JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. Is the tush push still a thing? I thought it gave the Philadelphia Eagles an unfair advantage as an automatic first down when going for it on fourth and short. Maybe Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen should go for it on fourth down in all cases except when more than 10 yards to go or if deep in own territory. Just add that extra down advantage for the offense the whole game. When converting, great. When not converting, same as a punt with less field for the defense to cover. Field goals in rare cases. Otherwise, go for touchdowns or go home. What do you think?
The "Tush Push" – i.e., backs or other offensive players pushing a quarterback into the end zone on a quarterback sneak – remains legal. I don't love it, either, because it doesn't pass the "does-it-look-like-football-with-the-sound-down" test, but league officials no longer consult me on proposed rules changes as much as they once did. I don't believe Coen should go for a first down on every fourth down except when more than 10 yards to go or except if deep in own territory. More coaches are leaning in this direction, though. It's a question of balance.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. I just read where the No. 2 rushing leader for the Jags last season was quarterback Trevor Lawrence with 359 yards, with running back Travis Etienne Jr. being No. 1. I had no idea! Evidently Trevor was 10th in rushing yards and tied for second in touchdowns with nine in comparison to other quarterbacks. Interesting to note that the majority of the touchdowns (seven) came in the second half of the season when the Jags were running the table. Was there an offensive strategy change as the season progressed, or was this TL being opportunistic? Looking back, it seems like for sure his rushing might have decided the Jags wins over Kansas City and maybe the Indianapolis Colts games? Does Coen, with his emphasis on the rushing game progressing, continue this next year, or do we look to protect our quarterback and try and limit it to the necessary scramble or the Red Zone? Thanks.
I never got the impression Coen specifically emphasized Lawrence running last season. Lawrence last season rushed better and more effectively the more comfortable he became, with much of his rushing success from this view happening organically. It also seemed that Lawrence for the most part protected himself while running and didn't take undo risk. I would expect Lawrence to run in similar fashion this season. He's good at it and it adds balance to the offense. It's a positive so long as the offense isn't overdependent on him to do it.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, is it too early to say' "Kick the field goal, Liam?"
Not if it's not too early for him to go for the first down.
Richard from Jacksonville
Cole Van Lanen … sheesh.
I assume this references the Jaguars on Sunday afternoon placing left tackle Cole Van Lanen and offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio on the physically unable to perform List to start 2026 Jaguars Training Camp. I wouldn't panic over this. PUP is a roster mechanism allowing teams to place players on that list and therefore have room for other players who are able to practice. A player can be removed from the PUP list at any point in camp, so all a player's presence there during camp means is that the player hasn't yet been able to practice. It takes on more long-term significance in the regular season because a player who begins the regular season on PUP must miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Van Lanen sustained a knee injury in Week 18 last season, so it's unsurprising his return would be measured and monitored closely. I expect there's a good chance he will be practicing in training camp and that he will be ready to start the regular season. Stay tuned.
Wes from Ponte Vedra, FL
When do we get to find out the true nature of Cole Van Lanen's injury, rehab status and expected timeline for return to full football activities? I'm guessing it will be the latest possible day as required by league rules. I understand why the team is holding back any updates, but as a fan I hate the lack of transparency. This is the only roster position that is giving me heartburn at the moment.
We got a bit of this Sunday, when the Jaguars placed Van Lanen on PUP. My understanding is rehabilitation has gone well and I expect we will get more information periodically when Coen is asked about the issue at '26 training camp. As for transparency, the Jaguars under Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli are remarkably transparent. They don't discuss every detail of every injury beyond what's required by NFL rules, but that's normal in league circles. Football people don't love discussing injuries in detail. It's how it is.
Jim from Jagsonville
Oh, my! Offensive tackle Walter Little up next. Aren't y'all glad we kept starting talent around? Both Little and Van Lanen are capable players. Glad to see the triumvirant kept them both for the sake of this year's season. Go Jaguars! Oh wait! It's the Dead Zone... have you been to any Jumbo Shrimp games this season? They are the 2025 Triple-A National Champions, after all. Juummbooo Shrimp!
Little's availability is a positive. He has NFL starting experience at left tackle and gives the Jaguars a solid option there until Van Lanen returns. I have not yet been to a Jumbo Shrimp game this season. This is mostly because of the heat and Mrs. O-Zone's return from offseason knee replacement surgery. The Jumbo Shrimp are cool. O-Zone likes them.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 85?
This is a lengthy, decent and tight-end-centric list. Possibilities include tight end (and current tight ends coach) Richard Angulo (2007-2008), tight end Dan Arnold (2021-2022), wide receiver Damon Gibson (2001-2002), tight end Rich Griffith (1995-2000), wide receiver Cortez Hankton (2003-2006), tight end Nic Jacobs (2014-2015), wide receiver Jaydon Mickens (2017-2018), tight end Brenton Strange (2023-present) and wide receiver Ernest Wilford (2009-2010). Let's go Strange here.
Jadon from Raleighwood
No. 85. Dan Arnold, even a debate? Anyways, as training camp starts, which vet (non-rookie) that is not one of the 22 starters would you like to see the most improvement or WOW plays from? Mine would be second-year safety Caleb Ransaw, or defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro.
There are multiple storylines along these lines entering '26 camp. I'll lean toward Ransaw and cornerback Travis Hunter here because if those two second-year players make the impact the Jaguars expect the secondary will improve dramatically.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, Texas
I think the only thing keeping cornerback Jalen Ramsey from beating linebacker Paul Posluszny as the most handsome Jaguar is all comes down to posture. I recall Posluszny standing straight up when he walked around. It seems at the end that Jalen Ramsey was bent over and a bit hobbled with a back injury before we had to release him. I do wonder how the Jaguars would have fared if we had the medical team of the Rams to treat him while he was still in Jacksonville. Also: Torry Holt at No. 81 had an impressive salary touchdown ratio that might never be equaled again in Jaguar history.
Nicholas' got jokes, but I'm not big on going back and worrying about players such as former Jaguars wide receiver Torry Holt – who wasn't all that productive with the organization after signing as a free agent late in his career. Holt was a great player for a long time with the Rams and was well past his prime when he played here. That's a pretty common NFL story, one that's very hard for most players to avoid. Players want to play as long as they can. That usually means playing a year or two at the end when they're no longer stars. If they've been really good, some team is usually willing to pay them to do it. Circle of life, NFL style.
Ernest from Cincinnati
O-Man, You're a "lyrics guy." Me, too. Courtney Barnett?
Interesting.
John from Jacksonville
Jalen Ramsey? Really? The best-looking part of him was his backside leaving town. I know we are supposed to be nice around here, but he is an exception.
It is the nature of the dead zone that we are discussing a recent O-Zone question about the best-looking Jaguar ever. If memory serves, a reader mentioned former linebacker Paul Posluszny and former cornerback Jalen Ramsey. If memory serves …
Michael from JACKSONVILLE
Tell "Your Momma" that if Pro Football Focus was so good at grading players they would have one of the 32 NFL general manager jobs.
Fair.
