:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48473485/usa-today-9020908.0.jpg)
Chuck from Jacksonville Beach, FL
Q: In an article posted last night on the NFL site, the comment was made that Blake Bortles' touchdowns and yardage came in "garbage time". I have seen this comment several times this season. I do not profess to know if this is (in fact) a trend since we have lost so many games and have had to come from behind so often or not. What do you say? Are most of the yards collected in garbage time?
A: In answer to your question, yes, some of Bortles' yards and touchdowns came in what would be considered "garbage time". (I consider "garbage time" to be when the game is largely out of reach and the Jaguars weren't likely to win.) Bortles threw 574 times through Week 16, which is the sixth-most attempts in the league so far. But no matter your definition of "garbage time" -- whether it's when the game is minutes away from over, or the game is unlikely to be won but it's only the third quarter -- the problem with crediting that as the reason for Bortles' success is problematic. Opposing defenses knew the Jaguars were going to pass a lot, no matter the score. And Bortles still got 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Paul from Jacksonville, FL
Q: Will the Jaguars ever wear teal again?
A: I wouldn't count on it, Paul.
Evan from Pensacola, FL
Q: What are the odds that Blake Bortles puts up bigger numbers next year and the Allens blow it up again?
A: The Jaguars have run 915 plays through the first 15 games. 575 of them were pass plays (62.8%) and 340 of them were run plays (37.2%). I predict that the Jaguars will get better on the defensive side of the ball, improve their running game, the passing game is relieved of some of the burden of carrying this team, and those percentages get closer together. That will mean less passes from Bortles, less receptions for the Allens, but more wins in 2016.
Alan from Aurora, IL
Q: Do you think Telvin Smith's Pro Bowl snub had more to do with the team he plays for or the scheme he plays in, being that only 3-4 pass rushing OLB's made it?
A: John Oehser of Jaguars.com made a good point a few weeks back. Young players coming into the Pro Bowl conversation for the first time usually don't make it the first year or two they should, but they also make it one or two years after they stopped deserving it. This happened with Calvin Johnson over Allen Robinson as well. Telvin didn't make it this year, but he will for many years in his career. Be patient.
Adam from Sachse, TX
Q: It looks like Eric Weddle may be on his way out of San Diego. He's a bit older at 30 but has been one of the best safeties in the league since he was drafted. Is he the type of safety the Jaguars need for their defense? If so, should we make him a high priority target?
A: Weddle would immediately be our best safety. I wouldn't mind the Jaguars going after him. He'd be a band-aid, but the Jaguars need as many band-aids as they can get on this defense.
Armand from Atlantic Beach, FL
Q: With the Jaguars' first pick in the NFL Draft, who should we pick and why?
A: Reggie Ragland or Jalen Ramsey because they'd likely be the best defenders in the NFL Draft at our spot. There's not a position on defense that doesn't need an upgrade.
Chris from Niagara Falls, Canada
Q: How much say does the head coach have in the drafting process? Is Dave Caldwell trying to target players who fit Gus Bradley's scheme? If that is the case, is it a matter of Gus not executing? Or Dave not giving him the right players to work with on defense?
A: Dave and Gus work really closely together. This is not a case of Dave picking players that don't fit Gus' scheme. In my mind, this is a case of a bad head coach putting bad players into a defensive scheme that doesn't maximize their collective talents. We'll see what Gus does with better players next year.
Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is running a $1.2M fantasy football league on Sunday. First place wins $100,000. Join now!