JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Paul from St. Augustine, FL
One fer Strange!
This is a bit of a second O-Zone visit to the Jaguars signing veteran tight end Brenton Strange to a contract extension on Thursday, and that's OK. What's the "dead zone" if not a time for revisiting good Jaguars news – and for letting a topic marinate? Strange's contract extension is important because he is from this view one of a small group of core players that are key to the Jaguars' present and future. It's a group that includes quarterback Trevor Lawrence, defensive end Travon Walker, Strange and a few others. It is also a cool story because Strange is a cool story – a player who approaches the game the right way and who has improved steadily since the Jaguars selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the No. 61 selection overall. His presence and versatility are key to the offense, and his physicality is a defining element in terms of this team's style and identity. He is a player who should be easy for fans to support. I expect him to be better moving forward than he has been to date and has been really good to date. It was a good day all around when he signed. One fer Strange? No doubt.
Jim from Petosky
Rumor has it the Jaguars signed their best tight end. Isn't that Strange?
It is odd. It perchance could be considered a bit unusual – even peculiar. I am not sure it's Strange. To say that would be silly.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. I would bet that Brenton Strange does not believe he is in the dead zone this week. On another note, when are we going to see you do the bungee jump, instead of our mascot, before one of our home games? I think that would put you in an O-Zone of a different level.
I bet you are right about Strange. On another note, you will not see me do "the" bungee jump instead of Jaxson de Ville – or any other bungee jump. Or probably any sort of jump, for that matter.
Fred from Naples, FL
Hopefully, Brenton Strange and Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington have the same agent?
They do not.
MT from St. J
Congratulations to Strange. His presence, as you stated, is significant – noted by the Jaguars' record while he was injured. Head Coach Liam Coen has radically changed this team's confidence, abilities and overall unpredictability. Mainly, quarterback Trevor Lawrence's confidence. If the offensive line can keep Lawrence upright, watch out NFL!
OK.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 55?
Possibilities here include linebacker Danny Clark (2000-2003), offensive lineman Chuma Edoga (2025-present), linebacker Greg Favors (2004-2005), linebacker Geno Hayes (2013-2014), defensive end Lerentee McCray (2017-2021), linebacker Tom McManus (1995-1999), linebacker Clint Session (2011), linebacker Dan Skuta (2015-2016) and linebacker Kirk Morrison (2010). We will go Tommy Mac here.
Timothy from Jacksonville
What about "P?"
We apparently now have reached "P" in our discussion of best Jaguars players with a specific last initial. Possibilities here include quarterback Jordan Palmer (2012), offensive tackle Jeremy Parnell (2015-2018), kicker Riley Patterson (2022), linebacker Bryce Paup (1998-1999), defensive tackle Seth Payne (1997-2001), offensive tackle Mike Pearson (2002-2005), linebacker Mike Peterson (2003-2008), punter Adam Podlesh (2007-2010), wide receiver Jerry Porter (2008), linebacker Paul Posluszny (2011-2017) and defensive tackle Kelvin Pritchett (1995-1998). We will go Poz here, with a serious hat tip to Mike Pete.
Joe not from Kokomo from Jax
Will the Jaguars release the specific performance-based incentives in Strange's new contract that pushes it from $36 million to $48 million? Hopefully, for him they are easily obtainable incentives, like reporting on time for offseason and training camp dates, workout bonuses, etc. as opposed to having to make a hard-to-reach number of catches or playing minutes – or worse yet, tied to Jaguars wins/record which is beyond his control.
I do not expect the Jaguars to release Strange's contract details. Those are usually released by the agent and not the team.
Pedal Bin, IFOTY 2025 from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
Oh Mighty 'O'/King Of All Funk, please pass on my best wishes to Mrs. O and her recovery. I have just had a new left hip and when I went for my pre-operational checks, the nurse asked "Knee or hip replacement." When I told her hip, she replied "Oh that's good. Nowhere near as painful as a knee." I was in a considerable amount of pain after my operation. so I can only imagine what Mrs. O is going through. Hurting a bit less each day, I hope. With another two-game trip to London coming up, does the King Of Funk have much free time to "be a tourist?" After all these years, I am assuming you have ticked a few boxes off your London Sights Bucket List. Is there anything left?
Mrs. O is improving day by day from offseason knee replacement. She is pushing through impressively. I doubt she will be ready by training camp, but she seems on track to not be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. With any luck, she will be able to get my free weights up to the attic before Labor Day. As for "Tourist Time" in London … I get some here and there (and everywhere). This is mostly laziness on my part. I'm not big on inertia these days.
Zac from Austin, Tejas
Wednesday night was likely longtime Mexico goaltender Guillermo Ochoa's last game, and it was cool they gave me the last 20 minutes or so. My wife was a phenom athlete, and so we named our youngest Guillermo. However, I consider myself a pretty decent writer and artist - so I tell people he was named after Guillermo Del Toro. She calls him Memo, as is custom. I call him Gator, and I don't want to tell you why.
The 2026 World Cup continues today. It has been great so far. I expect it will only get greater in the coming days and weeks.
JK from NY and Fernandina Beach, FL
Hey, John. The Prowlers debate has appeared to have reached a stalemate. Some love them and some not so much. As long as the new unis prominently feature teal, I will be happy. No more black-and-and white schemes, please. The Jags' teal may not be as iconic as its close cousin Dolphins' turquoise. But teal embodies the Jags' ethos and has come to represent Duval Nation. When the winds are light, the sun high in a clear sky and the waves calm, the ocean off Jax Beach and Amelia Island really does look teal. This is an especially good omen on game days. You do not seem like a man that gets too sentimental about a color, but what are your thoughts, if any, about the Jags' most famous team color?
Teal is fine, "relatively" unique in terms of professional sports colors and most Jaguars fans seem to identify with it. I am not sure what else is required of a team color.
Ed from Jax by Lionel Playworld
Are you setting up John Shipley to replace you? You are not retiring soon, are you? You are not taking all your retirement money to become a Sbarro's franchisee, are you? Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli isn't forcing you into your forever locker before class starts, is he? You didn't just win the lottery and realized that you don't love sports journalism as much as you thought, did you? You're not adopting the AP or APA style guides, are you? Are cats and dogs living together, now?
John Shipley is working with Jaguars Media as a correspondent. This means he will be writing and contributing to the site regularly. I am not retiring soon. I expect when they push me out the door, I will be channeling my inner Warren Zevon. I don't want to grow old gracefully. I don't want to go 'til it's too late. I'll be some old man in the road somewhere. Kneeling down in the dust by the side of the interstate. By the way, what's "retirement money?"
Wesley from Jacksonville
I submitted two-part questions and you never answered.
Here we go, Jaguars.
James from Titusville, NJ
I could have sworn that I included a piece in my "ACL/WCO" take that you used the abbreviation *after* writing out the full words. Oh, well. Apologies if it felt like a shot across the bow. I also know how things are written properly.
You're referencing your own recent email about my spelling out phrases such as anterior cruciate ligament and west coast offense on first reference before using the initials. I am well aware this annoys some people. I assure you that I do this only because it's professional and correct. That it annoys some people is what is known in some parts as an "added benefit."
