JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Steve from Nashville, TN

Besides preseason game tape, how do Jaguars scouts generate data and content for player evaluation ahead of the 32-team camp cutdown day for possible additions to our roster? What Jaguar position groups do you see as vulnerable to additions from other teams' releases on August 28?

The Jaguars' personnel department approaches this similarly to all NFL teams in the sense that scouting and monitoring personnel on other teams is a constant process – and not one that starts during the preseason. This process begins when players are scouted in college, continues through the draft process – and throughout the player's NFL career. Preseason game video is used in this process, as is any video and information from players' past professional and collegiate seasons. Remember: NFL players are always auditioning – for their team and for the other 31 as well. As for where the Jaguars could add players from other teams at the end of the preseason … I don't know that this team will be overly active here. My guess is the Jaguars will lean toward developing drafted players and players signed as collegiate free agents. I suppose they could sign a released/waived player in the secondary. Or maybe linebacker. But those are guesses – and injuries always influence decisions at that time of the preseason.

Chris from London, UK

KOAF. Is it fair to say that the Jags' biggest weakness – or at least the biggest concern – was the inside of the defensive line?? Does that make the injury concerns around Armstead and Smith a crisis??

I wouldn't put the Jaguars' defensive interior significantly over multiple other position groups and this wasn't a major area of concern for the team in the offseason. No, the injury status of Arik Armstead and Maason Smith isn't a crisis because there's no indication at this point that they're long-term issues.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, I'm not concerned about losing a preseason game. However, I will be concerned if the starters don't perform well in their limited action.

Fair.

Steve from Nocatee, FL

So, Zone, it's really a good feeling to hear a lot of positive comments coming from the coaches about the team. My question is if everyone is exceeding expectations, who do you think they put on the practice squad and risk that they get snatched up by another team? The other teams in the league are in the same situation, so why not just simplify the system and allow the teams to keep the players they draft and groom as eventual starters?

It's a little early to accurately project practice-squad players because a lot of would-be projections could be on the active roster. As for allowing teams to retain all drafted players, teams usually would be in favor of this. The NFL Players Association generally would not be in favor of it because practice-squad players essentially are free agents and can therefore sign with other teams. They can therefore make more money and the NFLPA doesn't like things that keep players from making more money.

Brendan from The Banana Patch

"Jags D was so bad last year it's realistic to think defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile overachieves." I'm on board with that take. Go Jags.

Go Jags.

Johnny B from Howey In The Hills

Dr. O: Looking forward to seeing the offensive line against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend … can't wait for football again. My primary note is to recognize the terrific special teams we have and looking forward to their success this year. Last year seemed to be a first - Matiscik and Cooke made the Pro Bowl and first-year kicker Cam Little was on All-Rookie team. I believe Special Teams Coordinator Heath Farwell was one of the few retained in Head Coach Liam Coen's staff as well. Looking for a trifecta and all make the Pro Bowl this year. Go Special Team Jags!!

Long snapper Ross Matiscik, punter Logan Cookie and kicker Cam Little are among the best players on this roster. It's a strength. It will be very difficult for all three to be named for the Pro Bowl because it's very hard to be named to the Pro Bowl. But whether or not they are thusly recognized, it's hard to imagine this won't be a strong area for this franchise for the foreseeable future.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

The final stat line between TW and JHA contains a combined sack total of 30. With that, would you say crazy talk or an absolute possibility, given complete health between the two? I know the obsession with sack totals is ridiculous, but one fer falling into the trap!

I think you're trying to ask if Jaguars defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen can combine for 30 sacks in 2025. That would be a remarkable season. Is it attainable? Yes, if the Jaguars' offense is productive and the team is playing with a lot of leads.

Boxcutter Bill from Mass

Someone asked about great rookie seasons and forgot to mention Fred Taylor. He blew the doors open, ran us to the AFC Championship. Randy Moss is the only reason he didn't win Rookie of the Year. I was an excited young Jaguars fan back then. Man, I feel old now.

The Jaguars lost in the AFC Divisional Playoff to the New York Jets following former running back Fred Taylor's 1998 rookie season. You're correct that Moss was the reason Taylor wasn't named Rookie of the Year. I feel old, too.

Fred from Naples, FL

Regarding next year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class does Frank Gore get in ahead of Fred Taylor? I am afraid Fred is in for a longer wait than Tony Boselli.

I expect running back Frank Gore will be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the foreseeable future – and for that to happen before Taylor is elected. Gore is the NFL's third all-time leading rusher. Would I have taken him over Taylor in their primes? No. But production on Gore's level will be honored.

Scott from St. Johns, FL

John: During most of the 1970s each NFL team played six preseason games. What was the rationale behind scheduling so many preseason games each of those years?

The 1970s was a dramatically different time for the NFL in many ways, with one of the biggest ways being that most players didn't make life-changing or future-securing money. Most had "real" jobs in the offseason. That prevented the year-round conditioning we see in this era. Even aside from having to work in the offseason, there wasn't nearly the emphasis on training that we see now. Players therefore had to play and practice their way into regular-season shape. Training camp therefore was longer, as was the preseason.

Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL

I'm not trying to prolong the Travon Walker-Aiden Hutchinson debate but simply to point out who started it — another contrarian, who used very misleading statistics to prove his point. You should have called him out but didn't. Someone had to do it.

Well, at least you didn't prolong the debate.

Marlin from Trenton, FL

Zone, the preseason starts Saturday and just to throw a wet blanket over any perceived enthusiasm or lack thereof due to wins/losses in said preseason - the past two preseasons (if memory serves) we have gone undefeated. What do you want or expect to see in the preseason games?

To see Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence play efficiently and show command of the offense. To see the Jaguars' offensive line play well in its relatively limited play time. To see the defense get solid pass rush. To see the starters play well and leave with a lead. That's what you want to see. I don't have any particular expectations.

Lawrence from Blair, NE

Having Greg Jones mentioned really brings back memories. When you consider who should be in the Pride, do you think it should only be related to elite talent/contributions? Or should longevity matter? In my opinion, it's hard not to see Meester and Jones in the Pride. There would be quite a few former Jags ahead of them for inauguration, but they really should be in line.

The Pride of the Jaguars from this view is not the Pro Football Hall of Fame and should not be treated as such. Many teams around the NFL have very large franchise "Rings of Honor" that honor players for various reasons, perhaps most appropriately if they were critical to that franchise and/or extremely embraced by the fan base. I would therefore have no problem with a player such as Meester in the Pride of the Jaguars. Ditto players such as offensive tackle Leon Searcy, linebacker Daryl Smith, linebacker Paul Posluszky, etc. Those players aren't on my "need-to-get-in" list, which is currently topped by wide receiver Keenan McCardell, but I wouldn't mind seeing them honored.

Ray3 from Jax

Maybe he should wear white jersey where the nameplate says "Hunter" and the teal jersey has a nameplate that says "Gatherer."

Or not.