JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Kenneth from Jacksonville
I think we're being too lenient on this new "regime." Yes, the Jaguars made the playoffs and won the AFC South. Yes, it was a fun season until the end. But let's not forget they won the division in 2017 under a new head coach (Doug Marrone) and again in 2022 under a new head coach (Doug Pederson). What have you done for me lately? Can they do it again? Nothing else matters.
I'm not sure, exactly, what lenient means here. And how should we be acting? Should we take the new "regime" of Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli out, stand them against a wall and interrogate them? Is it enough just to make fun of them – particularly Boselli's new cool-guy, yoga-oriented wardrobe? Maybe we should yell at their families? We could theoretically do any of these things – but except for making fun of Boselli, all seem a smidge extreme. As for what we shouldn't forget … you're exactly right that two of the Jaguars' previous three regimes/head coaches started with division titles before fading relatively quickly. Why is this regime different? One is that the Jaguars' 2025 season was significantly more consistent than either the 2017 season or 2022 season. The Jaguars won significantly more games in 2025 than in either of those seasons. They beat better competition in the regular season than in either of those seasons. They also have a quarterback in Trevor Lawrence who played at a higher level than the quarterback in either of those seasons (Blake Bortles in 2017, Lawrence in 2022). None of that guarantees future success. But those are some legitimate reasons this feels different.
Woody from Dunlap
KOAF: Yogi Berra is the undisputed champion of the humorous/insightful quotations in baseball. I have books on his quotes which I refer to regularly when I need a laugh. In your experience, what football personality most closely displays the ability to manufacture "Yogi-isms?" My memory keeps me coming back to John McKay, former great college coach and first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. My favorite was when asked what he thought of his team's execution (they had yet to win a single game), he allegedly said he was "in favor of it." Are there any books of humorous football quotes that you recommend?
I don't have a particular football quote book to recommend, at least nothing to match the expertise of a quick "google" search. McKay's quote ranks as one of the NFL's all-time best, as does former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore's oft-cited quip about why quarterback Peyton Manning's backup quarterback rarely took snaps in practice: "If 18 (Manning) goes down, we're [expletive deleted] and we don't practice [expletive deleted]." You didn't need a book if you spent time around Moore. He was better than a bunch of bound pages. He was the real deal.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
What other positions would you slot into the non-premium position club, with outside linebacker and running back, these days?
Outside backer and running back lead the list here. Guard, safety (sort of) and blocking tight end also come to mind.
Jon from Arcanum, OH
A portion of this fanbase really has no clue what we have in Travon Walker. Be glad he's on our sideline each NFL Sunday.
Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker perhaps never will be fully appreciated by many. I expect if he became an unrestricted free agent, teams with people who fully appreciate him would do whatever possible and spend ungodly amounts of money to show this appreciation. I expect the Jaguars will show this appreciation before other teams get a chance to do this. I don't have a feel for the exact numbers associated with this appreciation. But it will be a very big number worthy of great appreciation.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Can you serve bourbon in a dish?
Don from Marshall, NC
The Jaguars led the league last year on stopping the run! A huge reason for that is one of the best players in the league plays for the Jaguars and his name is Travon Walker. Don't take my word for it google it! Anyone who thinks otherwise certainly is not watching close enough! He is a dominant player with dominant strength and speed, a rare athlete and a great human being! Guy only missed one game with a broken hand give me a break with these knuckleheads! Go Jaguars!
When it comes to appreciating what many fail to appreciate when it comes to Walker, Don remains "all in."
Dan from the Westside
Is Georgia's C.J. Allen a realistic option for the Jags in 2026? Thank you.
Few projectors project Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen to be selected outside Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Jaguars at No. 56 overall will have to spend a lot to get into the bottom of Round 1.
Jesse from Texas
If you had to guess right now, do you think defensive tackle Arik Armstead will still be a Jaguar in September?
Yes. The Jaguars need more pressure from the defensive interior. Armstead's not a double-digit sack guy, but he had more interior pressure than any Jaguars player last season. I expect the Jaguars will want to add there, not subtract.
Jimsure from DBS
I don't really have a question this time, but I am always amused by the comments and questions people send you. Ninety-nine percent of them seem to think they are smarter than the Jaguars staff. I enjoy your columns every day and think you are a great person for the job.
I am the king of all funk.
Bradley from Death Valley, CA
The first thing the new regime did last year was go out and get the consensus best player in the draft. Did that bold move provide value beyond the intrinsic?
I'm not smart enough to define the "intrinsic" value of a draft selection – a player or normal person, either. The Jaguars trading up for the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and selecting Heisman Trophy winner wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter certainly made a "statement." And that statement set something of a tone last offseason. Fans of all interest levels "took notice." Then the regular season began and what happens so often in football happened – that is, quarterback and overall team became the most important factors in winning and losing. The Jaguars in that sense had a remarkable season that they established themselves as a strong enough team with a strong enough foundation that they didn't depend on a particular rookie to succeed, no matter how talented or hyped that rookie happened to be.
Mason from Palm Bay
Since the question was asked, the Los Angeles Rams traded two first-round picks for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Indianapolis Colts traded two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Neither of them had the upside of playing on offense either.
Good eye. And fair.
Limo Bob from Neptune Beach / Piscataway
Has the NFL adjusted its drug policy towards medical cannabis as the laws have changed over the years?
Yes. The NFL no longer suspends players for marijuana use. It also has raised the THC thresholds for a positive test. It also recently reduced the fine amounts for positive tests. This is all in line with significant loosening of what were once very tight testing/punishment guidelines – and it's why you rarely, if ever, see public mention of this issue these days.
Mason from Jacksonville
Why is everyone all up in arms about the way this offseason has gone. I'm thrilled! Does no one remember where this team is coming from? Gladstone is strapped with a bad cap situation and I think he has done very well to maneuver it. Everyone wants to land a big fish in free agency, but it is not in the cards moneywise this year and where has that gotten us in the past? Cheers to Gladstone standing pat and not getting sucked into the frivolous spending that has killed our ability to build a consistent contender in prior years.
One fer Gladstone.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, here's wishing for the day Jag fans complain about finishing only 10-7.
The Jaguars' 2025 13-4 AFC South Championship season set a new standard, as should be the case. I expect fans now to complain about any record worse than 13-4. I expect, in fact, they will complain about any season that doesn't end with a victory. Fans fan. It's what they do.
Marlin from Trenton, Fl
In a recent O-Zone, you said, "What's an office?" Here is hoping you at least have a cubicle or a regular table at Strings to type out your profound thoughts.
Hope is a good thing … maybe the best of things – and no good thing ever dies. I hope. I hope. I hope.
