Lack Of Attention To Detail
During a drive last night, T.J. Yeldon caught a screen pass, spun, and looked to make a move upfield...except he didn't. He slipped. Out of frustration, he tossed the ball aside thinking he was down, but this isn't college young buck. No one had touched him. After realizing the play was still live, he rushed over and dove on the football to recover it. LACK OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL - that is the entire game for the Jacksonville Jaguars summed up into one line. Later in the game, Derrick Henry bounced an inside zone run, outside. He realized rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey took too steep of an angle and Henry outran him towards the pylon for his first career touchdown. Yet another example of a lack of attention to detail.
[10.24.16 - The 7th Report - Episode 42 by The 7th Report]My article two days ago was titled Headed In The Wrong Direction. After this performance, it is clear to me the players do not have any faith in their coaches, and coaches any faith in their players. It is time for Shad Khan to look for coaching replacements. There are two that stick out immediately - Gus Bradley and Nathaniel Hackett. Jacksonville and its fan base have had enough of this constant losing (14-41 as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars). Bradley seems unable to set up his team for success. Their offensive scheme is backwards, they aren't setting Blake Bortles up for success, they can't run the football,they can't throw the football deep, and the worst thing of all of these is his player's seeming not to care. Last night was as lackluster of an effort for three quarters as I have ever seen. It is time for a new coach to inherit this talent filled team and find a scheme in which they can have success. However, I do not like mid-season coaching transitions, so I understand if he stays on until the end of the season.
People are wondering why Carson Wentz is having such early success. Let's take a look at his coaching staff and diagnose why. Doug Pederson (head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles) spent 12 years in this league as a quarterback. He also has other experience at the quarterback position: Philadelphia's quarterback coach (2011-12), Kansas City's offensive coordinator and working closely with quarterback Alex Smith (2013-15). Frank Reich (offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles) played 14 seasons in the NFL as a quarterback. He then continued to coach and work closely with quarterbacks - especially in San Diego with Philip Rivers. And finally John DeFilippo (quarterback coach for the Philadelphia Eagles) helped develop Derek Carr in Oakland. We have all seen how well Derek Carr has developed. Everyone is wondering how Carson Wentz is playing so well and the answer is a combination of things. Wentz has extreme physical ability, the mental capacity, and experience with making adjustments at the line. Mix that with ALL THREE of his coaches having experience at the quarterback position and it oozes a formal for success. His coaches understand how hard of a position it is to play and are going to put him in situations to succeed.
Now, let's take a look at what Blake Bortles has to work with on his side of the football. Gus Bradley is a former safety and a defensive minded coach. He brings very little to the table when developing the mechanics it takes to be a successful quarterback in this league. I am not taking away from what Gus has done as a coach, but he adds very little value to the offensive side of the football. Greg Olsen (offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars) has the most experience at the quarterback position on this team. He has had a lot of success in Tampa Bay and Oakland working with young quarterbacks and helping their development. Finally, Nathaniel Hackett (quarterback coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars) played linebacker in college and he is most experienced in working with linebackers and offensive lineman. How is Bortles supposed to develop into a better quarterback when he doesn't have to coaches necessary to help him? I am not saying these coaches aren't good coaches, but they need to be put in positions where they can be more successful.
The Jaguars should look into making some coaching changes this offseason. If they want to get the most out of the players they draft and trade for, they need to hire coaches and put them in appropriate positions to succeed. Don't ask a former OL/LB coach to help develop a quarterback. It just won't work out. A painful lesson, but a lesson nonetheless. Hopefully the Jaguars see what's right in front of their nose and make the necessary changes. Until then, it looks to be another dark season in Jacksonville.
