By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Day
JACKSONVILLE – This week didn’t feel quite right, especially Saturday.
When I stopped for a pause at 3:45, it finally hit me again. I should have been in the press box at Everbank Stadium getting ready to watch a 4:30 kickoff for a playoff game.
For myself and Jags’ fans, it can be a lonely feeling.
It’s still hard to fathom that the Jags had an epic collapse down the stretch, and they couldn’t close out a frail five-win team in Tennessee to host a playoff game. In turn, it was a team that lost its head coach, and will lose its quarterback and running back to free agency.
But this is life. They finished with an overall 9-8 record, one which few expected. This was supposed to be a double-digit win team.
For me, it was the defense that should get the brunt of the blame. If there is one side that I usually choose to analyze, it is usually the defense.
Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and a few of his assistant coaches were the first victims of the postseason purge. Caldwell’s unit went from allowing 19.5 points with 16 sacks in eight games with a 6-2 record to 23.9 points and 24 sacks over their last nine games.
Yet, the Jags’ defense allowed 28 points or more in five of their final nine games, which proved to be the breaking point.
However, the main priority here is to sign team leader edge rusher Josh Allne, who will get plenty of offers on the market. Losing Allen, who had 17.5 sacks this past season, would be a catastrophe. The Jags will have to open their checkbook for the 26-year-old.
One main candidate for Caldwell’s job will be former Giants DC Wink Martindale. He officially parted ways with New York earlier this week after two seasons, and he will be in town this week to interview.
Martindale might be a perfect fit for the Jags with their speed and youth. The veteran DC, who has a high pedigree due to his success in Baltimore, has gained fame with his various schemes and his aggressive blitzing. Edge rusher Travon Walker is starting to live up to his expectations with his 10 sacks this past season.
Allen, Walker, and linebacker Devin Lloyd –whose production slipped this year – certainly would flourish in Martindale’ attack mode.
But Jags’ head coach Doug Pederson also can look to Leslie Frazier, Ron Rivera, and Patrick Graham, all of whom are well respected and will be in demand to fill the role of a defensive coordinator.
It is apparent that the Jags have realized the sense of urgency and acted swiftly. There is more to come.
Life has changed for the Jaguars, and it will be a long offseason. Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke will have a busy offseason trying to fit all the right pieces into place. There’s also a matter of gaining back some respect the team lost with its tumble.
The Jags well understand the feeling of this past Saturday watching Houston win a Wild Card game at home before a raucous crowd.
They don’t want to experience it again anytime soon.
