One Step from Victory

by arthardie on Oct 17, 2009 11:17 AM EDT

Shooting through the line. Is it magic? Strength? Speed?

We've all seen it. Teams with overpowering defensive lines shooting players through gaps like darts headed for the ball. The meat of the game.

New York's Giants repeat the procedure almost every snap. And Baltimore practically invented it. Nothing smothers and dominates a game like a defensive line that consumes play from every angle. The Jaguars used to know how to do this.

But today, the opposing teams' quarterbacks seem so far away. Or sometimes, just one step away. That one step, is the key. That one step is the difference between a punt, and a first down. First downs lead to touchdowns.

So into our fair city enter the Rams. Oh how they long for a win. Bulger can throw. They have the guys to catch the ball too. Plus, #39 is a big, fast, powerful back. He wants the ball. And they're giving it to him.

Ignore the records. Ignore the attendance. The greatest measure of this game will be...one step. A small gap, which we hope our Jaguars can close.

Go Jags!

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Intensity. Aggresion.

Hunger for contact. That’s what is missing. The Jags have been sniffing QBs all season. I see Harvey get within reach, he just doesn’t have the final burst to get the kill. It seems like he just doesn’t have the mean streak you need in a pass rusher. We need a leader on the defense that commands respect, who will teach aggression and team pride, through their own intense nature. A Ray Lewis-esque influence. You gotta have a bad-ass. That’s my opinion.

Go Jaguars!

Vae Victis!

by viator on Oct 17, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Exactly.

The final magnestism that pulls a defender into or over the quarterback is precisely the issue. Some teams make it look so easy. And some, does not include us.

The Teal and Black are comin' back!

by arthardie on Oct 17, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish I could

rewatch these games so I can do some research and find out what all is going wrong or right. As bad as we were in the Seattle game, I didn’t see a whole lot of problems that should linger (other than the lack of a regular pass rush).
Granted there were a lot of mistakes made, especially by Rashean Mathis, but we didn’t look like a bad team. There is also a weakness at LT right now, but I imagine that should improve in the near future.

by Ewdtrey on Oct 18, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

And speaking of this...

…while Jags fans spray the word of bust around, how about Paul Spicer? How’s that for another Harris horror? A number of journeyman seasons. Then, one good season. Then, a massive contract. Followed by anonymity. Hmm.

As long as we’re bashing Porter, Williams, that DB from the Chargers (I don’t even want to say his name), Jones, Soward, Bryant, Harvey, and the rest of our personnel flops…truth would be undercut if Spicer’s drop-off was not included in that formula.

The Teal and Black are comin' back!

by arthardie on Oct 17, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

This is pure speculation...but

I would bet that Spicer was a key ingredient in the formula that proved corrosive last year. He and Peterson both had contract issues, and I think that began the downward spiral. Coupled with Big John’s apathy, the wide receiver debacle, and contempt for the overpaid and useless Porter and Florence duo, the breakdown was complete. The team ate itself from the inside out.

Vae Victis!

by viator on Oct 17, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions