JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Sounds like an awful lot of turnovers for the first day, O-Zone. And two interceptions from T-Law? Fans fan. I get it. I don't want to say I'm worried, but wouldn't we rather not see this?
Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen following Monday's Day 1 of 2025 Organized Team Activities at the Miller Electric Center: "We're trying to get better. We're not even close. We're working towards playing in September. At this point, it's strictly how much can we actually learn from every day. We're not evaluating maybe some of the things you would normally evaluate in a game. Or in the season. How many mental errors did we have? How much can we continue to be disciplined with our communication, formations, alignments, assignments? Are we going to catch every ball and throw every ball out here in the first day of Phase 3 [of the offseason program]? I would assume not. But more in terms of the operation, the communication … are we understanding what we're trying to get accomplished out of the calls? It's a learning phase, not necessarily a competitive phase. Do you want to be cleaner? Absolutely. Do you want it to look perfect? Yes, we all do. That's just not the reality at this time in this phase." That about sums up how much we should be concerned about a few turnovers on the first day of OTAs – even two interceptions thrown by starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence. These are non-padded, non-contact practices. This is a new offense with new players and a new coaching staff against a new defense with new players and a new coaching staff. No unit is ahead of the other in any significant way. This is a time for practice, for repetitions. It is not a time for evaluation.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
The last time the Los Angeles Rams played a game in London was 2019. Do the Jaguars have a distinct advantage over the Rams with rinse and repeat now for London travel and game preparation?
The Jaguars absolutely have more experience than any other NFL team traveling to London and playing there, and that is somewhat of an advantage. NFL players and coaches, like most human beings, are creatures of routine and habit – and knowing what to expect in an endeavor increases comfort and reduces anxiety. As for how much this advantage matters in winning or losing, that's another matter. The Jaguars overall over the last decade have fared slightly better in London than elsewhere. At the same time, outside of a game or two in London – particularly a victory over the Baltimore Ravens in 2017 – I don't recall that many games where I thought the Jaguars won because they were more accustomed to the trip. Good NFL teams usually win through difficult circumstances and bad teams don't – sort of the same as they perform under "normal" circumstances.
Thomas from Charlottesville
No offense, but a few days ago you wrote T. Swift knows where to find you! I doubt she even knows who you are!!
Who?
Bill from Springfield, VA
Zone, I've noticed the word away has been used repeatedly lately as the title of your days' efforts. Subliminal message? You going on vacation?
Congratulations. You officially have put more thought into the title of the O-Zone mailbag than the author. Bombs away, dream baby.
Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
Oh Mighty 'O'/King Of All Funk, I notice your list of favourite past players did not include current EVP Tony Boselli. I understand he knows how to find you? Well, probably his staff know how to find you. I'm guessing "finding people" is beneath an EVP Hall of Famer.
While I often tease Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli in this space, he in fact is one of my favorite people in football. His insight and leadership are reasons I believe he will excel in his role – and why I believe the Jaguars' organization is moving toward consistent success in the coming seasons. But while Boselli was an outstanding player in the 1990s, and while I enjoyed covering him, he was not quiiite as enjoyable to cover as, say, running back Fred Taylor or some other people I covered at the time. It doesn't mean it was "unenjoyable." It doesn't mean he was difficult. It just meant he didn't make the list. My sense is he will be fine with that information. He's in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. He was the first player enshrined in the Pride of the Jaguars. He doesn't need every honor. And yes … he knows where to find me.
Terry from Cordele, GA
If Travis Hunter finishes the year with close to Brian Thomas Jr. stats, say fifth in receiving yards, top ten in touchdowns, fifth in 20-plus-yard receptions and is top 10 in pass defended, and in the upper half for interceptions, would you say – and would the other less knowledgeable press members – consider the trade up this year to get him worth it all?
Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – know I don't care much about statistics when gauging a player's effectiveness or worth. But because Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter plays at least one position – wide receiver – where people use statistics as a measure, I would say if Hunter reaches your projections at that position a lot of media types would consider him a success. My thought is if he impacts the Jaguars' offense and makes key plays in key situations – and makes them tougher to defends and therefore makes them more explosive – the Jaguars will be quite happy with their selection. If he helps change and improve the team's record and culture, they will be quite happy with the selection. If he makes big plays defensively, they will be quite happy with the selection. Remember, too: One year is a very small sample size to judge any player, even one as high-profile as Hunter. That doesn't mean people won't judge him and the selection next offseason, but we may not know if he's a god or bad selection for several years. By the way, what's a "knowledgeable press member?"
Pete from Jax Beach
Is the selection of a stadium for the Jags 2027 season on the agenda for the May Owners' meeting?
No. It is expected to be voted upon in October.
Anita from Springfield
I know it's early, but the lack of Coachspeak and "massaging the truth" from Coen is a nice change of pace. It makes it feel like his praise will be more valuable, and reminds me of the "always himself" attitude of coaches like Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. One fer Coach!
This does seem to be a defining trait for Coen. How forthright a head coach is or isn't in a post-practice or postgame media availability never has been something I thought all that much about. This is because it doesn't really affect winning or losing and because I'm so accustomed to coaches saying comparatively little in those situations. But I expect Coen's approach will give fans a little more accurate idea of what's going on around this team, and that's a positive. One fer Coen. And one fer the fans, I suppose.
Josh from California
As much as I'm really excited to see Travis Hunter fit into our offense, or how BTJ will hopefully prove he is an elite receiver in the NFL, Bhayshal Tuten seems the most intriguing. I love the comparisons to MJD, and that combo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew was as fun to watch as any combo of players in Jacksonville, and if he can produce memories like MJD's screen to set us up for a field goal against Pittsburgh in the playoffs in 2007, or the 375-yard rushing game against Indy or the hit delivered to Shawn Merriman, we are in for some really, really fun times. What are you most excited to see this season?
A few things, I suppose. How Hunter adapts to the professional game in what by any measure is a noble, fascinating effort to play two positions in the NFL. How Lawrence adapts to a new offense – and how the offensive scheme can better help him succeed. How the Jaguars' obvious increase in speed and explosiveness helps the entire offense. How the Jaguars' revamped and refocused offensive line helps a running offense that must improve. Mostly, I want to see how this team holds together and responds to adversity. I feel good about the people and the talent on this team. I think it's good enough to compete in 2025 and I feel like the people running the organization are good enough that it will become more talented moving forward. How the team responds to adversity and "real regular-season stuff" will go a long way to determining the organization's success in the coming seasons.
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
Even when practices are voluntary, you still suck.
Here we go.
