rarely leaving the bench \u2013 even when the Jaguars were on offense. Fournette was deactivated for the game and Yeldon \u2013 while dressed \u2013 was clearly was going to be used only in an emergency. This behavior, though ill-advised for a player about to become an unrestricted free agent, was at least partly understandable for Yeldon; he clearly realizes he\u2019s not returning to Jacksonville and therefore had little interest in the game. Whatever. Fournette\u2019s behavior was infinitely more disturbing and damning. This is a player with two years remaining on his contract who has had off-field and availability issues throughout his two seasons in Jacksonville. He has yet to show he is an elite player and has yet to live up to his status as the No. 4 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. For him to show a lack of interest in the team shows a lack of maturity that won\u2019t endear him to the Jaguars \u2013 or any other organization, for that matter. It\u2019s hard to imagine a general manager\/head coach researching Fournette or watching Sunday\u2019s game and wanting him on their team. Marrone on Sunday was asked about the culture of the team. He said he wasn\u2019t aware enough of Yeldon\u2019s actions to comment, but he was clear that the culture of the team needs to change \u2013 and it\u2019s clear that will be a major priority moving forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Art from Drexel Hill, PA<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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On a scale of 1-10, 1 meaning he’s gone and 10 meaning he’s here, what is your opinion on Leonard Fournette?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Three.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Dustin from Orlando, FL<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Coughlin blasted Fournette and Yeldon for not being more engaged and enthusiastic on the sideline. Seriously!?!? I haven\u2019t been enthusiastic about this team in months. Maybe they, and the fans, would be more engaged if Coughlin has put a product worth watching on the field. Does he really expect them to be excited for this offense?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I can understand you not being engaged. It\u2019s up to the team to win and keep fans engaged. But to defend the behavior of Fournette and Yeldon Sunday is a bit silly \u2013 no matter how angry or disengaged you may be.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Scott from Wichita, KS<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Yeldon thing has caught me by surprise. What was up with that?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It\u2019s tricky interpreting Yeldon\u2019s actions because he doesn\u2019t speak much to the media, but it appeared Yeldon knew he wasn\u2019t going to play Sunday \u2013 meaning he was dressed only in case the Jaguars needed him in an emergency. He behaved as such. It wasn\u2019t a great look, but it wasn\u2019t remotely as big of an issue as Fournette.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jordan from Jacksonville<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Yeldon deserved so much better than that. He deserved snaps and he deserved not to be called out by Tom Coughlin on the way out. He worked his butt off this season. So, guess what Tom, the fans are disappointed you assembled such a horrible offense.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Your disappointment and anger toward the Jaguars\u2019 offense is fair, but your question implies that Yeldon wanted snaps or had any desire to be anywhere around the Jaguars on Sunday. I would be shocked if that is the case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mike<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I’ve been a fan since the first game. I spend lots of money at games and on merchandise. Doug is supposedly a disciplined coach. We led everyone in personal fouls. The front office who assembled this offense is supposed to fix it in one off season. I feel like next season is already wasted. To say the least, I’m not happy with Shad, Dave, or Doug. Confidence is down in Tom. This was the absolute worst season I can remember. And regardless of what Shad says, apparently he is OK with the status quo. This organization is really pushing it with its fans. This is not a good time to be a Jags fan.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Khan is well aware that fans won\u2019t be pleased with Sunday\u2019s decision. His job is not to worry about the immediate reaction of fans. His job is to worry about what\u2019s best for the long-term interest of the franchise. When a team finishes 5-11 and fails to meet enormous expectations, the reaction to keeping leadership in place won\u2019t be all smiles. Only time and the Jaguars\u2019 future performances will make the smiles of Jaguars fans return. Stay tuned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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