JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Josh from Lakeland, FL
Shoutout to J.P. for all the great work in his time here. Gonna miss that guy.
We covered this extensively in Wednesday's O-Zone, but for those who missed it: Longtime Jaguars Media member – and longtime O-Zone editor – J.P. Shadrick will leave the organization this weekend to become the play-by-play voice of the Arizona Cardinals. As we covered on Wednesday, it's a well-deserved opportunity for a good guy and a good friend – and a guy who took very seriously his role as a connection/ambassador to fans. He never took for granted that fans connect with the people they see on jaguars.com and Jaguars Media, and he therefore connected with Jaguars fans – and absolutely many O-Zone readers – on a real level. He has been here for 14 years, which is five years longer than any active Jaguars player. So, of course many fans will miss the familiar face and voice. It was a good, memorable run and he will be missed.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. With J.P. leaving, will this affect the "Streak?" Hopefully, the editorial baton can be passed to someone worthy at Jaguars.com? By the way, as of 8/6/26, what might the "Streak" tally be? Sorry to see JP go, but he is getting a well-deserved gig for sure.
Shadrick as the O-Zone editor indeed has been integral to the O-Zone "streak." Integral, in this case, is not irreplaceable and I trust the O-Zone – and the streak – will continue. The streak, incidentally, now stands at 5,476 days. A word on the streak while we're on the topic: It will reach 15 years in a day or two. My sense at this point is it likely will not reach 16 years. This is not to say the O-Zone will end. Or that I will follow Shadrick in leaving the Jaguars. And Shadrick's departure has nothing to do with this thought. It's just that 15 years – 5,476 days – is a long time to do something every day. Perhaps long enough. I expect sometime next offseason it might end. Or I might just ratchet it back to a few questions day when I'm feeling tired. Or when I'm missing J.P. Or something like that.
Jadon from Raleigh, NC
J.P. really left when the goings got good. Sad. One of the greats. So, who will take his job? Kai? Or an outside hire?
You don't replace a Shadrick. You only hope to succeed him.
Doug from Jacksonville
Does Shadrick know it's 335 miles Jacksonville to Tuscaloosa and it's almost 1,600 miles from Phoenix to Alabama? Tell him quick, before he leaves.
He's a West Coast guy now. Life comes at you fast.
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
I am echoing what I have said and submitted before ... but how impossible is it to not be impressed with Grant Udinski? I don't know how you interview that guy and don't think, "Yes." Makes me think he might not have seen an attractive enough destination to become a head coach this offseason. And I hope that is true because I don't want to see him go somewhere with bad ownership or something and flounder. That guy's ability to communicate is next level.
I expect Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinksi to be an NFL head coach in the foreseeable future and I will be a little surprised if he is not a head coach by next season. He's a high-end communicator and high-end communicating is key to NFL success.
Rob from San Antonio, TX
JP, we hardly knew yee!
Oh, we knew hee.
Zā (with a super cold Steel Reserve) from St. Augustine, FL
Truth told, I'm going to miss Shadrick. Happy for him though. Your post yesterday showed how lucky we were to have him. One for the big Shad nasty, best of luck to him, and as always, go Jaguars!
"Big Shad Nasty."
JP from Phoenix
What happened to the comment section? Was J.P. Shadrick moderating that too?
I asked Shadrick about this. He said, "What's a comment's section?" Shadrick's got jokes.
Pedal Bin, IFOTY from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
Oh Mighty 'O'/King Of All Funk, as we approach J.P. Shadrick's last day with the Jaguars, I would just like to wish J.P. every success for the future. I first met J.P. when the Jaguars played their initial London game in 2013. There was a fan event in Nike Town and J.P. was roaming the crowd interviewing the fans, "Hi! I'm J.P. Shadrick from Jaguars.com!" was his cheery introduction to everyone he met. I think I was one of the first he interviewed and he seemed surprised when I replied, "I know who you are, I watch you on the Jags web site." After we spoke for a little while I asked if I could have a picture with him. That started a "tradition like no other" and each year when I saw J.P., we took a picture together. Now that is a tradition no more. Every time we met, J.P. was kind enough to greet me like an old friend. J.P. will be sadly missed by the UK Jags Fans. He was ever present at Fan Events, Open Practices and hosted pretty much every Union Jax Pub Night. He was always generous with his time and willing talk Jags or whatever for hours with us fans. I never could buy him a drink, though, no matter how many times I offered. Farewell JP! The London Games will never be quite the same without you.
You had me until, "I never could buy him a drink."
Kaydie from Riverside, Jacksonville
Are there any players who seem to be struggling so far in camp?
On the field? Not really, or certainly not enough to be notable after two days of padded work. A few appeared to struggle upon hearing that J.P. is leaving, but I trust they will right their ship in the foreseeable future.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 94?
We grind on toward the finish. Possibilities here include defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (2022-2023), defensive end Jeremy Mincey (2007-2013), defensive tackle Kelvin Pritchett (1995-1998), defensive tackle Larry Smith (1999-2002), defensive tackle Maason Smith (2024-2025) and defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot (2017-2020). This is too close to call between Smoot and Mincey, but if forced to choose I shall say, "One fer Smoooooooooot."
Nick from Virginia Beach, VA
Another shout out for JP. Appreciate everything he did to bring humor to all the online shows he worked on. Always looked forward to the banter between him, Tony Boselli and Pete Prisco. He will be missed.
He will be missed. At the same time, it should be noted that he's not dying or sick. He also to my knowledge did not cure disease, so perhaps we can reel in the tears and reverie a bit at some point. But yes … he will be missed.
Fred from Naples, FL
JP should have gotten the Tennessee Titans play by play job when it was open over a year ago. I was super excited (selfishly) that he didn't get it and we got to hang on to him for another year. I guess it was only a matter of time. Best of luck, J.P. It was great to meet you in London at our pep rally the night before the Ravens game in 2017 at the Finery.
All Hail Shadrick, I guess. Long may he reign.
Ken from St Augustine, FL
Hi, John. I know Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone is always looking to improve the team. But based on the 53-man roster predictions I've seen I cannot find a player that I would replace. With that said, what position do you think the Jaguars would like to upgrade and who would they possibly replace.
I don't sense at all that the Jaguars are unhappy with any particular position. I expect they will closely monitor linebacker. There is some serious competition and some unknown there entering the season. This doesn't mean I expect the Jaguars to desperately scan the waiver wire for the linebacker position. It means it's something I expect they're monitoring.
Joe from Homer Glen, IL
Zone, one thing I noticed years ago was J.P.'s smooth delivery. I'm talking about his ability to coherently sustain a spoken sentence, without the common stutters and fillers like "ums" and "uhs." A polished speaker like that comes off to us rubes as a script or material that has practiced and rehearsed, but watching J.P. interview and introduce countless guests made me think that he's mastered the flow of the spoken word. No doubt countless hours have gone into perfecting this skill, so kudos to J.P. A shame that his well-deserved career progression takes him away from Jacksonville, but I am glad to have had him this long. One fer JP.
We get it. Shadrick is a pro's pro. He annunciates. He's stutter-less. He's just, plain awesome. I'll update you on the statue when I hear more.
