The Jacksonville Jaguars

[Bridges]

I'm also a diehard Jag fan.  But my fandom doesn't come with blind loyalty.  The Gus Bus is no longer fun.  It's turned into the bus from Speed.  We're just doing 55 mph circles around an airport, and I just want to grab Sandra Bullock and get off.

[RattlerGator]

The overwhelming majority agree with Shad for damn good reason. The overreactions about Gus almost always forget context. And context, with the Jaguars situation Gus came into, cannot be overlooked.

What a joke.  12-35 (soon to be 12-36).  No coach in the history of the NFL has ever been given a 4th year with that poor of a record. 

* * *

An absolute joke that Gus is coming back.  Great guy, terrible Head Coach.

Hmmmm . . . context, context, context. This is from Peter King's MMQB this morning:

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/12/29/chip-kelly-fired-philadelphia-eagles-nfl-mailbag

So now I think back. To Chuck Noll, 12-30 in his first three seasons, who was despised by franchise quarterback Terry Bradshaw early—and disliked for most of their time together. To Bill Belichick, who ran off Bernie Kosar and was 20-28 in his first three years in Cleveland and who was affected by more than just the quarterback.

Not really that different from Gus Bradley, who is operating in an era with greater difficulty in a small market that had fallen on hard times and became a franchise that players wanted to avoid.

If you're seriously paying attention, IMHO, you see that the offense has been fixed and DEFENSIVE PLAYERS in the NFL objectively know that. Free agents on the D are much more likely to come to Jax now, knowing that the offense can put points on the board.

The Jags have a smart plan. Yes, they underachieved in the Wins column but that was never the important point this season. The important component has been attained. Now, we're going to get another high draft pick this season and I wouldn't be surprised if nearly all, if not all, picks are on defense. The first two will likely be immediate starters; add Dante to the mix and that gives you -- at a minimum -- three new athletic starters on defense next season, maybe more.

And another year to turn superior athlete Nick Marshall into a more competent defensive back.

[spuwho]

Chuck Noll came to mind, and also Marv Lewis and his (3) 4-10 seasons at Cincy. Now he is the 2nd longest tenured coach behind Billy "what is air pressure" Belichick.

You can imagine that NFL teams have access to a wealth of consultant data on how well their coaches perform. Data collection isnt just on the players you know.

With regards to Rattler getting run off by Caldwell, maybe he thought you were spying for Robert Kraft? (Lol) Next time wear a t-shirt underneath that says "Iguana Productions" with a camera on your shoulder and you can go as you please.

[Bridges]

Ah, Rattlgatr the eternal blind optimist.  Every post reminds me of all your glowing gator predictions and Will Grier love. 

Ok, so we're clear here, you're comparing Gus Bradley to Chuck Noll.  Noll is the greatest outlier, and even Bradley sits at 5 (soon to be 6) games worse.  Go ahead, point to every outlier, heck people love to point to every rookie qb who throws a lot of ints and say "Peyton" did it, and yet, none have ever turned into anything close to Peyton. 

How can you say wins were never important this season, when the men in charge of this said they were?  Do you think Gus said "it's built" and knew that the defense was lacking massive talent?  That sounds like someone who is clueless about their roster.   

[Bridges]

Chuck Noll came to mind, and also Marv Lewis and his (3) 4-10 seasons at Cincy. Now he is the 2nd longest tenured coach behind Billy "what is air pressure" Belichick.

Just so we're clear here, you're talking about Marvin Lewis of the Bengals.

- You mean the Marvin Lewis who went 8-8, 8-8, 11-5 in his first 3 seasons?   27-21 record. 

- You mean Marvin Lewis who took over a team that didn't have more than 6 wins in a season the previous 5 seasons.  A team that went 2-14 and in the very first year went 8-8.

- You mean the Marvin Lewis who has 3 total losing seasons in 13 years?

- You mean the Marvin Lewis who only has two 4-10 seasons, with a 10 win season sandwiched in the middle

I mean people are really reaching. 

[spuwho]

Chuck Noll came to mind, and also Marv Lewis and his (3) 4-10 seasons at Cincy. Now he is the 2nd longest tenured coach behind Billy "what is air pressure" Belichick.

Just so we're clear here, you're talking about Marvin Lewis of the Bengals.

- You mean the Marvin Lewis who went 8-8, 8-8, 11-5 in his first 3 seasons?   27-21 record. 

- You mean Marvin Lewis who took over a team that didn't have more than 6 wins in a season the previous 5 seasons.  A team that went 2-14 and in the very first year went 8-8.

- You mean the Marvin Lewis who has 3 total losing seasons in 13 years?

- You mean the Marvin Lewis who only has two 4-10 seasons, with a 10 win season sandwiched in the middle

I mean people are really reaching.

Not all coaching decisions are based on W and L's was the point.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

My take from a BCC article Evaluating Gus Bradley outside of his win-loss record.  It's easier to copy and paste:

Long Post, but try stay with me.

The questions that I have to ask when I decide whether or not to keep the coach are:

How's the relationship with the Front Office?
How's the relationship with the players?
Are the in-game decisions hurting or helping the team?
What's the overall Vibe (discounting win/loss)

To my first point, if he and Dave are seeing eye to eye on things and Dave continues to bring in talent, then I think continuity down through the organization is a must. The GM has a better feel for how the coaching is being handled moreso than the owner, so until we get an inkling from Dave that he's unsatisfied with the production he's getting out of the talent he's bringing in, I feel that it's a non-issue.

The players still haven't quit. We don't hear rumblings about the players giving up, and I know they're professionals, but we haven't had anything near the instance that the Eagles had with a player 'benching' himself to not get hurt for a pointless season. They seem to enjoy playing for him and that's a big deal.

I remember at the start of his tenure here, it seemed that some of the decisions he made were completely boneheaded and may have indirectly (or directly) cost us about 4-5 games over his past 3 seasons. That said, the decision making has seemed to improve greatly this year. The play that sticks out in my head was a 3rd down catch by Hurns on the sideline when he stuck the ball out for the first. He knew he had it, most everyone in the stands knew he had it. The refs didn't see it that way. We quickly line up on 4th and 4 and Blake starts barking signals only to have GB toss the challenge flag with 1s left on the playclock. To me, that's genius. Try to draw them offsides for the auto 1st and save the challenge. They didn't jump, so get the first down with the red flag. Either way, we were going to have a 1st down. Those kinds of in-game decisions are awesome to see.

The overall vibe from the team is this (and I'm taking someone else's idea that I heard on the radio that I happen to agree 100% with): We started a complete rebuild and expected to be horrible for a year or two. We were. As last season was winding down, everyone was just begging for us to be competitive this season. We are. I read the earlier article discounting that, but you can't The NFL is fluky. Sure Luck has been gone for most of the season, but Hasslebeck also went 4-0 until we beat them like red-headed stepchildren. The same Falcons that we 'gave' a game away to just beat the previously undefeated Panthers. The Jets are going to the Playoffs and have a 10 win season. Sure. You can discount it, but why?

Dave and Gus both have next year left on their contracts. I would like to see Dave get an extension in the offseason and I don't expect as much for Gus, but I would love to see him on the sideline for next year. I think we make the playoffs next year no matter who's coaching. We're definitely good enough. We have talent, but it's young talent. I believe that they'll only get better if we continue to move to beat of the same drummer. You change that; you risk starting all over again.

by Tony Sottile on Dec 28, 2015 | 4:51 PM reply  10 recs   flag

[Steve]

^Totally agree. They team definitely hasn't quit. You don't block a field goal down three touchdowns with under 3 to play if you've quit.

[I-10east]

I'm also a diehard Jag fan.  But my fandom doesn't come with blind loyalty.  The Gus Bus is no longer fun.  It's turned into the bus from Speed.  We're just doing 55 mph circles around an airport, and I just want to grab Sandra Bullock and get off.

I feel ya.

[Bridges]

I remember at the start of his tenure here, it seemed that some of the decisions he made were completely boneheaded and may have indirectly (or directly) cost us about 4-5 games over his past 3 seasons. That said, the decision making has seemed to improve greatly this year. The play that sticks out in my head was a 3rd down catch by Hurns on the sideline when he stuck the ball out for the first. He knew he had it, most everyone in the stands knew he had it. The refs didn't see it that way. We quickly line up on 4th and 4 and Blake starts barking signals only to have GB toss the challenge flag with 1s left on the playclock. To me, that's genius. Try to draw them offsides for the auto 1st and save the challenge. They didn't jump, so get the first down with the red flag. Either way, we were going to have a 1st down. Those kinds of in-game decisions are awesome to see.

I disagree wholeheartedly.  I've seen more bonehead coaching decisions this year than any of his previous years.  Timeouts out of commercial breaks, calling timeouts where a spike will do. 

The overall vibe from the team is this (and I'm taking someone else's idea that I heard on the radio that I happen to agree 100% with): We started a complete rebuild and expected to be horrible for a year or two. We were. As last season was winding down, everyone was just begging for us to be competitive this season. We are. I read the earlier article discounting that, but you can't The NFL is fluky. Sure Luck has been gone for most of the season, but Hasslebeck also went 4-0 until we beat them like red-headed stepchildren. The same Falcons that we 'gave' a game away to just beat the previously undefeated Panthers. The Jets are going to the Playoffs and have a 10 win season. Sure. You can discount it, but why?

I can discount it because it is the easiest schedule the Jags have ever had.  We played 8 QBs that are either backups or rookies.  And we aren't even sniffing .500.  That's crazy that people are okay with that.

I also draw a big issue with this "complete rebuid" talk.  It's classic Jacksonville talk.  It's why we struggle to keep up with peer cities, everything about is is unique in the history of the world.  Other teams have made harder turn arounds faster. 

Dave and Gus both have next year left on their contracts. I would like to see Dave get an extension in the offseason and I don't expect as much for Gus, but I would love to see him on the sideline for next year. I think we make the playoffs next year no matter who's coaching. We're definitely good enough. We have talent, but it's young talent. I believe that they'll only get better if we continue to move to beat of the same drummer. You change that; you risk starting all over again.

Now here, here is why I think people are afraid of firing Bradley.  We think it mean a "blow it up, start over" thing, and we're so scared of that...again.  We're shell shocked.  But the truth is that there isn't anything to blow up.  Almost all the pieces are in place on the offensive, we have the QB of the future, we have offensive weapons at every position.  There is nothing to "blow up". 

Dave's contract already runs through 2017 (1 more year than Bradley's).  His future is tied to Blake, imo.  He will outlast Bradley and get to pick another head coach.  So there is nothing to blow up there. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I remember at the start of his tenure here, it seemed that some of the decisions he made were completely boneheaded and may have indirectly (or directly) cost us about 4-5 games over his past 3 seasons. That said, the decision making has seemed to improve greatly this year. The play that sticks out in my head was a 3rd down catch by Hurns on the sideline when he stuck the ball out for the first. He knew he had it, most everyone in the stands knew he had it. The refs didn't see it that way. We quickly line up on 4th and 4 and Blake starts barking signals only to have GB toss the challenge flag with 1s left on the playclock. To me, that's genius. Try to draw them offsides for the auto 1st and save the challenge. They didn't jump, so get the first down with the red flag. Either way, we were going to have a 1st down. Those kinds of in-game decisions are awesome to see.

I disagree wholeheartedly.  I've seen more bonehead coaching decisions this year than any of his previous years.  Timeouts out of commercial breaks, calling timeouts where a spike will do. 

I don't recall any that were obviously bad, but based on what you said, I would have to ask how much of that is attributed to the coaches v/s the QB.  He's only in his second year, so there are still things coming at him that are not instinctual.  Maybe they come out of the timeout in one  formation to see the defense and then change it?  I don't know.  It's seemed to me to be better this year, not worse.

The overall vibe from the team is this (and I'm taking someone else's idea that I heard on the radio that I happen to agree 100% with): We started a complete rebuild and expected to be horrible for a year or two. We were. As last season was winding down, everyone was just begging for us to be competitive this season. We are. I read the earlier article discounting that, but you can't The NFL is fluky. Sure Luck has been gone for most of the season, but Hasslebeck also went 4-0 until we beat them like red-headed stepchildren. The same Falcons that we 'gave' a game away to just beat the previously undefeated Panthers. The Jets are going to the Playoffs and have a 10 win season. Sure. You can discount it, but why?

I can discount it because it is the easiest schedule the Jags have ever had.  We played 8 QBs that are either backups or rookies.  And we aren't even sniffing .500.  That's crazy that people are okay with that.

And here's the argument to that - When you play rookies and backups, especially early in the season, you have little to no tape on them and their tendencies.  The same reason that rookie MLB pitchers and hitters can have such hot starts and then seem to slump mid-season.  It's not that they're worse, it's that their opposition is better prepared.  If there's any blame to Bradley, then it's that he's done a shitty job managing his staff.  Their defensive squad has played like ass all season.  How much of that is due to lack of preparedness v/s lack of scheme?  Anyone's guess.

Another thing that seems to get lost in the shuffle is the obscene amount of defensive TDs scored against us this season.  24 turnovers this season with 98 points scored off of them.  We're -26 points in that department.  And that statistic doesn't include the potential points scored (should be one though, I don't have a PFF account anymore).  Just recently, the pick that BB threw against the Falcons on 1st and goal shows up as -3, but in reality, that's a -10.  Because unless we run Toby Gerhart 4 times, we score a TD.  (I know it's a stretch to give Myers the PAT, but it helps my cause in this case)

So yeah, we've been competitive and have scored a lot of points, but we've given them away at an obscene rate as well.  That's why I can't discount the flukiness of the NFL.

I also draw a big issue with this "complete rebuid" talk.  It's classic Jacksonville talk.  It's why we struggle to keep up with peer cities, everything about is is unique in the history of the world.  Other teams have made harder turn arounds faster. 

Dave and Gus both have next year left on their contracts. I would like to see Dave get an extension in the offseason and I don't expect as much for Gus, but I would love to see him on the sideline for next year. I think we make the playoffs next year no matter who's coaching. We're definitely good enough. We have talent, but it's young talent. I believe that they'll only get better if we continue to move to beat of the same drummer. You change that; you risk starting all over again.

Now here, here is why I think people are afraid of firing Bradley.  We think it mean a "blow it up, start over" thing, and we're so scared of that...again.  We're shell shocked.  But the truth is that there isn't anything to blow up.  Almost all the pieces are in place on the offensive, we have the QB of the future, we have offensive weapons at every position.  There is nothing to "blow up". 

Dave's contract already runs through 2017 (1 more year than Bradley's).  His future is tied to Blake, imo.  He will outlast Bradley and get to pick another head coach.  So there is nothing to blow up there.

Maybe not a 'complete' rebuild because we have some definite talent on the field.  And that's not to say that bringing in another coach spells definite disaster.  But you also run the risk of bringing in a guy who interviews well, says all the right things, has an immediate initial impact with someone else's roster and then doesn't quite pan out and leaves us worse off than where we started.  (Chip Kelly?)

I have to say that I absolutely love the consistent message that comes from the team.  I don't read about a bunch of in-fighting and negativity and how new FAs are dying to get here to take a vacation.  I love that Khan came out and quelled the talk before the offseason about next year.  I do believe that the bar will be high next year for Gus; in the playoffs or lose your job high.  But all of that said, I totally believe the team we have now can do it.  Add in another defensively focused draft class, another round of FA, our #1 pick of this year and I truly think we'll have a team that can compete deep in the playoffs.  The offensive numbers are inspiring.

Speaking of offense, why does everyone seem to forget that little nugget as well?  The 'plan' was to get a franchise QB.  Seemingly, we did that.  Then to add some weapons around him.  We can check that off the list, too.  Lastly, we were going to build a defense, and that started with the Fowler pick.  How many tackles did he have this year? 

GB may have started his head coaching tenure abysmally, but we were an absolutely abysmal franchise when he got here.  The arrow is pointed due North.  My tune will quickly change if we jump out to a 1-4 / 2-6 start next year.

[ProjectMaximus]

I'm not going to overly defend Bradley cause I'm personally not sold on him as a head coach that can lead a team to the Super Bowl, but I certainly am happy to have him for one more year, playoffs or bust. Here's my reasoning:

-Team is definitely moving in the right direction. Defense is built with his philosophy/alignment so it would indeed be a blow up if we change direction. Might as well give him one more year to fill in the missing pieces (LEO and both safeties...not sold on Cyp)

-I agree this year still revealed a ton of stupid in-game mistakes but he actually is improving and I don't expect a coach to be able to do it all correctly from the beginning. Just like players, a head coach needs time to develop.

-Coaching is a whole lot more than play calling, which he doesn't manage anyway.  He has done a great job on the backend: instilling the philosophy and changing culture, developing players, maximizing practice time...he needs to improve his in-game decisions (again it has gotten better but still a long way to go) and his staff's game planning/prep. Those must improve next year.

So we'll see. Go Jags!!

[Keith-N-Jax]

Only thing more painful than the Jaguars at this point is Rachlel's post. Please take your meds daily. Thank you!!!!

[I-10east]

The Jags 2016 opponents have been determined. 

Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts (Oct. 2 in London), Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens

Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/2016-nfl-opponents-home-and-away-games-for-all-32-teams-010416

[RattlerGator]

The exciting thing for me will be the draft, especially the first three picks. We should legitimately expect to select three defensive starters in the first three picks. Probably one on the D-line, one linebacker, and one DB.

Who will they be?