Gut Check for Jaguars in Indy

“What we’re going to do is stay the course.”  These are the words head coach Jack Del Rio used to describe the lack of major changes as the 0-2 Jaguars prepare for a must win Week 3 road matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.  Del Rio, in his interview with the Florida Times Union, added:   

“In evaluating the tape [of Sunday's loss to Buffalo], there’s no question in my mind that the level of energy the determination, the effort is all good. It’s all we’re looking for. The guys played hard, they played tough, just weren’t quite sharp enough, didn’t tackle well enough, didn’t quite do enough to earn a victory.”

Or as Stuart Smalley would say, “they’re tough enough, they’re smart enough, and doggone it, people like them!”

Del Rio’s view is consistent with what I observed, good or even great play in most facets of the Bills game, but also certain momentary deficiencies in all phases which spelled failure in key moments.  Can the same team play better with the same game plan against the banged up Colts?  The Jaguars ability to answer this rhetorical question will show what they are truly made of.

Will the running game be able to get off against the Colts?  The Colts D definitely had a hard time with Adrian Peterson last week, who racked up 160 yards.  The one-two punch of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew has been more like a one-two love-tap this year, with dismal two-game yardage totals of 67 and 30 yards respecively putting Jacksonville at the bottom of the league in rushing.  Whereas the Titans and Bills were able to use their front four to push around the Jags taped-together offensive line, and prevent them from opening holes, Indy might not have the personnel to do so.  In my opinion, the Jaguars must go to the running game early and often.  Even if they don’t succeed at first, and have to punt the ball a couple of times in the first half, Taylor and MJD will get stronger as the game progresses, and the holes may open as the Colts D tires.

The Jaguars lack of a deep threat places more pressure on the running game.  I reported last week that Jerry Porter was expected to make his debut in the home opener, but he was scratched at game time as his surgically repaired hamstring was still not ready.  Now this week the team is pretty certain Porter will play, but I question if he can step in and be a legitimate deep threat right away.  Dennis Northcutt will also be returning after missing the Bills game with an injury, and will try to help starters Reggie Williams and Matt Jones get some kind of passing attack going.  Glen Frenette of the Florida Times Union went so far as to refer to a “wide receiver curse” plaguing the Jags since Jimmy Smith retired.  If the Jaguars can get a few balls to any of these guys in single coverage and hope they can take advantage of the absence of Colt safety Bob Sanders down the field, then that would go a long way towards opening the offense.

On defense, the Jaguars need to play better in all phases.  There was a successful period in the middle of the Bills game where RB Marshawn Lynch was kept in check, QB Trent Edwards was pressured, and the passing game was limited.  Presumably the Jags have been reviewing plenty of film of the damaging first and fourth quarter drives where this was not the case.

The “real Jaguars” will take the field Sunday at 4, and fans hope there will be extra determination, focus and toughness with the season on line.  If that’s not the case, then the “stay the course” philosophy is cast in doubt.

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Last post (s) by Mark Reichman

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