Lack of Oxygen in The O-ZONE
By Terry OBrien
One of the problems that caused Gene Smith to be fired was believing that simple faith in people would generate pro-bowl talent if given a chance.
Gene seemed to me to have an underdog mindset in that if you believed in the underdog, they would bloom. He didn’t staff the team with developed talent, he believed talent would emerge from faith. It would emerge from faith in guys rehabilitating injuries; it would emerge from faith in undrafted rookie free agents and it would emerge from faith in small school overlooked players.
Sometimes he got a player or two that would warm his heart, Derek Cox and Russell Allen and Cecil Shorts are three that come to mind. But more times than not, it didn’t work.
This thinking permeates the building and is in the air the new General Manager must change. Mike Mularkey said the answer to the QB problem is in the building. I don’t see it Mike, sorry. Here is another classic example of my point from John Oehser’s column as to why the offensive line is not a priority:
"First, Monroe is under contract for another year and Meester has said he wants to return if the new general manager is in agreement. We don’t know yet how good Rackley is, but it stands to reason his return next season should help. I also still believe Cameron Bradfield can play better than he did much of this season. And that really leads to the reason for my answer. The entire offensive line underperformed this season. It can improve."
It ain’t going to happen!
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Eugene Monroe I might concede, but hoping that Brad Meester, Will Rackley and Cameron Bradfield move up in 2013 from 2012 is, politely put, wishful thinking. It is continually betting on horses that have never won a race. It ain’t going to get better.
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Let’s look at this in terms of QB hits and QB sacks.
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2012 – The Jaguars allowed the third most QB hits and the third most QB sacks allowed (103 hits, 50 sacks).
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2011 – When the Jaguars only ran the ball, they were still 15th in most QB hits and 7th in most sacks allowed (76 hits, 44 sacks).
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2010 – The Jaguars led the league in QB hits allowed with 110 and 12th in sacks allowed with 38.
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2009 – The Jaguars led the league in QB hits allowed with 126 and 7th in sacks allowed with 44.
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In short, the Jaguars have not had a passing game in 5 years and one big reason is they don’t protect the quarterback. The only thing the Jaguars have been good at in 5 years is running the ball. No matter who you put back there, it will hurt.
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This draft is a gift! Take it and say thank you!
This year’s draft is lacking top premium positions. It is not lacking in offensive line talent. It is a deliciously rich draft in this area. If I were the new GM, I would trade down, stock up on choices and draft every talented O-Line guy out there. I would quit waiting and hoping for Eben Britton to show up. The Jaguars need a QB. They need defensive backfield help and they need to stop the run. All that is a given. But if you have one of the worst offensive lines and the draft gives you this gift, I say take it. (Maybe draft the QB from Clemson later on, he has shown me more than Geno Smith)
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Same thinking = Same results
The Gene Smith thinking needs to be purged from the Jaguar organization and Mr. Khan knows this. Real talent will get results. Recognizing talent is the real talent the new GM needs to bring. No more believing in the unseen, people need to prove it and bring it Jason Babin style. Anyone in the building who can’t admit that fact won’t be employed by Mr. Khan and the Jaguars.
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– Terry O’Brien