There hasn't been much to be happy about for Jaguars fans so far this year.  But one pleasant surprise..perhaps the biggest...has been the play of the offensive line.  The subject of much derision and consternation-including from me- in terms of number of sacks allowed, they have exceeded just about all of my expectations to this point.

Now I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.  I will gladly take this level of protection for Trevor Lawrence all year.  But it raises some questions and points of curiosity and concern

If we have the same starting five as we had last year, with the same OL coach, why the improvement so far?

Did changes to the scheme/offense lead to better protections?  I'm not sure, but I don't think thus far, the offense or playcalling has been designed for Trevor Lawrence to get the ball out particularly fast.  They have used a bit of play action, longer drops and longer routes in the first 3 weeks.

Was it a matter of all of the guys working together for another year and the continuity paying off?  Is it a matter of teams getting film on us and learning how to attack us?  Can this level be sustained by this current grop?

To what can we attribute the improvement of Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor?

Is it a matter of the schedule?

You could certainly argue that Houston does NOT have any good pass rushers any longer, and that could play a factor.  But the same Cardinals pass rush that decimated the tacks in week 1 was silent in comparison to what they did to the tacks.  The week after Denver registered one sack against us, they notched six against the Jets, who have at least two first round picks on their OL with Becton and Alijah Vera Tucker.  Wilson is on pace to be sacked 85 rimes.  Fields is on pace for 80.

Trevor Lawrence has had four sacks in the first three games.

By comparison, #2 overall pick Zach Wilson has been sacked 15 times.  Today, in his first start, Justin Fields got sacked 9 times.  Is it a matter of TL having better pocket presence at this early stage than these other guys or is it the level of competition?

As the O-Line matters has pointed out repeatedly, many of our offensive linemen are in the last years of their contracts.  Two of them-Norwell and Linder-are getting up in age.  In the effort to provide Lawrence with the highest level of protection possible, do you retain any of these guys-including Warhop-if they continue the level of play they have displayed thus far?  Coming into the season, not even the heartiest, most die hard Jaguars fan would advance the argument that Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor were better than the Tacks' Taylor Lewan or the Jets' Mekhi Becton, yet our tackles have outperformed them so far.  Do you work to retain both?

Assuming the team maintains the level of protection over the course of the season, how much in free agency money do you allocate to the O-Line?

Does your answer differ depending on whether you retain the current players or you seek upgrades from other teams?

How much draft capital do you allocate to the OL?  Many of us wanted heavy draft capital allocated to the OL this past offseason.  Do you risk continuity loss to bring in unproven guys, or do you risk cap space on a group that has not consistently been at this current level?

While I was certainly disappinted with the two sacks surrendered this week, and the pressure that led to the pick 6 on the flea flicker, I am pleasantly surprised at the level of protection overall.

I'd love to read your thoughts on these matters.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

The improvement is that TLaw makes them better through pocket awareness that previous QBs lacked. He isn't always on time with his throws, but he moves in the pocket well and he gets the ball out. I still think we need two new tackles, but at least we can see they don't have to be all pros for TLaw to 1. survive and 2. be effective. If Little and Bartch can become the left side and Linder can keep playing then we will be in good shape to fix the other two spots in the draft and free agency.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

I do still feel RG is the weak link on the oline and has been 4 out of the last 5 years. I wish we had a monster RG. Norwell had his worst game yesterday. Linder gave up a couple pressures although it was to Watt which is rare for Linder. Still to early and 14 games left to see how these guys play the rest of the year but the online isn't the reason we are losing games and we are a good run blocking oline

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https://twitter.com/mikephillipsOG/statu...08928?s=20

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They got cute with players who aren't ready for that instead of just running the damn ball.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

I like the aggressive play calling as well. The flea flicker Trev should of threw the ball away

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They got cute with players who aren't ready for that instead of just running the damn ball.

I actually don't hate the play call though. Go for the kill shot because the momentum was in the Jags favor at that moment.

Tough loss but on to the Bengals.

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Funny how they play better in a contract year.

I will keep an open mind but still nowhere near ready to bring back Robinson, Norwell nor Cann.

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The improvement is that TLaw makes them better through pocket awareness that previous QBs lacked. He isn't always on time with his throws, but he moves in the pocket well and he gets the ball out. I still think we need two new tackles, but at least we can see they don't have to be all pros for TLaw to 1. survive and 2. be effective. If Little and Bartch can become the left side and Linder can keep playing then we will be in good shape to fix the other two spots in the draft and free agency.

So you're telling me his pocket awareness is THAT much better, i this early stage of his career, than just about every other rookie in the class?  His pocket awareness is better than already well experienced QBs who have been sacked more like Tannehill?

If this is the case, perhaps Trevor is doing better than many are giving him credit.  We're talking an ELEVEN (11) sack difference between he and 2nd overall pick Zach Wilson.  On 12 more passes by my count, he's been sacked 11 fewer times.  (Note:  just found out Jets' LT Mekhi Bectonis injured  https://thespun.com/nfl/afc-east/new-yor...his-injury).

If the difference between this yer's performance to date and the last 2-3 is a matter of QB pocket awareness, is it possible we've all been too harsh on the OL?

I'm in agreement with you on the need to draft more linemen.  At this point, I'm not sure if the current group can sustain this level of play throughout the season or beyond.  I'm not sure if the team can retain all four guys, either through their ability or willingness to re-sign them all, or the players' willingness to re-sign here.

I think pocket awareness is part of the equation, but I'm not sure how much.

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They got cute with players who aren't ready for that instead of just running the damn ball.

The left side of the OL, where all the pressure came from, is loaded with seasoned vets.

Cam is in his 5th year.  Norwell is in his, what, 7th or 8th year?  Linder is in his 8th year.

How could they NOT be ready to block for a flea flicker at this stage?

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Funny how they play better in a contract year.

I will keep an open mind but still nowhere near ready to bring back Robinson, Norwell nor Cann.

Contract year?

Then explain Taylor's improvement.  I don't think he is in a contract year.

But the contract year thery presumes that:

1.  They had the ability to play this well all along;

2.  They weren't motivated by a new contract in previous seasons.  Cam, Norwell and Cann all could have gotten new deals before this year and haven't protected as well as this year.  The reason why Cam is playing under a franchise tag this year is because his contract expired after last season, and they couldn't agree on a longer term deal.  If anyone had incentive to play well last year, it was Cam, but he didn't-at least according to most observers.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

I think the QBs last year ran themselves into sacks that we blamed on the pass protection, mostly by being indecisive and late with the throws. Wilson is getting killed because that Jets line is really bad and the tittians are really struggling with their personnel right now, Lewan particularly after that injury last year. And yeah, I think Lawrence is already very good at that skill. Our guys aren't great by any means, but the QB can make them better by playing fast and I think that's a big part of what's going on with the low sack totals.

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The improvement is that TLaw makes them better through pocket awareness that previous QBs lacked. He isn't always on time with his throws, but he moves in the pocket well and he gets the ball out. I still think we need two new tackles, but at least we can see they don't have to be all pros for TLaw to 1. survive and 2. be effective. If Little and Bartch can become the left side and Linder can keep playing then we will be in good shape to fix the other two spots in the draft and free agency.

So you're telling me his pocket awareness is THAT much better, i this early stage of his career, than just about every other rookie in the class?  His pocket awareness is better than already well experienced QBs who have been sacked more like Tannehill?

If this is the case, perhaps Trevor is doing better than many are giving him credit.  We're talking an ELEVEN (11) sack difference between he and 2nd overall pick Zach Wilson.  On 12 more passes by my count, he's been sacked 11 fewer times.  (Note:  just found out Jets' LT Mekhi Bectonis injured  https://thespun.com/nfl/afc-east/new-yor...his-injury).

If the difference between this yer's performance to date and the last 2-3 is a matter of QB pocket awareness, is it possible we've all been too harsh on the OL?

I'm in agreement with you on the need to draft more linemen.  At this point, I'm not sure if the current group can sustain this level of play throughout the season or beyond.  I'm not sure if the team can retain all four guys, either through their ability or willingness to re-sign them all, or the players' willingness to re-sign here.

I think pocket awareness is part of the equation, but I'm not sure how much.

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They got cute with players who aren't ready for that instead of just running the damn ball.

The left side of the OL, where all the pressure came from, is loaded with seasoned vets.

Cam is in his 5th year.  Norwell is in his, what, 7th or 8th year?  Linder is in his 8th year.

How could they NOT be ready to block for a flea flicker at this stage?

Because the passing game is struggling to be in synch. I'm not saying we can't use trick plays, I'm saying you use trick plays after you're comfortable in the rhythm of the offense.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

Funny how they play better in a contract year.

I will keep an open mind but still nowhere near ready to bring back Robinson, Norwell nor Cann.

Contract year?

Then explain Taylor's improvement.  I don't think he is in a contract year.

But the contract year thery presumes that:

1.  They had the ability to play this well all along;

2.  They weren't motivated by a new contract in previous seasons.  Cam, Norwell and Cann all could have gotten new deals before this year and haven't protected as well as this year.  The reason why Cam is playing under a franchise tag this year is because his contract expired after last season, and they couldn't agree on a longer term deal.  If anyone had incentive to play well last year, it was Cam, but he didn't-at least according to most observers.

- Indeed! Robinson was a FA last year and got tagged. But why???
- Taylor has what? 2 more years??
- Norwell? Didn’t he restructure with 2 more years but that restructure made him a FA after this season? Could be wrong here.
- Cann? Was he offered a new contract?

Why the improvement? I don’t know but anything to keep Trevor standing! The question now is, can they keep this up?

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I think Lawrence has helped the Oline with how quickly he gets rid of the ball and having a legit deep passer means teams cant just stack the box all day. Teams before would just play man to man and blitz the rest as they knew theyd get to the QB before someone could get open. 

The Oline has been ok this year, think there was 1 penalty yesterday which was a false start so thats a huge improvement. They dominated on the all run drive which was good to see.

I think the big question is what kind of O system do the coaches see as the long term goal. Are we pass first so want more pass protection lineman?  do we want to be run more screens and get lineman out front blocking which requires some athleticism and speed.

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I don't think the oline was good yesterday, Trevor was getting harrassed a lot. Similar to week 1. Trevor is helping mask a lot with his mobility and quick release.

Denver was a pleasant surprise though.

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I don't think the oline was good yesterday, Trevor was getting harrassed a lot. Similar to week 1. Trevor is helping mask a lot with his mobility and quick release.

Denver was a pleasant surprise though.

O-line hasn't been good the whole season lol. It's like people don't watch the games they just look at the sacks.

Also, how many times our RB's get hit behind the LoS?

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I am a fan, not a cheerleader.

Contract year?

Then explain Taylor's improvement.  I don't think he is in a contract year.

But the contract year thery presumes that:

1.  They had the ability to play this well all along;

2.  They weren't motivated by a new contract in previous seasons.  Cam, Norwell and Cann all could have gotten new deals before this year and haven't protected as well as this year.  The reason why Cam is playing under a franchise tag this year is because his contract expired after last season, and they couldn't agree on a longer term deal.  If anyone had incentive to play well last year, it was Cam, but he didn't-at least according to most observers.

- Indeed! Robinson was a FA last year and got tagged. But why???
- Taylor has what? 2 more years??
- Norwell? Didn’t he restructure with 2 more years but that restructure made him a FA after this season? Could be wrong here.
- Cann? Was he offered a new contract?

Why the improvement? I don’t know but anything to keep Trevor standing! The question now is, can they keep this up?

To be clear, I am not dismissing the contract motivation altogether as a factor in the improved play.  I'm just saying that theory raises more questions.

Aside from being insurance, I have no idea why Cam was given a franchise tag.

Norwell DID restructure so he could be a FA this year.

IIRC, Cann was given a short term deal either last year or this offseason.

As to your closing question, I sure as hell hope the answer is yes.

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I think the QBs last year ran themselves into sacks that we blamed on the pass protection, mostly by being indecisive and late with the throws. Wilson is getting killed because that Jets line is really bad and the tittians are really struggling with their personnel right now, Lewan particularly after that injury last year. And yeah, I think Lawrence is already very good at that skill. Our guys aren't great by any means, but the QB can make them better by playing fast and I think that's a big part of what's going on with the low sack totals.

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So you're telling me his pocket awareness is THAT much better, i this early stage of his career, than just about every other rookie in the class?  His pocket awareness is better than already well experienced QBs who have been sacked more like Tannehill?

If this is the case, perhaps Trevor is doing better than many are giving him credit.  We're talking an ELEVEN (11) sack difference between he and 2nd overall pick Zach Wilson.  On 12 more passes by my count, he's been sacked 11 fewer times.  (Note:  just found out Jets' LT Mekhi Bectonis injured  https://thespun.com/nfl/afc-east/new-yor...his-injury).

If the difference between this yer's performance to date and the last 2-3 is a matter of QB pocket awareness, is it possible we've all been too harsh on the OL?

I'm in agreement with you on the need to draft more linemen.  At this point, I'm not sure if the current group can sustain this level of play throughout the season or beyond.  I'm not sure if the team can retain all four guys, either through their ability or willingness to re-sign them all, or the players' willingness to re-sign here.

I think pocket awareness is part of the equation, but I'm not sure how much.

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The left side of the OL, where all the pressure came from, is loaded with seasoned vets.

Cam is in his 5th year.  Norwell is in his, what, 7th or 8th year?  Linder is in his 8th year.

How could they NOT be ready to block for a flea flicker at this stage?

Because the passing game is struggling to be in synch. I'm not saying we can't use trick plays, I'm saying you use trick plays after you're comfortable in the rhythm of the offense.

Agreed the passing game has struggled to be in synch.

But this was a play based on a run look.  The line movement and the handoff had the look of a zone to the right, not conventional pass protection.  What caused Norwell to do a complete 360 like that?

The play was called after we had a very successful run dominant scoring drive-the first of the season.  If there was ever a comfort level to be had for a play like that, that should have been the time.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

I think Lawrence has helped the Oline with how quickly he gets rid of the ball and having a legit deep passer means teams cant just stack the box all day. Teams before would just play man to man and blitz the rest as they knew theyd get to the QB before someone could get open. 

The Oline has been ok this year, think there was 1 penalty yesterday which was a false start so thats a huge improvement. They dominated on the all run drive which was good to see.

I think the big question is what kind of O system do the coaches see as the long term goal. Are we pass first so want more pass protection lineman?  do we want to be run more screens and get lineman out front blocking which requires some athleticism and speed.

I would say that is entirely possible, but would counter with the use of five and seven step drops and deeper patterns to counter that.

It's not as though the team's approach the first three games mirrored the approach taken in the Dallas preseason game.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

I don't think the oline was good yesterday, Trevor was getting harrassed a lot. Similar to week 1. Trevor is helping mask a lot with his mobility and quick release.

Denver was a pleasant surprise though.

O-line hasn't been good the whole season lol. It's like people don't watch the games they just look at the sacks.

Also, how many times our RB's get hit behind the LoS?

1.  QBs are going to be hit, no matter how good the OL.  That is inevitable.  Nor do I assert this Jaguars' OL is great.  But whether you are judging by hits or sacks, teh protection seems vastly better this year than it was last year.

2.  With the caveat I missed much of the first quarter, I would say the RBs weren't hit in the backfield very often yesterday.  There was one play that sticks out where Chandler Jones came free and drilled one of our backs in the backfield.  But there is zero way we have such a successful scoring run dominant drive like we had in the 3rd quarter yesterday if the OL was getting whipped at the LOS in the running game.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

I think Lawrence has helped the Oline with how quickly he gets rid of the ball and having a legit deep passer means teams cant just stack the box all day. Teams before would just play man to man and blitz the rest as they knew theyd get to the QB before someone could get open. 

The Oline has been ok this year, think there was 1 penalty yesterday which was a false start so thats a huge improvement. They dominated on the all run drive which was good to see.

I think the big question is what kind of O system do the coaches see as the long term goal. Are we pass first so want more pass protection lineman?  do we want to be run more screens and get lineman out front blocking which requires some athleticism and speed.

I would say that is entirely possible, but would counter with the use of five and seven step drops and deeper patterns to counter that.

It's not as though the team's approach the first three games mirrored the approach taken in the Dallas preseason game.

I definitely agree with you that the 5 and 7 step drops have helped as well and its one of the things i like from the coaching staff, they are trying to find ways to help them improve rather than just running the same ideas over and over like it will suddenly click like the Marrone era.

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https://twitter.com/MattHayesCFB/status/...43841?s=20

Good grief Norwell.

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