(06-10-2017, 02:55 PM)Jaguarmeister Wrote:

(06-10-2017, 07:05 AM)Bullseye Wrote: As to your question, I believe the defense showed improvement despite the coaching because there was a great infusion of talent.  Last offseason, the team added Malik Jackson, Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack (though inexplicably the team didn't play him much), Yannick Ngakoue, Abry Jones developed, Fowler returned, and we managed to get a decent year out of Cyprien.  Sometimes a team or part of a team can perform well despite not good coaching (see 90's Eagles under Kotite, 1994-95 Cowboys under Switzer).  Consider also the sentiments by Ramsey and others once Bradley was fired about the players not being utilized to their talents.    I think given that infusion of talent, improvement on that side of the ball was inevitable, much like there was improvement in the offense after the 2014 draft.

I agree with you that special teams cost us at least 3 games last year, and several games over the course of Bradley's unfortunate tenure.

Ultimately, the negative impact of bad coaching will be much lower than it has been in years past.  All three phases of the game should see improvement this year and in the years to come.

Fair enough.  The talent on defense was better. I feel like you're cherry picking a bit but I'll leave it alone.  We're all forming opinions here based on available info.  I happen to firmly believe that the available info clearly points to Blake as the biggest culprit last year, but arguing the point appears to be an exercise in futility.  There was a lot of room for improvement in several key areas last year.  It just feels like there is an effort by some to rewrite history and sweep as much of that blame away from Blake as possible for whatever reason.  Maybe they got a Bortles tattoo or something, who knows.

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(06-10-2017, 01:35 PM)NYC4jags Wrote: I don't want to continue to let this thread be a "blame game" narrative and lose the topic, but seriously gents:

The coaching cost the team wins last year. Blake cost the team wins last year. The coaching should have been more proactive in mitigating Blake's repeated errors and working to shore up his technique, but he made plenty of straight up boneheaded bad decisions couple with very poor accuracy. 

Bottom line:  Lots of blame to go 'round here and we don't really have to agree on exactly how it's divvied up. 

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Now - do you two believe the current roster  (assuming Marrone and company are at least a mid tier staff) has enough talent to win 8 games or more in 2017?

The OP started the thread by assigning blame.  I think the discussion was on topic though I would have preferred a more civil and rational response from SeldomRite.  It's the internet though so it comes with the territory.

I do think Bortles could win 8 or more games with this roster.  I also think he could be the reason we don't if he doesn't progress.