JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Al from Coldwater, OH:
Well, the first depth chart was released Monday and I must say this is the best I've felt looking at it in a LONG time. I mean, I'm in shock: Not only do we have talent at multiple spots, but we even have quality depth at a couple of more. It's such a beautiful sight. I'm in love.
John: There's really no reason for shock. Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell has drafted well in four offseasons and he appears to have done well in unrestricted free agency the last two offseasons as well. As a result, the Jaguars across the board look like a deeper, more-talented roster. After a long time when this wasn't the case, the team appears at the vast majority of positions to have front-line quality players – or at least who appear likely to develop into front-line quality players. That should give them a chance most Sundays. That's a change from recent seasons, too.
Levi from Bloomington, IN:
I'm sure someone is going to ask you at some point, so I'll go ahead and get it out of the way. With how the Joey Bosa situation is playing out in San Diego, would you trade our 2017 first-round pick for him? I doubt the Jags would, and not sure if I would, but it is an interesting thought. If they had him rated up there with Ramsey and Buckner, you'd think it would be a good value trade seeing as how we shouldn't be picking in the Top 10 again. Would like to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks O!
John: I have been asked this several times, mainly because people get attracted by headlines and shiny objects. It's not a ridiculous notion, but I don't see San Diego actually trading Bosa's rights – and to trade a first-round selection for a defensive end seems a little redundant if the Jaguars like their current situation at the position as much as seems to be the case.
Trae from Jacksonville:
John, I know it's early but I can't help it. Who's the kicker in the opener against Green Bay, Myers or Ficken?
John: I believe Jason Myers is the kicker for this team unless he creates competition for himself. If he is inconsistent in the preseason, that scenario could occur. Stay tuned.
Hippy from Fleming Island, FL:
I'll be wearing my Lewis 89 rookie jersey to game 1 and am excited to see him still in Jax. With so much talent at receiver, along with Thomas, I see his big ol' self being left open across the middle this year. What say you, Master yOda?
John: I say Marcedes Lewis open across the middle, I see – or something like that.
Chris from Mandarin:
I see the Packers game as a huge problem for us. I imagine that they are going to try and exploit the matchup between Cyprien and Jordy Nelson early and often. Wouldn't you?
John: I think the Packers game is a difficult matchup for the Jaguars because of Aaron Rodgers and I think the Packers will try to get Nelson on Johnathan Cyprien. I don't think that's something the Jaguars will try to have happen all that often.
David from Oviedo, FL:
O-man, what if David Caldwell held an "open-casting call" to all the best unsigned offensive tackles and guards in the country with the prize being a potential backup position on an NFL team? I'm sure Caldwell likes his backup offensive linemen, but why not create an open competition to see if there's someone better? We have some guys on the roster that seem to struggle at every opportunity. Why not look for someone who might rise to the challenge?
John: Why not sign the best available players you can find after scouting collegiate football and the NFL extensively for years? That seems like the better alternative, which is why the Jaguars – and pretty much every NFL team, for that matter – opts to do it.
Rob from Jacksonville:
Does Prince Amukamara have a little edge to him at most practices? I noticed in one video him going up to "block" a dunk through the crossbar by Marcedes Lewis after a touchdown catch and then the kick of the spinning ball at his feet by Allen Robinson. I love it – just curious if it's something noticeable at most practices. Thanks.
John: Yes, Amukamara has an edge to him. That's a good thing. What's better is he's also pretty good. If you're good and you do competitive things in practice like blocking celebratory dunks, it means you have an edge. If you're not good and you do competitive things in practice like blocking celebratory dunks it just makes you kind of a jerk.
Edward from Jacksonville:
Josh Wells is out again. Last year he was out. My question is, if he's on injured reserve does he still get a paycheck? If so, it appears he's found out that being on IR is better than being cut.
John: Yes, players on injured reserve get a paycheck. And you're right … Wells almost certainly figured out how to sustain surgery-requiring thumb injuries in such a way as to go on injured reserve. That's very realistic.
Steve from Denver, CO:
O- Our general manager will start scouring the cut list for other teams as soon as cut days occur. Don't you expect us to bring in a veteran left tackle that is making a big salary as a stop gap? Left tackle without a healthy starter (still early I know) will be a season-long issue.
John: I doubt that will happen. First, just because Kelvin Beachum isn't on the field a month before the regular season doesn't mean he won't be healthy when the regular season begins. Second, a veteran left tackle making a big salary isn't automatically a better option than Luke Joeckel – and in fact, probably isn't a better option than Joeckel. That's what I expect to happen if Beachum can't play to start the season – Joeckel starting at left tackle with a player such as Tyler Shatley at left guard for the short term. Remember, teams don't often let quality left tackles get away – and there aren't a whole lot of quality left tackles in the NFL, anyway. I could see the Jaguars acquiring a released player at the position if injuries continue, but I doubt it would be a starter. I think the more likely scenario is acquiring a veteran guard, but there's a long time before the regular season. There hasn't been a preseason game played yet. Let's find out if all of this offensive-line panic is necessary before we demand released players being signed.
Tom from Virginia Beach, VA:
Planned days off? Is this just from on-field practice or do the players have to attend meetings?
John: The term "planned days off" refers to Jaguars players who do not practice on a given day with the idea of maintaining their health or resting legs. Such players do attend meetings on days they don't practice.
Jim from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
Johnnie O - I heard everyone on the radio on Tuesday talking in dire terms as to the injury to Josh Wells. Have we really fallen that far that everyone is concerned about a guy that had you asked about in April, most people would have said "WHO?!?!?!?!?"
John: This isn't a matter of falling far. It's more a matter of people being concerned about offensive line depth. If Kelvin Beachum, Luke Joeckel and Luke Bowanko were healthy and playing well, teeth probably wouldn't be gnashed as much over Wells.
Mike from Des Moines, IA:
Will the Jaguars continue using the nose tackle and three-technique defensive tackle, or will they use Malik Jackson and Sen'Derrick Marks? I can see on run situations you would want Roy Miller in with Jackson, but maybe want to swap Miller with Marks on second-and-long and passing situations. Does this make it more difficult to get Sheldon Day and Michael Bennett on the field?
John: The Jaguars will continue to use the nose tackle and three technique in base situations and they will play various combinations in passing situations. I think one of those various combinations could well be Marks and Jackson on the field at the same time. I think the Jaguars will find a way to get Sheldon Day on the field – and that is one reason they're looking extensively at Marks at the big, strong-side defensive end position.
Gabe from Washington, DC:
Do you think there is even a slight chance that the Jaguars play two "big ends" in obvious running situations? Something like Fowler-Alualu-Miller-Odrick, and keep our interior pass rushers fresh?
John: The Jaguars likely would use something like that in short-yardage and goal-line situations, but in base defense you want your pass rusher on the field.
Stephen from Jacksonville:
What are your thoughts on the Olympic women's beach volleyball tournament? Do you think the bikinis help the athletes play better?
John: You're damned right they do.
