Jaguars Post Game Thoughts

[barrett]

It's almost boring to kick the Jags around these days. Our defense against their offense just doesn't seem fair.

Defense
I thought Kareem Jackson played his best game as a pro. He didn't play 10 yards off out of fear of being beat. He has clearly struggled as a pro with ball recognition and laying back, and he was good in both areas yesterday. He undercut a few routes and had his hands on the ball. We will have to see how next week goes, but he has looked good for two weeks (with tons of help from our DL).

Our OLBs are still pretty average as individual pass rushers. They are great effort guys and great as a part of the team pass rush, but it amazes me we are getting this much pressure without an elite edge rusher. I hope Mercilous finds his way onto the field more and more.

Watt has been one of the best and most complete defensive players in the NFL through two weeks. He plays the run, he rushes the passer, and when he's blocked he knocks down more balls per game than most teams. He just has a great feel for football, a great motor, and great physical skills. He is also in the perfect system since he is not a 43 DE and since most 34s would just tell him to 2 gap and eat blockers.

Perhaps most amazing for our defense was that for the 2nd week in a row they completely shut down an NFL offense and still haven't looked like they are playing their best or sharpest. 10 points allowed in 2 weeks (with 7 coming off a short field) is pretty good.

Offense
The running game concerns should be put to rest. Jacksonville is at least an average NFL run defense and we shredded them (and last week's opponent the Dolphins made McFadden a total non-factor). It is a good problem to have when you watch your 3rd back and say "too bad this guy can't get carries because of how awesome the first two guys are." And Foster and Tate compliment each other so well. It is not your typical thunder and lightning pairning, because both guys have both of those qualities. But it is a perfect contrast of patience (Foster) and violence (Tate) in the running game. I think Foster is like a knuckle ball where the defense is forced to sit back and wait and play disciplined, never knowing what hole he'll pick. Then Tate enters the game as the fastball in terms of how quick to the hole he is. The two guys have to be defended in two completely different ways, and when we rotate them as well as yesterday, the defense ends up lost, tired, and demoralized.

The passing game was not needed but it was also not sharp. Owen Daniels was great last week, but his two drops yesterday hurt both of those drives. Casey needs to see the ball more. Walter has looked a little better than last year, maybe he feels the young guys at his heels. And it was good to see designed shots to Jean and Martin. Just putting that stuff on tape is good.

Special teams was still shaky but at least Holiday contributed something to make up for the shakiness yesterday.

Overall a 3 TD road, divisional win that feels boring is a pretty amazing statement about the kind of team and the kind of talent Smith and Kubiak have put together.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by barrett

Overall a 3 TD road, divisional win that feels boring is a pretty amazing statement about the kind of team and the kind of talent Smith and Kubiak have put together.

This is so true. We all need to remember how bad a team this was just a few years ago. Smith has become one of the better gathers of talent.