JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 09: Coach Jack Del Rio confers with quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during play against the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Field on October 9, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are sitting at 2-6 after the first half of the season and have a bye week this week. The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for a team that just can't seem to put two and two together, at least offensively. The Jaguars defense has actually played really well, so the bye week comes at a good time to give them a breather. After the first 8 weeks of the season, the defense ranks in the Top 10 against both the run and the pass.
The Jaguars offense however, has been abysmal. Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert started out looking manageable in his first three starts to looking worse and worse in his final three starts.
| 2011 Season | Comp % | Yards | TD's | INT's |
| First 3 Games | 47% | 556 | 3 | 2 |
| Last 3 Games | 41% | 299 | 2 | 2 |
After Gabbert's third start against the Cincinnati Bengals, where I thought he actually played quite well, his play took a real nose dive. Going against the top three ranked defenses in a row certainly didn't help, but Gabbert became more and more gun-shy in the pocket and his footwork and accuracy just went to crap. The bye week comes at a good time for the kid to reset his brain and get things together for a second half of the season that's not as daunting.
He has clear footwork and mechanical issues that can be worked out with proper coaching, but that's not something that can be fixed during the season. Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter should take his time during the bye week and try to tailor the offense to something that will make Gabbert more comfortable. Some more short quick passes, passes to the backs out of the backfield, and even though he's been dropping passes more focus to tight end Marcedes Lewis.


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