JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Kenneth from Jacksonville

Zone, the Jaguars have minicamp this week. Is that right? Refresh my memory: What, exactly, is the difference between minicamp and OTAs? Maybe I'm confused.

It's understandable you're confused and I am sorry about that. Confusion can be … well, confusing. The Jaguars are holding their three-day 2026 Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center beginning Tuesday. This continues "Phase 3" of the offseason program, which began with two weeks of organized team activities the past two weeks and will conclude with a final week of OTAs the week of June 15-19. NFL rules mandate that Phase 3 is the only time during the offseason that teams can practice in a way that really looks like what we think of as football practice – i.e., competitive 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 work. A final aspect of Phase 3 to note is that it's all non-padded. The reason for the confusion is while they have different names, OTAs and minicamp are essentially the same. Non-padded work. Something that resembles football practice except for the no-pads thing. The difference? OTAs, like all other NFL offseason activities, are voluntary. Minicamp is mandatory. That's it. That's the difference. It's the only difference.

Steve from Wallingford, CT

Hey John, why haven't player milestones been moved? A 1,000-yard season was nearly 85 yards a game at one point. Now, a 1,000-yard season is 59 yards a game. Why do we still talk about it like it's the same accomplishment? It would seem what was once a 1,000 -ard season, should be compared now to a 1,400-yard season. Any insight on why this is?

I receive this question now and again, and the answer typically is the same whatever the year – that we still talk in terms of 1,000-yard seasons because it's a roundish number that rolls off the tongue and takes less explaining than "1,200- or 1,300-yard season." I also expect we continue using 1,000 yards as a milestone in many NFL discussions because the NFL by nature is a less statistical-based sport than, say, baseball. Also: The NFL has changed its season length so often – from 12 games (1947-1960) to 14 (1961-1977) to 16 (1978-2020) to 17 (2021) and presumably to 18 sometime way too soon – that it just doesn't feel as pertinent to discuss NFL single-season records in terms of "totals" the way they do in, say, baseball. How can we even compare Jim Brown's career-high 1,863 rushing yards in a 12-game season to O.J. Simpson's 2,003 yards in a 14-game season to Eric Dickerson's 2,105 yards in a 16-game season to Saquon Barkley's 2,005 yards in a 17-game season. All are great, but sort of incomparable. That's maybe not great insight, and the answer to your question probably is that 1,000-yard season just sounds better than 1,400-yard season. Or not. Maybe. Perhaps. Hallelujah.

Tonk from St Johns, FL

The app won't open on my Android phone. Third day. Go Jags!

Tech 1, Tonk 0.

Matthew from Townsville, Tropical Australia

Hi, O. I really like all the offseason drafting and recruiting, especially signing a veteran center last week as this seemed like a depth hole. Still concerned about left tackle though. Cole Van Lanen may take a long time to get back to his best after a serious knee injury - that's a lot of weight on that knee! And Walker Little did not play very well last year. What can be done? Park a tight end next to the left tackle every play? A weakness there could mean open season on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, which could ruin everything. Missing nail in a horseshoe and all that.

I expect Van Lanen to start at left tackle in 2026, and I expect he will be ready to play relatively early in the regular season. I expect Little to start at left tackle if Van Lanen can't start. I expect the Jaguars to expect Little to be able to handle this responsibility because that's what you expect from swing tackles who have Little's level of NFL experience.

Paul from St. Augustine, FL

Oh, wow! This new question form is much nicer, and they fixed it so an errant tap of the ENTER key doesn't submit the form! Yes, indeed: Kudos to the digital Tea

Good one, Paul.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, my Jag buddy is getting married next month. On their gift registry was an Oscar Mayer hot dog roller. Yup, I pulled the trigger on this, I can't wait for this upcoming season!

I'm going to ask you a simple question and I want you to listen to me. Who's the big winner here tonight at the Casino? Huh? Tony. That's who. Tony's the big winner. Tony wins.

Brendan from Yulee, FL

Was that the Culligan girl in the comments section?

What?

Jordan from Lincoln, NE

For No. 39, I'm disqualifying Gipson because he has already been in the running for another number. The only other guy worth considering is Cam Little. Easy pick.

We have arrived at No. 39 in our discussion about best players in Jaguars history to wear certain numbers, and I am reminded again that it's adorable when people think they have "sway" here in the O-Zone. Possibilities for this discussion include safety Tashaun Gipson (2016-2018), returner/receiver Jamal Agnew (2021-2023) and kicker Cam Little (2024-2025). Gipson had his best seasons wearing No. 39, which means he's very much NOT disqualified from the discussion, and Agnew made big enough plays consistently enough that he deserves consideration. But yes … we will go with Little here. Because when you kick the two longest field goals in NFL history in the same season you get important awards such as what we award for this discussion.

Bill from New York, NY

I see what you did there. Well played, Sir.

I am the king of all funk.

Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK

Oh Mighty 'O'/King Of All Funk. To answer Van from St. Augustine's recent question, there is no tailgating as you would recognize it at Wembley Stadium – certainly nothing like the Bold City Brigade at The Slab. The car parks that were at Wembley have now all been built upon, so there is nowhere to hold one. Also: Everyone is actively encouraged to use public transport to get to and from Wembley. There used to be more things happening around the International Games in years gone by – fan rallies at Trafalgar Square or on Regents Street but these have long since stopped as the London Games are now viewed as "just another game" as opposed to a "special event." Jags UK will probably have an "official pub" nominated for an event on the Saturday before the game, where J.P. Shadrick will host one or two Jaguars alumni and some members of The ROAR. JP is very generous at these events and willingly buys everyone drinks! I would suggest Van gets in touch with the Jaguars UK Fan Club or The Blighty Jags groups on Facebook as UK fans will probably have an "unofficial" meet up in the pubs and bars around Wembley before and after the games to watch the early and late games. On the day of the game, there are now no longer any events around the stadium. There is a big NFL shop catering for all 32 teams and some International Series merchandise. Get there early otherwise you will be queuing for 45 minutes to get in.

This is good information for Van from St. Augustine, FL – and others traveling to London for Jaguars home games. Are you absolutely sure beyond reasonable doubt that's Shadrick?

Al from ORANGE PARK, FL

"The Jaguars.com digital team recently revamped the O-Zone question submission box, making it bigger and presumably more user-friendly." Glad you clarified that. I thought it was my eyes ...

Word.

Bo from Winter Springs, FL

This could be even more fun than Jags numbers or last name. Who do you think would rank at the top of most disliked person in Jags lore (hate is not a nice word, and it really is important to be nice, or at least as is possible) whose last name starts with A. I don't expect you to know them all or list them all, but who comes to mind?

I can't think of any people in Jaguars lore from A-N or P-Z. I can think of one that starts with O, but I would rather not discuss it in this forum.

Harry

Hi. My name is Harry Davis. I am a 14-year-old wide receiver standing 6-feet-0. I offer a unique combination of frame and agility that makes me a versatile threat on the field. While I have the height to win jump balls and dominate the red zone, I am also quite quick, allowing me to run crisp routes and stretch the defense. I am a quiet, coachable and hard-working athlete dedicated to perfecting my craft and helping my team win.

Keep working, Harry. Keep working.