JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it … Marcus from Jacksonville:
It's about that time of year when players get cut left and right, and I know Dave Caldwell keeps a close eye on those players. Do you think there is a particular position that he is watching more closely when it comes to that?
John: There are many indications that the Jaguars' roster has improved entering the 2015 season. A significant one is I doubt the team will be overly active after either preseason cut-down day. That's because I don't see glaring deficiencies at any positions. David Caldwell could use that time to manage the roster in the event of injuries – and I suppose there could be a signing or two for linebacker depth – but I don't anticipate a slew of post-cut signings.
Jeff from Wake Forest, NC:
You know what is scary? I saw the O-Zone headline Monday and thought, "Is he quoting Rick Springfield?" Thanks for the Human Touch to that story. Sigh … thank goodness football is back!
John: Lately something's changed, it ain't hard to define …
Tony from Jacksonville:
Would you consider Clemons a tough interview? He comes across as irritated and distant.
John: Chris Clemons absolutely is a difficult interview. Without question. And I don't get the idea he enjoys speaking with the media all that much. I say that with absolutely no resentment or irritation. A player is under absolutely no obligation to be cheery or enjoy speaking with the media, be it "team" media or otherwise. I've been around a lot of media. I am in the media. I guess what I'm getting at is I don't enjoy being around me or the people I work around all that much, so I can't really blame someone else for feeling the same way.
John from Boynton Beach, FL:
The Mularkey Era was neither Mularkey nor an Era. Discuss.
John: Is it OK if I don't?
Jason from Falling Waters, WV:
With three-and-a-half weeks to go, realistically do you expect to Sen'Derrick Marks be on PUP or the active roster?
John: I would be quite surprised if Marks is on the physically unable to perform list. That's because a player who starts the regular season on PUP is out for at least the first six regular-season games. I think Marks will be healthy enough to play sometime in the first month and a half. As for whether he will be ready for the regular-season opener against Carolina September 13, that's less certain though certainly not out of the question.
Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL:
Have to weigh in on the Tony Boselli vs. Fred Taylor HOF discussion. Although both deserve consideration, I think Fred Taylor has a better chance. Tony Boselli was unquestionably a great tackle. But he only lasted seven seasons - a total of 91 games played. Fred Taylor spent 13 years in the league. Even with injuries, he still played in 153 games, racking up enough rushing yards to rank 15th all-time. When one considers that John Riggins (17th overall) and O.J. Simpson (19th overall) are in the HOF, it seems logical that Fred will get the votes one day.
John: First, it's not a matter of Taylor versus Boselli. If anything, players sometimes have to out-ballot players at their own positions; their own teams, not so much. Second, I don't know that logic plays into consideration much; sometimes, in fact, the selection process seems downright illogical. But whatever … I hope you're right that Taylor gets the votes someday. It would be deserved.
Jason from Jacksonville from section 140:
John, it's good to see you've backed away from the Luke Joeckel Kool-Aid. Unfortunately, like you, Caldwell and the Jag staff did not feel the need to address left tackle in the draft or free agency, so what is our depth like at that position right now and should we expect to see a move to bring in a capable starter since Joeckel is continuing to prove he is not one? Is Parnell an option there?
John: You state your case in a very strong tone – impressively strong. You also appear to assume that there are available left tackles on and off the Jaguars' roster better than Joeckel. That assumption is incorrect. Despite your opinion on my taste in Kool-Aid, my thoughts on Joeckel haven't actually changed all that much. He clearly last season had too many noticeable errors. He has gotten beat a few times in training camp and had a bad play in the preseason opener. But to think that he played absolutely horribly in that game – or even poorly – is incorrect. He very much needs to clean up the glaring error he seems to make each game. That's an absolute. At the same time, there are no thoughts around the Jaguars that a change is needed at the position. Nor should there be.
Fuad from Jacksonville:
If Joeckel were to continue to disappoint and Parnell continues to play well, is there any chance the jags would switch Parnell to the left side?
John: Is there a chance? I suppose there's a chance for anything. There's a chance I could wake up tomorrow with my hair on fire and my eyes popped out of their sockets, but I'd be surprised if it happened. Stunned, actually.
Ryan from Detroit, MI:
O-man, if Joeckel continues to struggle through the preseason and Cann continues to impress, is there a chance of moving Cann over to tackle? Or is the skill set required just too difficult to make that kind of move midseason?
John: It's likely too difficult to do, period, because Cann is a guard and not a left tackle. Plus, Joeckel isn't moving from tackle. This isn't happening.
Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
I remember Jon Gruden commentating a few years ago on Gabbert that "you can't coach courage." I don't think we have that problem with BB. He looked very good on Friday.
John: Yeah, I never bought into the Gabbert-lacked-courage theory. I always thought his issues under duress were more about pocket awareness and inexperience than being "scared." But whatever the explanation, the results weren't good. Whatever a quarterback must have to be good in the pocket, though, Bortles seems to have it – and that's an important trait for a quarterback to possess.
Troy from York, PA:
Hey O wise one … my wife bought me the Jaguars experience. I'm flying down for the first game of the season. It'll be the first time I'll be at EverBank Field. But being the first time me being down there what would you recommend doing or going to see or any good places to eat? Go Jags #dtwd
John: I can only recommend my personal fave: this awesome "tex-mex" place around the corner from my house. Honestly, you just don't get better mini-chalupas/gorditas/tostadas/chimichangas wrapped in hard shells wrapped in soft shells wrapped in hard shells wrapped in soft shells and called something with a lot of syllables and vowels than you do from my good 'ol local Taco Bell (I think that's the name of it). And the Pepsi there … oh, my!
Tom from Jacksonville:
"I'll always be paying" … but of course! This goes without saying. Get a dog, it will help when you and your wife are staring at each other across the table and are wondering why it's so quiet.
John: We have a dog. She doesn't like me and I don't like her. I don't like to talk about it.
Justin from Jacksonville:
No question today O-man, just thought I'd write in to say I read an article about Cecil Shorts lll telling a Houston reporter he expects Blake Bortles to be a superstar in this league. I always liked Shorts, but my fondness for him grew after reading that. It's always easy for a player to bash their former team, but Shorts is as classy a guy as there is. Hoping for good things for him, regardless of him being with a division rival. He deserves all the good that comes his way.
John: Shorts said this often about Bortles last year and I'm not surprised he would say it after leaving. He's among the classiest, most-enjoyable athletes I've ever covered. I wasn't surprised he signed elsewhere, and with the Jaguars' young receivers it was inevitable. But I also wouldn't be surprised if he has a lot of success with the Texans.
Eric from Jacksonville:
Was there ever a time in Boselli's career when anyone thought "perhaps this experiment isn't going to work out?" When Boselli was in his third year was his predecessor still out performing him?
John: Boselli didn't have a predecessor, and if you're trying to compare Luke Joeckel to Boselli … don't. Joeckel almost certainly isn't going to be a player on the level of Boselli. That's not an insult. It's highly unlikely the Jaguars ever will have a left tackle on his level. Yes, kids, Uncle Tony was that good. If you don't believe him, ask him.
Duval Doom from Section 217:
During last year's TNF game my friends and I started yelling his full name when he ripped off those big runs. It's REALLY fun! TOBINBO! GUNNAR! GEEEEEERHART!
John: That does sound like fun. Sometimes, when I'm writing really, really well, Shadrick and Sexton stand behind me and yell my full name, "JOHN ALL THE WO-O-O-M-MEN L-O-O-OOVE HIM OOOOOOOOOOEHSER!!!!!!!" The truth can be very inspiring.