Big Cat Country - Jaguars vs. Texans: Playing the spoilerStand United, Duval Til We Diehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47383/bigcatcountry_fave.png2014-12-30T09:00:06-05:00http://www.bigcatcountry.com/rss/stream/72187822014-12-30T09:00:06-05:002014-12-30T09:00:06-05:00Jaguars vs. Texans: Breaking down the last drive
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Tp6TlgKp-qAALMzBQJ0jL10h2ho=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44423940/460875232.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob Levey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Down 23-17, the Jaguars were within five yards of the game-winning touchdown. And then they blew it.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> weren't expected by many to win on Sunday against the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a>. Heck, Vegas had them pegged as a 10.5-point underdog, which turned out to be far too much of an underestimation. But it was a game where they were on the road and, except for the fact they were playing against quarterback <span>Case Keenum</span>, there wasn't much hope.</p>
<p>And yet the Jaguars led for a good portion of the game and were within five yards of the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining.</p>
<p>What happened on that drive, how'd they go the length of the field, and why didn't they get the touchdown?</p>
<h4>1st-and-10: Cecil over the middle</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888720/1_cecil_middle.0.gif"></p>
<p>It's a simple crossing pattern with <span>Cecil Shorts III</span> going underneath <span>Allen Hurns</span>, who draws the coverage away. The Texans are going to let most underneath stuff go at the beginning of this drive anyway. Good play call, good blocking up front, and a good 15-yard penalty by the Texans to tack onto the end of the play.</p>
<h4>1st-and-10: Todman drops it?</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888724/2_todman_drop.0.gif"></p>
<p>The play call is whatever, but what confuses me the most is that this looks like a catch. <span>Jordan Todman</span> hauls it in, takes five steps, and then the ball comes out when he hits the ground out of bounds. I know it's a difference of two or three yards, but it's still peculiar that the referees called this an incompletion.</p>
<h4>2nd-and-10: Lee misses</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888732/3_lee_miss.0.gif"></p>
<p>Watching it live, I didn't realize just how good of a throw this was from Blake Bortles. You've got a defender under and over and he puts it where only <span>Marqise Lee</span> can get it. Unfortunately, Lee can't make the catch.</p>
<h4>3rd-and-10: A near interception</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888742/4_hurns_bad_throw.0.gif"></p>
<p>There's that damn across the body to the left sideline throw again. Again, this is a throw Bortles needs to work on in the offseason. Opposing cornerbacks are having far too much success baiting him into interceptions and near-picks.</p>
<h4>4th-and-10: Pants. Off.</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888754/5_cecil_4thdown.0.gif"></p>
<p>This is one of the best throws of the year for Bortles, and certainly his best of the game. He steps up into the pocket and rifles a pass to Shorts. My God. Oh, and speaking of that pocket, look at the protection they give him on this fourth down blitz by the Texans.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888756/5b_pocket.0.gif"></p>
<h4>1st-and-10: Bortles' 34-yard scramble</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888758/6_bortles_scramble.0.gif"></p>
<p>Bortles follows up his best throw of the game with his best scramble of the year -- a 34-yard gain to the 10-yard line, setting up first-and-goal. Watch <span>J.J. Watt</span> against <span>Luke Joeckel</span> at the beginning of the play. He over-pursues, Bortles steps up into the pocket, and takes off.</p>
<h4>1st-and-goal: Cecil and Marqise collide</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888762/7_marqise_cecil.0.gif"></p>
<p>I'm very interested to see the All-22 on this later in the week, because I want to know why Marqise and Cecil end up colliding. It looks like Cecil breaks off his route to try and get open for Bortles, and unfortunately he's in the wrong place at the wrong time.</p>
<p>Also, watch Marqise as the far right wideout cross over the middle of the field. He's wide open, if only Bortles looks away from Cecil in the final seconds.</p>
<h4>2nd-and-goal: Hurns gets closer</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888768/8_hurns.0.gif"></p>
<p>I actually don't hate the play call by Jedd Fisch here. Your top two wideouts just collided in the end zone, you've got three more downs to get 10 yards, why not drag Cecil into the end zone to give Allen Hurns a cushion to pick up half the yards you need?</p>
<h4>3rd-and-goal: Bortles overthrew... Marcedes?</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888770/9_lewis_fade.0.gif"></p>
<p><span>Marcedes Lewis</span> is the tallest dude on the field and Bortles still overthrows him. Clean pocket, favorable matchup against an opposing cornerback in <span>Darryl Morris</span> who is eight inches shorter (and falling down), and Bortles still can't get it there.</p>
<h4>4th-and-goal: Fade to Cecil</h4>
<p><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888776/10_cecil_fade.0.gif"></p>
<p><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2888794/10b_cecil_fade.0.gif"></p>
<p>Yes, it's a blitz and Bortles needs to get rid of it a half-second sooner than he'd like to. But you knew the Texans were going to blitz. And you dial up a fade to the opposite corner of the end zone? Bortles has had problems standing in the pocket and delivering passes to the left sideline all season, and this is your call on fourth-and season?</p>
<p>Also, watch Marqise again wide open on the slant pattern. If Bortles isn't locked into Cecil, that's a touchdown.</p>
<p>The whole fourth down play was a mess from the start. I liked what <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RealMBB/status/549725797859487744">@RealMBB</a> had to say last night, when he pointed out that Fisch put Bortles in a bad situation by trying to call a play on the spot instead of either letting his rookie quarterback dial up a play, or having something on deck at all times for fourth-and-emergency calls.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Your rookie QB prior to 4th & Goal with the game on the line. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jaguars?src=hash">#Jaguars</a> <a href="http://t.co/4YHCFEQjjJ">pic.twitter.com/4YHCFEQjjJ</a></p>
— Matthew (@RealMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealMBB/status/549725797859487744">December 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>When you want to be a part of something you’re no longer a part of. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jaguars?src=hash">#Jaguars</a> <a href="http://t.co/wy4Zqokg8o">pic.twitter.com/wy4Zqokg8o</a></p>
— Matthew (@RealMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealMBB/status/549727504416530432">December 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fisch is very clearly calling the play instead of letting Bortles, who knows what he can do, take the reins. If Fisch is retained for 2015, he's got to learn to call games that accentuate Bortles' strengths and trust his guy to be the guy.</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/30/7464425/jaguars-vs-texans-breaking-down-the-last-drive-of-the-gameRyan Day2014-12-29T09:05:28-05:002014-12-29T09:05:28-05:00Telvin up for Rookie of the Week
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/usCE-6Zx4WvZhFyUCukzdQUTHBk=/0x115:2911x2056/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44417116/460651608.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sam Greenwood/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With 16 tackles against the Texans, rookie linebacker Telvin Smith has earned his third Rookie of the Week nomination on the year.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> rookie linebacker <span>Telvin Smith</span> has gone and done it again: He's been nominated for Rookie of the Week for a third time this year, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/23/7440749/jaguars-telvin-smith-nominated-for-pepsi-rookie-of-the-week">for the second consecutive week</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Rookie OLB Telvin Smith posted a career-high w/ 16 tackles @ HOU (prev high was 15 last wk vs. TEN) -- 10+ tackles in 4 games after the Bye.</p>
— Tad Dickman (@Tdickman89) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tdickman89/status/549330675002658816">December 28, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks in part to a performance that included 16 tackles, Telvin is up against the likes of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> running back <span>Terrance West</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> receiver <span>Jordan Matthews</span>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> quaterback <span>Teddy Bridgewater</span>.</p>
<p>In addition to 16 tackles, Telvin was one of only two Jaguars defenders to play all 81 snaps on Sunday.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/voting/rookies/2014/REG/17">Vote for Telvin here and let's help him win Rookie of the Week for Week 17.</a></p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/29/7460143/jaguars-telvin-smith-earns-third-rookie-of-the-week-nominationRyan Day2014-12-28T16:14:39-05:002014-12-28T16:14:39-05:00Jaguars will pick No. 3 in 2015 NFL Draft<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/HaysCarlyon/status/549311223582715905">Jaguars will pick No. 3 in 2015 NFL&nbsp;Draft</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>The top three picks in the 2015 NFL Draft are as follows:
<br />1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
<br />2. Tennessee Titans
<br />3. Jacksonville Jaguars.</p></p></div>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/28/7457939/jaguars-will-pick-no-3-in-2015-nfl-draftRyan Day2014-12-28T16:10:34-05:002014-12-28T16:10:34-05:003 things we learned in 23-17 loss
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SJ6gPP8O75MaUgB3xJoh4IPSBNo=/0x44:2979x2030/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44414218/usa-today-8295599.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A chance in the red zone in the final minutes of the game fell incomplete and the Jaguars finished the year 3-13.</p> <p>The 2014 season is over for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> and it fittingly ended with a loss. The 3-13 year for the Jaguars is the second-worst in franchise history after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> dealt the team its 13th loss of the season by a 21-17 score on Sunday.</p>
<p>It shouldn't have been as close as it was, but the Jaguars defense did a very good job to slow the Case Keenum-led offense that was further hamstrung by an injury suffered by running back Arian Foster. Despite dominating the time of possession, the Texans kept the Jaguars in the game by throwing an interception that was returned by <span>Dwayne Gratz</span> for a touchdown and fumbling a ball deep in Jaguars territory that was recovered by <span>Ryan Davis</span>.</p>
<p>But the Jaguars, with the exception only of <span>Jordan Todman</span>, were unable to find any offensive rhythm and only managed to score a touchdown with a trick play that resulted in a 23-yard touchdown pass from <span>Cecil Shorts III</span> to Todman.</p>
<h4>Three things we learned</h4>
<p><strong>1. Jordan Todman provides options: </strong>The Jaguars have to feel pretty comfortable with <span>Denard Robinson</span> being a featured part of the team's offense in 2015, and Todman certainly made a case to be around next year as well. That could be bad news for <span>Toby Gerhart</span>, who was supposed to have increased carries on Sunday, but instead was injured early. Two more years remain on Gerhart's contract, but the Jaguars might believe that with Robinson and Todman, they're comfortable enough at the position to move on after just one season.</p>
<p><strong>2. Cecil Shorts made a case: </strong>Shorts has been the punching bag of sorts for Jaguars fans, and that's certainly been justifiable by the amount of drops the pending free agent racked up. He looked much more sure-handed on Sunday though, in what may have been his last game with the team. Bortles looked to Shorts more than any other receiver and much of that had to do with the fact that he's just open more than any other receiver on the team. If Justin Blackmon returns or <span>Allen Robinson</span>, <span>Marqise Lee</span> or <span>Allen Hurns</span> take a big step forward next year that could change, but for now Shorts has an argument to keep being that safety valve for Bortles in 2015 and beyond.</p>
<div class="likebox-float-right"><iframe src="//www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbigcatcountry&width=560&height=210&colorscheme=light&show_faces=true&show_border=false&stream=false&header=false" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden;" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div>
<p><strong>3. The Jaguars will pick third: </strong>For the second-straight year the Jaguars will be owners of the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft and a top three pick for a third-straight year, setting Dave Caldwell up well to continue his rebuild of the Jaguars. Ahead of the Jaguars will be the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a>, selecting in that order. No need for any rush to begin the draft speculation because there will be plenty of time for that before draft day.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/AdamBCC" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="true" data-size="large">Follow @AdamBCC</a>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');
// --></script>
<a href="https://twitter.com/BigCatCountry" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="true" data-size="large">Follow @BigCatCountry</a>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');
// --></script>
</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/28/7457791/jaguars-texans-final-score-recap-blake-bortles-jordan-todmanAdam Stites2014-12-28T15:28:23-05:002014-12-28T15:28:23-05:00Jaguars set franchise record in forced fumbles<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Tdickman89/status/549297237725954049">Jaguars set franchise record in forced&nbsp;fumbles</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/Tdickman89/status/549297237725954049" target="new">@TDickman89</a>)</p></p></div>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/28/7457769/jaguars-set-franchise-record-in-forced-fumblesRyan Day2014-12-28T15:21:31-05:002014-12-28T15:21:31-05:00VIDEO: Cecil Shorts throws a 23-yard touchdown to Jordan Todman<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OwBTxDAa6le/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/FanSidedGIF/status/549297501954531328" target="new">@FanSidedGIF</a>)</p></p></div>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/28/7457745/video-cecil-shorts-throws-a-23-yard-touchdown-to-jordan-todmanRyan Day2014-12-28T14:23:04-05:002014-12-28T14:23:04-05:00All of the Jaguars are injured today<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/BigCatCountry/status/549283285453778944">All of the Jaguars are injured&nbsp;today</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>why</p></p></div>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/28/7457573/all-of-the-jaguars-are-injured-todayRyan Day2014-12-28T13:57:22-05:002014-12-28T13:57:22-05:00Cecil Shorts makes 50 catches in three straight seasons<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/JAGSPR_RR/status/549275568647073792">Cecil Shorts makes 50 catches in three straight&nbsp;seasons</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/JAGSPR_RR/status/549275568647073792" target="new">@JagsPR_RR</a>)</p></p></div>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2014/12/28/7457521/cecil-shorts-makes-50-catches-in-three-straight-seasonsRyan Day