JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
David from Orlando, FL
Johnny-O: Have we found the right combination at offensive tackle with Will Richardson on the left and Jawaan Taylor on the right? If I were the Jags, I would let it ride and give Cam Robinson more time to fully recover. Thoughts?
The Jaguars rotated Richardson at right guard with A.J. Cann and Cedric Ogbuehi with Cam Robinson at left tackle Thursday in the victory over Tennessee. Head Coach Doug Marrone had indicated that that would be the case before the game, and he wasn't lying. The results were largely mixed, with the offensive line and offense as whole struggling to run but giving up no sacks. Marrone and the Jaguars are clearly looking for the right combination, and the preseason injuries – and playing-time approach – means that search has extended into the regular season. I expect the Marrone and offensive line George Warhop to settle on a starting five soon. I expect it will be Robinson at left tackle, Andrew Norwell at left guard, Brandon Linder at center, Richardson at right guard and Jawaan Taylor at right tackle. Stay tuned.
Steven from New York City
O - it feels fantastic to have something to be excited about as a Jags fan. Should I pump the brakes here or just enjoy it for now?
Enjoy it. What other reason is there to be a fan – I mean, besides getting to know everything about everything?
Dave from Dallas, TX
Hey Mr. O: So, JR20's problem is being "… disrespected by the front office" (I'd guess Tom Coughlin and Dave Caldwell) after the Houston game. Is being told reasonably to straighten up and fly right after an egregious public tantrum with a head coach now off limits? If so, is "spare the rod, spoil the child" not a salutary lesson?
Without being privy to the conversation, I can't accurately tell you what was said that Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey found disrespectful after the Houston game. I can tell you that when you behave as he did on the field and when coming off, the message from the coach and front office probably isn't going to be, "Hey, great job. You keep being you."
Josh from Fernandina Beach, FL
Incredible, Zone. Couldn't be prouder of the way the team came together and played, especially on the short week and in prime time. There are so many positive takeaways, from the disciplined play, to the coaching and quarterback Gardner Minshew and the defensive performance and the list goes on. If we continue to play with this effort and discipline, I think the season can be a whole lot of fun. GO JAGS!!!!
Winning is fun. People like it.
Michael from Ocala, FL
This was the most pumped up I had been for a game since the Patriots AFC Championship game. What a crappy week but the win made it. Still gives me a goosebump. #DTWD
Winning is fun. People like it.
Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL
Hi John, I do not understand Head Coach Doug Marrone going for it on fourth down with 3:23 left in the game and up by 13. Two touchdowns and two point-afters wins the game for the Titans. A field goal means the Titans would need two touchdowns and two successful two-point attempts just to tie. What am I missing?
I didn't understand it, either. Marrone said after the game he was being aggressive, and there is a school of thought that if you go for it as close as the Jaguars were to the goal line you leave your opponent with a long field. But, I would have kicked the field goal.
ABC from ABCTown
How high is the possibility, that Jalen stays in Jaxonville and what do you think has to happen to make Jalen stay here?
I'd say around 30 percent, but that's just a guess because if Ramsey is anything it's unpredictable. What would it take? It sounds as if the front office and Ramsey must meet and come to an understanding. Without truly knowing what's causing the hurt feelings, it's hard to know the chances of this happening.
James from St. Augustine, FL
If Nick Foles magically recovered tomorrow would the Jags give him the start, or would they keep Minshew in as starter?
This isn't going to happen – the magical recovery part – but if it did the Jaguars almost certainly would start Nick Foles at quarterback. That's because Minshew doesn't have a large enough sample size to merit such a change. If he plays as he has the last two games for six more games, the question could have a different answer. We're not there. Yet.
Scott from Orlando, FL
I feel like there should be a one fer A.J. Bouye. After the Kansas City game, I heard rumblings that he's not so good, wasted money, etc. So good game. On top of good game all around!
First, Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye clearly is good because he was a legitimate All-Pro selection in 2017. But it's true he hasn't played as well since. I thought Thursday's game was the best Bouye has had since the 2017 season. When he's playing at that level and Ramsey is on the other side, and the pass rush is effective … well, let's just say there was a reason Thursday felt like '17 again.
Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL
Does Jalen Ramsey's contract give him a veto over trades? He might look good in a Dolphins uniform.
No. Ramsey's contract does not allow him to void trades. At the same time, it's doubtful any team would trade for Ramsey without finding out whether re-signing him to an extension would be feasible. In that respect, it's doubtful any team would trade for Ramsey without finding out if he indeed wanted to play there.
Andy from St. Augustine, FL
Your idiotic and sarcastic responses to perfectly reasonable comments are pretty much the only reason I keep coming back here.
Shut up.
Richard from St. Augustine, FL
John, I am greatly relieved. I thought were going to lose both Jalen Ramsey and Jerrell. It is great news that Jerrell is going to stay with us.
It's important to stockpile as much talent as possible.
Mike from Atlanta, GA
What do we think about Jawaan Taylor? It's early, but I think they hit a home run with him.
All reports on Taylor – the Jaguars' second-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft – are good thus far, just as it appears edge defender Josh Allen (Round 1) and linebacker Quincy Williams (Round 3) are acclimating and producing. Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. also appears to be developing into a very good player – and perhaps better than that. All of this runs counter to the popular theory among some Jaguars fans that General Manager David Caldwell never has drafted a good player, but these players nonetheless appear very promising.
David from Oviedo, FL
O-Zone - Maybe, a combination of man-to-man and zone coverage is ideal, but what if your personnel doesn't fit that philosophy? We see it all too often: When we're in zone coverage, receivers run free and our defense looks confused. This is not the case with man-to-man coverage where our corners do a great job of shadowing receivers and contesting nearly every throw. If the concern with using only man coverage is that corners wear down, then rotate Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye and D.J. Hayden more frequently with Tre Herndon and Breon Borders. The solution is not to insert zone schemes that your defense has trouble executing, no matter how many times you go back to the drawing board. In other words, play to the strength of your players. Thoughts?
YOU CAN NOT PLAY MAN COVERAGE ON EVERY PLAY IN THE NFL BECAUSE WHEN TEAMS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING THEY WILL SCHEME AGAINST THAT WITH CROSSING ROUTES AND PLAYS DESIGNED TO SCREEN THE DEFENDER OFF THE COVERAGE. IF YOU THINK RAMSEY IS GOING TO BE HAPPY AND CONTENT ROTATING, THEN YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING AND LISTENING TO A DIFFERENT PLAYER THAN THE ONE I HAVE COVERED FOR THREE YEARS. I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THESE THINGS AS TRUTHS, BUT I FIGURED BY SHOUTING WITH CAPITAL LETTERS MAYBE A FEW PEOPLE WILL GET IT.
Dave from Los Angeles, CA
How does this team fix its rushing attack? Who's most to blame for averaging negative yards per carry for most of the game?
A performance like Thursday's is never one thing. Running back Leonard Fournette missed some opportunities, but the line struggled as a whole to run block. Assign blame all around and enjoy. It's the fun thing to do. Marrone said Friday he believes it's mostly on the offensive line and said this will be a major emphasis going forward.
Tony from Houston, AR
John, should I go with the handlebar or chevron?
Handlebar. That's what I'm going with on the mustache I'm starting to grow. When it fills in in 2027, I'll let you know how it went.