Out of the Box: Put the Jaguars Starters on Ice

Aug 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) during first halfagainst New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) during first halfagainst New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Jacksonville Jaguars starters have already seen some preseason action, now it may be time to put them on ice.

NFL preseason is one of the most often criticized parts of the game, with many advocating a reduction to what are often meaningless and unnecessarily risky contests.  With one Jacksonville Jaguars preseason game down, is it time to put our key starters on ice and preserve them for the games that matter in September?

I would watch Bortles to Robinson over and over again. But maybe let’s save it for September, when it matters.

Injuries at this point in a season can doom a team’s title hopes. The loss of a starting quarterback, running back, shutdown corner or dominant pass-rusher in a contest that has no meaning is a risk that most teams should avoid (Ok, not meaningless…we’ll get to that later). For a team like the Jaguars, who are now assembling a quality starting corps, they can ill-afford such a disastrous injury.

The Jacksonville Jaguars first-team played less than a quarter vs the Jets, with the exception of the offensive line who spent the first half on the field. In that short time, head coach Gus Bradley saw that the passing game should again be dangerous, with a continually improving Blake Bortles, a dominant Allen Robinson, outstanding known commodities Allen Hurns, Julius Thomas, and Marcedes Lewis and a new top-tier tandem in Chris Ivory and TJ Yeldon.

Could they afford to lose any of these players? For a run at the playoffs, the answer is no. For this reason, there is no point in them taking the field in game situation again this pre-season.

On the defensive side of the ball, there is some learning to do for our first year players Dante Fowler, Yannick Ngakoue, Jalen Ramsey, and Myles Jack, and emerging players James Sample and Aaron Colvin (with suspension looming). So you could make a case for giving them some more time to get their game speed and scheme comfort in place. But the risk still remains. What about for Malik Jackson, Telvin Smith, Paul Posluszny, Tashaun Gipson, Davon House, or Prince Amukamara? Do we want them added to the injury list?

Jul 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) and wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) walk toward the locker room during training camp at Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) and wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) walk toward the locker room during training camp at Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

"As we move forward through these remaining preseason games, beginning with Saturday’s meeting with Tampa Bay, let us all not be reminded of our quality young stars (who should be watching from the sidelines), but intrigued with the roster battles."

It was noted before the ‘meaningless’ nature of these four preseason games (three remaining) and no doubt this statement isn’t reflective of the actual value (yes there is some). The value is in roster assembly.

The second and third string groups need this time to get better, to prove themselves and for general manager David Caldwell and Gus Bradley to finalize their 53. These fringe and bubble players rely on these opportunities to stake a claim for the roster spot in the hyper competitive environment and if not a Jaguars opportunity, a shot to land on another squad.

As we move forward through these remaining preseason games, beginning with Saturday’s meeting with Tampa Bay, let us all not be reminded of our quality young stars (who should be watching from the sidelines), but intrigued with the roster battles. Finding out who will be on the TE depth behind Thomas and Lewis. Seeing who will clinch the 5 and 6 wide receiver jobs. Identifying which of the former starters at cornerback hangs on.

Related Story: Is Dante Fowler the next Von Miller?

I would watch Bortles to Robinson over and over again. But maybe let’s save it for September, when it matters.