Jaguars coach Doug Marrone: “We’re starting up again.”
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars once again took to the practice field to prepare for the game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Head coach Doug Marrone said he was pleased with what he saw during Wednesday’s practice.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone is treating Week 10 of the NFL season as any other week. But this one, with his team returning from a bye week, gives the organization a chance to reset and refocus on playing football. While Jacksonville sits at 3-5 and tied with the Indianapolis Colts, the team’s opponent this weekend, the coaches and players alike have a chance to make a lasting impression on the rest of the season.
"“We’re excited to get out there. We’re starting up again. Players came back. They seem focused which they should be. The message to this team – basically what I told them is just learn from the past, but don’t live in the past,” Marrone told the media on Wednesday from TIAA Bank Field. “In other words, yes, you act upon the things that you learned, but kind of take the anger out of it. Take the selfishness out of it.”"
The Jaguars have lost four in a row after jumping out of the gate 3-1. The mood around the stadium and the city were bleak before the bye week. A 24-18 loss to Philadelphia in London was the icing on the second quarter of the season where Jacksonville went 0-4. The third quarter is about to begin, which presents new opportunities for all the 53 players on the roster and the coaching staff.
Jacksonville has won four of their last five games against the Colts, including both games in 2017. But both games were without quarterback Andrew Luck. The veteran is back under center, which means a tougher task for the Jaguars secondary this week.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- 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
- Antonio Johnson a trendy pick for Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 24 in 2023 NFL Draft
- Jacksonville Jaguars have a rat problem, get poor marks in NFLPA team report card
The Jaguars should have running back Leonard Fournette back on the field this week after a hamstring has taken away all but two halves of football from the former first-round draft pick. The game in Indianapolis resulted in a 27-0 win for the visitors.
Per the Jaguars game release In Jacksonville’s 2017 win at Indianapolis, quarterback Blake Bortles posted the fifth-highest passer rating (124.7) of his career, while running back T.J. Yeldon ran for a career-high 122 yards.
It was kicker Josh Lambo’s first game with the Jaguars, and he has since made 31 of 32 FGs. The 27-0 win was the first and only road shutout in team history.
A game like that this weekend could help the franchise turn the corner with a game against Pittsburgh at home on the schedule the following week. Marrone emphasized how important the game was on Sunday, but would not call it a “must win” for the players just yet.
"“The first game of the season is a must win. I call them all must wins. For me to say … Until you’re mathematically out of it is what some people look at. But for me, every game is a must win,” he added.“That’s the kind of way I’ve always approached it. I learned that when I first came into this league. I always get a chuckle when people say that, because I wonder what game wasn’t a must win when people do that.”"
If Fournette is back to full health he should be used in the same capacity as he would had he been the starter all season long. Marrone said he won’t limit the former LSU star is he ready to go at full speed.
The Jaguars figure to try to re-establish themselves as a run-first offense this week, something they have not been able to do this season because of poor offensive line play and a lack of a running game.