(09-04-2017, 04:17 PM)SeldomRite Wrote:

(09-04-2017, 04:12 PM)Bullseye Wrote: The fact they've won the division the past couple of years speaks to how bad the division was, as much as its a testament to their defense. 

But...

I think if we have better coaching (we do), we'll have a better chance to win against them than we've had in the past.

I think if we have a better OL (we do with Cam), we'll have a better chance to win against them than we've had in the past.

I think if we have a better RB (we do), we'll have a better chance to win against them than we've had in the past.

I think if we have a better defense (we do), we'll have a better chance to win against them than we've had in the past.

I think if we have better special teams (we do with Joe DeCamillis), we'll have a better chance to win against them than we've had in the past.

Can we avoid and force the killer turnovers?  That's the question.

Which is why Fournette has to be "top 5 pick RB GOOD." If he can get 4+ YPC and not fumble against the texans on 20+ carries then the Jaguars probably win the game. If Fournette plays like Just Another Guy and turns out to be as bad of a pick as I thought it was when it was announced then the Jaguars have another losing season including dropping games against teams like the texans that don't have much of a functioning offense.

I agree with you that if Fournette can average more than 4 ypc and get over 20 carries then the Jaguars should win the game against the Texans.  I am not sure that happens against such a strong defense, especially with our OL.

That said, I wouldn't draw too many conclusions about Fournette's long term prospects if he does not have a good forst game.  There have been plenty of good to great backs who did not have a good first game but went on to have good to great careers.

I know Emmitt Smith had two yards rushing in his first game in his rookie year, eleven yards rushing his second game that same year and went 17-63 his 3rd game.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/t...l/1990.htm

Walter Payton was the NFL's all time leading rusher before Emmitt Smith broke his record.  But he had ZERO yards rushing on eight carries in his first game. 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/t...i/1975.htm

I know I am spitting into the wind here, but I urge people to not panic if Fournette does not have a big game against the Texans' formidable front seven.

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