JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Brandon from Louisville, KY

John, is it fair to downplay the defensive performance? They look the same as last year and the year before that. They give up big plays. Looked the same.

Mine is not to say what's fair or unfair in this crazy game we call NFL analysis and reaction – and observers and fans can react however they like to whatever like. But it is absolutely fair to try to keep the Jaguars' defensive performance in a 31-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 preseason opener Saturday in perspective. The first perspective is this: The first-team defense did not play well, allowing an easy touchdown drive on its lone possession. Head Coach Liam Coen acknowledged this and was visibly disappointed both Saturday night and Monday morning when discussing the performance. He said the secondary must have stickier coverage, and the team also worked a 40-play assignment/alignment period to address mistakes made in those areas Saturday. The second perspective is that this was the first preseason game with very little game planning and the first-team defense playing 10 plays. This was a glimpse and nothing close to a full, analyzable look. That's fair.

Fred from Naples, FL

"Ultimately, we're playing the game as coaches" … uh oh. Is Doug Pederson back?

You're seemingly referencing Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen this week saying something to the effect that coaching can only control so much in the NFL – and that at some point, players must make plays. Former Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson often made this point, too. It's unsurprising that they would share this view because both are smart football people who realize this is a player's league and typically either your players play better than the opponent on a given Sunday and you win – or they don't do this and you lose. While this flies against the ceaseless roar and din of observers who believe it's always coaching in the NFL, it remains the ultimate and unavoidable truth of professional football.

David from Maplewood, NJ

John, You seem a bit frustrated with the questions about the starting defense from Saturday. I'm sure that if you answer this question, you will reference the fact that it was nine plays probably more than once. We know it was nine plays; it was nine plays played by backups against Jaguar starters during the marches the length of the field and scored a touchdown. During the drive Future Hall of Famer Mason Rudolph to go seven for seven with a touchdown. I'm sure most of us understand that one drive in the first preseason game won't define the season, but it also isn't exactly how you want to get started either, fair?

Of course that's fair.

Travis from High Springs, FL

After seeing Cam Little nail the 70-yard field goal against Pittsburgh, do you believe this coaching staff will be that aggressive and give him those kinds of opportunities when the games count?

I believe Coen will allow Little to kick exceedingly long field goals during the regular season at the end of halves and games, which is pretty much the only time any NFL head coach allows kickers to try exceedingly long field goals.

Amy from Orange Park, FL

Hey O. I wanted to wait until Monday to write so that all the naysayers could go first. I had fun Saturday night. I thought we played well. We have to clean up the penalties, but hey, they just are getting back into it. Besides Cam Little's 70-yard field goal -- which was AWESOME!!!, and should at least give some other teams pause – my favorite part was when the team came together and pushed rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten in for a touchdown. That was really great!!!

You're referencing an 8-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth quarter Saturday, and the way the offensive line helped push Tuten into the end zone indeed was cool. And significant. Coen since his arrival in January has emphasized physicality and the run game. The way the Jaguars finished that play – and the way the team reacted afterward – seems from this view a good indication that Coen's emphasis is getting through. That's encouraging stuff.

Josh from Lakewood

This has bothered me for a while and I feel it's important, perhaps dire, I mention it before the Jaguars start playing games again. There's no such thing as "Scooby sense." I think you're thinking of "Spidey sense."

There's no such thing as Scooby sense that we know of.

Nola jags fan from Springfield

I remember the first game of 2017 against the Houston Texans being a surprise defensively. Nobody knew they would be dominant but them. Can you remember if they were great in preseason? Maybe that could calm folks down on the defensive play anxiety in preseason

The Jaguars' defense was good in the 2017 preseason, but the unit allowed a first-drive touchdown in a Preseason Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Had that been the unit's lone possession, I expect the angst would have been high. Fans fan. It's what they do. The Jaguars overall were not great that preseason. They had some rough practices and observers didn't remotely expect an AFC South title that season. That won't calm many people, though. If people are inclined to panic over preseason, proof that you can't predict the regular season based on those results won't resonate.

Ryan from Apopka, FL

I know this is usually a "no math" forum. But we do play Denver in Denver this year. How much further could Cam go there? I know when I played golf in the Mile High City you add 10 percent. Does that same logic apply to field goals? If he made from 70, could he make it from 77 there?

Little's 70-yard field goal Saturday probably would have been good from 73 or 74 yards. And it's true that kicks tend to sail longer in high altitude. Even so, eighty still feels like a stretch. But seventy felt like a stretch not so long ago.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, after further review, the offensive line did not give up a sack. However, I hope Coen is chewing some serious butt over drive killing penalties.

It's safe to say it has been a "topic."

Anita from Springfield

For all the defense panickers, I was rewatching the game and Camp looked MAD the whole time. I don't think he'll tolerate that performance. I'm stoked to see us be dominant soon, maybe even by next game. This gave the defense a chip on their shoulder, and our DC.

I don't know if the Jaguars' defense will be dominant this season. I expect the unit to believe in the direction of defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and work together – and if that happens, there's enough talent on this defense to not be one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

Tommy from Jacksonville

My heart goes out to you man having to deal with all this panicking. Can everybody just relax. It's Week One of the preseason. No game planning and not showing the actual plays or schemes that they will be running. DEAR God.

Don't cry for me, Argentina. Or Jacksonville. Whatever.

Gary from Fleming Island

It seemed like Pittsburgh was picking on Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell. Is he playing OK? It sounded like Coen wants tighter coverage.

Campbell has played 10 snaps in the 2025 preseason. Coen would definitely like tighter, "stickier" coverage.

Steven from Orlando, FL

Am I the only one that noticed Hunter go up to right tackle Anton Harrison after his false start on the first drive and speak with him? He was also the first from off the field to get to Cam after the 70. I didn't know we would be getting a leader, too.

I don't know who else noticed these things. Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter's humility and ability to embrace – and be embraced – by teammates has been notable.

Michael from Middleburg, FL

You keep blaming the lackluster performance on first preseason game, it being "August not October, etc. etc. That didn't seem to be as much of a problem with the Steelers or pretty much any other team playing this weekend. The Jaguars just aren't there and that's concerning.

OK.

Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL

Cool to kick a 70 yarder, but that will rarely – if ever – be tried in a real game, and only with one or two seconds on the clock. More time than that and the opponent is trying a 58-yarder from your 48 if you miss.

But of course. That's why you rarely see kicks of more than 60 yards – or even the high 50s – in the NFL except in late-game situations. It's a major reason – and maybe the only reason – the current record of 66 still stands.

Bob from Weaverville

Football is back baby, and so are Ozone submissions!!!!! Cheers to a good one.

I am the king of all funk.