JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser's Wednesday notes and observations: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey's status for Sunday's game against Indianapolis, Head Coach Doug Marrone on unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties, more …
1.Jalen Ramsey's status for Sunday is uncertain – very uncertain. The Jaguars' All-Pro cornerback missed practice Wednesday with a knee injury, with Head Coach Doug Marrone saying he had a "high level of concern" over whether Ramsey will play when the Jaguars (3-8) plays the Indianapolis Colts (6-5) at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville Sunday. "We have two games in eight days, and he has a legitimate thing that he's dealing with," Marrone said, referring to the Jaguars' game at Tennessee next Thursday. "I think it'll be tough. I think we'll have a better idea later in the week, but I do have a high level of concern." Also missing practice for the Jaguars Wednesday: wide receiver D.J. Chark Jr. (quadricep) and safety Tashaun Gipson (ankle). The following players practiced limited: safety Cody Davis (hamstring), cornerback Tre Herndon (ankle), cornerback Quenton Meeks (knee), linebacker Lerentee McCray (hamstring), offensive lineman Josh Walker (foot/ankle), right tackle Jermey Parnell (knee), defensive end Calais Campbell (ankle), defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (back). Quarterback Blake Bortles (right wrist) practiced full.
2.Marrone spent much of his Wednesday media availability discussing penalties. And while he began his comments focused on Sunday's one-game suspension of running back Leonard Fournette for violating the league's unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness policies, Marrone said he overall must do a better job emphasizing personal fouls with all players. The Jaguars lead the NFL with 22 such penalties – unnecessary roughness, face mask, lowering the head to initiate contact, taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct. "Right now, we're doing things that don't give us a chance to win, and that's one of them, and that has to be corrected," Marrone said, adding: "The way the team plays is a reflection on me. I understand that. I always have. I've always taken a lot of pride in having a well-disciplined, smart football team and obviously I'm not getting that done…. There are measures you can take that you hope you don't have to get there and I'm probably getting them too late. I wasn't expecting that out of our football team in Year Two." Marrone said he believes education a better way of addressing the issue than punishment. He was asked if it was something that was fixable immediately. "There are a lot of combinations of how to fix it, but we're looking to fix it right overnight, yes," he said.
3.Look for Ronnie Harrison to get an increased opportunity this week, with Marrone indicating he could get more snaps on Sunday. Harrison, a rookie third-round safety, has played extensively this season as the team's nickel defensive back in its "big-nickel" package. The team hasn't used that package as much in recent weeks, but Harrison could get additional reps this week at the strong-side safety position where Barry Church – the starter the past two seasons – has struggled in recent weeks. "We'll see what we're doing come Sunday," Marrone said. Marrone also said rookie first-round defensive lineman Taven Bryan has been "coming on" in recent games. Bryan has played more extensively at the three-technique tackle position in recent weeks after playing mostly strong-side end through the first two months of the season. "He's starting to actually get better getting off blocks and making plays," Marrone said. "His performance in the last couple weeks has definitely improved and that's encouraging."
4.Marrone on Wednesday was asked about possible consequences of team being undisciplined at times. His answer: "Consequences? You mean like I'm not going to be here? That's always the case. The one thing you have to do is you have to hold your head up and keep going every day. That's the one thing I will always be able to do. It's not going to be a lack of effort. It's not going to be a lack of working. It's basically just going to be an end result; you either get it done or you don't get it done. If it's not good enough for the people you work for, then hey … they're going to let you go. We all know that. It's nothing to hold your head down about or nothing to feel bad about. … I walk in around here, it's embarrassing, it's frustrating … But at the end of the day, there has to be leadership somewhere. Someone has to step up, someone has to go and lead. I love this place. I love Jacksonville. It's my home. I plan on being here for a while, meaning in the city. I'm never going to drop my head. I'm working my butt off to do the best job I can. I think as long as you can do that and you don't sulk or make excuses or anything, I can look myself in the mirror and know I did everything I can. And you know what, that's fine. I'm only going to be disappointed with the results, but that's just the way it is."
