JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
KC from Orlando, FL
KOAF - most draft talk has been of the quarterback flavor at a likely No. 2 pick. Where do you think the Jags will go with their second first-round pick? It would appear to me that we need to put more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and bring Sacksonville back. If the quarterbacks are under duress more quickly, that gives the opposing wide receivers less time to create separation from our cornerbacks. With rookie defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson probably needing more time to develop, do you think we try again for edge with the second first-rounder, or do we get a good-great sack artist in free agency with our significant cap room?
These questions are tricky until a new general manager is in place. But I understand fans' desire to know, so I'll do what my late Uncle Otto called "a little speculating" (Looking back, Uncle Otto perhaps wasn't all that clever). I expect the Jaguars to address quarterback with their first Round 1 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, and I expect them to address defensive tackle early in the draft (somewhere in the first two rounds) and with big free-agent money. I expect them to address tight end either in free agency or early in the draft, and I expect the same at safety and pass rusher. As for exactly how the Jaguars will address each spot … that remains to be seen. You first must know who's coming available in unrestricted free agency, who gets released by other teams and what collegiate juniors declare for the draft. Those areas I listed won't be the only areas addressed by the new general manager, but they likely will be among the higher priorities.
J. Hooks from Fleming Island, FL
What did you make of Gruden's comments about Minshew? Saying "so-called thumb injury…" I get it ... they don't like the guy, but geez, way to hit him while he's down.
Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden indeed said "so-called" during his Wednesday videoconference with media when referring to Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II's much-discussed thumb injury. Gruden immediately corrected himself and said he didn't mean to say so-called. Sometimes people say things they don't mean, even in media availabilities. People aren't perfect.
William the Contemplator
Looking ahead to the draft, after quarterback, what is the Jags' biggest need? Tight end? Defensive tackle? Defensive end? Safety?
Close. Yes. Also close. Also close.
Renee from Duvall
John. The Jags have continued to PLAY HARD. The talent is being developed. I respect Coach Head Coach Doug Marrone and the coaching staff. The young men have been listening to and applying their Coaching. The Jags are just really young and lack talent in key positions. Play Minshew.
I agree with all your points, though I don't see you getting your wish. Mike Glennon will start at quarterback for the Jaguars Sunday against Tennessee. If he continues running the offense as he has, and if continues using receivers as he has done and making the throws he has made – and if he avoids a disastrous game along the lines of four interceptions … something ridiculous … if all of that happens (or doesn't happen), I expect Glennon to remain the starter through the end of the 2020 season.
Nick from Palatka, FL
Now, let me get this straight ... you suck ... you're awesome. So, when you suck you suck awesomely and .... you're awesomely awesome? Hey, works for me.
I suck and I'm awesome. It's awesome to be me. Except when it sucks.
Cristiano from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
It seems to me that winning two to four of the games left and staying in quarterback purgatory is a much-less interesting option than winning one game max (or even none at all) and having a shot at a franchise quarterback. Why do some fellow Jaguars fans look like they disagree with this?
Do some? Really? I'm not saying you're wrong, but it seems to me the majority of Jaguars fans want the shot at the franchise quarterback next offseason.
Stephen from Wallingford, CT
Fun Fact time. Jags' season rank for pass defense: 16' - 5th, 17' - 1st, 18' - 2nd, 19' - 16th. 20' - 28th. Now for the teams 18'-20', 14th - 12th - 1st. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was worth the farm and more.
You lost me a bit in Statisticsville, but give me a good pass rush and a better quarterback and I'll show you a farm that wins a lot of games. Or something like that.
Williams from Jacksonville
Give me NFL Media Analyst Bucky Brooks for the new GM and let it rip!!!
DUUUUUVAALLLLL!
Adam from Round Here
So if the draft we're today, 99 percent of those paying attention would take Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the top spot. So much so, in fact, that since Week 1 there has been the whole Tank for Trevor talk. However, if indeed he does not turn out to be a star ... the poor general manager who drafted him four years from now will probably be considered one of the worst general in history. It's a tough game, Johnny O isn't it?
The Jaguars have had one winning season since 2007. They have selected quarterbacks in the Top 10 three times since 2004 and they invested millions in a free agent quarterback two offseasons ago. Easy? Hell, Adam, easy got off a few stops back.
Jon from Ocala, FL
Hi O, what would surprise you more, the Jags selecting number one in the draft next year or waking up tomorrow with your head sewn to the carpet?
His kids can fend for themselves.
Marcus from Jacksonville
John, you keep saying that the Jaguars' coaches have seen enough of Minshew in this season and last to make a determination on him not being the best option at quarterback down the stretch. I know Glennon hasn't been on the roster for long, but he has been in the league for a while. Have they not seen enough of him too? Not trying to argue for one or the other, but Minshew has more wins in parts of two seasons than Glennon has as a starter since 2013. If they've seen enough of Minshew, then surely they've seen enough of Glennon. If the amount of tape on a guy is the question, then rookie quarterback Jake Luton is the obvious answer to start for the remainder of the season. With all that said, I don't think any of them give the Jags a good chance to win. Isn't it funny how last season, when Nick Foles was hurt and Minshew was playing well, we were talking about the embarrassment of riches we had at quarterback?
There isn't a great choice for the Jaguars at quarterback currently on the roster. If there were, that player would be the acknowledged starter and the franchise wouldn't be 1-11 with fans talking about the draft in December. And yeah … I remember that talk last season. I don't know that it's funny, though. I know I'm not laughing.
Mike from Rochester, NY
It pains me to write this because I was disgusted by the way Ramsey acted at the end of his time in Jacksonville. With that being said, the way this organization screwed up that entire situation is becoming more evident as time goes on. Last year's pick and what looks to be a late first-round pick is not going to replace a player like Jalen. Another painful realization as a Jaguar fan.
We'll see. Ramsey has played very well for the Los Angeles Rams this season, which is unsurprising because he's a great player. When things go well for him, things are good. Things don't always go well.
John from Cape May Courthouse
Do think Laviska Shenault needs to be touching the ball more? Good things seem to happen when the ball is in his hands.
The Jaguars get the ball to Shenault a lot – and have made a concerted effort to do so all season. It has been tricky doing this at times because he has not been fully healthy.
Owain from Sheffield, UK
A coach that has a thin roster playing hard, sticking together through a rough losing streak and playing their best football in December is the kind of coach you might want to keep around for when that roster isn't quite so thin.
Yup.
Steve from Woodbine, GA
I was wondering if you could provide us loyal, everyday readers with a complete list of every single quarterback in NFL history that completed 95 percent of their passes and threw for at least three touchdowns during kickoff weekend? Thanks in advance, Johnny O.
If memory serves, it was Minshew. I say "if memory" serves because I think it happened against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 of the 2020 season, and goodness … that seems like a long time ago.
