JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Johnny B from Howey in the Hills
Dr. O: After reading Head Coach Liam Coen's assessment of Friday's scrimmage, I got some good info on the obvious: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is progressing nicely, the wide receivers should be a threat this year and the defense looks stout – especially defensive end Travon Walker. My question to you is what do you think of the offensive line? I'm really interested to get your thoughts on the combo of the free agents and the rookies that seem to be having a good camp? What do you say, Dr. O?
The Jaguars' offensive line for the most part seems to be having a collective good camp, though it's fair to note that the unit has worked in just four padded practices – including the 2025 Stadium Scrimmage Friday inside EverBank Stadium. The unit appeared to run block well much of this past week – a week that represented the padded portion of camp to date – and the pass protection for the most part appeared to hold up Friday. This answer by nature is premature and speculative, because you never really know about an offensive line until it plays full speed. That doesn't happen until the preseason – and even that's not the same test as regular season.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
In the history of the Jaguars from a "rookie making the biggest impact" view, would you have to put running back James Robinson's record-setting 10 touchdowns and over 1,400 all-purpose yards in 2020 at the top? Last year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.'s nearly 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns a close second? Running back Leonard Fournette's 2017 rookie season with 10 touchdowns and over 1,300 all-purpose yards is third? Who is also on this list or am I missing a player from the past that is near the top? I am saying the bar is pretty high for Travis Hunter if he wanted to join the conversation for his rookie year.
I would put running back Fred Taylor's 1998 season at the top of any list of rookie seasons in Jaguars history. He scored 17 touchdowns and made a strong case for Rookie of the Year. The Jaguars won the AFC Central title at 11-5 that season, so that trumps whatever Robinson did in a 1-15 season in 2020. I also would have to put Fournette's 2017 rookie season right behind Taylor's in 1998 because I don't think the Jaguars would have won the AFC South that season without Fournette playing at a high level. I'm also not sure you should overlook running back Maurice Jones-Drew's all-purpose 2006 season, though I was not covering the team at the time and therefore don't have as good a feel for that season as the others. But yes … the bar for rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter in this conversation is high. He's capable of clearing it, but it's high.
Cliff from Orange Park, FL
If Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker has 17 sacks to Detroit Lions defensive end Aiden Hutchinson's 10 this year, will the debate end?
Probably not.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
For crying out loud, the Walker-Hutch debate is as tiresome for you as it is to us that love TW. I am absolutely THRILLED he is on this roster, and to me we are better overall with him than the alternative. I know it will always be there to a lot of folks, just naturally due to the situation, but one fer "I'm sick of the non debate."
One fer that.
Troy from Dover, PA
Do you believe Travon Walker is better than Josh Hines-Allen?
I believe both Walker and Hines-Allen are front-line players around whom you can build an NFL defense. I've said for some time I believe Walker may be the team's best player regardless of position.
Jason from North Pole, AK
Regarding Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead having a "veteran's start" to practice, I was listening to former NFL offensive lineman Alex Boone and Jeremiah Sirles talk about being teammates with both Antonio Gates and Dwight Freeney in the twilight of their careers. He said they would look around during training camp and be like, "Yo, where's Gates at?" Coaches would just shrug and he would join the team for camp whenever he decided to do so. He also said if there were any training camp fights, or coaches were getting heated, Dwight Freeney would just leave in the middle of practice. Maybe those are extreme examples, but it sounds as though special treatment for veterans of Armstead's status are par for the course. Can you think of any players you covered that were given similar leeway?
Not to that degree.
Nick from Palm Coast, FL
When is Maason Smith able to come off the PUP list?
Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith will be activated from the physically unable to perform list when the team deems him healthy enough to practice. That's true if it happens before the regular season. If it doesn't happen before that, he must miss the first four regular-season games. This is not expected to be a regular-season issue.
Scott from Palatka, FL
Two questions, they both might have already been answered. Who is replacing Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli on the radio broadcast and since he got his new gig, is he approachable by anyone other than a mid-30 something-year old wearing a hoodie?
Jaguars Radio broadcasts in 2025 will feature a two-announcer booth with Frank Frangie on play by play and Jeff Lageman providing analysis. As far as the EVP being approachable by someone other than a 30-something wearing a hoodie … OK, that was funny. I laughed.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
Don't defensive backs play in ... the secondary? Remind me the difference or reason to have separate coaches there? It's Friday morning, and I'm a bit foggy.
When it comes to coaching, two sometimes is better than one.
Brett from Jax
What are your thoughts on Ryan O'Halloran taking over as columnist following your main man Gene?
Ryan O'Halloran, formerly the Jaguars beat writer for the Florida Times-Union, indeed is taking over as the T-U's sports columnist for former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette. No one "replaces" Gene. He defined a time and an era. That being said, I have utmost respect for O'Halloran. He is the right person at the right time for the role.
David from St. Augustine, FL
Steve from Nashville has clearly not watched much hockey. The NHL is not a distant second to the NFL in terms of violence and physical play. I would say it is actually the other way around. I think the NFL has done a good job recently in working to make the sport safer for its players. So this is not a complaint. Just an observation.
Fair.
Travis from High Springs
I also tire of the Hutchinson/Walker debate and try to avoid it if possible. The only reason I'm putting my two cents in now is because I think the Hutchinson sack people are missing a key point in the discussion. The point is the Lions have been one of the best, most explosive offenses in the league since drafting Hutchinson, so they're usually playing with a lead, therefore Hutchinson gets way more opportunities to rush the passer, which obviously leads to more sacks. None of this to say Hutchinson is not the better pass rusher, but I believe when comparing players, situation matters a lot. Do you agree?
Yes.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Liam Coen on Friday night called the EverBank surface a "fast track." Can you expand on what that means compared to the surface at the Miller Electric Center and how that helps this team on offense in games that matter with its (on paper) increased speed in the wide receiver and running back groups?
When coaches talk about a "fast track," they mean players appear – and perhaps really are – a step(ish) faster than normal on it. The Jaguars pushed hard to increase their speed – particularly on offense – in the offseason. It stands to reason fast players such as wide receivers Hunter, Dyami Brown and Brian Thomas Jr. and running back Bhayshul Tuten would benefit from a "fast track."
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. I know it's important to be nice here, but I see a couple of red flags for Armstead. Either he gets traded due to a sore back or he misses a lot of time. A sore back can linger and linger. Hoping I'm wrong. Now for my question. You win the coin toss. Do you always defer and kick first? Any good reason not to? I don't know of any.
I would defer and kick first unless given a good reason to do otherwise. Having the ball coming out of halftime is better than playing defense because of the momentum scoring in that situation can bring.
