The Jaguars went into this game with a chance to make the playoffs.  After the game, the Jaguars still have a chance, but those chances became a lot slimmer, because not only did the Jaguars lose, but just about every team the Jaguars needed to lose wound up winning.  It was as if fate is telling the Jaguars and fans not to get hopes up.

 

My thoughts...

 

1.  The Hurns injury was scary.  You never want to see anyone sprawled out on the turf like that, especially when they get a stretcher.  But the underdog made good Hurns was particuarly hard to see down there.  I am thrilled the team was taking extra precautions with him and he texted he was okay.  Get well, AH.

 

2.  The story of this game is the team's inability to score TDs in the redzone.  While there are many contributing factors involved with this, to me, the main cause is this team's refusal to run the ball in that area.  The team has stated it wants to run the ball, so I am not sure it is unwilling to do so.  In the past, the team has been unable to run the ball inside the 5, but against the Bolts, the RBs had a nice YPC, against a team that hasn't done well stopping the run. Whatever the rationale for abandoning the run, play action has effectively disappeared from the offense, especially in the red zone.  Whatever the rationale for abandoning the run, the net result is a red zone offense that is one dimensional and much easier to defend.

 

3.  Bortles deserves some blame for this.  Granted, I think the team's imbalance put too much on his shoulders, but again, I think he tried doing too much, as evidenced by the two illegal forward passes inside the ten.  The INT right before halftime I don't think was a matter of him trying to do too much, but it was disastrous nevertheless.  It was another painful growing pain for a QB racing to maturity.  

On a good note, Bortles eclipsed 20 TD passes for the year, only the 3rd Jaguars QB to do so.

 

4.  I think Julius Thomas' critics are much quieter today.  Thomas has a big day, eclipsing 100 yards for the first time this year and caught a TD.  It is the kind of performance that is going to cause defenses to devote more attention to him for the rest of the year, and give Bortles more confidence in him.

 

5.  In another post, I typed the sentiment that Jaguars fans have a justifiable respect of Phillip Rivers bordering on phobia.  Yesterday, we saw why that is.  Once again, without a semblance of a pass rush to slow him down, Rivers picked us apart for four (4) TDs.  Gates was controlled last year, but he caught two of those TDs this year.  While I don't think the coverage was as bad as it was last year when McCoy told his coordinator to call whatever he wanted because we couldn't cover them, without the ability to pressure, the end results were not much different.  This is yet another game I am left to wonder how a healthy Fowler would have affected.

 

6.  For the second week in a row, special teams actually had a pretty decent game.  Greene had a decent punt return.  Myers hit all of his FGs, though he missed another extra point.  The kick coverage didn't give up any huge returns, and they actually blocked a late Chargers punt to keep us in the game until the last minute or so.  While I am thankful for the improvement in this area of the team, I wish we had this level of play much earlier.

 

7.  I thought Poz had a great game in run defense.

 

8.  Nice to get a glimpse of the albino tiger.  Depending upon what happens with Hurns, Lee will have a prominent role against the tacks.  He nneds to show up and show out.

 

9.  Please take any Tyson Alualu related plays out of the offense.  If you want him to perform as a fullback, draft or sign a fullback.

 

10.  Bottom line:  This week was a kick in the gut for our team's playoff chances.  But they aren't extinguished yet.  There is still a chance for this team, but time is running out.  The Texans and Colts seem to be stabilizing themselves just at the right time.  We have to brush this loss off and return to winning.  Beating the loathsome and detestable tacks again is the only way to start.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

If anything, the Charger game underscored the need for the Jags to find more pass rushers in the draft and through Free Agency this off-season.

 

The Jags have come a long way in their rebuilding process, but they are not there yet in terms of competing for the divisional crown and making the playoffs.

 

I feel one more solid off-season with additions in Free Agency and the draft will improve the team's talent base and then perhaps the team will be ready to take the next step.

 

Clearly, they are not there yet.

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If anything, the Charger game underscored the need for the Jags to find more pass rushers in the draft and through Free Agency this off-season.

 

The Jags have come a long way in their rebuilding process, but they are not there yet in terms of competing for the divisional crown and making the playoffs.

 

I feel one more solid off-season with additions in Free Agency and the draft will improve the team's talent base and then perhaps the team will be ready to take the next step.

 

Clearly, they are not there yet.

I agree completely with your opening statement.

 

As I've said in a thread with Pirkster, even if you assume that Fowler will be 100% what he was pre injury and you assume we hit on the Fowler pick, we still need more pass rush catalysts.

 

In fact, we need at least one more playmaker on each level of the defense.

 

But I still think we need a more physical presence on the O-Line.

 

I can't help thinking if we had a dominant running game, we'd score more TDs and Bortles would be more effective.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

My impression is we're not built, our QB is regressing late in the season again and maybe next year we can play competitive football with some changes to staff.

 

Oh, please forget us coming anywhere close to playoffs.

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Because Jaguars is our mantra 

The Jaguars went into this game with a chance to make the playoffs.  After the game, the Jaguars still have a chance, but those chances became a lot slimmer, because not only did the Jaguars lose, but just about every team the Jaguars needed to lose wound up winning.  It was as if fate is telling the Jaguars and fans not to get hopes up.

 

My thoughts...

 

1.  The Hurns injury was scary.  You never want to see anyone sprawled out on the turf like that, especially when they get a stretcher.  But the underdog made good Hurns was particuarly hard to see down there.  I am thrilled the team was taking extra precautions with him and he texted he was okay.  Get well, AH.

 

2.  The story of this game is the team's inability to score TDs in the redzone.  While there are many contributing factors involved with this, to me, the main cause is this team's refusal to run the ball in that area.  The team has stated it wants to run the ball, so I am not sure it is unwilling to do so.  In the past, the team has been unable to run the ball inside the 5, but against the Bolts, the RBs had a nice YPC, against a team that hasn't done well stopping the run. Whatever the rationale for abandoning the run, play action has effectively disappeared from the offense, especially in the red zone.  Whatever the rationale for abandoning the run, the net result is a red zone offense that is one dimensional and much easier to defend.

 

3.  Bortles deserves some blame for this.  Granted, I think the team's imbalance put too much on his shoulders, but again, I think he tried doing too much, as evidenced by the two illegal forward passes inside the ten.  The INT right before halftime I don't think was a matter of him trying to do too much, but it was disastrous nevertheless.  It was another painful growing pain for a QB racing to maturity.  

On a good note, Bortles eclipsed 20 TD passes for the year, only the 3rd Jaguars QB to do so.

 

4.  I think Julius Thomas' critics are much quieter today.  Thomas has a big day, eclipsing 100 yards for the first time this year and caught a TD.  It is the kind of performance that is going to cause defenses to devote more attention to him for the rest of the year, and give Bortles more confidence in him.

 

5.  In another post, I typed the sentiment that Jaguars fans have a justifiable respect of Phillip Rivers bordering on phobia.  Yesterday, we saw why that is.  Once again, without a semblance of a pass rush to slow him down, Rivers picked us apart for four (4) TDs.  Gates was controlled last year, but he caught two of those TDs this year.  While I don't think the coverage was as bad as it was last year when McCoy told his coordinator to call whatever he wanted because we couldn't cover them, without the ability to pressure, the end results were not much different.  This is yet another game I am left to wonder how a healthy Fowler would have affected.

 

6.  For the second week in a row, special teams actually had a pretty decent game.  Greene had a decent punt return.  Myers hit all of his FGs, though he missed another extra point.  The kick coverage didn't give up any huge returns, and they actually blocked a late Chargers punt to keep us in the game until the last minute or so.  While I am thankful for the improvement in this area of the team, I wish we had this level of play much earlier.

 

7.  I thought Poz had a great game in run defense.

 

8.  Nice to get a glimpse of the albino tiger.  Depending upon what happens with Hurns, Lee will have a prominent role against the tacks.  He nneds to show up and show out.

 

9.  Please take any Tyson Alualu related plays out of the offense.  If you want him to perform as a fullback, draft or sign a fullback.

 

10.  Bottom line:  This week was a kick in the gut for our team's playoff chances.  But they aren't extinguished yet.  There is still a chance for this team, but time is running out.  The Texans and Colts seem to be stabilizing themselves just at the right time.  We have to brush this loss off and return to winning.  Beating the loathsome and detestable tacks again is the only way to start.

Regarding point number 2. To be fair they've tried mightily to run in the red zone and that too doesn't work. It appears they're throwing the play book at the red zone and nothing appears to be working. It's not like we are good at picking up short yardage ANYWHERE on the field much less the red zone.

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My impression is we're not built, our QB is regressing late in the season again and maybe next year we can play competitive football with some changes to staff.


Oh, please forget us coming anywhere close to playoffs.

Yesterday was far from regression from Bortles...


As for my impression: RZ offense needs work. I saw a stat I believe was 18 trips to the redzone the past the 5 games and only 5 tds....


Defense needs tweaking: Folwer/Marks back, sign Irvin, sign Gipson, draft a CB... fixed.

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IT WAS ALWAYS THE JAGS

Both of our lines are bad.  We have been picked apart by journeyman, backups and rookies.  There was some holes yesterday at least but run blocking and pass blocking remain an issue for a line that has way too many reps together to not show progress.  The skill positions and QB are moving forward and is something we haven't had in years.

 

Both lines are keeping this team from moving past competitive to winners.  This isn't the year.  I don't like the coaching staff but I would be concerned about a third change in three years for the one part of the team that has promise.  I'll have to keep watching.

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Birth of the Franchise - November 30, 1993
Death of the Franchise - November 29, 2011

Fans deserve better. Thanks for all the good times too many are in the past.

Both of our lines are bad.  We have been picked apart by journeyman, backups and rookies.  There was some holes yesterday at least but run blocking and pass blocking remain an issue for a line that has way too many reps together to not show progress.  The skill positions and QB are moving forward and is something we haven't had in years.

 

Both lines are keeping this team from moving past competitive to winners.  This isn't the year.  I don't like the coaching staff but I would be concerned about a third change in three years for the one part of the team that has promise.  I'll have to keep watching.

Agree on all points. 

 

I wonder how much better the run game would look with Linder in there. I would bet it would be quite a bit better. 

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Agree on all points.


I wonder how much better the run game would look with Linder in there. I would bet it would be quite a bit better.

The right side looked locked down when he was in. Guess we'll see.

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IT WAS ALWAYS THE JAGS

Agree on all points. 

 

I wonder how much better the run game would look with Linder in there. I would bet it would be quite a bit better. 

I'm betting with Linder and Cann at the G spots, the run game will be much better next year.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Get Fowler and Marks back.

 

Sign Irvin and Olivier Vernon. Draft another pass rusher.

 

Please cut Branch and Clemons.

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Gotta get rid of branch and Clemons,they do nothing. Roy Miller is the better pass rusher. Also to the alualu at fb why not play Gerhart there? We all know he can't get past the guy who hits him buts as a blocker you don't need to just gotta hit him

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I get what they were trying to do...  Alualu at FB shows a run look and they intended to pass.  Not a bad setup if we had enough effective plays with him this year.  Overall the line has to be better to make anything work in the red zone.

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Birth of the Franchise - November 30, 1993
Death of the Franchise - November 29, 2011

Fans deserve better. Thanks for all the good times too many are in the past.

I get what they were trying to do...  Alualu at FB shows a run look and they intended to pass.  Not a bad setup if we had enough effective plays with him this year.  Overall the line has to be better to make anything work in the red zone.

 

I don't.

 

You can accomplish a pass with a run look far more effectively with a true FB than with Alualu.  A true FB can run more effectively, catch more effectively, and in any instance other than a run up the middle, would likely be better in lead blocking than Alualu.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Who has decent FBs on the roster in the NFL right now?  Sure miss our past FBs.  I'd take shelton at this point.

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Birth of the Franchise - November 30, 1993
Death of the Franchise - November 29, 2011

Fans deserve better. Thanks for all the good times too many are in the past.

Rivers was so successful because he got to the line with 15+ seconds left, studied the Jag defense, changed the play, adjusted his own players' positioning for the new call, made the right read and usually completed the pass.  The problem is, the Jags just stood there, nobody moved, nobody faked a blitz, nobody switched coverage, they just stood there and let Rivers run diagnostics.

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Red Zone Offense - I remember reading several times in articles written by Ketchman that Tom Moore, the Indianapolis OC during the Peyton Manning hey days had two plays, and two plays only in the Red Zone. It was either a Zone run to the right or a Play Action pass off of the Zone look to the right. If I'm remembering correctly, Moore decided that he wasn't going to muddy the waters in such a critical situation and he gave Manning the option of running either one depending on what he saw. This is the kind of approach I would take if I was an Offensive Coach with this team. Take away the confusion as much as possible and put more emphasis on perfecting the little things than trying to develop a situational play call. I don't know if this is the answer for this team's Red Zone woes, but something needs to change there.

 

Defensive Pass Coverage - I get that the team wants to funnel everything to the inside and does this by aligning themselves with Outside leverage on Pass Catchers, but it makes absolutely no sense to me. Why not align to where the Middle / Inside of the field is covered and force the QB to make the harder throw to the outside. Those routes typically take longer to develop so it should provide even a marginal boost to the pass rush. I'd love to know the rationale behind it, but I'm frightened of the answer I would get.

 

Pass Rush - This team needs one. Go heavy on Pass Rushers early and often in the Draft and Free Agency provided that viable options are there.

 

The Run Defense had a pretty good day.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

Red Zone Offense - I remember reading several times in articles written by Ketchman that Tom Moore, the Indianapolis OC during the Peyton Manning hey days had two plays, and two plays only in the Red Zone. It was either a Zone run to the right or a Play Action pass off of the Zone look to the right. If I'm remembering correctly, Moore decided that he wasn't going to muddy the waters in such a critical situation and he gave Manning the option of running either one depending on what he saw. This is the kind of approach I would take if I was an Offensive Coach with this team. Take away the confusion as much as possible and put more emphasis on perfecting the little things than trying to develop a situational play call. I don't know if this is the answer for this team's Red Zone woes, but something needs to change there.

 

I can understand that approach here if the team were willing and able to you know...actually run the ball.

 

But for whatever reason, a coach that said he wants to run the ball seemingly refuses to run the ball.  Too often the team was spread out on the field with 3 and 4 WRs.  In such a small area as inside the ten, that leaves little room for error, especially when teams know you are reluctant to run.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Rivers was so successful because he got to the line with 15+ seconds left, studied the Jag defense, changed the play, adjusted his own players' positioning for the new call, made the right read and usually completed the pass.  The problem is, the Jags just stood there, nobody moved, nobody faked a blitz, nobody switched coverage, they just stood there and let Rivers run diagnostics.

 

Is there really anything to diagnose with this team on defense?   We have made everyone that lines up against our defense seem capable.  Even thought the schedule shows "winnable" games, this team is going to struggle through the end of the year.

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Birth of the Franchise - November 30, 1993
Death of the Franchise - November 29, 2011

Fans deserve better. Thanks for all the good times too many are in the past.

My impression is we're not built, our QB is regressing late in the season again and maybe next year we can play competitive football with some changes to staff.


Oh, please forget us coming anywhere close to playoffs.

I agree with this...sad but true. We still suck, we cant close out a game, dumb mistakes and lack of killer instinct continue to plague this team.


Bortles has got to stop these stupid turnovers. He kills any momentum they have, and then the team dives in a downward spiral when that happens. We know they dont have the ability to recover.

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