The Jacksonville Jaguars

[seaspray]

In my opinion Blake overall played great in the post-season, considering that this is his first playoffs. The Buffalo game nothing was working for him but he made up for it with his legs and scrambling ability.

He may not be Top 10, but he's in the upper half of the starting QBs in the NFL right now

[thelakelander]

That may be pushing it. With a upper half QB, they'd be going to the super bowl. Teams with upper half QBs don't run out the first half clock with 55 seconds and 2 time outs to play with. They try to get at least 30 to 40 yards for a last second FG attempt. They also rarely get delay of game penalties on plays coming out of time outs.

[KenFSU]

Ratings are in, and they're monstrous.

The Jaguars went from having no nationally televised regular season games to being involved in the most-watched television program since Super Bowl LI.

50 million viewers - roughly the equivalent of the College Football Championship and Game 7 of the 2017 World Series combined - tuned in for the broadcast.

Locally, the numbers were insane.

48 share, 70 rating.

If people didn't know who the Jags were two weeks ago, they certainly know now, and I can't even imagine how many new fans this team has created both nationally and locally through this playoff run.

Better believe we'll have numerous nationally televised games next year.

[thelakelander]

Nationally (excluding Pats fans), people are tired of TB12 and New England. The Jags were America's team yesterday.

[TimmyB]

That may be pushing it. With a upper half QB, they'd be going to the super bowl. Teams with upper half QBs don't run out the first half clock with 55 seconds and 2 time outs to play with. They try to get at least 30 to 40 yards for a last second FG attempt. They also rarely get delay of game penalties on plays coming out of time outs.

So, Jacksonville is not going to the Super Bowl because of Bortles?  What about the DB's that got toasted time and again in the 2nd half, giving up big plays and bad penalties?  We'll overlook them because we need a scapegoat?

Don't put that delay of game on him.  That is squarely on every single member of that coaching staff.  Good grief, they pay a guy to walk around and carry Marrone's headset cords, you think they'd be able to afford a guy to watch the play clock!

As for the 55 seconds, that again has more to do with the head coach's philosophy than it does confidence or lack thereof in his QB.  The WORST thing that could have happened was NE gets the ball back and scores again to tie/take the lead at halftime.  It was the right decision, even if Tom Brady was QB for Jacksonville.

It's a team game.  Blake Bortles didn't cost them anywhere near as much as he got them.  Can we say that about every member of this team?  No, we can't.

[KenFSU]

Let's remember that these guys were 3-13 last year. They're also a very, very young team. I think we credit them for getting to the AFC Championship, not blame them for not making it to the Super Bowl. Plus, you win as a team, you lose as a team. For every mistake the coaching staff, or Bortles, or the DBs, or whoever made in the second half, they made ten incredible calls or plays previously that allowed us to get to this point.

Plus, as much as I hate to say it, you can be an amazing team and play your best and still not be able to get past the Patriots and Tom Brady.

I hope we keep Bortles for at least another year.

He's the people's QB, and he's tough as nails.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Great year for us Jags Fans from 3-13 to AFC Championship. Go Jags.

[thelakelander]

That may be pushing it. With a upper half QB, they'd be going to the super bowl. Teams with upper half QBs don't run out the first half clock with 55 seconds and 2 time outs to play with. They try to get at least 30 to 40 yards for a last second FG attempt. They also rarely get delay of game penalties on plays coming out of time outs.

So, Jacksonville is not going to the Super Bowl because of Bortles?  What about the DB's that got toasted time and again in the 2nd half, giving up big plays and bad penalties?  We'll overlook them because we need a scapegoat?

Jax isn't going to the super bowl because it wussed out. For whatever reasons (no trust in Bortles to make plays or the moment being too big for an upstart, etc.) they soiled their pants by going ultra conservative and playing not to lose. I'm not blaming Bortles specifically for the loss just like I'm not blaming what I'd also call a few questionable calls (ex. the late 2nd quarter PI and the Jack FB recovery call) either.

They did what they could with creative playcalling to protect their personnel but failed to adjust when New England forced them into a situation where they needed to. I believe if they believed in their on starting QB, the playcalling would have been quite different. If Jax wants to get back to the AFC Championship game next year, they'll need to correct that aspect of their dynamics. The D is top level but you can't expect even the best group of defensive guys to hold NE udner 20 an entire game at Foxboro....especially in the playoffs. You also have to do enough on offense to put them away.

[seaspray]

Great year for us Jags Fans from 3-13 to AFC Championship. Go Jags.

Not even the biggest Jag homer could have predicted that. Unbelievable season

[TimmyB]

That may be pushing it. With a upper half QB, they'd be going to the super bowl. Teams with upper half QBs don't run out the first half clock with 55 seconds and 2 time outs to play with. They try to get at least 30 to 40 yards for a last second FG attempt. They also rarely get delay of game penalties on plays coming out of time outs.

So, Jacksonville is not going to the Super Bowl because of Bortles?  What about the DB's that got toasted time and again in the 2nd half, giving up big plays and bad penalties?  We'll overlook them because we need a scapegoat?

Jax isn't going to the super bowl because it wussed out. For whatever reasons (no trust in Bortles to make plays or the moment being too big for an upstart, etc.) they soiled their pants by going ultra conservative and playing not to lose. I'm not blaming Bortles specifically for the loss just like I'm not blaming what I'd also call a few questionable calls (ex. the late 2nd quarter PI and the Jack FB recovery call) either.

They did what they could with creative playcalling to protect their personnel but failed to adjust when New England forced them into a situation where they needed to. I believe if they believed in their on starting QB, the playcalling would have been quite different. If Jax wants to get back to the AFC Championship game next year, they'll need to correct that aspect of their dynamics. The D is top level but you can't expect even the best group of defensive guys to hold NE udner 20 an entire game at Foxboro....especially in the playoffs. You also have to do enough on offense to put them away.

I think my biggest disappointment was, he is a great runner.  They didn't allow him once to take off with the ball yesterday.  That was what kept Pittsburgh's defense on their toes the week before, knowing that they couldn't just sell out.  There were SO many times yesterday where they ran what looked like a read-option and he never pulled it.  Not once.

[thelakelander]

Let's remember that these guys were 3-13 last year. They're also a very, very young team. I think we credit them for getting to the AFC Championship, not blame them for not making it to the Super Bowl.

This is true! However, I wouldn't put too much hope on easily getting back. As a kid, I remember a young Dan Marino and the Marks brothers lighting it up and getting to the Super Bowl in Marino's second season. They lost but people thought they'd be back. But Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and the Bills popped up and it never happened.

Seeing the Jags go from 3-13 to the AFC Championship game gives the rest of us losers hope. Hopefully, the Jags pull out all the stops this off-season and do what they have to do to take the next step before their window of opportunity closes.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I think this team can compete for a few season, BB5 may or may not have been the reason he certainly played well at times in the playoffs but you gotta consider upgrading him, he to erratic and misses open receivers alot. I think Colvin maybe the only person we may lose. I am amazed at how well they played in NE, they should have buried them!

[JaxAvondale]

I've heard that the team, though they'll want to keep him after this run, doesn't want to pay the full amount of his option. It could all come down to negotiations on that (Blake holding out for the full amount, some other team offering more than the Jags are willing to do, etc.). But I fully expect they'll work it out and he'll be here next year. No way they're suffering under the delusion that we can pick up a QB better than Bortles on the cheap. It is not our fate to luck out on a Jimmy Garoppolo.

Which is why I think we'll go with a short-term deal with a lot of money upfront.  Basically, Blake, we wanna believe you, but we gotta see it again.   Here's a 5 year-slightly-Better-than-average deal for an average QB with most of the money guaranteed at signing and a large chunk as a signing bonus upfront.   if you keep at it, we'll get you a bigger one.  If you fuck it up, we can cut bait after year 2 without a loss.

Something along those lines will free up money this year in case we have to franchise ARob and will allow us an out after 2 and options for years 3-5.   And from all general impressions, Blake will take the deal. 

I also think we'll draft a QB between rounds 2-4 and bring in a veteran backup who will have a somewhat legit opportunity to WOW the coaches in camp.

Give Blake a 5 year deal with a $20 million signing bonus with a $12-14 million base salary in the first year. Guarantee the 1st 3 years for skill/injury/cap. That would end up being over $60 million in guaranteed money. The CBA expires in 2021. So, If I'm Blake and his team, I want to shot at a new deal with the new expanded CBA for the 2021.

[JaxAvondale]

I think this team can compete for a few season, BB5 may or may not have been the reason he certainly played well at times in the playoffs but you gotta consider upgrading him, he to erratic and misses open receivers alot. I think Colvin maybe the only person we may lose. I am amazed at how well they played in NE, they should have buried them!

   Passing   Sacked   Fumbles
Season   Team   G   QBRat   Comp   Att   Pct   Yds   PasY/G   Y/A   TD   Int   Sacks   YdsL   Fumb   FumL
2004   PIT   14   98.1   196   295   66.4   2,621   187.2   8.9   17   11   30   213   1   1
2005   PIT   12   98.6   168   268   62.7   2,385   198.8   8.9   17   9   23   129   1   1
2006   PIT   15   75.4   280   469   59.7   3,513   234.2   7.5   18   23   46   280   3   1
2007   PIT   15   104.1 264   404   65.3   3,154   210.3   7.8   32   11   47   347   7   3
2008   PIT   16   80.1   281   469   59.9   3,301   206.3   7.0   17   15   46   284   10   5

Big Ben wasn't great his first 5 years.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Bortles is not the answer, I believe TC will make sure this happens at some point before or during next season