JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Kevin from Orange Park, FL

One. Week. Away. Can you believe it? Playoffs or bust?

The Jaguars' 2025 season indeed is a mere one week away, with the regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium scheduled for September 7. I can believe it, because I saw the Week 1 date – and opponent – when the schedule was released. I then trusted the apocalypse would hold off and allow the weeks/days to pass until the opener arrived. I nonetheless am excited for the Jaguars' 2025 season. There is a feeling of realistic hope around the decision-making regime of Head Coach Liam Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli that has expectedly and clearly filtered to the players. The organization is approaching operations professionally, and the belief here is that there is enough talent in enough spots to dramatically improve from a 4-13 2024 season and move this franchise in the right direction. The people running this organization believe that can mean making the playoffs this season. I think that's a lofty and difficult goal, though not an unattainable one. Playoffs or bust? There is always an element of that in professional football, so why not?

Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL

Why would the team initially waive Austin Trammell and put Dorian Singer on the practice squad and then reverse things? Did they want Trammell to clear waivers before putting him on the practice squad? Is it a good sign for Trammell? I hope so as I think he's a good receiver.

We're pretty deep into the bottom-of-the-roster weeds here, but Labor Day Weekend and the surrounding days are the time for hacking through such NFL weeds. The Jaguars waived Trammell this week, initially signing Singer to the practice squad. They then signed Trammell to the practice squad and released Singer. This was roster machination stuff and fairly common this time of the reason. It's usually not discussed in this detail. Players must clear waivers to sign to the practice squad. Not everything this time of the season happens immediately. The Jaguars like Trammell. He's a nice player. They're glad to have him available and around the team. If the Jaguars' receiving corps sustains some injuries, I would expect Trammell to play.

David from Jacksonville

Why Trevor starting?

I deduce from your email that you wonder why Trevor Lawrence is the Jaguars' starting quarterback – and I deduce, too, that you perhaps believe this shouldn't be the case. Lawrence is the starting quarterback for the Jaguars because he's the best quarterback on the roster and because the team believes he's the best quarterback for the franchise for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, this is an important season for Lawrence. He's in his first season in Coen's offense. He has been good at times in four NFL seasons and not great at other times. It's time to be good a lot more of the time.

William from Jacksonville

How can you say the Jaguars will be better offensively when they once again did not address the most important position, the offensive line?

One of the great truths of NFL fanning/observing is that fans and observers almost always dislike the team their team's offensive line – and they never think their teams do enough to address it. This stems directly from the fact that offensive line is perhaps the one position in football where a player's mistakes are more noticeable and trackable than what he does well. A linebacker or defensive end can miss 10 tackles and people will notice the sack or tackle for loss he made. A defensive back can make up for a touchdown allowed with an interception. If an offensive lineman allows a sack, that's what's remembered and there's little he can do to make people believe he had a good game. This is not to say the Jaguars' offensive line didn't need to improve from last season, but it's nearly impossible for a franchise to completely overhaul all five players on the offensive line in a single offseason. It usually must be done over the course of a few seasons, ideally by drafting and developing – and occasionally by supplementing that drafting with wise free agent moves. The Jaguars started this process this offseason. Of nine offensive linemen, five – Wyatt Milum, Jonan Monheim, Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari and Chuma Edoga – are new. That's a solid start. We'll see where it goes.

David from Jacksonville

Any word from former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette? How is he enjoying retirement? Is he OK?

Who?

JT from Palm Coast, FL

Beautiful words about your friend, Mike. May he forever rest in peace. Cheers to him and his family, John.

This references former Florida Times-Union executive Mike Richey, my first boss in sports journalism, who passed this week. Cheers to Mike and his family? Absolutely, and I think Gene would agree.

J.Hooks from Orange Park

Hey, buddy. Sorry about the loss of your friend. Thanks for writing a tribute to him. Most of us have had a guiding hand in where we got where we are today, and few can really explain why. All I know is I'll never forget who pushed me in my direction and it's great to read about yours. Be at peace. You're a good egg.

I'm an OK egg.

Chris from Fleming Island, FL

OZONE, I know this isn't your favorite subject, but I've been watching recaps of Jag games/seasons on YouTube and it occurs to me the Jags have too many uniform combinations. One week they're all white, next week all black, then white tops black pants then black tops and white pants, etc. I think this contributes to the team not having an identity. They need to identify a home uniform and a road uniform and maybe one or two specials (Prowlers) and leave it at that. P,S, thanks for all you do. That is all.

This bothers some people a lot. I'm not a big believer that uniforms have much of an effect on the outcome of games. But I understand it bothers some people.

Crash from Glen Saint Mary, FL

Obi Wan! Intangibly rich? Ya' mean "The Right Stuff"?

When Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone uses the phrase "intangibly rich," he means looking for players who love football and who are the sorts of players – and people – the Jaguars want around. He means good football players who care about the game more than players who meet certain measurables. So, sure … the right stuff.

Robert from Jacksonville

Travis misses half of training camp with injuries and you still won't acknowledge that injuries are an issue? Pathetic.

Wow. Welcome to Week 1, I suppose. And I suppose we're back to debating whether or not Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter can play both offense and defense in the NFL. I absolutely acknowledge that whether or not Hunter can withstand the physical nature of the NFL over the long haul is an issue. He's relatively small/light for the NFL – even for a receiver/cornerback – and that means you have to wonder about wear and tear over the course of his career. But while Hunter missed time during Jaguars 2025 Training Camp with upper body injury, he sustained that injury by falling on the area in practice. This was an injury that any player could have sustained, and it had nothing to do with playing offense and defense. That injury therefore won't tell us whether he can play both sides of the ball. Time will do that. Stay tuned.

Kenneth from Jacksonville

Who ya got in college football for the national title this season?

Someone from the Southeastern Conference, one would assume. When you have 50 teams in a conference, it's hard not to have a team win the national title.

Bart from Springfield

You like the wide receivers on this roster more than I do, Zone.

I think the Jaguars' wide receivers will be a team strength. If the group remains healthy, it may be the best position on the roster along with edge defender.

JT from Palm Coast, FL

I read your comment about how far this team might be able to go this year. Thanks for the insight. I want to ask a follow-up. Do you believe this year's team can win a game or two in the playoffs? Asking for a bold prediction.

I think the Jaguars can be an eight-or-nine victory team in 2025 – and perhaps a touch better if things go right. That could mean getting into the postseason if things go right. Can that mean winning a game or two once there? I don't see this as a team that can compete with the league's elite teams in the postseason and make the Super Bowl yet, but could it win a game and get to the divisional round? Sure.

Gary from St. Augustine, FL

You suck. It doesn't matter what time of year it is.

Fair.