(08-10-2017, 11:06 PM)Bullseye Wrote: At last, football is here.  No longer do we have to imagine what if.  No longer do we have to speculate only.  Now, we can actually discuss what happened on the field.  Here are my thoughts...

1.  Everyone was going to talk about Bortles.  People will look at his stats (3-5 16 yds, no TDs and no INTs) and say it wasn't impressive.  However, he had one drop of an accurate pass that would have been a first down.  Given the way the game was going, I think his underneath throws were appropriate.  Now the reactionaries among us will see Chad Henne's performance and insist he get consideration at starter.  I think the difference between the two, aside from the first team vs second team distinction, is one under pressure to eliminate turnovers to one allowed to play.  Henne played well and attacked downfield.

2.  One of the main things I was looking for is signs of life from the running game.  By the end of the game, I could not be happier.  Over 200 yards rushing!  Fantastic!  The very first play was a 16 yard run by Ivory.  Fournette ran tough inside and scored a TD.  Grant ran wild, and cook got good yardage inside.  The only runs that didn't work were wide runs.  Ran for good YPC?  Check.  Sustained drives?  Check.  Convert short yardage?  Check.  Run the clock down?  Check.  Breakaway runs?  Check.  I actually saw something I hadn't seen in a long time from this team:  push in the running game from the O-Line.  I am very pleased.

3.  Another thing I was looking for was pass rush from the D-Line, with a focus on the DEs Ngakoue and Fowler.  Ngakoue has the look of a very good pass rusher.  He got a sack and several pressures.  On his sack, the T tried to cut him.  Ngakoue kept his balance and footing and closed quickly to get the sack.  The only thing he could have done better on the play is protect his knees.  I did not see Fowler do too much in terms of harassing the QB, but I think he was held on Garoppolo's 1st TD pass.  He also hustled in chasing plays outside.  However, if I had to name an unofficial star of the D-Line it was Sheldon Day.  He didn't have any TFL, but man was he disruptive.  If the G gave him any space at all, he was in the backfield.  He may not ever be a starter for us, but he will be a heckuva role player if he keeps that up.

4.  The third of the main things I was watching was for competent special teams play.  I give them a solid B.  Generally, the special teams was good.  They had good blocking on Greene's 41 yard punt return early in the game.  They covered punts and kicks well and did not allow any excessively long returns.  They did not have any botched blocking assignments that led to any blocked punts.  The only problems were the bobble of the opening kick return, and Jason Meyers missing two FGs.  I know it's early, but I feel much more comfortable about this unit than I have felt in a while.

5.  Rookie Watch:

     A.  Leonard Fournette-as I indicated above, he had a good night with 9 carries and a TD.  He got tough yards inside and should be much better on short yardage than the other backs we had last year.  However, we didn't get to see his receiving ability tonight.  But I'm fine with that, and happy with what I saw from him.

     B.  Cam Robinson-Did not stand out for anything negative.  I did not see any noticeably missed blocks from him.  I didn't see him get beat in pass protection, and lots of the runs were to his side.  I feel more comfortable with him at LT now than I did after the first padded practice.

     C.  Dawaune Smoot-Did not stand out with loads of pressure on the QB, but had a couple of hustle tackles where he chased down runners downfield.  That hustle impressed me.

     D.  DeDe Westbrook-Showed explosiveness in torching Cyrus Jones for a TD.  Also had a nice punt return. 

     E.  Blair Brown-My first real look at him.  Had the personal foul early, but was active overall.

     F.  Marquez Williams-Did not play much and did not seem to stand out.

     G.  Jalen Myrick-Saw him play but he did not stand out.

     H.  Keelan Cole-Went from minicamp/training camp star to legitimate chance to make the roster with a huge game.  Showed explosive speed on both of his receptions, one of which was a 97 yard TD pass. 

      I.  Tim Cook-a big power back who may not make it due to numbers, but showed nice power and ability to move the pile in the 4th quarter, where he got a couple of first downs and helped milk the clock.

6.  Myles Jack was another player I was anxious to see.  While he was active and in on many tackles, there were times he showed weaknesses in his game.  He missed some tackles took at least one bad angle, and appeared to take a false step into a blocker , allowing a cutback into gaps for which he may have been responsible.  Has room for improvement.

7.  One thing that dismayed me about this performance is the persistent inability to cover a TE.

8.  However, the emphasis on discipline seems to be working thus far.  There were very few penalties, especially for the first preseason game.

9.  Bottom line:  There are lots of caveats involved with this game.  First preseason game, starters did not play much, etc.  However, if you are a Jaguars fan, there is lots to be happy about.  There were no offensive turnovers and very few penalties.  The team was able to run the ball effectively in many situations.  There were big plays in the passing game by many players.  The defensive line showed signs of being disruptive.  While far from conclusive, this provides a small glimmer of hope that perhaps things might be a little different.