JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Unknown from Unknown

Short-time reader, first-time caller here. What's the difference between the red zone and the dead zone? And how does Gary from St. Augustine, FL, fit into all this?

Long-time writer, longer-time curmudgeon here. The red zone is the area between 20-yard line and the end zone toward which the offense is moving, and coaches tend to emphasize it because the difference between scoring touchdowns and field goals there often means the difference between winning and losing. The dead zone is the time between the end of the NFL offseason program and training camp. It is called this in NFL circles because there are comparatively few transactions and little accompanying news. It is called this here in the O-Zone because questions often dwindle and veer far from football – often to the chagrin of readers who like expressing their chagrin. Gary from St. Augustine fits into this because he is a visionary and leader of men with uncommon insight into the character of other. He's pretty sure he has a handle on yours truly, and I can't particularly prove he's wrong.

Pied Piper from Piperland

You answered a question recently about the Jaguars' offense but fairly noticeably didn't talk about Trevor Lawrence. Worse yet, you pretty much skimmed past his bad performance this offseason. How concerned are you about T-Law?

I answer many questions in this forum, and many questions in this forum are expectedly and understandably about the Jaguars' offense and quarterback Trevor Lawrence. I presumably therefore answered multiple such questions during the Jaguars' offseason program that concluded this past week, with my answers just as presumably reflecting what I saw in Lawrence in the offseason program – that is, a quarterback who is learning and adjusting to his third offensive system in five NFL seasons. Lawrence overall from this view had a fine 2025 offseason. I say "fine" rather than "great" or "awful" because from this view it's very difficult for a quarterback of Lawrence's physical talents to have an "awful" or "great" offseason. He's talented. He's usually going to throw well and "look the part." The question about Lawrence will be how he performs in the regular season when decision-making is accelerated. The offseason program doesn't tell you that. Lawrence from all reports improved his understanding of Head Coach Liam Coen's offense dramatically the last six weeks. He grew more comfortable with the footwork and fundamental changes necessary to excel in Coen's system. He had a few less-than-great practices. He had a few really good practices. Coaches and others inside the Jaguars were pleased with the progress. We'll see where it goes in a few weeks.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

I assume it's possible to pass from a short-yardage, run formation and in my mind it seems like a creative play designer could come up with some effective home-run type plays while also loosening up the defense but I never, ever see any team attempt this so I assume I'm wrong but why am I wrong?

Fullback pass!!!!!

Attila from Hungary

Hello, John! What would you think about having a separate segment for special teamers within the Hall of Fame? There are/were and certainly will be a few players who deserve to be remembered even if they "only" played special teams. There shouldn't be new members every year, only occasionally or maybe every fifth year or so but this way NFL could serve justice for some very good players who otherwise wouldn't have a chance to get in. Would you click on that? Who would be you first five candidates from the last 10-15 years and from the earlier era?

I don't love the idea, but I can't say I hate it, either – and I could even see warming to it after a time. My thought is this is unlikely to happen because voters/decision-makers might recoil at the idea of a special wing for "lesser" players. The cynics in that group might even actually ask, "Why not have a practice squad or backup center Hall of Fame?" And they might have a point. At the same time, this idea would provide a way for deserving specialists to be more regularly enshrined in the Hall – and it perhaps would have made the discussions around players such as returner Devin Hester and kicker Adam Vinatieri less controversial. Who would have been my candidates? A quick, unscientific four-player list: former Buffalo Bills special teams ace Steve Tasker, Vinatieri, former New England Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater, former Washington returner Brian Mitchell. There are undoubtedly other qualified candidates. None came to me quickly. Probably because they played special teams.

Joel from Mandarin

Mr. O, How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?

Three.

Jim from Jagsonville

See? I told you Myles Jack Wasn't Down! Were you aware of the letter sent to the Godfather by the NFL? DTWD! MJWD!! Moodachay!!!

You're referencing former Jaguars Head Coach and former Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin informing Dan Hicken of 1010XL recently that he had received a letter from the NFL following the AFC Championship Game following the 2017 season. This letter informed Coughlin that the league indeed determined that officials incorrectly ruled then-Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack down when he recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter of that game. Jack after recovering was running unencumbered to the end zone for what almost certainly would have been a game-clinching touchdown. There are far more details to the play, but those are the essentials. I had heard before that the league had admitted the play was in error. I don't know if I previously had heard there was an official letter. I do know the play was a difficult one for officials to officiate for various reasons. I also know it was a damned shame because – as we in these parts all have known for nearly a decade – Myles Jack Wasn't Down.

Greg from Boise, ID

So, you are an avid reader of books. Dean Koontz or Stephen King?

I confess I can't call myself an "avid" reader of books these days, though I can call myself an avid wish-I-read-more-and-am-just too-lazy-to-read more reader of books. When I do read these days, I'm a fan of Graham Greene – and I've been reading a lot of Philip Roth lately. My all-time go-tos are John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald and I love Richard Ford's Frank Bascomb series. As for Dean Koontz and Stephen King – a.k.a., Stephen King – they have their audience. And good for them. I'm just not in it.

Anita from Springfield

I know that the General Manager David Caldwell/Head Coach Gus Bradley regime has a similarity in "total overhaul" to General Manager James Gladstone/Coen, but to me the main difference is the Big Bos. I just feel like having that third voice contributing, and offering support of the stuff the general manager and head coach shouldn't be preoccupied with, goes a long way. I know former players can lose that trust over years of sustained losing, but I truly trust that Bos will ensure at least a base line of competency, which allows Gladstone and Coen to take us from "good" to "great" by using their respective "superpowers."

I have joked about Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli a lot in this forum over the years. It is good-natured kidding born out of the respect I have for Boselli as a person. That respect has only grown in the four(ish) months since he became EVP of Football Operations. Reflecting that respect, I agree with most – if not all – of the thoughts in your email.

Brendan from Yulee, Formerly of the HIgh Ground

I made a 100 on my first college algebra test a few days ago. Everything is 90 percent mental, 10 physical, or however the saying goes. Happy Dead-Zone, let's party!

It's probably like Yogi Berra allegedly said about baseball. It's 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.

P Funk from Murray Hill

Favorite football book? Favorite music history book? Favorite book in general?

I don't know that all these would qualify as current "favorites," but they have stood out over time. Football book: Instant Replay by Jerry Kramer. Music history book: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Warren Zevon biography. Favorite book overall: Many are in the discussion, but let's go with Farewell to Arms by Hemingway and East of Eden by Steinbeck for today.

Bradley from Kansas City, MO

Bradley from Sparks is now Bradley from Kansas City. I will probably be here seven or eight years. What are the odds I see the Jags beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead?

Odds? Decent. Word of advice? Don't forget to file a change of address. You can do it online. It only takes a few minutes and it saves a lot of confusion.

James Robertson from Salt Lake City via Jagsonville

O -Man how many days till training camp sign? Just wondering.

A little over 38 or 39-ish. Give or take. Maybe.