JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

John from Jax

Hi, KOAGF. The outcome of that first game, when the score is close in the fourth quarter with a final score or final stop by the Jags to secure victory or defeat, will either discourage me to think here we go again or encourage me to think we are past that barrier. Do you think the mindset is stronger with the players from last year remembering so many failures or with the new players not having that bad memory of last season? What is your prediction?

How the Jaguars handle late-game, big-moment situations indeed will define much about their 2025 season – and the franchise's foreseeable future, too. That's true not just because the Jaguars' struggles in this area defined a miserable 2024 season, but because late-game big moments define pretty much every NFL team every season. I do expect the Jaguars will be better in this area this season and moving forward under Head Coach Liam Coen. He has talked often since taking the job in January about handling adversity well, and it undoubtedly and necessarily will be a focus of this new regime. I don't know how the Jaguars will handle adversity against the Carolina Panthers Sunday in the 2025 regular-season opener, and I don't know if the Jaguars will win Sunday. Handling adversity can be a learned skill and it's possible this young Jaguars' roster will need to grow in this area. I don't think what happened last season will linger in the minds of those players who were here; this feels like a new team with a fresh start in that regard. But know this: If the Jaguars handle adversity well Sunday, that's a good sign. It might mean they're a little more mature and therefore a little ahead early of where might be expected.

Jake from Cary, NC

Who would you say are the five most intangibly rich players on the Jaguars roster?

I don't know every player on the Jaguars' roster well enough to make a fair list of the Top 5 players in this area. I do know that when Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone discusses "intangibly rich," he emphasizes players who love football and who produce on the field – i.e., who are football players. I would put rookie running back LeQuint Allen Jr., high on a list of players who exemplify these traits along with veteran safety Andrew Wingard. I also think of cornerback Jourdan Lewis as "intangibly rich" and maybe center Robert Hainsey and defensive end Travon Walker. That doesn't mean players not listed aren't "intangibly rich" as much it means that those players come quickest to mind when this writer thinks of the term.

Sean from Oakleaf, FL

Who is protecting you from yourself?

No one, by the looks of it.

Don from Marshall, NC

Nothing has ever been wrong with Trevor Lawrence! Go Jaguars!

When it comes to believing in Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Don predictably and wonderfully remains "all in."

Robert from Jacksonville

Still liking your open picks?

Yes and no. I wrote last week that I thought Jannik Sinner of Italy would win the men's draw in the U.S. Open – and I absolutely believe Sinner is the favorite in any hard-court major until someone proves otherwise. I thought in the first week that Iga Swiatek of Poland would win the women's draw, but Amanda Anisimova of the United States was uber-impressive beating Swiatek in straight sets in the quarterfinal Wednesday. I would love to see Anisimova win the tournament. Her mental toughness and backhand make her very likable – and dangerous. But it's hard to pick against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at this point.

Chevin from Riverside, Jacksonville, FL

As a Jaguars fan and Lawrence supporter, I'm of the opinion his biggest weakness thus far has been his decision making. Assuming you agree with this assessment, do you believe the poor decision-making habits are attributable to poor processing abilities or simply to Lawrence's propensity for playing too much "hero ball?"

I do not believe Lawrence has poor processing abilities. I believe Lawrence's confidence in his ability does at times lead to him making incorrect decisions in what Coen calls "the gray area."

Rob from Jax

I know we don't and won't know until we know, but what does your gut tell you about which of the running backs will end the season with the most touches? Thanks O.

I expect this very much to be running-back-by-committee at times, with Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby, Bhayshul Tuten and Allen all playing a key role. I believe there's a strong chance all four will be active on game days on more than one occasion this season, and I think Coen will use multiple backs very creatively – often at the same time. I'll go with Etienne having the most touches this season because I think his versatility will allow him to excel as a runner and receiver in this offense. He impressed coaches a lot in the offseason and training camp. He'll be a player to watch this season.

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

Is it possible that a first-week loss could be more beneficial and motivational than a win? This insouciant fan (oxymoron?) thinks the pawsitivity around all the change this season has over-boosted confidence. As I've quoted for the better part of 20 years it is overconfidence – not curiosity that killed the cat!

I can't speak for how fans feel, but I get no sense that the Jaguars players or coaches are overconfident entering the season. There's no reason for a team that went 4-13 the previous season to feel anything close to overconfident. I do not in any way, shape or form believe that a loss in Week 1 would be better than a victory.

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

Here's my perspective: If the Jaguars get kicked in the mouth on both offense and defense Sunday - a la, cirque the 2024 Jaguars … You can catch your boy hitting a double gainer off the Dames Point bridge sometime postgame. How's that?

That tracks.

Kevin from St Johns

So, there is that famous movie quote and\or law of the tough guy "I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum and I am all out of bubble gum." Given your astute grasp of the English language and journalistic integrity can let me know - Does that mean if you don't have bubble gum you can't kick ass? That "and" as opposed to an "or" makes a difference. If so, should we make sure that the interior defensive line and the offensive line have a supply of "Bubble Yum" for the games?

You go, girl.

Travis from Jacksonville

Wayne Gretsky and Michael Jordan were intangibly rich. Players like that should be a target for any team in any sport. Tony Boselli was also like that as a player.

I'll pass this along to Gladstone – assuming that is, he didn't realize that he should target all-time greats in their sports and positions when piecing together a roster.

Marty from Ponte Vedra, FL

At what point of the game will Panthers owner David Tepper toss his first drink?

No matter how much we discuss it here in the O-Zone – and we do discuss it quite often – it seems some people forget the importance of being nice. To review: It's important to be nice. This was not nice.

Peter from Jacksonville Beach, FL

John: I can see if a loss in Week 1 makes Jags fans collectively melt down. However, as the schedule is laid out, it seems that they need to have a "decent" record going into the last quarter of their schedule. Last six games are against division teams. If we stay healthy and Trevor improves, we can look to win the division there. But we must be relevant.

Correct.

GP from Savannah, GA

Who is the straight away fastest receiver on the team?

This is always a dangerous debate in NFL locker rooms, where pretty much every player is the fastest on the team – and the best basketball player on the team, too. I probably would take Brian Thomas Jr. in this discussion, but I probably wouldn't tell Travis Hunter or Dyami Brown who I took.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John. I know you will say I am getting ahead of things, but it would be nice to be 2-0 going into Week 3. Just saying. Go Jags!

How cool would 3-0 be?

Steve from Nashville, TN

Where will EVP Tony Boselli watch the game from on Sunday - on the sidelines, in Shad's private box, will he sneak in for a visit to Frank Frangie and Jeff Lageman during the broadcast or will he watch it from home on his couch?

I expect Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli will watch Sunday's game from somewhere in the press box. I'm not sure who will accompany him, though I imagine it will involve a short straw.