Until the Jaguars archaic offense changes, they won't win many games
by Alfie Crow on Sep 26, 2011 11:01 AM EDT
in Jacksonville Jaguars Post Game
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After halftime, the Jacksonville Jaguars led the Carolina Panthers by a score of 10-5. This is how the Jaguars began their opening drive after halftime:
| 1st and 10 at JAC 20 | M.Jones-Drew up the middle to JAX 32 for 12 yards (J.Pugh). | ||
| 1st and 10 at JAC 32 | M.Jones-Drew up the middle to JAX 34 for 2 yards (J.Williams, C.Munnerlyn). | ||
| 2nd and 8 at JAC 34 | M.Jones-Drew up the middle to JAX 38 for 4 yards (J.Anderson). | ||
| 3rd and 4 at JAC 38 | (Shotgun) D.Karim up the middle to JAX 45 for 7 yards (E.Norwood). | ||
| 1st and 10 at JAC 45 | D.Karim right guard to JAX 49 for 4 yards (J.Williams). | ||
| 2nd and 6 at JAC 49 | M.Jones-Drew up the middle to CAR 46 for 5 yards (D.Connor, J.Anderson). | ||
| 3rd and 1 at CAR 46 | M.Jones-Drew up the middle to CAR 42 for 4 yards (J.Williams). | ||
| 1st and 10 at CAR 42 | M.Jones-Drew up the middle to CAR 40 for 2 yards (J.Williams, A.Neblett). | ||
| 2nd and 8 at CAR 40 | B.Gabbert FUMBLES (Aborted) at CAR 40, recovered by JAX-U.Nwaneri at CAR 40. U.Nwaneri to CAR 40 for no gain (D.Connor). | ||
| 3rd and 8 at CAR 40 | (Shotgun) D.Karim left guard to CAR 46 for -6 yards (T.McClain; E.Norwood). | ||
| 4th and 14 at CAR 46 | M.Turk punts 27 yards to CAR 19, Center-J.Cain, downed by JAX. | ||
| DRIVE TOTALS: JAC 10, CAR 5, 10 plays, 34 yards, 6:11 elapsed | |||
|---|---|---|---|
The play where rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert fumbled the snap was also a running play, as Uche Nwaneri was able to recover the fumble since he was pulling from his guard position.
"Obviously you're adjusting some of the things that you do based on that kind of weather. That's just what you do. I thought we adjusted well. It did get adjusted as it should," Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said after the game.
I call bull.
If the weather really had that much of an influence on the Jaguars offensive game plan, why was Blaine Gabbert throwing the football during the actual torrential down pour? By the time the 3rd quarter started, the rain had all but subsided. It was actually sunny outside. Gabbert threw the football 5 times in the final four minutes of the first half during the downpour. Gabbert threw the football just three times, two of which were screens, until there was 4 minutes left in the game.
You cannot play offense like that in the modern NFL and expect to win ball games. The way the Jaguars play offense is completely nonsensical. Gabbart threw the football a total of 21 times, 7 of those 21 attempts came in the final four minutes of the game. As I wrote yesterday in my game recap, the team sets themselves up in panic situations and puts unneeded pressure on a rookie quarterback.
I'm not asking for Blaine Gabbert to throw the ball 40 times in a game. I'm not even asking for him to throw the ball 30 times in a game. I'm asking for the offense to be less "1953". The Jaguars defense looks like it's for real. This team can afford to pass the football and make some mistakes, but the team plays like they're afraid to turn the football over. In order to win football games, this team is going to have to start passing the football more effectively, and you don't do that by constantly setting up your quarterback for failure.
After three weeks, the Jaguars a dead last in the NFL in passing yards per game. They're dead last in pass attempts per game. They're second to last in total points and points per game. They're first in rush attempts per game. The Jaguars offense has 2 total touchdowns and have given up 2 safeties. They have just a single trip in the redzone all season long.
Blaine Gabbert isn't going to learn or grow sticking the ball in Maurice Jones-Drew's gut over and over and passing only when he has to. He's going to make mistakes and he'll have to learn from those mistakes. He's not going to learn when you run the ball twice, then ask him to make a play on 3rd and long.
It's an offense that plays scared to make mistakes and that's how you make mistakes. It's an offense and a team that has no killer instinct whatsoever. When you're up 10-5 and getting the ball back after halftime leading a game you have no business leading, you put your foot on the throat and push down. You go for the jugular and put the opposing team on the ropes. You don't offer them an umbrella and dry set of clothes.
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The Jags have nothing to lose
Why can’t they play like it?
You can't reason with unreasonable people.
If you ain't first, you're last.
B/C there coach has quite thats why
Del Meat Head has given up……let move on arleady and get Blaine’s future in house.
Dumb
You need balance to have a successful offense. We need to be closer to 50/50 run pass. That doesn’t mean alternate. You will have drives where you run it 3 in a row, but you will also have drives where you pass 3 in a row. You have to keep the defense guessing. Our rudimentary offense isn’t fooling anyone and our personell aren’t that dominating that they can win every time.
A good passing game will only enhance your running game. Fred Taylor had no problems racking up yards and making big plays when Brunell was slinging it downfield to Jimmy Smith and intermediary to Keenan McCardell.
It's like going to Vegas.
Vegas wouldn’t be where it is today if the Roulette wheel was 75% black and 25% red.
I do not disagree that they need to use Gabbert's are a bunch more....
and I think we will see that this week. Probably pretty hard to game plan with a guy that you have never really seen play in a true game (not garbage time). I do not think you picked a good series of plays though. The conditions were poor. The team moved the ball 40yeras on 9 plays until the fumble. That’s not bad running in the muck and mire of a soaked field. I think things might have been different had we not lost a down to the fumble. It is also easy to see where passing on the 2nd and 8 and 3rd and eight would have been a good move. If anything, there are two bad plays on that drive; the fumble (on Mr. Gabbert) and the choice to run the ball on 3rd and 8 (on the coaches). As I said, interested to see what we get next week.
OUTSTANDING! My sentiments - exactly. And to further accentuate.
This team can afford to pass the football and make some mistakes.
:-) YES!
He’s going to make mistakes and he’ll have to learn from those mistakes. He’s not going to learn when you run the ball twice, then ask him to make a play on 3rd and long.
:-)) Too much pressure. I think Garrard was a victim of this.
…you put your foot on the throat and push down. You go for the jugular and put the opposing team on the ropes.
I’ve been saying this. Do whatever it takes to get a good lead and keep them on their heels, not us. Don’t wait until your behind to play like your behind. A one possession lead should be considered that you are behind.
Jaxson>>>
Instead of 4 yds and a cloud of dust
We got 4 yds and a puddle of mud. Not the change I was hoping for under Gabbert.
Respect My Authoritah
by duuuvaaalll on Sep 26, 2011 11:27 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Alfie is correct.
Our offense shows no variety or creativity. We don’t get tight ends open, we rarely find running backs open out of the backfield, and we NEVER complete any deep passes. And by NEVER, I mean really, never ever ever.
It’s just mind boggling. That said, yesterday, we hurt greatly by the fumbled snaps, Monroe’s drive killing holding penalty, and Deji failing to get through one last tackle to secure a first down after a screen pass. All of these are offensive failures.
Ultimately, our defense is “for real.” Our offense is “for real” too, it’s “for real” bad.
The Teal and Black are comin' back!
I started watching the game when this drive began
Everything is perfectly fine until the 2nd and 8. Three first downs in a row doing nothing but running the ball? Awesome.
Maybe that 2nd and 8 should have been a playaction? What if we get 3rd and short assuming Gabbert doesn’t fumble the ball? What ifs and woulda/coulda/shoulda.
There’s nothing wrong with that specific drive, game plan or play calling wise until that 3rd and 8. Calling a draw with Karim there was a craven thing to do. Otherwise, I have no problem with us attempting to shove it down their throat.
That was a great drive until
the 3rd and 8. When I saw Deji back there with Blaine I was like ’There’s no way they’ll run the draw here." Although occasionally successful, I hate the shotgun draw, because the Jags over-use it. And, that simply was not the time to do it. If the score was 17 – 5, okay that’s fine, but not then. Once they got the third first down, it became obvious it was time to throw quick pass.
Jaxson>>>
Clueless and un-prepared
The offense does not look like they are confident and prepared. I remember the preseason when everyone was in an uproar over the lack and ineffecient offense play and they would say it is just preseason we know we have a running game and are working on the passing game. Well we are 3 games into the REAL SEASON and it still needs work.
Get Coaches that prepare the team are aware of the rules and puts the players in positions to be successful.
That was pitiful yesterday
as commented...
the running game is pretty 1 dimensional until the deep threat pass is established. That’s just the game – our D did the same thing to them. They were just willing to take more chances – which a lot of times failed them.
This was posted on craigs list under "tickets"
Jacksonville Jaguars and David Garrard take on New Orleans Saint Oct 2.
by zoxitic on Sep 26, 2011 12:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
How bad is it going to be this Sunday?
I mean, you think the Eagles and Titans game was bad last year, just wait until Sunday when the Saints come in here with there 40+ points a game offense.
If the playcalling doesn't change
I have the Saints beating the spread by the end of the first quarter
Wow, dead on
This entire posting is so dead on accurate that there isn’t anything left to be said.
by Michael Tiscione on Sep 26, 2011 12:36 PM EDT reply actions
How many more games
will we have to watch the same stuff happen before it’s time to make a coaching change? This is NOT a playoff team – at least not with how our offense is playing (defense has been surprisingly effective this season).
But, we could right the ship and still have a chance at the post season. We know JDR can’t do it. Get him out of here and see what Koetter is made of as an interim HC. I think the risk is actually minimal in this scenario. You can find out if Koetter is the right guy for the job by the end of the season, and maybe you improve your post season chances.
I’m sure I’m overracting from this weekend’s loss, but I will lose my shit if we come out with the same bs on offense again this weekend. It’s the f-ing definition of insanity…
by BeerMuscles on Sep 26, 2011 12:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I wouldn't call it overreacting. I call it normal, sane, intelligent and patience respond.
Del Rio should have been gone after the 2009 season and then again last year. Get him the heck out of town. The sooner the better. If we can’t beat the 2-14 Panthers, we ain’t doing crap this season, so let Dirk take over and then hire a new staff after the season.
Unless Dirk is part of the problem
I would be VERY surprised to see Dirk here next year as well. There’s a reason Dirk’s been the OC since 2007 and the playcalling still this bad and I don’t think it’s all Jack.
I think we’re going to go outside the organization to make a good hire (and no it’s not Cowher, Gruden, Dungy, or Fisher)
I don't disagree
and wouldn’t handing Koetter the reigns immediately prove or disprove his worth like I suggested?
by BeerMuscles on Sep 26, 2011 2:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not really
If Dirk isn’t the problem he’d have to alter the playbook a lot which could take time to install a new offense. If that’s the case I just want a clean break from all coaches associated with JDR and I want a whole new staff.
JDR will make a great D coordinator someday.
I want all of you to prepare yourselves for more of what you saw yesterday. I do not see any changes happening this early in the season.
by JagSoldier on Sep 26, 2011 1:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hey, don't forget
They passed at the end of the second half because they needed to score quickly and were willing to risk the elements
They ran the ball on this drive to eat up TOP, which is the sound thing to do, and they did it. Honestly, if they don’t fumble that snap and get into 3rd and long, they are looking good there. What you forget to mention in this past is that they drove the ball all the way down the field on the ground. The only thing wrong with that drive, as I said yesterday and has been posted here, is that they tried a draw on 3rd and 8, and to Karim, no less.
I agree the play calling needs to be more creative, and at times, more gutsy, but understand that this team is run first and should be. I don’t understand the logic that people would rather lose a game by many points after turning the ball over frequently in pursuit of more passing yards than to lose a competitive game, but whatever.
The point here is that the team can be competitive, and if they don’t think Gabbert is ready to throw 20 yards down field every play, it isn’t because he won’t ever be, but because they think they have a better chance to win if he doesn’t. Really, what about Gabbert’s perfomrnace relative to MJDs makes anyone think throwing more would have won the game?
Perhaps the team is just in trouble offensively and they feel that the only hope is to keep running. Maybe Gabbert isn’t playing very well in practice. He certainly throws high a lot.
I think the offense will open up gradually, and weather was certainly a factor. Even though it was “sunny” the field and the ball and the players and their hands were soaked and slippery; that is why we saw so many drops and fumbled snaps.
Don’t understate the importance of confidence building in a young player. The team relied on Jones-Drew and nearly won. Gabbert didn’t make the plays he needed to for the team to win, and the coaches failed to put him in the best position to do so by not mixing it up enough and calling two horrible draws on 3rd and long. However, the blame for this goes well beyond coaching.
At what point has Blaine demonstrated the ability to take Jacksonville out of run-first mode? That is their identity and it comes down to a great tailback and average QB play. That is why the playcalling remains the same, and has remained the same for so long; what QB have they had who could change the culture?
You don’t throw just to throw; the so-called “modern NFL” is indeed predicated on passing, but first you need to have the passer for it.
Matt Ryan was successful as a rookie not because the offense was opened up (and you should know, Falcons fans are still fuming that it hasn’t been opened up enough) but because they had Turner to rely on; Joe Flacco had Ray Rice and Leron McClain; Roethelisberger had Fast Willie Parker at the height of his potency.
None of these guys were “slinging it” as I have heard it said; they all relied on hard-nosed, run first offensive attacks and made timely throws without making many mistakes.
So, in fact, the way to win with a rookie QB is to minimize pressure on him by relying on established players, in this case, MJD.
What makes anyone think Gabbert will be an exception? And remember, these are the successful rookies. Manning had a terrible rookie year.
Playcalling needs to be better, but the coaches are wary of inexperience at QB, and rightly so.
Sorry, “eating up TOP” at the start of the 3rd quarter with a 5 point lead is nonsensical.
How do you build up confidence in a player by not letting him do anything but hand the ball off?
Seriously, enough with the excuses for Del Rio. They play scared. They’re the only team in the NFL who run an archaic offense and think it works. They’re stuck in 2007.
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Got the sake of arguing, what if Blaine was allowed to pass they way we all wanted him to and tosses up 3 picks? I’m sure we’d all be complaining that we got away from this teams strengths in not handing the rock to our PB tailback.
by mattarne on Sep 26, 2011 11:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Then they still lose the football game.
I’d rather lose trying to win, than lose trying not to lose.
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In what possible way is it nonsensical? I hate to harp on this man, but have you ever been on a football team? Eating up TOP is always sensible, even if it doesn’t excite you.
The only time you don’t worry about that is when you have a quick strike offense and a QB you can rely on consistently. The coaches want to win. They want to keep their jobs. They are cautious with Gabbert because he is not proven and is not surrounded by dominant receivers.
You build confidence by putting him in a situation where the other team is focused on the potency of the run game and mix in easy passes. They basically did that. It is a fact that every other successful rookie QB in the last decade has had a very good ground game and a solid defense to rely on. Gabbert will get more opportunities as he gets more comfortable.
You spent all preseason talking about the lack of practice time/familiarity with the offense, now you see the fruits of that. Gabbert was not seen as NFL ready by the majority of draft commentators. He was seen as a high-upside pick for the future. The future is now, but he might not yet be ready to be the guy. Doesn’t mean he will be ruined forever, but it does mean he might not be all that effective this year. Until he proves otherwise, get used to MJD.
I hate draws on 3rd and long, I am not defending them. Shit, I am not defending Del Rio specifically; I am defending a cautious gameplan with a rookie quarterback. I am defending feeding a tailback that gets you 5+ ypc. I do not think that doom and gloom and dumpster fires are a reasonable response to a 1-2 record for a team that has cycled through three starting QBs in 4 weeks.
It what possible way is running clock with a 5 point lead to open the half nonsensical?
Is that a serious question?
You don’t win squatting on single score leads for half the damn game, as evidenced yesterday and multiple times in the past.
Some of you put way too much into this “confidence” garbage. They’re not 12 year olds. You don’t gain confidence handing the ball off 22 out of 24 plays and throwing the football only when you absolutely have to. If anything, that tells you the team has no confidence in you. They didn’t mix in easy passes. They AVOIDED passing unless they absolutely HAD TO. What game did you watch?
I did not spend all offseason talking about the lack of familiarity. Do you even read what I type? I was the one saying to just play Blaine Gabbert right away and the best way for him to gain familiarity is to actually play.
Again, it’s not doom and gloom. It’s reality. The reality is they play scared and not to lose and lost. Playing tight loses you more ballgames than it wins you. The offense is a dumpster fire. They average 9.7 points per game, with a top 5 defense! That’s ridiculous! If they don’t change something offensively, they’re not going to win many ballgames. It’s pretty simple.
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In fact, you did say many, many times after his preseason performances that he played well given his lack of experience. You harped on that all the time man.
I did not accuse you of failing to advocate for him as a starter. I know you did, and so does everyone. I am saying, you defended his rather uninspiring play as the result of very little time in the offense and no offseason. Don’t deny that.
I said they need to be less predictable on offense, but the premise that you try and control the clock in the second half is TOTALLY sound. Yes they need to throw to convert 3rd and long, I am not arguing against that, but the general approach of running the ball when the other team can’t stop it is good and will lead to victories IF WE CAN CONVERT ON 3RD DOWN. Seriously man, WHAT GAME WERE YOU WATCHING??
I hate it when you say that shit.
Anyways, teams that control TOP almost always win games. Thats a fact. You still havent responded to the fact that rookie QBs that achieve success always rely on the ground game and the defense and are rarely asked to throw the ball too much. Roethelisberger won a bunch of games throwing like 15 times in his rookie year. None of them were just “slinging” the ball around, and nothing is gonna change that. Cam Newton will come back to earth, and you know what, they just won their first game IN SPITE OF HIS PASSING NUMBERS, and he should have thrown 5 picks. So no, I don’t see the argument for opening up an offense that lacks great weapons. I think they should throw more, but not a lot more, and continue to rely on their bell-cow back. If they don’t they will lose by a lot, and do it frequently.
Excuse.
That’s really all you should type. That’s all you do. Make excuses.
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I was at this game...
and it was really sad to watch. Even Panther fans were asking me “when do y’all plan on passing the ball?” The rain was unbelievable, but we passed the ball more when it was raining than once it stopped. We are a running team, I understand that, but you have to let your top 10 pick (future of the franchise) throw the ball more than 5 times in a half. We are averaging about 10 points a game this season so something needs to change. This has to be Del Rio’s last season and Dirk K. needs to leave with him because I wanted to scream when we called a toss on third and inches early in the game.
I’ve never seen a worse called game offensively than what I witnessed yesterday. It’s like the coaching staff didn’t even care about winning the game and were more concerned about getting out of the rain instead. There’s no chance we beat the Saints next week if we stick to this type of offense and if this continues then we will be looking at a top 5 pick in next years draft.
We need to hold the ball for as long as possible against NO
Sorry, but more shots down field will probably result in a more lopsided defeat.
Alfie is right in that there needs to be a mix, but ball-control is our only chance. Too many passes result in 3 and outs, and no matter how solid our D is, they will get shredded by Brees if he has too many chances. They might be shredded in either case.
I’d say you will see the team try and run a lot again. You guys might not like it, but it is the only chance, unless Gabbert morphs into a seasoned QB in a week
I agree..
I know we need to run the ball and own TOP to beat the Saints, but throw a couple of passes in there as well. I’m not saying throw the ball everytime, but at least attempt more than 5 passes in a half or at least try to throw it on 3rd and 8 instead of trying a draw play each time its 3rd and long. It will be easier to run when there’s not 9 guys in the box each time and a couple of deep passes to stretch the field would help. Again, I DON’T want us to throw every down and I know we need to run effectively to beat the Saints, but at least mix up the play calls a little bit because our offense is very predictable at this point.
Not arguing against that
I hate draws on 3rd and long. I hate them. But other than that, if you go back and watch the game, this one is about execution.
That was a bad call
But Johnson owned Lewis on that play and made a great stop. The hole was there, so while it didn’t work, if it were executed properly it would’ve gone for 25 yards.
Martyball at least nets winning seasons.
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I agree with this article...a lot indeed.
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