JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Nick from Palatka, FL
Welcome back, KOAJLF: If last year's offense was a Ferrari, then this year's would be a supercharged Ferrari with offseason additions. Do you think offensive coordinator Press Taylor and quarterback Trevor Lawrence are finally learning how to drive this thing – i.e., when and where to run and which of a multitude of receivers is likely to be open against certain defensive looks?
I wouldn't call the 2022 Jaguars offense a Ferrari, though I think people tend to look back on it as such. In reality, it was really good at times and there were many times it struggled. It improved late in the season, but there were even stretches late in the season when it was great and other stretches when it struggled. The offense so far this season has been much the same. But while it hasn't fulfilled the preseason expectations of either observers or players/coaches, it damned sure hasn't been a bad offense. As for whether Taylor and Lawrence are "finally learning to drive this thing" … we'll see. The Jaguars made some serious strides Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. They had 29 first downs, 474 yards and put together three really impressive drives to close the game. That bodes well. I expect more consistency moving forward if key players stay healthy. Stay tuned.
Steven from Charlotte, NC
I completely understand your recent answer regarding Travon Walker. My simple question, is this what you expect from the No. 1 pick in the draft?
Jaguars outside linebacker Travon Walker is productive and makes this defense better. I would put him with cornerback Tyson Campbell and outside linebacker Josh Allen as the three players the defense can least afford to lose. The Jaguars are playing really well defensively, and I expect they would really miss Walker were out for an extended period. He pushes the pocket, impacts the quarterback in the pass rush and plays the run exceptionally well. Pretty much the only area he doesn't stand out is sacks. That's pretty much what I expected from Walker. I didn't expect him to be a high-number sacks guy, certainly not early in his career. People are determined to call him a bust. He's not.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
The truth is jetlag/altitude is something that affects some people a great deal and others very little.
OK.
Mark from Englewood
KOAF, my question pertains to the 15 scripted plays at the outset of the game. How does it work? 15 plays to pick and choose from? Or is the exact order predetermined? Are some of these plays chosen to see how the other team reacts so that later in the game the play caller has intel?? Please elaborate! And thanks for all you do!!
This typically works as follows. The offensive coordinator/offensive staff scripts 15 plays to start the game and the team will follow that script so long as the situation allows it. A situation that might not allow it would be a quick turnover in the opponent's red zone or poor field position near their own goal line. The exact order is often predetermined. Yes, a lot the purpose of the script is to determine how the defense is playing to determine potential calls later in the game.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
Who the hell is Matt Lombardo?
What?
Mike from Green Cove Springs
John. Thinking about new stadium proposals, playing in Daytona, Orlando, etc., two years/four years away, etc. … why can't they stay in the present stadium and build a new stadium next to the present stadium? Jags stay and play in Jax while new stadium is being built. Of course, there will be no parking lot next to the stadium while new stadium being built. They can do more satellite parking lots and bus people in. Problem solved. You're welcome, Mr. Khan.
Building a new stadium was projected to cost about $1 billion more than "renovating" the existing stadium. That may or may not sound like a lot. It sounds like a lot more if you're the one paying.
Don from Marshall, NC
You know some fish end up in the boat by biting at a shiny piece of metal. You really have to watch what someone is doing on the field in order to qualify his draft status. The team is in middle of the hunt and finger pointing at point is fruitless. Go Jaguars!
Don remains "all in." That's my best guess on this one, anyway.
Bruce from Saint Simons Island
O, At this point, looking at the Jags schedule, I think we should have a better evaluation of the Jags after weeks 10 and 13 when they play the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals at home. Do you agree?
Sure, though I think we're getting an idea now. The Jaguars lost to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs by eight points and beat the defending AFC East Champion Buffalo Bills by five points. They have beaten three teams with winning records and lost to an improved Houston Texans team. They are one of multiple teams with 3-2 records a game behind two teams with 4-1 records in the AFC. That means they're "right in there" in the AFC, which is a fine place to be five games into the season.
Deane from Daytona Beach, FL
Yo, O-Zone! While some fans will fan negatively about Walker, I agree with you that he has set the edge well on the run and aided outside linebacker Josh Allen in getting his sacks. This all happened with defensive lineman DaVon Hamiliton on the sideline! As our defensive front seven gets closer to full strength, I believe that Travon Walker will start to pick up the TFLs and sacks numbers! Offense can't double team everyone! So as I see it, the defense is just getting warmed up!
Fair.
Bryan from Stumptown
Yo Grizz! I see teams chipping and doubling Travon. That means he must be better than the stats allow, no? (Adding no? Means it's a question)
I don't know what "better than the stats allow" means. I know teams chip and double Walker, and I know he's a good player.
Josh R. from Fernandina Beach (via Fort Lauderdale)
My question relates to wide receiver depth as we enter another week with Zay's status being questionable. Wide receiver depth seemed as strong as it has been in a decade during this year's offseason. I have a tough time reconciling that with the offense's drop-off this season when Zay was out. I recognize there are other factors at play, but I don't recall Tim Jones or Elijah Cooks or others playing the role I thought the next-man-up would play in this scenario when the wide receiver room is as strong as it was projected to be. Any thoughts that may dispel concerns over Zay's prospective absence against the division rival this weekend? Thanks and GO JAGS!!!
The Jaguars' receiving room is really good. The top four – wide receiver Calvin Ridley, wide receiver Christian Kirk, wide receiver Zay Jones and tight end Evan Engram – are one of the NFL's best foursomes. Though the Jaguars' receiving room is deep, it's difficult-to-impossible to have fourth and fifth receivers who can adequately replace such production. Think of former Jaguars wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., for example. It would have been great to try to retain him and be a fourth receiver in this offense this season. It wasn't realistic in terms of the salary cap. You can only have so many front-line players.
Richard from Jacksonville
Asher did a nice job with the quarterback matchups this week. I think the script might have a surprise ending.
OK.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
Two wins in a row and two games playing with the lead in a row. Trend?
We'll see.
James from Salt Lake City via Jagsonville
Mr. O, when I was years younger, I used to travel to Europe three-to-four times a year. Coming back was a cakewalk compared to the jetlag I suffered going over there. I think they should be just fine. How do you feel from coming back as to going over there?
I felt going over there like I had trouble getting out of bed in the morning, like I had almost as much trouble getting out my chair the rest of the day and like I wanted to snap at anyone coming within arm's length. I also felt like the world was out to get me and that I was usually – read: always – right while everyone else was usually wrong. Most of the time I felt bitter over things that shouldn't have bothered me and as if things were significantly better when I was growing up than they are now. I felt going over like the music that was popular when I was young was far better than what the young folks like now and that most days I just want to sit in a comfortable chair. That's how I felt coming back, too. Jetlag isn't a big factor for me.
