JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
CJ from Glens Falls, NY
Do you believe Coen might consider being less aggressive regarding playcalling as it pertains to going for guaranteed points/field goals instead of trying to convert on fourth down? Fourth-and-2 on the Buffalo Bills 9-yard line in AFC Wild Card still irritates me immensely. Alas, I am not the coach and know that he loves the analytics approach.
While many Jaguars fans seemingly remain scarred by quarterback Trevor Lawrence not converting a first down last January in the scenario you cite, I do not remotely believe Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen will consider being less aggressive regarding whether to go for first downs or touchdowns on fourth downs. Remember: Coen hardly is "going solo" in the NFL these days when it comes to how he approaches these sorts of game situations. I understand this approach will remain unpopular with many fans. As an old-school observer – read: old – I sometimes don't love it. But remember this, too: It's 2026 and the 2026 NFL is not the NFL of days gone by. Coaches go for it on fourth-and-short with the idea that doing so will lead to more success over the long haul than not doing it. The 1980s aren't walking through that door. Like it or not.
Stephen from Sec 113 FROM Jacksonville via Pennsauken NJ
John. In Sunday's O-Zone, you referenced that the Jaguars rushing game had statistically more yards in the second half of the season compared to the first half of the season. Did that statistical comparison include Trevor's rushing yards? If it did, I think we need to back out Trevor's rushing yards to better evaluate the rushing game. From my seats (and couch), I think we will agree that in the second half of the season the rushing game did not do well in third and short and they seemed unable to pick up any meaningful yards on first and second down. Thanks.
The Jaguars in the last nine games – including postseason – of the 2026 season averaged about 10 yards less per game rushing without Lawrence's yards than they did in the first nine games removing Lawrence's yards. Though that's significant, I'm not sure it changes this discussion. The Jaguars' offense overall rushed better in 2025 than it did the previous season, and running well absolutely is a priority for Coen. While the Jaguars overall ran well last season, they were not as effective – or as consistent – in some situations as Coen wanted. It was a bit too dependent on explosive plays, with running back Travis Etienne Jr. more given to explosive runs than efficiency. The Jaguars are focused on improving their running efficiency, and they believed adding running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a restricted free agent will help in this area. It's important to note that the Jaguars were far from a bad running team last season. They ran for more than 100 yards in 11 of 18 games including the postseason. They also finished fifth in the NFL with 22 regular-season rushing touchdowns – and rushing touchdowns are a very important statistic. Still, the Jaguars want more consistency here. It's a major topic entering 2026 Training Camp. It's an area to watch. Which is what we'll do.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: Clear!!! 200 CC of adrenaline stat. Doctor KOAF. I think we might have a glimpse of life.
OK.
Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA
O, Another "dead zone comment." Comparing the MLB draft to the NFL draft, it is clear how far baseball has fallen off its perch (for many years now) as America's sport. It may well be that "futbol" (the world's most popular sport) could also jump over Major League Baseball in the next decade as the second most popular sport in America. Do you see that happening?
Football long has been well ahead of any sport, baseball certainly included, in terms of popularity in the United States. That is pretty indisputable whatever the metric. And while I suppose it depends on the specific metric, it seems basketball also long has passed baseball – with soccer right there with baseball – and perhaps past it. That's a somewhat incredible development for someone my age who can remember when baseball was at least close to the nation's most popular sport, if not No. 1 in that discussion. It also speaks to why the NFL works hard to continue growing the game within the United States and beyond. While the NFL is mind-blowingly popular domestically now, such popularity is not guaranteed to last forever.
John from Charles Town
Name the three toughest teams you play 2026 and why??
I'm not playing any teams in 2026. Why? I guess because it wouldn't be fair.
Mike from Daytona Beach, FL
Regarding your best player to ever wear a certain number list, it seems that relatively few players were with the Jaguars long enough to have signed second contracts. Of course, NFL franchises must continually "churn" their rosters. But is the Jaguars' historical level of player retention typical, especially compared to the "more successful" franchises? Would love to hear your thoughts. Also, do some successful franchises utilize high turnover as a strategy?
It is undeniable that the Jaguars haven't signed enough players to second contracts in their history. That's because they haven't drafted and/or developed well enough too often in franchise history. The Jaguars therefore don't compare all that well in this area to "successful" franchises because contending teams typically have a lot of second-contract players – at least for a two-or-three-year span. As for successful franchises using high turnover as a strategy … not necessarily. Good teams know when to re-sign players and when to churn players. You got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 73?
And we push on. Possibilities here include offensive lineman Brian DeMarco (1995-1998), right tackle Eben Britton (2009-2012), center Robert Hainsey (2025-present). This has been the domain of a lot of short-tenured backups, but we'll go with Britton here. Or Hainsey. Stay tuned, I guess.
Ray from Jax
John: The band discussion reminded me of when I had a temporary business matter with Donnie Van Zandt. I leased space in a building with armed security officers. I told Donnie one of the officers was a big fan but was not allowed to ask for an autograph. After the meeting, Donnie came back up to my third-floor office to ask about the identity of the officer so he could initiate a conversation with him downstairs. He is a down-to-earth, nice guy.
Good stuff.
Richard from Jacksonville
I think we should nickname Jaguars rookie right end Nate Boerkircher "Björk." Like it?
OK.
Al from Orange Park, FL
In terms of homefield advantage this year, do you think the Jags are better off playing the Houston Texans Houston at Wembley Stadium, or at the reduced capacity – in whatever condition it will be in October – EverBank? Why?
I don't expect the Jaguars' homefield advantage at EverBank Stadium this season to be significantly different than past seasons. I suppose the Jaguars' homefield advantage this season will be more pronounced in Jacksonville than at Wembley, though the reality is the difference on that front hasn't always been as pronounced as fans/observers perhaps assume. The Jaguars historically have played well in Jacksonville and at Wembley when they have been good. They have not played all that well in Jacksonville or Wembley – or anywhere else, for that matter – when they haven't been good. It's funny how that works.
Another Steve from Nocatee
Good evening, John. I agree with the majority that the Jaguars have a talented receiving corp. However, I just read that they led the league in drops, 45. Is this a fact?
It is hard to call any NFL drop statistic a "fact" because drops are subjective and therefore not an official statistic. But drops at times were a thing last season for the Jaguars. Pro Football Reference credited them with leading the NFL with 45 dropped passes last season. That is true and it's an area where the Jaguars should improve this season.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: I am concerned that you can't remember the best person to wear No. 71 for the Jaguars. My other concern is have you forgotten what number the Culligan Girl wore?
I don't remember if I don't know what you're talking about.
Raymond Sis from Windermere
We should plan a zone event down here in Windermere, where all the tReVeR iZ a BuSt people can kills my pasty behind. It would be a hoot, we could get Gene to cover it im sure with his ample free time.
Former longtime Flrffda Tgmts-Unggn sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader riter Eugene P. "Gxgne" Frenette is retired. All he has is free time, but he's not covering stuff anymore.
Chris from the subcontinent
A movie or a measure?
I'll have a cup of tea.
