Jacksonville Jaguars Regroup, Look Ahead to Andrew Luck and Colts – Blaine Gabbert Likely Starting

Sep 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) hits Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Jacksonville 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars have started the regular season with arguably three of the least competitive games in the NFL so far in 2013. The Jaguars have been outscored 55-5 in the first half this season. The team’s best statistic – 10th overall in passing yards allowed – is due to the fact that the other team essentially is running out the clock by the start of the second half.

Yes, the Jaguars are pretty bad. So where do we go from here? Well Gus Bradley and David Caldwell are staying the course, but tinkering with what they have to work with. Believe it or not, a playoff-caliber roster isn’t just lying around on the waiver wire. While Caldwell takes the next year or two to build through the draft, all Coach Bradley can do is work with what Gene Smith left him – a roster akin to the southern economy during reconstruction.

Giving Gabbert another shot

In an effort to decipher and diagnose the potential of every player, Bradley has announced that Blaine Gabbert is expected to start this week at home against the Indianapolis Colts. The probability of Gabbert working out at this point has almost zeroed out, but Chad Henne has shown he can’t even provide average quarterback play. Henne has regressed since his time in Miami and provides no long-term upgrade and little-to-no short term upgrade over Gabbert.

The aftereffects of former head coach Mike Mularkey’s disastrous regime are still being felt, as Gus Bradley feels that Gabbert is afraid to take risks – something Mularkey instilled in him during his year here.

Gabbert has to know that his career in Jacksonville is over at the end of this season. The best thing he can do for himself is change everything about the way he plays and just start slinging it. Although he’ll probably never develop into anything more than career backup, journeymen can still carve out a nice career for themselves if they can show some competency.

Moves in the offensive line

Another area of concern is the interior offensive line. Apparently the embarrassing play of Brad Meester and especially Will Rackley prompted the team to look at the waiver wire for what can only be presumed as an upgrade. Guard Jacques McClendon was signed to the roster, taking Jeremy Ebert’s spot, to likely compete with Rackley. Rackley has been one of the worst guards in the league through three weeks. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Jaguars implement some kind of platoon at guard to see if anything works.

– Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89