JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Blues Man from Jacksonville
O-Man ... what worries me the most? Coughlin. A couple of weeks ago his comments that he would put his "gloves on" – and his steadfast philosophy of run, run, great defense and play action – are concerning to me. It's not 1970 anymore. I get that the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams are anomalies, but we have to get fresh, young minds in here to update our offense. Even when the Chiefs are not throwing the ball, at least they run plays that are innovative and creative. Sure, Coughlin helped build this franchise and won two Super Bowls, but time has since passed. The "Godification" of Coughlin is perplexing to me.
This is a common feeling among many Jaguars fans, and I understand the perception. But, remember: Coughlin won as a head coach in Jacksonville throwing a lot and he won Super Bowls with the New York Giants with Eli Manning passing effectively. While he and the Jaguars' decision-makers decided in the 2017 offseason that the best way for this team at that time to win immediately was to run effectively and play defense, Coughlin is an offensive-minded football coach/executive. He well knows you must throw effectively to win in the NFL. And while it has become vogue because of this year's losing to say that the Jaguars are antiquated and out of touch, they didn't seem quite so out of touch nine or 10 months ago. Remember, too: You can still win with defense and without scoring 40 points a game. Witness the recent surges by Seattle, Dallas and Chicago – not to mention the New Orleans Saints squeezing out decidedly defensive-oriented victories in recent weeks to stay atop the NFC. This is not to say the Jaguars don't need to get much better offensively, specifically in the passing game. It is to say that there's more than one way to get there – and that there's still more than one way to win in the National Football League.
Joseph from Sacramento, CA
Coaches can say what they want to say about continuing to coach hard, but who really cares anymore at this point?
Fair.
Patrick from Nashville, TN
Can Head Coach Doug Marrone at least let Blake finish these last two games?
Not likely. Sometimes, it's time to move on. The Jaguars appear to have decided that that time has arrived with quarterback Blake Bortles.
Bob from St. Augustine, FL
Our first-round pick plus 4Net for Nick Foles, thoughts?
Maybe, though I don't know that the Philadelphia Eagles would take that deal.
Jeremy from Omaha, NE
You keep saying the Jags will address positions in the offseason. They have weaknesses all over the place. There's not enough salary-cap space to address half the problems. For the first time since we got the team, I flat-out quit watching the Jags about three games ago. It doesn't look hopeful for the franchise's future at all.
The Jaguars will have enough space and draft selections to address their needs this offseason. They may not be able to throw mega-deal, franchise-player dollars at every unrestricted free agent, and they won't have multiple first-round selections, but they will be able to address needs.
Paul from Section 216 and Fleming Island
Is it just me or did this David Williams kid look pretty good?
Jaguars first-year running back David Williams did look good against the Washington Redskins Sunday, rushing for 31 yards on four second-half carries. I expect he will get a chance to look good again Sunday when the Jaguars play the Miami Dolphins.
Chris from Roseville, CA
Why do you think Yeldon is gone after this season? He seems to do well every chance he gets, yet the Jaguars move away from him every chance they get. It doesn't make sense and seems like he will go on to bigger and better things once he gets away from the Jaguars. Good for him while bad for us, again.
I believe running back T.J. Yeldon will be gone in the offseason because reserve running back is a young man's role, and I don't believe the Jaguars considering their salary-cap situation will want to pay what Yeldon likely will draw on the open market.
Thomas from Williamsburg, VA
Not a question, just a statement. FREE TANNER LEE! #Tankforthebank
OK. #freemattscott
Sam from Winter Park, FL
What is the upside in releasing Barry Church now versus when the season is over? Financial reasons? Or just throwing a bone to a veteran player and let him see if he can make it somewhere else?
The Jaguars have been eliminated from the postseason. Church didn't play against the Tennessee Titans and he wasn't going to play in the final three games of the season. Sometimes, it's time to move on.
Ed from Ponte Vedra, FL
I know this question will sound ignorant, but at the end of the day this sport is for entertainment and no fan has been entertained lately. What's wrong with doing something totally different, like sending four receivers for a pass every so often? Even the Rockettes change their game plan every so often.
Considering how this offense is playing right now, I don't know if you would be as entertained by the Jaguars doing what you suggest as you might think.
Wade from Westside
This is the worst team the Jaguars have ever fielded.
Ha. No, it's not.
Duran from Rapid City, SD
I wrote this last week. It still applies. Fire everyone except Coughlin and let him build this team. This is a far cry from last year. Maybe it was a fluke. Either way, someone had to be held responsible as these performances have to be considered unacceptable.
Last season wasn't a fluke, and I think Coughlin will – and should – return. But he's the Executive Vice President of Football Operations and has final say over football decisions. He's as responsible as anyone for what has happened this season.
Marcus from Jacksonville
Are the Jaguars a good team that had a bad season, or are they a bad team that had a good season (last year)?
Neither. They were a good team last season that had a good season. They are a bad team this season that had a bad season, partly because of injuries and partly because of deficiencies at multiple positions that were further exposed by those injuries.
Mike from Atlanta, GA
What is the state of affairs at receiver approaching the offseason? I'd keep Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, and DJ Chark Jr. – and bring Allen Lazard to training camp for competition. So that would mean we need to bring in three people or more via draft and free agency. What do you think the receiving corps will look like next year?
I imagine Keelan Cole will be in training camp next offseason because there's no reason not to have him in training camp next season – and because he has shown enough potential to give him a chance to reboot from what has been a difficult sophomore season. I agree with bringing back Lee, Westbrook and Chark and believe they will be in training camp – and Lazard signed with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday. Aside from that, I would expect an early-drafted rookie and at least one veteran. The Jaguars have a lot of work to do offensively, and receiver must be part of that work.
Jesse from Layton
What to do about officiating? How about this: Simplify the rules. The kickoff changes show that the NFL is not averse to putting some big changes in, if it improves the game or decreases injury. Make some dramatic changes to some of these rules so that making calls isn't so difficult at game speed. There are a lot of rules that can be simplified. Also, make penalties reviewable. If the CFL can do it, the NFL can too. Both those changes would have to go hand in hand obviously.
Officials are human beings. They have made mistakes in every sport and will continue to make mistakes in every sport so long as human beings officiate games. However simple the rules – and whether they are full-time or part-time – that's unlikely to change in any measurable degree.
Cole from Jacksonville
I took my four-year old son to his second Jags game Sunday. His first was last year's Seattle game (much better outcome). We drove four hours to watch the game and he had an absolute blast. From the time we got on the shuttle and he started yelling "Duval!" To meeting up at the tailgate with my college friends whom I hadn't seen since last year, to watching my son cross his heart during the national anthem and seeing his joy when Dede ran the kick back. Did the outcome suck? Yup. As far as the experience, worth every penny and you better believe we will keep coming back and cheering for our Jags because you know what? Duval Til We Die!
