JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Alex from Jacksonville

Week over week improvement from the first-team offense was promising to me. They didn't have any penalties and it really looks like the O-line is getting some push. Looking forward to them to getting some continuity and getting better.

The Jaguars' first-team offense and defense indeed played about as well as possible in a 17-17 tie with the New Orleans Saints in a Preseason Week 2 game at Caesars Superdome Sunday. The first-team offense produced two long drives and the starting defense allowed just 21 yards with one first down, with both units playing two series. The Jaguars were notably "cleaner" and crisper than in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Preseason Week 1, with just one penalty in the first half and none by the starters. That was significant because it had been a major focus throughout the week after a relatively sloppy performance against the Steelers. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence looked efficient, which is important, but perhaps as notable was that the Jaguars' ran effectively with multiple offensive line/running back combinations. This was a solid start.

Johnny from Jax

Zoney, why aren't the Jags trying all their best plays and getting them on tape during the preseason games? No Bombs to BTJ? No triple reverse passes? No two running back throw the defense off set? No disguised corner blitzes? Their preseason game plan is so vanilla. They look like the old Jags? Why aren't the starters playing dominant? Apparently, a few Enquiring Minds want to know.

I sense this is just a big ol' bucket o' sarcasm. But if this is indeed real, and if we're collectively worried about the Jaguars not throwing bombs to wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., then I must remind the collective that this is the preseason. You don't show everything in the preseason. You don't worry about the game plan being too vanilla. Upon review and reflection, this email almost certainly was sarcasm. Remember, though: More than a few people do wonder why they're not throwing bombs to Thomas, or why they're "too vanilla." For those that do … remember this, too: It's all good. It's preseason.

Too Many Jaguars Fans from Jacksonville

Is it too early to ask who the Jags should be taking with the first overall pick? My main worries are that there will be a lot of holes in the roster after everyone is cut following the preseason, and that we don't know what the new coach and general manager will be looking for in players.

What?

Anita from Springfield

Even if Saunders doesn't make the roster, I like the willingness to trade a guy you likely won't keep (center Luke Fortner) for someone who could still make the roster. Feels proactive. One fer James Gladstone.

The Jaguars indeed agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints on Monday on a trade that brought defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to Jacksonville in exchange for fourth-year center Luke Fortner, who indeed would have had a tough time making the Jaguars' regular-season roster. I don't think there's a big concern about Saunders not making the roster; I expect him to be at least in the interior line rotation. One fer General Manager James Gladstone on this one? Absolutely.

Paul from Columbus, GA

Do you think Armstead will actually play this year? He really didn't do anything last year, and it feels like the same this year as well so far. It seems like he is just here for a paycheck, I hope I am wrong about this.

I expect defensive tackle Arik Armstead will play for the Jaguars this season, quite likely beginning in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. Perception to the contrary is understandable considering what happened with Armstead last season. Last season isn't this season, and I expect Armstead's story to be different in 2025 than it was in 2024.

Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL

Yes, the starters looked pretty good, but weren't our ones playing against their twos? That was a relevant fact that our television people ignored, perhaps to make our team look good. More journalism and less homer-ism was in order.

The Jaguars indeed played a lot of starters Sunday and the Saints played very few. I wasn't watching the television broadcast, so I can't speak to what they were doing or their motivation. I expect they were doing what most broadcasters do, which is discuss what they're seeing in as insightful a fashion as possible. As for who was playing against who Sunday, I suppose I've sort of reached the point with NFL preseason games that it's hard to worry all that much about who's on the field for the opponent. Front-line players play so little in the preseason these days that you sort of assume you're playing mostly against backups and just focus on what's happening on the field. It's a dramatic change from how it was "in the day," but it's a sign of the NFL times.

Big-Gnarly from Dirty Daytona

Looking back at years past O-Zones, the consensus seems to be the same.

Yep. I was "awesome" then and "awesome" now.

Steve from AB

Has Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter received his $30 million bonus? If so, is he both intangible and tangible rich?

Yes. Pretty much.

Paul from St. Augustine, FL

Well, Gary is already in midseason form. When do we get to see a "Rocky-style" training montage of the KOAF preparing for the upcoming season?

Close your eyes and imagine this. It's often said that this is better than the real thing. It's really true in this case.

Bryan from Tampa, FL

What do you think is still the biggest question mark for you about this team?

There are a few: Offensive line, secondary, quarterback and how it will respond to adversity. I feel cautiously optimistic about a lot of those areas, but just what level those areas will reach you just don't know in the NFL until the regular season.

Ken from Jacksonville

When a player gets traded, does their contract typically stay the same from old team to new? I imagine a player going from Jacksonville or Houston to, say, the New York Jets, would be a significant pay difference. Do teams negotiate or compensate players when taxes and cost of living drastically change? Thanks, John!

When teams trade players, they trade the player's existing contract. Teams can negotiate with players if they so choose but they do not have to so choose.

Rodney from Jacksonville

The defensive end on the Bengals wants a trade. P.S., he led the league in sacks last season. Sign him before the Houston Texans do.

I do not expect the Jaguars to trade for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

Scott from Orlando, FL

Lack of situational awareness 1 - Liam Coen 0

I'll assume this references Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen opting against a 60-yard field goal by Cam Little with :09 remaining Sunday and instead opting for a quick throw to gain six or seven yards. That throw was intercepted and prevented Little a chance. But this wasn't a case of a lack situational awareness. Coen knew the situation and he therefore knew that while Little is capable of a 70-yard field goal just being capable of a 70-yarder doesn't make a 60-yarder easy.

Nick from London, England

As a daily reader from September to January but a part-time out of season, apologies if I've missed updates on these guys but I was wondering how the lower round draft picks have looked in OTAs, camp and preseason games? Do you expect all Tuten, Kiser, Mcleod, Lane, Monheim and Allen to make the roster? If not, which is the most likely to be cut? And which do you see contributing most beyond just special teams, both in their rookie year and (if this isn't too much guesswork at this stage) in years to come.

I expect running back Bhayshul Tuten, linebacker Jack Kiser, safety Rayuan Lane III, center Jonah Monheim and running back LeQuint Allen Jr. all to be on the active roster and for Tuten/Allen to have key roles in the offense. I expect Kiser and Lane to play key special teams roles and for Monheim to be a reserve offensive lineman. Linebacker Jalen McLeod has been out with an injury much of training camp.

Cliff from Everywhere with helicopter

There has been a lot said about the interior D-line, and we know what we have on the edges, but I think the big story on defense this year will be the emergence of number 51.

Ventrell Miller is a linebacker for the Jaguars who wears No. 51. He's a good, instinctive player who played well at times last season. He's the sort of player who absolutely could continue to emerge this season.

Limo Bob from Neptune Beach / Piscataway

Your response to Wayne's comment was classic and you were still in the guidelines of being nice! Well done.

I am the king of all funk.