JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, the Jags got only one Pro Bowl nod and it went to their very good long snapper. As I look over the Pro Bowl roster, there are a lot of players chosen from losing or non-playoff teams. I believe the reason the Jags didn’t have more selections is that they are team of good players, who are making the Jags great.
Long snapper Ross Matiscik indeed was the lone Jaguars player named to the Pro Bowl roster Tuesday. The Jaguars didn’t have more selections because a lot of the Pro Bowl is reputation and timing, and the Jaguars not being a playoff team the last several seasons means that the reputation of many of their players doesn’t yet match their level of play. Timing matters just as much in the process. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, for example, clearly is playing at a Pro Bowl level over the last month. Were the voting to take place based on the entire season, with his level of play in recent weeks taken into consideration, he almost certainly would have been a Pro Bowl selection. As it stands, because much of the process took place a month ago, he’s an alternate. Oh well. The playoffs are cooler than the Pro Bowl and all Jaguars players are going there.
Big O. I must admit earlier in the season I wondered if Trev was “the man” or would we soon have to search for “the man.” I am now a firm believer that he is indeed generational. When he struggled in seasons past and earlier this season, how did you remain faithful that he would turn the corner?
Perspective, reason and experience. I didn’t know in the past four seasons if Lawrence would ever reach a level of being “generational.” I didn’t know if he would be elite. I didn’t know if he would “live up to his draft potential.” What I did know early this season when many observers believed he was a bust was that he had played at a winning level for a long stretch over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. And I knew that when Lawrence had been healthy during those seasons the Jaguars had been a postseason team. I also knew he had been in multiple systems in his first four seasons and that he hadn’t had enough of an extended time healthy in a system to show his full potential. I also knew he was going to be given time to develop in this system. His progress in the last four games has been truly remarkable.
Have you noticed? Krimma seems a whole lot more Krimmier when the Jags are winning.
‘Tis the season to be merry.
A little bird told me the Jaguars have taken the ball and they have no plans on giving it back! Go Jaguars!
Don, making his long-awaited return after too-extended an absence, happily and fittingly remains, “all in.”
Nick from Virginia Beach, VA
No question, Merry Jagsmas to you, your family and all who have been through the tough times here. Duuuuuuuvalllllll
Darwin from Cebu, Philippines
Hey, KOAF. Wow, it’s amazing that for two straight weeks, there were no dumb throws, no “what the hell was that?” throws and no silly interceptions. Does this seem flukey to you? Or is he totally “fixed”? Secondly, what makes this recent streak of Trevor different from that of the 2022 end of season run?
It’s actually four consecutive weeks in this vein for Lawrence. No, it does not seem flukey. Not in the least. You don’t fluke your way to this level. This does not mean Lawrence will never throw an interception again. It does not mean he will play at his current level every week. We know this because no quarterback plays at this level every week. It does mean that there increasingly is little reason to believe that Lawrence will digress. What makes this stretch different than a few seasons ago? Confidence, consistency, experience. He’s good. That’s what this is.
Sunday was my birthday. So many people said maybe the Jags will give you a win as a present. Can you tell them all I said thank you?
If my old memory serves me right, after the Jags won two straight and improved to 6-4, I suggested that there was a good chance of finishing 13-4. Now, after five more consecutive wins, it seems there is a good chance at 16-4. What do you think? They really do look like a complete and focused and on a roll.
I fear your memory is not serving you all that well. When the Jaguars improved to 6-4 by beating the Los Angeles Chargers, they had gone 1-1 in their previous two games – a victory over the Chargers and a loss to the Houston Texans. But that’s nitpicky. This team absolutely has a chance to finish the regular season 13-4. Can it finish 16-4 or 17-4? Stay tuned.
Hey, O. Figured I’d save you the trouble: The Jaguars are good. They have been all year.
How helpful is it for the Jags players and coaches to rest and watch your future opponent play on Monday Night? Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers is showing that he still can play and he is to be taken serious. He traditionally was always a thorn in our team’s sides.
Rivers indeed can still play. What he has done playing for the Colts the last two games since coming out of retirement has been impressive. But watching a future opponent play on television has minimal benefit. Teams have video of every team regardless of whether they play on television. That’s what matters in game planning.
We’re going to retire our second Hall of Fame quarterback on Sunday. Rivers’ comeback has been extraordinary, but he’s not ready for the tornado that’s about to hit him. 62-7, Jags repeat history and Rivers hangs up the cleats for good.
Dave is ready for some football.
I wonder if only having our long snapper named to the Pro Bowl is going to be used to keep the disrespect dialogue going. Also, can you put in an IT ticket to get this question box larger or expandable?
I expect the Jaguars only having one Pro Bowl selection might be a “topic” around the Miller Electric Center this week.
With only one player selected to the Pro Bowl is there now a “new twist” on the disrespect card that we can carry forward?
The Other Michael from Middleburg, FL
Well, if the Jaguars need any fuel form the “no respect” fire … how in the world did linebacker Devin Lloyd, kicker Cam Little and wide receiver Parker Washington (returner) not make the Pro Bowl?
The Pro Bowl is a broken system that always has been based largely on fan voting and player voting. Neither party puts enough research into the process to accurately reflect on-field performance.
Paul from St. Augustine, FL
Unlike 2022, and to a lesser extent, 2017, this season doesn’t feel like a one-off. We are seeing improvement up and down the roster in ways this team hasn’t shown since Tom Coughlin coached teams of the 1990’s. This feels like Head Coach Liam Coen and company are truly raising the standard for everyone and can lead to sustainable winning. The little lights are twinkling!
Is it just me, or are the Jags leading the NFL in great hair? We got Lawrence, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, Lloyd and linebacker Dennis Gardeck? Am I leaving anyone out? It’s nice having a team of Samsons. Keep the locks flowing. You should grow out your pony tail again!
Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard may want in on this conversation. As for growing out my ponytail, there likely somewhere on the interweb – perhaps even on the dark web – is a list of things no one wants to see. Me growing out the ponytail is likely on it. It wasn’t the “best look.”
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
John, Following up on your answer to Bill from Orange Park. Duval is wherever a Jags fan stands by the team whether they win or lose. Duval is wearing teal on game day. Duval is thinking about, debating, hoping and worrying about the Jags. Duval is showing up at The Bank, on the road or your living room to root for the Jags. Duval is Jacksonville Beach, Clay County, or Nassau County (FL or NY). Duval is Round Rock, Farnborough. Springfield, Riverside, Mandarin, Gainesville, Anywhere with a Helicopter, The Avenues, Palm Coast, Cartersville (a/k/a Trevor Town), Mayport, Fort Hood, The Mean Streets of Nocatee or The Mean Streets of Arlington. Duval is Jags Nation wherever we may be. Merry Christmas Zone!
