Well Jaguars fans, we were once again on the bad end of the football deities weekly comedy hour. The team lost 14-10 to the Cleveland Browns (4-6), which now means that Jacksonville (3-7) will more than likely have to win out in order to even think about making the playoffs.
I wish it were that the Jaguars lost to a superior team in a hard fought game, but the Browns’ aren’t superior. There were many chances, once again, for the offense to capitalize and take control of this game and once again they were not able to do so. Well, here are the notes that a sad, grumpy, salty Jaguars fan took during the game.
(All statistics were gathered from nfl.com by a very angry Jaguars fan)
- The defense as a unit did not have a great game.
Not by their standards. But here is why I love this defense. They’re resilient. This was an ugly game for them as they gave up 148 yards on the ground.
There were also moments of sketchy safety play. But they only allowed 14 points. That’s huge considering the fact that points is the most important statistic. They know how to get stops in key situations.
I’m just sorry that a defense like this has been wasted because of the ineffectiveness of the offense.
- Marcedes Lewis finally flashed.
After signing that big deal this offseason, he has been a no show up until this point. He finished the game with 7 catches for 64 yards. Though he had a little trouble with drops early in the game, I think his production total will continue to be impressive for the remainder of the season.
- Mike Thomas’ production on the field has taken a nosedive.
I have no idea what the problem is, but his mistakes are beginning to show more and more each week. There is really one picture that sticks in my mind about his performance against the Browns. It was a play in the second half where he lined up wide and ran a post route. Gabbert (22 of 41, 210 yards) threw the ball to where Thomas was supposed to be, but when Thomas got to his cut, he stopped running. The ball was dropped by a defender. The look that Gabbert gave Thomas after that play made me apologize and contemplate buying some roses and chocolates, and I’m not even playing.
Like I said, I have no idea what the problem is (I hope it isn’t that big contract extension Thomas signed in the offseason) but Mike just doesn’t seem to be on the same page with his quarterback.
- But lets not stray away from the fact that our offense is abysmal at best at times.
I know that there may be gaps in talent here and there but the continuous ineptitude is inexcusable. Our receivers seem to never get open, especially on critical plays. Exaggeration? I wish. Through in the fact that each opponent knows our receivers can separate and you have nightmarish production.
- I’m tired of the playcalling.
It’s the same crap every week. We come out the gates decently. Against the Browns the Jaguars moved the ball pretty well up until the point they scored. Once they went ahead 7-0, I pleaded to my television for them to stay in attack mode. So what happened when they got the ball back? A good ole fashioned 3 and out because of running the ball in the same formation out of the same situations as they always do.
From that point on I knew they were sitting on that lead, which I felt had altered the gameplan for the rest of the contest. *if you’re thinking that I need a hug, you are correct*
-Maurice Jones-Drew (21 carries, 87 yards, 1 touchdown) is the best back in the league.
Yes, I said it. You know why? Because it’s true. Hands down. Book it. Put a stamp on it and mail it to the family member of your choosing. All he does is play football at the highest level.
- The packages that the coaches decide to use at certain times of the game baffles me.
I’m tired of seeing Deji Karim (4 carries, 1 yard) in for Maurice Jones-Drew and get stuffed trying to run up the middle. And then getting stuffed on a screen. And this has been a yearlong problem for me.
The Brock Bolen experiment is another example. He’s a fullback and earlier in the year they would constantly line him up at wide receiver. WHY? *deep breaths ejag101, deep breaths*
- And then there’s the constant clock management issues.
It seems like during the team meetings the coaches ask themselves, ‘have we tried to botch a game this way yet?’ I just… I’m at a loss for words. I’m tired of seeing the coaching mistakes on a weekly basis.
- The last point (it’s a little lengthy) I want to make is about the officiating.
This game was called pretty bad. The pass interference call in the first half almost ruined the game for me. The Browns were driving (I believe it was third down) and Colt McCoy (17 of 24, 199 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception) threw a pass to his receiver. The defender contacted him early and the referee threw the flag for pass interference. Del Rio then challenges the play.
I’m puzzled because I’m not sure what he wants reviewed. It turns out that he’s challenging that the ball was tipped, which by NFL rules means that pass interference cannot exist, since defensive players are allowed to hit offensive players if a ball is tipped.
I watch the replay and see that the ball is tipped. The announcers do. My twitter timeliners do. The tip was as clear as day. But, the referees disagreed. His explanation after the game was that the replay was ‘fuzzy.’
Huh? The replay was fuzzy and you couldn’t see the trajectory and rotation of the ball change after it was hit by our defensive lineman? Someone get that man an HDTV quick!
But yeah, there were many inconsistencies in officiating. Like them calling a ‘leaping’ penalty on the Jaguars but completely missing a pick by the Browns on the next series. *once again, deep breaths ejag101, deep breaths*
Well those were the main things that I noticed from the game. The way that the AFC is looking, the Jaguars definitely need to win out in order to make the playoffs. Just thinking that this loss could’ve been avoided makes me sick. The organization has been preaching patience for years now, but results have been scarce. I just want a better overall product on the field.
Next Sunday the Jaguars take on the Houston Texans (7-3) at EverBank Field. Let’s hope they can put it together.
First game of the 2012 schedule…. So it may only be preseason but now is the perfect time for you to start following all of your favorite (& even least favorite) Jacksonville Jaguars. Introducing… “Follow Friday”.
