Quote:Aside from the Redskins game, we've faced some pretty stiff competition.  And in the Redskins game we were still being hampered by Chad Henne.  And we were also being hampered by having a very young team.  


 

TMD:

 

Yes, the competition was tough, and yes Chad was QB the first 3 games...

 

32nd overall and 31st overall for the rankings of Offense/ defense, respectively is inexcusable at this point, however. Were now 21 games in. We've been at/ around those rankings Bradley's whole tenure. 


I agree that Fisch and Babich could both be parts of the problem.  I think that Gus Bradley is a guy who is willing to give too many opportunities at times.  I think we should have made some moves at the end of last season.  His lack of experience (and the Jags not being an attractive spot to land for coaches) can't be held against him too much.  I don't think there's many coaches who would want to come here pre-Bortles.  Availability matters, and so does the amount of talent on the team.


 

TMD response:

 

Theres little doubt at this point that those 2 are very big parts of the problem. The "only" problem though? Nah, I think theres others on this coaching staff who are equally as bad. The rookie head coach hired an overall piss poor collective staff minus a few good ones like the WR coach and DL coach. 

 

I agree that not having the QB hurts potential coaching suitors....So we can't afford to ruin Bortles to the point that the next coach also won't come here. 

 

 


Jimmy Johnson didn't take over what was essentially an expansion team.  If you look at the lack of talent on the team, it explains the lack of wins very well.  The team should be showing improvement, but I don't think we can say if any improvement is being made at this point.  It's a very young team, with few draft picks on the Defensive side of the ball.

 

 

TMD response: 

 

Dude, that 1989 Cowboys team that Johnson took over was pretty much expansion level. He had Irvin (who had yet to develop by then, and Herschel)

 

The 1995 Jags roster was more talented.  

 

Bortles isn't regressing.  His stats don't look quite as good, but that's in part due to facing tougher defenses, not having a running game (which keeps the Defense honest), and playcalling, as well as the players we have.  


 

TMD response: 

 

 

When I say regressing I mean in his play style. He seems to be going from a QB who would attack all parts of the field at any time, to a QB whose either becoming too conservative to try those deeper throws or is being given shorter routes too much by the play calls coming in from Fisch. I'm guessing the coaching staff is overreacting to the INT's Bortles threw in the first 2 games (and the lone deep pass in the Steelers game). Guess what? Peyton threw a ton of INT's his first year. They didn't neuter him over them. Let Bortles throw them, and let Bortles continue to attack ALL parts of the field. Doing so only helps force the defense to play honest and not bunch up into the 10-15 yard area since they know thats where the ball is going.  

Why would a proven winner come here, when we don't give coaches time to bring the talent in, and blame them for the problems?  We don't want to become the Oakland Raiders.  I think Bradley goes on the hot seat at the start of next season.  


 

 

TMD response: 

 

The Bortles of his first 5 appearances would be enough for a coach worth his salt to come here. 

 

A good coach knows that Bortles utilized the right way will be a stud QB in this league. 

 

 

9.4 YPA his first 5 NFL games/ appearances. 

 

9.3 YPA his final year in college. 

 

 

Bortles talent is there. 

 

 

But if they neuter him like in the last 6 Quarters of play calling, they could ruin it. 

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