My apologies to the board for not posting last week.  I was just flat out exhausted, and caught myself nodding during last week's game.

1.  The old axiom begins "Offense sells tickets..." but I tell you, few things in football get me more stoked than a dominant performance by the defensive line.  The front shut down the run and notched EIGHT (8) sacks of Jets QB Sam Darnold.  Seeing our defense oppress opposing QBs like that always puts a smile on my face.  You can say what you want about the Jaguars going against a depleted Jets' OL, but neither the Jaguars nor we fans should offer any apologies for that.  First off, there have been plenty of sad times in our history where we've gone against depleted units on the opposing team and not only failed to exploit it, but fat out lost (thinking of 0-41 loss at Seattle missing their Ts, thinking of a 2004 loss to tacks at home with a depleted secondary, among others).  Furthermore, there were no asterisks placed next to any of our losses when we languished with a depleted OL last year.  Finally, to be honest this is the kind of performance we have grown to expect ( or at least believe the team is capable of) this sort of performance from the front since 2017.  I only hope this continues the second half of the season.

2.  While Fournette is having a strong rebound year and got off to a great start today, his final numbers overall were disappointing.  I don't attribtue that to him, though.  In too many instances, the blocking failed him.  That toss inside the 5 yard line was a horrible call.  They should have tried to run it down their throat.  With an offense like ours, with a power back like Fournette, he shouldn't have Barry Sanderesque carries of -2, -4, 65, -3, 0.  Fournette's rushes should be far more consistent:  4, 5, 3, 6, 4, 4, etc.  If this team is to ascend to the postseason, the running game has to be more consistently productive, especially in short yardage or inside the red zone.  BTW, kudos to LF for keeping his cool when that Jets' DB taunted him.  I was not happy when they picked up that flag.

3.  Kudos to Tre Herndon for getting his first two INTs of his career.  He has played pretty decently since he became the starter.  But he hasn't played against a WR like Hopkins yet.  he will have to step up his game next week and down the stretch.

4.  This is a banged up team.  We need a lot of guys to get well soon.  Hopefully Harrison, Lee, Westbrook, et al are okay.

5.  Although that TE Griffin (?) gave me horrible flashbacks to the days where we seemed allergic to covering the TE, all things considered, I thought the LBs held up well.  Now part of that is the Jets inexplicably not trying to run as much.  Part of that is due to the D-Line pressuring Darnold.  But when the Jets ran the ball, the LBs were there to fill the holes.  That said, we need our guys healthy.

6.  Surprised that Lambo missed that extra point, but good to see him return to form the rest of the day.

7.  Rookie Watch:

• Josh Allen-continued his hot play, notching his first two sack game as a pro, and could have had a 3rd on the play where Smoot (also having a career year) notched a sack.  Also had a forced fumble.  This is the reason this board was virtually unanimous in excitement when Allen was announced as our pick.
  
• Jawaan Taylor-may have had his best game as a pro.  I don't recall any penalties or sacks given up by him, though I have to go back and watch the game to be sure.  As I think about it, he may have given up the hit that caused Minshew to lose the fumble.  I would still like to see him dominate in the running game.
  
• Josh Oliver-Glad to finally get to type this, but he recorded his first career reception inside the 5, and held on despite a hard helmet to helmet hit.  That should help make Minshew a little more confident in him.  Hopefully he will continue to earn his confidence.
  
• Quincy Williams-DNP due to injury
  
• Ryquell Armstead, IIRC he had about three carries or so, the first came immediately after Fournette's 66 yard run, and the remainder late in the game after that horrible toss to Fournette.
  
• Gardner Minshew-Probably had his best game as a pro, decimating the Jets' secondary for 3 TDs and 0 INTs.  Though he is not the fastest, he not only has the nack for the timely scramble, he again demonstrated the uncanny knack of making people miss in the phone booth, biding him that extra second to make a play.  He did that on two of his TDs-the first to Conley and later on the score to Chark.  He needs to protect the ball better (and for that matter he needs to be protected better by the line), but without question he is all that we could possibly ask for given his position in the draft.
  
• Dontavious Russell-DNP
  
• Wingard-Did not see him.
  

8.  After years of startling ineptitude at the position, health aside, I am happy with where the WRs are.  Chark and Conley continue to make big plays, both catching TDs today.  Even Keelan Cole, who seemingly became persona non grata for many Jaguars fans over the course of the last year, contributed another TD, his second in the last two weeks.

9.  Bottom line-For us to be 4-4 with our starting QB missing all but the first quarter of the first game, and our backup being a rookie 6th rounder, I am thrilled.  We are very much alive for post season contention and the division title, with two games against the Colts on the horizon.  There are still some areas we need to improve, most notably in the offensive line, but when both sides of the ball are playing to capability. there are few teams against which we would not be competitive.  Though I had a sick feeling in my stomach after the KC game, I eagerly await the second half of the season.  Credit goes to the entire organization.  The FO gets kudos for bringing in guys like Allen, Minshew, Chark, Conley who are productive now.  Credit is also due to the coaching staff, who has kept this team relevant in the face of much adversity, utilizing the players to maximize their productivity.  Finally, to the players who have matured quickly yo be productive and who haven't quit.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

It was nice to be a dominant team even if it was the lowly Jetes. And that taunting flag pickup was garbage. If that was a Jags player they would have thrown three flags for good measure

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It is truly remarkable to think where we are considering a) Foles going down after 10 plays in the first game and b) our most talented player having a hissy fit and engineering his exit after the second game. At that point we were 0-2 and staring down the barrel.

God bless Gardner.

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It is truly remarkable to think where we are considering a) Foles going down after 10 plays in the first game and b) our most talented player having a hissy fit and engineering his exit after the second game. At that point we were 0-2 and staring down the barrel.

God bless Gardner.

Before the season, before the injury to Foles and Ramsey's exit, if you would have told me we'd be 4-4 by this stage I'd be okay with it.

Right now, I'm stoked we're still in reasonable range for the postseason if we take care of business.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Herndon is making fan's forget the guy that dropped that pass in the 'horns game.
And....is it possible to work a trade for the jet's TE Griffin .....he's the kind of TE we need.

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"Stay tight, stay close. Great things are going to continue to happen for this football team."  - Doug Peterson

A few quick impressions before giving the game a proper review:

• Calitro played very well.  Solid depth at LB.
  
• Herndon took advantage of a couple of bad throws from Darnold while also giving up a few early plays to Anderson and a DPI -  Good sign that he's poised and comfortable enough to make plays on the ball and adjust his lapses in coverage. Hope we see more of that from him. 
  
• Pass rush did what it should vs a subpar opponent  - I feel they can get pressure against most NFL O-Lines in their current form
  
• Conley had another good showing despite a drop
  
• Injuries are indeed a concern right now.  Piling up on both side of the ball. 
  
• Minshew played well enough to keep the Foles/Minshew debate ongoing another week. Continually impressed by little things each week from him.  The touch pass to the breadbasket of Fournette in the second half was really impressive. Dude has a range of deliveries for such a young QB. 
  
• LF did some nice things to the tune of 136 A.P. yards.  I wish they'd revamp their approach with him in the red-zone/goal line. He's incredibly unproductive there.  Very odd. 
  

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Our injuries are piling up? We just played teams that have lost AJ Green, WJIII, Kirkpatrick, Glenn, their last two first round OL, and probably more. And the Jets didn't have Mosely, Osemele, Beachum, Herndon. We didn't have to face Drew friggin Brees. And the Texans won't have Fuller and we probably just dodged another bullet with Watt having to leave the game with a serious looking pectoral injury...and Tunsil looks doubtful...and they were already missing 3 starters in the secondary that will all be very questionable.

I think we've been very fortunate on the injury front.

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Our injuries are piling up? We just played teams that have lost AJ Green, WJIII, Kirkpatrick, Glenn, their last two first round OL, and probably more. And the Jets didn't have Mosely, Osemele, Beachum, Herndon. We didn't have to face Drew friggin Brees. And the Texans won't have Fuller and we might have just dodged another bullet with Watt having to leave the game with a shoulder injury.

I think we've been very fortunate on the injury front.

It's not a comparison as to who has more or more important injuries. To say the Jaguars don't have injury concerns at a few positions Is just a bizarre take.

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Our injuries are piling up? We just played teams that have lost AJ Green, WJIII, Kirkpatrick, Glenn, their last two first round OL, and probably more. And the Jets didn't have Mosely, Osemele, Beachum, Herndon. We didn't have to face Drew friggin Brees. And the Texans won't have Fuller and we might have just dodged another bullet with Watt having to leave the game with a shoulder injury.

I think we've been very fortunate on the injury front.

What in the world does the sum of these various teams' injuries have to do with our own count?

Yes , they are piling up. 

Dareus, Goode, Alexander, Wiliiams, Westbrook, Swaim, O'Shauhgnessy, Foles, Blue, Lee, Jacobs ...

Pardon me if I'd prefer we had depth at LB, DT, and TE that weren't signed off the street or promoted from the PS.

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I had forgotten about Dareus which is significant, but of course severity compared to other teams has everything to do with it. Every team is always dealing with a lot of injuries, and ours have been pretty mild comparatively.

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I had forgotten about Dareus which is significant, but of course severity compared to other teams has everything to do with it. Every team is always dealing with a lot of injuries, and ours have been pretty mild comparatively.

We lost our starting QB we just gave a 88 mil dollar contract as well.  Not to mention pretty much every LB except Jack and every TE.

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I had forgotten about Dareus which is significant, but of course severity compared to other teams has everything to do with it. Every team is always dealing with a lot of injuries, and ours have been pretty mild comparatively.

We lost our starting QB we just gave a 88 mil dollar contract as well.  Not to mention pretty much every LB except Jack and every TE.

Total of zero good players there, so ok. Virtually every other team in the league is playing us the worlds tiniest violin.

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We lost our starting QB we just gave a 88 mil dollar contract as well.  Not to mention pretty much every LB except Jack and every TE.

Total of zero good players there, so ok. Virtually every other team in the league is playing us the worlds tiniest violin.

You must be a blast at parties

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The Jaguars are fun to watch again and have competed in 7 out of the first 8 games despite losing their starting QB in the first quarter of the year.

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Respect the game.  Play with a sense of urgency. 


1.)  Take care of the ball.  Win the turnover battle.

2.)  It's all about 3rd down.  Win on 3rd down to win the game.

3.) Playmakers make plays.  The only reason that you put your uniform on is to make plays. In order to EARN your paycheck, you must make plays.  

Learn from the great collapse of 2023.  

This O line needs to look at film of other teams and figure out how to make running lanes. We run into a wall every play. Cann is bad. I'd love for us to draft a true Center and move Linder back to his natural position at RG. Cam Robinson and Norwell need some competition. Not good that a rookie looks like our best lineman.

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No pain, no gain.

We lost our starting QB we just gave a 88 mil dollar contract as well.  Not to mention pretty much every LB except Jack and every TE.

Total of zero good players there, so ok. Virtually every other team in the league is playing us the worlds tiniest violin.

You're unbelievable.  Every silver lining has a dark cloud.

So every other team lost their starting QB in the first quarter of the first game, went with an unproven 6th rounder at quarterback who nobody...including YOU...had any clue was going to be half of what he has turned out to be, and it's no big deal?  Real hot take there Jocko.

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Every other team is dealing with injuries and more will as the season goes on.
It's tough. It's NFL football.
The teams at the end with the most wins are in the playoffs.
I hope one of them is the Jaguars ......but man is this this way more fun than last year
when we were wondering which blake was going to show up

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"Stay tight, stay close. Great things are going to continue to happen for this football team."  - Doug Peterson

It is a good deal to be 4-4 and to look at things and realize the Rookie 6th round QB left points on the field. I think the coaching staff will improve the play calling and situational play as we move along. They are trying to protect the QB to a degree and are getting a little cutsie with some of the play calling. Running a toss sweep is bizarre.

Minshew needs to tighten up on the fumbles but that comes down to the oline continuing to improve and them all growing together. Darnold had a bad game and a lot had to do with our d-line. I can't believe that they didn't attack our linebackers. It is hard to win in the NFL, I am glad we won back to back games as well. It is exciting to see team football and the penalties being cleaned up.

I give credit to the broadcast crew on their reviews. They showed our zone working effectively on multiple sacks. It was a pleasant surprise to see assignment football actually working and the 4 man rush getting home.

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The Khan Years

Patience, Persistence, and Piss Poor General Managers.

It is a good deal to be 4-4 and to look at things and realize the Rookie 6th round QB left points on the field.  I think the coaching staff will improve the play calling and situational play as we move along.  They are trying to protect the QB to a degree and are getting a little cutsie with some of the play calling.  Running a toss sweep is bizarre.

Minshew needs to tighten up on the fumbles but that comes down to the oline continuing to improve and them all growing together.  Darnold had a bad game and a lot had to do with our d-line.  I can't believe that they didn't attack our linebackers.  It is hard to win in the NFL, I am glad we won back to back games as well.  It is exciting to see team football and the penalties being cleaned up.

I give credit to the broadcast crew on their reviews.  They showed our zone working effectively on multiple sacks.  It was a pleasant surprise to see assignment football actually working and the 4 man rush getting home.

Running a toss sweep on second and goal from the 1 foot line, when the toss sweep hasn't worked all year, is pretty bizarre.  But Marrone, to his credit, took the blame for that in his press conference, and admitted it was a bad play call.

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It is truly remarkable to think where we are considering a) Foles going down after 10 plays in the first game and b) our most talented player having a hissy fit and engineering his exit after the second game. At that point we were 0-2 and staring down the barrel.

God bless Gardner.

Before the season, before the injury to Foles and Ramsey's exit, if you would have told me we'd be 4-4 by this stage I'd be okay with it.

Right now, I'm stoked we're still in reasonable range for the postseason if we take care of business.

Great post as always Bullseye. As always theres plenty youd like to go back and change but even with Foles if we were 4-4 I'd be ok. The fact were doing it with a 6th round rookie is even more impressive. We've had young guys have to come in and play to a high standard and we've done pretty well. Herndon has played well getting dropped in.

Like NYC says, the injuries are starting to mount up a bit, were looking light at LB, but if we just keep our main weapons healthy. A W this week, a bye to heal up a bit and then 7 games to see where we can go.

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