Jag City: New Season, Same Sorry Jags
Jaguars fans could see the dumpster fire burning from San Diego on Sunday during the 38-14 loss to the Chargers.
The game was one many experts and fans marked down as a Jags loss before the season began — Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is one of the league’s elite and Jacksonville has played historically lousy on the West Coast.
After the Chargers lost their top receiver in a Week One loss, and after the Jags’ close fight against the Packers, that opinion began to change.
Fans were confident; Twitter accounts for Jaguar supporters came alive, picking their team by an average of 15 points.
“[I’m] never too confident against San Diego, but if [the Jags] can do what they did last week, then it should go our way,” said fan Bryce Neemar shortly before the game began.
By halftime, Jacksonville realized that despite the impressive off-season, it’s still the same Jaguars. The same team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2007. The same team that hasn’t won their division since 1999.
“We’re a young confident team that was too confident going into this game,” said Jordan de Lugo, president of fan group Generation Jaguar.
But overconfidence and young miscues weren’t even the tip of the iceberg Sunday.
The laundry list of horrible stats is too long for this article — for this whole issue — but let’s take a quick look.
Quarterback Blake Bortles, despite 329 yards, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Bortles was also the team’s leading rusher with 34 yards.
You read that right; the team had 11 rushes the entire game for 69 yards and were lead by their QB. Running back T.J. Yeldon picked up 28 yards on seven carries. Yeldon spent more time catching the ball Sunday, leading the team with eight receptions.
“Defenses are studying what we’re doing and what we can do and they’re getting rid of that,” said de Lugo.
Meanwhile, Rivers connected with his receivers for four touchdowns and wasn’t intercepted once. Chargers running back Melvin Gordon also cut apart the Jaguars defense, one that was supposed to be immensely improved, for 102 yards and a touchdown.
“We’ll learn from this … there’s too much pride in that locker room,” said head coach/broken record Gus Bradley in the post-game press conference.
Between the repetitive quotes, questionable play calls and lack of discipline made evident by endless penalties, Jaguars fans have begun calling for Bradley’s termination.
“He’s had four years and look [at] that score,” said local fan Whitney Murray, as the Jags were trailing 28-0 shortly after the second half began. “Longer than anybody to rebuild a team and no results, every year.”
Where do the Jags go from here? Well, next week they’ll be back at the Bank against the Baltimore Ravens and that’s all we know for certain.
Bradley has a contract through the end of the year, but with an early bye week, could we see a coaching change in the near future? Meet me at the Salty Pelican on Amelia Island for the game on Sunday and tell me what you think.
Published in Folio Weekly.
