JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Charles from Riverside

Hello, John. So, Lawrence has been tasked with learning his third new offense in five seasons under four different head coaches. Talking about TL, Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen said, "You're getting used to the scheme, you're getting used to your footwork, you're getting used to new receivers, and so it's not as clean." I mean can we really expect this to be some kind of big "breakout year" for Trevor? Shouldn't we taper our expectations somewhat?

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence indeed is learning his third offense in five NFL seasons – and while it's a bit of a stretch to say Darrell Bevell serving as interim head coach late in Lawrence's 2021 rookie season counts as a head coach, I'll give you that one. It's Week 1, after all, and happiness is the buzzword in these parts. As for what kind of season to expect from Lawrence in his first season in Coen's scheme … loyal O-Zone readers know I'm not good discussing Reader Expectations because such expectations can vary widely depending on perspective – and depending on how late the bar stays open. It's fair to expect Lawrence to play well this season in Coen's scheme. It's fair to expect him to still be developing in the scheme early and to "trend up" as the season continues. Will Lawrence have a breakout season in the sense of being the NFL's Most Valuable Player? That's a lofty "expectation" and probably wouldn't be fair. Can he stabilize early, put the Jaguars in position to win and be more impressive late in the season than early? He absolutely can and expecting that is absolutely fair.

Marcus from Jacksonville

James Gladstone's focus on intangibly rich players … is that something that he has prioritized for his career, or is it an emphasis that was created intentionally to change the culture in Jacksonville? I only wonder because it seems to be the polar opposite of Trent Baalke's measurably rich focus.

I've never specifically asked Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone when he began focusing on "intangibly rich" players. I do know he began saying it around the Jaguars during his introductory press conference in February – and my understanding is he hadn't used the phrase before. My sense from speaking with Gladstone is that seeking "intangibly rich" players isn't at all specific to the Jaguars' situation and is a reflection of his football philosophy. Remember, too: When regimes take over in the NFL, they're not as concerned with the specifics of what happened in previous regimes as they are ensuring that the current regime – their regime – does things the right way. This regime, for example, does seem to put far more emphasis on on-field performance and less on "measurables" compared to the previous regime. But this regime's priorities are priorities because they're what Gladstone, Coen and Executive Vice President of Football Operations believe are important and NOT because they appear to differ at least somewhat from the priorities of previous regimes.

Dale from SAB

Mr. Oehser, it appears that the NFL issues the sideline game-day apparel for all the coaching staffs. It seems that former New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick cut the sleeves off most of his attire. Since I haven't seen Coach Coen wear anything but some form of a hoodie since his introductory press conference, have the Jaguars hired a seamstress to sew hoods to all his game-day garb?

Probably not.

Don from Lake Mary, FL, Section 35, Day 2

Really stoked for the season to kick off this Sunday and I'm optimistic about the Jags' chances to contend for the division if injuries don't derail us again. And that's really the bottom line with any NFL team, especially at starting quarterback. The reality is that if Lawrnce didn't play through multiple injuries the latter half of 2023, along with wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones being injured as well, the Jags should've won at least one more game – probably two or three more – therefore winning the division and making the playoffs for a second straight year. And if Trevor didn't play hurt again last season, eventually missing the last seven games along with Kirk and Evan tight end Engram as well, the Jags should've won two or three of those 10 one-score losses and finished with six or seven wins versus just four. In that scenario, Head Coach Doug Pederson and Baalke would most likely still be running the show in Jax. The Jags had the same feel to their culture and locker room in 2022 and early 2023, but injuries led to losing as much or more than any other factor. Your thoughts?

I think injuries were a major reason the Jaguars slipped dramatically at the end of the 2023 season, and there's little question injuries to Lawrence and Kirk changed the direction of the season – and the franchise. Injuries from this view were far less of a factor in the mess that was the 2024 season. I'm not smart enough to know what would or wouldn't have happened – or what record would have been needed last season – to prevent change. I know when seasons and situations go as bad as it went around the Jaguars in 2024 it's more than one factor – even if one of those factors is an injured starting quarterback.

Devin from Richmond Hill, GA

Who else sucks?

Do you have something to write with?

Mike from Daytona Beach, FL

I just read an SI article with the following byline: "Reports are surfacing that Micah Parsons was viewed as 'egotistical' and 'self-centered' by some in the Dallas Cowboys locker room leading up to his trade." Now Parsons clearly has amazing physical ability and competitiveness. But if the SI article is accurate, might this be an example of what James Gladstone might label as being "intangibly poor?"

I don't cover former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, now with the Green Bay Packers – nor do I know anyone close enough to him to know much about him. I do know enough about the NFL and human nature to know that the stuff said about former players varies widely in accuracy. Gladstone defines "intangibly rich" players as players who by being themselves raise the "ecosystem" around them. They also love football and ideally are good players. Most NFL players I know have some level of ego and self-centeredness. A lot of them still love football. I also know this about Parsons: He's really good and really productive. Teams tend to put up with a little ego and self-centeredness when that's the case.

Sam from Orlando, FL

Ousmane Kromah from Florida State University would look good in teal in a few years: 6-feet-1, 220 pounds, has a bit of Greg Jones in him. But somehow 30 pounds lighter.

OK.

Bradley from Kansas City, MO

For all the talk about an open offensive-line competition, it seemed to fall the way of conventional wisdom. Are any of the starters on a short leash?

The Jaguars like their offensive line, and my sense is that Patrick Mekari over Chuma Edoga at right guard was the only really difficult decision entering Week 1. But make no mistake: The Jaguars also like Edoga, rookies Jonah Monheim and Wyatt Milum along with veteran Cole Van Lanen. Coaches aren't waiting to make a change after the first missed block, but the Jaguars' offensive linemen in the starting lineup must play well to stay there.

Bradley from Kansas City, MO

I noticed free agents Lewis and Hainsey were named captains. Is it unusual for first-year free agents to be named captains and just how big of a deal is it to be named captain ?

The Jaguars on Monday announced six captains: Lawrence, center Robert Hainsey, cornerback Jourdan Lewis, defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, linebacker Foye Oluokun and punter Logan Cooke – with Lewis and Hainsey indeed earning the honor in their first season with the organization. It's perhaps a smidge unusual for newly signed free agents to be named captains for a team with an established roster. For a team in transition that leaned into unrestricted free agency such as the Jaguars did this past offseason it's relatively common. How important is the honor? It matters a lot to players.

Randy from South Park, FL

"Just the length alone is a hard thing to deal with as a guard, especially in the pass rush." For someone who has never seen a game, can you explain a bit for me?

Coen said this Monday when discussing defensive tackle Arik Armstead. When football coaches discuss "length," they're usually talking about taller players with longer arms. "Long" defensive tackles such as Armstead can have an advantage against guards because guards typically are stouter with shorter arms than tackles. The arm-length advantage can make it difficult for a guard to get his hands in position to block the longer defensive tackle.

Kenneth from Jacksonville

Is it football season yet?

Yes.