Jacksonville Jaguars Fan Forums

This past May, just about every Jaguars fan-at least just about every one on this board-was absolutely stoked about the Jaguars draft class.  The possibility of the team's future passing game being built within the first three picks of the draft, with a big new mobile QB at 3, and steals at WR in the second round with Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson was enough to make the hopes of Jaguars fans soar.  Although we all knew they had to prove it on the field, we couldn't wait to see these guys in uniform.

 

With the start of training camp already behind us and the first preseason games but a few days away, the rubber is beginning to meet the road.  The team has stated they will bring Bortles along slowly.  Lee has dealt with drops and injuries at various points, and Robinson continues to deal with hamstring issues.  The team released a tentative initial depth chart, and as of now, the draft class most of us saw as promising shows only WR Marqise Lee as a rookie starter on either side of the ball.

 

Given this team's woeful performances over the past few years, the desire for immediate positive impact from the rookies is strong.  Given the depth chart at this stage, there may be doubt creeping into some minds about just how strong this draft class is.  Some may be tempted to declare this draft class something of a disappointment because there is only one starter at the moment or to otherwise hit the panic button.

 

If you value reason and sanity...don't.  There are reasons why the draft class is not a disappointment-even if there is only one opening day starter from it.

 

First, it is partially by design.  The team has been steadfast thus far in saying Bortles will not start until 2015.  While we are all in a hurry to see the Jaguars land their first true franchise QB and hope Bortles is that guy, the fact is Bortles will likely need time to develop into that player.  Arguably the greatest pure passer in history, Dan Marino, was known as one of the few QBs to make an impact as a rookie.  But he wasn't an opening day starter.  Neither was another QB known for having a huge rookie impact-Big Ben.  Aaron Rodgers, Steve McNair and Carson Palmer also sat early.  But their failure to be opening day starters their rookie seasons didn't make them missed picks.  Sitting them early wasn't necessarily a mistake, either.  Coaches like Don Shula and Bill Cowher made the decisions to not play their rookie QBs opening day...and the Packers have been a fairly successful franchise over the last 20 years.  It won't be the end of the world-or the Jaguars-to not have Bortles play early.

 

Secondly, it may be a numbers game.  The Jaguars plan to be a predominantly running team.  This will likely mean more 2 back 2 WR sets than a more pass oriented team.  This will likely mean, barring an unusually strong performance by Robinson in the remainder of the preseason once he's healthy, Robinson will be the 3rd WR.  But that doesn't mean he won't be an immediate impact player.  Teams often run 3 WR sets, and if the team struggles early like I believe they will, Robinson will see a lot of action early even if he isn't a starter.

 

Finally, rookies-even non QBs- can often take time to adjust to the game.  Aside from the reams of evidence showing it takes a while for receivers to adjust to the NFL game, rookies develop at different paces.  A rookie not ready to start opening day can be a quality starter by midseason.  Guys we pinned our hopes on like Linder and the Smiths may be situational guys or reserves early, but may find themselves in the starting lineup later and be quality contributors.  Their status as week 1 reserves is not necessarily indicative of an inability to play.

 

I know we all want the team to be better YESTERDAY.  But it is going to take time, and there may be the occasional step back by some of these guys.  So if you are inclined to panic or surrender the season or their careers because they aren't week one starters, do them, the board and yourselves a favor...don't!

All I'm looking for is progress, not 8-8 or 12-4.  I don't care about how much play time the rookies get.  Just show me something that makes me think the team is heading in the right direction.

Quote:The Jaguars plan to be a predominantly running team.

 

I remember Fisch saying in a radio interview with Oesher that they were going to be more balanced this year not predominantly running like you said.

Quote:I remember Fisch saying in a radio interview with Oesher that they were going to be more balanced this year not predominantly running like you said.

I saw something earlier saying they were looking for a 58-42 run pass ratio.

 

Specifically, it was April 28, 2014.

 

http://jungle.jaguars.com/index.php?/top...on-1010xl/

 

I know generally speaking it is very bad form to cite your own thread as proof of something, but there were others in the thread who heard the interview (Shack Del Rio and FBT) who did not contradict my initial post on that point.

Quote:I remember Fisch saying in a radio interview with Oesher that they were going to be more balanced this year not predominantly running like you said.

I'm sure they would like to be, but I don't think the passing game will be clicking early on.

 

We have a lot of inexperience on offense and running the ball is much simpler to execute.

Quote:I saw something earlier saying they were looking for a 58-42 run pass ratio.

 

Specifically, it was April 28, 2014.

 

http://jungle.jaguars.com/index.php?/top...on-1010xl/

 

I know generally speaking it is very bad form to cite your own thread as proof of something, but there were others in the thread who heard the interview (Shack Del Rio and FBT) who did not contradict my initial post on that point.

 

It may have changed since that interview then.  

 

Quote:I'm sure they would like to be, but I don't think the passing game will be clicking early on.

 

We have a lot of inexperience on offense and running the ball is much simpler to execute.

 

With the injuries to the WRs the passing game may not click right out of the gate, but I fully expect them to pass more this year than in years past.  There would be no point in not doing so by adding the picks they did in the draft.

Honestly no one willing/ able to read that entire post is freaking out.


Good post though.

Playoffs or Gus and Dave should be fired and Khan should consider firing himself. (Sadly someone believes this.)

Deep thought Bullseye.

 

I see Shad building something like Dallas had in the 90's. Get a QB that can take a hit(Bortles/Aikman). Get a RB that is hard to pull down(Gerhart/Smith). Get a WR that can make big plays(Hurns/Irvin). Win games week after week by playing tough defense. And finally make the Jaguars Americas Team by branding our logo like Dallas did to that stupid blue star.

Quote: 

With the injuries to the WRs the passing game may not click right out of the gate, but I fully expect them to pass more this year than in years past.  There would be no point in not doing so by adding the picks they did in the draft.

Drafting isn't about now, it's about the future. Receiver has one of the steepest learning curves in the NFL.

 

It's not just receivers, the line is also very inexperienced. Pass blocking is much more complicated than run blocking. If they are struggling with pass protection, Fisch won't have an option but to run the ball more.

Quote:Drafting isn't about now, it's about the future. Receiver has one of the steepest learning curves in the NFL.

 

It's not just receivers, the line is also very inexperienced. Pass blocking is much more complicated than run blocking. If they are struggling with pass protection, Fisch won't have an option but to run the ball more.

 

I know that drafting is about the future.  I never once said it wasn't.  All I said is I fully expect them to pass more this year than in years past.  Henne will have another year in the system (although I have no faith in him) and we have more weapons on offense.  The way to get guys to learn their roles is by putting them in those situations they have to learn.

Quote:Deep thought Bullseye.

 

I see Shad building something like Dallas had in the 90's. Get a QB that can take a hit(Bortles/Aikman). Get a RB that is hard to pull down(Gerhart/Smith). Get a WR that can make big plays(Hurns/Irvin). Win games week after week by playing tough defense. An finally make the Jaguars Americas Team by branding our logo like Dallas did to that stupid blue star.

Did you really just say our #6 receiver is our Irvin?

Quote:I know that drafting is about the future.  I never once said it wasn't.  All I said is I fully expect them to pass more this year than in years past.  Henne will have another year in the system (although I have no faith in him) and we have more weapons on offense.  The way to get guys to learn their roles is by putting them in those situations they have to learn.

You learn your role on the practice field. You do in a game what you are able to execute.

 

Allowing an NFL defense to key on a struggling passing game will only teach them how to get your QB killed. You learn by doing what you are most capable doing and then expanding on that over time. You can't force a passing game, you have to develop it.

Quote:Did you really just say our #6 receiver is our Irvin?

Haha, you beat me to it. Hurns and Irvin in the same sentence! I'm still laughing.

Quote:You learn your role on the practice field. You do in a game what you are able to execute.

 

Allowing an NFL defense to key on a struggling passing game will only teach them how to get your QB killed. You learn by doing what you are most capable doing and then expanding on that over time. You can't force a passing game, you have to develop it.

 

There is a difference in practice and game.  You need to be able to execute in the game and to be able to do that you need to be in the game.  Practicing against your own team with limited contact (pretty much zero contact for qb and receivers after the catch) doesn't get you very far.

Quote:There is a difference in practice and game.  You need to be able to execute in the game and to be able to do that you need to be in the game.  Practicing against your own team with limited contact (pretty much zero contact for qb and receivers after the catch) doesn't get you very far.

Going out on an NFL field with a struggling passing unit and trying to force the passing game will do nothing but create turnovers and get your QB killed.

 

All things come in due time. You can't always have what you want when you want it. You have to take steps in between where you are and where you want to be.

Quote:Going out on an NFL field with a struggling passing unit and trying to force the passing game will do nothing but create turnovers and get your QB killed.

 

All things come in due time. You can't always have what you want when you want it. You have to take steps in between where you are and where you want to be.

 

What part of this are you not understaning?  I never said go out there and force the passing game.  I said I fully expect them to pass more than they have in years past.  Years past they were predominantly a running team.  This year I expect them to be more even balanced than in years past, and that is based off of what the OC said in an interview with Oesher.

I think the overwhelming majority understand the process takes time, and they're not expecting instant fixes from the rookie class. 

Quote:I think the overwhelming majority understand the process takes time, and they're not expecting instant fixes from the rookie class. 

 

Exactly.

Quote:What part of this are you not understaning?  I never said go out there and force the passing game.  I said I fully expect them to pass more than they have in years past.  Years past they were predominantly a running team.  This year I expect them to be more even balanced than in years past, and that is based off of what the OC said in an interview with Oesher.

All I said is that I don't believe they will be able to pass more with the inexperience of the offense even though Fisch said he would like to.

 

If you can't read a dissenting opinion without getting your panties in a wad then you don't need to be posting on a message board.