JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Colin from Sanford, FL

Hey, John. I am intrigued when I look at the players the Jags have in the secondary. It's a mix of journeyman veterans, exciting rookies, cornerback Buster Brown who consistently overachieves and cornerback Tyson Campbell. It seems outside of Campbell no one has a starting spot locked up. Is there anyone that you think coaches are particularly high on? Or anyone who has impressed you in organized team activities?

A few thoughts here, with the first being that the secondary absolutely is one of the Jaguars' most intriguing position groups as the 2025 regular season approaches. This is partly because it overall was such a glaring problem area last season and partly because of how the team has addressed it this offseason. They signed safety Eric Murray and nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis as unrestricted free agents this offseason. Those two players along with Campbell pretty much have starting spots in the secondary "locked up." This last sentence is true because nickel is a starting position in today's NFL and Lewis either will start at nickel or outside corner. Rookie Travis Hunter is what makes the secondary particularly intriguing because he undoubtedly will play a critical role – and could be the unit's best player – even though he won't be playing in every secondary personnel package. One secondary position where the starter absolutely is unknown entering 2025 Training Camp: Safety alongside Murray, where I expect veteran Andrew Wingard and rookie Caleb Ransaw to compete. Who has impressed in OTAs? Hunter is the standout selection here. It's hard to be more impressive than he has been, actually.

Greg from Section 122, SOTF, Jacksonville

I am taking my granddaughters to the practice Wednesday at 8 a.m. Looking forward to it SO much. One of them is 11 and a lifelong Jags fan already. My younger one is four and this will be her FIRST practice; she is so excited. I am seeding the fanbase for years to come. This is how memories and legacy are built. My kids went to games. Now my grandkids get to grow up watching generational players like quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter destroy our opponents. I can't think of a time I have felt so much offseason optimism. Hope our guys live up to the expectations. Got my Travis the Hunter sign all ready to go.

The Jaguars indeed have opened Wednesday morning's minicamp practice at the Miller Electric Center to fans. It's not a particularly common NFL practice to open offseason practice to fans, but this is a new Jaguars regime with a different approach from past regimes and from other teams. This franchise now is committed to being transparent and embracing the fan base when reasonable to do so. This has been the stated intention of decision-makers such as Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, General Manager James Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen since their hirings earlier this offseason. It's easy to state something like that, but it's more difficult to do it. Why go through the effort? Because of your excitement and your grandchildren's excitement. This is an entertainment business and the Jaguars are acting accordingly. Enjoy the day.

Adrian from Reading, UK

With regards to Brian's question in yesterday's O-Zone about the specific changes to Trevor's footwork in Coen's system, my understanding was that it was just a jump to the left and then a step to the right.

Don't forget the guy in the pickup truck.

Randy from Jax

I recall seeing somewhere that Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter was willing to sit out if he couldn't play both sides and some general managers would have a problem with that. I said the only player I didn't want us to draft was Hunter (because of the Jalen Ramsey drama). Since my wife says I never admit when I'm wrong, please don't tell her, but I couldn't have been more wrong about the Hunter pick. Shad, don't hire me, I'm an idiot.

Sometimes knowing you're an idiot is a sign that you're really not an idiot. Or something like that. Shad Khan, do not hire this man. Or hire him. It's all the same to me.

Taylor from Columbia, MD

Been reading the O-Zone since the first posting! Your description of your entrance into the Jaguars facility was truly hilarious. Shout out to Shannon and Lamping.

One fer Shannon and Lamping.

Rob from San Antonio, TX

KOAF, what are your thoughts on the professionalization of college sports? Some estimates are predicting at a minimum a rapid increase of costs for fans' participation with college sports, though I would be more concerned about colleges passing on the rising costs associated with athletics to the general student populations. At a time when college is already outrageously expensive, this focus on what's "right" for athletes seems to come at everyone else's expense. I guess I'm just saying they shouldn't change it much and need to get off my lawn. Only time will tell how wise this movement is.

I'm probably a bad person to discuss this. I never understood the idea that college athletes were somehow being cheated because they didn't get paid to play college sports. College athletes receive a free education. If you ever have paid for a four-year collegiate education, you don't need this senior writer to tell you that that scholarship is not "nothing" or that those receiving it are receiving a mammoth, life-changing financial benefit. As for the specific effects and aftershock "NIL" is having, I confess that because I don't cover college sports I'm not educated enough to have much meaningful insight here. From an observers' view, it does not appear that college sports are better now for the fans than they were five or so years ago. It seems very much about what's "good" for the players. I put the good in quotes because I don't know that we know yet if this is actually good for all athletes in the long run. My overriding sense is it doesn't much matter what those of us who are concerned about our lawns think about this issue. The old ways of doing things in college sports aren't walking back in that door. This is what it is now. We may as well buckle up.

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

Alright now, O. I might not be Don from Marshall, NC ... but I sure hope you get concerned about me, too, when I take a submission hiatus. After all - I am that "loyal reader."

I have what you might consider bad news, Bradford …

Sam from Orlando, FL

Don was busy righting the wrongs. He's back now. With a vengeance.

When it comes to Don, who took a break and is now indeed "back with a vengeance" and characteristically "all in," Sam correspondingly remains "all in."

Gary from St. Augustine, FL

Don't forget that you still suck.

No worries.

Dwayne from Jacksonville

C'mon Ozone, what's the back story? First cultural icon Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette retires, then SMOOOOOT! returns to the Jaguars? You don't believe in coincidence, do you? From reading the comments section, I'm thinking Smoot was the first candidate to be inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars as an active player and Frenette was blocking his selection until after Frenette saw his own name on the wall first. Maybe his retirement has cleared the way for SMOOOOTS!'s return?

Maybe.

Keith from Jacksonville

Ah, the memories of yelling "Smeeengee". That was my very first Jaguar jersey. My now 83- year-old Mom gave it to me for Christmas. Unfortunately, back then I had no idea how to properly care for a jersey and no longer have it. That makes me sad. I think I will raise a glass in his honor tonight ...

Get Mom one, too.

Sean from Oakleaf, FL

If the best team in the league claims a released Jaguar player off waivers (Kelian Robinson), does that indicate our roster is getting better? Or because the Philadelphia Eagles occupy the last spot in the waiver order it means nothing?

Running back Keilan Robinson, waived by the Jaguars this week and claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles, is a second-year NFL veteran. Teams will often claim an available player that young based on their own collegiate scouting rather than how they fared in the NFL. Robinson also is very fast and teams will take a chance on big-time speed. I don't know that I would read much more into this transaction than that.

John from Merritt Island, FL

Sitting in my garage in front of a fan on this hot Saturday, taking a break from yardwork, drinking a Bullet Bob. I decided to read the O-Zone and read how you get to your office (very funny, BTW). My question … while sitting in that bench do you have an opportunity to down your own Bullet Bob?

Unless Keith's mom drinks it first.