COACHES BOX: WHAT’S THE RUSH?

In this weekly focus, we will look at some of the decision making, scheming and execution of note from the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL contests. 

Week 1 of the 2016 season was an opportunity for Jacksonville to show that they are not the same mediocre squad that has failed to develop under Head Coach Gus Bradley in recent years. With a huge off-season and what presents a greatly improved roster, between the lines every Sunday is where the Jaguars could prove this, starting with Green Bay at home in Week 1.

A 23-27 defeat reflects a significant step in the right direction, but as Gus Bradley himself noted “we will not accept defeat”.

Each week we will take a look at some key elements from the contest that shaped the fate of Jacksonville.

What’s the Rush?

The pass rush was anaemic a year ago and was a focus of the off-season. But despite the acquisition of Malik Jackson, the return from injury of former #3 overall pick Dante Fowler and Pro Bowler Sen’Derrick Marks and the drafting of Maryland’s Yannick Ngakoue, the Jaguars offered a feeble rush, not collecting a single sack, superstar Packers QB Aaron Rodgers remaining upright throughout most of the contest. Even when they did generate some pressure (see the blitz by Jalen Ramsey), Rodgers still managed to fire a strike or evade defenders to find an open target.

Without a pass rush, competing for a playoff berth looks a long way away.

Throughout the game, the Jaguars Twitterverse even pined for notorious ‘bad egg’ Greg Hardy to bolster the rush. So where does the issue lie with the Jaguars pressure? Some will suggest that new defensive coordinator Todd Wash has simply fallen into the same conservative trap of predecessor Bob Babich in terms of scheme, but there were different looks and game calling on display. What appeared key, was sheer skill and technique mismatch, particularly when it came to the edge rush.

Is it that Packers offensive tackles Brian Bulaga and David Bakhtiari are dominant offensive tackles? Film from 2015 would suggest that they are good players, but hardly the best at their position in the game. Yet, down after down, the pair set the perimeter and assumed perfect position to stifle the rush of speed ends Fowler and Ngakoue and the physical presence of veteran Jared Odrick.

The photos below show how the Packers tackle tandem didn’t allow the rush to dip and rip and prevent the ends from displaying the burst and bend that appeared in ‘pyjama work’ during Jacksonville camp from Fowler and Ngakoue. Despite every effort, the Jaguars ends continuously were left to take a head-up position mid-rush, which played straight into the hands (and bodies) of the larger and stronger offensive linemen. Not only did this inability to turn the corner see a reducing effectiveness of pass rush, it meant that even upon interior pressure that Rodgers was able to escape the pocket to keep the play alive.

As a further concern, these defenders attempt for a complimentary move – in both Fowler an Ngakoue’s case – was a spin move. But having not established the threat of the dominant outside rush, and the need to further develop their spin move, this was an ineffective strategy, ultimately ending up with their backs turned to the play. With backs turned, the subtle footwork of Rodgers and lack of hands in the passing lane played into the hands of one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

What lies ahead now for Wash and his staff, is taking this young group and adding to their repertoire and building on the technique to let them dictate terms. Will Dave Caldwell dig into his contact list to explore an option from outside of the organisation? Without a pass rush, competing for a playoff berth looks a long way away.