As
the NFL offseason is in full swing, it’s a perfect opportunity to evaluate
where each team was in 2017, and where they plan to go in the New Year. Let’s
begin the review of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2017 Season Recap:
Coming into the 2017 season, the expectations for
this Jaguars club was rising as the previous year saw a defense loaded with
potential, fall by the waste side. Promoting Doug Marrone formally to become
the new Jags head coach under the distinct tutelage of Tom Coughlin commenced.
With these two at the helm and running the show, the level of expectations
greatly varied across the league. Tom Coughlin brought a wealth of experience
to the organization looking to rebuild its image as a team on the rise with
potential of becoming the next powerhouse in the NFL.
As the season opened, the Jaguars turned heads from
day one with a phenomenal performance defensively stifling the Houston Texans
from generating anything offensively until the latter portions of the contest.
Through the first seven weeks of the NFL season, we saw a Jacksonville team
look furiously dominating then extremely underwhelming as they attempted to
gain stability and confidence in their abilities. Unable to produce any sort of
winning streak, the Jags created a trend to win a game then lose a game in the
first seven weeks of the season compiling a record of 4-3 entering their bye
week. Games which caught the leagues eye to suggest Jacksonville was beginning
to turn a corner were – the complete annihilation of the Baltimore Ravens in
London winning 44-07. Week five saw the Jags defense take their play to another
level intercepting Ben Roethlisberger five times and watching rookie sensation
Leonard Fournette rush for over 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. After their bye had
concluded, the Jaguars essentially raised their game to another level winning
the next three contests placing them in the driver seat in the AFC South.
Following their string of victories, Jacksonville dropped a sure-fire win to
the hands of the Cardinals to the dismay of the Jaguars brain trust. Not
allowing the late season hiccup to ruin their mojo, coach Marrone regrouped his
club and found themselves on the winning side of three more contests included a
defeat of the Seattle Seahawks. Housing a 10-4 record heading into the final
two weeks of the season, the Jags needed all but one more victory to assure
themselves of their first playoff berth since 2007. Finding a way to squander
their week 16 matchup against the 49ers with up and comer Jimmy Garoppolo
placed Jacksonville in a situation where they didn’t control their own destiny.
As luck would have it, division rival – the Tennessee Titans, lost their match
giving Jacksonville the upper hand all but guaranteeing their place in the 2018
post season.
Hosting their first playoff game since 1999,
Jacksonville got ready for a surging Buffalo Bills team that was riding high
from finding a way to claw into the playoffs on the back of a miracle play.
While defense was the name of the game on this day, offensive coordinator
Nathaniel Hackett made perfect adjustments allowing Blake Bortles to take off
running on every play he saw an opening. Bortles was responsible for the only
touchdown of this contest as their defense locked the house down proving the
elite level dominance to get them to the divisional round against the Steelers. Making quick work in a contest that saw a multitude of points scored, the Jaguars found themselves entering championship weekend against the mighty Patriots. Entering this contest, the game plan was simple and that in order to
be victorious it starts and stops with shutting down Tom Brady. While the
Jaguars jumped out to an early lead, they continued to control the game
entering the fourth quarter still leading by ten points. A pivotal play that
may have cost the Patriots the game saw line backer Miles Jack strip the ball
from the hands of running back Dion Lewis recovering the ball and having
nothing but room to gallop for the touchdown. Alas, bad luck found the Jags and
the play was whistled dead while the fumble stood. Unable to capitalize on the
turnover, the stage was now set for the Patriots to overcome their
shortcomings, which they indeed accomplished. While the Jacksonville defense
played an admiral contest, Tom Brady was able to work his magic scoring two
touchdowns to complete the comeback. The Jaguars season had come to an end
prematurely as they believed they were destined for greatness.
2018 Offseason Workbook:
Offseason Review:
While
the crushing defeat had this Jags club in utter ruin, this franchise offered up
comments to hold their heads high in completing the first step in the long
process of learning how to win and essentially one day becoming a champion. It was finally evident
over the last two off-seasons Jacksonville owner Shahid Khan was tired watching
his team struggle and began spending money brining in top tear talent the likes
of Malik Jackson, Calais Campbell, AJ Bouye to name a few. Along with free
agent success, Jacksonville has done a fantastic job in drafting top end
talent, most recently defensive back Jaylen Ramsey, running back Leonard
Fournette, line backer Miles Jack. The Jags scouting department has done
fantastically in finding talent in the undrafted free agent department striking
gold with receiver Keelan Cole and Jaydon Mickens who was an undrafted reject
from the Oakland Raiders. Unfortunately for the current quarterback on the
roster (Blake Bortles) the playoff loss again formed questions to if he was the
answer to the Jags future success. A lot of experts will argue, this
Jacksonville team is a solid efficient starting quarterback away from being
that elite unit that can ride a top-notch defense to a potential dynasty for
the foreseeable future. With Marrone and company returning for another season
with a vow of confidence from overseer Tom Coughlin, the future looks very
bright for this team.
Offensively,
Jacksonville made great improvements to their play from a season ago. Blake
Bortles at times wowed the viewing public while finding new and non-exciting
ways to cost his team opportunities. Coach Doug Marrone fashioned this team
similarly to a style he ran in his days in Buffalo, with great defensive play
and a dominating run attack. Forced to go this path was proven with his lack of
trust in his quarterback – Blake Bortles. Shoring up the offensive line issue
made a great improvement in how they attacked teams on a weekly basis.
Employing a run heavy approach allowed this offensive line to only give up 24
sacks on the season, quite impressive. Bortles was at his best when the play
action pass was working to perfection teamed with the superb running of Leonard
Fournette. With the shear number of weapons at his disposal, it was a let down
season for the potential progression of Bortles to take another leap forward.
Two years removed from his career high 4400+ yards passing and 35 touchdown
passes, while entering a contract year as the Jags declined to pick up his fifth-year
option, it seemed inevitable that Jacksonville would move in another direction
at the position. As a whole, the entire offense saw an uptick in production
giving them numbers they could be proud of. Ranking 5th in points
scored (26.1 PPG), 6th in total yards (365.9 YPG), and 1st
in the NFL in the run game with a whopping 141.4 yards per contest. While
everything seemed to be working in the Jags favor, as mentioned the pass game
was the enigma ranking 17th in yards with 224.6 yards per game. The
great results achieved this season was astonishing to say the least as they
completed this without their primary receiver Allen Robinson who was lost to a
knee injury at the start of the year. With his potential return and the
possibility of adding a pure passer to the fold, its scary to think what they
might be.
There
isn’t much more approval ADF can give this defensive unit as we have sung the
praises for them the entire season. Ranking near the top in almost every
category, it definitely showed on a weekly basis in how special this side of
the ball could really be. Ranking 2nd in points allowed (16.8 PPG),
2nd in total yards allowed (286.1 YPG), 1st in passing
yards allowed (169.9 YPG), is quite astounding. Regrettably, usually you’re as
strong as your weakest link, and in this case, it was the run defense that let
this unit down. Ranking 21st in rush yards allowed, it left the
secondary in a terrible situation most weeks to bail out their front seven on
more than one occasion. With Tom Coughlin and general manager David Caldwell
understanding the glaring need to help provide assistance in stopping the run,
Jacksonville traded for former Bills troubled defensive tackle Marcel Dareus.
With the big man added to the mix, little improvement was seen as the season
went on. Never the less, this Jags front seven was given the nickname of
“Sacksonville” as they put up an incredible number of takedowns numbering 55 in
total, very impressive. Free agent signee Calais Campbell found the fountain of
youth when he came to Florida as he led the team with 14.5 sacks on the season.
Rounding out this unit which was built to rush the passer, Yannick Ngakoue was
second best piling up 12 sacks, followed up with Malik Jackson and Dante Fowler
each having 8 sacks on the year. Generating constant pressure with simply the
front four will provide any defense the luxury of game planning as they please
with exotic scheme. Realistically, adding more depth will be key in how this
team continues its rise. With a potential to upgrade the middle line backer
spot and safety positions, there wouldn’t be much tinkering that would be
required to supplant this starting rotation. Admittedly, this defense had it
games where they struggled mightily, but ADF will give them a pass on weaker
performances, as they dominated consistently for the duration of the year.
Following up this unbelievable season will be the test we want to see replicated.
Rostered Free Agents:
Entering
the offseason, the Jaguars with the plethora of talent they employ, still enjoy
a healthy 32 million in cap space. There current listing of free agents looking
to renew their deals is short but includes viable important options that
require a new contract. But before action would be taken on other players, the
Jags brass chose in favor to offer Blake Bortles a contract extension worth 54
million over three years with 26.5 million guaranteed. Some believed this was a
surprising move as the inept play essentially stamped his ticket out of town.
In reviewing the money involved, its not a terrible move as Bortles will be
paid as middle of the pack talented quarterbacks in the NFL and possibly play
better. This could be a bargain. Now with Blake taken care of, the shift to
other players that could garner the interest of the Jags brain trust is,
receiver Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee. The contract conversations should
begin with Robinson despite him coming off a torn ACL and entire season of
missed time. His talent level has spoken in previous years which may prompt
Jacksonville to apply the franchise tag. While Robinson is more than likely to
remain on the team, speculation exists to the interest in Lee with the
emergence of Keelan Cole to replace him. Outside their top two players to
resign, middle line backer Paul Posluszny at the age of 33 showed signs of his
age and wear this past season. It would be surprising to see him back unless
the contract favored Jacksonville.
With
the Jags already showing Chris Ivory the door, they were able to save 3.6
million dollars while eating another 3 million in dead cap. With the majority
of the Jaguars contracts in the early stages of large cap hits, finding a way
to create more funds on the books can still be had. Needing to upgrade the
safety position anyway, Tashaun Gipson could be a prime cut candidate. His
release could produce another 4.6 million in cap space to help this team. Allen
Hurns and Mercedes Lewis are also players to look at potentially finding the
street. Hurns would save another 3 million on the books while Lewis would
create an additional 3.5 million. Lewis is a viable player to remain with the
team as his blocking ability makes him somewhat invaluable to the Jags run
game, but the potential does exist.
NFL Draft:
If
reference to the NFL Draft, Jacksonville currently holds seven picks at the
disposal missing their 5th selection and adding an extra 7th
round pick to round out the board. As it stands, the Jags are in a perfect
situation to realistically choose the best talent on the board with all their
picks. Some teams reach for need where Jacksonville has the pleasure of filling
depth, adding more value, while improving the club. Adding more offensive line
help is a current need that will improve this offense. As mentioned above,
safety is a glaring need that could be upgraded to add more stability on the
back end with Ramsey and Bouye. Middle line backer in our minds is in fact the
largest need on this Jacksonville squad. If they can pilfer a starting caliber
captain type of player to round out the super athletic ability of Miles Jack
and Telvin Smith, it could be a definite force on the field. Jacksonville has
the luxury to go in any direction in this draft.
Overall for 2018:
Finding
their stride as the year went on showed this team was beginning to buy into a
system that is preached to them on a daily basis. Young teams need their
growing pains to understand what it takes to win in this league at a high level
consistently. Jacksonville has all the right overarching pieces that could make
them special for many years to come. While ADF doesn’t hate the Blake Bortles
resigning, we would’ve definitely liked to have seen an upgrade at the
position. Imagine Kirk Cousins finding his way to being the starting quarterback
of this team, the possibilities could be endless, for example. We still have
the belief that even with Bortles, the Jags will add another passer, either
through free agency or the draft. This team should again be fun to watch in
2018.
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