Big Cat Country Q&A: When is it time to go into panic mode?

There seemed to be a central theme to this week’s submissions. We might be in for a long season, folks.

Mike from Jacksonville, FL

Q: Do you think Doug Marrone and Tom Coughlin will give Blake more than a quarter this week to show that he has improved besides the fact he has been having awful practices?

A: Absolutely. Marrone and the Jaguars staff have acknowledged Blake Bortles’ training camp struggles. Between “horse-shit” throws and “rest” for a “tired arm” the coaches would be crazy if they didn’t use Week 2 as an opportunity to give Blake some more game time. Which probably means he’ll throw five passes again.

Keith from Orlando, FL

Q: Do you see any offensive line help after final cuts like last year and if so who should we look out for?

A: I doubt it. Who we have is who we have. Guys like Doug Marrone and Tom Coughlin are less likely to plug and play new guys into a system, especially offensive linemen who work together as one unit. They’re much more in favor of growing and developing the players they have, especially (again) on the offensive line. I would be shocked if we picked up an offensive lineman after final cuts and he was anything more than a 10th man.

Petty from Jacksonville, FL

Q: Why is there so much faith in Blake Bortles when he's done nothing?

A: Because it’s better than the alternative. Hope springs eternal — and for some people false hope is better than facing the fact that we have one of the worst quarterbacks in the league (starting or otherwise). They’d rather not come to terms with the fact that the season is likely over before it begins thanks to a deficiency at the most important position in football and probably professional sports. I get it. Honestly, I really do. You want to enjoy as much of the season as you can. It’s not us, but I get it.

J Ran from Jacksonville, FL

Q: If you were the Jaguars general manager, would you attempt to trade for Brett Hundley?

A: If I were the general manager, he’d already be on the team.

Kenny from Atlantic Beach, FL

Q: Is Jalen Ramsey the best draft pick the Jaguars have ever had?

A: You tell me.

Jake from Washington D.C.

Q: One could argue a problem with Colin Kaepernick is that he makes the Jaguars good enough to win 7-10 games but not good enough to win anything of relevance, taking them out of the running for a Darnold/Allen/Rosen/Rudolph in the draft. If Bortles crashes and burns then we have a top pick. If he surprises then that's a legitimately competitive team. What do you think about this thought process?

A: I’ve seen several arguments such as this one. I get it, but I’m not a fan of this thought-process. First of all, 7-10 wins would be more wins than the Jaguars have seen in the past six seasons. Second of all, the Houston Texans won a playoff game last season, and they were still able to draft their quarterback.

Brian from Jacksonville, FL

Q: So, at what point does the Jaguars organization go into panic mode?

A: Probably not before Week 2 of the preseason. Probably never, honestly. Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone aren’t quick-decision guys. When Bortles signed his fifth-year option, he was the guy going forward as long as he could stand. So, in answer to your question, unless Bortles goes down with an injury, there is no panic mode.

John from Atlanta, GA

Q: Why are things the way that they are?

A: I’ve heard that just because things are the way that they are, doesn’t mean things will stay the way that they are. Unless you’re the Jaguars.