The Jaguars season has ended and changes must be made

By Kathy Clark | Dec 31, 2018

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Fulham owner, Shahid Khan looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final between Aston Villa and Fulham at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

The Jacksonville Jaguars season ended on Sunday with a ho hum 20-3 loss to AFC South rival, the Houston Texans. Jacksonville finished the season far below expectations with a 5-11 record.

The Jacksonville Jaguars offense managed only 119 yards and six first downs against the Houston Texans in their 20-3 loss on Sunday, marking the final loss in a sasonmmany would just soon forget. Thankfully, the defense continued to play hard or the score could have been much worse.

The season ending game resembled the rest of the 2018 season. The defense played hard and the offense was nonexistent. It would be easy to blame Blake Bortles who is not a franchise quarterback. However the lack of first rate receivers, an adequate running game, and an offensive line that blocks made it impossible for any quarterback to be successful.

The season ended and now decisions must be made. Unfortunately according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com, Shad Kahn announced that Tom Coughlin, Doug Marrone, and Dave Caldwell will return for the 2019 season. He added that he wants stability at the top.

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

In addition, Coughlin will be the primary decision maker. This decision won’t fill the Jaguars fans with confidence and hope for the future. Let’s hope that this will be a good choice.

There are obvious changes that must be made.

First, the retro philosophy is not working on either side of the ball. The new era of running athletic quarterbacks has caused our defense difficulties. Our defense is very good but the running quarterback has hurt them. On offense it’s certain that the Jaguars need to join the modern NFL and shore up the passing game. The quarterback needs to be athletic and an accurate passer.

Next, the running game is still important but we need more than one competent running back. The team put themselves in a big hole when they put all their hopes on the often injured Leonard Fournette. We need at least one and possibly two additional runners. T.J. Yeldon is very competent and should be kept.

Yeldon is in the final year of his rookie deal and will test free agency.

Also the offensive coaching, scheme, game plans, etc are totally unsuccessful. If the Jaguars keep Doug Marrone they need to get a creative offensive coordinator and get out of his way. To add, the defense needs a plan to stop the modern NFL offense.

The team needs to keep as many of the defensive players as possible financially. The offense needs to be the focus in the draft and free agency. The Jags need offensive linemen, arunning back, a quarterback, wide receivers, and a tight end. This overhaul may take more than one off season to achieve.

Last and possibly most important is the injury issue. The entire training staff and medical personnel need to improve. The Jaguars have sustained too many injuries. More modern methods are essential to keep the best players on the field.

Tom Coughlin and Marrone have been successful in the past. Let’s hope they will make better decisions and the Jaguars will be a competitive team in 2019.

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars News