Jaguars defense moves forward against the Bengals

There won’t be many changes to the Jaguars defense when it plays this Sunday at Cincinnati. The team is moving forward from the Jalen Ramsey situation.

It’s no secret the attention of the Jacksonville Jaguars defense turned from life with or without Jalen Ramsey to life with Tre Herndon now entrenched as the team’s full-time starter at cornerback opposite A.J. Bouye.

A small resume of what we have seen so far might indicate the Jaguars are in good hands with Herndon, although he is not the type of player Ramsey was in the Jaguars defensive scheme. In his defense, not many players in the NFL can be what Ramsey has become and what the Jaguars fan base has come to expect.

Herndon will walk onto the field on Sunday in Cincinnati once again and play his brand of football. The Jaguars need this win to remain relevant in the AFC South. The Bengals need this win rase six weeks of bad luck. This is a game Jacksonville is supposed to win. It’s a game they cannot afford to let slip through their fingertips.

"“We feel very comfortable with Tre [Herndon]. And he’s done a really nice job the last three weeks,” defensive coordinator Todd Wash said on Thursday when he addressed the media.“Obviously, each week not knowing if he was going to play and stuff like that, he prepared as if he was the starter, so I think we know what we have with Tre, which is very important. Now, obviously, the rest of the back end all needs to step up and continue to play well, because they have been the last couple of weeks.”"

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There might be some sigh of relief with news of the controversial cornerback leaving town for the Los Angeles Rams and putting to bed a month-long struggle that was resolved by a nasty divorce.
Wash and his coaching staff now prepare for the rest of the season knowing exactly how things should play out, without the hassles of off-field interference. Herndon will be counted on to go out there and perform as usual.

"“Obviously it’s tough. Jalen’s a very, very good football player. He’s really matured over the last three years. It’s been a joy coaching him when he’s been here the last couple years. Obviously, we wish him nothing but the best. I liked having him out there on Sunday’s. But, like everybody’s saying, it was the best thing for the organization right now and we wish him nothing but the best. I talked to him the night that the trade happened, he was in good spirits and we wish him nothing but the best.”"

Nothing should change with the Jaguars defensive strategy, Wash explained. It means keeping the same plays in play when the moment arises. It also gives Herndon a chance to shine on his own. Wash talked about the improvements he has seen in his player.

"“His knowledge, obviously, of the package [has improved], understanding how to study wide receivers. I think [Secondary Coach – Cornerbacks] Coach [Tim] Walton does a really nice job with all those guys back there, the corners and the nickels. But you really see him understanding the concepts and stuff, and what we’re really asking for them,” Wash said.“He does a tremendous job at the line of scrimmage. What we’re teaching, he goes out there each and every day and tries to execute exactly what we’re teaching. He doesn’t vary from what we’re teaching, and you see him getting better because of it.”"

Wash also said the Jaguars defensive scheme would not change because of the change on the roster.

"“We’re still going to be our single safety, just kind of like we’ve been the last couple of weeks, three weeks, without Jalen [Ramsey]. But obviously, there has to be some tweaks and some changes when you let a player like that go to another team.”"