Football is a strange and great game. More than any game in recent memory, I spent the overwhelming majority of the game pissed at the Jaguars, but when the dust settled and the smoke cleared, the Jaguars emerged victorious. I still have mixed feelings, but I know I feel much better than I would have felt had the Jaguars lost. My thoughts...
1. Something must be done about the officiating. From the phantom false start to the blatant no call on the PI on Julius Thomas, the abiding sense I got was that the WWE is providing the officials. I would have gone apoplectic had they upheld that PI against Amukumara. As bad as those plays were, they weren't even the most egregious blown calls of the day. The call of defensive pass interference on Dominique Rogers Cromartie against the Ravens, and the Seahawks no PI call against Julio Jones shocks the conscience of most observers. Though I have done no surveys or seen the results of any surveys to tell me this, I submit the NFL tv ratings have dropped in part because fans are weary of the rotten, seemingly corrupt officiating. The only saving grace, if there is any to be had, is that at least the Jaguars and the Giants were able to overcome those outrageous calls. I know officials have a tough job given the countless tweaks and nuances to the rules and the speed of the game, but they can do better.
2. Watching the first offensive drive of the game for the Jaguars, given how banged up the Bears were defensively, I thought there was no way the Bears can keep up with us. But then after Robinson bobbled what would have been a TD into the hands of Tracy Porter, the Jaguars had a painful display of offensive ineptitude reminiscent of some of the Henne low points. I attribute part of it to coaching. I am convinced Olsen's approach to offense is anathema to having any consistent ground game, and ultimately, any offensive consistency. I think part of it is attributable to Bortles. I don't know for sure, but it seems like he is pressing-almost aiming the ball-and having the opposite of the desired effect. But in the 4th quarter, he looked like the Bortles that we saw the first two years. I can only hope this 4th quarter come from behind win as a catalyst to an offensive renewal for him and the team overall.
3. We have talented receivers, but yesterday's game was an uneven performance by the group. Allen Robinson started that first drive in dominant fashion, but then disappeared for the rest of the game. Hurns was absent from the offense most of the first half, took a couple of wicked hits in the first half, then his 25 yard catch sparked the rally. Not impugning the toughness of anyone else on the team when I say this, but his performance after that hit shows why many feel Hurns is the toughest player on the team. Marquise Lee has gotten a ton of criticism from coaches and fans for his inability to stay healthy. This year, however, we've gotten a glimpse of what his capabilities are when he is healthy and getting in sync with Bortles. We haven't seen the long TD catches we hoped for, but he used his speed to convert a key first down. I think Lee showing the ability to convert the routine will bode well for the offense in the future. But I would be remiss if I didn't give a nod to Arrelious Benn. Benn has had a hard luck NFL existence. Yes, he was drafted in the second round, but has bounced from team to team because he could not stay healthy. He even wound up on IR for us last year after a great camp performance. But he had the game winning score as he beat the DB, had the presence of mind to realize he wasn't touched as he slipped, the athleticism to get up and score. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come for him.
4. I have to give kudos to the defense for a gritty performance. For the most part, the team shut down the run very well, and at times even dominant against a strong interior three offensive line. They only started to wear down in the second half after no help from the offense. I didn't see the kind of pass pressure I'd hoped, but at the end of the day, they kept the Bears within range and out of the end zone, and made the plays when needed. I expect more good performances in the future.
5. Continuing on defense, I thought the LBs-especially Poz and Telvin-played good games. Poz was all over the place and was a key in that run defense. Telvin Smith seemingly had another zone pass defense lapse, but overall played well.
6. For the first time in a long time, we can consistently say special teams is a strength. While I still cringe a little when Myers kicks, that reaction is less and less frequent, as he has displayed the consistency he desperately lacked last year. Nortman has been outstanding for us thus far. In fact, not that I've spent a lot of time thinking about it, but I think he has given us the best punting in this team's history when you factor in distance and accuracy.
7. Rookie Watch:
A. Jalen Ramsey-A tale of two halves for him. The first half, he was off to his worst day as a pro, as Jeffrey had a lot of success against him. He had 6 catches for 90 yards in the first half, and Ramsey uncharacteristically missed tackles that led to big gains. (On a side note, Ramsey's "poor" performance was typically the ceiling/norm for way too many Jaguars' CBs over the years). But in the second half, Ramsey flipped the script and shut Jeffrey down. I'm not sure what adjustments were made by him or Wash, but we didn't hear much from Jeffrey in the second half. Fittingly, Ramsey made the play that sealed the win. Ramsey showed a short memory, resilience, grit, and clutch ability.
B. Myles Jack-Got the start at OTTO. I saw him in on one tackle, but saw nothing else from him. I think they were taking him out in nickel packages. While Telvin Smith has great athleticism and Poz seems to do really well dropping in zones, somehow I think if they are taking out Jack in nickel packages, they're still doing it wrong.
C. Yannick Ngakoue-obtained his 4th sack of the season yesterday on a key 4th quarter possession.
D. Sheldon Day-Saw him but he didn't stand out to me.
E. Brandon Allen-DNP
8. Julius Thomas made about 2-3 key catches that extended drives for the team. I think if Bortles is to have a resurgence, Thomas will play a key role.
9. Nice to see Colvin return, and he made a key tackle.
10. Bottom line: while it was far from a pretty game, it was good to get another W. We are no longer in last place in the division, and there is a sense there is a positive momentum. Now make no mistake, this team will have to play at a much higher level to beat Oakland next week. But if this team improves its performance and wins next week, it will have been a month since the Jaguars lost. When was the last non off-season month that statement could have been uttered about this team? Let's go beat the Raiders to see how good it will feel to say that.
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
