If we didn't learn anything else from the thrilling comeback win against the New Orleans Saints in the preseason opener, please understand that the Jacksonville Jaguars reminded everyone why they're nicknamed the Cardiac Cats.
The first half was abysmal, as the offense continuously got in its own way with turnovers, three-and-outs, and pre-snap penalties that derailed promising drives. On the defensive side of the ball, the players on the field were unable to prevent the Saints from capitalizing on big, momentum-shifting plays.
New Orleans' five-yard rushing TD after a big kickoff return and easy touchdown drive after catching an interception undermined a very solid performance from a defense that did enough to keep its team in the game for the first 30 minutes. Obviously, that same defense buckled down and prevented the Saints from scoring a single point in the second half.
However, there was one player whose baffling mistakes in coverage almost messed things up for everybody. With things in the cornerback group already being so tight, this athlete's woeful reps in the secondary may have ended his career in Jacksonville before it even started.
Corey Ballentine's horrific 2nd half performance may have sealed his Jaguars fate
Corey Ballentine had four solo tackles against the Saints, with at least one of them coming after the big bombs he allowed while New Orleans tried to retake the lead in the fourth quarter. Despite being in the league since 2019, there were moments when the former New York Giant looked like he was being put in a blender.
That's concerning when you consider that he was going against receivers and quarterbacks who might not even be in the NFL next week.
When looking at his entire resume, I can't see why the Jags kicked his tires in the first place, as he's only had one interception and nine passes batted down in his entire career. As a returner, he could be serviceable on kickoffs, but not enough to challenge for rookie Josh Cameron for his expected role on the team.
Corey Ballentine exposes the brutal reality of the NFL preseason
It's the preseason, so there are going to be moments when a player at the very end of the roster puts out some disappointing film. There's a chance that Ballentine just had a bad day at the office, which happens to all of us at least once. However, Jacksonville's more important needs elsewhere could force them to cut a developing prospect in the DB room to open up a new roster spot. With Ballentine already being on the wrong side of 30, the Jags could just decide to cut him instead.
I'm not writing this post to condemn a player to football purgatory, but the ugliest parts of the preseason are about to present themselves soon enough. As long as these developmental exhibition games exist, they will serve as an opportunity for coaching staffs to evaluate who has it and who doesn't.
After yesterday's performance, I just don't see how Liam Coen and Anthony Campanile find a path for Ballentine to stick around. And with Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones, Jourdan Lewis, and Travis Hunter carrying the load on the boundaries, James Gladstone probably won't be stressing himself out with the exercise either.
You may think it's harsh, but the NFL likes to say it's just business.
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