JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Paul from Saint Augustine, FL
Speaking for myself, the "disrespect" issue (or lack of coverage/primetime games, etc.) doesn't bother me anymore. It never did much, but I kind of enjoy leaning into it now. Talking heads and pundits, along with the NFL schedule-makers, will learn as this team continues to win. Sooner or later, the words "surprise upset" and "Jaguars" won't really apply any more when we win. In the meantime, I will sit back and enjoy this ride. It has been a long time coming.
I expect the Jaguars to be a good, competitive team for the foreseeable future. With that as a backdrop, remember: All teams – no matter how good or bad – believe they are disrespected by someone, somewhere. When I covered the Indianapolis Colts during a period in which they made nine consecutive postseason appearances with a Super Bowl victory, fans – and even many within the organization – thought the league was "out to get them" and thought observers favored opposing teams when discussing them. I recall New England Patriots fans voicing similar thoughts during what many considered a dynasty in the 2000s and 2010s. In this age where seemingly everyone has a Twitter, online or streaming forum someone somewhere will praise your team, and many will "disrespect" your team. It is as unavoidable as it is unimportant. Fans rarely – if ever – will like the schedule-makers. There always will be faces and voices somewhere online – or in a distant corner of YouTube – saying something you don't like about your team. The nice thing is the games always will be what matter and if you win enough, you can always be the team standing on a podium in February with a silver trophy. And that always will be the only thing that ultimately matters in professional football.
Nic from Raleigh, NC
I was listening to national sports radio this AM and they were discussing which quarterback they would want for the next five years. They were specifically comparing each to New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. When Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was mentioned, they quickly took Maye. They did mention that Trevor may still have another level to reach, but they were doubtful. Do you think there is another level? Based on his play recently, I could only imagine the next level being Tom Brady or Peyton Manning level of quarterback play.
National sports radio must talk about something. If they didn't, they would have to call it something else. How much people who talk on national sports radio know about what they are talking about is always open to discussion. Lawrence has thrown 23 touchdowns passes with five rushing touchdowns and five interceptions in his last nine regular-season games. He has peppered myriad otherworldly throws in with those 23 touchdowns. The Jaguars have not lost during that span, and he has been as good as any quarterback in the NFL during that span. Is there another level? I suppose. But his current level is elite and elite is, well … elite.
Rob from Middleburg, FL
I saw this peculiar and eye-opening stat presented today: Trevor Lawrence is close to becoming only the fourth quarterback ever to earn a win in a multiple-touchdown game in 10 straight regular-season starts. The others are Dan Marino (1984), Tom Brady (2007, 2010-2011) and Aaron Rodgers (13 straight games in 2011). Not a bad group of quarterbacks. I wasn't sure at times if Trevor could ever rise to be more than just an above-average quarterback. In my view, the biggest reason he has taken this step is that he has found a way to greatly minimize the poor in-game decisions that plagued him for such a long time. What do you believe is the biggest reason he has been able to take this step from above average to "elite?"
Rapidly increased knowledge of Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen's scheme and the rapidly increased confidence that goes with that knowledge and success.
Eli from Jacksonville
What is the downside of kicking it through the end zone every time? It seems the 25-yard line would be a good starting point for our defense and not worry about one squeaking through for a long gain.
The 25-yard-line indeed would be a good starting point for a defense and would prevent teams from having to worry about an opposing kick returner "squeaking one through for a long gain." The downside of kicking it through the end zone every time – which Jaguars kicker Cam Little unquestionably is capable of doing – is that following such a kick the ball is placed at the 35-yard line.
Stephen from The Jaguar Den
Maybe someone should tell Gary from St Augustine that HE sucks that to have that much negativity in your life. Just read the column, GARY. GO JAGS!!
Gary from St. Augustine is a visionary whose thoughts and opinions likely will be reviewed and studied by scholars of future generations.
Big Paul from Oviedo, FL
The Broncos were embarrassed in Kansas City on Monday night. The Jags are riding high from a dominating win Sunday afternoon. Now they must head west into the high altitude of Denver. This game has all the makings of a loss when we think of past Jags teams. Time for a true test of just how good this team is. We better be dialed in and ready.
This from Coen this past Sunday: "I know I am going to sleep really good on Saturday night knowing that every single Sunday I'm not really too concerned if our team's going to show up or not. Is it going to always be perfect? No. I can't say that. But I do know that our team's going to show up on any given Sunday and play their tails off and hopefully play our brand of football. And, yeah, it's good to know that you've got guys that are bought in. They're all together." Being dialed and ready is what this team does. I wouldn't worry much about that this week.
Dallas from Greenville, SC
When will the national media start taking us seriously? I watch Good Morning Football on Monday and Tuesday. They didn't even mention the game, not one word on the Jags or even the quarterback situation in Cleveland. They just totally ignored the game. It was crazy. What does this team have to do to get respect? Win the Super Bowl?
RESPECT!!!!!!!
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: Your next book should be: "The Streaking of the KOAF: The Ascension of the Jaguars From 2011-2026" to celebrate your amazing 15-plus years of dealing with heartbreak from fans with the occasional playoff berth every 5-10 years, reminiscent of Cal Ripken JR Ironman streak. The cover can be a censored photo of you streaking across the field on one side and the Jaguars players holding the Super Bowl trophy on the other side.
I am the king of all funk.
Bo from Winter Springs, FL
An observation. Back when the schedule came out, I remember a lot of clamor and angst among some fans as they often think the NFL is out conspiring against the Jags. A home game against a division opponent for an international game? Oh, how we were robbed! Then I watched the Los Angeles Rams play the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. Yeah, it was a season opener, so travel issues may be reduced a little if the team wanted to arrive early (the Niners' strategy) since they didn't have a short week with a game before it. And the Rams played us last year in London. So, one of the NFL sweethearts got the same deal as us. Conspiracy?
Nothing prompts discussions of conspiracy in NFL circles quite like the schedule. The process conjures images of computer folks huddled around large tables in basements trying to figure out how to help their "favorite" team and hamstring the "enemy." Fans, observers and even people within teams love to gripe about the "schedule-makers," and I have known high-ranking team officials who firmly believe someone around that round table is eating a donut figuring out "how to get" their team. The reality is the "schedule-makers" have the impossible task of trying to fairly as possible schedule 32 teams in 30 stadiums with myriad moving parts. Good teams tend to navigate their schedules pretty well and bad teams tend to have really tough schedules. Stop worrying about the schedule. Go play the game.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
If you think the imaginary "comments section" is bad, you should thank your lucky stars you have no idea what the "Forever Jaguars" group on the fateful book of faces is. People in there need a straitjacket. For example, did you know we're signing wide receiver Parker Washington to trade him mid-season? That's part of the big picture. Who knew?
I once happened upon a Facebook group or two dedicated to all things Jaguars. This was long ago. I recovered and moved on. Eventually.
