JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Fred from Naples, FL
I just saw that Gene "The Dream" Frenette is retiring. Does an icon like Gene really retire or is this just a rouge?
Sports columnist Gene Frenette indeed officially announced his retirement this week after 44 years with Jacksonville newspapers – first with the now-defunct Jacksonville Journal and for the last 30-some-odd years with the Florida Times-Union. Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – may be confused by that first sentence because I usually refer to Gene as "longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette" in this column – the extended moniker being a humorous(??) reference that's part of a long-running good-natured O-Zone joke regarding Gene. We'll reference Gene in this fashion in these parts again soon enough. But on this day his retirement, I'll step away from that to say this: While Gene undoubtedly had his quirks and foibles – and while his Thanksgiving turkey on Twitter and other "Twitter" missteps undoubtedly gave us years of perverse joy – Gene is a damned good, loyal person who cares as passionately about his profession as any journalist I've had the privilege to work with and know. I've known Gene since 1988, and we worked together 13 years at the Times-Union. I am honored and proud to call him a friend. My journalism career has been richer, fuller and more enjoyable because I have worked with and around Gene. So … here's to longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette's well-deserved and hard-earned retirement. May he savor every delicious turkey.
Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL
One fer Soggy Hood, random photos of turkeys, trashcans and always being on mute.
Gene is unique. It's safe to say no one who ever has met him one would dispute this. We shall not see his kind again.
Michael from Orange Park, FL
Will the tired, repetitive Gene jokes stop now?
One should hope not.
Alon from Westlake Village, CA
Drafting Hunter has led to increased Jaguar interest and buzz. Hunter, I understand, has the best-selling rookie jersey this year. Do you think this will translate to more primetime games this year when schedule come out?
I'm skeptical that the NFL will schedule the Jaguars on prime-time this season solely because of the presence of rookie wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. Yes, he is a star; he perhaps has more star power than any player in franchise history. But remember: The Jaguars went 4-13 last season. A record in that range combined with a small market franchise usually means having one lower-profile prime-time game in a season – even with the addition of a major star. I could be wrong about that. Still: When the Jaguars start winning – and they will start winning again – Hunter being on the roster likely will accelerate the Jaguars' ascension onto more prime-time games in a hurry. His star is that kind of bright.
Brendan from The Moral High Ground
Will Travis Hunter's playing time on both sides of the ball turn into a distraction that could be negative for the team like Jalen Ramsey's "back injury"?
Not if he's good.
Jim from Jagsonville
End of an Era? 44 years sure beats your streak...
Forty-four years indeed is impressive. Gene had been working at the Times-Union seven years when I arrived there in '88 and he worked there 24 years after I left in 2001. It's hard to imagine a T-U without Gene. The situation indeed begs two questions. Can there be a T-U without Gene? Can the Jaguars play a game without Gene? Stay tuned, I suppose.
Dale from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
No question today, Zone. But thought you should know that in Hong Kong we are at the highest bar in the world - the O-Zone. I don't think I can send u a pic but the reality is you are world famous!!!
I am the king of all funk.
P Funk from Murray Hill
Will the Jags field a team in the future with defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, quarterback Trevor Lawrence, defensive end Travon Walker and Hunter all on second contracts or long-term extensions? How likely is it?
The tricky element here will be timing rather than quality of players or whether a player from the group is "deserving" of a second contract. The tricky timing part involves defensive end Hines-Allen and Hunter. Hunter likely wouldn't play on a second contract until 2028 or 2029. That would be Hines-Allen's 10th or 11th season, making the timing tricky – if not impossible. Another thought: Hunter has yet to practice in the NFL. Perhaps we let him take a snap or two and sign his first contract before we worry about the second.
Zach from Wisco
Everyone seems to be suspicious about the offensive line or suspicious of what Travis Hunter can or can't do. I'm more worried about the quarterback. He has been significantly injured the last two seasons and has yet to earn his draft status or his paycheck. He has been given more assets on offense than any quarterback in this franchise short of Mark Brunell. Everything hinges on that position in my opinion.
The Jaguars from this view have a chance to improve next season. One reason is a more stable structure/direction around Lawrence. But the biggest factor that will determine success or failure remains Lawrence.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
I think John from beautiful Cape May has it right with his Travis Hunter playing third downs, two-minute situations and the entire fourth quarter but also him making a few surprise appearances throughout the game to keep the opponent honest. One for people that reside in courthouses.
Okey-doke.
Justin from Hoboken
Do you expect to see more two-way players in the coming years given how TH was drafted? How helpful is it to the cap to have two-way players?
I expect we will see more two-way players in college in the next five years(ish) because of Hunter's collegiate success. If Hunter is successful in the NFL, I expect we will see more two-way players in the NFL. It's difficult to know for sure how two-way players will affect the salary cap. I expect it will help a great deal on the player's rookie deal because of the rookie wage scale/salary cap. We don't know yet how teams will have structure contracts/pay two-way players on second and third contracts, but I expect the benefit to the cap will be far less than on rookie deals because teams likely will have to pay them more based on the increased role.
Al from Orange Park, FL
"If we win the Super Bowl next season, then we'll know it was the Gene Frenette curse."
Fair.
Bill from Hammock, fl
Zone, teams use situational players to rush the quarterback in passing situations. Could Hunter be used specifically in passing situations to alleviate the wear and tear on early downs?
This is an option. It's not the option the Jaguars are going to take. The plan here isn't as mysterious as some observers believe. Hunter is going to be an every-down, every-situation player on offense at the start of his career. He's going to play more situationally – but extensively – on defense. That's it. That's the starting plan.
Cristiano from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I have yet to see this column list the free agents this team acquired, the draft selections they made and the rookie free agents they got altogether.
Fair point.
Andrew from Panama City, FL
I'm seeing a bit of angst around here over the state of the Jaguars' defensive line. I'd like to point out that sack totals last year were abysmal due in part to opposing quarterbacks releasing the ball immediately to wide open receivers. I would also point out that the great Sacksonville line was helped immensely by the best Jaguars secondary I've ever seen.
I've received multiple questions along these lines this offseason, and more than a few since the Jaguars opted not to select a defensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft – and I've reiterated more than once that the Jaguars' decision-makers like a lot about their defensive line. One obvious reason is Walker and Hines-Allen are high-end players who are experienced and talented enough to be the foundation of the defense. Tackle is a more concerning area, but veteran Arik Armstead moving from end to tackle theoretically could help. There is also a lot of intrigue around second-year veteran Maason Smith, who has phenomenal physical traits. What exactly can he be? That's that his 2025 season will be about. But yes … improved secondary play could help. I'm a believer that great defensive line helps a secondary far more than a great secondary helps a line, but great secondary play sure isn't a negative.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, Gene Frenette called. He says he has a lot more time on his hands. He's coming for you. Run, O, run!
Gene knows where to find me.
