Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Malik Jackson, Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack. These names were inescapable in the NFL offseason March through August. The hype surrounding them was all about how good these players would be on a new-and-improved Jacksonville Jaguars team, and this season has made it evident that this team is anything but improved. That being said, is it really the players' fault?
Blake Bortles has been unimpressive with a 59.7% completion percentage paired with only 1,567 yards with 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions over 6 games.His weapons have suffered as a result. Allen Robinson, who emerged as a breakout star in 2015, has now only put up 26 receptions for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns, while the receiver playing opposite him, Allen Hurns has put up 24 receptions for 345 yards and 1 touchdown. The Jaguars defense looks significantly improved from last. season. They are 26th in points allowed, but 9th in total defense, boasting 6th against the pass and 18th against the run. When the offense thrived last year, the defense held them back. Now, the defense is thriving somewhat but the offense has regressed and take a step back. Since we know it's not a talent problem, what is it?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a coaching problem. Gus Bradley has been at the helm since 2013 and that team has done nothing but suffer under him. Over the years with Gus Bradley in charge, the Jaguars have recorded the following records: 4-12, 3-13, 5-11, and are on pace for 5-11 once again this season. This team has never recorded anything close to a winning record under his leadership and eventually there's got to be thoughts that he might be part of the problem. However, despite all this, the NFL loves the Jaguars.
The NFL loves the Jaguars and I don't at all. The Jacksonville Jaguars are a model for inconsistency and mediocrity, yet the NFL and the fans seem to fall in love with them every season but until they show something exciting and something that could suggest an improvement for the team, it remains what it always has been, a model for mediocrity. The Jaguars are like the NFL's version of that kid in your high school that everyone liked and you could never understand why. They have redeeming qualities but they aren't living up to the potential. The Jaguars are surrounded by all this hype and have nothing to show for it. Until Gus Bradley leaves Jacksonville and they find a coach who can make players play at a high level and keep them performing that way across seasons, the Jaguars will not be good and I will not believe in them until they give me a reason to. They've fooled me one too many times. Unless something drastically changes, I have no reason to trust them anymore.
