In another thread, I discussed the four reasons Jaguars fans have legitimate hope for improvement from 2014-2015.

 

This thread is about the opposite.  What are some of the things holding this team back in 2015?  What would limit this team's ascent from NFL dregs to average also rans to playoff contenders?

 

The way I see it, the key lies in the marquee positions.

 

There are four (4):

 

QB

LT

Pass Rusher

CB

 

To me, the very best teams have historically had a dominant player (or at least very good) at each of at least three of these marquee positions, in addition to good to great players at other positions.

 

The 1970s Steelers had the franchise QB in Bradshaw, dominant pass rushers in L.C. Greenwood and Joe Greene, and a dominant CB in Mel Blount.

 

The 1980s 49ers had Joe Montana at QB, Ronnie Lott at CB, and Charles Haley as the dominant pass rusher.  Washington, another dominant team of that era, featured, LT Joe Jacoby, CB Darrell Green, DE Dexter Manley.  The Raiders of the 1980s won two Super Bowls with a good QB in Plunkett, an all time great LT in Art Shell, great cover CBs in Mike Haynes and Lester Hayes.

 

The 1990s Cowboys had Hall of Famer Troy Aikman at QB, Charles Haley as a pass rusher, and later Deion Sanders at CB.

 

The 2000s Patriots teams feature Tom Brady at QB, Matt Light at LT, and Ty Law and Darrelle Revis at CB. Other dominant teams since 2000 include Baltimore (Ogden at LT, McCrary & Suggs as pass rushers, and McAllister at CB) and Indy (Manning, Glenn at LT, Freeney and Mathis as pass rushers). 

 

While our Jaguars are improved, I think this team lacks great players at some of the marquee positions to truly ascend to legitimate Super Bowl contender.

 

QB-Most of us are pleased with Bortles' progress thus far.  As indicated at other times, many feel he will be a superstar at QB.  Cecil Shorts has predicted as much, and Peter King and other media types at least see him as a QB on the rise.  But at this point, we can't definitively say he is a legit franchise QB.  He still has to do it.

 

LT-Luke Joeckel was drafted at the top of the 2013 draft with the hopes he would become a legitimate franchise LT.  Thus far, it hasn't turned out that way.  For various reasons, Joeckel has not developed the consistency as the blind side protector to shut down the opponents best pass rushers.  At times he has looked really bad.  Unless he develops into a top tier blindside protector, or until the team gets someone who will, this will hinder Bortles' development, the offense's, and the team's as a whole.

 

Pass rusher-This team has only had one player even close to becoming a dominant pass rusher-Tony Brackens.  It has made several attempts to obtain one since him that haven't worked out.  Hayward had some promise but tore his Achilles.  Aaron Kampman was old when signed from Green Bay and developed knee issues.  The latest candidate to try to fill that role is Dante Fowler, Jr.  Though he is passionate about the game and has the potential, right now he is rehabbing a torn ACL.  Until he can get healthy and be that pass rushing catalyst that creates sacks, turnovers, changes blocking schemes and momentum, this team will not win as many games as it will be needed to reach legitimate contender status.

 

CB-In its 21 year history, this team has never had a true shut down CB.  It came close with Rashean Mathis, who, in his prime, showed decent length and speed, and playmaking ability to change momentum in games.  Right now, this team appears to be deeper at CB than perhaps it has ever been, but right now, there does not yet appear to be a Revis/Sanders/Woodson type that QBs will have to avoid to be productive and shut down an opponent's best WR.

 

I think this team has the most important piece of the puzzle-the QB.  However, he has to develop into that guy.  In addition, right now, it cannot be said the team has any of the other important marquee players at these positions to make this team a legitimate contender. That will be apparent this season when we play the "elite" teams.

 

 

 

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