I've been commenting on Evans looking lost out there since Lowery's injury vs. Seattle.   While I fully expected the rookie to slowly grow into his role - he hasn't yet  - and  it appears he'll have to prove himself worthy of the opportunity to do so. 

 

Bradley comments on it in his presser here:

http://www.jaguars.com/media-gallery/vid...5da2262607

 

I'm no Evans hater - but I did resent his attempt at "swagger" when he was so frequently a day late and a dollar short in coverage.  Combine that with an uptick in missed tackles and  -  enter Winston Guy.  Perhaps threatening his starting role will spark the rookie to focus a bit more on tackling rather than taunting.  I  just hope one of them rises to the occasion. 

 

http://www.jaguars.com/team/roster/Winst...25c4cb29f0

 

DiRocco:

Bradley also announced three lineup tweaks: Winston Guy will get reps at free safety, and cornerback Dwayne Gratz will return to the starting lineup for the first time since the season opener. 

Guy, a second-year player whom the Jaguars claimed off waivers from Seattle on Sept. 1, has played just four snaps on defense this season. Rookie Josh Evans has played every snap there since joining the lineup in Week 3 after Dwight Lowery suffered a concussion. 

Evans has made 31 tackles, but has just one pass breakup and has struggled with bad angles and missed tackles. 

"He [Guy] has shown more consistency, and we just felt like at the free safety spot we just needed to increase that level of play so we’re competing there," Bradley said. "I think it’ll re-direct his [Evans] attention to the competition part of it, and if that’s what he needs to help be focused, then we’ll do that."
 

 

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No real surprise here.


I wish we had someone who could come in and take some some snaps from Cyprien as well. He's been just as disappointing this season. Bad angles, missed/late tackles etc.


Why did we IR/Release Lowery again after he was cleared?

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

 He's been just as disappointing this season. 

He actually showed a bit more promise early on with 2 FFs - but his flashes have diminished since, IMO.  I agree with you in that I'd rather see Lowery out there if he's healthy though. 

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Im just trying to stay positive on anyone with upside, so until further notice all of the struggles of the young guys in the secondary is due to the abysmal front 7.

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Just to be different, Bortles.

Lowery is only 27 years old.  He should not have been jettisoned until Evans had proved that he was "the man".  Bad move Dave....

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Lowery is only 27 years old.  He should not have been jettisoned until Evans had proved that he was "the man".  Bad move Dave....

 

You realize he was going on IR for a concussion right?

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You realize he was going on IR for a concussion right?

He's been on IR since shortly after being hurt in Seattle.  He was cleared and released. 

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...ery-today/

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I have watched Guy since he was a WR at Lexington Catholic HS and do not think that he is a serious threat to Evans.

 

I agree with Mr. Sensible, hard to be too tough on our guys considering the team they are on. As rookies they have received a ton of game experience and will probably show tremendous growth at some point late this year and onto next season. Even with Cyp's drop off he is arguably the second best defender we have. Evans is playing every snap also. As long as they stay healthy I will give them passing grades for their rookie season all things considered,

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Evans is struggling but you have to keep it in perspective. He is a late round pick. On most teams, those guys struggle to even make the roster nevermind start on defense. In an ideal situation, he would be playing special teams and learning the defense. Not covering Antonio Gates and Wes Welker. You can see he has some ability. Your hope is as other pieces get plugged in on the defense that Evans will improve.

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He's been on IR since shortly after being hurt in Seattle.  He was cleared and released. 

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...ery-today/

 

Thought it was a season ending injury. Yeah in that case I would have liked to still see D Lo back there, unless his contract was expiring this year.

 

Its still good to get these guys experience and have them make their mistakes in a year that doesnt really matter.

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 Even with Cyp's drop off he is arguably the second best defender we have. 

Second behind who?   He's more like 5th or so in my book.   Poz, W. Blackmon, Marks, have clearly been better at their respective positions than Cyp.  M. Harris (when on the field) has covered more effectively.  Heck - Alan Ball has gotten his hands on the ball more than Cyp. Russell Allen even grades out far above Cyp as well. 

 

He may become the 2nd best at some point next season, but I've seen nothing to indicate that this year. 

 

I too give the rookies lots of leeway, knowing they will need time to adapt to the speed of NFL football, but I don't mind saying that they've played very badly thus far( with tiny flashes of talent sprinkled in.)    It will be interesting to see Gratz more at CB in the coming weeks.  Perhaps he can give us a glimmer of hope where defensive rookies are concerned. 

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Second behind who?   He's more like 5th or so in my book.   Poz, W. Blackmon, Marks, have clearly been better at their respective positions than Cyp.  M. Harris (when on the field) has covered more effectively.  Heck - Alan Ball has gotten his hands on the ball more than Cyp. Russell Allen even grades out far above Cyp as well. 

 

He may become the 2nd best at some point next season, but I've seen nothing to indicate that this year. 

 

I too give the rookies lots of leeway, knowing they will need time to adapt to the speed of NFL football, but I don't mind saying that they've played very badly thus far( with tiny flashes of talent sprinkled in.)    It will be interesting to see Gratz more at CB in the coming weeks.  Perhaps he can give us a glimmer of hope where defensive rookies are concerned. 

Well said... after reading your analysis I have to agree.

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We got to put this into perspective

 

1. These are 2 rookies

2. Very little pass rush

3. Opposing teams can run down the teams throat.  That automatically makes the secondary struggle with PA

4. Conservative play calling.  This team does not blitz very much

 

These rookies are dealing with a nightmare right now

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No real surprise here.


I wish we had someone who could come in and take some some snaps from Cyprien as well. He's been just as disappointing this season. Bad angles, missed/late tackles etc.


Why did we IR/Release Lowery again after he was cleared?

They are rookies learning their craft.. with no real supporting cast to help them - Wasn't Evans a 6th round pick? This is a throwaway year - I am continually surprised that you guys don't get this...and for the record I think Cyprien will be very, very good

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We got to put this into perspective

 

1. These are 2 rookies

2. Very little pass rush

3. Opposing teams can run down the teams throat.  That automatically makes the secondary struggle with PA

4. Conservative play calling.  This team does not blitz very much

 

These rookies are dealing with a nightmare right now

I agree. If our D-line performs better, then the rookies in the secondary would perform better.

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They are rookies learning their craft.. with no real supporting cast to help them - Wasn't Evans a 6th round pick? This is a throwaway year - I am continually surprised that you guys don't get this...and for the record I think Cyprien will be very, very good

I get it. I really do.


You have to look at the big picture. Evans starting was to give him actual game day live action reps in a throw away year.


But he's underperformed and is now looking at the bench.


Which would be better? Learning from a street free agent from the bench or learning from a well regarded vet...from the bench?


I fully understand wanting him to get live action reps. But as a backup IF he failed I would like to have seen Lowery kept to solidify the position and provide leadership and education to the young buck.

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

Lowery is only 27 years old. He should not have been jettisoned until Evans had proved that he was "the man". Bad move Dave....

This

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Im just trying to stay positive on anyone with upside, so until further notice all of the struggles of the young guys in the secondary is due to the abysmal front 7.

I disagree that "all" the struggles of the young guys in the secondary is due to the front seven... bad angles and missed tackles is no ones fault but the ones doing these things...

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One sixth round pick for another. Meh.

 

 

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First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. - Mahatma Gandhi

 

http://s6.postimg.org/vyr2ycdfz/Teddy_Br...cked_4.gif

I don't get why people think Lowery was that good - he wasn't.  Constantly hurt, team is moving on.  'Nuf said.

 

Competition is what we need at EVERY position - no one should feel comfortable that they've still got a job. 

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