JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Blues Man from Jacksonville
ESPN reported that the Jags' extension of Bortles is causing a problem with extending Yannick ... how much of this is true? I'm assuming financially?
The dead money from former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles' 2018 contract extension is $16.5 million, so that's not helping with anything on the Jaguars' salary cap – and it certainly doesn't make extending the contract of defensive end Yannick Ngakoue easier. But it's not so simple as to say that the Jaguars would re-sign Ngakoue if they hadn't extended Bortles. The Jaguars have made Ngakoue what they believe is a fair offer worth a reported $19 million annually with $50 million in the first two seasons. There is a feeling among some observers that the Jaguars would offer Ngakoue more if they hadn't paid Bortles what they paid him. Considering the amount of the Ngakoue offer, I'm not sure that feeling is correct. I don't expect the Jaguars to significantly increase their offer to Ngakoue, and I seriously doubt they would increase it even if they had more short-term cap room.
Greg from Section 122 and Jacksonville
So, at practice Saturday, there was one play where cornerback Jalen Ramsey lined up for coverage. The wide receiver completely dusted him and caught a 20-yard pass from quarterback Nick Foles that made Jalen whiff hard. Jalen got off the ground obviously frustrated he got beat – or caught napping, I suppose. He didn't let one other receiver by him the whole practice. Even in practice, these guys are competing hard. Gives a fan hope for the season.
Ramsey is human. He gets beat sometimes in practice. He also has practices such as Tuesday's when he is clearly the best player on the field and breaks up four passes, looking like a man among boys. The latter happens far more often than the former, which is why he's a generational talent. But yes … the Jaguars are competing hard.
Steve from Nashville, TN
Why is it important for your readers to know the temperature at practice?
I include temperature in the "First off the Field" feature of our jaguars.com training-camp reports because temperature is a feature of practice, as is whether the Jaguars were working in full pads and how long they practiced. It is a detail that helps set the scene for readers who can't be here to experience it first-hand. Is it important? I don't know. It's a detail. But what is important in this crazy game we call life, anyway? I suppose if you don't care about the temperature you can read past it. That's probably not all that difficult. Remember: We're discussing and writing about football in this forum and elsewhere on this website. Importance is a relative concept.
Grim Reaper from the Land of the Dead
Do you want them to play "Don't Fear the Reaper" or "Another One Bites the Dust" at your funeral?
"Renegade" by Warren Zevon.
Bryan from Tampa, FL
I haven't heard Will Richardson mentioned in your training camp updates. Should I take that to assume he is playing with the reserves? If so, that seems like at disappointment he hasn't worked his way into competing for a starting job that is up for grabs.
No Jaguars offensive line starting position is up for grabs. Barring something strange happening, rookie Jawaan Taylor will start at right tackle with A.J. Cann and Andrew Norwell starting at guard, Brandon Linder starting at center and Cam Robinson starting at left tackle. As for Richardson, the 2018 fourth-round selection hasn't worked much with the second-team line or the starters during camp – but Head Coach Doug Marrone praised him Tuesday and said the difference between Richardson during this training camp is "night and day" compared to last season. We'll see how much that means moving forward.
David from McAlester, OK
We used to complain that our team was disrespected by the media. Now when we've been not disrespected by the media, the fans disrespect the players for trying to get more money (which every player that is worth more money does unless they are stupid). I guess it's fun to disrespect pro athletes because we all secretly wish we could be them.
The gist of your email is fans aren't going to be happy, and that they're going to find a reason to complain. This isn't news. A wise man once said, "Fans gonna fan. It's what they do."
Unhipcat from Carslbad Garage, CA
Hi, John. "The character in that room has definitely been an upgrade." That's an interesting comment. Any insight.
This was from Jaguars tight ends coach Ron Middleton recently talking about the position this season compared to last season. There hasn't been significant change in that room beyond adding veteran Geoff Swaim and rookie Josh Oliver and allowing Austin Seferian-Jenkins to become an unrestricted free agent. But I don't know the specifics of what Middleton meant.
Neil from Hoboville
Keep on rockin in the free world.
Word.
Princfigs from Jacksonville
Do you think people would know who you are speaking about if you just listed the last name of Brentwood Academy and Florida State alumni, first round, No. 5 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, starting cornerback No. 20 who was born on Oct 24 ,1994 and who's current roster status is active; Jalen Ramsey, rather than adding all of the other unnecessary information.
When identifying a player, writing the name of the team, the players' position and the player's full name is enough on first reference. That means "Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey" is enough in this instance.
O-man from Jersey City, NJ
O-Man, is our star our o-line making Allen look like the rookie he is?
Try again.
Steve from Sunroom Couch
Dear, John: How does Gardner Minshew compare to our old quarterback who's a backup in L.A. now?
He doesn't. Minshew is a cerebral quarterback who will succeed on savvy, field vision and football IQ. Bortles was a prototype with big-time athletic ability. But if you're asking if Minshew is better than Bortles, I haven't the foggiest. Minshew has yet to take an NFL snap in a preseason game, much less a regular-season game. Until a quarterback does that, there's very little on which to judge him.
A fan from Jacksonville
Hey, John: l used to be a ticket holder until I finally realized what a joke the Jaguars' front office is for having the audacity to manage the team differently than I would. But not buying tickets isn't really working out, so I've decided to cut off my nose to spite them and to clearly illustrate how serious I am. Or maybe I'm an even bigger joke than they are.
OK.
Greg from Jacksonville and Section 122
OK. So, one question for your supreme knowledge. Lots of the media outlets are saying Jaguars offense looks to be the worst in the NFL. But if we have Foles, doesn't that mean we automatically have a much better offense? The quarterback sets the tone for the offense's success so I can't see any way we would be the WORST in the league. Maybe not a top 10 offensive powerhouse like the Kansas City Chiefs or New England Patriots but dead last? No way, please tell me they are just trying to get people stirred up O-Man. Our offense can't be that bad right?
I think the Jaguars' offense will be improved because of Foles and the effect he will have on those around him. Remember: The Jaguars' was among the league's worst and was ineffective both passing and running last season. A marginal improvement in that area could mean a very big improvement as a team. The Jaguars certainly did enough in the offseason to expect at least a marginal improvement.
Robert from St. Augustine, FL
What is the possibility of moving right tackle Jawaan Taylor over to left tackle if Cam Robinson isn't ready and his backups don't play very well.
Slim to none. Taylor is a prototypical right tackle who was drafted to play that position. Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone said as much Tuesday when he said while many offensive linemen will play various positions in training camp, Taylor will not. He's a right tackle. That's not changing anytime soon.
Josh from Fernandina Beach, FL
Zone: I recently read of Ramsey's efforts in assisting the Calloway Cove guys during a time of need. One fer Jalen seems warranted. Go Jags!!!
One fer Ramsey.
Proper from Grammarville
"...players alienate the fans asking for too much money..." You needed to edit it and include a "by" between fans and asking. It sounds like the fans are asking for too much money, not the players.
This is an amazing coincidence. When I woke up this morning, I thought to myself, "Wow, I hope someone offers some free thoughts on how extensively I should edit the hundreds of emails I get on a daily basis for this free website! That would be awesome!" So … thanks, Proper!
