JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Fred from Naples, FL

Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts to the Jags? I just don't see it.

Welcome to the latest "Trade Machine" entry, with the interweb/Tweeter/X gurgling with all sorts of lists about teams that would be a good fit for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts –were the Falcons be willing to trade him. Like many "Trade Machine" entries, there's likely a decent chance Pitts wants to be traded – and there's likely a decent chance the Falcons wouldn't mind trading him. When the "Trade Machine" gurgles, there usually are some rumblings on one side of the other – or both – causing the gurgling. Would the Jaguars be interested in Pitts? Quite possibly. He was the No. 4 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft for a reason – and that reason is that he's a special talent capable of not only playing tight end but also being a legitimate multi-level receiver. But would the Falcons be willing to trade Pitts for the price the Jaguars – or any other team – is willing to pay for a player with one season remaining on his contract? That's always the tricky question. This isn't an idea to completely dismiss, but that doesn't mean it's likely.

Chris from Jacksonville

What's going on with Cooper Hodges? What are his chances of making the team?

Jaguars offensive lineman Cooper Hodges, a seventh-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft from Appalachian State who played at Macclenny Baker County High School near Jacksonville, is rehabilitating and returning from a right knee injury sustained in a Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He has finished each of his first two NFL seasons with injuries to that knee. It's hard to gauge his chances of making the team. The Jaguars like Hodges very much. Considering the seriousness of his 2024 knee injury, the issue may be whether he can return to full health and remain healthy enough to play at a starting level. Here's hoping he can. He's a good kid who would help the line and fit very well with the roster under the team's new regime.

Kevin from Jacksonville

If OTAs don't matter, why bother?

Organized team activities do matter, particularly for teams with new coaching staffs. They also matter a lot for young players. They're a learning time. It's when you start over-evaluating OTAs that you can lose the plot.

Richard from Jacksonville

They swapped first-rounders and gave up a second and a fourth in 2025 and their first-round selection pick in 2026. They received wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter plus a fourth- and a sixth-round selection from the Cleveland Browns. I now hear rumors of Kyle Pitts being available for a second-round pick. That would mean no first- or second-rounder next year. Currently they would start the draft with three picks in the third. Do you make the trade?

Beware the "Trade Machine," for it can send you down time-consuming paths of frustration with little satisfaction. It's easy for interweb "journalists" to offer trade scenarios. It's sometimes more difficult to find trade scenarios that will work in real life. I do not expect the Jaguars to trade a second-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft for Pitts.

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

To be fair, certains kickers that are also all-time points leaders on teams shoulds gets a mention for rings of honors right? Pitter Patter.

My Scooby Sense – not my Scobee sense – tells me you're pushing for former Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee for the Pride of the Jaguars. This is conceivable at some point, though my Scooby sense also tells me former players such as wide receiver Keenan McCardell, defensive end Tony Brackens and running back Maurice Jones-Drew – need to be there before others are considered. Good question. That's no surprise. You often ask good questions. That's what I appreciate about you.

Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA

O, Why are some of your readers hopeful about the Jags 2025 season? Well, as you have stated, there is a history in the NFL of teams improving the next season after coaching changes. Also, as I count, the Jags lost nine games by five points or less. A few more "game-changing" plays and the Jags can definitely contend for the AFC South (which is clearly not the strongest conference). You agree?

I agree that the Jaguars can improve in 2025 and part of the reason for believing that is that they were competitive in so many games last season. I say that with the caveat that playing a lot of close games one season can't be the only foundation on which to base hope for the following season. One reason for that is the NFL is a league of close games; good teams win them and bad teams don't – and NFL history is littered with forgotten, bad teams that "almost won" a lot of games. Another reason is that one season's results don't automatically translate into the next. This is a new team with mostly new leadership and mostly new coaching, one that has experienced large roster turnover. This is not to say all those close games last season shouldn't make Jaguars fans somewhat optimistic. It is to say we can't assume they will be better in 2025 just because they could have and should have been better in 2024.

P Funk from Murray Hill

Are the scouts who appeared in the latest episode of The Hunt still with the team?

Former assistant general manager Ethan Waugh, former director of college scouting Michael Davis, former pro scout Geep Chryst, former scout Chris Ash, former Senior personnel executive Tom Gamble are a few personnel officials who were with the team last season who no longer with the Jaguars. This is not necessarily a comprehensive list and such turnover is normal when teams change general managers. What's "The Hunt," by the way? Is this something new? And if we're going to do something like this, why don't we promote it and hire more manpower?

Colin from Sanford

Two KOAF sightings in the latest episode of The Hunt?! Your agent needs a raise.

I googled "Hunt" and searched social media. I found nothing. This is getting frustrating. We need to emphasize this more.

Michael from Crestview, FL

Corduroys and girlfriends. We had to wear corduroy pants while working at Winn-Dixie in the late 70s/early 80s. Girlfriends were not a problem. Checking to see if corduroy can be ordered on Amazon. The good news is I'm moving back to North Florida this summer and attending a Jags game.

That is good news.

Luke from Brisbane, Australia

Why are people from St Augustine seemingly so miserable? Looks like a nice enough place on Google maps??

The line at Potter's Wax Museum is very long. That can lead to frustration, which can lead to lashing out. Life's not easy in the oldest city.

Gator from Gainesville, FL

Momma allways said kids pikked on me cause they was jealous. I didn't beleeve it then but I get it now. I'm smart! This idea is great! Pick up Colin Castleton and make him a TE. He will be a hall of famer fur sure!!!! Balke shuld have my number but if he needs it I can send it again. Yur welcome

I am the king of all funk.

Jason from Orange Park

Your answer to the whole wide receiver question has me confused. If those two receivers are only eligible to catch the ball where do running backs and tight ends fit in to the mix? I seem to recall Gronk and Ricky Willams grabbing passes from off the line of scrimmage. Unconfused me.

Explaining the details of NFL rules with only words – and no accompanying pictures – can be confusing. I tried to explain illegal formation in Saturday's O-Zone and apparently failed reader Jason. I'll try again. The offense must have seven players on the line of scrimmage. Eligible receivers must line up on both ends of the line. All players between the eligible receivers on both ends must be ineligible. Eligible receivers lined up off the line can catch passes.

William

John, I am disappointed in your description of Gene Frenette. If memory serves me correctly, he was the stunt double for Inigo Montoya in the sword fight scene of The Princess Bride. It was on that set that he gave impromptu acting lessons to Andre the Giant which kickstarted Gene's career as a luchidor in Mexico.

I'm sorry you're disappointed. Disappointment can be … well, disappointing. Your memory does serve you correctly. Former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette indeed was the stunt double for Inigo Montoya in Princess Bride. He also has served – and currently serves – as the double in all Tom Cruise stunts. Cruise is famous for telling people he does his own stunts. This is part of the "Hollywood game." Don't buy into this. It's Gene. It was always Gene.