Jaguars Jack Del Rio could be coaching for his job against the Texans
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 10:01 AM EST
in Jacksonville Jaguars News
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The Jacksonville Jaguars currently sit at 8-7 and still in the playoff race with a win and a Colts loss. Prior to the 2010 season, Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver challenged Jack Del Rio and quarterback David Garrard to perform. Weaver didn't necessarily claim that Del Rio needed to coach this team to the playoffs to keep his job, but ending another season on consecutive losses certainly won't set Del Rio in Weaver's good graces. "I'm not going to get into those kind of conversations. Right now we're moving forward on a very positive note. My expectations are that we're going to be better than average and that means that we're going to be competing for the playoffs, not just for next year but for years to come," Weaver said.
Jack Del Rio certainly has this football team in contention for the playoffs again, just like he had in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009. The problem has been instead of making the playoffs in 5 of the last 6 seasons, the Jaguars have gone from the brink of the playoffs to playing themselves out of contention. In 2004 the Jaguars had an outside shot at the Wild Card, but finished the season 3-2 with a critical loss at home to the Houston Texans. In 2005 the Jaguars went 3-1 down the stretch and made the playoffs via the Wild Card. In 2006, the Jaguars sat at 6-5 and in the hunt and finished 2-3. In 2007 the Jaguars were able to coast to the playoffs via the Wild Card and win their first playoff game since the 1999 season. In 2009 the team was 7-5 but faltered down the stretch to lose their final four games. This season doesn't look to bode much better as the Jaguars have now lost two straight, pushing their record to 2-2 in December and the potential to end the season either winning 3 of their last 5, or finishing with 3 straight losses.
"People have shown us in this league that if you do it the right way, there's no reason that you can't compete for the playoffs every year. And I think we've got the team in place. I'm really excited about what Gene Smith and his people are doing in the personnel area. We've always espoused that you draft to build your franchise and we've always said you take the best player available. We haven't always done that. We've got to get back to the roots of saying, 'Let's make sure that we're true to what our goals are and what we say we're going to do and let's do them and let's go execute them,'" Weaver said back in January.
I'm of the belief that the outcome of the game on Sunday will determine Jack Del Rio's fate as the Jaguars head coach in 2011. Chris Mortenson and Adam Schefter of ESPN both said they believed Jack Del Rio will be back to coach the 2011 season, but if the Jaguars lose on Sunday to go from 8-5 and in first place in the AFC South to dropping the final three games to finish 8-8 and out of the playoffs, that's a hard sell to fans who're mostly tired of Del Rio already. I think with a win over Houston, Weaver can claim that the Jaguars finished with a winning record and were in contention of the playoffs up until the final week of the NFL regular season.
I understand firing Del Rio and I understand keeping Del Rio. I don't have a feeling either way if he's kept or fired. Firing him on the brink of labor unrest means you've got to find a new coach, still pay the remaining $10 million left on Jack Del Rio's contract, and hope the new staff can install their system on what will likely be a shortened off-season.
I just know either way, wholesale changes are coming. Wayne Weaver put a charge to Jack Del Rio and David Garrard in January, and it doesn't appear either will deliver. Weaver once said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Well...
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I think he lost his job on Sunday
from Gene’s column yesterday…
As Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver and general manager Gene Smith exited the team locker room in opposite directions, their faces looked ready to explode.
Everyone knew there was no escape hatch to explain away this defeat, and head coach Jack Del Rio conceded excuses were off limits.
I think JDR is back next year no matter what happens
I have stated since last year and completely stand by my conviction that we go no where meainingful with this coaching staff - late season collapses (seasons plural and becoming habitual) are evident that this staff cannot get this team prepared to win when it matters most (and I started out as a HUGE JDR fan – but have soured on him due to this).
However; this owner is very reluctant to coaching changes and JDR will be allowed to ‘play out’ is contract extension no matter what (IMO).
well if this crap was limited to one game - I'm with you - but it obviously is not
so again I ask the very simple question – why does this franchise consistently fail in these situations?
Yeah
because firing coaches in BUF, DET, SF, CLE etc.. etc… has worked so well for them.
The Jaguars had 6 years of pretty bad drafting. That has been dealt with.
Of course none of this matters since the team is going to have to take a monumental leap in talent and performance to win 10 games next year with the schedule they’ll most likely have .
Non-Division games: ATL, NO, TB, PIT, BAL, NYJ, SD, CIN, CLE, CAR
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
More will come later, but that’s going to be one of my arguments for going in another direction at QB. Takes the lumps when you’d likely take them anyways.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 2:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I can see that argument
but I would worry that we’d end up destroying a rookie QB unless we seriously upgrade the protection the o-line is capable of providing.
How long did Edwards and McCown last behind the protection that our o-line is giving this year ?
Blame Garrard for holding onto the ball if you want, but the fact is that every other QB we’ve had to play this season has gotten hurt almost immediately behind this line.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
It’s virtually impossible to correlate Edwards/Bouman’s injuries directly to actual lack of protection. Both were mostly hand injuries, IIRC, from hitting their hands on helmets/making a tackle.
Injuries are injuries.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 3:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah
TB, KC, and NYJ seemed to have done OK. And the coaching change at NE did alright too I guess BUT I could be wrong there – we’ll have to see how that Belichik guy works out for them.
Jaguars – a commitment to mediocrity. Has a crappy ring to it, but hey let’s keep status quo, it IS a proven commodity.
Belichick was about to be fired
until he put that Tom Brady guy in the line up.
And if you have to go back 10 years to find a good example, you’ve made my case for me.
And the Jets spent a TON of money in the off season, and I don’t see any rings on their fingers yet.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
That's why smart businessmen
don’t make rash decisions.
Wayne will wait until after the season and after he has calmed down from these disappointing losses and will evaluate things.
Firing JDR isn’t the only answer. He has to believe that the person he would be able to get to replace him will be not only an improvement, but an immediate improvement.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
The problem with Wayne is he has made 3 very rash decisions that did not need to be made at that time
First, the extension to JDR after the Pittsburgh playoff game in 2007
Second, the extension to David Garrard after the Pittsburgh game. Thus Khalif Barnes will alway be known to me as the guy who got away with the $60 million hold.
Third, giving all of the assistant coaches extensions after the 3 game winning streak in 2009. In my opinion, this will kind of hamstring Weaver when he has to make that choice for a new coach whether this year or otherwise.
to tell you the truth
I viewed your third comment as an attempt by Weaver to maintain consistency of the coaching staff and prevent some of the turnover of assistant coaches that seemed to mark the early JDR era
Section 442, RIP
Jaguars, most knowledgable fans in the NFL.
never thought of things that way
good point. My thinking is there’s always turnover, but the amount the Jags pays their coaches and staff has a direct bearing on how much you can offer the next guy.
he's as bad as the Gator honks
Damn was SFR unlistenable this morning.
Frenette lost any credibility he had by not voting for Cam Newton for the Heisman based on principle.
Dear God. After listening to Prosser’s rant about Tebow I wanted to shoot myself in the face.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 1:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Letting frenette pick the heisman winner
is worse than letting fans pick who goes to the pro bowl.
How on earth did he ever get a Heisman vote? Did the T-U have one and have to pick somebody? Anybody?
I’ve seen more lucid analysis in fourth-tier reponses to play-calling posts on BCC.
Section 442, RIP
Jaguars, most knowledgable fans in the NFL.
by unhipcat on Dec 28, 2010 3:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
This year's team has exceeded expectations...
but for the second straight year, a JDR team has had it’s playoff destiny in it’s hands – and ended the season on a long losing streak. Last year 4 games and this year looking like 3 games. If we lose Sunday, I think Wayne has a tough, tough decision to make. Folding like that in consecutive seasons is unacceptable – and why outsiders don’t take our team seriously.
If jdr and coughlin both got fired,
Would you want or welcome Coughlin back in Jacksonville and if not who do you want and would they actually come here.
by jagFANinPA on Dec 28, 2010 11:00 AM EST via mobile reply actions
2006
In 2006, the Jaguars sat at 6-5 and in the hunt and finished 2-3.
You’re being generous. They were 8-5 coming off a huge home win over Indy where they ran for almost 400 yards. The next week they went to Nashville and dominated Tennessee but lost because Garrard played one of the worst games I have ever seen a QB play. You can’t often say that one player loses a game for a team but that day Garrard did. After that they lost at home to a good Pats team and went to KC and got embarrased and Garrard got benched. That collapse and the pitiful performances in Tennessee and Kansas City were why Leftwich was named starter that offseason.
Garrard threw three interceptions and fumbled once in the Tennessee game
not good by any stretch of the imagination, but lots of QBs do that every year.
the big difference is that most QBs don’t have three of the turnovers returned 83, 92 and 61 yards for TDs.
I think the KC game two weeks later was much worse when he threw the ball directly to a DB standing in front the receiver on the line of scrimmage.
he got yanked, and it looked to me like JDR had absolutely no confidence in him and his Jaguars career was over.
but the Quinn Gray era didn’t last too long
Section 442, RIP
Jaguars, most knowledgable fans in the NFL.
I don't pin this one on coaching
I don’t pin this one or last week’s loss on the coaching. I have to believe it’s players not plays.
The Offensive line was pretty bad this week. Garrard got hit over and over and over again. Everytime Jennings had the ball it seemed like there was a WALL right in front of him, no holes at all. We missed Manuwai.
I thought Karim muffing the OT kickoff was a killer. It really pinned us back. How do you counter that?
Lots of dropped passes, even normally sure handed Lewis dropped a critical pass.
The coaching team had a good game plan, but the players were unable to execute. If you can’t block in the run or passing game, you’re f’d.
I can’t pin this one on coaching, I think it comes down to lack of talented players.
However, finally the D is starting to gel. So, we’ll see what happens next year.
by Atl- Jags Fan on Dec 28, 2010 1:58 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I was at the game and
after Monroe(I think) got called for holding on a play, I heard a guy behind me blame it on the coaches. I just had to laugh.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
I agree with this guy...
…..bad coaching would mean taking a talented team and doing nothing. That’s exactly the opposite of what JDR has done. Has he had some questionable play calling? Yes. Has he made some dumb decisions? Yes. But we’ve seen him take a talented team to some pretty good records. We’ve had some very exciting times under JDR. It just so happens we play in the same division as the Colts. Any other division and we would have division crowns already. It just so happened we went up against a legendary offense in the playoffs. Who knows what might have happened if we didn’t get the Pats that year.
Who’s fault is it that we can’t close the deal? It’s the players on the field. It’s the players on the field missing tackles, blowing assignments, and dropping balls. It’s the players on the field missing blocks and holding on to the ball too long. It’s the players making inconsistent throws and sailing balls to the defense. If you wanna fire anybody, fire the defense. Fire David Garrard. They are to blame for this. Who would have thought we would be in position to win the division in the last week of the season with this team? When was the last time we had a chance to win the division in week 17?
The offense isn’t gonna be consistent until we get a consistent quarterback. The defense isn’t gonna be any good until we get some talent. Nuff said.
I'd also like to add...
….JDR doesn’t call the offense. So play calling is mostly on Coach Koetter. As far as defensive play calling, we know the defense sucks, the Jags know they suck, and everybody we play know they suck. What is he supposed to do just sit back and let qb’s tear the defense to shreds? He’s had to take some chances with different coverages and pressure packages because we can’t afford to wait on the inevitable. But the defense is way too slow and unskilled for what we need to do to win this division.
I don't think he makes
the in-game defensive calls either. Could be wrong there though.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
Personally,
I think players take you to the Super Bowl. Not coaches.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
No, but without players
they’re not getting you to the Super Bowl.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
Then please explain the consistent nature of this franchise not playing well
in these situations. This is not a one time occurance, but one that has happened across multiple seasons with different player / players combinations?
Ok...
…incosistent QB play. Point blank. The offense is only gonna go as far as the QB can take it. When we had great records, we ran the ball and stopped the run. You don’t need much of a quarterback to do that. When we sucked, we’ve had terrible QB play.
This franchise has NEVER had an elite QB.
Go back and look at Mark Brunell’s stats when he was in Jacksonville. We won as much as we did under Brunell because of the running game and defense. Under Garrard, with the exception of 2007, we’re missing the defense.
For reference, in 2000, Brunell’s best statistical season, he had 20 TD’s and 14picks, compared to 23 and 15 for DG with 2 fewer starts.
Mark also completed a lower % of his passes, had a lower per-catch average and a significantly lower QB Rating.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
Thank God someone else made this point.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 4:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Passion
I don’t doubt that JDR has a passion for this game. Why else would he be here if he didn’t. It would be nice though, if he displayed some of that passion and fire, it might spill over into the team. The game plan sucked. If your up against a 8-9 man front that has stymied the run, then there should be passing oportunities aplenty, if your QB has a quick release. (DG doesn’t). So where were the short passes over the middle or crossing te’s? We have great TE’s, it just that they are used very little. Look at the Colts and Manning, the TE is his bread & butter (but he is also very quick). The NFL is based on the passing game, and when you look at the best teams, they have terriffic passing offense (Manning, Brady, Brees, etc.). Sure you can win some playing the smash-mouth run game, but you have to have smash-mouth players. The Jags DO NOT have smash-mouth players (wait, I take that back, they are always getting smashed). Balance is the key, but first you have to have the ability to establish that balance, both in the run and passing game. MJD is a good running back, and although he is hard to bring down, he is not big enough to dominate. Jennings is lesser of a back than MJD, so what do you have, not much. DG is only a fair passer, when given enough time which is rare. He does on occasion show some brilliance, so I can’t decide if its him or the receivers can’t get open. Strange, the opponets receivers always seem to be open but the Jags are always covered. Maybe there is just not enough passion and fire to do the job.
Garrard is a guy who happens to play QB
If he played another position, he’d be a guy playing another position. He’s not consistently spectacular; but he can be at times. He’s not consistently horrible; but he can be that at times, too.
I think that’s the problem. We see the good David and expect to see that all the time, and I’ve come to the realization we never will.
He’s not Brady or Alex Smith; he’s not Peyton Manning or Rivers or Jason Cambell or whichever Hasselbeck isn’t married to the Survivor gal. He impresses, he sucks, he disappoints, he frustrates, he …
I just want people calling for the Jags to dump Garrard to realize that the next guy under probably isn’t going to be an immediate improvement.
Section 442, RIP
Jaguars, most knowledgable fans in the NFL.
by unhipcat on Dec 28, 2010 3:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions
No one should expect it to be, but at some point you’ve got to move on. You’ll never get better doing the same over and over.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 3:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Call me radical....
…but I would almost prefer a rookie be under center next year. Even if we are getting that schedule. The defense is probably not gonna look the same anyway. We might be starting a bunch more rookies in the secondary. We’re gonna get beat. Might as well let him make his mistakes.
No, but you're not going to get better
cutting guys who are your best option right now either.
I’m all for moving on the moment we have a better option. I’d even be happy with you back there at QB if Gene and Jack thought you’d win more games.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
Garrard’s only the “best option” because he’s a known commmodity. That known commodity is partly responsible for a potential 3rd collapse while in playoff content since 2006.
Unless you want more of the same, they can’t afford to “wait” for a proven better option.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 4:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Please explain your "proven better option"
And Edwards and McCown are both known commodities to the GM and coaching staff.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
I don’t have a proven better option. That’s my point. Instead of rolling the same guy out who keeps delivering the same result, go another direction. It’s rarely ever seamless.
Look at FA. Explore trades. Draft.
Rolling out with Garrard again in 2011 is Weaver’s definition of insanity.
Dirty little secret: Gene wasn’t a Garrard guy in 2007 when the move was made. Garrard being back, unless he takes a unlikely severe paycut, will be a bigger shock than dumping him. It already sounds like Del Rio is done with him.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 4:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Do you honestly think they haven't done that ?
Why do you think they brought in McCown ? Edwards ?
Wanting to find a better option and finding a better option are two entirely different things. And all I’m saying is that you don’t cut David until you find someone you believe will be better.
So far, no matter how much ALL of us would like that to happen, it hasn’t.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
If McCown doesn’t tear his ACL, does Garrard start the whole season?
There’s no reason to keep hanging on to Garrard aside from fear of the unknown.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 4:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
yes, or he gets his job back after the KC game
Luke wasn’t exactly “dealing” in the San Diego game. He was mopping up, had a nice drive going then got hurt. Hypotheticals are always fun, but ll things equal, he might have gotten in vs. Philly then who knows. Thing is David did not really get a taste this year of getting pulled then fretting because of his best quality – his durability.
Never said he was, but he significantly outplayed Garrard in the preseason enough for the question to be asked by more than us.
Then Garrard bombs SD and Philly.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to think at 1-2 after two brutally awful games they wouldn’t try.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 6:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Alfie, you know that's not totally accurate
if that was the case then why the hell is Bolen not starting ahead of Greg Jones?
Bolen made plays carrying the football, not blocking. Bolen didnt outperform Jones, Bolen is a different type of player, that’s why.
Not to mention Greg Jones didn’t nearly single handedly lose 2 of the first 3 games.
Not even close to the same and you know it.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 9:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
you missed again in classic Alfie fashion
Luke didn’t exactly light up first string competition.
Now you’ll probably shoot back with “he was never given the opportunity” but I will counter with JDR knew this was a show improvement or we’ll show you the door year. I trust that he felt DG gave the Jags the best chance to win versus Cool Hand. I trust that the coaches who see these guys every play and tape on said guys know a hell of a lot more about the strengths and weaknesses of their team than do a blog editor and a random poster.
Also, here you go again with the “nearlies” and “almosts”. Stop that man! Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
We'll never know
but neither McCown nor Edwards showed that they’re the answer, and both had the opportunity.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
When, exactly, did both have a real opportunity…?
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 6:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
They got in the game
Being able to stay healthy is a pretty important part of being an NFL player last time I checked.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
So coming in unprepared after injury/benching is “getting their chance”?
That’s ridiculous man.
by Alfie Crow on Dec 28, 2010 9:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Coming in unprepared ?
Are you serious ? Why would they be unprepared ?
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
say what?
sometimes you go to the extremes to prove you’re correct in your own mind. Now I will give you Trent Edwards against Tennessee. But to say Luke was not prepared is asinine and in my opinion, dead wrong.
Garrard is the "best option"
because the guys who run the team and see the players every day say he’s the best option. when they identify someone they deem a better option, they will allow that person to play (see B. Leftwich, 2007)
Section 442, RIP
Jaguars, most knowledgable fans in the NFL.
In which case
I fully expect everyone down on Garrard to say, “yeah, but think how we’re building for the future.”
Right?
Section 442, RIP
Jaguars, most knowledgable fans in the NFL.
by unhipcat on Dec 28, 2010 4:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
With the current talent on our team
There’s not a coach in or out of the league that could take us to the Super Bowl.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
depends where the talent is.
Unless we have the 85 Bears defense or the defense that the Buccaneers and Ravens had, no way DG takes us there.
But realistically there are way too many holes in this team. Then again there were a lot of holes on the 1996 team as well.
The question is about Del Rio, not DG
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
same answer
the day JDR cut Leftwich he married himself and his coaching future in Jacksonville to David.
regardless of what we think
The Jaguars will be going in a different direction next season either at QB , coach, or both.
Peace out
by jesusjagfan2009 on Dec 28, 2010 6:33 PM EST via mobile reply actions
And we ALL hope that the new guy
is more Ryan or Bradford than Kolb or Rodgers. And by that I mean the time before they see the field and performing at a high level.
And lets certainly hope the guy we draft doesn’t turn out to be like the dozens of QB’s who never cut it as NFL starters.
DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's, or LB's ability to cover a TE.
interesting you mentioned Kolb
Could he be a Matt Schaub? Personally I don’t think his story has been written yet.
We'll never get rid of JDR
He’ll be the Joe Paterno of Pro Football and be here forever. At least we have the Draft…
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
Real fans don’t need a reason.
Jaguars in the Playoffs? How can it be?
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