JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Hortense from Jacksonville

Hey, John. You like to tell us how Trayvon Walker is really good, and if someone questions you about why he doesn't get more sacks, you like to say that his primary job isn't really to sack the quarterback, but to make scary faces at the quarterbacks and running backs – and maybe to bark like a pit bull in the face of the offensive lineman who's preventing him from getting to said quarterback. Just out of curiosity, do you have a similar planned defense teed up for Hunter if it turns out that our teenage general manager made a monumental mistake trading as much as he did for a player who isn't going to be elite at either position he was drafted to play?

I haven't the foggiest idea where you read any of this about Jaguars defensive end Trayvon Walker – a.k.a., Travon Walker – though I do know it wasn't in this space. I also know the reason I write that Walker – the only drafted player in franchise history with back-to-back double-digit-sack seasons – is really good is because he is good enough that people who don't realize he's really good can be categorized as not understanding football. I don't know what I'll write or say about rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter moving forward. I'll probably do what I usually do in this space: Answer questions and provide commentary based on reality rather than perception or misinformation.

Sean from Oakleaf, FL

Does the NFL create the 32 training camps solely for the benefit and consumption of fans to give them a ramp-up period to reacquaint and reengage with their favorite team before real games begin?

NFL teams have held training camps pretty much since the NFL began. The idea behind them remains essentially the same as since they began – to give teams a period to train and prepare for the regular season. Camps aren't nearly as long as once was the case. They're not nearly as taxing as once was the case. They're more publicized and scrutinized than once was the case. But the reason remains to focus on football, which always has been the case.

Cliff from Las Vegas, NV

ESPN released early reports saying that Tank Bigsby has gotten the larger share of the workload this offseason. Does he have the edge for the RB1 slot or is Etienne still the RB1?

I think the Jaguars' running back position will have a very "rotating" feel this season, with Bigsby, Bhayshul Tuten, Etienne and LeQuint Allen all playing roles that have yet to be determined. I think Etienne could have a major role in third-down/passing situations, which are very important roles in the modern NFL. I think Bigsby could be the back used most often/extensively in base and first-down situations, which would probably mean many observers considering him "RB1."

Jacob from Camarillo, CA

For those of us who don't live in the Jacksonville area, is there any chance that the scrimmage is going to be streamed this year? I'm always bummed when I'm left to scavenge through social media for random fan clips of the event.

No, Friday's "scrimmage" at EverBank Stadium will not be streamed.

Bridge from Fort Lauderdale, FL

There is a lot of talk about who will emerge as the RB1 along with speculation that Etienne will be traded. This is in part because of two rookie running backs having been drafted. Thoughts on whether Jags keep all four running backs and how that might play out with regard to touches?

I don't get a sense that the Jaguars have plans to trade Etienne, and I think there's a good chance the Jaguars keep all four running backs. I think all four running backs in this offense have a chance to get significant touches.

Rob from the duuuuuuuuuuu

Hey, John. Josh Hines-Allen's interview got me pumped. As did his feature on the NFL's Top 100 list. One for Josh. What if defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton actually fulfilled his potential and became the best nose tackle in the game as Hines-Allen proclaimed? What if our D shocked the world a la 2017 and led our team to greatness?

Those two things happening would benefit the Jaguars very much.

Nick from London, England

Let Engram keep talking. Trevor and the rest of the team will have heard it and I doubt they'll have liked it. A little extra motivation, whether it was needed or not, can't hurt.

Former Jaguars tight end Evan Engram made comments last week to the effect that it was easy for him to be the first player in the building when he played here last season. It was a weird season last season, and the Jaguars in a new regime with a lot of new players are looking ahead. Engram's comments unsurprisingly have rankled some Jaguars fans. I suppose they may have rankled some players. If it rankles some players enough that it motivates them so much the better, I suppose.

Bradley from Kansas City, MO

I've been fired two, three or maybe even times but it was never work production related, so I don't really know how Evan Engram feels. I personally loved Engram and from my amateur seat miles away would have kept that dude on the roster. Do you think Engram is just hurt after being rejected by the new regime despite being one of the most productive Jaguars the last few years?

The Jaguars would have liked to have kept Engram on the roster. The salary-cap situation made that difficult. I don't know how hurt Engram felt upon being release and I expect he was answering a question that was asked as honestly and in as much detail as he could, which he often did while with the Jaguars the last three seasons.

Rob from Jacksonville

I have heard rumblings that Evan Engram accomplishes more on accident, prior to 6 a.m., than the rest of the league does on purpose. How do we let a player with such an intangibly rich work ethic leave town?

Salary cap.

Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA

O, I know you remember the "Hogs" on the Washington Football Team. Your comment about the offensive line of the Jags is spot on. The Jags' offensive and defensive lines must improve if the Jags have a chance to improve this football season. This is not just past history, just look at last year's Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Do you, at this point, have any indication that the Jags will improve in this area?

I think the Jaguars' defensive line could/should improve because I think Walker is a game-wrecking, elite talent who will continue to ascend, because Arik Armstead could be a better player inside than outside and because a young player such as tackle Maason Smith could/should make a significant jump from Year 1 to Year 2. I think the offensive line could/should improve because the Jaguars made the area a significant offseason focus. I don't, at this point, have any significant indication the Jaguars will improve in this area because the groups have practiced in pads once. Stay tuned.

Jake from Cary, NC

Does Travis Hunter's intimate knowledge of the offensive playbook, system, calls, audible, etc., give him an advantage when practicing with our defense? Presumably if he knows what's coming then it's easier to stop?

Sure.

Anita from Springfield

Which of our receivers do you see being the most Hines Ward-esque in their blocking effort/ability? How important is that to this offense? (One fer Brenton Strange in this regard too).

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward indeed was a high-end blocker. I confess I don't have a great feel for this Jaguars receiver group as blockers, primarily because there's a lot of newness in the group. But I expect it will be an emphasis because wide receivers blocking in the run game can be very important. It is often the difference between a short-to-intermediate gain and a breakaway-to-touchdown gain. (And yes … one in this regard for Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange, who indeed is a high-end blocker).

Steve from Nashville, TN

The Jaguars have had two winning seasons in their history (nine wins) while giving up more points than they scored (1996 and 2004 - both by less than 20 points). Last year they gave up 115 more points than they scored, still not their worst performance in the 17-game era (204 point differential – Urban Meyer 2021). Do you believe this year the Jaguars will score more points than they give up based on improved Offensive and Defensive play?

Sure.

Paul from St. Augustine, FL

If "Fans clamoring for the third quarterback who looked good against the bottom of the opponents' rosters" should be the center space on every preseason NFL bingo card, then "Fans overreacting to every bad play in early training camp" should be the center square for Training Camp Bingo. It apparently takes us fans a few weeks to get into regular season form as well.

Good eye.