Welp, it seems everyone expected us to get rolled by the Rams, and we lived down to expectations.  It's uncanny how utterly and consistently inept this team is.  My thoughts on the game...

1.  It's sad that my first thought after the opening kikoff was returned for 65 yards was "Welp.  At least their opening drive won't be 18 plays like the 49ers."  But they did yet another variation of that game by turning it over two plays into the next drive, then going three and out.  There was a time when game day was marked with excitement, eager anticipation and hope.  Now, I had no positive expectations or hopes going into this game, and this malaise is growing increasingly common.

2.  For much of the year, we have talked about how improved the run defense has been.  But today, the overall impression I got from the run defense today was soft.  The Rams didn't have any crazy big running plays like Jonathan Taylor did in the first quarter a few weeks back, but it seemed like they were averaging 7-8 yards a pop running up the middle.

3.  Much of the early 2022 draft/offseason discussion has centered around the need for a receiver that can get separation.  I do not assert in any way that is not a need.  But as I watched Cooper Kupp today, it was apparent, if not reinforced, there are other abilities we need to add to our receiving corps:  reliability and dependability.  I see Cooper Kupp contorting his body all sorts of ways to catch balls oftern dramatically off target and still manage to make the catch, whether the pass is low or behind him.  I contrast it to our receivers like O'Shaughnessy who barely have to break stride to adjust to a slightly off target pass, only to drop it.  I contrast it to Laviska Shenault, who not only drops a lot of passes, has developed a propensity to stop at the end of the route instead of running through the route.  The disparity is demoralizing.  Trevor deserves better.  So do we fans.

4.  I was buoyed by the sight of Brandon Linder starting at C amd Will Richardson starting at RT, thinking at last Linder has returned to health and maybe the coaching staff has lost patience with Jawaan Taylor.  However, like so many things Jaguars related, whatever, it was fleeting, illusory, and quickly extinguished as Taylor quickly returned to the starting lineup and Linder left the game with an injury.  Does anyone know why Richardson was in the game so early?

5.  I guess it's Roy Robertson-Harris' turn for the string of dumb penalties.

6.  Kick coverage stunk again, although Cook had a good day punting, with a couple of punts downed inside the 10.

7.  Rookie Watch:

     A.  Trevor Lawrence-much of the same from him.  Some good throws, some throws off target.  No receivers who can let him really show him stuff.  An offensive line that grows leakier by the game.  Took a helmet to helmet shot that should have been flagged but wasn't.  The one good thing is that he seems to have developed a trust in Treadwell.

     B.  Travis Etienne-DNP.  On IR

     C.  Tyson Campbell-played decently this week, though not as good as last week.  left the game with an abdominal injury, but returned.

     D.  Walker Little-Did not see him.

     E.  Andre Cisco-Saw him early in the game, but did not see him much after that.

     F.  Jay Tufele-Saw him early in the game but did not see him much after that.  Good to see him back, even though I don't recall him making any impact.

     G.  Jordan Smith-I did not see him.  I can only assume that he, once again, was a healthy scratch.

     H.  Luke Farrell-Did not see him at all.

8.  One of the last things this team needs is for James Robinson to become a fumbler.  This is the second week he has fumbled and the second week he was benched briefly for doing so.  Again, I get it.  Fumbling has to be discouraged as much as possible.  But I wondered what would happen when Urban's pet (Carlos Hyde) fumbled.  To Urb's credit, Hyde got benched, too.

9.  For the first time in a long time, the team did not kill itself with a slew of stupid penalties.  From that perspective, it was a relaticely clean game, so I guess there's that.

10.  Bottom line-When we were anticipating Trevor Lawrence becoming a Jaguar, I knew there was a very good chance he would struggle in his rookie year.  It became inevitable when Etienne and Chark went out with injuries early on.  That said, I never thought there would be part of me that wants the season to end to preserve him both mentally and physically.  I can't get into his head, and based on what people are saying, confidence and psyche wise he seems fine.  He hasn't been injured yet.  Yes, he can use the reps.  But this season has been frustrating to watch on too many levels to delineate, and I am wanting to preserve him.  I don't know if this coaching staff has what it takes to develop him properly.

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