So much has been made of the changes within the Jacksonville Jaguars roster and organization this year, you may have thought this team was an instant Super Bowl contender.
They are far from it.
If you listen to Head Coach Doug Marrone, this team has a lot of work to do and is still a 3-13 ball club. That doesn’t win too many playoff games. But the team appears to be moving in the right direction. Now, as OTAs come to a close and the focus shifts to training camp, can this team – and its players – step up to focus more on details.
In football, the details are what win games and Super Bowls.
The Jacksonville Jaguars cannot win if their players don’t answer the bell. This training camp, there are plenty of questions to answer. More importantly, players are going to be watched with a close eye to see if they can improve.
Improvement will also be key to a winning or successful season.
These three individuals have to make an impact for this organization if the team is going to win more than three games this season.
Dante Fowler, Jr.
This may be his third season out of college, but this is Fowler’s second season on the field for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Will this be the year he shows he can be a disruptive force on the practice field and in games?
About this time last year, we talked about Fowler’s speed and agility as a defensive end and his bull-rush moves to the quarterback. When it came time to live game action and the regular season, he played undisciplined at times. It’s part of the maturation process. It’s also part of Fowler fitting in a scheme.
Look for Fowler to play more standing up this season, hopefully with more sacks and tackles to his credit.
Allen Hurns
After signing a contract extension, Hurns did not perform up to his 2015 season. The undrafted free agent out wide receiver of Miami could be the second option once again in the Jacksonville Jaguars passing game.
Injuries played a role in Hurns’ lack of performance on the field. But now that he has a big deal to play for, look for the star to refocus on his game and become the deep threat and end zone target he was two seasons ago.
I like the potential of Hurns on the field with Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee. Many options for Blake Bortles to choose from.
Hurns isn’t the fastest guy on the field, but his ability to get open and beat coverages is exactly what Bortles needs.
Doug Marrone
The head coach has said all the right things. His honesty is refreshing. Players appear to have taken well to the changes in the coaching staff and will be asked to give maximum effort each week.
Marrone is the Jacksonville Jaguars best chance to make the playoffs. His no-nonsense style is a lot like Tom Coughlin’s back in the day.
If the Jacksonville Jaguars want to make the playoffs, they must scrap everything from the past and focus on the future. Marrone is the type of coach who will move this team forward. And yes, I believe an eight or nine-win season is possible.