Quote:Maybe I'm punch drunk, because I've been watching Bortles/A-Rob/Hurns highlight videos on You Tube.
Man, we've got some playmakers on offense...something we haven't had since the glory days of Brunell, Fred, Jimmy, and Keenan. In 2007, Garrard was good and Mojo was fantastic, but we still didn't have the weapons we have now...and I haven't even mentioned Yeldon and Julius Thomas.
We don't need to completely overhaul our defense. With Fowler, Marks, and Telvin and another good linebacker and pass rusher, we could have a dominant front seven. That's the key to Carolina's defense--their cornerbacks are nothing special.
Add those key pieces, keep everyone healthy, and we can make the playoffs.
I agree. I think most people on this message board are way too pessimistic. This roster is so much better than it has been in the last 5 years or so. The coaching? I'm on the fence about that. On the other hand, I have always believed that almost any NFL coach can make the playoffs if you give them a good roster of players.
Quote:-Close win against a bad/mediocre Miami
-Miracle win over an injury-riddled Balt
-Close win over the terrible Tacks
-Close win over Buffalo where the Defense scored a ton of turnovers and points, and then tried to give it away
-Big win over the Hasselbeck Colts ("Jags 2015 Superbowl")
No, it's not close to playoffs yet. It's getting there,, but not yet.
Yes, but what about the close losses? It goes both ways.
I think, for the first time in years, we have a franchise QB and a nucleus of young players to build around. It take time, a long time, to build through the draft. Look at all the players playing yesterday who were in their 5th, 6th, 7th season. Our young core of players are all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year players.
If anything, watching these playoff games make me realize just how far this team is from being a legit contender. In almost every game, time and time again, you see players from opposing sides, defense/offense/special teams make some kind of play to keep them alive or to bring them back or to give them the lead.
Green Bay/Arizona was ridiculous with all the momentum changes.
Seattle/Carolina, even though it started as a blowout, the fight that Seattle had to come back. Incredible.
Patriots, under duress most of the game. Brady and Gronk with the ability to drive downfield and that big throw/catch on 4th and 10.
Every game there are examples of things I see in our games where instead of a guy making a play...it's the opposite. Dropped pass, missed block, bad read, missed tackle, penalty, etc...
This years playoffs was like Exhibit A of "big boy football"
We're just not there yet.
Speedy, having a new DC, an ADB coach, our best DE and DT, and more talented defensive players will go a long way to getting us closer. So will getting Brandon Linder back and at least one new offensive lineman. The schedule is against us, but we will see continued improvement in 2016.
Call me crazy, but I don't think the defense is that far away. A couple DLmen and a DB and this D could turnaround quick.
We have pieces. Just need to fill in a few holes.
I also don't think our defense has to be lights out for us to be successful. If our defense was solid this year, I think we are in the playoffs.
We weren't too far away from having enough wins to get blown out by the Chiefs in the Wildcard Round instead of the Tinhorns. But next year will be tougher.
Upgrade the O-line. Let our young players mature. And get a defense that doesn't make backup Quarterbacks look like Joe Montana. Then we might have a good shot.
Quote:We weren't too far away from having enough wins to get blown out by the Chiefs in the Wildcard Round instead of the Tinhorns. But next year will be tougher.
Upgrade the O-line. Let our young players mature. And get a defense that doesn't make backup Quarterbacks look like Joe Montana. Then we might have a good shot.
FYI we only played against three backup QBs.
Recipe for success on defense ( and offense )
Add in 1 or 2 years more experience for our younger players,
Toss in several experienced free agents and mix thoroughly.
Draft 1 dynamic pass rusher, a playmaking safety, a road-grading center, a brick wall pass blocking offensive lineman, a pass-catching, dependable run-blocking tight end, and a couple of fleet-of-foot, knockout tackling linebackers and add to the mixture.
Finally, add a few proven position coaches to develop the young talent and serve hot and motivated in 2016.
Quote:Yes, but what about the close losses? It goes both ways.
I think, for the first time in years, we have a franchise QB and a nucleus of young players to build around. It take time, a long time, to build through the draft. Look at all the players playing yesterday who were in their 5th, 6th, 7th season. Our young core of players are all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year players.
I agree about close losses. However, that's what the NFL is. The "bad" teams don't get blown out in a regular basis. Most NFL games are close contests (certainly not all of them). The difference between good and bad teams is that the good teams find ways to win the close contests while the bad teams still find themselves with a Loss.
Because of the 2-3 seasons prior to this one,, I think alot of Jags fans are maybe used to frequent blowout losses. In actuality,, teams don't get blown out 7 to 10 times a year. Maybe they will once or twice, but the rest of the time they're losing fairly close games.
The Jags have improved to the "Lose Small" category.
It's just my opinion, but I don't think they're real close. Probably still another season removed from being actual playoff contenders.
Jacksonville is going to field a scary offense if they hold onto Jonas Gray
I say this because Jacksonville's strength on the offensive line is undoubtedly going to be at the guard position with Cann and Linder upfront, and they're going to be there for a long time.
Jacksonville may be a year or two away from talking Super Bowl, but 2016 is the year they return to the playoffs
Quote:Jacksonville is going to field a scary offense if they hold onto Jonas Gray
I say this because Jacksonville's strength on the offensive line is undoubtedly going to be at the guard position with Cann and Linder upfront, and they're going to be there for a long time.
Jacksonville may be a year or two away from talking Super Bowl, but 2016 is the year they return to the playoffs
Yea... Jonas Grey must be the key to a scary offense.....
Quote:Yea... Jonas Grey must be the key to a scary offense.....
Sorry, I'm pretty high on him. I see him securing the #2 spot in the preseason and being the third-and-short guy we desperately need and I think Cann and Linder will make him look better than he actually is.
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about the interior line.
EDIT: But you're right, I'm exaggerating his role in the offense, especially for a guy who may not even be on the team. But I have a good feeling about him
Quote:Sorry, I'm pretty high on him. I see him securing the #2 spot in the preseason and being the third-and-short guy we desperately need and I think Cann and Linder will make him look better than he actually is.
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about the interior line.
EDIT: But you're right, I'm exaggerating his role in the offense, especially for a guy who may not even be on the team. But I have a good feeling about him
I am also high on Grey. I think he could be a really nice 2nd or 3rd RB. I liked his intensity in that last game when he was looking over to the sideline and signaling for the team to keep feeding him.
Quote:Yeah... Jonas Gray must be the key to a scary offense.....
T.J. Yeldon will remain the starter, but Jonas Gray played better against the Saints and Texans than Denard Robinson did against the Colts and Falcons. Gray could be an upgrade over Robinson next time Yeldon gets hurt.
Quote:Call me crazy, but I don't think the defense is that far away. A couple DLmen and a DB and this D could turnaround quick.
We have pieces. Just need to fill in a few holes.
I also don't think our defense has to be lights out for us to be successful. If our defense was solid this year, I think we are in the playoffs.
I feel like if our defense can simply find ways to disrupt offenses -- not necessarily sacks or turnovers -- we could be much improved next year. Little things like forcing a QB out of his rhythm can have a huge impact.
Quote:I feel like if our defense can simply find ways to disrupt offenses -- not necessarily sacks or turnovers -- we could be much improved next year. Little things like forcing a QB out of his rhythm can have a huge impact.
Anyone who watches as much football as I do knows more often than not, the team that wins the turnover margin wins the game.
Every time we get close another team seems to play a little better.
Regards................the Chiefjag
Quote:Every time we get close another team seems to play a little better.
That happens to every team except the Browns, who never get close.
Quote:That happens to every team except the Browns, who never get close.
And yet, at the end of the day, we only had 2 more wins than they did.
This is a wins league. It doesn't matter how you won or how close your loss was.... A W is a W and a L is a L.
Quote:And yet, at the end of the day, we only had 2 more wins than they did.
This is a wins league. It doesn't matter how you won or how close your loss was.... A W is a W and a L is a L.
It certainly does matter how you win and lose. So does the point margin - were the games blowouts or close either way?