(01-08-2024, 02:35 PM)JagsFanSince95 Wrote:

(01-07-2024, 06:00 PM)JagFan81 Wrote: If you want to complain and say how everyone should be fired, kindly pop onto one of the other 20 threads doing that. I'd like this to be a thread where we can have a sensible debate about the good and bad of this season and the progress this team has made in the 2 years under Doug and what this team looks like going forward next season and after.

Now cast your mind back to the Urban year. Yeah sorry but remember the dysfunction, the games being over after 5 minutes, Zach Wilson breaking tackles on TD runs, Mac Jones putting 50 up on us and 2 years of back to back #1 picks. As rough as being a Jags fan has been, that was the lowest low. I remember people saying they had grown to hate football because of the Jags. 

Doug came in with a huge task to turn this team around and we saw the same mistakes and game losing plays in the first half of last season but then something clicked and we went on a magical run that ended in the Division round. A roster so bad they had 2 years of #1 picks, plus a group of 'overpaid' FA additions massively overachieved and restored some pride in the Jags name.

The offseason was a case of trying to retain the talent we had. We had to let players walk to get under the cap (Jawaan, Key), managed to resign Engram and added Ridley. It didn't look a bad job considering where we started the offseason but Ridley was up and down and the rookies drafted failed to be valuable contributors.

We had the 3rd toughest schedule this year and got to 8-3, even with the Oline problems and injuries and mistakes ruining the season. Its disappointing to miss the playoffs after such a strong start but this team has definitely showed progress in these 2 years. 

This offseason is a huge challenge for Baalke or a new GM (personally I don't see Khan making a change yet) and we need talent at Oline and Dline and better depth all over the roster. There are some big decisions with contracts and cap maneuvering that will effect the draft. I fully expect us to bounce back next year with a better roster but still not a true SB contender and ready to fight for the South and playoffs again.

I know asking after a painful loss and end to the season isn't the best time but do you feel we are a franchise moving in the right direction and think we can continue to do so?

DTWD.

First and foremost. Yes. This. BOLD CITY. 

I agree with most of this. 8-3 was impressive and I feel like if we had literally anyone other than a turnstile at C+LT injuries many of our games were much more manageable. 

The elephant in the room now is the GM/HC/QB. I love Doug, but he has really worn me out with some of the pressers we've been seeing. Hearing the same BS, throwing shade at the players, I wish he would just own the decision with Press and fire him, or at least demote/laterally move him to passing coordinator and take back playcalling, something... Something has to be done after starting 8-3 and going 9-8. You don't do that and just go hurr durr players need to execute... When that last 3rd and goal call was such a head scratcher, straight up disaster play.. Not taking the points, head scratcher. You may even play that final drive a bit differently knowing its 26-28 and all you need is 3. 

I think ETN ran out of gas this year, you can tell the pop/burst faded late in the year, we need someone who can actually spell him that isn't an incompetent turnover machine aka Tank. 

In conclusion, Baalke needs to fix this interior OL, find out what he's doing with Ridley, and keep Trevor upright for a season so we can see if our QB is any good. PLEASE! 

As upset as I was yesterday, today is for moving on, find the silver lining and hope the team can identify root cause for the collapse and act accordingly to fix it.

Good post. Press has been debated a lot on here and we all have our on idea on where his influence starts and stops on the problems the O have had. One person who definitely knows is Doug. HC's have guys they like and work with what they are trying to do but if Press is hurting more than he's helping then Doug needs to be honest. It's a cut throat league and he's already lost one job for Press, I'd hate to see it bring him down here.

I love Dougs aggressiveness but there have been times where its hurt us. It's tough as you go for it on 4th and you get it then it's a great call, don't and you shouldn't but some of the playcalls for those situations have been what hurt us (which goes back to Press helping or hurting).

I definitely think they thought Bigsby would be able to contribute down the stretch but those mistakes week 1 seemed to knock his confidence and the coaches confidence in him. D'Earnest did some nice things but never seemed to get the carries.

Oline and Dline are the big issues for me. We need reinforcements and we need depth. Josh covered a lot of the pass rush deficiencies with an incredible year but he needs help and hopefully that helps the secondary. Oline has to be top priority and I hope we make some moves in FA. 

I've said for weeks that the thing that gives me hope is most of our problems are things we can fix. It's easy to say that but now the FO needs to go out and do it.

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(01-08-2024, 11:19 AM)Jaguarmeister Wrote: 7 of Lawrence's 14 interceptions this year came in his final 4 games (after the high ankle sprain).  Sure, 1 of those was Engram's fault yesterday and there were several others through out the year that I didn't think were necessarily Lawrence's fault, but there was still a marked uptick in picks since that specific game/injury.  That said, I don't think Lawrence's play was egregious enough in his final 4 games that he is the sole reason we lost each, but the down turn in his play (due to injury or for whatever reason you want to assign) certainly contributed.  I think he was probably playing through significant enough pain to take a little zip off his ball or reduce his accuracy or a combination of things.  Couple the downturn there with the defense's ability to defend the run falling off a cliff in the 2nd half of the year and several other factors including the lack of a short yardage, power running game and other roster deficiencies caught up.  He'll be healthy to start next season and we'll very likely provide much better protection for him next year.  He'll be fine and we'll be fine.

I think you explained it perfectly. Great post.

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