(05-24-2024, 02:51 PM)Caldrac Wrote:

(05-24-2024, 02:19 PM)The Real Marty Wrote: Even though the guys on that podcast were pretty kind when talking about Trevor, I think what a lot of people don't seem to understand, especially people like the ones in that podcast who are looking at things from the 30,000 foot view, is that when a team cannot run the ball effectively for short yardage, like on 3rd and 2, or when it's goal to go, which compresses the field, that is a tremendous handicap for an offense and a quarterback.  A team has to at least have the OPTION of pounding the ball into the end zone.  Without that, it's all on the QB to get a TD by throwing it.  And that makes it really hard.

Last year we had 120 plays where we ran the ball for zero or minus yardage.  I'm sure all of us can recollect many times when the ball was handed to Travis Etienne, and he was hit 2 yards in the backfield.  MANY times.  2nd and 12 or 3rd and 12 has a MAJOR impact on the effectiveness of your passing game.  Not to mention the lack of a running threat when it's 3rd and goal from the 2 yard line.  

Trevor is not the problem here.

It's been the bane of this team's existence since Lawrence set foot here. It's frustrating. Most of us have been fans since the beginning, or, were fortunate enough to witness the great running games we had here throughout the years between Fred Taylor, James Stewart, Stacy Mack, Maurice Jones-Drew, etc. 

Even the 2017 team had it's moments. There was a bit of a lull for awhile but between Fournette, Yeldon and Grant, there felt like there was always the ability to pick-up chump change on the ground when and if needed. To see it flatline the way it has? It's been a real culture shock for me. 

Even more frustrating when you consider that, Lawrence easily has the best overall arm talent and football IQ with mobility that have not seen in years here. At least since Brunell. Garrard had some good qualities to him. As did Leftwich. But, they all lacked something here and there that held the team back. Same for Bortles. 

It's just a shame we can't get it right and come together with everything in the right place at the right time anymore. I hope it's this year or next year. We'll see. Even today's best teams can still run it when they absolutely need to or have to. 49ers, Eagles, Chiefs, Ravens, etc. 

Just need to find that balance again to keep a defense honest and Lawrence will finally be able to unleash his full potential out there.

Brunell - not the most accurate, not the strongest arm, not a confident runner after his injury, good grit and good decisions usually. Good enough in every area but not great.

Leftwich - one of the strongest arms in the league, very inaccurate at times, no ability to escape pressure, very long and very easy to read throwing motion

Garrard - similar to Brunell, better runner than post-injury Brunell, but a poor, hanging deep ball.

Gabbert - Gabbert showed literally nothing while he was here.  The entire offense was a catastrophe.  Gabbert was a successful backup elsewhere so it was just a bad environment for him overall.

Bortles - the best runner and hardest to tackle of any Jags QB, better than average arm strength, able to be accurate, but no ability to time his throws or throw guys open.  If the receiver was going to change direction in between the decision to throw and the ball getting there, Bortles couldn't compute it.

Lawrence - has all the throws as well as some evasive ability and strength.  Has bad streaks of overthrows and staring down receivers.  But when he's on he's on.  Best QB in terms of talent the Jaguars have ever had. Is carrying the team and is often one of the only things the team has going for them. If Dave Widell was blocking for him, he would have played in at least one super bowl by now.

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