If Aaron Colvin was able to come back from tearing his right ACL hopefully Fowler Jr can do the same (and in my mind I will just think of Fowler Jr as a guy worthy of wasting a 3rd overall pick to sit out the year because of his future HOF status...) that way it doesnt sting as much..
Did anyone listen to 1010XL yesterday, I was so disgusted by Joe C and company, they were using ESPN talking head tactics calling out for people to be absolutely depressed about Dante, and then when someone called in pointing out anything that might be a positive they would crush the caller, by far the worst thing I've heard from that station, I only ever listened to that program because of Joe C now I see no reason to tune in once the clock strikes 12
Quote:Did anyone listen to 1010XL yesterday, I was so disgusted by Joe C and company, they were using ESPN talking head tactics calling out for people to be absolutely depressed about Dante, and then when someone called in pointing out anything that might be a positive they would crush the caller, by far the worst thing I've heard from that station, I only ever listened to that program because of Joe C now I see no reason to tune in once the clock strikes 12
The Joe C, Hacker, TWig show is AWFUL. Once they come on the air, I switch over to Pandora.
I really wish they would just put Prisco on during that timeslot. Give Hacker and company a night show or something.
Look at it this way, next year Fowler Jr will be basically a rookie. It's inevitable that we'll have a top 10 pick next May. So we'll probably take Robert Nkemdiche or Joey Bosa. So imagine Dante Fowler Jr and Robert Nkemdiche/Joey Bosa.
And let's be honest hear, it's all on Bortles. DFJ can get 20 sacks, but it wouldn't mean a dang thing without a QB, just look at the Texans they have the 2nd best pass rusher in the NFL behind Justin Houston and look where that got them, the number 1 overall pick last year. If Bortles steps up and plays like a #3 overall pick we should win at least 7 games.
I really don't get people who keep saying 'it's all on Bortles'. The fact is... that the odes is clearly on the offense this season to score more points to keep us in games. The problem is that Bortles, while being the leader, can't score points by himself. He requires support from his teammates; namely...
the line MUST block better than they did last season or any play will die quickly, the RB's MUST run with their eyes open and see the field, and last but not least, the receivers MUST run accurate routes and most obviously... catch the ball.
Obviously, Blake has to improve as a quarterback too and not make so many of the rookie mistakes he made last season. It hardly seems like it needs pointing out, but a large amount of those 'mistakes' were facilitated by our line being so porous. It's a team effort, so it's more accurate to say 'it's all on the offense this season', not just Bortles.
Quote:I really don't get people who keep saying 'it's all on Bortles'. The fact is... that the odes is clearly on the offense this season to score more points to keep us in games. The problem is that Bortles, while being the leader, can't score points by himself. He requires support from his teammates; namely...
the line MUST block better than they did last season or any play will die quickly, the RB's MUST run with their eyes open and see the field, and last but not least, the receivers MUST run accurate routes and most obviously... catch the ball.
Obviously, Blake has to improve as a quarterback too and not make so many of the rookie mistakes he made last season. It hardly seems like it needs pointing out, but a large amount of those 'mistakes' were facilitated by our line being so porous. It's a team effort, so it's more accurate to say 'it's all on the offense this season', not just Bortles.
When people say it's on Bortles, I'm pretty sure they're saying the offense has to get better starting with him. It's not JUST on him, but if he flounders, or he's injured, the team is drafting in the top 3 again.
I hate how people refer to next year as having two first round picks. No well be getting back an injured player, like the other 10 to 15 guys who end up on IR this season.
I still feel sick to my stomach for DFJ. He's got a great attitude and is getting paid but to take away something you love isn't something to be wished on an enemy.
Quote:I agree completely with everything you said....just want to address this closing point.
It SHOULDN'T be solely on Bortles' shoulders this season.
Yes, as the most important position on the team, the QB will often determine a team's fortunes. But the supporting players can help in that regard.
Many have said nobody expected Fowler to notch double digit sacks this year.
But you don't need to notch double digit sacks to have an impact on the defense.
If Fowler notched 7-8 sacks, but changed the momentum with those sacks in three of those games...he had an impact.
If his pressure could have stopped a drive, keep the defense off the field another 3-4 minutes per quarter/half, shorten the field for the offense, it would have taken a lot of pressure off of Bortles.
I think Bortles playing not HAVING to score every drive plays better than Bortles would play HAVING to score every drive.
Bortles playing not having to score every drive...not playing from behind...has the option of handing off the ball to Yeldon to keep opposing defenses honest. He has the option of using play action to draw defenses in, allowing Thomas to exploit underneath coverage and guys like Lee to get behind the safeties.
Yes, the development of Bortles and the rest of the offense will be the largest determining factor in the team's improved fortunes this year. But the defense can help in that regard, and the defense with Fowler could have helped more.
I just hope Fowler can get back to where he was pre-injury by next year.
That's the nature of the beast in the NFL. It has evolved/created to the point where the QB is where you succed or fail. There is more weight on Bortles shoulders then anyone.
Quote:When people say it's on Bortles, I'm pretty sure they're saying the offense has to get better starting with him. It's not JUST on him, but if he flounders, or he's injured, the team is drafting in the top 3 again.
I think I understand the 'gist' of what people mean when they say, 'it's all on Bortles'. What I'm saying is that the prime detractor on our offense last season wasn't Bortles, but the o-line. For this team to step up this season, the real pressure isn't on Bortles so much as I see it on our o-line. If they can improve their game, then the whole of the offense will improve, including Bortles.
Quote:I think I understand the 'gist' of what people mean when they say, 'it's all on Bortles'. What I'm saying is that the prime detractor on our offense last season wasn't Bortles, but the o-line. For this team to step up this season, the real pressure isn't on Bortles so much as I see it on our o-line. If they can improve their game, then the whole of the offense will improve, including Bortles.
Well, if the OL does their job, the expectation is that it helps Bortles. If they don't, he'll either continue to struggle, or he'll wind up on the IR. Again, yes, there are plenty of moving parts around the QB who have to do their jobs in order for the offense to operate. But, if you don't have your QB playing at a high level, the rest doesn't matter. Good QBs elevate the play of those around them.
Quote:I've seen the Fowler press conference post-injury, and I can honestly say I've never seen someone with that kind of attitude coming off what had to be a devastating diagnosis for a player who has never been injured.
I had friends at The Players yesterday who ran into him at the tourney with their son, who has had opportunity to meet a lot of the top golfers on the planet over the past week as part of a program he's in as a 12 year old who has beaten cancer. After meeting all of these guys, the highlight of his entire weekend was when Fowler rolled up with several other Jaguars, stopped, posed for pictures, and talked to this kid for a few minutes. We won't know for a year what we've got on the field, but the team has to love what they've got away from it.
But he wore a gold watch during his 40 so he's a thug, thats what I was told
Quote:But he wore a gold watch during his 40 so he's a thug, thats what I was told
Did you get that from someone who talked to beat writers who watched him run on television?
Quote:Well, if the OL does their job, the expectation is that it helps Bortles. If they don't, he'll either continue to struggle, or he'll wind up on the IR. Again, yes, there are plenty of moving parts around the QB who have to do their jobs in order for the offense to operate. But, if you don't have your QB playing at a high level, the rest doesn't matter. Good QBs elevate the play of those around them.
In order for a good quarterback to 'elevate the play of those around him' there needs to also be a host of other issues factored in. I'm hoping that you're right and Bortles can cause those around him to play better, cause it sure didn't look that way last season. I'm kind'a inclined to think that the saying "a good quarterback elevates the play of those around him' is a questionable truism. We'll see.
What is the deal with ACL injuries for the Jaguars? From senior bowl's CB Aaron Colvin, DT Marks, to RE Dante Fowler Jr, which considering the short period of time and the ammount of players is it simply bad luck or is it something more?
Is the physical trainer of the Jaguars fault? Is the HC asking too much from the players during drills where no contact is supposed to occur (in regards to Fowler)?
Three ACL injuries in two seasons is a lot? One of which occurred when a player wasn't even on the team.
Sheesh.
Quote:Three ACL injuries in two seasons is a lot? One of which occurred when a player wasn't even on the team.
Sheesh.
I like having things to be upset about. It worries me when there isn't.
I'm terrified by what this injury will do to Fowler long-term.
I mean, when your biggest game is your first step and you tear your ACL, will you ever be where you once were? Won't you always have that ACL pain in the back of your head?
I'm just hoping once Dante Fowler steps onto the field for the first time, that he has a short memory.
Quote:I'm terrified by what this injury will do to Fowler long-term.
I mean, when your biggest game is your first step and you tear your ACL, will you ever be where you once were? Won't you always have that ACL pain in the back of your head?
I'm just hoping once Dante Fowler steps onto the field for the first time, that he has a short memory.
You'll never know. But if we're to base how he's going to respond post-surgery to how he's responding post-injury, we have reason to believe that he's going to go full 100% when he's back on the field.
If anything, we need to not rush him. Make sure he's fully recovered before we allow him to be his usual self on the field.
Quote:What is the deal with ACL injuries for the Jaguars? From senior bowl's CB Aaron Colvin, DT Marks, to RE Dante Fowler Jr, which considering the short period of time and the ammount of players is it simply bad luck or is it something more?
Is the physical trainer of the Jaguars fault? Is the HC asking too much from the players during drills where no contact is supposed to occur (in regards to Fowler)?
It's our trainer's fault that someone got hurt in the senior bowl?
Fowler will be fine. Dude is 20. He is still growing lol. He for one has no idea the seriousness of the injury (or at least that my take on it because of his age). Couple that with the fact that medical technology has advanced that ACL's are pretty much hamstring pulls I think this guy will come back with full burst and be ready to roll in 2016.
It sucks more to me that we just don't get to see him at all in 2015 but I'm really not worried about this injury. He isn't so I shouldn't be.