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Bullseye · 11-02-2014, 05:22 PM

Ordinarily, I avoid criticism of coaches, but today I have to vent.

1. I know Bortles' struggles with turnovers is forcing the team to adjust to minimize the risks. But Fisch overcompensated and handcuffed Bortles unnecessarily in the first half. The over reliance on screens and other short dumpoffs in the first half became a caricature of offense. Fortunately, he let him play in the second half. I don't think Bortles or the team benefits short or long term by restricting the offense so dramatically.

2. I'm beginning to think the special teams coach needs to be replaced. Three blocked FGs in the same half season. Back to back punts blocked in the same game is unacceptable on any level of football at high school or higher. Also allowed a 31 yard punt return. Scobee's out of bounds kick was a disaster. It's hard enough for this team to win without special teams breakdowns like this.

3. I found it quite interesting to learn Bradley took over the defense from Babich. It appears the concerns of those over the Babich hiring (TMD and MalabarJag, IIRC, among others) were valid. If Bradley replaces Babich at the end of the season, my hope is for Dave Wannstedt.

4. Nice to see Toby Gerhart finally making plays. His runs and catch on that scoring drive in the first half were huge. Also had a nice screen catch and run and a first down conversion in the 4th quarter. However, Denard Robinson gives this team another dimension. His 38 yard run was a thing of beauty. How in the world did he trip on that run in the 3rd quarter?!? But for that trip, the Jaguars likely score and he has a monster game. Had a nice TD after the Thomas INT. But overall, it is good to see the Jaguars running game finally show signs of life, effectiveness, and consistency.

5. While the defense is playing well, it continues to not make the drive stopping/game turning play that can make the difference between wins and losses. It sure would have been nice if we'd stop that RB and that 3rd down catch on the left flat to continue the drive, and I know fumbles are tricky, but Abry Jones HAS to hold onto that AJ Green fumble. That was at least a 3 point play. After the TD, they had a run right defensed well when the Bengals were backed up, but allowed the RB to reverse field to get a first down to the 20. J.T. Thomas did make a momentum changing INT that gave the Jaguars the ball in point blank scoring range, but Cyprien appeared not to fill the gap on that 60 yard TD run that gave the momentum right back to Cincy.

6. Nice to see Shorts is okay after that hit. People get on him for being fragile, but he showed toughness on that play holding onto that pass and then coming back into the game.

7. Rookie Watch

    A. Blake Bortles-as I mentioned earlier, Bortles was handcuffed for much of the game by Fisch. It seemed as though Bortles was not allowed to throw anything beyond 10 yards in the first half Many were screens to Shorts, Gerhart and D. Robinson. Looked much better in the second half when Fisch opened things up with the pass to Shorts and the first TD to Hurns.   His second TD was dangerous, as he threw into double coverage. His late INT was him trying to do too much. He should have thrown it away.

     B. Marqise Lee-Did not see him in the game at all in the first half. Saw him after Shorts got hurt. Had no catches.

     C. Allen Robinson-had a few short catches in the second half, but not much impact overall.

     D. Brandon Linder-was having a good game and the Jaguars were moving the ball on the ground until he got injured. The running game bogged down fr a while after he left the game.

     E. Aaron Colvin-DNP.

    F. Telvin Smith- Smith missed a key tackle referenced above on a 3rd down that allowed the RB to get a first down. Also got a stupid end of half penalty that was assessed on the Jaguars to start the second half. He did have a good stop on a sweep in the first series of the second half.

     G. Chris Smith-Got his first sack early in the game. He was also instrumental on the INT by J.T. Thomas in the 4th quarter. He got into the LT's pads and drove him back into Dalton. Dalton's pass hit his LT in the back, creating the tip drill situation.

     H. Luke Bowanko-seemed to play well along with Linder.

     I. Storm Johnson-DNP

     J. Allen Hurns-Had a couple of short catches in the first half, and did a great job adjusting to the underthrown passes for the TDs. By reaching the ball out on that 3rd down, he got a first down, and then outmuscled Leon Hall on the 28 yard pass later that same drive.Those were clearly cases of receivers making the QB look better. Nice to see him after a disappearance.

8. Gratz played well, and held up respectably against A.J. Green. He showed good coverage on a deep pass down the sideline.

9. What in the world was Pasztor thinking on that clip?!? That was a dumb, dumb penalty that negated a 14 yard run and put us in far worse field position. Robinson was already past his guy. The guy had his back clearly to Pasztor. He will develop a rep for being a dirty player, if he doesn't already have one. If I am not mistaken, he had another similar penalty earlier.

10. I am not his biggest fan, but Todman had a good game on returns. He also had a great hit on the kickoff return after the TD.

11. Though he obviously did not make the tackle on the 60 yard TD run, Red Bryant showed tremendous hustle trying to chase the RB down some 40 yards downfield.

12. Bottom line: There was a lot to like in this game. For the most part, the defense payed respectably. In the second half, the offense showed a lot of life, and Bortles had the look of being able to rally the team. The offense ran the ball well, and this was the second game where the team scored more than 20 points. If the coaches do their jobs effectively, there will be a time in the future where the team will avoid mistakes and win games like this one. However, I am unconvinced coaching did not cause problems in this game. I think Fisch's playcalling was too conservative in the first half, and no I am not mistaking conservative football for ineffective football. The running game was working. Given the two blocked punts, the long punt return allowed and the kick out of bounds, special teams is clearly a problem, and some of this has to fall on the coaches. This has been Scobee's worst year by a wide margin, and maybe someone needs to be brought in to push him.

Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!