JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Daryl from Jacksonville
If the Jags were to trade Walker Little, who would be the nine – and which one would be the swing tackle?
Best guess on the nine offensive linemen in this scenario: Left tackle Cole Van Lanen, left guard Ezra Cleveland, center Robert Hainsey, right guard Wyatt Milum, right tackle Anton Harrison, Patrick Mekari, Chuma Edoga, Emmanuel Pregnon and Jonah Monheim. Best guess on swing tackle: Edoga. I don't expect the Jaguars to trade tackle Walker Little this offseason and I get no sense anything is imminent on that front.
Jonathan from Fairfield, PA
I recently purchased four tickets (two teenage sons, partner and myself) to the Thursday night Baltimore game at M&T Bank Stadium. Having never been there in opposing colors before, should I worry at all with a Jaguars win? I am hoping to enjoy the pre/game/after game experience with no confrontations. Curious if you have heard/seen anything about their in-game experience.
I am not the best person to ask this because in my role I rarely venture anywhere close enough to the stands to get a feel for how fans of any team treat fans from another team. I also am never in the parking lots before or after games. I usually err on the side of trusting people's better nature in situations like these, but fanning fans don't always follow their better nature. That doesn't help much. I don't always succeed on that front.
Yeti Daddy from Somewhere and Yet Nowhere!
O of Awesomeness. This is exciting, like the Ice Cream Truck coming through the neighborhood when you were a kid. You rush out to see, with your quarter in hand (Yes, I am that old), looking at the colorful pictures on the side of the truck, and you make your pick! Full of hope, anticipation, taste buds just a jumpin' … that's what OTAs give us. Let's hope the truck hasn't run out of Push-Ups! What was your go to treat, and which Jaguar player would be that pick?
You and I see NFL organized team activities differently.
Michael from Orange Park, FL
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to wear No. 32?
Possibilities in this discussion include running back Maurice Jones-Drew (2006-2013), cornerback Tyson Campbell (2021-2023), running back Vaughn Dunbar (1995), safety Mike Logan (1997-2000) and safety Marlon McCree (2001-2003). Campbell and Logan were good players for extended periods, but this one is – and likely always will be – an easy selection: MJD. Deservedly so.
Jordan from Lincoln, NE
No. 32 can only be one guy, Maurice Jones-Drew!
Pretty much.
JAY from THE BURG FL.
As a coach, to build a great offense you need as many playmakers as you can get on the field at the same time. And if you're the quarterback your primary job, in turn, is to get the ball in the hands of as many playmakers as possible. This philosophy creates less risk to the quarterback, while allowing playmakers to reach their full potential. So, you consider the positions running back, fullback, tight end and receiver. If each position can equally run, block and catch they become playmakers with no limits. Through alignment and motion, the positions become interchangeable options, creating unpredictable mismatches and leverage. Attacking and exposing with a greater tempo and purpose, instead of reacting to the defense. Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen was leaning into this more and more last season. It's exciting to think of the possibilities to come.
Coen never didn't lean into this offensive approach. It's integral to how he runs an offense. I expect he will continue in this vein.
Jadon from NC State
It seems we're onto 32. Gotta be…?
MJD?
Wes from Ponte Vedra, FL
GO SPURS GO!
I assume you are excited about the San Antonio Spurs beating the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday night to advance to the NBA Finals. I surprised myself and watched a decent portion of the game – more than half – and watched through to the end. This was because the French Open coverage had ended for the day and there were no NHL games scheduled. Whatever the reason, it marked my largest time commitment to an NBA game since Game 7 of last season's NBA Finals – in which the Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers, if memory serves. I confess that it was an effort to get through either game, and I can't remember my last full NBA watch before that. I understand the superhuman athleticism exhibited by today's NBA players, and people I respect have explained to me how the game is better than the one I watched and enjoyed in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s – and even through the early 2000s. I just can't connect with it. I'm sure it's a me thing. Most things are these days.
Tom from the Mean Streets of Nocatee
No. 33 has gotta be Greg Jones … which brings to mind a question. Who wins in a fight between Gene and No. 33?
Former Jaguars fullback Greg Jones wore No. 33. Astute O-Zone readers know we haven't yet reached No. 33 in our discussion of greatest Jaguars players to wear certain numbers. I don't know if Jones will be the choice at No. 33. I do know who would win in a fight between Jones and former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette. Jones is tough. Tougher than Chuck Norris. Tougher than most mortals. Gene is not "most mortals."
Albert from Dowling Park, FL
Not a question, but a shout out to the media guy who posts the headline to your 5/30 article. The headline "Mental Feets" and your response gave me a chuckle.
I don't post the O-Zone each morning. I usually write the headline unless I forget and Shadrick pens a better one than I would have thought of anyway. I wrote the one to which you refer. I am the king of all funk.
Stephen from Hilton Head, SC
John. Let's fast forward to the highest number: No. 99. Only one choice. Joel Smeenge!!
Let's not, and there's not.
Bryan K from Tampa, FL
So, let me get this straight, we now have two BT's? Brian and Bryan?
Yes. There are currently two "BTJs" on the Jaguars' roster: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. WR BTJ was selected in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft and is entering his third NFL season. DE BTJ signed as an undrafted collegiate free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft. Life is quirky sometimes. This is one of those times.
Ryan from Apopka, FL
My dad is a lifelong Jags fan, but not one of the few daily O-Zone readers. He is intrigued by the daily question now of who is the best player at each number, but doesn't want to particularly go back through each O-Zone to see who you thought. So, will you be doing an article halfway or at the end right before the season of who you think the best player is at each number? I know this might require a little extra work/writing on your end, but those non-daily O-Zone readers might appreciate it!!
What's a "non-daily O-Zone reader?"
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
Hey, John. I have enjoyed the Welcome to Yulee sign conversation. I pass the sign on occasion, and feel conflicted about it. On one hand, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is a Northeast Florida cultural icon (with a tip of the hat to Mean Gene). Henry's photo is hung in several establishments in Fernandina, most prominently at T-Ray's – where a vintage poster of Henry rumbling in his No. 7 Crimson jersey hangs with pride. On the other hand ... Tennessee Titans. In 2024, several readers (including me if I recall), advocated for the Jags to sign him. But the big man was too expensive, the need was not there and he was past his prime. I still think it would be cool if Derrick could be a Jag in his final season. Kind of like LeBron going to the Cavs. Go Jags!
This may be more of a "fan" thing than a "player" or "team" thing. Henry is a special player, with a College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame career. The people of Jacksonville – particularly of Yulee – understandably feel a strong connection to him. Maybe that's enough? I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool if he one day theoretically played for the Jaguars. But if it doesn't happen, there are bigger disappointments in this life.
James from Titusville, NJ
Why do I have to confirm my email address before submitting a question? Why do I need to enter an email address at all? I've written in so many times and all you do is air out my words for all to see and sometimes offer a comment. You never email back. It's like you don't even care!
Good eye.
