JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Jim from Jagsonville

The best No. 85 you ask? DUUUVALL!!!! Be proud, y'all! This kid is the real deal who bleeds Teal! Brenton Strange!! Go Jaguars!!!

We are still reveling a bit in the Jaguars re-signing tight end Brenton Strange this past Thursday while also reiterating the importance of that happening – and that's fine. What's the dead zone about if not a good dollop of contract revelation and importance reiteration? Strange absolutely is the "real deal" and Jaguars fans as a collective absolutely should be proud – and pleased – that he will remain with the franchise for the foreseeable future. Your point that he "bleeds" teal also should not be overlooked. Strange is yet another very good player who in recent years was drafted by the Jaguars, who has developed here and who very much wanted to be a part of what is now a solid, improving and stable organization. Strange. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen. Defensive end Travon Walker. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton. Cornerback Montaric Brown. That's a lot of good, drafted players on second contracts with a contending Jaguars team. That is how good organizations look. It isn't forever ago this team looked much different.

Kaydie from Riverside, Jacksonville

I would enjoy it quite a bit if you would be so kind as to share with us which three or four training camp position battles you expect to provide the most intrigue.

You are in luck. I thrive on helping others and absolutely love sharing. I expect second-year left guard Wyatt Milum to compete with Patrick Mekari for a starting position in 2026 Training Camp, and multiple players could compete with veteran Ventrell Miller at linebacker. Other "camp competitions" to watch: Second-year veteran Jonah Monheim and veteran Robert Hainsey at center, as well as defensive end behind veterans Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. B.J. Greene, Danny Striggow, Wesley Williams and Zach Durfee all could be factors in that last "competition."

Josh from Atlanta, GA

The Brenton Strange extension got no national attention because he has not broken out to get a lot of yards. If he does that, the national pundits will look closer and realize he indeed is one of the best tight ends in the game. Nobody cares about the national pundits. We got a great deal compared to his overall value to the team. Give me BS over Kyle Pitts any Sunday. Are the final numbers what you expected they would be once done? I'm sure they are, as the KOAF.

I thought the Jaguars got a very good deal signing Strange. I thought the only reason he didn't get a bigger deal was because "market value" tends to favor receiving over blocking at tight end. I think Strange is invaluable to this team and one of the best players at the position I have covered.

JAY from THE BURG, FL

Offenses seem to hit that extra gear that higher level of consistency with a franchise quarterback and tight end. When you look at the really great offenses, it's the common denominator.

Yup.

Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX

KOAF: What did you or Mrs. O-Zone take away from the last-second men's World Cup game Thursday? Losing to a team without any wins in a "meaningless" game. Is this cause for concern?

I know enough about soccer – or, as Mrs. O-Zone now calls it, "futbol" – to know I don't know much about soccer. I do know the United States Men's National Team lost a meaningless game to Turkey Thursday – and I know there are no quotes needed around meaningless when a group game in the World Cup doesn't affect seeding or who you play in the knockout stage. I know the USMNT looked really good and really fast when that Christian Pulisic guy played in the second half. I also know the team played pretty much all reserves to start the game. I wouldn't call that loss any cause for concern. Mrs. O-Zone feels the same, and she knows what's up on the pitch.

Mason from Palm Bay, FL

I will admit that I used to be one of your readers that got annoyed when you would type out "anterior cruciate ligament" instead of just saying ACL. However, once I started working in the corporate world, I realized how confusing it is to be in meetings and/or email chains when everyone is dropping acronyms left and right, and nobody knows what the heck anyone is talking about. Especially when acronyms in one department mean something else to another department. I now appreciate you taking the extra few seconds to communicate clearly. I wish this was the social norm.

IATKOAF.

Kinzie from Asheville, NC

Other than wide receiver Parker Washington, are there any other current Jags you see getting a new contract/extension? What are key players that have contracts ending at the end of this season?

Washington is the Jaguars player most likely to sign a contract extension before training camp or early in the regular 2026 season. Safety Antonio Johnson also is a possibility, though I don't have a real sense of timing there. Other key Jaguars players entering the final season of contracts this season include Miller, quarterback Nick Mullens, offensive lineman Chuma Edoga and tight end Hunter Long.

Kevin from Jacksonville

You're going to have a hell of a time with "Q."

We have reached "Q" in our discussion of best all-time Jaguars players with specific last initials. I don't know if we will have a "hell of a time," but I know three Jaguars players have had a last name starting with "Q:" Linebacker Shaq Quarterman (2020-2023), wide receiver Trey Quinn (2020) and quarterback Jonathan Quinn (1998-2001). We will go with Quarterman here – if for no other reason than the 2022 hit on Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry that started that season's remarkable run to the AFC South title.

John from Jax

Hi, KOAGF. Reading the article about cornerback Montaric Brown prompted a question. Last year, he had 12 passes defensed and two interceptions. How exactly is a pass being defensed defined? Does an interception count as a pass defensed? Does a poorly thrown ball to the receiver, while the defender is near, counted as one? Does the defender have to get his hands on the ball to knock it away or force the ball out of the receiver's hands while/after being caught? The rules in favor of the offense make this more difficult but trying to understand better. Thank you.

A pass defensed is when a defender physically defenses the ball – and yes, a defender must have his hands on the ball to count. An interception is automatically a pass defensed.

Lane from Winter Garden, FL

Zone, What are your top five favorite TV shows of all-time?

Comedies: 1, Curb Your Enthusiasm; 2, Parks and Recreation; 3, Arrested Development; 4, Veep; 5, 30 Rock. Not comedies or not exactly comedies: 1, The Wire; 2, Sopranos; 3, Shrinking; 4, Better Things; 5, Succession.

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

Shout out, rat dog. Our German Shepherd is seven now. The bigger ones don't last as long as the little ones. Do you think you will ever take the plunge in bringing in a new k-9 Oehser?

Never say never, but for right now we are saying it will be a while.

Nathan from Duval then, Sacramento now

For the inevitable football - futbol – comparisons, I had this moment of enlightenment the other day. Football is "slow" compared to futbol because each play of football is planned out. It is why there are coaches and coordinators and passing game coordinators and running game coordinators and co-coordinator coordinators. I jest a bit but playcalling is an intrinsic part of the game. It seemed to me that futbol is designed to be more fluid, fast-paced and instinctive. Or is it just because of Commercial Break$?

I am not sure why "they" designed "futbol" as "they" did." I don't even know who "they" are. The whole thing happened a bit before my time.

Kenneth from Jacksonville

Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 56?

Possibilities here include linebacker Yasir Abdullah (2023-2026), linebacker Kyle Bosworth (2011-2012), linebacker Justin Durant (2007-2010), linebacker/defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (2015-2018), defensive end Jeff Lageman (1995-1998), linebacker Lonnie Marts (1999), linebacker Hardy Nickerson (2000-2001) and linebacker Quincy Williams (2019-2020). Tossup here between Logs and Fowler.

Bruce from Owensboro, KY

Why is the identity of the Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville always kept as closely guarded secret? I mean can we at least know how many there have been? Jaxson 1.0, 2.0, etc.

There has been one Jaguars mascot since the franchise began. His identity is not a secret. The mascot's name is Jaxson de Ville.

Scott from Jacksonville, FL

If we are here and you are here, doesn't that make it our column? Certainly, there is nothing wrong with a little critique of our column?

Whatever helps you sleep, Scott.