JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
David from Orlando, FL
KOAF - This is defensive coordinator Joe Cullen's second stop with the Jaguars. The first time was as a defensive line coach. What were the circumstances and how did those defenses rank?
Cullen, now in his first season as the Jaguars' defensive coordinator – and his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator – was the Jaguars' defensive line coach from 2010-2012. The Jaguars' defense ranked 28th in 2010, sixth in 2011 and 30th in 2012. The circumstances for Cullen were that he worked for Head Coach Jack Del Rio in 2010 and for the first 11 games in 2011, for interim head coach Mel Tucker for the last five games in of 2011 and Head Coach Mike Mularkey in 2012. He then spent 2013 as defensive line coach with the Cleveland Browns, 2014-2015 as defensive line coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 2016-2021 as defensive line coach with the Baltimore Ravens. I don't know that Cullen's stop in Jacksonville gives that much insight into how he will coach this Jaguars defense just as I don't know that any particular stop as a position coach reveals everything about how any coach will approach his first stop as a coordinator. Perhaps the best indication of how Cullen will approach this Jaguars defense is the Ravens' defense in recent seasons – which has been a complex, hybrid defense that emphasizes a lot of different looks and a lot of blitzing. That seems be the direction the Jaguars' want to go defensively under Cullen. They must adapt their current personnel to that approach, but that's the likely direction.
Armand from Jacksonville
What does Tevon Austin bring to the wide receiver room?
Wide receiver Tevon Austin, who signed with the Jaguars late last week, is a nine-year NFL veteran. He has looked quick this far in Jaguars 2021 Training Camp, and he brings experience. It's a little early to know his chances of making the roster, but he has looked good early and is showing up pretty much daily.
Tom from Charlottesville, VA
Does Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence intend to wear his wedding ring during games? Is there a chance that this piece of jewelry could lead to a broken finger?
I haven't asked around on this – either to Lawrence or anyone who might know. My bad. I guess I just haven't gotten that far on the list.
Scott from Brooklyn, NY
In a recent comment about former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles not being a tight end you stated, "I roundly dismissed the idea of Bortles becoming a tight end because he wasn't a physically imposing, chiseled athlete – and because he didn't play with the power or physicality of a tight end. And because he never indicated any desire to play the position." I agree Bortles never mentioned the desire to play the position. What I disagree with is I can remember him taking a pounding from opposing defenses and get up as if nothing happened. All this from a quarterback that was of 6-feet-5, 238 pounds and sacked 195 times in 75 games with the Jaguars. Not bad for a non-physically imposing nor chiseled athlete.
No one questioned Bortles' toughness, or his ability to take a pounding during his time with the Jaguars – at least no one who watched closely. And I wasn't trying to criticize him in my recent answer. Could he have been a tight end? Hell, I don't know. Maybe. Or not. It wasn't going to happen. It's not going to happen. Whatever, I guess.
Daniel from Johnston, IA
How weird, I was just thinking this morning, "What is that weird martial art that sounds like it's a totally made up Klingon word?" when one of your readers comes to the rescue. At any rate, you said you thought four tight ends on the roster this year. Is it me or doesn't that seem a bit high? Does tight end need to be that deep? Do we even have enough talented tight ends that we need four of them?
Tight end isn't actually one position in the NFL these days. It's typically two – blocking tight end and receiving tight end. They are often on the field at the same time. Having two of each isn't all that unusual. And if you don't have two, you run the risk of not having enough depth.
Rob from Ponte Vedra, FL
I'm all about veterans who have attended everything so far taking some personal days, but when you are a second-year guy who for the most part did not live up to your draft status and have been out for nine months and spent the first week of camp on cover list and you were only here for one practice? C'mon, man. Hope your first child was born and congrats … now get back to work. We can't trade you because you didn't play well last season and therefore aren't worth your draft status! We can't trade you for a first rounder because you didn't play like one. Maybe live up to your pick status for a year and then we can get some decent value out of you. Right now, you aren't worth trading and need to show other teams that you work hard and play well, maybe then you will garner some trade value, until then please shut up and do your job better.
Rob has weighed in.
Jim from Jacksonville
What does it mean to be a four-to-six, A-to-B guy?
Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer talks a lot – publicly and to players – about wanting players to be "four-to-six, A-to-B, plus-two mentality." It means wanting players to give maximum effort for four-to-six seconds, playing fast from Point A to Point B and giving two more good repetitions than is asked. It's a way of asking players for maximum effort and total commitment at all times.
The Other Michael from Middleburg, FL
Can we please stop drafting Gators in the first round? Literally every single one (with the notable exception of cornerback Fred Taylor) has been a bust. If cornerback CJ Henderson is traded, he'll be the biggest bust of them all.
I not unexpectedly received many emails along these lines in the recent days. I'll give the same answer I have given for years when this comes up. While many former University of Florida players have not worked out for the Jaguars as hoped, that is in no way any sort of an indication of what future players from that school will do. I don't expect that to change people's views on this subject, but no general manager or head coach is going to ignore premium prospects from a school that perennially produces NFL players just because of previous players from that school. They just won't.
Mike from Mean Streets of Nocatee from Jacksonville
Since Fred Taylor, the Jaguars have been snakebit in first-round draft picks from the University of Florida: safety Reggie Nelson, defensive end Derrick Harvey, defensive end/linebacker Dante Fowler, defensive lineman Taven Bryan and now CJ Henderson.
I hadn't noticed.
David from Orlando, FL
O – One of the few bright spots on the defensive line last year was tackle DaVon Hamilton. It doesn't seem that he's received much ink this offseason for a guy that should be a major contributor. Has he stood out and what does he bring to the table?
Hamilton hasn't stood out in Jaguars 2021 Training Camp because it's tough for interior defensive lineman to stand out in practice. He's playing well, has improved since last season and the Jaguars expected him to play a major role – and be a strength – at nose tackle.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
So, it seems Andre Cisco's knee is relatively a nonfactor. If he turns out to be a key piece as soon as this year too? Damn, what a first draft this could shape up to be.
Fair.
Donavan from Jacksonville
I recently heard someone say that the Jaguars want to make Walker Little their swing tackle. Is there a difference in a swing tackle versus a regular backup tackle?
A swing tackle backs up both tackle positions, so it's essentially the same thing. Though in theory you could have a player who backed up only one tackle position, that's comparatively rare in the NFL because of limited roster spots.
Jozy from Jacksonville
Hey, Ozone. Random question, trying to deviate from Lawrence 24/7. When you're enjoying your off day (I'm betting you will get a break from us at least once), lounging on the couch with Mrs. Ozone and myriad of reporter friends (Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette) – watching not only Gene and Prisco cram your Sbarro's down their respective pizza mashers but also a random football game – who are the sports commentators you hope are covering the game the most? Past or present. It may be recency bias, but I have to go with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. Also, in your opinion what makes a commentator HOF worthy?
John Madden and Pat Summerall. Or Summerall and Tom Brookshier.
