One of the players that caught my attention in the Jaguars win over the Texans last night was DE Ryan Davis. In addition to the final play of the game when he beat Texans LT Duane Brown for a sack, Davis made his presence felt as a pass rusher at other points in the game. I'm not that familiar with Davis' background other than the College he played for, being on the Jaguars P.S., and his key Interception in Houston 12 days ago. He looks like someone worth keeping an eye on moving forward.
You know more than me. I was like, "Who is #59? Oh, Davis." Honestly, I had never heard of him.
He looks like a guy that can push Branch for more playing time.
Davis is quickly becoming a great story. I really hope he keeps it up!!
(also - don't look now - but Mincey looked pretty inspired last night as well)
I'm trying to remain level-headed, but at this point I am thinking Reggie White 2.0
Quote:I'm trying to remain level-headed, but at this point I am thinking Reggie White 2.0
Deacon Jones. So many sacks, they'll stop recording it as an official statistic.
Quote:Lightning formation FTW?
What is that?
Quote:What is that?
It's a blitz in the Babich/Bradley defense that sends Davis, Babin and Branch after the QB.
Quote:You know more than me. I was like, "Who is #59? Oh, Davis." Honestly, I had never heard of him.
As someone who tries to keep up with players throughout the league, Ryan Davis' emergence caught me off guard. There were many players that I planned on focusing on when watching this game. Ryan Davis wasn't one of them in the beginning but to his credit, he had a positive attention getting game.
Quote:He looks like a guy that can push Branch for more playing time.
Competition is indeed a huge positive.
While Andre Branch forced a holding penalty on an inside move and had at least part of a sack in this game, Branch didn't catch my attention on practically every other play he was in. Branch is improving but it will be interesting to see if he can put together the type of consistency in which the coaches know they can count on him over the course of a long season. Maybe a hungry player like Ryan Davis is what the doctor ordered for Branch.
Quote:Davis is quickly becoming a great story. I really hope he keeps it up!!
(also - don't look now - but Mincey looked pretty inspired last night as well)
In addition to what you mentioned, I thought Tyson Alualu also had many positive moments in this game.
Quote: In addition to what you mentioned, I thought Tyson Alualu also had many positive moments in this game.
2nd week in a row he has done so
Quote:Competition is indeed a huge positive.
While Andre Branch forced a holding penalty on an inside move and had at least part of a sack in this game, Branch didn't catch my attention on practically every other play he was in. Branch is improving but it will be interesting to see if he can put together the type of consistency in which the coaches know they can count on him over the course of a long season. Maybe a hungry player like Ryan Davis is what the doctor ordered for Branch.
My impression of Branch changes every week. His problem is inconsistency: one good game, then one bad game. At least that is how it looks to me.
Quote:2nd week in a row he has done so
I think at least part of what's happening is the Jaguars Defensive Lineman are probably reacting naturally much more than earlier in the season. So much was new to the unit at that time.
In addition, there's a higher confidence level because of more team and individual success.
Added to that is more viable competition along the Defensive Line, with Ryan Davis.
Quote:My impression of Branch changes every week. His problem is inconsistency: one good game, then one bad game. At least that is how it looks to me.
I think he's figuring the whole nfl rush thing out. It takes time. Some never get it. (Derrick Harvey) the main thing is that he is improving. 6 weeks ago, I was thinking that he wouldn't be around next year.
Quote:My impression of Branch changes every week. His problem is inconsistency: one good game, then one bad game. At least that is how it looks to me.
This often happens with young Defensive Lineman. From series to series it's apparent with some young Defensive Lineman . Yet, there comes a point when a player is needed to perform like a veteran. Next year at this time, the Jaguars hope to be in serious playoff contention. Enough inconsistency could doom the team's playoff hopes. The coaches will likely go with players that they believe are more dependable.
Quote:I think he's figuring the whole nfl rush thing out. It takes time. Some never get it. (Derrick Harvey) the main thing is that he is improving. 6 weeks ago, I was thinking that he wouldn't be around next year.
One additional encouraging aspect for the Jaguars in terms of what you mentioned is that it seems like the coaching the Jaguars Defensive Lineman are getting is sinking in with the players. DT Roy Miller also seems like he's trending upward.
I like what D6 said about Davis possibly influencing Branch to play better, it's interesting.
Another point, albeit minor, about Ryan Davis. Before the game or very early, there was a commercial on the NFL's Play60 initiative involving a couple of Jaguars in a school. One of them was #59 who I initially thought was Laroy Reynolds (but he's suspended for substance abuse so he's probably not a great role model) but then he turned around and I saw his name on his shirt, "Davis".
Hmmm, I said (I say it a lot), why would they select Ryan Davis for this slot out of the 53 guys. Well, it's probably b/c he's a good citizen and deserving in other ways- work ethic, ascending player, etc. I thought it was a tribute to him.