JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Jason from North Pole, AK
If Robert Hainsey can't play this weekend, who do you expect to start at center? Would they play Jonah Monheim there or bump Patrick Mekari to center and start Chuma Edoga at right guard?
Jaguars rookie center Jonah Monheim will start at center against the Seattle Seahawks at EverBank Stadium Sunday if starter Robert Hainsey can't play. This appears likely with Hainsey doubtful for Sunday with the hamstring injury sustained against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday. Mekari and reserve lineman Cole Van Lanen should be available at center should Monheim be injured and unable to play. The Jaguars are confident Monheim will play well.
Joe from Living in St. Johns, down by the river
Hey, John. You have said many times winning is fun. It's more fun when you factor in a Pick 6 (schemed by defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile because it's always coaching) and a Trip 6 (schemed by fate). Looking forward to Sundays again. My question is about the Campbell trade. I understand why the Jags made the move, they feel like we have improved. Why would the Browns do this trade? I read the glowing praise on our website about the skills we gain with Newsome, but on the Browns' website, they basically acknowledge the trade with stats and a yawn. Was this Gladstone magic?
Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd's 99-yard "Pick Six" and quarterback Trevor Lawrence's "stumblerooskie" indeed made Monday's victory over the Chiefs more fun than otherwise would have been the case – though beating the three-time defending AFC Champions would have been pretty darned fun regardless of how it happened. As for why the Browns traded cornerback Greg Newsome II to the Jaguars for cornerback Tyson Campbell … my guess is they think Campbell will make them better. That's often the reason for a trade. Or that they didn't want to re-sign him to prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent following the season. Was it magic by Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone? Stay tuned.
Tym from Southside
O-Zone. Maybe I'm just not used to the success yet. Beating the Chiefs on Monday Night Football felt a lot like beating the New England Patriots in Week 2 of 2018. The Jaguars were able to secure a win against the "best team" in the league. But that alone is not enough to get you into the postseason. Gotta keep going.
No doubt.
Kelsey from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Love the win and love the season! I keep seeing people talking about the fumble on the goal line. I think people are forgetting it was fourth down. I've heard a bunch of people discussing it like a terrible turnover and Trevor should've had better ball security, but it wasn't fundamentally different from a turnover on downs, which would have happened no matter what if he didn't get the ball in. If anything, this was the one time that sacrificing ball security makes a bit of sense – in my view, anyway. I think there could be an argument about taking three points there, but I think the criticism of the fumble is a little silly.
We're mostly looking ahead because it's Sunday, but this is worth a final glance back. It's true Lawrence's fumble against the Chiefs came when he leaped and tried to reach the ball over the goal line came on fourth-and-goal from the 1. That means it's true the Chiefs would have gained possession had he been stopped – even without the fumble. It's also true, however, that tight end Brenton Strange was charging behind Lawrence for a "push" play, and that Lawrence leaping negated the effect of the push. It wasn't as much the turnover as perhaps freelancing too much here that was the issue.
Biff from the Friendly Street of Greenwillow
It's been a fun 24 hours, watching and listening to all the Jags love. But there's the big question: are the Jags for real? The future is unknown. Decide yourself if Jaguars gonna stay. Reason it could polish up the gray. Put that, put that, put that up your wall. That this isn't a fluke at all. Playoff Jaguars. Decide yourself.
That last play the other night was pretty fortunate, though.
DJ from Jacksonville
There have been some epic wins at the 'Bank in the past few years at the end of the games to include the Dallas Cowboys game, the playoff game against the LA Chargers, and most recently the Chiefs game. In your opinion, which win was the biggest?
Playoff games are the biggest games. Remember, too: Regular-season games are usually only remembered as big games if they lead to playoff appearances. The Jaguars' victory over the Patriots in 2018 was big at the time. The season spiraled and the victory is now remembered as a bit of a tease. If the Jaguars make the postseason this season, the Chiefs game will be memorable. If not …
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
After only five games, my trust in Gladstone's judgement is rapidly increasing. When he was made general manager, James articulated a vision of the type of team he wanted to build. We are seeing his plan coming to fruition, and it is a winning approach. I am on record being against the Tank Bigsby trade, which in fact was a good move. Although we will miss Tyson, welcome to Jax. Mr. Newsome II!
I've said since meeting Gladstone I believed he would be a successful general manager in the NFL for a long time. The more I am around him, the more I believe this. He's a rock star.
Drew from Buford
Two weeks ago, going West to play at the San Francisco 49ers was a game the Jags usually don't close out. But when the old Jags did close that out the next week playing against a team like the Chiefs, they usually won't close that out. This week, they play the Seahawks after big back-to-back wins. A loss here doesn't mean this is the same old Jags, but a win here ... I think we could definitely say this is a new story. How much would a win here tell us about this team?
This is a game against a good team six days after an emotional victory. A victory would show the Jaguars can handle tricky parts of the schedule as you must handle them to make the postseason.
Rob from The duuuuuuuuuuuuu
Are we really taking a 20-plus million dead cap hit next year for Campbell? Why? I assumed the Browns take on his contract and there would be no dead money. If we are taking a huge dead cap hit the trade makes no sense. At some point we have to stop stacking dead money. I know all teams do it but we have remained at the top of the league for many years and it hurts our ability to put an elite squad together. Thoughts?
The Jaguars didn't trade Campbell for Newsome because of the salary cap.
BRUCE from ST SIMONS IS
O, Do you agree with the old saying that to win a team must run the ball and stop the run? Health is the unpredictable factor in being able to win in the NFL. This week, which of the teams lines appears to be in the best shape?
You must run well – or at least have the other team believe you will run well if they don't focus on the area – to win consistently in the NFL. You absolutely must stop the run before all else. The Seahawks' defensive line may be the best the Jaguars have faced this season. The Jaguars' offensive line is beat up and the matchup with that very good Seahawks' line could decide Sunday's game. And yes … health is the most unpredictable factor in the NFL. It's a league of attrition. Always.
John from JAGSoncille
John, please correct me if I am mistaken, but AS I UNDERSTAND it, Trevor's new contract hasn't even begun yet? He is still playing this year on his rookie contract, and the new contract begins in his sixth year? Am I correct in my understanding? Thank you.
Essentially.
Anita from Springfield
We're only five games in, so standings don't matter, but would you happen to know why the NFL currently has the 3-2 Chargers and the 3-1 Steelers listed above us in the AFC standings? Any chance that further fuels the "chip" on our team's shoulder?
I don't read every "standings list." I do know any AFC "standings list" with a 3-2 Los Angeles Chargers team and a 3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers team above the 4-1 Jaguars is an incorrect "standings list." A "power rankings" list with either of those teams above the Jaguars is the opinion of those compiling the list and means as much as any "power rankings" list, which is to say it doesn't matter in the least.
Biff from Teal Town
We've probably hit the end of the internet on what to call Trevor's game winning touchdown but I may have heard the best one: The Chumbawamba. Trevor gets knocked down, but he gets up again. You're never gonna keep him down.
I'll take a whiskey drink. And a lager drink, for that matter.
