JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Flounder from Faber
Let's keep talking about 13 personnel and receivers coming off the field. Won't it be awesome when Liam comes out in empty 60 percent of the time with all our great receivers and the defense won't know what to do? Like a horse with a golf ball, they'll never know what hit them. Oh Boy … Is this Great!
We have discussed the Jaguars using more 12 and 13 personnel – multiple tight ends – packages ad nauseam since they selected tight ends Tanner Koziol (Round 5) and Nate Boerkircher (Round 2) in the 2026 NFL Draft. And with reason. That is a lot of draft equity to spend at that position, and the Jaguars no doubt will use that formation often next season. But what has been missed in the discussion at times is that the Jaguars didn't draft those players to exclusively play 12 and 13 personnel packages. They drafted them so that they will be better able to use those options when appropriate. Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen is one of the NFL's best playcallers and best offensive minds. He will use whatever packages and players are best for a given situation.
Jeremy from Riverview
Mr. O, regarding passes defensed, you said a defender must have his hands on the ball to count. What about when a defender has his back turned in the old school face guarding position and it hits the back of his helmet? Surely that counts, right? Or if it hits his leg or back, etc...
We perhaps are being a bit nitpicky here, but what's a good dead zone without a nitpicky reader or eight? I recently wrote that a defender had to get his hands on a pass to be credited with a pass defensed in the NFL. That was wr, wr … wrong. A defender indeed can be credited with a pass defensed if his back is turned and the ball hits him in the back – or the back of the helmet. And yes … that is a legal play if the defender doesn't contact the receiver. There is no penalty for face guarding in the NFL – guttural outraged hue and cry of every wronged fan in every sports bar who believes otherwise notwithstanding. And don't call me Shirley.
Dave from LA
Thirteen personnel. Screen to wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter with 1,000 pounds of blocking out front. We are calling it "Steal the Show." Feel free to share with offensive coordinator Grant Udinksi during the weekly user-submitted plays meeting.
Will do.
Adam from Jacksonville
What about "R?"
Wow. We really have reached "R" in this discussion about best all-time Jaguars players with a specific initial, with my research telling me we are one day past "Q" and a day from "S." Possibilities here include: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (2016-2019), wide receiver Calvin Ridley (2023), wide receiver Andre Rison (1996), defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (2021-2024), wide receiver Allen Robinson (2014-2017), left tackle Cam Robinson (2017-2024), running back/offensive weapon Denard Robinson (2013-2016), linebacker Eddie Robinson (1996-1997), running back James Robinson (2020-2022), cornerback Aaron Ross (2012) and wide receiver Micah Ross (2001-2003). I suppose we go with Ramsey here, right?
Zac from Austin, Tejas
If the All-Time Jaguars Offense lined up at the 20 against the All-Time Jaguars Defense would it result in a turnover, punt, field goal or touchdown. Let's say a four-minute drill to win the game, all tied up. To keep it fair, we will say the defense has homefield advantage.
Which 20?
Fred from Edison, NJ
Any thoughts on author Kurt Vonnegut? He is one of my favorites and was just curious of your opinion as a writer yourself.
Vonnegut is high-end good and I never have been disappointed by anything of his I have read. I don't count him as a favorite, though I would not blame him for this.
Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA
O, I concur with you and Mason's posting. I am a legal instructor and I always mention to my students that you should never throw out acronyms (on the first mention) without a definition. Lord knows that if you don't, the (jury/people) will speculate as to the meaning that may well be inaccurate (for example, people being asked about acronyms/terms in a street interview). Of course some acronyms are clearly understood, such as IATKOAF, a futbol team from somewhere in Asia which the USA futbol team hopes to be matched against!
I am sooo pleased you concur, though your concurring isn't in fact as much of an issue here as common sense and doing things right. I spell out phrases and terms such as anterior cruciate ligament on first reference in this column, because you don't assume people have your level of knowledge. Assuming such things is not good communicating – writing, or otherwise. You speak and write to the lowest level of understanding in the room. I could go on about this final topic as it relates to this column, but we talk a lot here in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who is the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 57?
Possibilities here are surprisingly scarce, with only three players wearing No. 57 for the Jaguars for more than one season: Linebacker Jeff Kopp (1996-1998), linebacker Caleb Johnson (2022-2024) and defensive end Brent Hawkins (2006-2007). Johnson, I suppose. Or Kopp. Maybe.
Bradley from Death Valley, CA
Do you think the first AI Robot head coach in the NFL will be pre-2070 or post-2070 and will it be successful?
Post-2070, and don't know if it will be successful. I expect I will have bigger issues. More accurately, I expect I will have no issues.
Scott from Palatka
Can we have a debate about extra point/field goals being worth more or less points, ya know, just during the dead zone?
No. This is a silly, pointless debate – and to waste time and space to discuss it would be insulting to all involved.
Gary from Suffolk, VA
Quick question, O. Do NFL players take of their shoulder pads at the half? Saw the NHL playoffs and the teams did. Was just wondering the norm in the league. Thanks!!!
Rarely. The NFL is not the Southeastern Conference, which means halftimes are 12 minutes and not all afternoon or evening. Time is at a premium. People have things to do.
Paul from St. Augustine, FL
As a former IT guy, I am here to remind you that it's important to be nice, especially to the phenomenal web team.
Good point.
Brian from Greenwood, IN
I think you missed the "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" reference from Steve in Jacksonville. I guess you really are not that cool.
Or maybe I didn't miss it. Maybe it's the other way and I am just waaaay too cool to see it. Did we ever consider that? Did we? Huh?
Ed from Jax by Lionel Playworld
I hope Jags and fantasy football fans can enjoy this. Every fantasy football season, I change my team name to troll or otherwise taunt my opponent for that week. For example, if I played you, I might rename my team to D-Fense or OehserKiller. Last year after the draft, I decided to stick to one name for the whole year, AsJagsGoIGo. I drafted Jaguars players, I streamed Jaguars, I started Jaguars, and I held Jaguars on my bench. I was truly a fantasy homer. I drafted Travis Hunter and played him as my defensive back, as my league uses individual defensive players. I had quarterback Trevor Lawrence on my bench until the halfway point. Kicker Cam Little was starter for me the entire season. Multiple Jaguars linebackers showed up big for me. I won the championship last year. Going into last year's draft, I knew it was a possibility that I would have a lot of Jags on my team. As I prepare for this year, I think Jags players get drafted higher and I will not be able to repeat my team naming feat from last year. I guess I will start using that AI thing to help me with new team names. Last year was especially satisfying because other managers in my league are NFC East team fans. DeadZone is a time for fun stories.
One thing I always says is there are a few things that are eminently and unfailingly interesting – even fascinating. Like, fascinating enough to tell stories about at parties. That high-end level of fascinating. One of those things is your kids. People just love stories about other people's kids. And your pets. People just love stories about other people's pets. Oh yes … and your fantasy football team. People just love stories about other people's fantasy football teams. Ignore those dead looks in people's eyes when you tell them stories about these things, especially your fantasy team's name. Push through. They're faking when they act annoyed. They love the stories. Really, they do.
