Can’t Blame Del Rio For This One

Somewhere Jack Del Rio is smiling. I’m not suggesting Del Rio, fired three weeks ago as the Jaguars coach, wants to see his former team lose. But he has to get some satisfaction with all the heat General Manager Gene Smith is catching, heat that amped up considerably Thursday night after an embarrassing 41-14 loss at Atlanta. The game wasn’t that close.

Nor am I suggesting Del Rio deserved more time with the Jaguars or that he’ll ever be a Hall of Fame NFL coach. But the truth is Del Rio never had a playoff-caliber roster at his beck and call.

First he was saddled with Shack Harris’ horrible first-round picks and free agent signees. Then he tried to make something out of Smith’s draft picks. Like Shack, Geno has had far more whiffs than base hits.

Even with all of the injuries suffered by the Jaguars, the roster that played the Falcons was mediocre. Let’s see, there’s MJD. . . a couple of offensive linemen . . . some solid linebackers . . . decent defensive tackles . . . and, well, see why Del Rio can’t help but at least grin these days?

 

The Worst It Has EVER Been for the Jags?

Many of us have a habit of thinking of the latest as the greatest – or the worst. With that in mind, I spent much of Sunday trying to talk myself out of declaring right now as “the worst it’s ever been” in Jaguars history.

I couldn’t do it. This IS the worst it’s ever been.

For the record, that’s not just my opinion. I sought out the opinions of others who like me have been around the Jaguars since their first season (1995). Without exception – and after some thought – all agreed the Jaguars franchise has reached a new low.

It isn’t just a matter of the team’s record, although at 3-8 after Sunday’s 20-13 home loss to Houston the Jaguars could wind up with the worst record (4-12 in ’95) in team history.

Nor is it a slam dunk that this is, indeed, the worst of times. The 2002 season is a candidate. That was Coach Tom Coughlin’s last season. The fans had soured on a Coughlin’s Sgt. Bark Orders’ personality. The Jaguars, after a promising 3-1 start, struggled, losing five of their last six games to finish 6-10, a third straight losing season. Tickets sales plummeted. The 2008 season is another candidate. One year after going 11-5 and winning a playoff game art Pittsburgh, the team started slowly, rebounded and then collapsed in the second half, finishing 5-11 and becoming a national joke because of TV blackouts.

This season, however, started badly and has gotten worse. The fans were upset because Coach Jack Del Rio hadn’t been fired after the 2010 season. The owners’ lockout angered many fans. Five days before the start of the season the release of longtime starting quarterback David Garrard shocked the NFL world.

Inserting rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert as the starter for the third game gave the fan base a boost, but the Jaguars’ inept offense remains the lowest scoring in the league. The offense and Gabbert have been so bad that the “franchise quarterback of the future” was benched in the fourth quarter of the loss to Houston. The wide receivers have been horrible. Tight end Marcedes Lewis, after a brief holdout and getting a new contract, has become a punch line.

Back-to-back plays in the second quarter against the Texans summarized the Jaguars offense: A wide open Lewis dropped a pass in the end zone from the 3-yard line; Gabbert missed an open Lewis on the next play; the Jaguars then settled for a chip shot field goal.

Then there was another head scratching time management issue. Facing 4th-and-2 from the Houston 40 with 1:16 to play, the Jaguars opted to play hurry-up instead of calling timeout. QB Luke McCown’s pass intended for Mike Thomas was badly off target. Why not call timeout? Del Rio blamed his offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter. It wasn’t the first time JDR threw his assistant under the bus.

Meanwhile, TV ratings have hit an all-time low; TV blackouts have been avoided only because of “mystery companies” stepping up at the last moment; Del Rio is still the coach.

There’s every reason to believe it will get uglier before this season is in the book. Of the remaining five games, three are at Everbank Field. You can expect TV blackouts. The Jaguars already have been eliminated from winning the AFC South.

Yeah, the worst it’s ever been.

 

Gabbert in 2011: Growing Pains or Sign of the Future?

Jaguars fans may look back in several years and smile about Blaine Gabbert’s rookie season. Much like Cowboys fans did with Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, who helped his team go 1-15 as a rookie. Much like Colts fans do with future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, who threw a league-high 28 interceptions as rookie as his team went 3-13.

Gabbert’s rookie season thus far has been ugly, and that includes Sunday’s 14-10 loss at Cleveland. Oh, Gabbert showed some statistical improvement against the Browns, but the NFL’s lowest scoring team still managed only 10 points and couldn’t score at the end from inside the 5.

Gabbert’s biggest problem isn’t making mistakes; it’s making plays. Think about it: How many big plays as No. 11 made? How many big throws? How many clutch throws?

Much of the blame for Gabbert’s struggles is handed to Coach Jack Del Rio and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. Their critics scream they’re keeping handcuffs on him. “Open up the offense” is a deafening cry from the fans and media. There’s no question Gabbert is operating from a small playbook.

But why?

I’ve known coaches who were bad leaders; coaches who were bad motivators; coaches who panicked on game day; coaches who stubbornly refused to make adjustments based on personnel. But, honestly, I’ve never met a coach who didn’t know the Xs and Os of the game. Sure, some are better at it than others, but all of them how the draw up plays and call plays.

Common sense says Del Rio and Koetter are keeping the handcuffs on Gabbert because they don’t think he has the ability or the experience or the help (or all three) to execute a wide open attack. Clearly, he isn’t getting much help from his receivers. We wouldn’t even be having this conversation if Jason Hill had caught a pass in the corner of the end zone with three seconds to play against the Browns. Was Hill interfered with on the play or did he simply drop it? Replays made it appear Browns’ cornerback Joe Haden hit Hill’s left hand before the ball arrived. For the record, it was a good throw by Gabbert.

The final pass was a terrible throw. Mike Thomas never had a chance to catch it. Should the Jaguars have handed the ball to Maurice Jones-Drew on the final play? Should Gabbert have passed the ball to MJD? Hindsight says absolutely, but remember this: if MJD had gotten the ball and not scored, then the critics would be screaming just as loudly.

Here’s what we do know: a highlight tape of Gabbert’s rookie season thus far would be a very short one.

Jaguar fans can only hope that in a few years the memories of Gabbert’s rookie season are that of a learning experience, not a sign of things to come.

 

Silence is Golden for JDR

I don’t blame Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio for deciding to no longer talk about the development of rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and the pass-catching woes of Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis.

As my mama used to say, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything.”

I’m serious when I say I don’t blame Del Rio. He’s smart enough to know how insincere it sounds when he praises Gabbert and Lewis. I’m not claiming to be an expert, but Gabbert looks no better now than he did in his first start. If anything, he seems to be going backwards. Lewis’ pass-catching problems have reached the point that the Jaguars have almost quit throwing to him.

Everyone says Lewis is physically healthy and working hard. If that’s the case, then he’s developed a mental block when the ball is headed his way. In case you’re wondering, the Jaguars say they don’t have a “mental coach” as some golfers and baseball players have. Maybe in the macho world of the NFL “mental coaches” are seen as a lack of toughness.

Gabbert’s problems are more diverse.

Is he struggling to make the transition from being a “spread” quarterback in college to a pocket passer in the NFL?

Is it a lack of overall experience at the position? He started two years at Missouri, leaving after his junior season. He wasn’t redshirted which means he was playing high school ball four years ago.

Is it the lack of playmaking receivers on the Jaguars?

Is it a matter of being overrated and overdrafted by the Jaguars? In other words, is Gabbert another Matt Leinart, who was the 10th overall pick five years ago?

Is it a combination of all of the above?

Of course it’s too early to make any final decisions about Gabbert as an NFL quarterback, but it isn’t too early for Jaguars fans to worry. When live in an age when many rookie quarterbacks have found success. We also live in an age when many high drafted QBs become costly mistakes for teams on the field and at the bank.

Will we see Gabbert take positive steps this week when the Jaguars play at Cleveland or will we see more inaccurate throws, confusion in the pocket and less than 100 passing yards?

My expectations are low. The Browns win, 17-13.

 

A Win is a Win is…Uh…Frustrating

Frustration is obviously easier to swallow when your team wins. Jaguars fans surely understand that following Sunday’s 17-3 victory at Indianapolis. While the Jaguars won 17-3, their passing game continues to border on embarrassing. Rookie quarterback didn’t look any better than he did in his first start; tight end Marcedes Lewis was awful – again; the wide receivers stunk.

It was reasonable to expect improvement in the passing game, if for no other reason than the Jaguars were playing the winless Colts, who have struggled in all phases of the game. But it didn’t happen. Colt defenders were probably celebrating behind closed doors after giving up fewer than 23 points for the first time all season.

But enough of the depressing commentary. The Jaguars did win. There are five teams with a worse record and another five teams with the same 3-6 record of the Jaguars. And, Jag fans, you’re not alone in feeling so frustrated. In fact, frustration is a fact of life for NFL fans.

Consider the “Dream Team” Eagles, who are 3-6 after another home loss. This one was handed to them by a struggling Arizona team using a backup quarterback.

Consider the Tampa Bay Bucs, who entered the season with such high hopes but are 4-5 and suffered another embarrassing home loss, 37-9 to Houston.

Consider San Diego and the New York Jets, both who had visions of going to the Super Bowl. The Jets are 5-4 after getting hammered at home by the Patriots. The Chargers are 4-5 after a home loss to Oakland.

Consider the Bills and Lions, both who soared out of the gate, neither losing in September. Buffalo’s offense had disappeared and the Bills are stumbling at 5-4. Detroit has lost three of its last four to fall to 6-3. The only things the Lions have stopped lately are the feel good stories about how the team has lifted the spirits of a city in financial and civil crisis.

Then there are the Atlanta Falcons. After posting the NFL’s best regular-season record last season, the Falcons struggled early but seem to have turned things around. Until yesterday. After taking the Saints into overtime in the Georgia Dome, Coach Mike Smith decided to gamble on a 4th-and-1 from the Falcons’ 29. Gutsy? Stupid? Whatever, the Saints held and kicked a chipshot field goal for the victory.

Now that is frustrating.

Feel better, Jag fans? No? Well, honestly, neither do I.

Fair or not, I’m starting to think Gabbert might wind up on a long list of quarterbacks taken high in the first round of the draft who bombed . . . and that’s both depressing and frustrating.

 

What a Jags Win Like This Means

When you wipe away the glitter and drop the hype, the real beauty and secret of the NFL’s incredible success is simply the competition. Call it parity or whatever, but truly it is a league when on any given night . . . you get the point.

This was never on better display than Monday night at Everbank Field. The Jaguars-Ravens game had all the makings of a blowout. The Ravens came in 4-1 and owning one of the best defenses in the league. The Jaguars came in on a five-game losing streak and owning an embarrassing offense, the worst in the league.

So, naturally, the Jaguars won, 12-7. It may have been the finest defensive performance in Jaguars history. The Ravens had put together a string of games scoring 30-plus points, but on this night they didn’t get a first down until the third quarter. They had a total of 56 yards of offense until putting together a 90-yard drive in the fourth quarter than resulted in a touchdown with 3:20 to play. Were the Ravens simply inept on offense or was the Jaguars defense that dominating? A little of both.

The real story, however, was more proof that the NFL is not a league of “haves” and have-nots”. Obviously some franchises are better than others. Over the course of a season the best and worse are easily identified. But there are few easy games. There are no guarantees. I remember former NFL coach Lindy Infante talking about the year his 10-0 Packers lost to the 0-10 Colts and offering that as proof that it is more than coachspeak and clichés when coaches and players talk about how difficult it is to win the NFL.

So what’s ahead for the Jaguars? Can they turn around a bad season? Yes, they can, but don’t count it. The Jaguars are still a team with too many soft spots, most of them of offense. The wide receivers are mediocre at best. The offensive line is average at best. Rookie Blaine Gabbert has a long way to go to become a competent quarterback.

The victory likely means Coach Jack Del Rio will not be given a midseason pink slip, but don’t expect him to get a 10th season to coach the Jaguars. The victory further establishes placekicker Josh Scobee as a star. It is proof the earlier play of the defense was not a fluke.

It gives the Jaguars fans a reason for hope that things will get better.

But No. 1 it illustrates why the NFL is so successful. There’s no doubt that the violence, the gambling, the marketing, the television coverage and the fantasy aspect are major reasons for the league’s popularity. But it’s the incredibly thin line between winning and losing – the knowing that on any given night – that sells the NFL.

 

Mathis = Embarrassment

Few Jaguars players have caught more heat from the fans than cornerback Rashean Mathis. I have consciously not jumped on the bandwagon of Mathis critics.

Until now.

In Sunday’s 17-13 loss at Pittsburgh there were two non-plays by Mathis that leaped off of my TV screen. I’m not saying these two plays costs the Jaguars the game or that Mathis was the only problem. For what’s its worth, I don’t ever remember watching a game decided by four points that seemed so one-sided. Did anyone really think while watching the game the Jaguars would win?

But I’m getting off point, so let’s get back to Mathis. Both plays involving Mathis also involved Steeler running back Rashard Mendenhall.

In the first quarter, Mendenhall scored on an 8-yard run around the right side. Mathis had a clear shot at Mendenhall inside the 5-yard line. Mathis literally dove at Mendenhall’s feet like a kid would do trying to trip up an adult. Mendenhall simply stepped over Mathis and stepped into the end zone.

In the second quarter, Mendenhall went off left tackle and raced 68 yards before being caught inside the 5-yard line. It coulda/shoulda been about a 5-yard run. Mathis had a clear shot at the runner at the Jaguars’ 42. This time Mathis went high, trying to grab Mendenhall around the head. Mendenhall went through Mathis as if Mathis was a cheerleader instead of a player.

Fundamentally, Mathis was horrible. Worse, he gave little effort and was gutless. Both are awful. Both are inexcusable. Both are unacceptable.

I realize Mathis isn’t a physical player. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006 thanks to making eight interceptions. He has had nine interceptions since then, and it isn’t because teams don’t throw in his area. In the season opener, a victory against Tennessee, Titans’ quarterback Matt Hasselbeck literally picked on Mathis, targeting is side on every pass play on a fourth-quarterback touchdown drive.

Mathis was given a new contract and star status after his Pro Bowl season. Coach Jack Del Rio actually has singled out Mathis for his good play several times this season. I can’t challenge that. The coaches watch and grade the film.

What I do know he has repeatedly been beaten and he has embarrassed himself time again for refusing to play tough, fundamentally-sound football.

Maybe I’m over reacting to two plays. Maybe he graded out well for the game. Certainly after allowing points on the Steelers’ first three possessions, the Jaguars defense played solid football with Mathis on the field.

Whatever, I’m now onboard the bandwagon of Mathis critics. Until he tries to actually hit someone, I plan on staying onboard.

Jags…and Constitutional Infringement

My Friday column usually is devoted to the NFL, normally about the Jaguars. But what more is there to say about the Jaguars? I’ve called for Coach Jack Del Rio to be fired immediately. I think owner Wayne Weaver should not give General Manager Gene Smith a contract beyond next season. I now agree with allowing rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert to get on-the-job training and that every decision should be based on trying to make the Jaguars a better team in 2012.

Finally, I think the Jaguars lose this Sunday a Pittsburgh and fall to 1-5. The oddsmakers have Jacksonville as a 12½-point underdog. Sounds about right to me. (For the record I’m 5-0 this season predicting Jaguars games.)

That said, the topic this Friday involves all sports. More accurately it’s about my profession, the media. More often than not, I criticize the media. Today, however, I defend them.

What prompted this is South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier, a long-time friend, going off on a rant and refusing to talk if columnist Ron Morris of the Columbia (S.C.) State newspaper is within earshot. Spurrier is mad about something Morris wrote several months ago. He said Morris wrote a lie. If so, Morris’ newspaper should address the issue. If true, Morris should be fired. By the way, I don’t know Ron Morris.

Spurrier certainly has to right to not be interviewed by Morris. It doesn’t bother me if Spurrier refuses to answer Morris’ questions in a news conference.

But for a coach at a state university to in essence ban an accredited media representative is going over the line. Shame on the University for allowing such a thing. Shame on the newspaper for allowing such a thing. Shame on the media for allowing such a thing.

What’s next? University presidents only talking in the presence of media that will rubber stamp whatever they say? Media outlets only sending reporters and columnist/commentator who are “homers”?

Maybe mayors throughout the country will adopt such a policy. Ditto for governors. Ditto for others whose pay comes from the taxpayers such as your Congressmen and President.

Yeah, I know the Spurrier-Morris feud is a mere sports story and we all know the sports world is the toy department of adults. But it establishes a precedent I don’t think anyone wants.

Am I overacting? Perhaps. Spurrier is an ultra-sensitive guy. If you don’t agree with him, then you’re against him in his eyes. Spurrier is an ultra-confident guy. If you don’t agree with him, you’re dead wrong.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel wrote — a bit tongue-in-check, I think – he was happy with Spurrier because it showed Spurrier still cares about what the “local media” writes and says. His point is a good one because we now live in a world where big-time sports only allow access to network television.

Naturally I hate that. But I hate the precedent being established worse – and so should you.

 

Bye Bye JDR…

Firing Jack Del Rio won’t solve the Jaguars’ problems. That said, owner Wayne Weaver doesn’t seem to have any choice but to dump his head coach. And he needs to do it soon – like now.

The Jaguars desperately to need shake up things. The disconnect between the Jaguars’ coach and the team’s shrinking fan base is beyond repair. The change isn’t going to suddenly fix the situation, but this is that rare case when change for change’s sake will offer a glimmer of hope for a troubled franchise both on and off the field. As the cliché goes, you can’t fire the team, so the coach gets the axe.

I have often listed my reasons for supporting Del Rio through his eight-plus seasons in Jacksonville. Mainly, it’s a lack of talent and friction between the front office and the coach. Now there’s every reason to believe the players have tuned out their leader. Lack of execution is one thing, but the Jaguars give all the signs of being disorganized and uninspired.

I bite my tongue when saying this after only five games, but its now time to play for the future, and clearly Del Rio’s isn’t part of he team’s future.

It should have been obvious to everyone that Weaver and General Manager Gene Smith were looking beyond this season when they released starting quarterback David Garrard five days before the start of the season and soon turned the game’s most important position over to a rookie, Blaine Gabbert.

A lot things point to Gabbert having a bright future, but there will be growing pains, particularly with a team void of playmakers at wide receiver and an average-at-best offensive line. A rebuilt defense is performing well. The offense needs more talent and time to catch up and make the Jaguars a legitimate playoff contender.

Firing JDR now means having an interim coach, likely to be linebackers coach Mark Duffner, a quiet and likeable veteran NFL assistant and former college head coach (Holy Cross and Maryland). More importantly, it gives Weaver and Smith a jumpstart in finding the new head coach. Would Bill Cowher take the job? Jeff Fisher? Tony Dungy? Jon Gruden? Maybe a proven coordinator who’s flying under the radar?

Another reason to fire JDR now is because he comes across as dead man walking. He insists he’ll keep grinding; he insists he remains confident he can turn around the team. But his words sound hollow. There’s fire in his eyes and voice but there’s a sense of helplessness as well.

I’ve never suggested Del Rio is any thing more than an average NFL head, but he has been put in situation that would challenge coaches Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Don Shula and any other Hall of Famer in their prime.

Maintaining the status quo is not a sensible option.

 

Jags: Dumb and Dumber

I still think cutting David Garrard five days before the start of the season is one of the dumbest football decisions ever made.

This isn’t a knock against rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Even with Garrard, Gabbert may well have forced himself into the starting lineup. In only two professional starts, Gabbert already has flashed enough good signs to increase speculation that’s he’s a franchise quarterback in waiting. Understand its way too early give him the franchise label. He’s made he share of mistakes, but not all of his mistakes can be blamed of his rookie status. His accuracy needs to get a lot better. He has a tendency to throw off of his back foot. He tends to hold onto the ball too long. I give him a C+ grade at this point.

Would the Jaguars be better than 1-3 with Garrard? No one knows that answer, but they’d be scoring more than 9.75 points a game – last in the NFL – and the focus of the fan base would be more on the team’s vastly improved defense and winning the AFC South than on firing Coach Jack Del Rio NOW! . . ., questioning general manager Gene Smith’s ego as the smartest man in the room and already playing for next year.

Cutting Garrard sent a clear message there’s a lack harmony inside Everbank Field, a message not lost in the locker room. (News flash: Del Rio and Smith are not on the same page.) It also amped up the pressure by speeding up the clock on Gabbert, who faces more pressure than just being a rookie and a 10 draft pick. Gabbert didn’t have the benefit of an off-season to transition from being a “spread” quarterback to a pro-style quarterback. And, remember, Gabbert is 21 years old and started only two seasons at Missouri.

There’s no doubt the decision to cut Garrard was at least partly because of money. No team wants to pay a backup at any position more than $8 million a year. But the Jaguars made no effort to rework Garrard’s contract. Some critics don’t think it’s ever a good idea to have a veteran starter suddenly backing up a rookie. That argument was valid in ’07 when Byron Leftwich lost his job to Garrard. Leftwich was as selfish as his throwing motion was slow and long. Garrard, however, is a class act. He’d have handled the situation like a true pro.

Keeping Garrard also would be prevented the Luke McCown fiasco.

I hear you screaming. If Garrard is so competent why hasn’t he signed with another team? I’ve heard he isn’t certain he wants to continue playing. There’s speculation his back ailment has scared off some teams. There’s speculation Garrard has decided a year’s rest will resolve his back issues and he’ll continue his career next season. There’s speculation he wants a deal where he’ll get an immediate opportunity to start. Take your pick.

Bottom line is the Jaguars would be in better shape with Garrard than without him. The AFC South title was theirs for the taking. It still could be, but the odds have increased dramatically.

Unfortunately for Jaguars fans, those odds get even bigger this week when Cincinnati comes to town. The team already has beaten long odds once this week when enough tickets were sold (?) to prevent a television blackout. Two such miracles in one week are too much to ask for. Gabbert’s education as an NFL quarterback stays on a bumpy road as the Bengals win 17-10.