JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Are we there yet?
This, one would hope, concludes a recent streak of O-Zone readers (not-so) cleverly asking if 2025 Training Camp has arrived along with the corresponding end of the so-called offseason dead zone here in the O-Zone. The answer: Yes, because camp begins early Wednesday morning with the first practice at the Miller Electric Center. I expect this "zone" to be much more alive the coming days and weeks. Are we there yet? Finally. Indeed we are.
Brendan from The Banana Patch
I took my senior citizen friend (no longer with us) to a Jags training camp practice that was open to the public in 2011. A teenager at the time, I didn't realize the sun about damn near killed him. So here's to training camp, old people and sunscreen. Take care of your friends!
The sun indeed can be brutal at training camp practices in Florida. A couple of factors now make it at least a bit more tolerable for fans at Jaguars camp. One is that practices are early in the morning, scheduled to usually begin at 8:15 a.m. and end between 10 and 10:30 a.m. The other is that the stands at the MEC are covered with very effective large ceiling fans. I won't tell you it will be cool. But it's a lot less brutal than once was the case.
Joey from Lincroft, NJ
John, I am curious what type of stat lines you expect from Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown this season as the Nos. 2 and 3 wide receivers in the offense (assuming health). Would 70-1,000-6 for Hunter and 55-700-4 be too much of a stretch? Curious your thoughts. Thanks!
I confess I'm not good at statistical projections, primarily because I don't think about statistics much. I expect this Jaguars offense to be productive under Head Coach Liam Coen, and I expect Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to be around his rookie totals of 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. I expect this because I think Thomas will be better this season, but I also expect defensives to focus on him more. Those elements could cancel one another in terms of his statistics. I suppose your statistical projections for Hunter and Brown could be accurate. That would make the offense really good, which is what the Jaguars expect. I absolutely think Thomas could score 10 touchdowns with Hunter and Brown combining for 10. What matters more than the trio's statistics is that they strain defenses and make key plays, therefore making the Jaguars better and harder to defend. I would be surprised if the trio can't accomplish that.
Gary from Fleming Island
If I go to Jaguars in ESPN.com I can find a current depth chart. However, in the Jaguars' site there is no current depth chart. Why the difference?
ESPN and other such sites are unofficial depth charts and unaffiliated with the team, meaning people working with/for those sites project based on what they believe/know about the team. The Jaguars, like most teams, also produce an unofficial depth chart. Those typically run only during the regular season.
Leslie from Jacksonville
What is your early prediction for number of wins? Mine is 9-11. Yes, I'm very optimistic. Take care.
I'm slightly less optimistic. I expect the Jaguars to win 8-to-9 games this season. I expect there is a better chance they win seven than 11.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Can you project where you think the Jaguars will be able to carry an additional player on the 53-man roster with Travis Hunter's ability to play receiver and in the secondary? Do they carry a fourth running back to truly have a dynamic and deep backfield? You have mentioned seventh-round pick LeQuint Allen Jr. a few times - what do you like about him?
I have received multiple versions of this email/question multiple times since the Jaguars selected Hunter No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. But while his ability to play both offense and defense indeed should "save" the Jaguars a roster spot, I don't know that we will be able to identify an exact position or player that benefits from that versatility. The final few spots on the roster usually are determined by injury, special teams needs or short-term needs at a particular position – and those final few spots are usually fluid based on those factors. As for Allen … the Jaguars like him and believe he will contribute significantly. We'll see if they're right.
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
Bro, the only thing "weird" about the amount of hate Pederson garnered from this fan base – specifically, last season – is the fact you seem ready to die on the hill of calling it "weird." I'm echoing what I've said before in this forum, but him rejecting to take his quarterback's back at the post-game podium after about getting his head taken off by the dirtiest, most-purposeful hit I've ever witnessed take place on a football field can't even be quantified in words for just how UNIMAGINABLY DETESTABLE that is as a head coach. Tack on he was so detached from the pulse of the team he allowed for players to be used in manners that they weren't comfortable with - nor successful in application - their families were treated poorly, and he spoke down to local media. All the while after that off-putting song and dance about "who's calling plays?" that he handled as bush League as it gets. He said he was passing that buck to "focus on the entire team," hired the biggest DOOFUS to ever don a defensive coordinator headset in the NFL - did nothing about it the entire season and then made everyone stomach having to hear every week about what "great conversations" he and Shad Khan continued to have, as every facet of the team outside on-field special teams BURNED. Really, bro you're better than telling us we all didn't LIVE what that guy did here. Maybe he's your friend. That's okay. But, you can still try and have a little respect for the truth on that topic.
I don't know about hills, I'm not trying to die just yet, particularly for anything in this forum. And while we got on fine professionally, I'm not and never was remotely friends with former Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson. I will say that my error here was calling Jaguars fans' feelings on Pederson "weird." I've been doing this long enough to know that fans perceive as they perceive and feel as they feel. As they absolutely should. Fans fan. It's what they do, and I absolutely respect that.
Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL
Yo, O-Zone!!! Thank you for getting us through the Dead Zone with witty and thought-provoking banter that isn't football related. I look forward to seeing your insights on who you see as this year's "Cinderella" undrafted free agent that has a good chance of making the team! Finally, if rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten just has a common rookie season would he be just be TutenCommon??? Asking for a friend.
Yo, Deane. You're welcome. I'm keeping an eye on undrafted free agents such as wide receiver Chandler Brayboy and defensive lineman Danny Striggow, though the beauty of training camp is one or two undrafted rookies likely will emerge as storylines. As for Tuten and "TutenCommon" … funny stuff. Not terribly original stuff, but funny nonetheless.
Bruce from St. Simons ISLAND, GA
O, Happy belated birthday! I am excited about this season. I think a lot of people close to the Jaguars feel that this season feels different, including you?
There is a great, positive feeling around the Jaguars these days. That's not uncommon for a team with a new regime, new head coaching and staff, etc. Does it feel all that much different right now than past new regimes I've been around? Perhaps not. Do I believe this will wind up being successful? Yes. Stay tuned.
Thomas from Charlottesville, VA
Most Important playoff game: Jags 27 New England 24 in 2017!!! Oh wait a minute the refs called him down!! Darn!!!
Every once in a while, I'll say to my son, "You know, Myles Jack really wasn't down." He'll say, "No, he really wasn't." Oh, what might have been.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
Your birthday Monday, what did you get from work to celebrate? Also isn't happy birthday to O-Zone JR?
O-Zone Jr.'s birthday indeed was Tuesday, a day after my own. As for what I received from work to celebrate, I was fortunate enough to spend time in a working environment with my colleagues. This made this the best birthday ever.
Al from Orange Park, FL
Vaguely unrelated to anything, Leon Searcy's touchdown is still one of my favorite Jags play of all time.
Former Jaguars right tackle Leon Searcy never scored an NFL touchdown, which of course means it really is unrelated to anything.
