Even though it's live action football and ny football withdrawal has been sated, the abiding sense I have is mercifully, the preseason is over. I was especially eager to see it end because of the Etienne injury, and the desire to get out of the preseason without anyone else suffering any injury. Nevertheless, my beloved Jaguars played footall in the last tuneup before the season. My thoughts:
1. Even though many pooh pooh the preseason, it represents something very important for a lot of players-the chance to either continue their dreams or to move on to another phase of their careers. To those players who have toiled over many years to get to this point, to wear the teal and to provide Jaguars fans with entertainment, whether you make the team or not, I salute you. If you do not make the team and it represents the end of your NFL career, I wish you luck in your future endeavors. If you do not make the team and hope to continue your NFL careers elsewhere, I wish you luck in all your future endeavors except against the Jaguars. If you make the team, I congratulate you and hope you make us, the loyal Jaguars fans proud on and off the field.
2. Traditionally, you have to take preseason performances with a grain of salt because teams do not game plan for them under most circumstances, and in many times the starters do not play because teams want to protect their best players from possible injury. But there was always a sort of rhythm to the preseason in the past. The 3rd preseason game was the most important and instructve for most fans, because the starters usually played at least a half, and maybe up to 3 quarters, and you got a more accurate barometer as to how your team would fare against other teams starters. The 4th and final preseason game evolved into keeping starters out and letting the bubble guys play the most to give them a chance to either make the roster or put more stuff on tape for other teams to see. But with the reduction of the preseason to three games, and with two weeks between the last preseason game and the start of the regular season, it's a little tougher to get a feel for things. Some teams played their starters this week (e.g. Buffalo), while others like Dallas sat their starters. That said, even though it was just preseason, it was good to see what the offense might look like when Trevor Lawrence gets protection. For now, there is a little more hope.
3. CJ Henderson has been the subject of a lot of negative speculation this offseason and preseason, but his pursuit and run support hit of that receiver on the reverse seems like good indicia to me his head is in it. Cover corners often are not keen on run support or tackling. For him to willingly do so in the last preseason game against a guy who may not be in the league by Tuesday speaks well for him. I hope I am right about that, because this team needs him at his best. I think on the whole, the CBs were good in run support, as Sidney Jones and Chris Claybrooks both had good run support plays.
4. Given he was acquired during the summer and hasn't been the subject of much discussion, people tend to forget he was an All Pro and Pro bowl player for the Rams not too long ago. I thought Pharoah Cooper had a really good game. He had three nice punt returns and a TD catch. I don't know if that will be enough to secure him a spot on the final roster, but I'd certainly rate him above Phillip Dorsett and a few others.
5. Under the category of mixed feelings, I felt bad for Taven Bryan when he jumped offsides. You could tell from his reaction that he hated making that mistake and he wanted to make a big play. Fortunately for him, that penalty did not extend the drive even though his blunder made the 3rd down easier to convert. However, I am among many who have been disappointed with his tenure here, and thinks the team should and will move on from him.
6. I thought the special teams was good today. Aside from the nice punt returns, Cook had a good punt that pinned Dallas inside their 5, and Lambo made his FGs. Kick coverage was good, and there were no penalties for illegal blocks on returns.
7. Rookie Watch:
A. Trevor Lawrence-Imagine being a kid anticipating getting the toy you desperately want for Christmas. Christmas day finally arrives only for you to discover, to your horror, that your toy was missing essentially pieces, without which made it impossible for it to work properly, and you had to return it. After a few days, you finally manage to get a replacement with all of the parts, and it works beautifully. That was the analogy I drew watching Trevor Lawrence function with adequate protection. Given protection, he showed everything the scouts said he had...everything we'd seen of him at Clemson...everything reflected in the camp reports. He stood tall in the pocket, showed excellent accuracy on short, intermediate and deep passes, good arm strength and touch. He was also good on the run, showing good mobility on bootlegs. He even functioned well with decision making and accuracy in the red zone. Let this be a lesson to Baalke and Meyer. Make it a priority to get this man protection, and everyone but our opponents will be happy.
B. Travis Etienne-DNP-is on IR
C. Tyson Campbell-Did not notice him at all.
D. Walker Little-played extensively out of necessity due to Cam Robinson being out. Thought he played pretty well, allowing far fewer pressures this week than he did against the Saints. In run blocking, displayed the ability to reach the second level. Under normal circumstances, I would not want him in the game as late as he played, but he needs the reps.
E. Anthony Cisco-Had a good pass breakup right before the two minute warning. Otherwise did not notice him. Surprised he was playing this late in the game, because I have to think his spot is secure because he has impressed most of the preseason.
F. Jay Tufele-showed nice penetration on a play earl in the second half. He has shown flashes of ability in each of the three games. Typically, the bubble tends to form around guys taken in the 4th round where he was taken. I think he makes the team.
G. Jordan Smith-I saw him in on a tackle early in the game, and he also had a decent pressure. Late in the game he had an offsides penalty that negated a strip sack. At minimum he makes the practice squad.
H. Luke farrell-I saw him go in motion on a play, but I did not see him make any catches nor did I watch him closely in the running game.
I. Jalen Camp-Did not see him.
8. While these guys are not rookies, I think Laquon Treadwell, Jeff Cotton, Pharoah Cooper, and Cottrell (less so because of the fumble and the presence of Carlos Hyde) and Ozigbo have all made good impressions and are viable candidates for the final roster. Conversely, I'm not sure Collin Johnson fares well when the bubble bursts. I don't see Phillip Dorsett making it. Just as I was concluding Wallace Simms was having a decent game, he gave up a pressure and had a holding penalty on back to back plays. But I'm thinking a lack of quality OL depth keeps him around, unless someone unexpectedly gets cut from another roster.
9. Nice to see something out of Shaughnessy and Manhertz, but I'm still hoping a good pass catching TE is cut and we pick him up.
10. Gardner Minshew did not have as good of a year last year as he did his rookie year, but I think he has plenty to offer an NFL team as a backup. That said, I am okay with beathard as a backup QB, even though he threw the INT. Luton is a decent 3rd QB option, whether he is on the practice squad or, more likely, the practice squad.
11. It'll be interesting to see how the national media reacts to Trevor Lawrence's game today. My guess? They minimize his performance.
12. Bottom line: We'll feel better after today than we did either of the final two games. After all, it IS our first win of any kind since we beat the Colts opening day last year. But there are some issues with this team...which is to be expected one year removed from a 1-15 season. I do not want to jinx us, but it appears we managed to avoid any major injuries in this game. Assuming this to be true, despite our problems, I think we have a chance to beat Houston if we play well. But we gotta get our O line healthy.
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
