Quote:I'm not suggesting that Bradley or Caldwell be fired after this season (it sets a bad precedent, and they were in fact given an absolutely horrible roster). However, the fact of the matter is that this is still a franchise in the biggest professional sports league in the country. They should at least look competitive. Improving on a 2 win season is a VERY low standard for a new regime. At the very least, the product should LOOK improved. Right now we are looking at a potential 0 and 16 season, and we have only been competitive in part of 1 game (Denver).

 

Last year the Jags only had 2 wins, but they were competitive against the Vikings, Colts once, Oakland, Green Bay, Houston once, Tennessee once, and New York. That's nearly half the schedule. What we have seen so far this year is an indication that the team has actually regressed instead of "getting better." Bradley and the coaching staff should be taking at least partial blame for this, it's irrational to say otherwise. Nobody is expecting wins, but they have to show some improvement these last 8 games.

 

One other point: I think it's certainly possible, if not probable, that Caldwell and the front office went into this season expecting to fail in a big way. Indicating a lack of confidence in the current personnel, he said initially that they'd add QB competition in the draft and FA, but he ended up doing neither of those things. In fact, he didn't spend in FA at all (after all, why spend and win a few more games and take yourself out of the race for Teddy). It makes more sense to get your QB first, then invest and try to win. 

 

But then why hire a new coach and set him up to fail? Why not just hang onto Mularkey for another year if you thought this might happen? While Gus and the coaches certainly deserve some blame, this also makes you feel somewhat sorry for them.

 

For me, it's not about if you can be competitive with a terrible team.    It's about can you get to the PLAYOFFS EVERY YEAR with a franchise quarterback?  Can you win a SUPERBOWL with a franchise quarterback?  Everything else is a bunch of noise.  

 

As for why they hired Gus and fired Mularkey.  They felt Gus could win them championships in the future and Mularkey, not so much.  The real test comes when Gus and Jed actually have a guy that THEY SHOULD BE WINNING WITH.  

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