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SpeedyG · 03-06-2017, 01:21 PM

This discussion gets a lot of traction, and Gus/Wash has been the perennial whipping boy(s) for not supposedly doing this with the defense. In comes TC, and now our buzzword is "toughness", and everyone's eating it up. Here's one problem with this...

The Jaguars running game stinks.

Our running backs were both hurt, fumbled the ball, or ineffective last season. The OL got little push in the run game.

And while last season was a down year, I think you still like what you saw from A-Rob and Hurns two years ago, and the finally healthy Lee lived up to his 2nd round draft status. There is such a focus on toughness and in the running game, but it seems people are missing on the point that if we looked at our offense as a whole (QB, OL, RB, WRs, TEs)...

Our best assets and players are at the WR position...which, going 3 WR doesn't always equate to the perception of "toughness".

So in our effort to establish toughness and the run game (as well as "protect" our quarterback), are we actually going away from what our best playmakers on offense does? Is this not the same problem that we had with the defense?

We can argue that QB is the most important position and that's why "protecting" Blake is more important than getting our 3 WRs out there. But I argue that if your QB needs "protecting" anyway, then he's not the answer and you need to look for a different one.

ThunderCat · 03-06-2017, 01:41 PM

imho its pretty simple offensively speaking. Get road grade run blockers, Draft Fournette or Cook and become a run heavy offense. Limit Bortles throws and use Lee's speed and Hurns route running ala Thunder and lightning. Draft a pass catching TE. Rush the passer, stuff the run.

GlockBortles · 03-06-2017, 01:45 PM

imho its pretty simple just do things well and score more points than the other team and youll win. All of these things are as easy to type as they are to do so no problems will possibly arise.

**NYC4jags** · 03-06-2017, 01:59 PM

The more I read about Marrone and Hackett, the more I don't worry about scheme issues so much.

These guys seem pretty focused on creating a more efficient run game that will set-up the intermediate and deep shots in play action - and that can suit this receiving corps even if one of those WRs isn't getting a high number of snaps in every game. I'm fine with that if the line is blocking better and we are averaging 6+ yards per carry on first down.

The defensive scheme is more of a concern to me as we have the LB shuffle to contend with and the prior tendency to call zone coverages that back up the DBs too often. I'd really like to know that Wash is going to call more aggressive coverages moving forward. I think he will, but I'll feel better when I hear him say it.

VisitingCobra · 03-06-2017, 02:57 PM

Tom Coughlin's track record pretty much prevents me from "worrying" about WRs not being used.

The only thing I don't want is to conservative yourself out of contention, which has never been Coughlin's thing.

**Jags02** · 03-06-2017, 03:06 PM

Quote:...I argue that if your QB needs "protecting" anyway, then he's not the answer and you need to look for a different one.

It's not about having to protect Blake. He can sense pressure just fine and routinely evades tackles, plus he his overall stats while being contacted are rather impressive. The getting tougher up front is more about establishing the run, and that's not because Blake can't pass... it's just Blake shouldn't be leading the entire league in attempts. Coughlin's biggest gripe about last year's offense was our lack of balance.

'02

SpeedyG · 03-06-2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:It's not about having to protect Blake. He can sense pressure just fine and routinely evades tackles, plus he his overall stats while being contacted are rather impressive. The getting tougher up front is more about establishing the run, and that's not because Blake can't pass... it's just Blake shouldn't be leading the entire league in attempts. Coughlin's biggest gripe about last year's offense was our lack of balance.

Watching last season makes me want to debate your statement of "that's not because Blake can't pass..."

**NYC4jags** · 03-06-2017, 03:46 PM

Quote: The getting tougher up front is more about establishing the run, and that's not because Blake can't pass... it's just Blake shouldn't be leading the entire league in attempts.

I think a LOT of people would disagree with you here. It's not that he can't pass necessarily, it's that he has displayed woeful accuracy issues and zero consistency in his footwork and throwing motion.

They want to build the line and run game to mitigate his mistakes and buy time to (hopefully) get his technique solidified. While he certainly shouldn't be leading the league in attempts - he wouldn't have any of these "tired arm" issues you sometimes fixate on if he threw the ball correctly.

(he was 5th in attempts per game in 2016 BTW)

ThunderCat · 03-06-2017, 05:33 PM

Quote:It's not about having to protect Blake. He can sense pressure just fine and routinely evades tackles, plus he his overall stats while being contacted are rather impressive. The getting tougher up front is more about establishing the run, and that's not because Blake can't pass... it's just Blake shouldn't be leading the entire league in attempts. Coughlin's biggest gripe about last year's offense was our lack of balance.

I actually completely agree with you on the underlined. TC will make sure this team can run and control the LOS. Once that happens you can limit BB's attempts and the stress on his arm and decision making will naturally improve. Blake could actually be a monster just like Steve Mcnair was used when the titians would kill with Eddie George and then Mcnair would just move the chains with a back breaking 5-8 yard run here and there. Its not to say that the Jags cant be vertical every once in while but you have pick the right spots.