JACKSONVILLE – Let's get it …

Charles from Riverside

Hello, John. Who says a preseason game can't be exciting! For years, my wife and I have had a running disagreement about preseason games. She thinks a win is win. It's a competition, regardless of how much that counts towards the regular season. A win creates self-confidence, improves self-esteem, makes for positive energy and creates momentum. Me on the other hand see preseason games as an opportunity to test the playbook, fix mistakes, improve execution, evaluate players, etc. Particularly new players that stand out – i.e. running back J'Mari Taylor, wide receiver Trebor Pena and defensive end Wesley Williams. However, I have to give this one to the Boss. Based on the team's comeback in the second half, and in particular the facial expressions and body language of Head Coach Liam Coen, offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and the Jaguars' players during the first half and then the second half, it was very clear the Jags really wanted to win this one. Certainly speaks to the culture of the team!

The Jaguars' 24-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Preseason Week 1 Saturday certainly was exciting, particularly for a preseason game. As for the debate between you and your wife, I would advise for quality of life to continue letter her believe that preseason matters but rest easy knowing the truth lies closer to your view. I expect that was true for the Jaguars Saturday. They were unquestionably happy to play better in the second half than the first – and to paraphrase the great Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, "Winning is, like, better than losing." But professional football is about how you fare in the regular season and I've never, ever, ever covered a team and thought in Week 4, "Boy, they would have won this week if they had only won that preseason game against the Giants in Week 3." I had to look up how the Jaguars fared in Preseason Week 1 last season and was somewhat surprised to learn they had tied the Saints – and I am almost sure I attended that game. I may even have stayed awake until the end. Saturday was positive for the Jaguars on a few fronts. Guard Emmanuel Pregnon showed professional football skills, and young defensive linemen such as Albert Regis and B.J. Green and Bryan Thomas Jr. flashed in a big way. The same was true of Pena, Taylor and Williams. Were Coen, Campanile and Udinski and the players happy to win? Sure. But the development of those players is what will be significant about Saturday as we move forward.

Woody from Dunlap

KOAF: I doubt most mistakes made during Saturday's preseason game would have occurred had we played our starters. I am confident that by the time the games count, our coaches will have corrected the small number of issues evident on Saturday. Giving the rookies and other backup players extensive preseason game experience is an excellent way to identify issues and fix them. With less than a month remaining before real Game 1, I must admit being nervous over the number of injured members of our offensive line. Based upon the listening devices you have cleverly planted in the team doctor's office, training room and offices of the coaching staff, which offensive linemen look to not be cleared to play by Game 1?

A few thoughts on your thoughts. One is that it stands to reason there would be more mistakes with backups than starters; this is because starters are starters because they're better than backups. Another thought is that in addition to identifying and fixing issues of young players, playing those players in preseason is largely about evaluating them and determining if they will remain with the team for the regular season. A third thought is that I sense no long-term panic concerning the offensive line. The biggest concerns for the regular season from this view would be Cole Van Lanen and Patrick Mekari, but I wouldn't interpret those concerns to mean they won't be available Week 1.

Don from Marshall, NC

The Jaguars have a bunch of good-looking players and look to be very deep on defense. That move that Albert Regis made was the big time! Then to chase the quarterback down with the field wide open was really impressive! Going to be hard keeping him out of the game! Go Jaguars!

When it comes to liking what he saw from rookie defensive tackle Albert Regis Saturday, Don is not alone and he very confidently – and reassuringly – remains "all in."

Doug from Jacksonville

Zone, I was surprised that this didn't come up in today's O-Zone, so I will bring it up. Since Liam is so aggressive (as you have stated will not change), why the run on third down just before the two-minute warning at the end of the game? Due to the time on the clock, you knew the Saints were just going to let the clock run down to two minutes and not use their last time out. You have a much better chance of picking up the first down with some sort of safe pass (especially since the Saints were expecting a run) and if you get four-plus yards, the game is essentially over. That run call didn't jibe with the aggressive nature to grab the win. It did work, however –barely.

I wasn't surprised that a specific game situation didn't come up in the O-Zone following Saturday's game because it was a preseason game. That's the same reason I didn't ask Coen about this after the game. I assume Coen chose to run in that situation because the Jaguars want to work on the run in the preseason. There's a decent chance the approach would have been different in the regular season because the preseason isn't the regular season.

Charles from Savannah, GA

I was impressed with J'Mari Taylor. Promising?

I have expected Taylor will be at minimum on the practice squad with a very good chance to contribute as either a roster addition or a practice-squad activation. Saturday did nothing to change that expectation.

Casey from Ormond by the Sea

When is the comment section coming back? I used to visit the site at least four times a day to read the comments. The site is not as good without them.

What's a "comments section?"

Cerge from Daphne, AL, formally Middleburg

Johhnnnaaayy!! I would like to revisit our conversation a month ago about undrafted J'Mari Taylor. Last time we spoke, we were both intrigued about his production in a weak ACC, yet he was never drafted with the results produced. You and I both concurred we shall see what happens when the pads come on! Unfortunately, I was working during the game against the Saints. Yes, it was 2v2s, and only got to see a few productive clips!! Your thoughts and takeaways, good sir!! DUUUVVVAAALLL!!!

I confess I don't recall our conversation, though we apparently are in lockstep on multiple issues. Taylor looked very good, and very strong, Saturday. He ran hard and looked like an NFL running back.

Scott from Jax, FL

"Blame Shadrick"?? What's a Shadrick?

I don't remember.

Mike from Jax

Why do you ask people for their email addresses? Who cares? More importantly, the Jaguars have a serious problem that never got addressed in the offseason: backup quarterback. If starting quarterback Trevor gets injured and has to sit out for a few games, we are in big trouble. Nick Mullens is not a competent backup. There were decent backup quarterbacks on the market, but the front office decided to save money and roll the dice for one more season. Mullens might have the command of the offense, but he lacks talent to play the position.

I don't ask people for email addresses. I didn't design the form, and I don't care much about the issue. Remember: The NFL has a salary cap – and while many fans and observers like to say it's not real, it is real and teams must make philosophical decisions within the rules that govern the cap. The Jaguars generally believe they're goal is to win the Super Bowl and they're not going to do that if Lawrence is hurt. Mullens didn't play well Saturday. I haven't sensed much concern over this issue inside the organization. Concerns can change during the preseason. I would be surprised if the Jaguars made a dramatic move at this position.

Pat from Jacksonville

The offensive line was improved last year, and we have young depth there, but can you see signing any of Kevin Zeitler/Greg Van Roten/Taylor Decker on a one-year deal? It feels like it can't hurt to bring in a veteran to shore up the line.

This, too, would surprise me.

Armand from Atlantic Beach, FL

1st game audition some players are making choices tough some are not on to the 2nd audition and dee what we see

games preseason one week preseason week two playing time injuries offensive line wide receivers and panthers Carolina tuned stay