The Jacksonville Jaguars are in trouble at the halfway point

The Jaguars are in trouble at the halfway point in the season. It is up to the coaches to find ways to help the team rebound in the second half.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 3-5 at the halfway point in the season. The first quarter record of 3-1 was followed by a dismal second-quarter record of 0-4. For this team, the bye week couldn’t arrive soon enough.

The Jaguars are reeling with four consecutive losses. The preseason Super Bowl hype is gone and the conversation now asks if the Jaguars will ever win another game. Reasons are plentiful for this collapse but reiterating the same old tired excuses will not change this downward trajectory.

Let’s look at some ways the Jags can get back on track. The coaching staff has the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of the team.

Nathaniel Hackett’s play calling must improve – Hackett, a holdover from the Gus Bradley era, has been with the Jaguars since 2015.  He started as quarterback coach and moved to offensive coordinator.

Ryan Day of bigcatcountry.com discussed his ability to design an offense in 2017 that was reasonably successful despite the below average skills of Blake Bortles. In fact it went so well that Hackett tried to repeat it this year without the running game that made it work. He went away from the running game almost completely.

The Jaguars offensive line is geared to run blocking.  Not only that, the linemen enjoy run blocking because it allows them to be the aggressor at times. Although we don’t have a healthy Leonard Fournette we do have several running backs who are more than adequate to meet the challenge.

Hackett must go back to the running game.

Todd Wash’s defense has been very average – Wash was another Bradley hire.  He arrived in 2013 as a defensive line coach and running back coordinator.

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• The Jaguars may look for edge rushers with pick 24
• NFL free agency felt like a NFL free agency felt like a whirlwind for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram in 2022 in 2022
• Jacksonville Jaguars in position to let RT Jawaan Taylor hit free agency in 2023
• Jaguars GM Trent Baalke hopes HC Doug Pederson has trust in him
• Report: Jacksonville Jaguars ready to use franchise tag to keep Evan Engram if needed

He earned the defensive coordinator position in 2016. His 2017 defense played well but the 2018 defense has issues. One issue may be the play of Myles Jack at middle linebacker. This is his first year at this very complex and difficult job.

"Phillip Hellman of the Florida Time-Union stated in a story from Aug. 5, 2018, “Jack is responsible for getting plays from the Jaguars coaching staff and making sure each member of the defense knows where to be.”"

Also he needs to read and react to the play changes made by the opposing quarterback. This job has a huge learning curve and the confusion seen by the defense is no doubt related to this. Wash needs to find ways to support Jack as he learns this difficult job.

Wash also needs to make some adjustments and add new wrinkles to surprise opposing teams.

Doug Marrone – The job of the head coach is the same as a CEO or a school principal.  It is his responsibility to keep the attitude positive and the players working as a team.

Doug Marrone must also make sure the coordinators designing an offense and defense that works with the current personnel on the team. Let’s come back with some new ideas and start moving forward again.

GO JAGUARS!