The Jacksonville Jaguars

[Wacca Pilatka]

^ I watched part of the Jags/Patriots game from 2012 on Youtube not long ago and was reminded that Chris Prosinski once intercepted Tom Brady in a regular season game.  That has to be one of the more unbelievable things I've ever seen in football.

[Lucasjj]

None of the rookies are being counted on to contribute alot right away, which is different from prior years.

Except for Leon Jacobs. He is projected to be the starting strong side linebacker. Would be a great pick by the front office to get a year one starter in the 7th round.

[RattlerGator]

Yes, rookies *will* be counted upon bigtime. Don't forget Ronnie Harrison (Taven Bryan, of course, needs no mention and will be huge for us this season, as will DJ Chark, and Logan Cooke is the punter). This opinion from Brian Sexton was posted on the team website today:

One guy I'm interested in watching Thursday is rookie safety Ronnie Harrison. Harrison is long and rangy and he has shown the ability to cover a lot of ground in a hurry. Time after time, he's in the middle of the action in the middle of the field and most of the time he's the one breaking up a pass. Now, admittedly, it's against the second and third teams – but he looks completely comfortable, which often is the case for Alabama kids after a few years in Head Coach Nick Saban's program. I had him as the most likely rookie to start a game in 2018 before strong-side linebacker Leon Jacobs emerged this summer, but I still think he'll make an impact. Safeties Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson are extremely physical players, and the odds say one of them will need some recovery time this season after each started all 16 games last year. The game isn't too big for Harrison. In fact, it looks as if he might be a building block for the next generation of this defense.

That's at least 5 serious contributors in year one. It appears the Jaguars had *another* incredibly good draft.

[Steve]

Any real complaints from last night's game?

(Aside from the odd omen that we had a 20-10 lead and lost 24-20 for the second game in a row?)

[RiversideRambler]

Any real complaints from last night's game?

Kick and punt return coverage was/is abysmal. That won't break a season but it can definitely impact a game. Other than that, everything looked smooth (which is not an adjective I've used before to describe a Jags' preseason game).

[Steve]

Fair point - particularly the kick coverage IMO. I'm curious if this is related to the rule changes, not sure who the right guys will be, or something else. But yes, that will be bad week 1.

[KenFSU]

Love this team.

So happy we brought Bortles back.

Had no clue he just had a kid.

Teal uniforms looked pretty epic on the field.

Hope the Telvin, Fournette, Jalen, TJ national anthem stuff doesn't get needlessly blown out of proportion.

[Rynjny]

Love this team.

So happy we brought Bortles back.

Had no clue he just had a kid.

Teal uniforms looked pretty epic on the field.

Hope the Telvin, Fournette, Jalen, TJ national anthem stuff doesn't get needlessly blown out of proportion.

Wait...Bortles just had a kid???

[Jason]

Impressive turn out for a preseason game.  The first drive was certainly the highlight and judging from that alone, I think we are going to have a good season.

Three 3rd down conversions in the drive to be wrapped up with a Bortles TD run...  Let's go JAGS!!

[KenFSU]

Love this team.

So happy we brought Bortles back.

Had no clue he just had a kid.

Teal uniforms looked pretty epic on the field.

Hope the Telvin, Fournette, Jalen, TJ national anthem stuff doesn't get needlessly blown out of proportion.

Wait...Bortles just had a kid???

The announcers mentioned that he was a new Dad during the game last night.

There have been rumors swirling about the circumstances going back to the end of last season, but I always assumed it was fake and it was just the internet being the internet.

Guess it's true.

Good for Blake.

[pierre]

Any real complaints from last night's game?

Kick and punt return coverage was/is abysmal. That won't break a season but it can definitely impact a game. Other than that, everything looked smooth (which is not an adjective I've used before to describe a Jags' preseason game).

I'm confused. The Jaguars punted twice. The first punt was a 56 yarder from the rookie Cooke and the returner was tackled immediately by DJ Chark. The second punt was downed inside the 20.

[blizz01]

My mother said the game was on local TV (Fox?) in Charleston, SC.  She said they were even airing the Jacksonville specific commercials (think Farah & Farah)....

[ProjectMaximus]

Love this team.

So happy we brought Bortles back.

Had no clue he just had a kid.

Teal uniforms looked pretty epic on the field.

Hope the Telvin, Fournette, Jalen, TJ national anthem stuff doesn't get needlessly blown out of proportion.

Wait...Bortles just had a kid???

The announcers mentioned that he was a new Dad during the game last night.

There have been rumors swirling about the circumstances going back to the end of last season, but I always assumed it was fake and it was just the internet being the internet.

Guess it's true.

Good for Blake.

I did not hear anything about this all summer either. But Brian Sexton mentioned it on his podcast last week.

[I-10east]

I'm so excited about this year! I wish that I could say the same thing about those super bland uniforms. I really don't like any combo of them (although the teal tops on white pants like the NOLA game are easily the best IMO, and that's not saying much. Today's Nittany Lion white on white looks like we fell in a vat of white paint, and peeled off tape to reveal black numbers and letters... PRIMARY COLORS ARE BORING!!! IT SCREAMS NO IDENTITY!!!! TEAL AND GOLD MAKES OUR BRAND MORE EXCITING!!!! I'm done, sorry.

[Snaketoz]

I've been saying this for years, and I really hope I'm wrong, BUT I think the Jaguars need to immediately start grooming another quarterback.  They should already have an heir apparent.  I was happy for Blake last year, I really was.  I really think the Jag's success in 2017 was not because of Bortles, but in spite of Bortles.  They have sold their soul to justify keeping him.  They have simplified their offense to accommodate his mediocrity, released talented receivers, and become defense dependent to make up for him.  How anyone can think Bortles is the answer at QB is beyond me.  We can't count on dummying down the offense can keep working.  More and more teams will figure out how to counter it, and we can't keep all our hopes on luck and pick 6s by our defense.  It could be a disappointing season.