JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!!! Even the best-laid plans don't survive first contact. It wasn't the best game overall, but the winning-record question is simple: Can the Jags learn from their successes and their mistakes? Watching the O-line's refusal to be denied and pushing Tuten to pay dirt points to me that they can. Each time the Steelers scored, the offense seemed to respond. Granted, you can't win many games with field goals as your primary scoring mechanism, but it seems to me that our Jags 'O' has a pulse. Looking forward to seeing progress this Sunday against the Saints. What says you, O-Zone???

I say we're about ready to move on from the preseason-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and sashay toward Sunday's Preseason Week 2 road game against the New Orleans Saints – but I also say it's a looooong preseason week between games, so we'll discuss the Steelers game bit more. I say I expect the Jaguars to improve on issues seen last Saturday, and coaches accordingly have spent much time this week on alignment/assignment issues. I also say the offensive line helping push running back Bhayshul Tuten into the end zone against the Steelers indeed was a good sign about this team's mindset and commitment to improving the running game. I furthermore say that the offense could be improved if it runs better, which is what it's working toward in 2025 Training Camp. I also say I'm looking forward to seeing progress Sunday. It's why I'm traveling.

Don from Marshall NC

Seth Henigan is going to be a very good NFL quarterback. My goodness what a great free agent rookie. Go Jaguars!

When it comes to Jaguars rookie quarterback Seth Henigan – specifically, seeing something in Henigan that I don't know that I've seen but indeed might be there for all I know – Don remains "all in."

Marcus from Jax

You're the head coach of the Jaguars. You call a timeout without enough time on the clock to run one more play in the game, and you're down by three. The ball is marked on the 46-yard line on the far side of the field. Do you try a Hail Mary, or do you run Cam Little out to kick a 72-yard field goal to try and tie it?

How's the weather?

Bradley from Kansas City, MO

One national writer described Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's Week 1 preseason performance as "comfortable. It seems like you and others have been saying pretty much the same thing when describing Lawrence in training camp this year. Why is Lawrence seemingly comfortable this year?

I would describe Lawrence's performance Saturday as "comfortable" because he seemed at ease and relatively sure of himself in his first – and only thus far – series in Head Coach Liam Coen's offensive scheme. I can't speak to why someone else described it that way.

Steve from Princeton, WV

I'm baffled by the calls to trade Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. He's a versatile, durable running back who perfectly complements running back Tank Bigsby. With Zac Coen's gap schemes, I expect both to elevate their game this season, but Etienne is poised to lead the Jaguars' offense with explosive plays. By season's end, those pushing for a trade will likely be clamoring for his contract extension instead.

I don't disagree, but in the hell is Zac Coen?

Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA

O, Seems that Hunter may have to play more on defense than anticipated. Do you agree?

Not necessarily. Anyone who has paid close attention knows the Jaguars since selecting Travis Hunter No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft have expected he essentially will start on offense and play extensively – though not particularly a starting role – on defense. The dynamic that could change that is Hunter showing he can handle more defensively. I don't expect injuries to other players to force the Jaguars to play Hunter more than anticipated.

Mike from Eagan, MN

John, in your response recently to who the best Jaguars receiving room is – which included Evan Engram, aka "Even" Engram, in 2022 – made me think, "Dang, if that was our best wide receiver room, we've had some lean years." Not that those guys weren't good in their own right (even "Even"), but would they be better than Thunder and Lightning, and the rest of the support cast, from their heyday? I think even Early Even would even agree that his foursome shouldn't even scratch the surface of the Thunder and Lightning years. I literally can't Even.

I can only control what is written, not what is read. The referenced question that appeared in a recent O-Zone was about wide receiver "foursomes." As stated in the question/answer, the team's best foursome from this writer's view was when the offense got rolling in 2022 with wide receivers Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones and Zay Jones and tight end Evan – a.k.a., "Even" – Engram playing with cohesion and all at a high level. Had the question about wide receiver "duos," the easy answer is Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell in the 1990s and early 2000s. But the question was not about duos. It was about foursomes. And yes, that foursome in 2022 was a better foursome than any foursome in the McCardell/Smith years. That's why I answered as I did.

John from Birmingham, UK

My top four receiving corps would be from 2016. Allen Robinson went over 1,400 yards and Allen Hurns was over 1,000. Then, complementing that duo you have Paul Posluszny and Paul Posluszny's majestic neck. Both of whom contributed to the receiving core via an incredible aura. He also caught three interceptions that season. And man could he tackle. Incredible. What a player. Good times. What were we talking about again?

Pop Muzik.

Travis from Jacksonville

For all the negative feedback on former Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke, it appears that the defense largely looks like the roster from last year AND most of the names being talked about outside the TH hysteria are guys who were on the roster last year. Our offense was not the major issue last year, mainly because too much of our talent was not on the field. The defense was the issue. If the defense is vastly improved this year, with the former general manager's talent, it is hard to argue he was a bad general manager Would he have taken Hunter? Who knows, but from the preseason press, the problems of this team over the last two years largely sit squarely on Head Coach Doug Pederson and his staff, from this untrained eye.

I guess I'm suffering a bit from blame fatigue regarding the Jaguars' issues in recent seasons. The Jaguars were pretty good in 2022 and for 11 games in 2023 and then they were a long way from pretty good after that. When a team gets as far from pretty good as the Jaguars got, change often is needed – and it usually happens where it's needed or not. Where do the problems sit? It's always coaching in the NFL. That we know for sure.

Bill from Ponte Vedra

I love the fact that Hunter was the first to high-five Little for the 70-yarder. When the No. 2 overall pick in the draft does that, he is a good guy. One mental error he made, though, when he ran a four-yard route on third and five.

OK.

Jaghawk from Blinded by the Lack of Light, Fl

Sir, O. Why hasn't Arik Armstead been placed on the PUP list? Wouldn't that free up a roster spot for a "camp body"? What would be the downside? Hopefully Armstead's sore back won't reach Jalen Ramsey proportions, but what is the salary cap impact of releasing him vs keeping him on the roster? Does Mason Smith's PUP status cause team brass to handle Armstead with kid gloves? Speaking of Mason Smith, why is his injury so unknown? Anyone who has seen Smith working on the side can see the compression sleeve on his right leg. It's obvious he's favoring his lower right leg, calf, achilles, etc. Just report what is apparent to observers or explain why we can't believe our own eyes.

Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead participated in practice early in 2025 Training Camp and by NFL therefore can't be placed on the physically pnable to perform list. Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith is on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury. It is referred to as such on this website because that's how the team has chosen to address it to this point. Smith's PUP status doesn't really influence how the team handles Armstead, who would have a "dead cap" number of $24 million if released in 2025 compared to $7.4 million otherwise.

Thomas from Charlottesville

After reading some of the posts on Sunday, I thought the Jags were 0-17! Then I looked at the standings and found we are tied with everybody else.

Good eye.