JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Rich from Dacula, GA
While I'm not from Missouri, how I feel about our new wide receiver/defensive back. He has to show me he belongs as an elite No. 2 pick. If he's in the top 10 rankings of either position, I will be shocked. Not the first year.
My Scooby Sense – and not my Scobee Sense – tells me you're referring at least somewhat to the Missouri state motto. I, too, wouldn't be all that surprised if Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter in his first season is "ranked" outside the NFL's Top 10 at cornerback and wide receiver – however and whoever may be doing such rankings. And while observers and fans indeed love their lists, the reality is it doesn't really matter all that much where Hunter is "ranked" as a rookie. If he's making an impact and threatening opposing offenses and defenses enough to alter game plans – and if he's making the Jaguars better – then he's doing his job. I expect Hunter eventually will be an elite player in some capacity, at which time perhaps he will be ranked as such. Stay tuned.
Kevin from Jacksonville Beach, FL
It has been mentioned before in these parts in recent weeks, but this dead zone hasn't struck me as all that dead so far. Am I right? Or am I just crazy?
Mine is not to say if you're crazy, though from this view it seems you are correct regarding the so-called "dead zone." Remember: The content in the dead zone, like in all times here in the O-Zone, depends almost exclusively on the readers. People ask questions. I answer to the best of my ability, with my relative lack of ability the reason the O-Zone depends on the aforementioned readers. The O-Zone questions so far in this dead zone indeed have enabled at least a somewhat football-centric "give and take" to endure in this space. Word of caution, though: The next few weeks, particularly the days around the Fourth of July, are historically some of the slowest inbox days of the offseason. The readers and questioners who thus far have kept this dead zone at least relatively interesting will be tested. I have faith they will excel. Bring on the deadest zone.
Daniel from Johnston, IA
All I can say about Moby Dick is that I've read many (not all) of the classics and that was the one I gave up on twice! It's got a great opening line but after that is a slog that's the written equivalent of watching paint dry. I couldn't do it.
Call me empathetic.
Brian from Round Rock, TX
Miles Jack WASN'T DOWN. Have we fully pondered the ramifications? Is TC the GREATEST JAGUAR? Is Marone the greatest DOUG in Jaguars history?
A few thoughts on the long-awaited Return of Round Rock. Former Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack – a.k.a., Miles Jack – indeed wasn't down when he recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game following the 2017 season. The ramifications are that if officials made the correct call Jack probably would have scored a touchdown on the fumble recovery and the Jaguars likely would have beaten the New England Patriots in that game to advance to the Super Bowl. I don't know if the Jaguars would have won that Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles, though I would have liked their chances. I would put former Jaguars Head Coach Tom Coughlin among the greatest Jaguars, but perhaps not THE greatest. Was former Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone – a.k.a., Doug Marone – the great Doug in Jaguars history. Sure. Why not?
Homer from Springfield
I was pleasantly surprised to see Bill Burr in your Top 5 comedians. He's near the top of my list, too. I saw him live near here and I suffered a core injury from non-stop laughter.
I like intelligent comedians who are unafraid to say things some people believe shouldn't be said. I'm not sure what comedy is if you're scared to offend – and Burr certainly isn't "scared" on that front. I've seen one "big-time" comic live. That was Burr in 2016. Outstanding.
Scott from Aruba
What is your favorite part of the dead zone?
I like it all. Then again, I like everything. I am by nature a very positive person with a rosy outlook on this crazy thing we call life.
Chris from Mandarin
Catcher in the Rye is the book that Mark David Chapman was reading out front of the Dakota building while he was waiting for the police to arrest him after murdering John Lennon in 1980.
Yes, it was. And speaking of great opening lines …
Nick from Palm Coast, FL
I know it was only OTAs, but what do you think of Dennis Gardeck's chances to make the team?
I would say they're decent, not because of anything that happened during organized team activities but because Gardeck – who spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals – is an eighth-year veteran who can provide experience and at least a bit of veteran pass-rush depth.
Al from Fruit Cove, FL
Please tell Don that his or anyone else's ability to match wits with me has no impact on whether I think he's a moron.
We talk a lot here in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice. This may or may not be nice, but it leans toward not being all that nice. So just be careful, I guess is what I'm saying.
Alan from Ellington, CT
Gator knows his literature. Archie comics are ok too.
Fair.
Alan from Ellington Ct
Do you think the Justin Blackmon pick was heavily influenced by Shad Khan in his first draft? It did seem out of sorts for a Gene pick at that time.
It's always hard to say who influences what and what influences who when it comes to the NFL Draft. Khan at the time of the 2012 NFL Draft was a new owner. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon was a collegiate star and prime draft prospect. Could Khan have indicated in pre-draft discussions that he liked Blackmon? I suppose. But Khan in a decade and a half has earned a reputation for letting his football people make football decisions. The Jaguars selected Blackmon No. 5 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. Considering his talent level and collegiate production, few general managers would have needed all that much owner influence to select him where the Jaguars selected him.
Brendan from Yulee, Formerly of the High Ground
I did an Art assignment on the color teal. Spent hours on it, just to be docked six points for something not stated in the prompt. The professor is obviously not a Jags fan. Go Jaguars!
You go, girl.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
John - Nice call on Sitting Still. I have often thought that R.E.M.'s harmonies are evocative of the Beach Boys, but a bit rougher by design and talent. What are your thoughts on the recent passing of Brian Wilson?
There indeed is some Beach Boys influence in R.E.M., a group that undoubtedly and unapologetically was influenced by 1960s bands – particularly the Byrds – as well as a lesser-known early 1970s band, Big Star. R.E.M. openly acknowledged Beach Boys influence on some of their later work. How much the group patterned themselves after the Beach Boys during their formative time, I can't say – though the Beach Boys' influence was such that most bands owe at least something to them. I didn't have anything particularly poignant or thoughtful to say about Wilson's passing. I admired him as a genius who helped shape modern music, but he and the Beach Boys were never "my thing." I've tried to get deep into Pet Sounds, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest albums ever, and I'm a bit embarrassed to say I don't quite get it. That's OK. Not everyone "gets" everything.
Scott from Aruba
As Tony B seems to be fully settled into his role, any chance we can get you to do a sit down with him and get his take on his transition?
I sat down with Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli four times during the 2025 offseason for the EVPodcast. The first three were just the two of us, discussing the transition to a new regime and the draft and the offseason and other Jaguars-related topics. The last one posted on Jaguars Media Channels last week with Head Coach Liam Coen and General Manager James Gladstone as guests. The episodes were roughly 30 minutes each, which means Boselli and I talked in that setting for about two total hours this offseason. Two hours of No. 71 is what is sometimes known in the trades as "a full glass."
Mike from Pensacola
Zone, for the love of the NFL and the Jags, can we please get off music, literature, the perceived "dead zone" and Gene Frenette? There has to be legit football to discuss.
Did you have a question?
