JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Zac from Austin, Tejas

I saw a presser with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield saying that the joint practice was intense, noting that if it had been a full game he doesn't think they would have won, citing "they just out physical-ed us, and you never want that." Has Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile stopped smiling yet?

This was a significant moment from the Jaguars' practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Miller Electric Center this week. The teams held two practices – one Tuesday and one Wednesday. Tuesday was by far the "realer" of the two. The Jaguars' physical approach that day defensively and offensively – particularly in the run game – was evident. The Jaguars didn't have a great day in their first joint practice of 2026 Training Camp. That was against the New Orleans Saints in Metairie, La., two weeks ago. They practiced significantly better against the Carolina Panthers last week and again against the Buccaneers this week. I have said and written it in multiple spots, but I will write it again here that the Jaguars seemed to get better and more focused as camp continued. As it closed this week, they felt like a good team that knows it's time to be ready for the "real stuff." That real stuff starts in two and a half weeks against the Cleveland Browns in the regular-season opener. It's getting close to go time. Grrrrrr.

Gabe from Washington, DC

You have spoken at length about the importance of being nice. And look, I am not a designer. I am sure it is not easy to create a new uniform that's bold and well-received without verging too far into garish or tacky. But man, O, these uniforms look like they fell onto an ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.

The NFL unveiled its 2026 "Rivalry" uniforms Tuesday – and with the AFC South part of the initiative this year, the Jaguars were one of the teams involved. As such, the Jaguars' iteration has been an O-Zone topic. Because I got many emails about this topic, I will include a few of those emails in the O-Zone with the caveat that I don't have any particular thoughts – good, bad or otherwise – on the topic. I understand people are passionate about uniforms. I surmise from the reaction that some people don't love the Jaguars' "rivalries." I also know from experience some people don't love a lot of new things. I just don't have a great interest in the topic, so I have little more to add.

Brad from The Avenues

Well, I guess the helmets do look better than the white ones, but I'm sorry … I really hate that shade of blue they keep trying to call teal.

OK.

Your Momma from Jax

What was your inspiration when you designed those rivalry unis? Why can't we have something masculine? The re-design of the logo from a few years back looks like a kitty cat and now we have pants made from real panther parts. I do like the helmets, though. It's as if we started classy with the helmet and then let project runway take over.

It's made from bits of real panther. So, you know it's good.

Rob from St Augustine, FL

"Building on the success of Nike x NFL Rivalries program...."? It is not successful. It has been an epic disaster. NIKE needs to get out of the NFL. I don't even know what teams I'm looking at anymore.

I don't expect NIKE to get out of the NFL.

John from Section 206 while it's still there

I get I am not longer the NFL's prime demographic, and I think the whole rivalry uniform thing is a load of hooey; however, if we are stuck having to do it, I would have loved to see the Jags pay homage to the Jacksonville Bulls, or maybe as a throwback just once.

I like that idea – and I'm not known for "liking" all that much.

Nick from Virginia Beach, VA

O, I don't hate the rivalry jersey. It is better than the current white one we have. My question is, though, can we just go back to the permanent prowlers? Why is this so difficult?

I expect the Jaguars "regular" uniforms to remain in their current iteration until the Stadium of the Future opens in 2028. I have no inside information about what happens after that.

Johnny from Jagsville

Zone. Remember when we were kids and there were six preseason games and only 14 Regular Season games? How did we survive that?

We went to the dollar movie at the Expressway Mall, walked to 7-11 for a Slurpee and waited for our mom to take us to Regency so she could drag us to May Cohen's and Thom McAn – and hopefully, the Orange Tree.

Oscar from Palm Coast, FL

Ryan Tannehill, Jimmy Garoppolo, Russell Wilson a few veteran options.

Nick Mullens is the Jaguars' backup quarterback. I will be surprised if they go a different direction at that position.

Travis from Chattanooga, TN via Ormond Beach, FL

Hey, O. As a veteran reader (we know who we are), I remember you once listing favorite or at least admired song writers, one of which was Dolly Parton. Not a question today, unfortunately. Just wanted to say here's to one Tennessee-size big one for Dolly. Truly Legendary.

We closed Wednesday morning's O-Zone with a hat tip to Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80. But if any entertainer is worth a second mention, it's her. I can't pretend to know her whole catalogue, but I do know any list of great songwriters of my generation that doesn't include her is incomplete. Just as any list of cultural icons and personalities of my generation is incomplete. I wasn't a huge fan of hers when I was younger, but I grew to appreciate her. I also admired her coming from abject poverty and always embracing her background. With my late mother coming from similar circumstances, and coming from a similar area of the country (Dolly was from Tennessee, my mother from Kentucky/Southern Indiana), I suppose I felt something of a connection there. Whether that connection was legitimate or not, Parton was unquestionably an American original. Her like never will be seen again. Music won't be as real a place in her absence. We will always love her, I suppose.

Bradley from Death Valley, CA

Parker Washington is physical, smart, relentless, selfless and clutch. Something about him reminds me of Hines Ward. I would pay him as soon as possible.

The Jaguars love wide receiver Parker Washington. They would love for him to be a long-term player for this franchise. It's impossible to know if you would "pay Player X as soon as possible" without knowing how much Player X needs to be paid to sign a contract. We can speculate. We can get angry. We can say, "Pay him!" But we won't really know.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

I made the correlation the other day of Parker and our new sixth-round wide receivers. Clearly different receiver types, but have you been seeing the early signs, work and intangibles in rookie sixth-round selections CJ Williams and Josh Cameron that you've seen in Parker? From this view, is it likely we'll be having the same conversation of "PAY THE MAN (MEN) NOW" about those two in two or three seasons? That would be pretty "awesome" to have hit on three sixth round receivers like that.

Williams and Cameron have been impressive to date. They appear to have the work ethic, attitude, skill and approach to go from late-round selections to very good players. Washington's development along those lines has been uber-impressive and it's very difficult to do. Williams and Cameron have taken the first small steps on Washington's path. Let's let them take a few more steps – and perhaps catch a pass in the regular season – before we start talking about paying them in CAPITAL LETTERS and EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!

Nathan Duval then, Sacramento now

Mr. Oehser, I had the distinct privilege of attending a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside of Denver earlier this month. I got to see Nathaniel Rateliff play alongside the Denver Symphonic Orchestra. On top of that, I got to sample some fine whiskeys that the good Colorado folk make out there. I cannot recommend that venue or the sampling enough. While wandering about, prior to the festivities, I spotted a man with a Jaguars hat. I immediately walked over to him, offered my hand and stated "Duval. Am I right?" He responded with the perfect "...Till We Die." That was cool. I liked it.

I liked Nathaniel Rateliff in Harry Potter – what I saw in the occasional clip or two I watched, anyway. It looks like he's good in that new show with the guy from 30 Rock. I need to check it out. I didn't know he sang.