JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Paul from Jacksonville

Here you go again, ignoring the obvious issue while all others are honest in their assessment. Trevor Lawrence is clearly struggling in OTAs, everyone's talking about it, and you say nothing. When are you going to report on this story?

I've received a version or two of something sort of like this question during the Jaguars' 2025 offseason program, which will continue this week with Week 3 of organized team activities at the Miller Electric Center. When am I going to report on this? Why do I ignore the obvious? I suppose I will report on this and observe the obvious when there is … wait for it … something legitimate to report and observe. While I have seen a few reports that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is struggling, I've seen nothing along these lines from legitimate media. This makes sense because "reporting" that would be categorically incorrect. While Lawrence has thrown a few interceptions in the team's two open OTA practices, he has looked fine in those sessions. Even had he looked bad, it wouldn't be a concern because OTA practices are about learning and not evaluating or drawing conclusions. That's particularly true when there is a new head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive scheme – as is the case with Head Coach Liam Coen, offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and the offensive system they're installing. Here's the important story about Lawrence: He is impressing coaches and others around the Jaguars this offseason. Not only has he looked increasingly efficient and comfortable in this offensive system, he is impressing with his work ethic and approach. If there's a key storyline to this Jaguars offseason, that's it. That may not be "obvious" to observers, but it's real. How that will translate to the field next season, time will tell. But you darned sure want to be hearing those things in the spring. Lawrence is giving himself and the Jaguars a chance to succeed. That's what you want from any OTAs, particularly in the first season of a regime transition.

Brent from Jacksonville Beach, FL

Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead: "It didn't happen even though that's something I expressed that's something I wanted to do and would be better for the team." That from the O-Zone Podcast with Armstead. Good podcast, Zone, but whaaaaaat?

As the late, great Charlie Daniels eloquently explained when discussing why if you ever go back to the Wooley Swamp you probably shouldn't go at night, "Some things in this world you just can't explain."

Aaron from the Beach

Who ya got in the French? Viva la 'America.

After a few post-Federer years being a bit disengaged from tennis, I am happy to report that I am fully engaged in the 2025 French Open. It's being broadcast on TNT for the first time, and the network has done a great job – with the best commentator regardless of sport, John McEnroe, remaining in top form. My Scooby Sense – and not by Scobee Sense – tells me you're enthusiastic about the performance of American men and women in the tournament, and Americans have been remarkably good in both singles draws. I'm a big Madison Keys fan and Frances Tiafoe is playing better than I expected on clay. But I can't in good faith predict an American victory from either the women or men. I would be stunned if we don't see a Jannik Sinner-Carlos Alcarez final on the men's side, and Alcaraz is really good on this surface. On the women's side, Iga Swiatek is great on this surface and I expect she will win her fifth title at Roland Garros. Allez les Jaguars.

Michael from Orange Park, FL

What the hell is wrong with people, Zone?

How much time do you have? Do you have a chair?

Richard from Jacksonville

I don't understand this franchise, Zone. If you're going to trade ETN why not do it now? It would help the player. And the team. And yet … they wait. Typical.

Your passion, while impressive, is a bit extreme. And perhaps a bit misplaced. While the possibility of the Jaguars trading running back Travis Etienne has been a persistent offseason topic here in the O-Zone – and pretty much everywhere else Jaguars topics are discussed – trade rumors are just that until trades are made. And in this case, a trade seems increasingly unlikely. Etienne, the No. 25 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, is a good and versatile player. He could have a prominent role – either as a starter or as a very valuable piece in Coen's offense. And the Jaguars don't need to rid themselves of good players. The reality when you're trying to trade running backs in the NFL is you often don't get enough value in return to make up for the production you're giving away. My sense is that could be the case with Etienne. I don't know that Etienne will be with the Jaguars after his contract runs out following the 2025 season. I do think he could matter a lot for this team until then.

William from Neptune Beach, FL

I hope Travis Hunter is good. I'm skeptical that he can play both at a high level, but what do I know? But even if he's not good, I love this kid. Am I wrong to think he can be good for the Jaguars even if he's not great at both?

This is a good question, I think – and while we must venture a little away from the field for the answer, what better time to do some off-field venturing than in the early June "pre-dead zone?" Rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, will play both positions for the Jaguars. And while fans and observers continue to question whether he will do so, the bigger concern around the Jaguars is that he may be so good at both that it will be difficult to decide when to keep him off the field. He's showing serious elite stuff already in the offseason program. But you're point that he can benefit this franchise even if he's not All-Pro at both positions is a good one. He has a dynamic likability that's strong enough that he will benefit the team off the field even he's "just good" on it. Here's what I would say about this topic, though: Since we haven't seen any evidence yet that he won't be good, maybe we just relax and enjoy watching the kid play and assume there's a really good chance he will be really good. And if he's really good, the next few seasons might be really fun in these parts.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

Is there any truth to the rumor that Gene Frenette of Mean Gene and the Dancing Jean Kings settled a trademark issue with legendary tennis star Billie Jean King by beating her 6-2, 6-2 at dawn, in front of a small cadre of the world's greatest tennis players, on a perimeter court at Roland Garros shortly before the 1979 French Open, while wearing his stage clothes from the previous night and shoes and racquet borrowed from Vitas Gerulaitus?

Legal issues dictate that I can't say much about this. I can say while Billie Jean King may be one of the most important sports figures of her or any other generation, and while she handled Bobby Riggs with satisfying ease, she wanted no part of former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette on the tennis court. When it came to tennis, Gene had serious game. And stamina.

Coach Tom C from Ponte Vedra

JO- Did you ever meet Walt Dunbar?

I did not meet or know Dunbar, longtime voice of the Jacksonville University Dolphins. He was a legend in Jacksonville media in the 1950s, 1960s and into the 1970s. I do remember him being very important to Jacksonville sports when I was growing up in Jacksonville. But my career began in the late 1980s, so he – regrettably for me – was a few years ahead of this writer's time.

Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK

Oh Mighty 'O' / King Of All Funk, thank you for confirming what I suspected all along that former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette indeed is the stunt double for Tom Cruise. I did wonder where Gene learnt his craft but then I noticed a striking resemblance between a young Gene and Evel Knievel.

Good eye.

David from Jacksonville

"I did not have a girlfriend at the time." It's not like you state the obvious.

In retrospect, I probably could have left off "at the time." Aside from that, I rather liked my answer.

Jim from Jacksonville

Are you excited about Season 3 of "And Just Like That," the sequel series to Sex and the City, now streaming on MAX?

I weep for our future.