JACKSONVILLE – Merry Krimma
Clay from AB
Shad gives you the power to do one thing to turn this ship around - what do you do?
First answer: "Hire the right guy." Because that is vaguer than is ideal, I'll specify and say I'm leaning toward the idea of hiring a former head coach who has had some success at the NFL level. It seems the Jaguars need a head coach in whom the players can believe – and who understands how to run a professional organization, and who understands how to communicate with professional players. Former Indianapolis Colts/Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell and former Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson make a lot of sense. Both have coached in Super Bowls and both have been around big-time quarterbacks. I don't know all the candidates. There undoubtedly are other candidates with different backgrounds who can be successful in the right circumstances, but those two both would be good choices.
Chuck from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Besides money to spend, what makes Shad Khan a good owner? He has been at it 10 years with very poor results.
Jaguars Owner Shad Khan is a good owner because he is good for the city of Jacksonville and has solidified the franchise in Jacksonville. Scoff at that if you will – and there are those who will and do – but that matters very much. He also hires football people – i.e.., general managers and head coaches, etc. – and allows those people the freedom and resources to do their jobs. He thus far hasn't been fortunate to have those people succeed. Many fans/observers judge owners based solely on record – and yes, if that's the judge, he's a bad owner. The Jaguars' record indeed has been bad. But on essentially every other front, he is a good owner. Judge him how you like. I can't control that.
Tom from Charlottesville, VA
Have defensive end/linebacker Jordan Smith and defensive tackle Jay Tufele been healthy scratches? Are they wasted draft picks as they could not even help on special teams?
Smith and Tufele are both rookies. There's no such thing as a wasted draft selection if that player is a rookie.
Gary from Wesley Chapel
Zone, has Interim Head Coach Darrell Bevell shown any interest in bringing up a wide receiver from the practice squad for the last couple of games?
The way Bevell would show interest would be by doing it, which he would do in conjunction with General Manager Trent Baalke. I don't expect this move, but anything's possible.
Keith from Stuarts Draft, VA
Hire Dave Caldwell as head coach, keep our defensive coordinator and make Brian Schottenheimer our offensive coordinator, whatcha think?
I smiled at this.
Gavin from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
I know no one likes how bad the Jags have been since Shad took over. I understand having patience and not throwing money away to see how a coach/GM work out. I do see this as the best opportunity for any coach/GM in the NFL. We have some good and developmental prospects already on the roster and the centerpiece to the offense in Trevor Lawrence, and the opportunity to select the centerpiece to the defense in this year's draft, or trade back and pick up more pieces to the offense to help the quarterback. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next. I know you've been experiencing a lot of negativity in the Zone this season, but don't despair, keep hope alive and GO JAGS!!
The Jaguars' head-coaching job is good for the same reasons it was good last season: there are pieces in place, and the Jaguars have a quarterback in rookie Trevor Lawrence capable of being a franchise player at the position. They also have an owner who is patient under normal NFL circumstances and who is willing to support his football people. Lawrence's presence remains the biggest reason it's a good job. That also makes imperative to get the decision right this time.
Charlie the Strong from North of Florida
KOAGF - I don't question Shad Khan's commitment as an owner. His failing has been in picking leaders. My advice to him (fans gonna fan) is to bring in a person whom he respects, knows football as well as anyone and who has unquestionable integrity. The person who best fits that description is Tony Dungy. I know you don't think Coach Dungy would coach or GM, but would he help Mr. Khan make the best decision? if asked.
I would guess he would talk to Khan about it.
Matt from Valley Center
Hire some of the head coaches that will be released this year and make them coordinators. Hire one of the top coordinators and make them the head coach. Can't get any worse.
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever say it can't get worse. (Although it probably can't.)
Josh from Orange Park, FL
When it comes to the NFL and football, I really wish people would quit putting all the pressure or blame on a quarterback when the quarterback is only one player. There's 11 on offense and 11 on defense; everybody has to do their job. So, everybody trying to blame Trevor Lawrence … again he's one player. It takes a team to win ball games and win at this business we call the NFL. Okay that's my two cents on everything. Have a great day.
OK.
Daniel from Jersey City, NJ
O-man, I can't talk my wife into joining me at the game this weekend. Should I just give up on the idea or do you have some good tips on how to proceed?
It seems from your email that you're trying to get your wife to do something she would rather not do. Godspeed, Daniel.
Gary from Centerville, Ohio
You spoke about how Lawrence's progression seemed to stop after the bye and running back James Robinson's injury. I feel it really stopped after Lawrence injured his ankle. I have a feeling he isn't/wasn't as healed up as he said and it is still bothering him some and causing some of the inaccuracy.
Perhaps.
Biff from Jacksonville
When a team needs a new coach, and the slew of names come at you like a raging river, do you ever find yourself at the point of supersaturation? Do you ever think to yourself, these rivers of suggestion are driving me away?
I tried to consider all the names. I even tried to make a call about this. The lines were down. I'm sorry. By the way, did you never call? I waited for your call.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. Wondering how much our injury situation has contributed to the current Jaguars' win-loss total? I know all teams face injuries at the end of the year, but it seems, starting with running back/wide receiver Travis Etienne Jr., we have been targeted with the injury bug at key positions that have exacerbated our current struggles. Things just keep piling on.
I expect injuries have hurt the Jaguars' offense. I don't expect they would have been that much better if fully healthy.
Mike from Neptune Beach
How much of Trevor Lawrence's recent performance can be attributed to fatigue from the long year transitioning from college to combines to the NFL?
Some.
Clay from AB
We know your feeling on whether it's coaches or players, but as we search for another head coach, your comment that there's nothing more the NFL could do to bring parity rang hollow. How about the rule about not poaching head coaches from other teams? This hurts parity while helping owners' collective pocketbooks by driving down competition for the top talent, right? Any way this ever changes?
I'm sorry the truth rang hollow. I suppose the truth does this from time to time. While parity is nice, I would hate to see the league do much more to promote it. There are plenty of rules in place to promote it. At some point, it's up to organizations to thrive within the system and win. As far as not being able to "poach" head coaches from other teams … teams can hire assistants from other teams as their head coaches. The only thing they can't do is hire head coaches from other teams. Why would the league allow this? Why should other teams be able to hire Bill Belichick from New England? And I wouldn't want to see this. Why, because it would be CHAOS I tell ya. CHAAAAA-OS.
Ed from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
What I would love to see happen is let Lawrence sit out the rest of the season. For one, it is something he has not done before: watch and learn from the sideline. Two, it makes sure he does not get hurt this worthless season. I realize it cannot happen because it would look like he is being benched, but I think the approach is valuable. Merry Christmas!
No.
