As Maurice Jones-Drew sees it, perspective is needed.
Jones-Drew, the Jaguars' two-time Pro Bowl running back, said while a lopsided Week 2 loss Sunday in New Jersey was in no way pretty, it also in no way changes things all that significantly.
It means the Jaguars are 1-1. And really, it doesn't mean much more than that.
"It was one loss," Jones-Drew said Monday, a day after the Jaguars' 32-3 loss to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
"It was a bad one, but our expectations haven't changed. After watching the tape, there are definitely some things we can correct and make things a little bit better, but at the end of the day, you just can't turn the ball over."
That was a common refrain around the Jaguars, that while the loss hurt and hardly looked impressive, it won't define the season.
"It only counts for one loss," said quarterback Like McCown, who completed 6 of 19 passes for 59 yards and four interceptions. "As bad as it feels, it only counts for one loss. That means we have 14 more opportunities."
The Jaguars were outgained 283-203 Sunday, and the Jets had 15 first downs to 11 for the Jaguars, but Jones-Drew said far more significant were four turnovers by the offense – i.e., four interceptions by McCown.
"That just wasn't Luke," Jones-Drew said. "That was all of us. We all have to get back to our job and get ready for Carolina (Sunday). . . . For us, as good as our quarterbacks go depends on how the guys around him play. We know everybody tries to blame the loss on somebody, but we feel like the loss is on us on the offense as a whole.
"The defense played outstanding. The special teams did an OK job, but as an offense, we let the ball roll out, so we have to pick it up and that's what we're going to do."
Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio on Monday declined to name a starting quarterback for Sunday, with rookie Blaine Gabbert having played in place of McCown in the fourth quarter Sunday.
"We've already been in this situation before," Jones-Drew said. "The only thing we can control is what we can control. Whatever decision is made is going to be made and whoever is going to be our quarterback is going to be our quarterback. I can't make that decision.
"The only decision I can make is who I'm blocking, how I'm running the ball and the effort I'm giving on Sunday."
McCown said despite the four interceptions, he won't lose confidence.
"Not at all," McCown said. "I've never been one to slink back after adversity. I'll come back, be better this week in practice, prepare harder than I did last week and be better on Sunday."
Also around the Jaguars:
*McCown said the Jaguars' offensive line "played great" Sunday. "I felt clean most of the day," McCown said. "I was able to get through my progressions most of the day. For whatever reason, I just fell a little short throwing the football. It starts with me and I'm going to get it fixed."
*Jaguars wide receiver Mike Thomas said he would like to see McCown get at least one more chance as the starting quarterback. "I'm as clueless as you guys," Thomas said when asked who he thought would be named the starter. "Personally, you would hope Luke gets a chance to redeem himself. You'd always prefer a guy having a bad game get a chance to redeem himself, but everybody knows the situation around here as well. When that time comes, we'll work it out."
*Jaguars defensive end Aaron Kampman was in the locker room without a brace on his knee and while he said he is improving, he said he doesn't yet know a timetable for his return. Kampman and Del Rio each said Monday Kampman, who has missed the first two games of the regular-season while returning from a knee injury that kept him out of the final eight games of last season, won't play Sunday. "I can't be definitive yet," Kampman said. "I promise you I wish I could."
