Most of the folks who want Gus gone are basing that desire on his record. The dude has  been coaching  a team staffed by very young players...and a few experienced free agents/leftovers from the previous regime. Through all the losses, he's kept the locker room behind him. His upbeat attitude for some reason torques some folks bolts, but his players appear to love him. I would and fully expect Khan to give him one more year. Allow the growth...the "race to maturity" play out. Even though the wins are not quite there, we have seen improvement. Let's face it...add a pass rush (which they kinda thought they had (Fowler and a healthy Marks) and you probably get 2-3 more wins. Certainly Rivers doesn't get the 8 yard 4th down run with a decent pass rush. That would give us one win right there (probably). Old QB's kill us. Because old QB's can stand back there and pick us to death. That's not on Gus. You can't scheme around that level of ineptitude. Branch is awful. But he's the best we have who is not on IR. 

 

Other thoughts...Bortles does throw too many interceptions. However it is getting better. The end of the half INT by T'eo was a great play on T'eo...not really a bad throw. Bortles is pressing...pretty much all of the time...because of all the well recounted issues with which he deals. It will get better. Linder's return will be key. A little fine-tuning and the Oline will be at least serviceable. Most of the parts are there right now (if on IR). The Oline inproves and Yeldon goes from pretty OK to darn good. 

 

Finally...Gus's comment that the "rebuild is complete" was probably misguided. We're still a year short. If we don't tear it up next year (9+ wins, a couple three of them by double digit margins) then I'll cheerfully (and wrothfully) join the fire Gus brigade. Replacing him after this year would be unfortunate because it would set the progress back...at least a bit...and would really not be fair. Yup, I know, this is a production business and fairness ain't part of the deal, but why not? This rebuild is unique to my (really long) experience...let them play it out. Lose big...Lose small...Win small...Win big!

 

Jim

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