JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Jeffrey from Atlantic Beach, FL
The argument for people who don't think Boselli is a Hall of Famer is usually: "He's no doubt one of the best to play at his position, but he didn't play long enough." If they truly consider him to be of the best, then why does it matter how long he played?
There's no clear-cut answer here because there's no clear-cut criterion on what qualifies a player for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I without question hear the argument from some voters that former Jaguars left tackle Tony Boselli's relatively short career hurts his chances. I also I have spoken to many voters who passionately believe Boselli belongs, and this is proven by Boselli being in the Top 10 three consecutive years; you don't make the Top 10 unless you're getting a lot of votes. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is this: Voters typically don't vote against a particular player; rather, they vote for the five modern-era players they feel are most deserving that year. With players who aren't obvious first-ballot selections, that often means waiting multiple years until enough voters deem them a Top 5 choice in a given year. It feels like this is Boselli's best chance of the four seasons he has been a Hall finalist. We'll see if that feeling is correct.
Steve from Sunroom Couch
Dear John: The Catholic church was once convinced the earth was the center of the universe.
I remember this. Then they consulted with Boselli and determined it was him.
Hunter from Jacksonville
Alright, Zone. Putting you on the spot. You own the Jaguars. New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels calls you and says, "Hey I like Florida weather and you're the KOAF. I know you like your guys, but I'll come down there with mine and we'll turn this thing around." Money aside, do you take the leap?
I would tell him the Jaguars have a head coach.
Cristiano from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Some people are saying the owner is more interested in profiting than winning. But it is not too difficult to see that if you win you profit more, is it?
Jaguars Owner Shad Khan is not more interested in profiting than winning. The mistake too many people make too often is looking at this as an either-or question – as if Khan's interest in developing Jacksonville and therefore making the Jaguars stronger financially here somehow interferes with the team's football operations, thereby hurting the team's chances for success. Nothing could be further from the truth. One has nothing to do with the other.
Edward from Los Angeles, CA
Does Jaguars wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell seem like a guy who would be a good offensive coordinator or head coach?
Yes.
Eric from Robbins, GA
O-Man, I went back and looked at best rookie quarterback seasons and Minshew is right up there with the all-time best numbers for touchdown/interception ratio, passer rating, downfield completions, etc. So, what is it that gives everyone so much pause that he may not be the guy? I get it's a small sample size, but it feels like there is more negativity around Minshew's long-term potential. Are there just that many flaws in his game that we the casual fan don't notice? It seems like he put up some great numbers for a guy with few weapons and no line.
The concern regarding Jaguars rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II's remains mostly arm strength and pocket awareness, the first of which seemed at times this past season to show up in an inability to work the ball to the middle of the field. There also were legitimate concerns about Minshew's consistency, along with his ineffectiveness in most of his last five starts. Minshew indeed put up good numbers as a rookie, but the overall feel of the season was he was as inconsistent as he was productive. At the same time, your premise that he did enough to show that he has promise and potential is absolutely correct. Such are the elements on which polarizing offseason issues are built.
Hugo from Albuquerque, NM
O, did someone seriously recently imply that Shad Khan spent $760 million to buy the Jaguars so he could make a couple million developing Jacksonville? If this were true, I think Khan would never have made enough money to afford an NFL franchise.
Pump the brakes, Hugo. You are perilously close to using common sense.
Mike from Atlanta, GA
The Khan conspiracy theories are annoying. The man wants to sell his product after deliberately decreasing the value of it by sabotaging it? The simplest explanation is he wants to put together a quality product, but it isn't as easy as snapping his fingers. On top of that, he has personally invested a lot of money. Why would he do that if he had a sinister plan to sabotage his own product? It doesn't make sense.
Whoa. Back to back.
Zac from Gainesville, FL
Two-part question, Zone. 1) If Wash is retained, do you expect a change in scheme to a more classic 3-4 with Yan playing less of a down lineman? Not saying we change scheme because of one player, but perhaps we aren't utilizing what we have properly. 2) Why were the scouts, coaches and front office not on the same page before? Those departments communicating effectively seems like pretty basic stuff. Was Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin the reason they weren't on the same page?
I expect the Jaguars to play relatively the same scheme if defensive coordinator Todd Wash returns, and I do expect Wash to return. I expect Ngakoue to play more standing up – in essentially a strong-side linebacker role – in base situations and continue to rush off the edge in passing situations. As far as your second question … I don't know why or to the extent the front office and coaching staffs weren't on the same page before, but I do know Head Coach Doug Marrone and General Manager David Caldwell seem convinced the communication can improve moving forward.
Josh from Pensacola, FL
I wouldn't be mad if the Jaguars drafted Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb with their first pick. He is the best receiver to come out in a while. He has it all. Size, speed, toughness, a willingness to block and the ability to make heavily contested catches.
OK.
Tom from Shanghai, China
I get that as the big boss Coughlin could do whatever he wanted with regards to fines. I get that no administrator, or lawyer, or union rep can stop him. Despite that, I would sincerely hope someone in the organization told Coughlin what was/was not OK under the Collective Bargaining Agreement – even if their advice was ignored. Do you know if this is the case?
Coughlin had been a head coach or administrator for all but two years since 1995. He was well familiar with the rules.
Bill from Jupiter, FL
With all the discussion about filling our needs along both lines, I still hope the Jags take the BAP approach. Would be a huge mistake to reach with these two first round picks.
Fair.
JT from Fort Worth, TX
If Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is there at No. 9, should the Jags draft him? I'm thinking the smart thing is whoever drafts him should sit him for a year to get fully healthy. Ummm I think I might have just answered my question because Marrone and Caldwell don't have another year to wait. I still would like to see it if he is there at 9.
I have heard often in recent weeks that Caldwell and Marrone won't draft a quarterback No. 9 overall. I understand the theory, but I don't know how true it holds. Marrone and Caldwell are reporting to Khan, and I anticipate Khan being involved a bit more on a day-to-day basis. Would Khan insist on taking a quarterback if it made sense? We won't know the answer to this until after the draft, but I wouldn't rule it out.
KC from Cincy
With there being talk of possibly switching defensive coordinator and switching to a 3-4 scheme, is a 4-3 or a 3-4 more adept at stopping the run?
Who's playing defense?
Aaron from Carbondale, IL
Are we looking to replace Coughlin as executive vice president of football operations, or has Kahn decided there's no need for someone in that position? My theory is that part of the reason Doug and Dave were kept was to give Khan more time to make that decision and give the new guy something to work with next season. Then, if we do poorly next season, we'll have someone in place to decide when and how to replace them. How wrong am I?
I wouldn't anticipate Khan filling the EVP of Football Ops position this offseason or next season. That's the short term. As for the long term …
Brian from Canford, NJ
Shut up.
Good point.