Jacksonville Jaguars Fan Forums

It falls back on Bortles. He has to keep building off of what he did in 2017. And I believe he will.

If we're gonna take the next step in the evolution of this team and Bortles is gonna be our starting QB, the coaches have to trust him more and allow him to take more risks in the passing game. That means when we have 3rd and long, they have to have the confidence in Bortles to make a deep throw every once in a while. I saw way too many instances last year where they didn't seem to trust him in certain 3rd and long situations and they either ran the ball or came up with a conservative, short pass. If this team is gonna take the next step, we gotta make the correct calls and that means trusting Bortles enough to make those plays. Whether he succeeds or not, is anyone's guess, but he's all we have and we gotta make it work. It time to take the reigns off the QB.

(05-21-2018, 09:38 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]If we're gonna take the next step in the evolution of this team and Bortles is gonna be our starting QB, the coaches have to trust him more and allow him to take more risks in the passing game. That means when we have 3rd and long, they have to have the confidence in Bortles to make a deep throw every once in a while. I saw way too many instances last year where they didn't seem to trust him in certain 3rd and long situations and they either ran the ball or came up with a conservative, short pass. If this team is gonna take the next step, we gotta make the correct calls and that means trusting Bortles enough to make those plays. Whether he succeeds or not, is anyone's guess, but he's all we have and we gotta make it work. It time to take the reigns off the QB.

I do not necessarily disagree with you here.

But is it possible the lack of confidence wasn't so much with Bortles as it was the receivers, especially after Robinson went down?

The team played with two rookies and a street free agent in Mickens for much of the second half of the season (and actually that seems to represent Bortles most productive time).

The team spent a second round pick on a receiver-Chark. 

It spent a 6th rounder on a QB.  They had chances to draft a QB in the first (Jackson) or 2nd (Rudolph) and they didn't. 

They had chances to go after several veteran QBs in free agency.  They let Cousins go to Minnesota.  They let Keenum go to Denver.  They let Bradford go to Arizona.

I think the receivers have a year under their belts.  They added a premier deep threat in Chark, whom you and I both liked as I recall.  Finally, they added a TE who should be more of a threat in the passing game than Marcedes Lewis.  Everything seems to point to a more aggressive approach this year.  I think that may have as much to do with more faith in the group of receivers as it is more faith in Bortles.

(05-21-2018, 09:38 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]If we're gonna take the next step in the evolution of this team and Bortles is gonna be our starting QB, the coaches have to trust him more and allow him to take more risks in the passing game. That means when we have 3rd and long, they have to have the confidence in Bortles to make a deep throw every once in a while. I saw way too many instances last year where they didn't seem to trust him in certain 3rd and long situations and they either ran the ball or came up with a conservative, short pass. If this team is gonna take the next step, we gotta make the correct calls and that means trusting Bortles enough to make those plays. Whether he succeeds or not, is anyone's guess, but he's all we have and we gotta make it work. It's time to take the reigns off the QB.

Regarding the bolded - I don't know about taking the reins "off" completely.  Maybe just loosen them a notch or two. 

Managing Bortles' turnovers is still something Marrone and Hackett must consider IMO. They did a nice job with it last season and I expect that will continue - even if he's given a bit more latitude to work with. (especially in play action)

(05-21-2018, 09:55 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 09:38 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]If we're gonna take the next step in the evolution of this team and Bortles is gonna be our starting QB, the coaches have to trust him more and allow him to take more risks in the passing game. That means when we have 3rd and long, they have to have the confidence in Bortles to make a deep throw every once in a while. I saw way too many instances last year where they didn't seem to trust him in certain 3rd and long situations and they either ran the ball or came up with a conservative, short pass. If this team is gonna take the next step, we gotta make the correct calls and that means trusting Bortles enough to make those plays. Whether he succeeds or not, is anyone's guess, but he's all we have and we gotta make it work. It time to take the reigns off the QB.

I do not necessarily disagree with you here.

But is it possible the lack of confidence wasn't so much with Bortles as it was the receivers, especially after Robinson went down?

The team played with two rookies and a street free agent in Mickens for much of the second half of the season (and actually that seems to represent Bortles most productive time).

The team spent a second round pick on a receiver-Chark. 

It spent a 6th rounder on a QB.  They had chances to draft a QB in the first (Jackson) or 2nd (Rudolph) and they didn't. 

They had chances to go after several veteran QBs in free agency.  They let Cousins go to Minnesota.  They let Keenum go to Denver.  They let Bradford go to Arizona.

I think the receivers have a year under their belts.  They added a premier deep threat in Chark, whom you and I both liked as I recall.  Finally, they added a TE who should be more of a threat in the passing game than Marcedes Lewis.  Everything seems to point to a more aggressive approach this year.  I think that may have as much to do with more faith in the group of receivers as it is more faith in Bortles.

Don't forget Moncreif.

(05-21-2018, 10:01 AM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 09:55 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]I do not necessarily disagree with you here.

But is it possible the lack of confidence wasn't so much with Bortles as it was the receivers, especially after Robinson went down?

The team played with two rookies and a street free agent in Mickens for much of the second half of the season (and actually that seems to represent Bortles most productive time).

The team spent a second round pick on a receiver-Chark. 

It spent a 6th rounder on a QB.  They had chances to draft a QB in the first (Jackson) or 2nd (Rudolph) and they didn't. 

They had chances to go after several veteran QBs in free agency.  They let Cousins go to Minnesota.  They let Keenum go to Denver.  They let Bradford go to Arizona.

I think the receivers have a year under their belts.  They added a premier deep threat in Chark, whom you and I both liked as I recall.  Finally, they added a TE who should be more of a threat in the passing game than Marcedes Lewis.  Everything seems to point to a more aggressive approach this year.  I think that may have as much to do with more faith in the group of receivers as it is more faith in Bortles.

Don't forget Moncreif.

D'oh!  I forgot Moncrief.

(05-21-2018, 10:01 AM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 09:55 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]I do not necessarily disagree with you here.

But is it possible the lack of confidence wasn't so much with Bortles as it was the receivers, especially after Robinson went down?

The team played with two rookies and a street free agent in Mickens for much of the second half of the season (and actually that seems to represent Bortles most productive time).

The team spent a second round pick on a receiver-Chark. 

It spent a 6th rounder on a QB.  They had chances to draft a QB in the first (Jackson) or 2nd (Rudolph) and they didn't. 

They had chances to go after several veteran QBs in free agency.  They let Cousins go to Minnesota.  They let Keenum go to Denver.  They let Bradford go to Arizona.

I think the receivers have a year under their belts.  They added a premier deep threat in Chark, whom you and I both liked as I recall.  Finally, they added a TE who should be more of a threat in the passing game than Marcedes Lewis.  Everything seems to point to a more aggressive approach this year.  I think that may have as much to do with more faith in the group of receivers as it is more faith in Bortles.

Don't forget Moncreif.

To be honest, I'm not totally confident that he makes the team.

(05-21-2018, 12:01 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 10:01 AM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ]Don't forget Moncreif.

To be honest, I'm not totally confident that he makes the team.

Guaranteed contract. Even if he doesn't earn a start, he's making the damn team. They aren't going to dump 9.6 mil on the guy and not at least give McCardell a chance to get something out of him. 

I'd wager he ends up earning 700+ snaps at the X receiver position if he stays healthy.

(05-21-2018, 12:01 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 10:01 AM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ]Don't forget Moncreif.

To be honest, I'm not totally confident that he makes the team.

Does it depend on whether we keep 5 or 6 WRs, or do you think he misses the cut even with 6?

I see Lee, Moncrief, Cole, Westbrook and Chark as locks, with Mickens, Greene, Lazard battling for a 6th spot if necessary. 

If I had to give odds on the 6th guy

1.  Mickens
2.  Lazard
3.  Greene

By the way, perhaps I am donning the teal colored glasses here, but increasingly I have the feeling that Chark will make a positive impact for us.

With his height and seemingly slender build coming out of LSU, you have to wonder how he would be coming off the jam.

But for me, with his long arms, with Keenan coaching him, going up against Ramsey and Bouye every day in practice, I have to think Chark will get better and better at escaping the jam and start beating people deep.

(05-21-2018, 12:01 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 10:01 AM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ]Don't forget Moncreif.

To be honest, I'm not totally confident that he makes the team.

Are you serious?

So the Jags pay him almost 10 million and then he doesn't make the team?

Put this on your list of "Hot takes" that make no sense.

(05-21-2018, 12:21 PM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 12:01 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]To be honest, I'm not totally confident that he makes the team.

Are you serious?

So the Jags pay him almost 10 million and then he doesn't make the team?

Put this on your list of "Hot takes" that make no sense.

I didn't say he wasn't making the team, I said I wasn't totally confident he would. I just believe between the history of injuries and his past problems holding onto the ball and creating separation, I see much better options. Cole, Westbrook, Chark and Lee are locks to make the team. I really like Lazard as well and believe he finds a spot on the roster. That's 5 WR spots take right there. Mickens offers a lot as a return man, but he offers little as a receiver. Ultimately, I believe it comes down to Mickens and Moncrief for that last spot.

This is a run focused offense.  The upfront guys have to be better.

(05-21-2018, 01:30 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 12:21 PM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ]Are you serious?

So the Jags pay him almost 10 million and then he doesn't make the team?

Put this on your list of "Hot takes" that make no sense.

I didn't say he wasn't making the team, I said I wasn't totally confident he would. I just believe between the history of injuries and his past problems holding onto the ball and creating separation, I see much better options. Cole, Westbrook, Chark and Lee are locks to make the team. I really like Lazard as well and believe he finds a spot on the roster. That's 5 WR spots take right there. Mickens offers a lot as a return man, but he offers little as a receiver. Ultimately, I believe it comes down to Mickens and Moncrief for that last spot.

Lol I'm not sure what you're talking about.

"Not confident he makes the team" and "thinking he might not make the team" are the exact same thing dude.

Mickens is a nobody. They gave Moncreif 10 million dollars. Think about that for a second. Are they really going to just throw that much cash down the drain so that Mickens, a below average WR and good return man, can make the team? 

This team has 5 locks to make the roster for WR whether you like it or not. Moncreif, Lee, Westbrook, Cole and Chark. After that, I hope Lazard makes it because I don't care for Mickens.

It really comes down to Blake and the play calling. We know that defenses will play 8-9 man fronts to counter Fournette and our running game. We need Blake and our passing game to counter that. If we do this consistently, we will be a very hard team to beat.

Clearly the answer to elevating the offense is corn. I’m confused as to why this thread hasn’t been closed/locked/canonized.

I think its run blocking and coaching. The offense made me smh too many times last year, and if the coaches trust Blake more, we should see improvement in the pass game. Being predictable is good if its unstoppable; but once its stopped, it gets old really quick. My biggest gripe was the use of grant this year and then we decide to do it in the AFCC game. Though it worked, like anyone could've figured out, we go away from it and back to predictability. Improve the coaching, run blocking, and let Blake throw and we'll be good, Stop making the simple stuff difficult.

(05-21-2018, 01:30 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-21-2018, 12:21 PM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ]Are you serious?

So the Jags pay him almost 10 million and then he doesn't make the team?

Put this on your list of "Hot takes" that make no sense.

I didn't say he wasn't making the team, I said I wasn't totally confident he would. I just believe between the history of injuries and his past problems holding onto the ball and creating separation, I see much better options. Cole, Westbrook, Chark and Lee are locks to make the team. I really like Lazard as well and believe he finds a spot on the roster. That's 5 WR spots take right there. Mickens offers a lot as a return man, but he offers little as a receiver. Ultimately, I believe it comes down to Mickens and Moncrief for that last spot.

I wouldn't fret over finding a roster spot for Mickens. Basically, we have five WRs making the roster between Cole, Moncrief, Lee, Westbrook and Chark. Now, if Mickens continues to earn a role as a return specialist, then he'll make the roster as a 6th WR for his ST ability. 

(05-21-2018, 09:38 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]If we're gonna take the next step in the evolution of this team and Bortles is gonna be our starting QB, the coaches have to trust him more and allow him to take more risks in the passing game. That means when we have 3rd and long, they have to have the confidence in Bortles to make a deep throw every once in a while. I saw way too many instances last year where they didn't seem to trust him in certain 3rd and long situations and they either ran the ball or came up with a conservative, short pass. If this team is gonna take the next step, we gotta make the correct calls and that means trusting Bortles enough to make those plays. Whether he succeeds or not, is anyone's guess, but he's all we have and we gotta make it work. It time to take the reigns off the QB.

Agreed. But I think we saw some of that trust from the coaching staff open up more with him in December and at certain times during the play-offs. I think it comes down to who the opponent is. The defense is going to get beat from time to time. And honestly, as much as we like to deem them elite. 

Let's be real for a minute. They let up HUGE in Pittsburgh and New England earlier this year. HUGE. Bortles was able to answer every TD that Roethilsberger was able to put on the board. The defense didn't finish the job in Pittsburgh. Our offense did. And it came with a huge pass from Bortles to Cole to help seal it all up. The New England game is still a head scratcher. I am beyond blaming the officiating in that game. It was terrible. We all know that. 

But you can't get beat on 3rd and 19. You just can't. And the coaching staff got too conservative in the 3rd and 4th quarter and we paid for it. The creativeness that they had in the first half seemed to evaporate in the second half. It wasn't the same team offensively. And it was a let down. 

But I feel Blake has absolutely earned the right to have more chances to open it up through the air. We need that if we're going to truly take that next step.

My opinion is that no singular thing in the poll will put this offense over the top. If things stay as they were through the last 5-6 games of last year, TE play would be the key factor for me. I think a lot of us may be underestimating how mediocre the TE position was at the end of the year at least from my perspective. I would also like to see the WR corp run better/complete routes. There was a ton of missed opportunity directly related to the WR position.