JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Sal from Austin, TX
Analytics doesn't account for the huge impact of momentum. In the second half, sure, you weigh those choices. But you don't land the knockout blow early in the first half. What about complimentary football? Let the field-goal team work the operation, let the kicker nail the chip shot, and let special teams get the points after the major turnover.
We continue revisiting the idea of NFL head coaches going for first downs more on fourth down these days than was the case in previous eras – a popular O-Zone discussion this offseason because the Jaguars failed to convert fourth-and-2 from the Buffalo Bills 9 in a 27-24 AFC Wild Card loss at EverBank Stadium this past January. And we might just keep revisiting it in perpetuity, I suppose. But here's the reality: While some people agree with Sal, NFL head coaches increasingly think as Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen did when he made the decision to go for the first down in the second quarter of that game. And there are plenty of reasons Coen going for it that in that situation made sense. One reason is that had the Jaguars converted it, it absolutely would have given them major momentum. Had they scored a touchdown after converting, they would have taken a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter. They likely would have led entering the second half, perhaps by double digits – and a double-digit lead in that situation perhaps would have changed how the Bills approached the game offensively. It may not have been a "knockout blow," but the league has become so about situations that a double-digit first-half leader matters in terms of how a game plays out. As for considering "complimentary football" … Coen absolutely was thinking that way when he made the decision. One of the reasons analytics says to go for it in that situation is if you don't make the first down, the odds favor your defense getting a stop and getting the ball back in decent field position. The odds are heavy against the offense driving the length of the field and scoring a touchdown, which the Bills did. Bottom line: We can kick around all the theories we like in the offseason. We can kick them around when going for it in fourth down fails, which it inevitably will at times. We won't kick them around when it works, which it also inevitably will. Either way, I don't expect Coen to change his approach much in these situations. Coen is aggressive. The Jaguars are aggressive. Aggressiveness will be this team's approach more often than not is this situation. Period.
Jerry from Riverview
At the last game I attended, I noticed that there are no defensive players in The Pride of the Jaguars. Four offensive players, zero defensive players. If you had to nominate one defensive player, who would that be?
The Pride of the Jaguars as it currently stands: Left tackle Tony Boselli (1995-2001), wide receiver Jimmy Smith (1995-2005), running back Fred Taylor (1998-2008) and quarterback Mark Brunell (1995-2003), founding owners Wayne and Delores Weaver (1995-2011), Head Coach Tom Coughlin (1995-2002). My thought is wide receiver Keenan McCardell (1996-2001) and running back Maurice Jones-Drew (2006-2013) should – and perhaps will – be the next inductees. If I had to nominate one defensive player, I would nominate defensive end Tony Brackens (1996-2004). I also think cornerback Rashean Mathis (2003-2012) and defensive tackles John Henderson (2002-2009) and Marcus Stroud (2001-2007) very much deserve consideration.
DMiz from Pro bowler Jagstown
Kevin: "Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 71?" You: "I can't remember." OMG. I laughed so loud and thankfully I was in my home. If I were in a restaurant, people would be staring at me wondering what was so funny. THAT was the best answer. Freaking hilarious.
(Editor's note: Don't encourage him.)
Willis from Jacksonville
So, you have thrown out all your Smiths records? Same.
I still have Queen Is Dead on vinyl – and I believe that is my only remaining Smiths on vinyl. I don't have a lot of my "college bands" – R.E.M., Smiths, Housemartins, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, etc. – on vinyl. This is because I was buying a lot of vinyl at Hyde and Zeke's at the time, taping it and selling it back for trade. It was college. You did what was necessary to stretch the music dollar.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to wear No. 74?
And on we go. This hasn't been the most-worn number in Jaguars history, but it has had some quality. Possibilities include defensive end Lamanzer Williams (1998), offensive lineman Maurice Williams (2001-2009), defensive end Aaron Kampman (2010-2011), offensive lineman Sam Young (2013-2015) and left tackle Cam Robinson (2017-2024). We will go Robinson here. One fer Big Cam.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. Being lazy (not hazy), I have not followed up on the full origin of the Bullet Bob IPA. I knew it was named after Jacksonville native Bob Hayes, NFL legend. So, I was quickly schooled by Google. He won a gold medal in the Olympics in the 100-yard dash, setting a world record. Won a Super Bowl ring with the Cowboys. Hayes entered the NFL in 1965 with a 100-yard dash time of 10.06 seconds. He held the record as the fastest Olympian in the NFL for 46 years until wide receiver Jacoby Ford (who ran a 10.01-second 100m in college) entered the league in 2010! Wow, I knew Hayes was fast, but I had no idea! Truly amazing.
Hayes was, is and remains the greatest athlete Jacksonville has produced. I expect this will be true until someone else from here achieves the title of World's Fastest Human and makes the Hall of Fame in a major sport. What Google didn't tell you was Hayes also turned in what Olympic historians long considered the greatest relay leg in 4x100-yard history for the United States' gold-medal winning relay team in 1964. Hayes took the baton in fifth place, turned in a final leg estimated between an astonishing 8.5 and 8.9 seconds and won the event going away. Some still consider it the fastest final 100 relay leg of all time. The video can be seen here. It is worth a look. It is beyond impressive.
John from Jacksonville
Messi. Unreal.
A wise man once said, "I know enough about soccer to know I don't know much about soccer." That wise man therefore knows enough not to pretend he can analyze the entire 2026 World Cup. He also can't tell you if Spain or Argentina should be favored in Sunday's final. But he knows he will be watching and he knows that what he has seen from Lionel Messi of Argentina in the last month and a half or so is special and otherworldly. He is a different guy and watching him is cool. That wise man likes it.
Jim from Beaches East of Jax
OZ, you got it right so far: SINNER now (Wimbledon), SINNER in future (US Open). Of course, subject to Mrs. O's agreement.
It's still the dead zone, so we will take one more glance back at Wimbledon – because what's a dead zone without readers being annoyed? I suppose I did get it right by selecting Jannik Sinner of Italy to win the Wimbledon men's – though it didn't take a tennis genius to pick the No. 1 seed and best player in the world. That's particularly true considering Carlos Alcaraz of Spain – either the world's best or second-best player depending on the surface and the day – remains out with a wrist injury. I also expect I will pick Sinner to win the U.S. Open because when he's at his best – or even when he's kinda sorta close to his best – he's usually enough better than the rest of the field to make the match comparatively uninteresting. He's that good. I was disappointed with the women's final because Mrs. O-Zone and I are fans of Karolina Muchova of Czechia. We would have liked to see her win, but she lost in the final to younger – and on that day, better – Linda Noskova of Czechia. Mrs. O-Zone overall liked the fortnight except for Sinner winning. She's not a huge fan for whatever reason. We'll check back in August as the U.S. Open approaches. Or not.
Scott from Aruba
Who is the second-best player to wear No. 71 for the Jaguars? Surely, it's not Branden "I didn't play a game for the Jags" Albert.
Only one player in Jaguars history has worn No. 71. I still can't remember who. I do know it was not left tackle Branden Albert. And don't call me "Shirley."
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, when does training camp start? I haven't been paying attention and I'm bored.
Jaguars 2026 Training Camp is scheduled to begin July 28 at the Miller Electric Center, with rookies and quarterbacks reporting July 25.
