07-26-2017, 08:00 PM
At least this part of our long, Duval nightmare is over. Training camp is upon us. With this in mind, here are some of my thoughts over the next few weeks.
1. Acknowledging this may be the result of the "everyone is a contender in July" syndrome, from the outside looking in, I suspect, despite this team's horrid record last year, the mindset of this team going into camp will be a lot more conducive to overall team success than it has been in the past few seasons. Prior seasons had the team completely devoid of talent, and the organization virtually devoid of any positive expectations coming in. This is not the case this year. Many media observers believe this is a talented team. The organization now has two people in charge who have a history of coaxing good results out of teams-Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone. Both are instilling a more disciplined culture. I think Marrone's two game interim tenure here gave the team a foretaste of its capabilities. I think for the nucleus, there is a more tangible knowledge they can perform better than they have been, bolstered by the expectations...the demands...that they do just that.
2. Continuing on the above, I was struck by a quote from one of the articles today on Jaguars.com. In relevant part...
I cannot recall a similar stretch of training camp practices in a long time here. I suspect this stretch will go a long way in establishing a physical tone with the team.
3. Speaking of the offensive line, I am unsure what to think of this group just yet. Looking on paper through my teal colored glasses, I see this OL as potentially the most talented and versatile group we've had here in a while, with the additions of Branden Albert and rookie Cam Robinson. Albert has been a two time Pro Bowler at LT, a position that has been problematic for this team for a long time. While he is 32, he should still have a couple of good seasons left in the tank. Pushing him is Robinson, who the coaches have repeatedly indicated will also play LT. If both are at the top of their games, the competition between the two will make both better, and should minimally give great depth at the most important position on the OL no matter who wins. The loser of that competition may be moved inside to guard. Either player moved inside should give our run game a boost and provide more athleticism.
My pessimistic side sees a guy in his 30s forced out of Miami, and a guy from a highly respected program that, inexplicably, has produced a number of OL busts/underachievers in recent years. Highly touted guys like DJ Fluker, Cyrus Kouandjio, Chance Warmack, James Carpenter have come from Saban U and fell out of favor with the teams that drafted them. The last Bama T to succeed was Andre Smith, who was drafted in 2009. I still wonder why a T needy team like Seattle was willing to pass Robinson up when they had the chance to draft him at the top of the 2nd round.
At minimum, Robinson needs to be able to succeed at G. This team's stated philosophy is predicated on a power running game. Fournette's ability to succeed will be predicated on the OL being physically dominant at the LOS. I think he can meet the minimum standard of being a good run blocking G. But I hate having these nagging questions.
4. There is no shortfall of defensive story lines to watch. I want to see Myles Jack take command of the Mike. I don't want to see many times outs or busted plays (think the TD run allowed v. Philadelphia a few years back) because Jack can't get the guys in position. I am encouraged by what Campbell said about his development. I suspect that if he has a firm grasp of the defenses up against various offensive looks, his athleticism will make him a huge asset and enable him to show big play ability.
5. Another defensive spot that bears watching is the DE position, specifically Ngakoue and Fowler. Will one, both, or neither make the hoped for leap in second year productivity stalwart pass rushers like Khalil Mack,Olivier Vernon, Robert Quinn made in the past. I think most on the message board seem to have written off Fowler, and understandably so. But the overlap between off field maturity and passion for the game is not complete. Some players have succeeded despite having some knucklehead tendencies. The comparison/contrast between Fowler (the "knucklehead") and Ngakoue, who doesn't seem to have the physical talent of Fowler but seems more mature, will be interesting.
6. For me, the inescapable thought/expectation is that an underrated and welcome upgrade will be Barry Church over the former Jaguar Jon Cyprien. I think he will be an upgrade, if for no other reason that he won't take as many bad angles as Cyprien. But I think he'll be better in coverage.
7. Joe DeCamillis may prove to be one of the most important additions to this team. In recent years, inept special teams play has cost us several games. I remember the back to back blocked punts against Cincinnati. DeCamillis, has been a long respected special teams coach. I'm hoping the special teams will be noticeably improved early in preseason.
8. I am disappointed to see FB Marquez Williams start camp on PUP. I really want to see him in action soon, especially with the renewed emphasis on the running game. Barring a quick return to health, I can't help but think he'll be destined for the practice squad his rookie year. The one saving grace is that because so few teams use a FB, he'll be a relatively safe stash there.
9. Another rookie I am eager to see is 5th round LB Blair Brown. I never saw him play, but I liked what I read about him. His development will determine what happens with Telvin Smith.
Those are some of my thoughts/ramblings. Yours are welcomed.
1. Acknowledging this may be the result of the "everyone is a contender in July" syndrome, from the outside looking in, I suspect, despite this team's horrid record last year, the mindset of this team going into camp will be a lot more conducive to overall team success than it has been in the past few seasons. Prior seasons had the team completely devoid of talent, and the organization virtually devoid of any positive expectations coming in. This is not the case this year. Many media observers believe this is a talented team. The organization now has two people in charge who have a history of coaxing good results out of teams-Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone. Both are instilling a more disciplined culture. I think Marrone's two game interim tenure here gave the team a foretaste of its capabilities. I think for the nucleus, there is a more tangible knowledge they can perform better than they have been, bolstered by the expectations...the demands...that they do just that.
2. Continuing on the above, I was struck by a quote from one of the articles today on Jaguars.com. In relevant part...
Quote:Marrone said he expects to know a lot about the offensive line in the next week and a half. Not only are Robinson and Albert competing, but the team worked Linder,(Emphasis added)
A.J. Cann, Earl Watford
I cannot recall a similar stretch of training camp practices in a long time here. I suspect this stretch will go a long way in establishing a physical tone with the team.
3. Speaking of the offensive line, I am unsure what to think of this group just yet. Looking on paper through my teal colored glasses, I see this OL as potentially the most talented and versatile group we've had here in a while, with the additions of Branden Albert and rookie Cam Robinson. Albert has been a two time Pro Bowler at LT, a position that has been problematic for this team for a long time. While he is 32, he should still have a couple of good seasons left in the tank. Pushing him is Robinson, who the coaches have repeatedly indicated will also play LT. If both are at the top of their games, the competition between the two will make both better, and should minimally give great depth at the most important position on the OL no matter who wins. The loser of that competition may be moved inside to guard. Either player moved inside should give our run game a boost and provide more athleticism.
My pessimistic side sees a guy in his 30s forced out of Miami, and a guy from a highly respected program that, inexplicably, has produced a number of OL busts/underachievers in recent years. Highly touted guys like DJ Fluker, Cyrus Kouandjio, Chance Warmack, James Carpenter have come from Saban U and fell out of favor with the teams that drafted them. The last Bama T to succeed was Andre Smith, who was drafted in 2009. I still wonder why a T needy team like Seattle was willing to pass Robinson up when they had the chance to draft him at the top of the 2nd round.
At minimum, Robinson needs to be able to succeed at G. This team's stated philosophy is predicated on a power running game. Fournette's ability to succeed will be predicated on the OL being physically dominant at the LOS. I think he can meet the minimum standard of being a good run blocking G. But I hate having these nagging questions.
4. There is no shortfall of defensive story lines to watch. I want to see Myles Jack take command of the Mike. I don't want to see many times outs or busted plays (think the TD run allowed v. Philadelphia a few years back) because Jack can't get the guys in position. I am encouraged by what Campbell said about his development. I suspect that if he has a firm grasp of the defenses up against various offensive looks, his athleticism will make him a huge asset and enable him to show big play ability.
5. Another defensive spot that bears watching is the DE position, specifically Ngakoue and Fowler. Will one, both, or neither make the hoped for leap in second year productivity stalwart pass rushers like Khalil Mack,Olivier Vernon, Robert Quinn made in the past. I think most on the message board seem to have written off Fowler, and understandably so. But the overlap between off field maturity and passion for the game is not complete. Some players have succeeded despite having some knucklehead tendencies. The comparison/contrast between Fowler (the "knucklehead") and Ngakoue, who doesn't seem to have the physical talent of Fowler but seems more mature, will be interesting.
6. For me, the inescapable thought/expectation is that an underrated and welcome upgrade will be Barry Church over the former Jaguar Jon Cyprien. I think he will be an upgrade, if for no other reason that he won't take as many bad angles as Cyprien. But I think he'll be better in coverage.
7. Joe DeCamillis may prove to be one of the most important additions to this team. In recent years, inept special teams play has cost us several games. I remember the back to back blocked punts against Cincinnati. DeCamillis, has been a long respected special teams coach. I'm hoping the special teams will be noticeably improved early in preseason.
8. I am disappointed to see FB Marquez Williams start camp on PUP. I really want to see him in action soon, especially with the renewed emphasis on the running game. Barring a quick return to health, I can't help but think he'll be destined for the practice squad his rookie year. The one saving grace is that because so few teams use a FB, he'll be a relatively safe stash there.
9. Another rookie I am eager to see is 5th round LB Blair Brown. I never saw him play, but I liked what I read about him. His development will determine what happens with Telvin Smith.
Those are some of my thoughts/ramblings. Yours are welcomed.