JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Mike from deep in the heart of Texans country
John, you mentioned in a recent O-Zone post that a past Head Coach Tom Coughlin-era player, wide receiver Keenan McCardell, was at the top of your list of yet-to-be-inducted persons in the Pride of the Jaguars. My first thought was, "Keenan's not already in there?", which was followed by this thought, "I wonder what other players or persons are on John's list and will there be any inductions anytime soon?" In case you're wondering, here's a few of mine: Keenan, of course; and Englewood High School and Bethune-Cookman College standout, cornerback Rashean Mathis. Great work on this forum. You bring just the right amount of facts and funk to keep the audience entertained.
My list of Jaguars players that should be in the Pride sooner not later: McCardell and running back Maurice Jones-Drew. I list McCardell first because he in my opinion is the most deserving player from the team's most successful era not yet in the Pride. I probably favor him a bit over Jones-Drew because I covered McCardell during his best seasons with the Jaguars and I only covered Jones-Drew in one of his prime seasons – the 2011 season in which he won the NFL rushing title. I don't have a feel for a timeframe for future inductions, but others I think must be considered are defensive end Tony Brackens and Mathis. It also strikes me that tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson must be at least considered. They were among the primary reasons the Jaguars were good in the 2000s – and the Jaguars had a few really good teams during those seasons.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
Is my namesake, Mr. Cephus, going to be impossible to keep off the final 53? It seems as if he is the cornerback Jourdan Lewis of the offense in daily reading … another day another big play from the guy. The top three wide receivers are pretty set, but could he be the No. 4? Or is Parker Washington having a better camp from your view?
Jaguars first-year wide receiver Joshua Cephus indeed has stood out in 2025 Training Camp and has played well enough to be in serious consideration to be around this team this season. He will not be the No. 4 receiver over Washington. He also is not going to be "impossible" to keep off the regular-season 53-man roster. But he is showing serious signs of being able to contribute on the NFL level and he certainly has a chance to be the fifth or sixth receiver.
Luke from Jacksonville
I noticed three sections of stadium lights have been removed for construction. How does that impact the lighting situation for the Monday Night Football game in October? Also, do the Jaguars plan to use the white helmet again this season?
The Jaguars will have temporary lighting to make up for the removed lights for night games at EverBank Stadium this season: Saturday's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Week 5 Monday Night Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Jaguars are not wearing white helmets in 2025, though they will wear the Prowler Throwbacks in four home games: Week 3 against the Houston Texans, Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts and Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans.
Scott from Gilbert, AZ
Zone, to prevent carpel tunnel syndrome and other potential hand and wrist ailments in anticipation of a long and grueling season, do you get the sense you'll be coming out when they pull the rest of the starters on Saturday? I can only assume ownership views senior writer as the second-most important position just behind quarterback and would have to think they recognize your health for the start of the regular season as paramount to the overall success of the franchise.
Good eye.
Rob from The duuuuuuu
If I recall correctly, fullback Greg Jones was overshadowed by Lorenzo Neal during his best seasons and was therefore not given Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors. Neal played for popular teams and Greg was overlooked, even though I believe he was the more complete player. Much like Fred being overshadowed by LaDanian Tomlinson and Edgerrin James. Was Frank Gore even ever a Top 5 back? He seemed to me like an above average but not special player who just played forever. No one in their right mind would take Gore over Taylor in their primes. Watch the highlights. It's not close. Fred was on a different planet than Frank Gore. Frank got caught every time, Fred left fast cornerbacks in the dust and was bigger and more powerful.
I agree that former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor was a better back than Frank Gore when both players were in their prime, though Gore was better than you remember and likely will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame based on being the NFL's third all-time leading rusher. I'm not sure if this is "fair," but the Hall tends to reward "all-time" leaders at that level. I would take Taylor over James in their primes, but only by a hair. I would not take Taylor over LaDainian Tomlinson in their primes – and that's not a knock on Taylor as much as an acknowledgement that Tomlinson from this view is among the all-time greats at the position. As for Lorenzo Neal overshadowing former Jaguars fullback Greg Jones … yes, that likely was the case. Was Jones more complete? Maybe, but Neal blocked for Tomlinson and Eddie George of the Tennessee Titans during some very productive seasons and was connected to their success. That sort of connection tends to get recognition, fairly or unfairly.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
John. In Week 8 of 2023, the Jags were 5-2 coming into the Steelers game in Pittsburgh. The future seemed bright, although it was a gray rainy day. Midway through the fourth quarter, with the Jags up 17 -10, Dewey Wingard picked off a wounded duck throw by backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky and celebrated by stealing a Terrible Towel from a Steelers fan, waving it in triumphal mockery. We all loved it at the time. Since that game, the Jags' record has been 10 -19. I have been told by someone in the know that there is a "Terrible Towel" curse on teams who disrespect the little yellow towel. Do you believe in such things?
No. I thought what Wingard did at the time was cool, funny and part of what makes sports kind of fun. I think the same thing now.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, Texas
KOAF: If preseason football is about giving coaches a chance to evaluate player performance, I would think coaches (and players) from both teams would benefit from coordinating the playing time of starters and backup players. Is this taboo in the NFL and/or frowned upon more so now that the NFL seems to be more accepting sponsorships promoting legalized betting? Is this line of reasoning more reserved for scrimmages i.e. against the Miami Dolphins on August 21?
This is accepted these days to the point that Head Coach Liam Coen this week said he and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin will communicate on the issue. This makes sense because these games are about preparing teams for the regular season. And even if you try to play certain players at a certain time doesn't mean you know how those players will play or who will win a comparatively meaningless game.
Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL
Yo O-Zone!!! I understand that defensive tackle Arik Armstead and Maason Smith both have injuries – that per reporting not to be a big deal and everything will be fine by the Panthers game. However, the Jags just signed Austin Johnson. If Coen believes that the injuries are not worrisome, then why the signing? Doesn't add up to me. What says you, O-Zone???
The Jaguars signing defensive tackle Austin Johnson this week adds up to defensive line depth. You can never have too much of that.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Can you list out some lesser-known players whom you think will have a good Saturday night – or some that need to have a good Saturday night?
I don't know who will or won't have good games for the Jaguars against the Steelers. This is partly because we don't yet know who will play and for how long – and partly because I can't see into the future. Pretty much all players who aren't guaranteed a roster spot must play well in the preseason. Players I would watch if I'm a fan include Cephus, safety Antonio Johnson, rookie running backs LeQuint Allen Jr. and Ja'Quinden Jackson and rookie linebacker Jack Kiser. Those players have played well in training camp and could be storylines Saturday.
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
Even in training camp, you still suck.
The Jaguars' 2025 preseason begins Saturday night.
