JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it … MrPadre from Kingsland, GA:
I think the issue Jags fans have with the national media isn't that they aren't as up to date on our team as they should be, but that they still decide to write stories about that which they know little about. Either do the research to write an accurate story or move on to something else....it's that simple. Do these occurrences have to do with the internet and the mass amount of online media these days? I know that 25 years ago journalists were much more likely to research their subject for accuracy than they are now … now they just seem to regurgitate others' information even if inaccurate. Must really be frustrating to a "real" journalist like yourself and that makes me sad....because frustration can be frustrating.
John: There's no question that's the frustration Jaguars fans have with many stories written about the team from a national perspective – and there's no question many stories written about the Jaguars from that perspective lack depth and accuracy. Why is this? While I don't have the diligence, stamina or remote inclination to do anything close to a scientific study of the issue, my sense is many of the stories that draw the most ire from Jaguars fans are lists on which they are ranked poorly or stories that include jabs about attendance, relocation or just juvenile jabs at Jacksonville. In many cases, I think the disconnect is that not all of these mentions are in stories or posts that I would consider "journalism." They're often tweets or throwaway lines in other stories that are the writer's opinion and therefore not something they deem worthy of fact-checking with a follow-up phone call or a Google search. Writers are comfortable taking their jabs because the jabs fit the "national perception" of Jacksonville and the Jaguars, and they're not going to get criticized or reprimanded by editors for being wrong on such a topic. I've gone on too long with this answer, but to answer the gist of your question … yeah, I don't think there's any doubt a lot of what I've discussed above is because of the mass amount of online media these days. There is more pressure to write large amounts of content and less demand from editors for fresh, well-researched stories. That causes a lot of regurgitating, which means a lot of the same jokes and jabs – even if those jokes and jabs aren't rooted in accuracy.
Scott from Atlantic Beach, FL:
"Any Given Sunday," Pacino in a suit acting like a football coach, worst casting/portrayal of all time!
John: Yeah, I'm a huge Pacino fan, but that one always felt a little weird.
Chris from Perris, CA:
I don't like numbers out of use or retired. I like seeing players wearing those jerseys. Every time I see a 33, I think Greg Jones; 27, Rashean Mathis; 87, Keenan McCardell (not Wrightster). It reminds me of the Cowboys. Dez Bryant wears 88. In no way do true fans of football forget Michael Irvin. Or when Jerry Rice wore 80 in Seattle, Steve Largent's legacy was still intact.
John: I guess I'm not blindly passionate about this subject either way. I don't mind when teams retire numbers, and I don't know that I'd be a big fan of a Jaguars offensive tackle wearing No. 71. It would look weird on someone other than Tony Boselli. And No. 28 on someone other than Fred Taylor? I just don't know. On the other hand, there is a limit to how many numbers you can take out of use, and there's nothing wrong with being recognized on the side of a stadium for all-time, either. That's a pretty cool way to be something close to immortal.
Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK:
Hey Mr 'O' Man: Surely you have to have 'Paperback Writer' in your Beatles top three? They even pulled off the three-part harmonies live on stage.
John: I wouldn't put Paperback Writer in my Top Three. At least not on most days (it does vary from day to day). And, of course, do stop calling me Shirley.
Patrick from Merced, CA:
Do you think now that Gus is in his third year as coach that he has shown enough to resemble the Seahawks' defense? Or is his scheme here different? Considering it was a huge overhaul.
John: The scheme the Jaguars use defensively is essentially the same one he used in Seattle while he was defensive coordinator there. He's now in his third season with the Jaguars, so it's not surprising that during organized team activities and minicamp you heard defensive players and coaches talking about seeing players play faster and with less hesitation. That's a good sign and it's why the defense has a chance to be improved this season. Will it resemble Seattle's defense? A defense is about players as much as scheme, maybe more so. And the Seahawks' defense does include players such as Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. They are among the best in the NFL at their positions. As the Jaguars' defensive players develop into the best at their positions, it will start more closely resembling a defense that is one of the best.
Geoff from Orlando, FL:
I too was concerned that the sanctity of the streak was intact, around 3 pm. Then I took a deep breath and got on with my life ... my gamble paid off, so there's that.
John: I see there remains lingering fallout from the delayed O-Zone from Friday. Thank goodness we can all sleep.
Brett from Green Bay, WI:
What do you think of Denard Robinson?
John: I like him a lot. He's a terrific guy.
Andrew from Section 410:
About a third of NFL teams including the Jaguars have their training camp TBD. With league rules pretty much limiting how early a team can start and the coaches wanting to get team together sooner rather than later. What goes into the final decision to setting the date to open training camp?
John: Players can report 15 days before the first preseason game, which means the Jaguars will report on July 30 and training camp will begin the following day. That has been out there, though not officially announced in press-release form. I expect a full schedule will be released soon.
Scott from Atlantic Beach, FL:
Zone, should I stay in NYC or come back and be there for them Sundays? You're in full control of my fate.
John: Stay. No go. Let me get back to you.
Mandy from Section 414:
As you already know, this Jags girl is going to miss Jaxson de Ville dearly. Did the Colts mention him as much as the Steelers did when you worked in Indy? We all know the history the Cat had with the black and gold and I was just wondering if he ever made the news outside of Jacksonville besides Pittsburgh?
John: I didn't hear a whole lot about Jaxson when I worked in Indianapolis. I do know then-Colts President Bill Polian reportedly filed a complaint with the league office about him in 2007, and that led to Jaxson spending much of an ensuing game in a cage. That's pretty much the extent of my knowledge – and, of course, it's also pretty funny.
Jim from Middleburg, FL:
Sir, was the decision to name our football team the Jaguars due to the fact that in the 1960s the semipro team that played in the old Gator Bowl were also the "Jaguars?" I hope it was for heritage sake. A lot of coaches, high school players and just plain folk gave their all so the city could enjoy live football at home.
John: The team's nickname was selected through a fan contest. I don't think it's a reach to think that some of the people who voted for the nickname had knowledge of that team, but it wouldn't be accurate to say the name generated from there.
Owen from Waycross, GA:
I am the supreme leader in my household, and I have my wife's permission to say so.
John: I asked my wife for that once. She laughed in a way that was sort of dispiriting.
Trae from Jacksonville:
I'd be interested to get your take on Pete Rose. I know this is an NFL team site, but I still would find your opinion appealing. Do you think he should be in the HOF? Thanks.
John: I thought for a long time he should be in the Hall of Fame because it seemed incomplete without him. Considering the recent reports that he indeed bet on his own team – and considering that the rules are relatively strict about that … well, there are just some things you can't do.
Dave from Atlantic Beach, FL:
My vote for best football movie: "Three Little Pigskins," starring the Three Stooges. Gotta love the Stooges!
John: I'm probably going to regret writing this, but the Three Stooges? I guess I just never got it. /Ducks.