JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
John from Jacksonville
Hi, KOAGF. What's with Meyer saying, "I like C.J. as a person?" In football speak, it's similar to asking if a girl you are about to go on a blind date with is cute, and the response is "Well, she's nice." Is that his prelude to announcing Minshew as the backup?
Not at all. You're referencing a quote from Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer earlier this week regarding quarterback C.J. Beathard, and you're guilty of taking the quote slightly out of context. That's understandable; if you weren't there when Meyer said it and just saw the quote, your interpretation makes sense. And if that was all Meyer said, then perhaps it would have been a bit of a backhanded compliment. But that wasn't all Meyer said. He went on to say of Beathard, "He's got a nice release. The ball gets out fast. He played well [against the New Orleans Saints Monday], so yes … that's open as well." So … no, the comment was not necessarily a prelude to announcing Gardner Minshew II as the backup. This feels like a very open competition for the backup quarterback position.
Justin from Jacksonville
Hey, sir Zone. No question, just a statement, I guess. No use in crying over spilt milk and all of that, but both Josh Oliver who we traded and Pat Freiermuth – who we passed on – seem to look pretty good right now and it makes me kinda sad.
Oliver, who the Jaguars traded to the Baltimore Ravens this past offseason for a conditional draft selection, indeed has looked very good this preseason. If he makes the Ravens and plays like a star, it no doubt will be viewed as a bad trade for the Jaguars. Freiermuth, a second-round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, also has looked good this preseason. I'm sure Jaguars fans will bemoan any success by Freiermuth because the team could have selected him – but in the draft you're trying to balance value, need, etc., and you can't draft everyone. So, that one perhaps won't resonate quiet like the Oliver trade. But yeah … both will be watched. And their success would make Jaguars fans sad. And bring scrutiny. That's the nature of the NFL.
Royce from Jacksonville
Mr. O, could Meyer's concern about the offense result in rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence having multiple coordinators as other Jaguars quarterbacks have had early in their career?
The Jaguars have played two 2021 preseason games.
Bob from Jacksonville
Is Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell going to mix it up with the offense? So far, I see more vanilla.
The Jaguars have played two 2021 preseason games.
Adam from Allentown PA
Ok, I am officially very concerned about Lambo. Help me out here.
You're correct to be concerned. Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo has missed both of his field goals this preseason from more than 40 yards. Meyer, when asked this week if he was concerned about Lambo, said, "Yes. Make the field goal." Lambo then missed three of six field goals in practice Thursday. Make the field goal.
Joey Atlantic Beach, FL
Zone, My "Campservation" is that next year you should offer a disclaimer for "Play of the Day." Much like you take the time to include full player names and positions for the benefit of new fans and readers, a mention surrounding highlight plays in Jags camp being made against other Jags, and the subsequent unlikelihood of those plays translating against actual starting caliber NFL players, might help ensure your new readers don't drink too much offseason Kool-Aid.
Wow. This is an awesome campservation and your clever input is appreciated. One, I "take the time" to include full player names and positions for the benefit of readers because it's the correct thing to do. Two, here's what I expect I'll do instead of offering any "disclaimers:" Continue to cover Jaguars practices and games the way I have for a decade and continue to analyze and offer my thoughts and insight in the forums in which I have offered them. The readers can consume said analysis from this free website as they see fit. And they can offer clever feedback, too. As we now know.
David from Chuluota, FL
KOAF – Word on the street is that Urban Meyer does not take losing well. I wonder, if he had a do over, if he would've been a bigger player in free agency? He's going into the season with a lack of talent and expecting to win? This is not going to end well!
Maybe Meyer would have done things differently at a position or two in free agency with a do over. But it's difficult to build enough talent to have a deep, talented roster in the NFL through free agency. That takes drafts, and it takes more than one offseason.
Jim from Indy
Hey, John. If a fully vaccinated player comes down with COVID-19 this year, his team forfeits the game and no players from either team get game checks. Is that true?
No, but if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week schedule because of an outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and be credited with a loss – and neither team's players will be paid for that game.
Wade from Westside
With the offense completely out of sync and running back Travis Etienne Jr. done for the season and maybe beyond, wouldn't it be a wise move for the Jags to sit Lawrence and plan to help develop him for next year? Team needs an upgrade to the offensive line, tight end and a No. 1 receiver. It would be horrible to lose both first round picks due to an inexperienced head coach and unrealistic expectations of below average talent.
No. No. No. You're asking if the Jaguars – having played two preseason games, one without three starting offensive linemen and both without one of their top two wide receivers – should concede the season and perhaps concede everything until they find a No. 1 receiver, upgrade the offensive line and find a tight end. I suppose they also should wait until they draft and develop an elite defensive line – and an offensive line, and an elite secondary. No. No. No. The Jaguars should not sit Lawrence. How is he going "develop" on the bench better than playing? This is not a bad offensive line. It run-blocked well last season and there were no serious injuries at the quarterback position last season. Start Lawrence, Play the season. Get to it.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
John, aren't Lisfranc injuries the kind that linger a very long time? Every one that I can remember keeps a player out much longer than a normal "sprain."
Etienne is out for the season. That's longer than a normal sprain.
Jason from Jacksonville
John. You recently answered a question by stating "But the interesting part of your question is that it implies that Lawrence has looked bad in the first two preseason games. It's possible we're watching different games. Has he been perfect? No. Could he improve? Sure. But Lawrence has not looked bad. He just hasn't." Though the offensive line has played poorly, compared to Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, Trey Lance and Justin Fields, Lawrence has indeed looked bad. You seem to be applying what you see in practice to your evaluation instead of what we've seen in the games played so far. Considering he was the consensus No. 1 pick and much more experienced than the other quarterbacks mentioned, yes he has definitely looked bad.
Except that he hasn't.
Daniel from Jersey City, NJ
O-man, sometimes your honesty bums me out. Can you paint us a rosy picture for what's going on?
I don't know how to do that. What I do know how to do is answer questions here in a way to inform and educate – and on some days, entertain – the fans. I believe the Jaguars are moving in the right direction for the long term. The major reason I believe that is the presence of Lawrence. He looks like a future star. It also seems there are some significant good pieces being placed around him. I don't believe that will mean a .500-or-better record this season. I do believe they will feel like a team on the rise at season's end. We'll see.
Chris from Mandarin
Do the Jaguars receive any type of compensation in the future if Travis Etienne never plays a down for them due to a career-ending Lisfranc injury?
No.
Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL
It seems our receivers aren't getting much separation for Lawrence. Their fault, or is Trevor not seeing them?
This is usually a combination of both, but from an observer's eye from above separation has been an issue thus far.
Don from Marshall NC
I think Urban Meyer has everyone where he wants them. Let the games begin! Go Jaguars!
Go big or go home.
