MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Let's get to it …

Chris from Mandarin, FL

How is Travis Hunter going to play both ways in the NFL if he couldn't even make it through his first training camp?

This essentially repeats a recent O-Zone question, with the question making the point that because Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter has been limited in practice with an upper-body injury in recent days that automatically means he can't play both sides of the ball in the NFL. How can he possibly expect to play in the NFL when he has sustained a training-camp injury? Perhaps the same way Jaguars rookie safety Caleb Ransaw will play in the NFL even though he has been out with an injury much of training camp. And the same way Jaguars veteran cornerback Montaric Brown will continue to play in the NFL even though he has been out with an injury much of training camp. Or the way countless other players around the NFL currently out with injuries will play in the NFL moving forward. NFL players get injured. Every day. Assuming Hunter can't play offense and defense because he has had one injury is drawing a conclusion so stunningly premature and incorrect it calls into question the ability to reason of those drawing the conclusion. Hunter has missed a few practices because he fell slightly wrong on a play in practice last week. He has not missed because he is "fragile" or "unable to hold" up anymore than any "one-way" player has missed practices because he is "fragile" or "unable to hold up." I don't know if Hunter will succeed in trying to both ways. I do know him being out right now has nothing to do with the answer. If you are predisposed to believing Hunter can't play both ways, then it's easy to point to this absence as proof. But it being easy doesn't mean you're pointing in the right direction.

Kenneth from Jacksonville

So, you have a new offensive system. A new defensive system. A new coaching staff. A roster of unproven players. And they decide they're just so good that they only need two preseason games? Go Jaguars!!

My Scooby Sense – and not my Scobee Sense, or my Spidey Sense – tells me you're irritated with the Jaguars' decision not to play starters in their Preseason Week 3 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday. Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen announced the decision following the Jaguars-Dolphins joint practice Thursday. But while I'm sure you weren't alone in your surprise/irritation/concern with this decision, remember: The Jaguars are hardly outliers in this preseason approach and they're pretty much just following the current NFL norm with their playing time this preseason. Jaguars starters have played three series offensively and defensively this preseason. Backups have played about three-ish quarters or so. I don't expect many projected contributors at all to play for the Jaguars Saturday, with this game about two goals – to keep players healthy and to maybe decide two or three spots deep on the roster. Is this the ideal way to prepare for an NFL team with a new coaching staff? No. It's probably not the ideal way for any NFL team to prepare. But health and fresh bodies are the preseason priority now. Any other approach would be deemed far too risky and would be very unusual. Welcome to 2025.

Scott from Orlando, FL

What's the first rule of fight club, John?

Always be nice. It's important to be nice.

Anita from Springfield

Bummer for Cephus. Early on it felt like this was gonna be his year.

You're referencing the Jaguars waiving first-year wide receiver Joshua Cephus with an injury designation Thursday. This news surprised many Jaguars observers because Cephus had made many standout plays early in 2025 Training Camp. But if there's any NFL truism that consistently rings true no matter the team and no matter the era it's that there is always a young receiver deep on the depth chart who impresses in camp/ preseason who then surprises observers by not making the final roster. Special teams dictate the final roster spots at wide receiver. Almost always.

Doug from Jacksonville, FL

Howard from Homestead asked his favorite Al about his opinion of you? I only know one Al and he's not even a Jags fan. How many Al's does this guy know?

I know a few Als. I also know a few Bettys and at least one long lost pal. Some are Jaguars fans. Some aren't. Few seems to think of much of me and my "act," which means statistically they're pretty much right in line with the general population.

Steve from Wonderwood raceway

Been a Jags fan from the start. This year feels better, more speed. Gary sounds like a maniacal hate sprinkler.

The Jaguars from this view currently have the feel of a team moving in the right direction for the long-term. I expect them to improve this season, though I don't have a feel for exact record, and I think they will be a lot better moving forward. This is because I think the decision-making trio of General Managers James Gladstone, Head Coach Liam Coen and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli is a capable group that will grow the franchise properly. I think the speed at the offensive skill positions is a big reason they could improve this season. Gary is a visionary with an outstanding eye for people. His judgment should not be questioned.

JT from Palm Coast, FL

Do you expect the joint practice to be the last "real" work the first team offense and defense see this preseason?

The Jaguars have practices scheduled next week, but in terms of any work against opponents … yes, Thursday's joint practice against the Miami Dolphins in South Florida was the last for the starters until Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.

Bradley from Kansas City, MO

True or false: Winning the game is the top priority for fans in the preseason while it is outside the top 10 for the coaching staff.

I can't speak for fans. Though I hope many fans realize winning in the preseason matters not a whit, evidence suggests this hope is futile. Winning absolutely is well outside the Top 10 for the coaching staff – and if coaches are honest, it's not important on any level. Coaches who prioritize it risk losing credibility among players. You don't give cake and ice cream for preseason victories. It just makes you look silly and out of touch.

Steve from Nashville, TN

Have you seen Trevor Lawrence practice handing off to the running back while falling down or do they have a period of practice called "improv?" If not, then I don't think we should run that play in a game until it is perfected during practice.

Steve's got jokes.

Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!!! Last preseason game on deck! I know fans are going to fan, it's what they do. However, I strongly believe that preseason games are where you really get a chance to strengthen your backups; coaches can get them meaningful reps before the score counts for real and give them solid metrics when it comes roster making time. What says you O-Zone???

I say preseason games can be valuable for this reason. I also say there are preseason games when teams play neither starters nor projected backups very much if at all. This is how important health has become to coaches and decision-makers as the NFL regular season approaches.

Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK

Oh, Mighty 'O' / King Of All Funk: Today, I heard the sad news my Aunt Babs had passed away from cancer. Aunt Babs is why I became a Jags fan. She was originally from England and met her husband, Uncle Charles, when he was posted overseas by the US Navy. Uncle Charles' last posting in England was in the early 1970s then he returned home and Aunt Babs followed with their children. Aunt Babs was visiting her sister Joan) and was talking to Charles on the phone when I walked in. I heard her say, "Sixty-two to seven! They BENCHED Marino!! Who do we have next? The Titans. Ah, we just can't seem to beat them." Over the next hour we talked football. My wife and I visited Jacksonville that summer. I fell in love with the place during our visit, loved the Jaguars' teal jerseys and the logo – and they rekindled my interest in the NFL. Sadly, just as it appears we might be getting better, Auntie Babs has gone. However, she is free from pain and in a better place reunited with Uncle Charles. Can I get a 'one for Aunt Babs'? And if my fellow Jags fans and having their favorite tipple this weekend, maybe they could raise a glass to Aunt Babs.

One tipple fer Aunt Babs? Absolutely.