JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Jerry from Jacksonville

Wow. That was a big disappointment, right?

I assume you are referencing the United States Men's National Team's 4-1 loss to Belgium Monday in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup – and yes, the game was disappointing. I have said often in recent weeks that I know enough about soccer to know I don't know much about soccer. I do know Belgium looked like a team that was just better and more seasoned in this level of tournament than the United States – and considering the soccer pedigrees of both countries, possibly that is how it was supposed to look. I do know watching this tournament so far has been really cool and I know I will continue to watch it even with the United States out. That's not something I could have imagined saying two or three decades ago. Soccer – or, as Mrs. O-Zone now calls it, "futbol" – has grown at a phenomenal rate in this country and I expect it will continue to do so. I expect someday the United States will advance into the quarterfinal and semifinal of tournaments such as this. I couldn't have imagined saying that a few decades ago, either. One fer the USMNT, even after a tough night? Absolutely. Here's to a cool few weeks.

Tom from the Mean Streets of Nocatee

Well, that was fun. When does training camp start? More importantly, has a date been selected for Zonestock?

USMNT lost Monday. The World Cup is not over. Wimbledon is not over. Jaguars 2026 Training Camp starts at the Miller Electric Center July 25 with veterans reporting July 28.

Brittany from Duuuval 250

If Travis Hunter will be able to play this year, is he ready to play when the season starts? How is Trevor Lawrence doing since his shoulder surgery? Love ya, Jax. Prayers. God bless America 250.

I have heard nothing to make me think Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter won't be ready to play by the start of the 2026 regular season. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence underwent season-ending surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in December 2024 and had his best NFL season in 2025.

Bradley from Death Valley, CA

I think "The Hunt" is quality stuff and as a result started watching Jaguars A.M. and found it watchable. I have frequently only read the Stevens segment under the Expert Analysis Column before games because I like original thought. She is also a very solid broadcaster and you and Sexton are entertaining and informative. Just one question: Is the way you sit on furniture an equal and opposite reaction to the way Richard Dreyfuss sits on furniture?

A few thoughts on these thoughts. One, whatever "The Hunt" is, I'm sure it's fine – though I still think we should promote it more and pour some resources into the project. Two, we are happy to hear Jaguars A.M. is "watchable;" that's as good a goal as any and it's nice to achieve goals – though I don't know that we always achieve it. Three, Kainani Stevens indeed possesses original thought; I will pass along to here that that has been noticed by the public. Four, I suppose Brian Sexton and I are entertaining and informative; perhaps this is what sometimes makes us "watchable." Just one answer: I sit on furniture the way I sit in an effort to not fall off furniture. I don't always achieve this either. I will keep trying. Or not. Either way. Whatever.

Scooter from St. Augustine, FL

Recalling William "The Fridge" Perry making a couple carries as a running back for the Chicago Bears, how about giving Travon Walker a chance to pick up a yard or two? Another two-way player?

I get emails along these lines on occasion – which is understandable considering Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker's strength and power. I suppose it would be fine if the Jaguars ever used Walker along these lines, but it doesn't strike me as all that necessary. Remember: Short-yardage effectiveness is far more about line play, situation and play call than about the strength and power of the ball-carrier. While Walker is phenomenally strong, he's still not going to run over two or three 300-pound linemen on fourth-and-2.

DMiz from Jagsonville

"Okey-doke." LMAO. For those who need it spelled that, that means laugh my a$$ off.

I am the king of all funk.

James from Salt Lake City via Jagsonville

All right, Mr. mighty O. Is the so-called Mayor of Jacksonville, Pete Prisco, also a fan of the Jaguars. He sure is in my definition of a fan. Just asking for your input and I'm a okey-dokey kind of guy.

My good friend Pete Prisco of CBS Sports has earned the title Mayor of Jacksonville. I don't know that he is the only mayor, but he can be "a" mayor. Of all national media, he is perhaps the most vocally supportive of the town and he is very fair when it comes to the Jaguars. I don't consider him a Jaguars fan. I'm sure he doesn't consider himself a Jaguars fan. Being fair is not being a fan.

Jon from Arcanum, OH

Aaron Donald is right where I went when I read the question. Then I got a pit in my stomach thinking about left tackle. Is that the one position that could hold a healthy Jaguars offense back? I believe in Cole Van Lanen there because the Jaguars do. If he's not ready, though, I have seen all I want to see from Walker Little against elite defensive ends. Guess I will take a prime Tony Boselli and watch this offense go.

This references a likely-forgotten O-Zone thread about the player past or present who most might help this Jaguars team. If memory serves, I selected Donald – one of the most-disruptive interior defensive linemen in NFL history – because the Jaguars like most teams could benefit from elite disruption on the defensive interior. Would I take Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli were he still in his prime at left tackle, where he was a Pro Football Hall of Fame performer? Of course. But let's keep in perspective the Jaguars' current situation at the position. Yes, Van Lanen is expected to perhaps be limited in training camp and it's uncertain if he will start the season. And yes, he's better than Little because he's the starter and Little is not. But Little is an experienced player with 39 NFL starts. There are worse backup left tackles in the league. Much worse.

Sam from Orlando, FL

That schedule to start the year is brutal. I don't trust what my eyes watched last year either. I see the Jags with seven or eight wins. Gene, forgive me.

I don't know how the Jaguars will fare in the 2026 season. I expect them to win 10 or more games because I think they're good and I think they're a confident group that can withstand adversity. If they don't reach that many victories, it won't be because of the schedule. Whether you trust what you saw from the Jaguars last season or not, they won 13 regular-season games against what by any measure was a difficult schedule. A "tough" schedule shouldn't scare or derail this team.

Cary from Jacksonville

And so we reach the end of our journey. At last. What about "Z?"

We indeed have reached the end of this discussion centering on all-time Jaguars players with a specific last initial. It has been a noble journey, hardly for the faint of heart – or for the faint of lungs of intestines, for that matter. This entry, like many late in the alphabet, gives us limited options with the only players with last initial "Z" being offensive tackle Steve Zahursky (2001), long snapper Joe Zelenka (2001-2008) and Kilian Zierer (2026). We'll go Zelenka here. One fer long snappers.

Kenneth from Jacksonville

Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 65?

And we push on. Possibilities here include center Brandon Linder (2014-2021), guard Patrick Mekari (2025-present), center Mitch Morse (2024), guard Chris Naole (2002-2007), center Quentin Neujahr (1998-2000) and guard Will Rackley (2011-2013). Linder and Naole are both good choices here. I guess we'll go Naole. Or Linder. Too close to call.

Willis from Jax

Why does no one draft a seven-foot + designated field goal blocker?

Because no one has deemed that that would be effective enough to warrant the roster spot.

Curtis from Shack Outside La Grange

I think you should consider speaking in the third person full time. Curtis likes it.

I floated this over the weekend while talking with Mrs. O-Zone. I pushed a bit beyond "floating" and did this a few times. "John's enjoying this World Cup match," I said late Saturday afternoon. "Hmm," she said. "John's going to the garage refrigerator for a protein shake," I then said. Silence. "John's enjoying the protein shake," I said upon returning. "That's enough," she said. I stopped.