JACKSONVILLE – We're almost there.
We have one more week of the dead zone, then it's on to Jaguars 2026 Training Camp. Whoo!
Let's get to it …
Michael from Mean Streets of Arlington
Did you know that out of all the current active NFL head coaches, Coen has the second-highest win percentage? Did you know that of all NFL coaches ever with more than two games, Coen is the seventh-highest win percentage? Do we still need to question if he should have kicked a field goal? Field goal? Don't talk about field goals. Are you kidding me?
It is undoubtedly fair for fans to question Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen's in-game decisions – including his much-discussed decision to (unsuccessfully) go for a first down on fourth-and-2 from the Buffalo Bills 9-yard line in a 27-24 AFC Wild Card loss this past January. This is because it's fair to question any NFL head coach's decisions. NFL head coaches get questioned. Always. It is part of the job. And fans fan. It's what they do. It's perhaps fairer and more important to remember that Coen's overall philosophy is a big part of his success and aggression is a big part of his philosophy, just as it is fair to note that pretty much all NFL head coaches are more aggressive in non-conventional circumstances these days than once was the case. Coen without question will continue being aggressive. It will work a lot. I expect it won't work at times, too. And around and around we go.
JK from NY and Fernandina Beach, FL
Hey, John. Trevor Lawrence is 26 years old and entering his sixth year in the NFL, just around the time many elite quarterbacks begin to enter their peak performance years. Two questions: Is Trevor about to enter his career prime where he will unquestionably and universally be proclaimed as the reigning King Of All Elite Quarterbacks? ("KOAEQ" for short). Who is the No. 62 best player in the NFL? (because it sure ain't T. Law). Thanks and Go Jags!
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is a key storyline for the Jaguars entering 2026, just as he has been a key storyline the last five seasons – and just as I expect he will be a key storyline for the next decade or so. He is strikingly young for a quarterback of his talent and experience, and I expect he has yet to reach his potential. That is good news for the Jaguars because he established himself as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks last season. I will be very surprised if Lawrence isn't among the NFL's best quarterbacks for the next multiple seasons. I don't know the 62nd-best player in the NFL and Lawrence being ranked there in this year's NFL Network's Best 100 Players – or whatever they officially call it now – is silly considering he was a Top 5 player last season.
Rusty John from Saint Augustine, FL
I am glad your loyal reader posted about liking Massive Hot Dog Recall, and I agree that Al's ska-punk trombone is delightful. Only in Ohio. Have you listened to any of the newish albums from Dave Canales' of Devo? "Invisible Man" is a good entry point. Since the systems and coordinators are largely in place, where do you think the focus will be when camp starts?
Improving.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 80?
We have pushed through the loooong land of (mostly) offensive linemen and arrived at the eighties in this discussion of best players in Jaguars history to wear specific numbers. This is a deep number, with possibilities including tight end Kyle Brady (1999-2006), wide receiver Willie Jackson (1995-1997), tight end Quintin Morris (2025-2026), tight end James O'Shaughnessy (2017-2021), wide receiver Jerry Porter (2008), tight end Julius Thomas (2015-2016) and wide receiver Mike Thomas (2009-2012). We will go Brady here – one of the more underrated free-agent signings in franchise history.
Paul from St. Augustine, FL
Well, that will teach me to let auto-complete fill in my question box submission...
OK.
Brad from The Avenues
Man, Focus by Hocus Pocus … that took me back. Fifteen years old, sitting on the floor in Bart's attic bedroom. Me, Bart, Cliff, Mike and Frank. Not the greatest stereo but the least complaining neighbors. I immediately dug out my good headphones, looked it up on YouTube and jammed. Well worth the struggle to get up off the floor afterward.
I gave this a listen. The lyrics touched my soul. Give my best to Bart, Mike and Frank. Cliff? Not so much.
Scott from Jax, FL
I wise owl told me that there are three weights in the weight room.
That wasn't a wise old owl. That was Gene.
Michael from Fleming Island, FL
What specific details are there about Chris Rodriguez Jr.? When will he be ready to play? Was he already injured when he left Washington?
Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. reportedly sustained a left foot injury early in the offseason program. He reportedly is expected to be ready for training camp.
Liam from Derbyshire, UK
Hey, John. No question today, just a Happy Birthday! Thanks for the great content you produce on the O-Zone and Jags podcasts. It is always a pleasure to hear your knowledge and insight. Have a great day, mate!
Much thanks.
Tony from Suwanee, GA
Talking about teams coming back in games reminded me of a classic commercial in the broadcast of NFL games in the 80s, Alcoa Fantastic Finishes. Do you remember those? Can the NFL bring them back with the same music?
I do remember those. I don't expect the NFL will bring them back with or without the music. I do know that Alcoa Can't Wait. They can't wait, for tomorrow. They can't wait. Really.
Joel from Yulee, FL
Speaking of prevent defense, my grandfather once wrote a letter to Miami Dolphins Head Coach Don Shula explaining how prevent defense prevents victory. He was convinced over the rest of the season that Mr. Shula got the letter and they were winning games because of his advice. When do you think the last time an NFL coach got an actual letter with advice from a fan?
What year did your grandfather write Shula?
Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA
Would some of the fans in this space really prefer more tennis and "futbol" talk, or can we please just have our somewhat subjective numbers chain end of its own accord? I may not love hearing all the names that were supposed to be great either, but it is team history at least. Thanks.
I assume O-Zone readers do prefer more talk about tennis in this forum. I also assume most O-Zone readers are as impressed as I am that three-time major champion and future Hall of Famer Stan Wawrinka is playing the Millenium Estoril Open in Portugal this week in his final year on the tour when most players of his stature would stick to wild cards in bigger tournaments. Alas, I don't expect Wawrinka to win Estoril. I'm going to go with Andrey Rublev, the top seed and one of the most fun players on tour to watch.
Joel from Yulee, FL
Yeah. But still...
Fair.
Scott from Atlantic Beach, FL
No Replacements albums? BoDeans?
The Replacements were fantastic, but I never was into them when I was younger and they seem to me a band you need to like when they're young to carry with you as you age. I loved the BoDeans and consider Love and Hope and Sex and Dreams a classic.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. For 20 years, I was sure the line from the lyrics of the song "Woman from Tokyo" by Deep Purple was "My women's a TKO (technical knockout)" instead of "My woman from Tokyo." Great song for sure.
I think you were right.
Matt from Jacksonville
No question. Just two comments: 1. I don't care for a wrinkly defense. 2. "Pizza Burnin' " is definitely a top 10 Rolling Stones song. Okay, one question: Can we talk about the whole "going for it on fourth down thing?" I'm not sure if that has been mentioned.
I'll get back to you.
Scott from Jacksonville
I never heard "pizza burnin". "Wrapped up like a douche" was a much worse lyric in any case.
You're referencing Manfred Mann's version of the Bruce Springsteen song, Blinded by the Light – and the lyric in question sounds enough like that that it's hard to dispute it's that. There are a lot of stories about how Manfred Mann meant it to be "revved up like a deuce" in reference to a "deuce coupe" – and that problems in the recording studio caused it to sound as it did. That was Mann's version, anyway. Jaguars 2026 Training Camp begins July 28 at the Miller Electric Center, with rookies and quarterbacks reporting July 25.
Cristiano from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feliz aniversário, Johnny-O! Muitas felicidades, muitos anos de vida!
Gracias.
