JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Fred from Naples, FL

Was I seeing things the other day when on Jaguars AM you went to great length to complain about how the Jaguars are disrespected by the media? Telling them to do their homework? Was that really you? Tell me it was you, Johnny! So proud of you. You are becoming one of us!

I had what I likely will come to consider a "weak moment" Monday on Jaguars AM, and ranting a bit about how national media and other ill-informed observers appear to be seeing the Jaguars as the 2026 regular season approach. This weak moment bled into Tuesday's O-Zone Podcast, when I again less-than-calmly noted the laziness many observers and media are exhibiting when "analyzing" this team. I expect these moments of weakness will be short-lived because I know deep in my soul what rankings are about. I also know how much effort media typically give when compiling these rankings – which is to say "very little" or "none at all." Either way, observers and media seem to be going a little overboard in giving the Jaguars little "respect" offseason. I have seen them ranked outside of the top half of the teams in the NFL, and I have seen observers believing they will drop out of the conversation of contending teams. Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, but I will be stunned if the Jaguars don't contend this season. This is a resilient team with a front-line quarterback – and depth at a lot of positions – that also believes strongly in the head coach/direction of the franchise. That's usually a formula for consistently contending in the NFL. I get that the Jaguars haven't made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 1998-1999. I therefore get why fans are nervous and observers are disbelieving. But what happened in distant seasons past has nothing to do with the present. These are different times around this franchise. Even if national media and observers don't want to make the effort to see that yet.

Yetidaddy from Somewhere and Yet Nowhere

Mighty "O," it is so frustrating! Isn't it time to acknowledge that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is a Top 5 quarterback — not a question mark, not a "maybe," but one of the NFL's best? He has produced through coaching turnover (train wrecks), roster resets, injuries and constant change around him. If other top quarterbacks get the benefit of context, why isn't Lawrence afforded the same? At some point, thriving in instability is proof of franchise-quarterback status. And with a strengthened offensive line, a rising defense and young weapons such as wide receivers Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. and the well-above average defense, shouldn't the tone around this team be far more optimistic? Isn't the real story that Jacksonville already has its quarterback — and now finally has the roster, coaching staff, and front office to match him?

I consider Lawrence an elite quarterback. From this view, he earned that status last season when he played as well as any quarterback in the NFL over the last two months. This does not mean he is perfect. It means I consider him elite. I also believe this offense will be really good this season – perhaps the best offense in franchise history and perhaps one of the best offenses in the NFL. I don't know why observers don't share this view. I expect it's because it's easier to dismiss something as a one-off than to spend time trying to really learn what's happening. All of this is OK because what observers say and think about an NFL team means nothing. As a great man once said, "This is not the Southeastern Conference." What matters is what happens on the field.

Morgan from Chicago, IL

Newsletters.

Pamphlets.

Zac from Austin, Tejas

I agree with your take that quarterback pressures are a better gauge to assessing than sacks, and I personally believe that knocked-down passes are a better statistic than interceptions. Would you give credit to the idea that "sacks don't define the defensive end, but they do define the defensive line?" Also, random process question: Do you have a mega collection/document of all your daily posts? Or is it strictly only located through the website?

I absolutely would give credence to the idea that sacks define a defensive line and a group more than they define particular players – and it is absolutely this writer's belief that pressures and general disruption are far more important than sacks. As far as a mega collection of "O-Zones" … I suppose all (or nearly all) are in my "send" box as I always "send" them to someone for posting and/or editing. They are also all on jaguars.com in some capacity. I expect someday someone will hit delete on these things and they shall all be gone. Such is the passing of time, I suppose.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

Hey, John. In looking over the Jaguars' first depth chart of the season, linebacker caught my eye with Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs listed as co-No. 1s. I have been a fan of Miller's for a couple of years because he is capable of hitting like a Mack truck. I considered Miller to be a lock to inherit the starting role. Why is Combs listed as an "or" starter? Did he have a big camp and do the coaches see something that I have missed? Go Jags!

Miller, a fourth-year veteran, never was a lock to start at outside linebacker this season. This is because Combs has impressed Jaguars coaches and personnel officials since signing as a collegiate free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. He is listed as co-starter because he and Miller were close throughout the offseason and training camp. I expect Miller may start and play extensively in base situations, while Combs could play more when situations lean more toward passing. The good news for the Jaguars is both are good and there seems little reason to think there will be a dropoff at the position from last season.

John from Jacksonville

Anton Harrison was a left tackle in high school as well as college. Why has he been playing right tackle?

Because the Jaguars already had a left tackle when he was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and then at first they didn't want to change, and then they didn't want to change, and then this offseason it was a good time to change.

Jim from Jagsonville

I thought the KoaF title came when you and local icon Eugene "Gene" Frenette were hanging out with George Clinton. Gene on keyboards and you on bass playing Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples, and George (aka The King of Interplanetary Funk) tearfully declared you King of All Funk... or something like that. My memory of the evening is fuzzy.

Mine, too.

William from Savannah, GA

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!!! King of All Funk refers to you and the smell of your gym locker back in the day. It is one of two reasons HAZMAT teams were first implemented in Duval County. It's also the reason I sought out exile in Georgia.

OK.

Brian from Hilliard, FL

Mr. O. I have read the O-Zone for many years now. I have enjoyed reading it most of the time because at times it has put a smile on my face. That said the comment, response or whatever you want to call it has been the bast part of the O-Zone. At times, it has had me lmao. My question is when will it return? Have I missed something? Do I need to pay a service fee to once again read it? The season starts Sunday and the armchair responses as the game is played will be missed if not accessible.

I expect whatever the comments section is to return at some point. I don't know specifics on this topic. It, like most things around these parts, is well above my pay grade.

Josh from New Milford, CT

Will the Jags camp in Jax next season? I know they do not intend to play games in Jax, so I would assume weekly practices will stay in Orlando as well? Looking forward to a great season this year. I have said before, I do not like having expectations for this team, but the feeling is so different than other "good" Jags' teams.

The Jaguars will operate from the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville in 2027 for everything except domestic home games, which will be played in Orlando. This means 2027 Training Camp will be held at the Miller Electric Center. It also means they will practice, hold meetings and perform all other activities at the MEC throughout the season. Except games. The Jaguars are also looking forward to a competitive season. This feeling is absolutely different. That guarantees nothing because this is professional sports and not scripted television. But the feeling is absolutely different. Remain tuned.