JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Nick from Annapolis, MD
The "points are at a premium" folks are so silly. Yes, points are at a premium ... and seven points is more than three points. It just comes down to being right about your ability to convert fourth-and-short. Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson said it after the Bears loss in the playoffs, referencing not going for two points and the one-point lead at the end of the game. He didn't feel as good about his short-yardage chances as he did coming into the game. That's what no one is talking about and ultimately what matters. What are your chances of converting that fourth down? That's the most important factor in the analytics decision, and the most important thing to get right. Kick or go is easy after that.
We're still referencing Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen's decision to go for a first down on fourth-and-2 from the Buffalo Bills 9-yard line in the first half of the Jaguars' 27-24 AFC Wild Card Playoff loss to the Bills earlier this month. The play failed by inches, the Bills immediately regained the lead and momentum – and the three-point margin of loss has led to the inevitable outcry of fans saying Coen should have "taken the points." We've pretty much talked the life from this one, and that's OK: That's what offseasons are for. Bottom line: No one around the Jaguars has remotely questioned whether this was the right decision. It was the right decision to the point that it was barely a "decision at all." The play call was a good one. It should have worked. Sometimes you eat the bear. Sometimes the bear eats you. Sometimes we talk about the bear for what seems an eternity. Sometimes kids eat paste. Who's to explain these things?
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, to go or not to go on fourth and short comes down to analytics versus common sense.
It actually comes down to a mix of analytics, feel for game, philosophy personnel and playcalling – mostly in the case of Coen and the Jaguars, it comes down to philosophy. This is going to be an aggressive franchise under Coen. That was made clear as soon as Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli assumed their respective roles early last offseason. Coen made it clear throughout the season that he wants this team to dictates the outcome of games when on offense – i.e., when the Jaguars have possession and therefore have control of the situation, they within reason are going to try to win the situation. That means within reason they're going to go for first downs in situations where teams usually didn't go for it in past eras. That doesn't mean going for first downs on fourth-and-23 from your own 15-yard line on the game's first possession. But going for it in fourth-and-2 in the first half from the opponent's 9-yard line? The Jaguars moving forward are almost always going to go for it in that situation. If you don't like that approach, you're probably not going to like this team.
Jadon from Raleigh, NC
If you HAD to pick one, what's more important for Gladstone to focus on this offseason: re-signing 2026 unrestricted free agents, or extending 2027 ones? I would guess it would be the next year guys, as a rising safety (Antonio Johnson, tight end (Brenton Strange) and EDGE (Travon Walker) are probably more valuable than linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne Jr. – just because of how high their market cost will be.
Extending 2027.
Frank from Jacksonville
I know the coach and quarterback will always go for it on fourth-and-1, so get the biggest fullback in the draft or do like John Madden said never take points off the board.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Head Coach John Madden didn't coach in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s but he was such a front-line football mind that I expect he would have adapted and gone for first downs in "unconventional situations" – as is the norm in this era. Remember, too: "Taking points off the board" usually means opting to take a first down when the defense committed a penalty on a made field goal, not going for a first down instead of attempting a field goal. As for the Jaguars, I do expect them to continue being aggressive in short-yardage situations. But I don't expect them to draft the biggest fullback in the draft. Converting short yardage is far more about the play call and a strong offensive line than size at the running back position.
Robert from Elkton
Pass interference and catch rules are already complicated, so I'm not sure this suggestion makes it any worse. New pass interference penalty: 1) In all cases, if a receiver is able to place two hands on a ball, it will be a 15-yard penalty or spot foul, whichever is less; 2) If officials rule receiver did not attempt to place both hands on the ball intentionally, there is no foul; 3) If the ball is deemed catchable, and defender restricts receiver from being able to place both hands on the ball by use of defender's own hands/arms, it is a spot foul; 4) If ball is catchable and defender uses some form of aggressive physical contact (holding, pushing, tackling) to intentionally impede the receivers progress or reaction to the ball, the penalty is a spot foul; and 5) All other interference do to intentional contact will be 15 yards or spot, whichever is less.
I'm sure there is merit to these rules. I'm relatively sure they would add far too much complexity to an already relatively tricky rule. The NFL strives to make rules as simple and clear as possible to ensure they are applied as uniformly as possible from game to game throughout the course of the season. How successful the league is doing this is debatable, but that is the intent.
Yeti Daddy from Nowhere and Yet Somewhere
Mr. O, please tell Tony Boselli – a.k.a., Tony Bocelli – that I apologize for misspelling His name, I know He saw it, certainly He is an avid reader of everything you write and therefore a reader of the O-Zone! Should I lay low until all this blows over?
Boselli – a.k.a., Bocelli – knows where to find you.
Woody from Dunlap
KOAF: The on-camera teams that the Jaguars have assembled during the past few seasons have been, in my opinion, exemplary. The wily veterans such as the KOAF, J.P. Shadrick, Brian Sexton, Jeff Lageman and Pete Prisco have been joined by some fresh faces (notably Kainani Stevens, Bucky Brooks, Austen Lane and Mark Duffner), who have contributed substantially to the overall high quality of commentary and in-depth knowledge. Whoever is in charge of assembling and blending these teams together deserves kudos!
The point people deciding on-air talent for the Jaguars Media are vice president of production Patrick "P-Kav" Kavanagh and senior director of broadcasting and production Dave "Citrus Dave" DeCandis. They are longtime work associates, and I would be proud to call them friends were that the case. Being longtime associates, they both well know that I lean away from praising them, lest the praise feed their already excesses egos, but on this front I will offer a very begrudging hat tip. They indeed have done a nice job assembling talent, present company very obviously excluded.
Gavin from Halifax, NS, Canada
Mr. KOAF. Thanks for the insight on the voting system, that makes sense! I look forward to your enshrinement to the Hall of Fame as well, not to mention the Jags Ring of Honor, and the Journalism Hall of Fame! Enshrinements all around, and well deserved! I hope you Floridians are weathering this mess better than we are here. Have a great weekend!
I am the King of All Funk. I do not expect to be crowned the King of All Enshrinements, deserved or otherwise.
Bryan from Odessa
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence's cap hit next season is $24 million, placing him 19th among quarterbacks. In 2027 it jumps to $35 million, which is still only 15th among quarterbacks. The deal is widely criticized because of multiple, fully non-guaranteed years at the end of it which Lawrence will almost certainly renegotiate to reduce the cap hit if necessary. It's simply not a prohibitive contract for roster building in today's NFL, and the narrative that it's a bad contract needs to stop.
Good eye. Lawrence's contract could have been questionable were he not playing at a high level. If he plays as he did last season, it's a very good NFL quarterback contract.
Tom from The Mean Streets of Nocatee
If the NFL is going to steal your Kindness initiative, at least they can give you credit. Anything less is cruel.
Last time I checked on this, you have to be cruel to be kind. It's a very good sign.
