JACKSONVILLE – Fourteen. Give or take.

Let's get to it …

Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!!! As we prepare for the preseason games and into the first few games of the regular season, I am looking for what I believe will be some good indicators on how we will progress from last year. When we need a first down to extend a drive, especially third-and-short, can the offense deliver? Conversely, can our defense make the third- or fourth-down stop on a consistent basis? Finally, can each side make that one big play like it seems they are trading in practice? What says you, O-Zone???

These are understandable concerns and pertinent storylines for the Jaguars as Saturday's 2025 preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at EverBank Stadium approaches. One caveat as kickoff draws near: While your storylines are good and critical ones, it's unrealistic to think the Jaguars and/or their fans will have a plate full of definitive answers to all questions by game's end on Saturday – and that will be true even if the Jaguars happen to look great in all these areas of focus. Remember, too: All teams in the NFL are capable and the Jaguars are not going to be a perfect team this season, which means they're not going to be perfect in all areas of concern. What you therefore want to see in the preseason games and on into the regular season is steady progress in these areas. You want to gradually feel more confident when the offense faces a third-and-short situation. You want to see this defense getting opponents more consistently into passing situations, then getting significant and consistent pressure, and you want to see it stopping opponents in big run situations. You absolutely want to see both sides of the ball making big plays in big moments more than last season, when that was a glaring weakness. The Jaguars may not be as consistent as you like in these areas because few teams are rarely as consistent as their fans like in any area. But if the Jaguars show steady improvement, then they're moving in the right direction with a chance for success. And yes … you can start getting some glimpses of this in the preseason. Kickoff is coming.

Matthew from Townsville, Tropical Australia

Hi, O. How has Yasir Abdullah been going in training camp overall? Heard he had a sack on Day 10, which is encouraging. I always thought his college prepared him poorly for the NFL getting him to play edge rather than linebacker, which it seems suits his frame much better. So, he has had to play catchup once he moved to linebacker last year. Does it look like he's getting it? Do you expect to see him on the roster?

Abdullah, a third-year linebacker, appears to have been steady so far in Jaguars 2025 Training Camp. I have heard nothing to indicate coaches and personnel officials dislike him. He is listed as a co-starter entering the preseason. I can't say he has stood out, but that doesn't mean he hasn't played well. I expect him on the roster at this point. Stay tuned.

Henry from Oceanway

LFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Scooby Sense – not my Scobee Sense – tells me you're excited about the start of the preseason. Sure, why not? It's pretty close to real football and that's better than not being pretty close to real football.

Judson from Jacksonville Beach

Hey, Zone. How have the backup quarterbacks looked so far in training camp? Is Nick an upgrade over Mac?

The Jaguars' backup quarterbacks behind starter Trevor Lawrence have looked pretty much as expected, with Nick Mullens the clear backup – and with veteran third-team quarterback John Wolford looking like a veteran third-team quarterback in that he can run the offense and deliver the ball but probably won't be playing in big situations. Rookie Seth Henigan also has looked fine for an undrafted rookie. The trio behind Lawrence hasn't been spectacular, but they haven't stood out as looking poor. Is Mullens an improvement over 2024 backup quarterback Mac Jones? They're both backup and the difference in raw football talent is probably minimal. Mullens knows this offensive system and Jones doesn't, so that's a major factor in his favor.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

A first depth chart before Week 1 of the preseason is about as insignificant as it gets. That said, it can give us a good idea of where the coaches view the players RIGHT NOW. Did any of the names and positions raise an O-Zone eyebrow? Seeing a two where you thought would be a 1, or vice versa? Or was it pretty much exactly the way you would expect it to be? I'm still looking for Wyatt Milum to take over the starting role on the offensive line at some point this year, maybe sooner than later.

The notable storylines on the Preseason Week 1 depth chart from this view were the positions where players were listed as "co-starters," with an "or" between the names. Those positions: Safety Eric Murray or Darnell Savage, safety Andrew Wingard or Antonio Johnson, guard Patrick Mekari or Chuma Edoga, running back Travis Etienne Jr. or Tank Bigsby, Abdullah or Dennis Gardeck and tight end Johnny Mundt or Hunter Long. Watch the "ors" this month.

Jay from So-Cal

So, as far as the outliers in the wide receiver group, I've heard some good work from Cephus and Pancol. Do you see them as making the 53-man roster? Also, do you keep four running backs?

First-year veteran Joshua Cephus seems to be making a push for the 53-man roster, but beware: The history of NFL training camps is littered with young receivers who have had standout practices and not quiiiite made it in the regular season. I would be very surprised if Cephus isn't around this team in some capacity and rookie Eli Pancol would have a chance to be on the practice squad, too. As for the running back position … yes, I think the Jaguars will find a way to keep four running backs. They like all the backs in camp – Bigsby, Etienne, Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen Jr. and Ja'Quinden Jackson. It's hard to keep four, but in this case it could be worth the effort.

Anita from Springfield

Curious for your take: We have some potentially good cornerback depth and maybe better competition in the whole secondary than we predicted. But, No. 12 is quite good at everything he does ... maybe we make him more of a "designated playmaker" in packages like what the Los Angeles Rams ran with Jalen Ramsey as the "star" defender. After all, Head Coach Liam Coen/General Manager James Gladstone would've seen that work...

We're certainly making every effort in this forum to approach the Travis Hunter Experience with all angles. Why people see this as a mystery or a puzzle is a bit mysterious and puzzling. Hunter, a wide receiver/defensive back, is going to play offense full-time. He will be an integral, starting part of the receiver corps and play a normal workload of snaps for an integral, starting receiver. I expect he will play a more select role on defense early in the season with an emphasis on "get-off-the-field" plays – i.e., big third downs, long yardage, etc. He may soon play a lot more than that defensively. That's it, Bania. That's the meal.

Daniel from St. Johns, FL

Best answer of all-time, KOAF. I teared up a bit at "I'm sure many current Jaguars players haven't heard of Boselli. And I'm sure some of them have heard of him. There are pictures of Boselli throughout the Miller Electric Center. And that is his name on the wall inside the stadium."

I am the king of all funk.

Fred from The hot and dusty Willie Browne trail.

Please help me with my recollection of the 2006 game in Indy. I recall the Jags running frequently draw plays, with running backs Fred Taylor or Maurice Jones-Drew picking up eight-to-12 yards a pop. Then inexplicably our offensive coordinator quit calling them without them ever being stopped. Is my memory fairly intact, and more importantly why do OC's do this?

I think you're referencing a 21-14 Indianapolis Colts victory over the Jaguars in September 2006. The Jaguars indeed ran well early in that game and took a 7-0 lead. They finished with 191 yards rushing and averaged 4.8 yards a carry. The Colts took control of the game in the second half and led 21-7 midway through the fourth quarter. I don't recall the specifics of the Jaguars' play-calling that day.

Stuart from Cottonwood AZ

Not sure we have room for a Tom and a Gary in the Zone.

All views are welcome here until they're not – and even the unwelcome have a way of finding a side door.

Stan from Jacksonville

"Tom from the beach" must be related to "Gary from St Augustine".

I think they're cousins. Good guys. A lot of camaraderie.