JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Bill from Jacksonville
John, almost everyone is predicting quarterback Trevor Lawrence will take a huge step forward this year and cement himself as the future of the Jaguars – and possibly the NFL. Let's say he doesn't, though. Let's say he's simply slightly better: Maybe 28 touchdowns, 12 interceptions. Assuming he's healthy all year, and that's where he finishes, how did he get there? In other words, what's the recipe for what many would consider a disappointing season?
A few initial thoughts here. One is that 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions don't automatically mean a disappointing season, and "slightly better" is still improvement. Another is that Jaguars fans perhaps understandably are a bit scarred when they ask why Jaguars players will disappoint before they have done so. Still another is that we must be deep in the dead zone to be delving this deep into such hypotheticals. But seriously: While I don't consider statistics the end-all for analyzing a quarterback, many factors could lead to Lawrence not taking a major step forward statistically. Maybe there will be injuries around him. Maybe the Jaguars will be proficient finishing drives with runs, cutting into his touchdowns. Maybe opponents will get leads, which will force him into a few more mistakes than would be ideal. Maybe defensive coordinators, who certainly are studying Lawrence more this offseason and looking for flaws to exploit, indeed will find ways to confuse him. A final thought: If Lawrence throws 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions AND the Jaguars win the AFC South at 12-5, there won't be much cause for concern. Let's not focus so exclusively on statistics that we forget the idea is to win.
Joe from Jacksonville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney's Twitter account was hacked, and the hacker unleashed NSFW responses, somehow channeling Toney's voice to DMs regarding him and his former team. When I hear stories like this, it makes me think over and over how lucky we are to have our quarterback – who gets it.
I admit I pay little attention to Toney – or even that much to obscure NFL offseason "news" if it doesn't involve the Jaguars. That's a shame for Toney if that happened, though. The world is full of mean people and you have to be very careful online these days. Either way, the Jaguars are fortunate to have Lawrence. Here's hoping he has a few unique characters in his passwords.
Chicago Police Department from Chicago
Why are you so unpopular with the Chicago Police Department?
That's a very respectable neighborhood.
Jack from Jacksonville
Do you think Greg from section 122 is afraid of flying?
See you in the next life, Jack.
Brandon from Omaha, NE
Hey O, Has Head Coach Doug Pederson or anyone of the staff explained why they believe Anton Harrison can be a Day One starter at right tackle? I'm not doubting his ability, I've just heard from more than a few coaches and former players around the league how difficult it can be moving from one side of the line to the other. As far as I know Harrison, played his entire college career on the left side of the line with the exception of one game at right tackle. I'm hoping for the best for him this year and curious to know if the coaching staff has pointed out what makes them believe he can make the transition.
I haven't heard Pederson or any Jaguars coach address this specifically. Jaguars coaches when discussing Harrison have talked positively of his skill set, work ethic and quick grasp of the techniques coaches are teaching. The primary reason for coaches' confidence in Harrison are the physical traits that made him a first-round selection. He has yet to take an NFL repetition in pads. At this point, you trust the traits.
DenMiz from Duuuvall
I don't see the comparison between Josh Pederson and Tim Tebow. First, Josh is Doug's son. Why wouldn't a father/son relationship work, especially if both are held accountable for their position, effort, professionalism and accountability? Bringing in Tebow was clearly a show. I don't see any comparison between that situation and a father wanting to spend some extra time with his son. If Josh is good, he makes the team. If not, he doesn't and he and Doug had some great quality time together. This won't impact the locker room. At least not anything like the Tebow situation.
People probably will disagree or are growing weary of me saying this, but I considered the Tebow signing more of an eye-roll situation and an oddity than a huge locker room issue. It was silly in the sense that it brought unneeded criticism, but I never felt it tore apart the locker room. I would be stunned if the Jaguars signing tight end Josh Pederson – Head Coach Doug Pederson's son – causes any locker-room issues.
Al from Orange Park, FL
Like your Grandma Grace, my Dad had an interesting approach to old age. Every morning when he got up, he would look at the sod out in the yard. If he was looking at the green side instead of the black side, it was a good day.
Good eye.
P Funk from Murray Hill
_Do you have a favorite autograph you have received? Sports, music, or otherwise? _
Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – won't be surprised to learn I'm not a big autograph guy. I understand why people like them, but you'll find most journalists – or ex-journalists – don't value them as fans do. A couple of autographs I like, though, came when I was in high school. I was a huge Seattle SuperSonics fans in the late 1970s and early 1980s. While visiting friends in Seattle in 1981, I met and got an autograph from Sonics center Jack Sikma. But my favorite player was guard Dennis Johnson, who later played for the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics. My father – then a Vice President for Suddath Van Lines – while on a West Coast business trip saw Johnson in a restaurant. He got an autograph for me on the inside of a Suddath pocket calendar. My father, while a huge sports fan, wasn't particularly given to approaching for autographs. For him to do that stands out.
Jalen from Miami, FL
I hear I am still a popular topic of conversation during the dead zone. You don't have to worry about me getting into the Hall of Fame. I will be going in first ballot when it is time. Do you want to know why? I didn't waste my whole career playing in Jacksonville. I have already won a ring since I left and there will be more to come. My question is which team in the NFL has lost the most games since the trade? I will help you out KOAF and save you some time since I remember you like to take naps. The answer is the team that traded me. Yes, that's right! The Jaguars have lost the most games. Bet you wish you had me back!
New phone. Who's this?
Daniel from Jersey City, NJ
O-man, are there any players in particular, other than Ramsey obviously, who let you down in a big way from an expectations standpoint?
I don't think of players in this way, or maybe I have taken a wait-and-see approach with rookies for so long that I just don't remember expecting huge things from young players. For the sake of discussion, I guess the Jaguars' 2016 draft class fits into this question. The top three selections – cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Round 1), linebacker Myles Jack (Round 2) and pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue (Round 3) – had the feel early in their careers of being the foundation of the franchise. That never worked out for myriad reasons. Ramsey, while uber-talented, demanded a trade early in his fourth season and the team for whatever reason accommodated the demand. Jack, while very good at times, never became the superstar his talent suggested. And Ngakoue, while a productive pass rusher, never could agree with team officials on his value; he has played for four teams in the last four seasons and is currently a free agent. This answer is not meant to "blame" the player or team for how those careers played out. But the trio that once looked like the foundation of the franchise never was quite that.
Bruce from Saint Simons Island, GA
O, With reference to your Q&A about best sports books, you can definitely write a book about the Jaguars! I suggest you start with the Jags run late last year and then take notes on the upcoming season (including maybe some O-Zone Mailbag Q&A's). Hopefully this will be a great season for the Jags and you can give an insider's viewpoint! Maybe throw in some references on the stadium discussion. Who knows, maybe you would be able to sell a few copies of your book to the general public! GO O!
This sounds like work.
