Skip to main content
Advertising

Jaguars News | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

O-Zone: Plenty tough

JACKSONVILLE – One more day until Look-Ahead Wednesday.

Let's get to it …

Dan from Munich, Germany

Zone, please stop answering questions that question the skill level of Trevor Lawrence and call him a bust. I'm pretty sure that half of the teams in this league would give up a lot to obtain his services. A lot of idiots had their five seconds of fame on your site, but it's time to put an end to that.

I'll probably keep deciding what questions to answer and how to answer them, and I expect some will continue asking about Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's progress – even after a remarkably good and clutch performance Sunday in a 28-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens at TIAA Bank Field. Lawrence beyond doubt has improved this season, and that improvement has been evident in the last three games. It indeed seems time to stop wondering if Lawrence will be really good and instead wonder just levels he might reach. But rest assured that If Lawrence struggles in a game or two – or when he next throws an untimely interception – some readers probably will quick-trigger react and call him a bust. This is understandable because it's difficult for fans and observers to see the big picture. They see one game, experience the emotion of that game and forget all that came before. The guess here is what we've seen from Lawrence in recent games will be the norm more often than not. If so, the occasions to call him a bust will be more minimal as time passes.

P Funk from Murray Hill

I haven't seen or heard the stadium explode in excitement like that since the Garrard Hail Mary. Gives me chills.

I returned to Jacksonville in 2011, a season after the David Garrard-Mike Thomas Hail Mary beat the Houston Texans in that memorable game to which you refer. The best atmosphere of the last decade at TIAA Bank Field I witnessed came when the Jaguars beat the New England Patriots, 31-20, in September 2018 – eight months after the Jaguars lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. While the 'Bank that day was unreal, I'm not sure it was more electric than this past Sunday against the Ravens. Sunday was a phenomenal atmosphere, unsurprisingly so. This is a loyal, passionate fan base that has gone nearly a decade and a half with little success other than a remarkable 2017 season that ultimately proved unsustainable. That fan base on Sunday witnessed a memorable victory over a premier franchise fighting for the postseason. That's exciting no matter how the victory was achieved, but the Jaguars made it even more exciting by winning in heart-stopping fashion. But my sense is what made the 'Bank so electric Sunday was a collective knowledge by those present that they were seeing Lawrence become what so many believe he will become – a special player capable of being an elite quarterback, something this franchise long has coveted. That made Sunday unforgettable. And a little chilling.

Billy from Orange Park, FL

Please explain the Marvin Jones Jr. touchdown. After seeing it multiple times, I still don't think he got both feet down in the end zone. Yet, on review, it was confirmed a touchdown. I don't get it.

NFL rules dictate that a catch is completed if the receiver has possession with two feet in bounds (editor's note: both feet, not one foot twice). Or one knee. Or one shin. Officials ruled that Jaguars wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. got a shin down and in bounds on the 10-yard reception for a touchdown with :14 remaining Sunday.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

Fortner was so aware and quick to the late loose ball that two Ravens appeared to be in slow motion. One fer Fortner?

If rookie center Luke Fortner hadn't recovered Lawrence's fumble on the second play of the Jaguars' final drive Sunday, Lawrence's defining moments on that drive never would have happened. So, yeah … one fer Fortner.

Bo from Linwood, NC

The Jaguars gave me everything I've been hoping to see Sunday. A defense with a bend-but don't break mentality against an elite quarterback, a one-dimensional offense that could still be effective, and Trevor putting the team on his back and getting the win. I've already asked Santa for a pass rush too! What's on your Christmas wish list after this performance?

Socks. And undershorts.

Mike from Lakeland, FL

Watching Dewey (Wingard) come into his own over the last few seasons has been fun … at times frustrating … but he seems like an overall solid guy. He doesn't look to have an All-Pro ceiling or anything like that but the past few weeks he has had some big time plays in critical spots.

Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard is a remarkable story. He originally signed with the Jaguars as a collegiate free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. He seemingly has been placed "on the bubble" by media in every training camp since then and continues to make the team – and to thrive. He has earned his way on the roster every season and now is on his third coaching staff. He played a key role Sunday, forcing a fumble that led to a fourth-quarter field goal in a one-point victory. So, yeah … one fer Dewey …

JT from Palm Coast, FL

Wingard has caught a lot of flack since he's been here, but I gotta give credit when it's due. He has completely changed my perspective of him. So one big 'fer to Mr. Wingard!!

… and another fer Dewey …

The real JT from Ft. Worth, TX

While I have made a habit of criticizing Andrew Wingard and his up-and-down play at safety, his late-game strip was pure hustle and turned the game. Andrew, I owe you an apology; much luck and success ahead in your Jags career. #DTWD.

… and an apology along with another one fer Dewey.

Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX

KOAF: It is amazing when the Jaguars win we don't hear the fans complain about how the referees missed calls. On the last touchdown pass with :14 remaining the Jaguars should have been called for an illegal formation or shift since the right tackle wasn't set when the ball was snapped. Should have been a ten second run off and five-yard penalty. Does this mean that there isn't a conspiracy from the referees to make the Jaguars lose?

I typically pay far less attention to officiating than most fans, and rarely discuss officiating as a reason for a team winning and losing. This is because I believe officials generally do a very good job – and do so without the bias that many fans believe they see. The great and unassailable truth is that fans see calls against their team and rarely see calls for their team. Fans fan. It's what they do.

Chance from Windsor

I thought Chad Muma played well. I thought he and Devin Lloyd were going to be in rotation but I saw way more of Muma on the field than Lloyd. Obviously Foye Oluokun played stout. Is it worth it for Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell to try and find a system where all three can be on the field at the same time? I saw a few plays where we had three safeties on the field as well. I just would hate for Lloyd to be discouraged after the start to the season he had.

Muma played well in place of Lloyd Sunday, and I expect he will remain in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. The Jaguars did employ a three-inside-linebacker package with Oluokun, Muma and Lloyd on the field. But this package was primarily to counter a Ravens offense that featured a running quarterback in Lamar Jackson and a tight-end-oriented offense. The same was true of the three-safety defensive looks that featured just one cornerback. I doubt you'll see either package extensively against more conventional offenses. I expect Muma to play more than Lloyd alongside Oluokun moving forward, with coaches attempting to find a role for Lloyd. It's important for Lloyd to maintain confidence, but it's more important right now for the Jaguars to have players lined up and in the proper position consistently.

Chris from Norfolk, VA

I wrote in a few weeks back asking if you thought the Eagles game might have "shook" our quarterback and followed up by stating they have to let the kid run or at least need that threat to be there. TL at the postgame presser really made me feel dumb for that one. Kid is harder than a coffin nail.

Good eye.

Advertising