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Jaguars News | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

O-Zone: Fun stuff

JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Jeremy from Jacksonville

T.J. Yeldon needs to be careful. It looked unnecessarily close to him tossing the ball in the air before he actually crossed the plane. If the referee were to have called that ball live and it resulted in a touchback or worse, then we would have been singing a different tune going into halftime. Take a look ... and Go Jags!

You're referencing Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon's 31-yard touchdown reception in the first half of a 31-12 victory over the New York Jets Sunday. I did take a look and I agree Yeldon came this close to flipping the ball in the air before he crossed the plane. The only replays I saw didn't have great angles, but it appeared on the best angle I had that Yeldon crossed the plane before flipping the ball. I assume he did because all scoring plays are automatically reviewed. But yes … Yeldon cut it too close on the play, and he needs to be more careful there. But let's not let that overshadow how well Yeldon has played this season – and how well he played Sunday. It's not accurate to say the team doesn't miss running back Leonard Fournette, but it is accurate to say Yeldon has been more productive than many expected in Fournette's absence.

Kevin from Ponte Vedra, FL

I've read on several occasions your answers when fans mention the referees and their perceived bias against the Jacksonville Jaguars. As much as I enjoy your sometimes-condescending tone when answering or responding to those questions, it's clear that there is some issue when it comes to officiating Jaguars games. How long will you continue to tell fans that what we are seeing is wrong?

I don't consider fans silly or ignorant for believing there's an officiating bias against the Jaguars, and the tone isn't meant to be condescending; that's more of a happy accident. Remember: fans of every team, including – believe it or not – the New England Patriots, firmly believe that the majority of calls go against their teams practically every week. That's fine. It's what fans always believe. It doesn't make it so – no matter how fervently fans believe otherwise. As far as how long I will answer this way, it depends. How long will I continue to be asked the question?

Tom from Loughborough

One fer Dede and Donte...

Hey, one fer Westbrook and Moncrief. No doubt.

Clayton from Gambier, OH

There was either a defensive response or offensive response almost every time something negative happened Sunday. Love this team's resiliency so far through four games. Can that continue, O? #DTWD

This team has been resilient since Doug Marrone took over as head coach late in the 2016 season. Why wouldn't it continue?

AlIen from Harrisburg, PA

Big O, I watch the Rams game, and I watch the Kansas City games. What strikes me is no one really gets pressure on these quarterbacks. No one has the people to match up on the receivers, the tight end. No one has the fast linebackers to cover the back out of the backfield. We do in all four phases of coverage. It seems like Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff had all day to throw the ball. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes … I haven't seen him have to move but once or twice. I think they will really appreciate our defense when they see us play against Kansas City.

I think so, too.

Theo from the Midwest

So, was the game plan to run Fournette on first and second down between the guards into an eight-man front until he reinjured his hamstring or did that just play out organically?

Fournette is a power runner who typically runs between the tackles. When he's in the game, teams often play eight-man fronts. Would you prefer the Jaguars not use him?

Logan from Wichita, KS

When will our offense get out of their own damn way?!?!?!?!?

The Jaguars are 3-1 and have scored 31 points in two of their first four games. They're not perfect and they're not peaking. They're not going to reach perfect because no NFL team does, but there's plenty of time for peaking.

Howard from Homestead, FL

Which do you consider more offensive? FOX Sports sending Jeff Fisher to Jacksonville to provide commentary for Sunday's game or giving him a double dose of Ambien right before kickoff?

I don't pretend to know Fisher well – but based on the few times I have spoken to him professionally and personally, I like him. Quite a bit, actually. I also liked him on the broadcast Sunday. /ducks

Sid from Sidsonville

It may be a win, but this team has many problems that don't seem to be getting corrected. Penalties, turnovers and sloppy play. It is hard to be excited about the play.

Sid, the Jaguars are 3-1 and haven't allowed a touchdown when leading by less than 10 points yet this season. They have yet to show significant vulnerability on defense, and have looked good on offense in two of their four games. I'm not saying they don't need to improve. I am saying if you're not excited about this team right now it may be a while before you get excited.

Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Going for two-point conversion with an insurmountable lead and 25 seconds left. C'mon Doug, you're better than that.

I know … it was awesome, right?

Patrick from Victoria, Canada

Hey, John: The Jags are 3-1. Not perfect, but pretty awesome.

Yes.

Bart at the Dairy Queen

Blake played well Sunday. However, watching Andrew Luck, Marcus Mariota and Deshaun Watson play it is clear we are behind every other team in our division when it comes to quarterback play. Blake's best is just not up to par.

Have a Blizzard and re-watch Sunday's game – and if you make it a Butterfinger Blizzard, buy one for my kid. Those are his favorite.

Nick from Palakta, FL

Mr. Zone, you nailed it yet again! And I hope you're right about Kansas City, but I am just a little confused about something. The Jags are minus-5 in the turnover differential, yet are 2-1 in the last three games. What does that say about this team or about the relevance of that particular stat?

It says the Jaguars are good enough to be 3-1 despite not winning the turnover battle enough – and it says they need to get better in that area. It also says they have a chance to be really good if they get right in that area.

Shawn from the Mean Streets of Arlington

If our team did not drop all those interceptions … a 50 Burger could have happened?

Pretty much, yeah.

Drew from Redding, CA

Don't like complaining about us winning. Though I worry how many more games we can win with losing the turnover and penalty battle every game. This is an area we really need to clear up. What do you think we have to do to get those areas under control?

One, commit fewer turnovers. Two, force more takeaways. Three, commit fewer penalties. Kidding aside, Marrone wasn't happy about this Sunday. I sense he has had enough. I sense it will be emphasized in a major way this week. Again.

Andy from St. Augustine, FL

So, is delay of game not a thing anymore? Twice the Jets clearly snapped the ball after the play clock was at zero. Neither time impacted the game; I'm just used to seeing it called pretty consistently. Isn't one of the referees responsible for watching that?

It's a thing. The officials missed it.

Chris from Mandarin, FL

How has Marcell Dareus performed so far this season? I haven't heard his name called this season aside from network analysts mentioning that he is one of the starters during the first series of games. Aside from the blown play against the Giants, the run defense has been fantastic though, so I'm assuming he's done OK.

He has been good enough and is important enough to the Jaguars' defense that I don't think it's at all safe to assume that he won't play for the Jaguars next season. Because of his contract, many have assumed that to be the case. I'm just not sure anymore.

Jeremy from Dodge City, TX

Last week we took an L. This week we bounced back!!!

That's the biggest story from Sunday, without question. The Jaguars not only bounced back – again. They did so against a pretty good defensive team with a very strong running game. Before you overlook what the Jaguars did Sunday, remember: they lost to the Jets 23-20, in overtime last season and allowed 256 yards rushing. The Jets remain a very capable rushing team and they're not a bad defensive team. The Jaguars outgained the Jets 503-178 on Sunday and had 23 first downs to 10 for the Jets. This was total domination. I understand it wasn't perfect. I understand the Jaguars had too many fumbles and too many mistakes, but the Jaguars just dominated a game Sunday and were never threatened. This is the fun stuff, people!!! Enjoy it!!!

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