JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Justin from Hoboken

Has TH matched up against BT yet? Can't wait to hear the comparisons.

Rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter didn't work on defense in any of the Jaguars' four 2025 organized team activities practices that were open to the media. He therefore hasn't covered second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in that situation, so there hasn't been much public discussion about Hunter covering Thomas – or anyone else. Hunter, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, has worked on defense in a few closed practices since joining the Jaguars. He has covered Thomas during those. I have heard little about these matchups. I don't know if there will be comparisons between Hunter and Thomas in that situation. I'm sure the competition will be intriguing.

Kevin from Jacksonville Beach, Fl

Hi, John. Here's something I think a lot of the O-Zone readers would click on. I know I would. How about a podcast with former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette discussing his career at the T-U and some of his favorite sports moments in Jacksonville – and not just about the Jaguars. His longevity on the job has to be something worth listening to. Plus, those outside of Jacksonville would finally get to put a face to the name. Here's to hoping he's enjoying his retirement.

Ask and ye shall receive. The final O-Zone Podcast of the 2025 offseason indeed will feature former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette discussing his career at the TU and some of his favorite sports moments in Jacksonville – and not just about the Jaguars. I expect we will do this podcast next week and release it sometime late next week-ish. Details to follow.

Ed from Jax by Lionel Playworld

I've been watching real trades and trade machines over the past few years and it seems like there's a standard formula. The going rate for a veteran is a sixth-round pick. The trade value of a veteran is pegged to the compensatory pick they may yield a team if left to go free agency. A third-round pick two years from now is worth a fourth-round pick next year. How far off is that analysis? It seems running back Travis Etienne Jr. would be worth a sixth-round pick if we trade him. If we acquire another player, we're talking about sixth- or seventh-round picks at stake. Is this about right? Trading all-pro talent changes the equation but that's rare and there is a premium on quarterbacks. What's your analysis?

This analysis is pretty close.

David from Jacksonville

I used to enjoy reading the daily O-Zone but now it's become a habit to keep discussing Gene Frennet… enough, please.

I understand we discussed former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette – a.k.a., Gene Frennet – more in this space than some might like. People ask questions. I answer. That's it. That's how this works.

Steven D from Nocatee

Hi, zone. I am saddened by the retirement of former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette. I don't believe most people are aware of his greatest achievement of being the first human to step foot on the moon. Most people believe Neil Armstrong to be the first, but those of us who were part of the space program in the late 1960s were there for the first "test flight" to the moon which featured a solo flight by Mr. Frenette. NASA refused to broadcast that flight in case of disaster. But we all know the truth. Godspeed, Gene!

One small step for man, one giant leap for former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette – a.k.a., Gene Frennet.

Kevin from St Johns

With all of the Smoooot! calls coming out with his re-signing, it does remind of some of my favorite memories from attending the early Jaguar games. The feeling in the stadium whenever Joel Smeenge would sack the quarterback. Hearing the entire place yell "Smeenge!!!!" was incredible. Love those memories and looking forward to the new ones as this new version of the team gels together!

Well, well, well. One fer Smeenge after all these years.

Brian from St. Augustine, FL

Hey, O, I've seen it mentioned a few times that Trevor has had to make changes to his footwork to adapt to Liam's offense. What are the actual changes he's had to make and why do those changes make Liam's system work better?

It's difficult to describe the exact footwork changes in specific detail because neither Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence nor Jaguars coaches – including Head Coach Liam Coen – have described exactly where Lawrence's feet have to plant on a certain exact play, etc. What I can tell you is what Coen said about this Thursday: "His (Lawrence's] footwork has drastically improved. The rhythm of playing the position in every system is different. The drop of a quarterback is very similar to a dance and so each song, right, has a different rhythm. Each play has a different rhythm. Each systems have different rhythms. We talk about footwork so much because when the game is being played, we know it's lived in the gray. But we're trying to create black and white lines for footwork, for reads, for timing, because when the when the things start moving, oftentimes you have to revert back to your fundamentals, your footwork, your timing. And so, I think he's taken a step in that area as well as just the overall operation. What I've really looked for has been really focusing on his lower half and his footwork and then also just running the show. I'm not really judging does he make every single throw right now. Is every single ball perfectly accurate right now? Is he operating the offense at a high level? Yes, he is right now."

Rob from The duuuuuuuuuuu

Aren't we putting too much blame on Nielsen? It was former General Manager Trent Baalke who dealt our third pass rusher, leaving zero other options besides out of position Arik Armstead at defensive end. It was former Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson who kept seven tackles and four ends (one a seventh-round rookie and another a journeyman with zero career sacks). Baalke also could have re-signed Smoot but didn't. The rotations were ridiculous and dumb, but the Armstead at end move is as much on Trent and Doug as it was in Nielsen in my opinion. What says the king of funk?

I say loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – know I'm not all that big on questions of blame in these situations. All parties involved have "thoughts" and those thoughts typically vary depending on perspective and vested interest. Remember: Despite perception not the contrary, NFL offseason roster decisions are rarely one person banging a table and saying, "And this is how it shall be!!!!!!" And while it's fair to say Pederson had influence on keeping seven defensive tackles and four ends on the regular-season roster, the structure under Pederson was such that the defensive coordinator largely determined rotation, roster makeup, etc. Bottom line: A lot around here didn't work last season. The record showed as much. Blame whoever you like. The Jaguars have moved on.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

Yes, yes, yes, John. THIS is such a phenomenal signing, IMO. Not quite because of the individual player himself, but because it is genuinely quality depth. We are signing good players to backup good players. Linebacker Dennis Gardeck has produced at a significant level for a player that has played the amount of snaps he has. No, he is not making this team Super Bowl ready by any means, it is just another portrayal of a GM and coach who seem to know what in the hell they are doing. (Seemingly) What a find!

One fer Gardeck, evidently.

Rob from the duuuuuuuuu

Bummer we never got to see running back Keilan Robinson get an opportunity on game day. I was excited to see what he could bring as a kickoff return specialist. I understand the running-back room is stacked and we can't keep one-trick ponies. Who do you see as the front runners on this roster to return kickoffs? Is Duvernay still on roster? Would he be the guy on both punts and kickoffs?

The Jaguars indeed released running back Keilan Robinson this week. A sixth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Robinson was selected primarily to return kickoffs. Injuries prevented him from getting much of an opportunity last season, and teams during regime changes often move forward from sixth-round selections with specific roles. Devin Duvernay is no longer on the Jaguars' roster. I expect wide receiver Parker Washington and running back Tank Bigsby to be candidates. I expect there also will be others.

Daniel from St J

How did the last column not get named "SMOOOOOOT?"

Stay tuned.