State of the Jaguars (now)...

by Jagz8 on Nov 2, 2008 5:30 PM EST Comment 14 comments

Well there are few words that can describe the immense disappointment stemming from a 21-19 loss to the now 1 - 8 Bengals, other than "wow" or "sigh". This loss hurt not as much as say some of the heartbreakers in which the Defense gave the game away in the 4th quarter, but is still painful for obvious reasons. The Jaguars were 3 - 4 coming into the game with some hope of turning around their season but with many questions surrounding the team, which makes this result somewhat bearable in comparison to the gut-wrenching losses to Tennessee, Buffalo, Pittsbugh, and Cleveland. Nonetheless the loss drops the Jags to 3 - 5 which is a seemingly insurmountable hole considering how poor this team played today and who they have left on the schedule.

However looking back if you remember the 2002 NY Jets, who sat at 3 - 5 after 8 games, rallied to finish 9 - 7, made the playoffs and even knocked off the Colts in the Wild Card round. So there is some hope in that it has happened before. What is even more intriguing is that Curtis Martin and Lamont Jordan had struggled to run the ball to that point similar to the issues that have plauged MJD and Freddy T's production.

Setting the despair and optimism aside the positives and negatives about this team are more than ever apparent now.

First the good:

- David Garrard's continual stability at QB, does the things necessary to keep the Jags in the game. He has also shown the potential deep ball threat from time to time, just needs better wide reciever play.

- Matt Jones continual development as a possession reciever, mades a few tough grabs in traffic and gave Garrard a safety net.

- John Henderson starting a fight and showing some heart/anger.... This act lifted the team up and began a late rally which came up a 2pt conversion short.

- Jerry Porter's surpise emergence from what seemed like a wide reciever coma, to actually have a couple catches on the day.

Now the bad:

- MJD and Freddy T's lack of running once again, no big plays and no yardage. Very disturbing trend of not being able to run the ball.

- Offensive Line's lack of ability to block for the run or the long pass. Also numerous penalties killed the team.

- Defensive Line's ability to once again hit the QB, force a fumble, or even pressure the Bengals offense. Also a couple silly offsides penalties once again hurt them.

- The secondaries coverage on Chad Ocho Cinco, he killed them in the first half, and if not for a few off target throws he would have had an even bigger day.

Finally the UGLY:

- LOSING TO THE 0 - 8 BENGALS!!!! (enough said)

- The 2pt conversion play in which Garrard threw a slant to Porter who was double covered and couldn't make the play. Lack of creativity and precision cost them on this play which in turn cost them a shot to tie the game.

- Greg William's defensive scheme considering the Jags personnel... Constant ineffective blitzing allowed guys like Fitzpatrick, Benson, and Utecht to come up with big plays. This is also a result of the lack of production by the defensive line, but still why beat a dead horse if it isnt working?

- Jack Del Rio's career trend of not making the playoffs in back to back years, coming back after a successful year with an average year hovering around .500, be it injuries, personnel, or schedule it is still concerning.

- Defensive 3rd Down conversions and astonishingly constant inability to get off the field on 3rd and long plays.

- the 3 - 5 record half way through the season, nobody and I mean nobody saw this coming before the season.

Overall though I think despite all of the negatives there is still a miniscule chance that they recover and salvage this season. However a realist would say that this season is in the books and the Jags should focus on developing younger players and do what they can to prepare for the draft and offseason. More snaps for Harvey and Groves is a must, as both need alot of work. The draft is going to have to be a success this year as well as free agency to rebuild this defense. Also getting healthy is a must, the offensive line can be much better with a healthy Mo Williams, Chris Naeole, Vince Mauwai, among others.

However it will be up to the next 4 games to determine if the 2008 Jaguars can rally like the 2002 Jets did or just completely collapse and hope for next season. Let's hope the Lions aren't as hungry for a W as the Bengals were....

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9-7 isn't going to get you into the playoffs this year

Whoever finishes 2nd in the AFC East will probably claim the 1st Wildcard and who knows about the 2nd. This team needs to get hot and go 7-1 or 8-0 in the 2nd half to get a wildcard spot. The bigger question is, is this team capable of that? Right now, I honestly would have to say no. Every game it seems a QB makes his case to be starting in the Pro Bowl and we couldn’t run the ball even if we played in the Big 12. I hate to get into “Sky is falling” mode, but I wonder what attendance is going to be like for some of these games.

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your f***in' mouth."-Bill Hicks

by FSBlueApocalypse on Nov 2, 2008 6:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fire 'em!!!

Either the defensive coordinator or Del Rio need to go!!! We didn’t change that many defensive players from last year, but we now have the most pathetic defense in the league. Someone needs to fired in the next week or so, or after our upcoming loss to the mighty Lions.

by mnttravis on Nov 2, 2008 6:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree COMPLETELY

Thats why I started the FIre Gregg Williams Blog at www.firegreggwilliams.com Its time to get the drumbeats rolling and get him out of the way before he destroys this teams credibility

Go Jags! Some people are like Slinky's...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by freek1969 on Nov 2, 2008 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, you are ...

my new favorite person on this site.
Starting that blog showed great initiative, there will be a promotion in your future. Good job, man!
See y’all there.

To be master of oneself and never waver in one's resolve.
- Maximus Desimus Meridius

by jagsrock on Nov 2, 2008 10:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

losing to the 0-8 bungles says it all.

I just finished watching ESPN’s primetime show. Trent Dilfer made a comment that absolutlely sums it up. " The Jags are built to be a physical team and they’re just not a physical team this year They are the biggest disappointment of the NFL this year."

Trent is partly correct. This team has lost some physicality. Part of is injury and part of is age ("Nature’s rule Daniel san – Not Mine’) and fianlly, a disasterous offseason (so far)

This team has a lot of holes to fill next offseason.

by OGN on Nov 2, 2008 8:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Future Problems.

FSBlue I think you make a good point in that this team does not look capable of building enough momentum and winning games to make a playoff run, but until 4:10pm next Sunday there is still an outsiders shot. If they lose to the Lions, then forget about it…

Also the attendance point is very relevent because if nobody shows up for the last few home games combined with the losing, ownership may continue to look to sell the team. Now this is all very speculative, but being on the verge of the first real losing season since 2003, revenue from tickets not coming in, and Wayne Weaver’s age may all factor into a possible sale, and dare I say relocation of the Jaguars. Now I hope none of this happens but it is a distinct possibility.

My main point would be is that how the rest of this season plays out could very well determine the future of this franchise more than one would think….

by Jagz8 on Nov 2, 2008 9:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Defense

You guys do seem to be forgetting that our defense started it’s decline last year. Keep thinking about that almost perfect game Brady had against us. We threw everything we had at him defensively and couldn’t get it done. This problem isn’t just an 08 problem.

Then there’s the soon-to-be infamous comment from the draft in relation to making the team. We have such a solid core, blah blah blah. It sounded like what we wanted to hear, so we believed it. And they probably did too.

It does sicken me to watch our Defense now. Regardless of fault, players or coaches. That used to be my favorite part of the game. I always watched very intently for the big stops, and the QB on the ground, I love that. I wish we still had even close to it.

by Pyrofish on Nov 3, 2008 12:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Mercedes

I know there were so many things that went wrong. But I was at the game, and I am still baffled how Mr. Lewis didn’t get into the endzone, it looked like he gave up. We had to settle for a field goal, and the rest is history.

Tony Ducks.

by Tony Ducks on Nov 3, 2008 3:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Mike Smith

Mike Smith has come out of this mess looking like a football genius. In my opinion he deserves to be named coach of the year for what he has been able to accomplish in Atlanta. I think the Jags defensive meltdown since he left makes him look even better.

by Kenzster on Nov 3, 2008 8:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Mike Smith

jumped off of a sinking ship. Gregg Williams had a very successful career thus far. Do you think he all of a sudden forgot how to coach? He can’t go out there and cover Chad Johnson, or tackle Benson running straight up the middle. The players have to make the plays. That’s it. If you want to fire someone, fire Mathis, Henderson, Peterson, Florence, and send Derrick Harvey back to school for one more year. Oh, and send Groves back to his middle school football coach so he can teach him where to line up. This can’t be a coaching issue, it’s a player issue. Like mentioned up above, this defense was in decline last year, it’s time to re-evaluate the talent on the defensive side of the ball. As far as the offense goes, you can’t overcome the injuries this year, the O-line will be back next year, you have Garrard, who IS a good QB, and MJD will be one of the best if he can keep it up. WR is a must. I’m not saying this year is over yet and it’s time to rebuild, but I’m not expecting the playoffs anymore. I think I’ll just enjoy the remaining games, still attend all the home games, hope we win our home games against the undefeated Titans and the prime time game against the Colts, and just enjoy Jaguar football season until it ends. No need to be negative about it. Like someone said before, it could be May or June and have NO football on TV. Let’s just enjoy the games on an individual basis and hope the Jags can put together a few wins.

by jagsfanbrunell on Nov 3, 2008 9:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

great post

jagsfanbrunell,
You summed it all up. That’s exactly how I feel. It isn’t easy taking all these losses with the expectations everyone had, but it is what it is. We don’t have a good team this year. Bottom line. We have some big problems and like Vic says “Help is not on the way”

My only hope at this point is that the jaguars start playing with some heart. That’s what hurts for me. I hate seeing them play like they don’t care.

by jimbrophoto on Nov 3, 2008 2:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

with you and Vic on that front. Help must come from within. Guess we’ll see if we can muster up some grit in the next few games. Speaking of the next two games, the Titans game has been moved to 4:15 p.m. Too bad it’s for the reason that it is due to the success of the Titans and not the Jags. Oh well, see you all at 4:15!!!

by jagsfanbrunell on Nov 3, 2008 4:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

First the good:

"- John Henderson starting a fight and showing some heart/anger…. "

You seriously think gouging someone’s eye was a good thing? Getting suspended for the rest of the season for repeated eye gouge attempts would be a deserved thing. Will you be calling that a good thing when it happens?

by palewook on Nov 5, 2008 10:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs