09-13-2017, 08:35 AM
One of the things that make me cringe in the aftermath of a loss is the inevitable assertion the team was too conservative offensively. I recall a post game call in show a few years back after a loss in San Diego where a caller asked when we were going to open up the offense. We threw FIFTY-FOUR (54) passes in that game.
I don't know how it happened, or exactly when it happened, but somehow conservative football became synonymous with ineffective football.
Although an offense can be too conservative on occasion, conservative football is not the same as ineffective football or boring football.
This last game against the Texans proves my point.
The Jaguars approach in that game will not remind anyone of the greatest show on turf offense of the Rams. Bortles threw all of 21 passes.
Instead the game plan was a paean to a seemingly bygone era, bludgeoning the Texans on the ground to the tune of 39 carries and 155 yards rushing. That approach, properly executed, effectively negated the strength of the Texans' front 7-rushing the passer. It kept Bortles in favorable down and distance situations and our defense rested. As for entertainment value, in the aftermath of Sunday's win, I have yet to see any complaints about style points. Everyone here is giddy. Besides, who didn't enjoy seeing Fournette truck Texans CB Kevin Johnson?
This approach will help the Jaguars passing game in the weeks to come, because teams will now be susceptible to play action keying in on the run. We will need this to be more effective passing now that Allen Robinson is out for the year.
You may say this approach worked for a game for the Jaguars with no promise of future success. But even in this pass happy era, teams have used an effective rushing attack to have success. Just last year, the tacks utilized a run oriented attack to leap up to 9-7 after a dismal season the year before. The Seahawks went to back to back Super Bowls with a largely conservative, ball control offense, and the 49ers went to a Super Bowl utilizing a similar approach. In fact, you could argue that as teams draft smaller, faster defenders to better defend the pass, it makes them more susceptible to a strong ground attack, which is what Marrone, Coughlin and co. are establishing here.
I don't know how it happened, or exactly when it happened, but somehow conservative football became synonymous with ineffective football.
Although an offense can be too conservative on occasion, conservative football is not the same as ineffective football or boring football.
This last game against the Texans proves my point.
The Jaguars approach in that game will not remind anyone of the greatest show on turf offense of the Rams. Bortles threw all of 21 passes.
Instead the game plan was a paean to a seemingly bygone era, bludgeoning the Texans on the ground to the tune of 39 carries and 155 yards rushing. That approach, properly executed, effectively negated the strength of the Texans' front 7-rushing the passer. It kept Bortles in favorable down and distance situations and our defense rested. As for entertainment value, in the aftermath of Sunday's win, I have yet to see any complaints about style points. Everyone here is giddy. Besides, who didn't enjoy seeing Fournette truck Texans CB Kevin Johnson?
This approach will help the Jaguars passing game in the weeks to come, because teams will now be susceptible to play action keying in on the run. We will need this to be more effective passing now that Allen Robinson is out for the year.
You may say this approach worked for a game for the Jaguars with no promise of future success. But even in this pass happy era, teams have used an effective rushing attack to have success. Just last year, the tacks utilized a run oriented attack to leap up to 9-7 after a dismal season the year before. The Seahawks went to back to back Super Bowls with a largely conservative, ball control offense, and the 49ers went to a Super Bowl utilizing a similar approach. In fact, you could argue that as teams draft smaller, faster defenders to better defend the pass, it makes them more susceptible to a strong ground attack, which is what Marrone, Coughlin and co. are establishing here.