Gus Bradley, This Defense Is On You

Bob Babich is the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but this defense is the work of Gus Bradley. A well respected defensive mind, Bradley was the only defensive coach hired as a head coach when the Jacksonville Jaguars brought him in after the disastrous 2-14 2012 season. 2013 saw some progress for the Jaguars as a whole and Gus Bradley had the energy, devotion, and optimism you want to see after a 4-12 season that is meant as a rebuilding season.

One of the big things from last season was the solid play from the defense in the latter portion of the season. The unit seemed to gel and they got progressively better as time went on. The Jags finished the season 4-4 after opening 0-8.

This season has seemed more like a repeat of last season, except the defense has seemingly taken a step backward.

The Jaguars are last in the league in total defense, total points allowed, passing yards allowed, points per drive allowed, and 31st in first downs allowed. That’s string of rough numbers for the Jaguars and Bradley to swallow. It most certainly is not what the team expected heading into year two of an extensive rebuild.

While some of the problems are obviously personnel based (this roster was pretty devoid of talent when Bradley and GM Dave Caldwell arrived) and they are still trimming to find the right players to get some wins.

But this defense is on Gus bradley.

Pieces were brought in place to make the defense better than it was last season, not worse. Yet the additions have not been able to help the defense. The Jaguars have a quality pass rush but that is not impacting the opposition as well as it should.

It’s almost as if Bradley improved what he wanted by somehow ignored the rest of the defense. The secondary is particularly poor. The linebacking corps is struggling as well. Both of those units need a lot of attention ranging from improving basic tackling, being taught how to jump routes properly, and how to manage their responsibilities so the offense does not slip by them.

Instead of getting an improved defense the Jaguars are in the cellar.

The Pittsburgh Steelers look unlikely to let the Jaguars get out this week. Their offense has plenty of weapons to exploit the Jaguars’ weak units. The first game that looks to provide some improvement from the defense is against the Tennessee Titans in two weeks. Yet even the Titans have proven to be adept scorers occasionally. If they can replicate their week one successes against the Jaguars (which they did against a decent Kansas City Chiefs defense) then the Jaguars could be in serious trouble.

The Jags have winnable games against the Titans then the Cleveland Browns and then the Miami Dolphins following their Sunday matchup against the Steelers. Those games aren’t just winnable, they are opportunities for the defense to improve. They are opportunities for the defense to gain some confidence after being beaten down by some of the better/best offenses in the league through the first four-five (probably five) weeks.

Gus Bradley, you need to get this unit to perform at least at the level it was last year. It’s your child, it’s time for it to grow and take its first steps of the 2014 season. It’s time for this defense to just get better.