JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Ernest from Rockville, MD

Hey, John. I have a question and an observation. Will there be a Season 2 of the EVPodcast? I and many Jaguars fans really enjoyed your interviews with Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli. I hope the podcast returns before the regular season begins. Tony would love a forum where he gets to talk and not share the spotlight with anyone else. The fans trust you can make this happen! You often have said that Tony knows where he can find you. I am confident the Stadium of the Future includes expanded space to include the current and future Pride of the Jaguars members. Inductions were likely paused once plans were announced about the stadium's construction. With that being said, I predict Keenan McCardell will be the first Pride inductee in the stadium's inaugural 2028 season. Those are my thoughts on the Pride of the Jaguars. I can be completely wrong. Thanks for all you do each day with the O-Zone.

A couple of thoughts on your question and observation. One, I sort of doubt there will be a Season 2 of the EVPodcast. Not only have I heard pretty much all Boselli has to say in 31 years, he and General Manager James Gladstone are weekly guests on Jaguars HQ on Thursday evenings. There is such a thing as "too much TB71," and a regular EVPodcast in addition to his HQ appearances might surpass that threshold. As for future of the Pride of the Jaguars … I also expect former Jaguars wide receiver Keenan McCardell will be inducted in the foreseeable future. I hope you are correct that it is in 2028. That is not "inside information." Rather, it is just acknowledging yet again that it is long past time for it to happen. I also can be completely wrong, proof of which can be found daily in this forum.

Trevor from Cape Girardeau, MO

I noticed the Jags have joint practices with all three teams they play this preseason. In your opinion is that a good thing? I would assume the starters won't play much in the games, so not sure if you see the three joint practices as a good thing compared to other seasons where they might have only had one joint practice.

The Jaguars will hold dual – or "joint" – practices in advance of all three 2026 preseason games: They will work against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans Thursday, against the Carolina Panthers in Jacksonville August 19 and against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Jacksonville August 26-27. Whether joint practices are good or bad from this view depends on the head coach. If the head coach believes in them, they are good. If not, they are not. Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen at this point believes strongly in them because they can create competitive situations in a controlled environment, therefore getting quality preparation while minimizing injury risk. This is in keeping with a growing trend around the NFL. Coen didn't much like it last year when the Jaguars were only able to schedule one joint practice. He very much wanted more this offseason. Because he got them, I expect him to play starters and front-line players extensively in the joint practices and minimally in preseason games. Will it play out that way? We'll find out in the coming weeks.

John from Merritt Island, FL

So, with the discussion of the someday-end-of-this forum I will bring it up again. A great time to conclude this historic run would be with an O-Zone party at Strings. Please tell them to be well prepared for the "Bullet Bob" rush.

Let's make this clear: There is no plan to end the O-Zone. I am toying with the idea of not doing the O-Zone every day from now until end of days. Or at least doing an abbreviated version on days when I am a bit sweepy. As for an O-Zone party .. is a party still a party if no one attends?

Kenneth from Jacksonville

Who's the best player in Jaguars history to wear No. 97?

Possibilities here include defensive end John Chick (2011-2012), defensive end Reggie Hayward (2005-2009), defensive tackle Malik Jackson (2017-2018), defensive tackle Roy Miller (2013-2016) and defensive tackle Renaldo Wynn (1997-2001). This is tough between Wynn and Jackson. I suppose I must go with Jackson, but Wynn was really solid. Two more to go.

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

I was wondering if you think the number of contract extensions the Jaguars have handed out recently (offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, tight end Brenton Strange and defensive Travon Walker – if I've got those right) is what has given them pause on not re-signing wide receiver Parker Washington sooner?

The Jaguars love Washington. He's becoming a core player. They want to re-sign him. I expect he will be with the franchise on a long-term basis. I expect the reason they haven't re-signed him already is because the sides haven't come to an agreement, not because the Jaguars have "pause" regarding re-signing him.

Aiden from Jax FL

Hello, John! Since we are talking about great personnel that have covered the Jaguars, could you talk a bit about Vic Ketchman? He provided some absolutely incredible and timeless insight into football. My buddies and I still talk about him and it is so hard to find anyone that spoke and philosophized football analysis the way he did.

I spent a lot of time with Vic from 1995-2001, when he worked for the Jaguars and I covered the Jaguars for the Florida Times-Union. His was a unique voice and I owe him a debt of gratitude. He treated me well during our time as colleagues, I consider him a friend and he established this forum from nothing with his Ask Vic column. I consider it a point of pride that it has continued in some form for more than two and a half decades. I like to think he considers me a relatively worthy successor to his legacy. As for the first part of your email … we in recent days have spent our fair share of time in this space discussing longtime Jaguars Media member J.P. Shadrick, who left the organization Friday after 14 years to become play-by-play voice of the Arizona Cardinals. What this has to do with discussing great personnel I can't say. Perhaps that happened in another forum.

David from Mandarin

I heard something the other day about Shadrick. What's going on with him?

I'm not sure. You would think someone would have mentioned it.

Woody from Dunlap

KOAF: After some practices with full pads, have any of the rookie or second-year defensive tackles (T.J. Bollers, Jalen Hunt, Albert Regis, Keivie Rose) provided "wow" moments, or to use a term the sports casters seem to really like, "flashed?" The only recent addition at the position I have read comments about to date is Ruke Orhorhoro. And, despite a real sense of loss, I would like to wish J.P. fair winds and following seas.

It's difficult for defensive tackles to produce "wow" moments in games, much less in controlled practices. Such is the thankless nature of a position that emphasizes occupying blocks and controlling space as much as making tackles and producing sacks. Orhorhoro, acquired in an offseason trade for defensive tackle Maason Smith, indeed has "flashed" on a couple of plays. This is as you would expect from a veteran former second-round draft selection. The aforementioned foursome will be intriguing to watch in the coming weeks in joint practices and preseason games. We should start getting a feel during that time which are standing out from the others.

Mike from East Alabama (Pensacola)

Zone, enough is enough. The love train for J.P. should be pulling into its last station. But damn, I'll so miss his professional, expert approach, and his dulcet tones. J.P. I hope you read all these accolades. Job done beautifully.

OK.

Iron John from St. Augustine, FL

I made friends in the Comments Section. It has been a point of connection during rehab, unemployment and every trying time. I also learned a lot about football beyond what this great website provided. College players, high school coaches and a dozen pairs of football guru eyes helped me view the game more roundly, support opinions that were fair, and taught me to be a better fan. Brought me closer to the players, another way to share this legacy with them. The Clown Hair stuff was disloyal and bothered me greatly. This Comments Section gave me a way to stand up for my team. It meant a lot to me and others, and we will miss it.

Whatever you mean by "comments section," I would counsel you to have patience. For better or worse, my understanding is – unlike the guy who used to be known as J.P. Shadrick – its day in these parts is not yet done.