When discussing the prospects of the 2015 Jaguars, most of the talk surrounds the development of Blake Bortles and the receivers, whether Luke Joeckel can develop into a good LT, the health of guys like SenDerrick Marks, and this year's rookie class.
All of the above and more are legitimate concerns for Jags fans, and the following is not intended to minimize the importance of all of the above.
Nevertheless, there is a concern I don't think has gotten enough attention-special teams.
As I look back on last year, I count at least three (3) winnable games off the top of my head that were lost in large part by special teams blunders:
The first Tennessee game was lost when Bortles moved the team into FG range in the last minute, only to have Scobee's FG attempt blocked. The Jaguars lost by two (2). Granted it was a 55 yarder-certainly not a gimme-but within Scobee's range.
Cincinnati was a winnable game, but a blocked punt for a safety, a 27 yard punt giving Cincinnati good field position (starting @ Cin 38), allowing a 31 yard punt return by Pacman Jones giving Cincinnati good field position (starting @ Jaguars 23 yard line) were key plays in the game. Those three plays directly led to a safety, and gave the Bengals a short field to add another FG and TD. The Jaguars lost that game by ten (10).
Finally, the first score of the Baltimore game was a blocked punt returned for a TD in a game the Jaguars lost by 8.
On top of that, the team ranked 22nd in punt returns with a long of only 23.
Not only did the Special teams hurt the team specifically in three games, but it failed to turn the momentum to the Jaguars in any game.
If the special teams did their part in those games, instead of a 3-13 record, we are talking about 5-11 or even 6-10 if things bounced right-just by eliminating the breakdowns in the Tennessee, Cincinnati and Baltimore games. Maybe the team ekes out another win with a positive play from special teams
Suddenly the Jaguars have an air of semi respectability going into this season.
This young team still has lots of growing to do. The good news is that it appears there is a nucleus of young talent here from the last two drafts that gives this fan base some legitimate hope for a brighter future. But in order for this team to take the step from picking at the top of the draft every year to respectability and some semblance of contention in November, special teams has to perform to at least an average level of competency.
Can any of you guys think of reasons why the team can or can't raise their level on special teams?
If the blocking on ST doesn't improve, we're skunked. I think the return of Pasztor, the addition of Cann and the relegation of Marcedes Lewis to second team will help (assuming Lewis wasn't blocking on FG teams anyway). If Corey Grant makes the team, it will be because he looks like the real deal as a return man. I could also see Neal Sterling being a factor on special teams if he makes the roster.
As to returning guys who could step up their game on special teams, Josh Evans is near the top of the list. It'll be interesting to see how Jeremiah George does on special teams. He's got the motor for it, but is he fast enough?
I think a small part of the emphasis on the lineman gaining size absolutely has to do with our special teams blocking last year. That left side caved in repeatedly during FG attempts all season.
I will also say this: if there are any major gaffes on STs early in this season, it's not going to look good on Bradley for keeping the same coach, whether it was actually the correct choice or not.
special teams have been bad for a LONG time. Most people don't notice this fact because the entire team as been bad for a long time. How many kicks did we have blocked last season?
Quote:special teams have been bad for a LONG time. Most people don't notice this fact because the entire team as been bad for a long time. How many kicks did we have blocked last season?
At least three, though I seem to recall Anger had a second punt "deflected," which technically doesn't count as a block.
Quote:I think a small part of the emphasis on the lineman gaining size absolutely has to do with our special teams blocking last year. That left side caved in repeatedly during FG attempts all season.
I will also say this: if there are any major gaffes on STs early in this season, it's not going to look good on Bradley for keeping the same coach, whether it was actually the correct choice or not.
So you think it was size that created the breakdowns last year? I agree the left side seemed to be a problem on FG attempts, but I don't recall ever linking that with size. Could you elaborate?
No it won't look good retaining our special teams coach at all.
Special teams were embarrassingly bad last year.
I honestly don't know how the ST coach kept his job.
Quote:Special teams were embarrassingly bad last year.
I honestly don't know how the ST coach kept his job.
All I can figure would be an admission from the GM and HC that the talent they had on ST last year was so bad that no one could have done much better with it.
Quote:So you think it was size that created the breakdowns last year? I agree the left side seemed to be a problem on FG attempts, but I don't recall ever linking that with size. Could you elaborate?
No it won't look good retaining our special teams coach at all.
I definitely think their was a size/strength issue along the left side of the line with Bowanko, Beadles, Joeckel on offense. I'm probably just guessing that they were some of the culprits on STs as well.
I thought I remembered them switching a few people in on the left side of the FG line and it being a little less leaky after that.
Quote:So you think it was size that created the breakdowns last year? I agree the left side seemed to be a problem on FG attempts, but I don't recall ever linking that with size. Could you elaborate?
No it won't look good retaining our special teams coach at all.
I seem to remember Gus mentioning smaller size lead to major blocking issues on STs in one of his OTA pressers.
Quote:All I can figure would be an admission from the GM and HC that the talent they had on ST last year was so bad that no one could have done much better with it.
Now the question is whether we improved the talent on special teams. You figure some of the breakdowns happened due to inexperience. I think that excuse is gone now. But inexperience aside do we at least have a special teams that is not a liability?
Quote:I definitely think their was a size/strength issue along the left side of the line with Bowanko, Beadles, Joeckel on offense. I'm probably just guessing that they were some of the culprits on STs as well.
I thought I remembered them switching a few people in on the left side of the FG line and it being a little less leaky after that.
Quote:I seem to remember Gus mentioning smaller size lead to major blocking issues on STs in one of his OTA pressers.
I hope you guys are right, the team identified the problem and fixed it. We can't have special teams cost us three games like that again.
Quote:Now the question is whether we improved the talent on special teams. You figure some of the breakdowns happened due to inexperience. I think that excuse is gone now. But inexperience aside do we at least have a special teams that is not a liability?
We should know by mid October.
Teams trying to find and develop young players are often at a disadvantage when it comes to special teams. You can't really target players for special teams because you have to save the roster spots for young players you hope can develop into starters.
It becomes a double whammy. You end up relying on young mistake prone players to fill your needs on special teams and you can't afford to bring in veteran aces to give you that edge because you need the roster spots for development.
As with the other units, special teams will get better as the young players learn the game and discover their roles. This will begin to open up roster spots for guys dedicated to special teams.
Quote:special teams have been bad for a LONG time. Most people don't notice this fact because the entire team as been bad for a long time. How many kicks did we have blocked last season?
I disagree our Punter, Anger is young and improving to the point of above average (a lot of hate because of how high he was drafted) & our FG kicker while he is starting to age is still above average, Scobee.
Our returner was Toddman whom is now in Carolina but he was below average along with the return team but not so bad as to be the worst in the league.
I dont think the team has the best or even top 10 STs but I dont feel that they are in the bottom 5, maybe I am wrong?
I checked Football Outsiders have the Jaguars ranked #26 last season in ST
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamst
but the year before that the Jaguars were ranked #9th overall in STs.
the year before that (2012) they were 25th, and 26th in 2011, & 7th in 2010 (which is going 5 years back) two times out of five the team was in the top 10 in STs according to them just saying
Quote:Teams trying to find and develop young players are often at a disadvantage when it comes to special teams. You can't really target players for special teams because you have to save the roster spots for young players you hope can develop into starters.
The great thing about those young guys who don't develop into starters: they're probably ok on special teams.
Quote:The great thing about those young guys who don't develop into starters: they're probably ok on special teams.
Not always. Some guys never develop the knack for special teams and end up with short NFL careers.
The problem we have now is that we have a lot of players who are too young to be able to differentiate the starter from the special teams ace from the guy out of the league in two years.
Quote:I disagree our Punter, Anger is young and improving to the point of above average (a lot of hate because of how high he was drafted) & our FG kicker while he is starting to age is still above average, Scobee.
Our returner was Toddman whom is now in Carolina but he was below average along with the return team but not so bad as to be the worst in the league.
I dont think the team has the best or even top 10 STs but I dont feel that they are in the bottom 5, maybe I am wrong?
I checked Football Outsiders have the Jaguars ranked #26 last season in ST
<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamst'>http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamst</a>
but the year before that the Jaguars were ranked #9th overall in STs.
the year before that (2012) they were 25th, and 26th in 2011, & 7th in 2010 (which is going 5 years back) two times out of five the team was in the top 10 in STs according to them just saying
Not sure where you got that info about Todman from he ranked joint 6th with a return avg of 25.6 on kick off returns last year
Quote:Teams trying to find and develop young players are often at a disadvantage when it comes to special teams. You can't really target players for special teams because you have to save the roster spots for young players you hope can develop into starters.
It becomes a double whammy. You end up relying on young mistake prone players to fill your needs on special teams and you can't afford to bring in veteran aces to give you that edge because you need the roster spots for development.
As with the other units, special teams will get better as the young players learn the game and discover their roles. This will begin to open up roster spots for guys dedicated to special teams.
I'm unsure if I buy this.
At face value it seems like a viable argument as teams prioritize the other two phases of the game when building. That makes sense.
On the other hand, it is cliche' that late drafted players/UDFAs have to earn their roster spots, in most cases, on special teams. Even Terrell Davis got his start on special teams. I'm not sure rebuilding teams are exempt from that dynamic. Part of the rationale behind drafting Ace Sanders is that he might offer something in the return game. He has been a disappointment in that area, notwithstanding the punt return for a TD he got wrongly called back due to a bogus penalty.
I hope that part of the problem with the special teams last year was inexperience, because seeing another ST year like last year would be intolerable.
Quote:I disagree our Punter, Anger is young and improving to the point of above average (a lot of hate because of how high he was drafted) & our FG kicker while he is starting to age is still above average, Scobee.
Our returner was Toddman whom is now in Carolina but he was below average along with the return team but not so bad as to be the worst in the league.
You realize Todman was 3rd in total yards and 8th in average on kickoff returns? That's way better than 'below average'.