JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Greg from Section 122, Jacksonville
Just a shout out and nod of appreciation to Myles Jack, who is retiring. Appreciate all you did as a Jaguar, man. And remember always: Myles Jack WASN'T DOWN! (Salute).
Former Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles recently after spending the 2022 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, reportedly told the Eagles Monday he plans to retire. Jack, a second-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft, indeed deserves at minimum a small shoutout from Jaguars fans – and I feel confident he would appreciate it. Jack played six seasons with the Jaguars and turned in his share of memorable plays. He was a good player on a lot of bad teams, seemed to approach a Pro Bowl level at times and was a really good player on the 2017 AFC South Champions. He will be best – and forever – remembered by Jaguars fans for the "Myles Jack Wasn't Down" play, a play in the AFC Championship Game following that 2017 season that should have been a touchdown. Had officials ruled that play correctly, the Jaguars almost certainly would have beaten the New England Patriots in that game and played in the Super Bowl for the first time. The strip/fumble recovery/touchdown not only would almost have been perhaps the biggest play in franchise history, but it would have been remembered as one of the most spectacular plays in the NFL in recent memory. It showed Jack's remarkable athleticism when he was at his peak and in a sense is something of a symbol of the frustration a lot of Jaguars fans have felt for a long time. As painful as the memory is for fans, the play will live forever in Jaguars lore – and I sense Jack always will be remembered fondly. Here's hoping for good things for him moving forward. And he wasn't down.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
Please correct me if I am wrong, but the Jags' offensive and defensive line depth is starting to become worrisome.
You're not wrong. The injuries along the offensive line in particular are concerning. When Head Coach Doug Pederson spoke to the media Monday, a main topic was an injury list along the offensive line that included starting right tackle Anton Harrison (shoulder), swing tackle Josh Wells (adductor), swing guard Tyler Shatley (atrial fibrillation), lineman Chandler Brewer (concussion protocol), guard Darryl Williams (shoulder), lineman Blake Hance (concussion evaluation Saturday) and guard Cooper Hodges (patellar). The good news is Harrison is the only starter of the group and Pederson said he's expected to play Saturday in a Preseason Week 3 game against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Stadium. It's also good news that guard Ben Bartch is returning from the Physically Unable to Perform list and could play Saturday. Perhaps the best news is that close to three weeks remain before the regular-season opener, so there's time for healing. So, yes … this is a concern. It's not yet a crisis.
Joe from Jacksonville
Hope you have a second for a dumb question. Why are quarterbacks that are not involved in the game (Trevor Lawrence) wearing headsets? I've noticed it league wide as well. Thanks!
They want to hear the play calls and communicate with the coaches.
Adam from Allentown, PA
Losing Hamilton is a crusher. We needed him to push the middle and make the pass rush go. John, I am a little concerned that my concern is becoming more concerning.
The Jaguars announced Sunday night that defensive lineman DaVon Hamilton is out indefinitely with a non-football-related back issue. Although concern is understandable and appropriate, and although Hamilton certainly is critical to the defensive line, I don't know that it's correct to frame this story as losing Hamilton for an extended time yet. Stay tuned.
JoeC. Southside Jax from Jacksonville
It's totally perplexing how many fans feel the need to question Pederson's evaluation regarding the backup position? We have an awesome coach and should all believe and support his decisions. After all no one knows this team and its players better than, Coach P!
Fans fan. It's what they do.
Brad from Section 38
The Jaguars' special teams looked really bad in Saturday's game against the Lions. Cause for concern?
No – or not much, anyway. Remember: Coaches play a variety of players on special teams in the preseason for evaluation. A better idea on this front could come early Saturday in Preseason Week 3. That's often when teams play their front-line coverage and return teams.
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
I just looked at the Jaguars' schedule. The regular season is almost here. You still suck.
Yep.
Johnny B from Howey In The Hills
Mr. O: I was thrilled by the win Saturday versus the Detroit Lions, but I was most impressed by the Jags' depth. I cannot recall having this many roster-capable players in any season. I think there are 10-to-12 players that could make many rosters, but the Jaguars' staff will have some tough decisions.
The Jaguars indeed appear significantly deeper than years past, partly because of rookies and young players selected by the Jaguars in the past few drafts. The depth also is helped by veterans who have signed as free agents or been claimed off waivers such as defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter, Evans, running back D'Ernest Johnson, wide receiver Jacob Harris, Brewer, cornerback Tevaughn Campbell, defensive lineman Michael Dogbe, Hance, linebacker Caleb Johnson and defensive lineman Henry Mondeaux. A lot of those players have flashed in 2023 Training Camp some could be on the 53-man roster. That's some solid depth acquisition in the last two or three years.
Don from Marshall NC
Anthony Richardson is such an impressive physical quarterback. Regardless, the Indianapolis Colts have got to have a hole in their head throwing him to the wolves. It's not going to end well for him, and it will not be his fault. At the end of the season, you can expect the Colts will have a chance at the first pick in the draft. The Jaguars have been down this road and it's a hard paper route right now as it looks like the Colts are a universe away from the super Bowl. They had their fun over the years. It's the Jaguars' time now!
When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts, Don is not "all in."
Dave from Jacksonville
Wizard, Tank Bigsby is starting to remind me of a certain other SEC late-round running back, Terrell Davis. It may be because I saw a lot of Terrell in his early days, but that cut-and-run style sure looks familiar. Is it way, way, way too early for that? A good preseason can make a player.
It's a stretch to paint Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby as an unknown who has had to prove himself in the preseason. He was a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Jaguars coaches and personnel people knew a lot about him and really liked him before and during the draft. That feeling grew in the offseason program. Bigsby looking really good in training camp and preseason is a matter of proving that feeling right. It's notable. It could be really important this season. But it's not a surprise.
James from Salt Lake City via Jagsonville
Mr. O-Man. I know people cry about our defense's lack of sacks. I also don't hear them moaning when quarterback pressure causes a bad throw and the resulting interception. Seems we had a few of those last year.
Good eye.
Zac from Austin, Tejas
Calling my shots – Kicker James McCourt and outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson don't make the cut. Bigsby underwhelms on the year but does fine as a rookie. Jaguars sign a slightly veteran offensive lineman before the season starts. C.J. Beathard takes QB2 because teams have already planned for Minshew, they can plan for Minshew 0.8 just as easily.
McCourt could fill the same practice-squad role he played last season, and I expect Chaisson also could fill his 2022 role – that of a reserve outside linebacker behind starters Josh Allen and Travon Walker. I would be very surprised if Bigbsy is underwhelming as a rookie and the Jaguars have a bunch of slightly veteran offensive lineman as depth. I expect Beathard to be the backup quarterback because the Jaguars like his experience, knowledge of the offense and reliability. They trust him, and trust is a biiiiiiig thing for a backup quarterback.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, I know it's only preseason, but 813 yards in total offense in two games is impressive. I'm trying to control my expectations, however, the depth this team has now is so much better than anything they've had in recent memory.
This looks like the deepest, most-talented team the Jaguars have had in long time – maybe a couple of decades. That and the presence of Lawrence give this season a chance to be special. It's the NFL. Nothing is guaranteed. But there's a chance.
