JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Timothy from Fernandina Beach, FL
John: Neither you nor I are fans of PFF lists, but I couldn't help being sucked in by the defensive end rankings headline. Josh Hines-Allen was ranked No. 11, but Travon Walker didn't make the list. After two 10-plus sack seasons and significant overall improvement, he is overlooked. What is it about his play that causes the media to discount him? Mediocre rookie year, playing for the Jags, not getting arrested, inquiring minds want to know?
You're correct that I tend to pay little attention to Pro Football Focus lists, with this lack of attention more a general aversion to on-line lists than a reflection of my thoughts on PFF as an entity. And while Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker does get overlooked by national media, the thought here is that's mostly a matter of such observers not bothering to pay attention to – or bothering to understand – Walker's overall game. While he may not be a "pure pass rusher," he is a consistent and effective one. He's also high end setting the edge as well as being remarkably consistent and steady. He takes on double teams and makes teammates better. Will national media ever appreciate Walker? I don't know. I know the Jaguars appreciate him very much. And I know if he ever were to hit unrestricted free agency, the market among NFL teams understanding Walker's value would be enormous. And very, very pricey.
Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA
O, Congratulations to JR Ozone, and the whole new expanded family! I, too, am hopeful about the Jags this season. I have been here before and have shared disappointment with Jags fans in the past, but this feels different. Hunter, at the very least, should be very exciting to watch. Here's another "Dead Zone" prediction: The Jags will win their division and win the Super …. Wait, a little too much. I'm curious as to your opinion of how the Jags will play Hunter during the preseason?
A few thoughts here. One, Congratulations accepted and appreciated – and the family indeed is expanding to a remarkable degree. Two, hope feels right around the Jaguars these days – though that being true before and leading to disappointment means it's understandable if people lean away from overenthusiasm. Three, pushing for an AFC South title certainly is possible for the Jaguars in 2025 and it indeed may be a bit much to have Super Bowl aspirations in Year One – but who knows? As for how the Jaguars will play rookie defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter in the 2025 preseason … I expect it will be about the same as they plan to play him in the regular season: Essentially full-time on offense and as much as makes sense on defense. I doubt he will play much more or less than a "normal" rookie in preseason and I expect there will be wrinkles involving Hunter the Jaguars don't reveal before the regular season. Because why would they?
Rob from San Antonio, TX
A big congratulations to Jr OZone, and to the KOAF and Mrs. Ozone as well!
Wedding day is but a day away. And thanks be to you.
Travis from Chattanooga, TN via Ormond Beach, FL
Hey O! There's a dynasty rising in Sunrise! Great end to the best playoffs in sports!
The Florida Panthers indeed won the Stanley Cup for a second consecutive season, clinching the NHL title Tuesday. This surprised me. I thought the Edmonton Oilers would win. This taught me that I didn't appreciate Florida's physicality and defense before the finals. It also taught me again that I know enough about the NHL to be dangerous. Credit to the Panthers for again winning what is indeed the best postseason in sports.
James from Destin
Hi, John. Guess who won the Stanley Cup? At least Florida has a hockey team that wins championships. Back to back at that.
Another fer the Panthers.
Cliff from Everywhere with helicopter
If some are struggling with the recent O-Zone literary references and how they relate to football, here's something that may make things a bit more palatable: It's a little-known fact that, amongst his lettered colleagues, he was known as "Mean" Graham Greene. True story.
I always enjoyed watching F. Scott Fitzgerald playing wide receiver – just like his distant cousin, Larry.
Kirk from Jacksonville
You OK, Zone?
I'm a-ight.
Jackson from Wentzville
When will training camp start? Me and my family are really looking forward to it. We go to one every year and this year we're going to the Jags.
Jaguars 2025 Training Camp will begin in late July – around the 22nd or 23rd. I expect a detailed schedule to be released soon.
Rich from Dacula, GA
With a full staff of all players – rookies, free agents and veterans – how do they give out uniform numbers or who can request a number? Are they official at the start of camp or the end?
A number is "official" whenever a player wears it – in practice or games. The equipment staff issues numbers. Players can request them and often do. Whether they get them often depends upon their status as a drafted rookie or proven veteran.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Can you explain the 54th-man "trick," where a veteran player can skip waivers, sign to the practice squad and then be elevated every week to the 53-man roster?
What some people call the 54th-man trick is essentially what you already have explained. A team can release a "vested" veteran any week before the regular-season trade deadline, releasing him late enough in the week that he is eligible for a game check. The team can then sign another player to the 53-man roster, then release that recently-signed player following the game and re-sign the player they released late the previous week. This works when the player knows the team plans to re-sign him because he is likely to turn down any offers to sign with another team. This approach doesn't work as well after the trade deadline because vested veterans are then subject to waivers and can therefore be claimed by another team if waived.
Scott from Aruba
If you had a chance to go fishing and spend the day with any current or former Jaguars players who would be atop the list?
This outing wouldn't appeal to this senior writer as much as it would appeal to a fan. While I like many current and former players, I get and have gotten my fill of them – and they of me – during work hours. As for what players Jaguars fans would enjoy accompanying on such an occasion … let's go with former running back Fred Tayor, current defensive end Dawuane Smoot and former quarterback Blake Bortles. I pick Taylor because he is one of the humblest, easy-to-like great players I've ever met. I pick Smoot because he is incredibly enjoyable to be around. I pick Bortles because he's the BOAT – and because I imagine what my late uncle Otto called some "stories to tell."
Andy from Jacksonville
I feel like maybe you've answered this. Who was your favorite player growing up? Did you have a favorite player?
It's possible I have answered this and it's an easy answer. My favorite NFL player of all-time is John Riggins. There was no team in any sport I cared more about growing up than the Washington football team. When Riggins carried the franchise to its first Super Bowl title following the 1982 season, it ended what for me at the time felt like a lifetime of frustration. Being 16 at the time, I didn't realize my "lifetime of frustration" was but a blip compared to the fans of many teams. Riggins' 43-yard touchdown that defined Super Bowl XVII is still my favorite "nostalgic" play. As most O-Zone readers know, I long since have ceased being a "fan" of any team. But that memory resonates.
Daniel from Johnston, IA
Hemingway and Fitzgerald? Why don't you just hold a sign that says, "I'm deep. I only read dark authors with grit and character?" Feels like such a college-guy-with-an-acoustic-guitar answer.
Tell me you haven't read Fitzgerald or Hemingway much without actually saying you haven't read Fitzgerald or Hemingway much. Hemingway was as close to the perfect craftsman as American literature has produced. Guitars have nothing to do with it.
Scott from Aruba
Any truth to the rumors you are going to take a few much-deserved days off during the dead zone? If not, when would you think about ending the longest streak in sports?
I don't believe that's a rumor and I don't plan to take "days off" this offseason. I don't have a great feel for when I will end the O-Zone streak. I don't plan to retire any time soon. I also don't plan to write the O-Zone daily until whenever I do retire. So I suppose the streak will end sometime between those uncertain dates. Or something like that.