11-06-2017, 01:43 AM
After a minor medical scare that had me in the ER until 11, I offer my apologies for the delay in getting this out. Fortunately, tests show all is okay with me. My hats off to the staff at Shands. They all epitomized professionalism.
That aside, today seemed to be a throwback to years past on a lot of different levels. The team wore teal jerseys at home, and the combination of teal jerseys and black pants. The Jaguars alumni were present, as guys we cheered as many as 22 years ago were on hand. This was the first time we watched a first place team of our own at midseason in ages. Here are my thoughts.
1. The sparse attendance was embarrassing. We now have a team that is tied for first place. We have a team that tends to blow teams out when we win. The fans who were there were engaged. Seeing the wave there in the 4th quarter during a win was another throwback to a bygone era. I sincerely hope the team keeps winning, and maybe by our three game home stretch, we could give our first place Jaguars a true home field advantage.
2. The Bengals said before the game they believed Fournette could beat them, but they didn't think Bortles could. Welp, the Bengals are the second opponent to employ that strategy and lose. Bortles played a very good game, and seemed to execute the game plan very well. If he continues to play like this, teams will take that S out of the box and open things up for Fournette, and the Jaguars will be the better for it.
3. Speaking of Fournette, I was disappointed to learn he was inactive for the game, and someone irritated and relieved to learn why. However, seeing the running game perform as they did against a good Bengals defense made me proud.
4. The Bengals have almost always been among the teams that I like. However, their display of shoving and cheap shots and apparent woofing after the play was reminiscent of the worst of Jeff Fisher teams. What, is he on the Bengals' coaching staff now?!? At the game, I could tell Ramsey and Green were talking smack much of the time. When I saw the fight, my thoughts were either that Green deliberately tried to get Ramsey thrown out, or that he did it because Ramsey was shutting him down and he got mad. Either way, that was not a good display by the Bengals, either of football or of sportsmanship.
5. I thought the Jaguars' defense played a heckuva game. They did not force a turnover, but they wound up getting good pressure on Dalton and shut down the run. To be honest, it should have been a shut out, and likely would have been had the two guys in the secondary not collided and missed the Bengals' TE Kroft.
6. Though I am glad Myers is gone, I owe him an apology. I noticed that the Jaguars turned off the video boards when he attempted FGs. I thought that was excludinve to him, but today I saw them do the same thing for Lambo. Those boards must be a distraction. Speaking of special teams, they came through in fine style today. Aside from Lambo's perfect performance, the kick coverage was good. But most importantly, Mickens had the game clinching punt return for a TD. This is the level of play the Jaguars need to continue to see from special teams in order to make the postseason.
7. Rookie Watch
9. The offense played a hell of a game. The offense held the ball for over forty (40) minutes. They did not have a single three and out, and also had a 95 yard drive, and also had a 15 play drive. After the fights, etc., I wanted them to score at the end of the game.
10. Bottom line- This team got a lot of monkeys off their backs today. They showed they could stop the run. They showed they could pass the ball (and run for that matter) when teams are stacked with 8 in the box. They won their first home game since December 24. They won back to back games for the first time in a while. They are two games over .500 for the first time in ages. They broke a 4 game losing streak to the Bengals. That is very good to see. Now, we need to get that Phillip Rivers monkey gone, too. On to beat the Bolts.
That aside, today seemed to be a throwback to years past on a lot of different levels. The team wore teal jerseys at home, and the combination of teal jerseys and black pants. The Jaguars alumni were present, as guys we cheered as many as 22 years ago were on hand. This was the first time we watched a first place team of our own at midseason in ages. Here are my thoughts.
1. The sparse attendance was embarrassing. We now have a team that is tied for first place. We have a team that tends to blow teams out when we win. The fans who were there were engaged. Seeing the wave there in the 4th quarter during a win was another throwback to a bygone era. I sincerely hope the team keeps winning, and maybe by our three game home stretch, we could give our first place Jaguars a true home field advantage.
2. The Bengals said before the game they believed Fournette could beat them, but they didn't think Bortles could. Welp, the Bengals are the second opponent to employ that strategy and lose. Bortles played a very good game, and seemed to execute the game plan very well. If he continues to play like this, teams will take that S out of the box and open things up for Fournette, and the Jaguars will be the better for it.
3. Speaking of Fournette, I was disappointed to learn he was inactive for the game, and someone irritated and relieved to learn why. However, seeing the running game perform as they did against a good Bengals defense made me proud.
4. The Bengals have almost always been among the teams that I like. However, their display of shoving and cheap shots and apparent woofing after the play was reminiscent of the worst of Jeff Fisher teams. What, is he on the Bengals' coaching staff now?!? At the game, I could tell Ramsey and Green were talking smack much of the time. When I saw the fight, my thoughts were either that Green deliberately tried to get Ramsey thrown out, or that he did it because Ramsey was shutting him down and he got mad. Either way, that was not a good display by the Bengals, either of football or of sportsmanship.
5. I thought the Jaguars' defense played a heckuva game. They did not force a turnover, but they wound up getting good pressure on Dalton and shut down the run. To be honest, it should have been a shut out, and likely would have been had the two guys in the secondary not collided and missed the Bengals' TE Kroft.
6. Though I am glad Myers is gone, I owe him an apology. I noticed that the Jaguars turned off the video boards when he attempted FGs. I thought that was excludinve to him, but today I saw them do the same thing for Lambo. Those boards must be a distraction. Speaking of special teams, they came through in fine style today. Aside from Lambo's perfect performance, the kick coverage was good. But most importantly, Mickens had the game clinching punt return for a TD. This is the level of play the Jaguars need to continue to see from special teams in order to make the postseason.
7. Rookie Watch
- Leonard Fournette-DNP
- Cam Robinson-played despite injuring his ankle against Indy. Held up pretty well against a good DE in Michael Johnson.
- Dawaune Smoot-Played, but he did not stand out to me.
- DeDe Westbrook-was disappointed to learn he was not active.
- Blair Brown-played and made a special teams tackle
- Jalen Myrick-Got good playing time in the second half after Ramsey was thrown out. Provided good coverage on a deep pass.
- Keelan Cole-Arguably had his best game as a Jaguar. The one handed catch he made was highlight worthy and bailed Bortles out of a bad throw. He looked like he would have a monster game. If he continues to improve, our offense will be so much better.
9. The offense played a hell of a game. The offense held the ball for over forty (40) minutes. They did not have a single three and out, and also had a 95 yard drive, and also had a 15 play drive. After the fights, etc., I wanted them to score at the end of the game.
10. Bottom line- This team got a lot of monkeys off their backs today. They showed they could stop the run. They showed they could pass the ball (and run for that matter) when teams are stacked with 8 in the box. They won their first home game since December 24. They won back to back games for the first time in a while. They are two games over .500 for the first time in ages. They broke a 4 game losing streak to the Bengals. That is very good to see. Now, we need to get that Phillip Rivers monkey gone, too. On to beat the Bolts.
