JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Mike from Atlanta, GA

I'm not concerned about Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter over the long term. I just am wondering what happened. It looks like he doesn't run crisp routes. I can see he is so quick and athletic that he was able to be successful despite that. But how did Deion Sanders let him get away with running bad routes? This will surely be fixed quickly, especially with Brian Thomas Jr. on the field with him but I just can't get over the fact that Deion Sanders of all people let him just continue like that. What's up with that?

I don't cover University of Colorado football and I don't know Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders – and it's a little extreme to say Hunter runs "bad routes." Either way, I can't speak to why Sanders coached Hunter as he did. From a distance, I can only assume that Sanders as a college head coach was concerned about what college head coaches should be concerned about – that's winning at the collegiate level. Hunter was good enough to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024 running routes as he did – and at Colorado that was enough. I expect he will have to improve as a route-runner to be an elite wide receiver at the NFL level. He's not alone as a very good college receiver needing to improve that area and I have no reason to doubt he will do so.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John. Many Jags fans have not forgotten December 1, 2024, especially the image of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence receiving medical attention on the field while skirmishes and scuffles broke out all around him. The coaches and many players have changed, but this moment in Jags history should not be forgotten. The rivalry with the Houston Texans does not need to be about revenge, but the memory of the Al-Shaair hit can certainly be used as a catalyst for the players to pick up the intensity level (within the rules) all season long, but especially against the Texans. A sweep of Houston this season could go a long way towards an AFC South Championship. During the offseason, have you picked up any chatter among the players about the Texans?

The Jaguars as an organization haven't forgotten the hit last December by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on Lawrence. It was a vicious, unnecessary hit – the sort that the NFL correctly has been trying to legislate out of the sport for a long time. I trust this will understandably be a topic when the teams play next season. But it wasn't a topic in the offseason program and I don't expect players to lean on the incident for season-long motivation. This is professional football. Motivation comes from within.

Jason from North Pole, AK

Jacksonville is unique along with Green Bay, Oklahoma City and a few others in that they only have one major professional sports team located there. My question is has there ever been any serious talks in Jacksonville about making a bid for a NBA, MLS, or NHL team?

Not seriously. I expect this could change over the next two decades or so.

Chris from Delray Beach, FL

There is an issue that has bugged me for years. It isn't specific to the Jags but it sure seems like we're guilty of it more than other teams. Why draft or trade for a player who has had success doing one thing a specific way, only to change it completely? Then they sit there dumbfounded that it didn't work, eventually losing their jobs. Have you always played as a standup end? Great, we're going to put your hand in the dirt. Always play inside nickel? Great, we're going to move you outside. Made All-Pro at 165 pounds? Great, how about adding 20 more for us? Made the Pro Bowl as an inside defensive tackle? Awesome, now kick to the outside and only play a third of the time. I don't know what is worse, the ego that allows these folks to think they've discovered something no other coach has in that player's career, or the ego that won't allow them to course correct. All that to say .... if Travis becomes a game changing, generational cornerback and only clearly outshines his contributions as a wide receiver, I hope this staff will have the ability to change the plan for the greater good.

OK.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

Travis Hunter in many ways is an experiment and the Jaguars' general manager, head coach, executive vice president of football operations and offensive/defensive coordinators for all their energy, intelligence and drive lack experience. Do you think they give some of the retired legends like Joe Gibbs, Tom Coughlin, Bill Cowher, Bruce Arians, etc. a call just to get their thoughts and philosophies on how they would use Hunter?

Football people talk and smart football people talk extensively with people they trust about football topics all the time. The people around the Jaguars with selecting Hunter certainly had – and will continue to have – discussions regarding Hunter. I'm not sure calls to the specific legends on your list were all that necessary, and I don't know that the Jaguars need super in-depth advice from such legends. Hunter is a relatively unique situation. I expect his ability, endurance/stamina and skillset will go far toward dictating specifically how he is used.

Jim from Jagsonville

If Trevor is struggling, do you think it is the hair getting in the way? I met a guy on cruise in Honduras and he said Trevor needed to cut his hair in order to improve... I was just glad someone outside the country had heard of the Jaguars! DUUUVALL!!

I do not think Lawrence needs to cut his hair to improve, a guy on a cruise in Honduras' thoughts to the contrary notwithstanding.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

I remember not long ago major league sports viewed gambling as vile and disgusting and for many years would not even allow Vegas a team. They now embrace it as good fun. There have already been some minor scandals, including the Jags financial manager stealing more money than they gave to Gabe Davis to support his habit. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we get a major scandal. Do you see "sports" endorsement of gambling as a good idea?

Is the increased connection between gambling and professional sports a "good" idea? In an ideal world, probably not. Professional sports for decades kept a distance from gambling because of the obvious perception issues. What became more obvious as time continued was the revenue streams available to professional sports from gambling advertising/sponsorships was obviously pretty damned good. In an era when all professional sports leagues are in an arms race against other professional sports leagues, revenue necessarily trumps a lot of other factors to an unprecedented degree. Or, as Cyndi Lauper famously put it, "Money changes everything."

Craig from Acworth, GA

What is former Jags Linebacker Paul Posluszny up to now?

Posluszny remains in Jacksonville and is working in defense and space manufacturing, a field that requires far more intelligence than I possess.

Hermun from Teal vision land

Just gave myself goosebumps thinking about this dream scenario. Hunter gets an int against mahomes and after the commercial break scores on a deep td pass. Bet we get flexed then.

You go, girl.

Anita from Springfield

Coach's transparency is top tier. The synchronicity of the leadership on that front is such a breath of fresh air. I'm scared by years of fandom, but legitimately starting to feel bought in on this regime and the process they're using. Question: have you covered other first time head coaches, and were they typically this forthcoming and direct?

The only other "first-time head coach" I've covered was former Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley. He was not as forthcoming and direct speaking to the media as current Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen. And while it's understandable to be scared after many seasons as a Jaguars fans, it's OK to be "bought in" on this regime. They're legitimately doing things the right way and for the right reasons. This doesn't guarantee success. It absolutely increases the chance of it.

Sam from Orlando, FL

If the reports are true, and Eugene "Moneyball" Frenette retires to go and try his hand at Major League Baseball, how soon before the all-star break does he hit his 74th homer? Further, his knuckle curve and mid 100's fastball will make Shohei Ohtani look pedestrian.

Good eye. Former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette indeed is a five-tool player who also has rare speed and control as a pitcher. He was once in the mid-100s and is now in the high 90s, his one concession to age. Analytics indicate he likely would reach No. 74 in late June. This is all hypothetical, of course. Gene hasn't yet committed to baseball. He's currently negotiating with F-1.