JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it … Brian from Gainesville, FL:
O Man, I know you're not one to speculate on trade rumors and the draft, but in your learned opinion is there any realistic possibility of the Jaguars trading with Cleveland to get the 12th and 19th picks as was predicted earlier this week? Regardless of how realistic such a trade possibility is, would you take the deal if it was up to you?
John: I don't speculate much on trade rumors on the draft because there's not much point in it. Sometimes, as was the case when the Washington Redskins traded for Robert Griffin III in 2012, a trade takes place before the draft and there is something concrete. Far more often, there are weeks of speculation followed by some completely different draft-day trade or no draft-day trade at all. There's nothing wrong with the speculation and it's fun for those doing the speculating, but I don't know how much me addressing it here adds to the conversation. As far as your question, it's absolutely possible the Jaguars could trade the No. 3 overall selection to the Browns for Nos. 12 and No. 19. If the Browns want to move up, the No. 12 and 19 selections would get close to making the trade a good one for both teams. And yeah … I'd take it. I think the Jaguars can still get a big-time pass rusher at No. 12 and the 19th selection is a terrific luxury/bonus.
Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
I've wondered why our defense does not go to a 3-4 alignment. I know the Leo end has pass defense duties sometimes. However, it seems to me we'd be better off with the alignment of a good cover/rush linebacker. Do any other teams use the Leo? Oh and no, I don't know more than the coaches; just 50 years of observing the NFL, thanks.
John: The Jaguars don't go to a straight 3-4 alignment because Head Coach Gus Bradley uses the 4-3 hybrid alignment that has 4-3 and 3-4 traits. It's the system he brought from Seattle, which still uses the system – and yes, the Seahawks do have a Leo pass rusher. Remember, it's not so much the system that make a defensive or offense elite as the players in it. As the players improve, a Jaguars defense that did improve last season in theory should continue to do so. And who knows? Maybe you do know as much as the coaches. Anything's possible.
Matt from Pleasant Grove, UT:
Who gets your vote for best draft pick ever? Best player with the latest pick. Please don't say Tom Brady … that's too easy!!
John: Tom Brady? Puh-lease. Brady's not even close. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, which is a nice story but also one that pales in comparison to Hall-of-Famers Bart Starr (17th round), Raymond Berry (20th round) and Deacon Jones (14th round).
Roz from Fleming Island, FL:
Sorry, John. National media will still not praise the Jags even when we win. I remember too many big wins (albeit many years ago) where the response was more like "how did the other team lose" not any praise for the team that won.
John: I covered the Jaguars from 1995-2000 and recall many, many national stories portraying the team in a positive light. They were winning at the time. Either way, if you're winning, does it really matter?
Brian from Mandarin :
Hello, I noticed there were zero visits from tight ends and outside linebackers. There should be a few of these available for BAP consideration in Rounds 2, 3, 4. Do you sense they are hiding interest or really do not prioritize these as positions of need?
John: Twenty-five players have made pre-draft visits to EverBank Field this offseason. The Jaguars' list of potential draftees is far greater than that.
Rod from Atlanta, GA:
Heard Boselli and Superman once made a bet about who was stronger. The loser had to wear his underwear on the outside of his pants.
John: Boselli actually does that just "because."
Andrew from Panama City Beach, FL:
I Heard Boselli solved the Greece Financial Crisis!
John: #trueeconomist
Don from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL:
How is Shane Ray not an option? The guy did his Pro Day on a bad toe. He is full-time all the time. When he tackles a player he looks just like a young Ray Lewis; they go down hard and they go down fast. This guy has big time written all over him. Yes? No?
John: Maybe.
Jon from Nijmegen, Netherlands:
While not unanticipated, with this lawsuit against Winston it seems there may be a better chance that Winston drops. If so, based on who picks after the Jaguars what kind of trade (should it happen) do you think the Jaguars could expect?
John: I don't expect the lawsuit filed by Winston's accuser to hurt his draft status. Teams have been researching him for months; they almost certainly anticipated this or something similar. As for your question, if Winston would happen to slip out of the Top 2 it no doubt would be good for the Jaguars. A quarterback in the equation on draft-day is going to drive the value up.
Josiah from Fargo, ND:
What's your favorite Nintendo football game? I know a lot of people would say Tecmo Bowl. I had NES Play Action Football though and boy was it a blast to play.
John: I would say Super Tecmo Bowl. Period. I bought it at Toys-R-Us on Atlantic Boulevard near Regency Mall the night it came out, and my former Times-Union colleague Matt Hayes and I played it until early in the morning. More than once that night, we dropped the controller and high-fived for no reason except that we were playing a game that far exceeded anything that preceded it. Yes, it was that good.
Gabe from Washington, DC:
Say, for the sake of argument, that you know for a fact Leonard Williams and Dante Fowler are going to reach their maximum potential. If that were the case, would you take Fowler over Williams? Sure, Williams is the safer choice with the information we have at hand, but if both were guaranteed to be stars, then you have to take the pass-rusher, right?
John: Not necessarily. J.J. Watt wasn't a "pass-rusher," per se, entering the NFL. Yet, he's good enough that he figures out ways – a lot of them – to disrupt the quarterback. So, under your parameters, I'd take Leonard Williams. If he peaks he can dominate in many ways, including pressuring the passer.
Mike from Julington Creek, FL:
We gotta quit worrying about running back so much. Give D-Rob the ball and a window to fit through. He's going to be special IF the offensive line will block.
John: I'm long on record saying the offensive line is the most important component of the running game. That said, this is the offseason to address running back and get a full-time, carry-the-load runner. David Caldwell has said he wants to do it as the build reaches a point where the Jaguars are more ready to win. This is starting to feel like that time. That's not to say Denard Robinson doesn't have a role. He does.
Trae from San Marco:
John, what was your prediction for the Jaguars pick in last year's draft? Also, out of all of your journalist colleagues who had or usually is the most accurate when it comes to predicting selections? Thanks.
John: Most journalists don't spend nearly as much time worried about accurate predictions and mock drafts as fans. Predictions/mocks are fun, but actually have nothing to do with very much at all. As I always do as the draft approached, I projected multiple players last offseason to the Jaguars in multiple mock drafts. As far as I remember, I think I was thinking Khalil Mack or Sammy Watkins as draft-day approached. Hays Carlyon of the Times-Union mocked Blake Bortles to the Jaguars at No. 3, though … so, there you have it … hooray for Hays.
John from Boynton Beach:
Remember the time that huge Russian boxer beat Boselli's friend to death in the ring and it fueled Boselli to shrug off retirement, go to Russia and sustain 15 punishing rounds and Boselli beat him for revenge and pretty much ended the Cold War? #RIPapollo
John: Remember Frank Stallone? He was awesome. #truebrother
Owen from Waycross, GA:
12:15, and no new O'ZONE. Hope everything is all right.
John: The O-Zone posted Friday morning as usual. Hope everything is all right on your end (and with your computer).
Rob from Brunswick, GA:
Once when Tony Boselli was still playing, they had this life-sized cardboard cutout in my local McDonalds. Crime in my area went down 30%. It also managed to block my view like no sign I'd ever seen before or since.
John: Those were all over town. The one at the McDonald's near my house had "one of everything" off the dollar menu often enough they banned it from the store.