JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Josh from Atlanta, GA

Did you happen to see Travis Kelce's comments on THE? One would think if that is his first idea on how to defend him, it will be given a go in some way. Do you foresee conditioning being ANY reason for concern? After all, he has played both ways his entire life. If he isn't playing every snap on defense, how gassed could he get?

I had not seen Kansas City Chiefs tight ends Travis Kelce's comments on how best to defend/attack Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter – until your email, that is. I then thought to myself, "Well, well, well … If Travis Kelce said it, it must be pretty damned important." I then googled and read Kelce's thoughts, which essentially were that teams likely will have wide receivers repeatedly run deep routes when guarded by Hunter, essentially wearing him down. Teams of course could try this, though among the negatives involved in such an approach would be taking themselves out of their own game plan. I therefore doubt a team will try this approach as aggressively as Kelce seems to believe is likely. As for Hunter's conditioning … I expect it to be more of a topic than a "concern." Hunter indeed has played both offense and defense throughout his entire career. Considering college games on average include far more snaps than NFL games, it's reasonable to think Hunter will be conditioned enough for professional football. The issue from this view will be how Hunter handles the NFL's decidedly more physical nature. He won't take as much pounding at corner/receiver as he would take at other positions, but there will be some. Stay tuned on that topic.

Charles from Riverside

Hello, John. In 998 snaps, Patrick Mekari has only given up one sack and his total pressures allowed are at 27. Unless I'm missing something, that sure looks very impressive. Looking forward to seeing how things start out for him when the pads go on.

The Jaguars signed Mekari as an unrestricted free agent from the Baltimore Ravens this past March. They feel very good about the signing. While the Jaguars will emphasize open competition along the offensive line in 2025 Training Camp, I would be surprised if Mekari doesn't start at right guard. I expect he could be a leader on the offensive line.

Chuck from Currently Margate, L – originally Lancaster, SC

I start every season optimistic about the Jaguars. After all, they are "my team." Football is entertainment. It is meant to be enjoyed. Too many times I have been disappointed in the season. But I will always be optimistic for the future. Call me a homer or whatever you like. There is too much already in real life to be pessimistic about. The game I love doesn't have to be a part of that. Duuuvalll.

Well said.

Bryan from Rip City

Yo, Grizz! As we approach training camp and the regular season, is there any thought being given to teaming up Pete Prisco w/the Grizz for the Monday Happy Hour show? Seems a no-brainer (ahem), rather than a not ready former player taking Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli's spot. I know how you love to volunteer for extra duty, so you're welcome.

When asked, I often play. When not asked, I do whatever it is you call what I do. Keep your eyes ahead, stay as quiet as possible and don't ask any questions.

Chris from Columbus, OH

I was going to stay out of the book conversation until you mentioned sports autobiographies. You left out the best one ever, "I Am Third" by Gayle Sayers. An incredibly inspiring story. And it's Hardy Boys all day, any day.

I Am Third indeed was great. My mother, who followed the Chicago Bears, had it and I read very early on in this crazy ride we call life – third grade, maybe fourth. As for the Hardy Boys … you believe what you want to believe, my friend.

Steve from Nashville, TN

Will fans attending the August 9 preseason game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers at EverBank notice any signs of construction or renovations?

Probably.

Woody from Dunlap

KOAF: Given we are at the apex of the Dead Zone, with little better to do, I have been examining the possible 2026 NFL draftees. Came across an offensive tackle from Notre Dame with a last name that requires the Jags take a serious look at him. He stands 6-feet-7 and is currently listed at 330 pounds. He has a 4.95-second 40-yard-fash time. His sports history includes basketball, soccer and wrestling. His name is Charles JAGUSAH (replace the "H" with an "R", reorder the letters slightly and voila!). Could it be a sign from the football gods?

Wow. You weren't joking. You really didn't have much to do.

Roscoe from Southside

O-Zone: Reading what our Jaguars Media Experts revealed about the position group that they trusted most was astounding. Two out of six experts picked special teams as the most trustworthy group! That says volumes about the lack of confidence this media group has in the "every-down" player groups. Two of the six experts picked the wide receiver group composed of a budding superstar (Brian Thomas Jr.), a potential budding but yet unproven star (Dyami Brown) and a potential two-way rookie phenom (Travis Hunter). That's a lot of belief in the group that hasn't done anything yet. And then two of the experts selected the defensive line, which most fans know is the most experienced, talented and battle-tested group on the team. These three groups - special teams, wide receivers and defensive line - were the only groups mentioned. What the article really shouts is WHO and WHAT groups have not gained the trust of the Jaguars Media experts. Of those groups that are not trusted as much, can you rank from "next" most trusted to "least" trusted – Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Offensive Line, Tight Ends, Defensive Backs, Linebackers, and Safeties?

The Jaguars went 4-13 last season and changed football regimes this offseason. It doesn't take Columbo to figure out there are a lot of positions at which trust must be earned. Beyond defensive line and wide receiver, the positions all fall pretty much in the same category – i.e., positions with potential at which trust must be earned. That's what this season is about.

Scott from Aruba

You've had a bit to look at the schedule. Are there any games you are looking forward to a bit more than the others?

When looking at a team's NFL season during the offseason, I rarely look forward to a particular game or games – because the dynamics of teams and matchups can change dramatically based on injury, records, etc. The Jaguars also haven't been good enough in recent seasons to look at the schedule in May and say, "This November game figures to decide a lot when it comes to the division." I will say from this view the Week 5 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Jacksonville is intriguing because it's on Monday Night Football and because the Chiefs have been the NFL standard for much of the last decade. We'll see if the Jaguars earn their way into that being a good matchup. Stay tuned.

Rob from Orange Park, FL

Any word on boat slips available with the Stadium of the Future?

Stay tuned.

Ex-sportswriter from Press Box, USA

Good podcast. Frenette seems quite intelligent and articulate, for a sportswriter.

We're flashing back a bit to the very, very beginning of the dead zone because – pull back the curtain here a bit – not Every O-Zone email gets published exactly on the same day it is received. Or the day after. In this case, we're harkening back to a simpler time – four weeks in the past – when former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette was a guest on the end-of-offseason O-Zone Podcast. Gene indeed comported himself intelligently and articulately – for a sportswriter.

Kevin from Jacksonville

Synchronized swimming, miming or expressive dance? Choose one.

I weep for our future.

Nathan from Duval then, Sacramento now

'Zone, Former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette the Loyal Reader??? I mean, he knows your title. He spoke on his iconic-ness. He knows who he is.

Former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette is many things to many people. He is not the king of all funk, although that's his choice. I also assume he is not the loyal reader because I assume – and hope – he has better things to do.

STEVEN from Nocatee

Fun "Dead Zone" fact for the day: Earth's rotation is changing speed. It's actually slowing. This means that, on average, the length of a day increases by around 1.8 seconds per century. 600 million years ago a day lasted just 21 hours.

I knew something was off.