By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
The Jags’ season is a week away, and the questions and feelings are mixed and moving.
Are you ready for some football against Carolina at the Bank next Sunday?
Is Liam Coen the right coach? Will Trevor Lawrence stay healthy and take the next step?
Can the Jags be a postseason contender?
Do they have the right roster composition?
The first three questions can be answered later, but the roster can begin to be addressed.
When asked about his roster, Coen didn’t hesitate.
“We feel solid about it,” said the first-year head coach.
Well, we shall see. Remember this is from a first-time head coach, and James Gladstone, his 34-year-old first-time general manager, affirmed his feelings.
Gladstone, who has a Rams’ pedigree, was fairly active in the offseason, piecing and slicing his first 53-man compilation together. He is often seen with both Coen and VP Tony Boselli to form the Jags’ front-office triumvirate.
Overall, though, on paper, it looks pretty solid.
The Wild Card is Travis Hunter, and it will be interesting to see where the two-way Heisman winner spends his most time or does truly split it.
The Jags desperately need him in their much-maligned secondary, but he also can form a dynamic dup with Brian Thomas Jr. at wide receiver.
A hopeful breakout at wide receiver is Parker Washington, who the Jags are hoping this is the year.
Up front, the big question will be chemistry. Gladstone shopped for Baltimore guard Patrick Mekari and Tampa center Robert Hainsey to join guard Ezra Cleveland in the middle. They’re hopeful Cleveland can bounce back after an inconsistent season.
The Jags also will look to tackle Walker Little, who signed a big contract extension, and fellow tackle and former first-round pick Anton Harrison to elevate their game.
Gladstone also worked to strengthen the defensive front by adding vets Emmanuel Ogbah and Austin Johnson and bringing back Duwuane Smoot.
As for the secondary, Gladstone added Dallas corner Jourdan Lewis and Houston safety Eric Murray. Other projected starters Andrew Wingard and Tyler Campbell both had strong camps.
Keep an eye on fourth-round pick linebacker Jack Kiser, who had high marks this summer.
There’s been plenty of optimism and positivity around the Miller Electric Center, but there’s also the sense of anxiety and apprehension with a new beginning.
Yet, the centerpiece of it all is Lawrence, who still holds the tag of a generational player even as he starts his fifth season. It will be a matter of maturing at the right time.
The often mild-mannered Lawrence wasn’t afraid to express his sentiments about a new regime, a new roster, and likely, a new start.
“Super excited,” exclaimed Lawrence on his thoughts about the opener. “Training camp is exciting at first, then after a couple of weeks practicing against each other, you’re ready to get to a common opponent.
Let’s all come together as a team, go play somebody. It’s all the excitement about all the possibilities of a new year.
“It’s a clean slate, and it all starts next week.”
See you at the Bank next Sunday.
