As the Jacksonville Jaguars limp to the west coast this week to take on the Los Angeles Chargers, nothing has changed. Nothing. Week after week the front office continues to trot out a subpar product on the field to be embarrassed by perennial bad teams like the Bengals, Dolphins, and Lions. The fans want answers, however the front office remains the same. The coaching staff remains the same. The fans have had enough. Furthermore, based on last week’s performance, so have the players.
Who is to blame for this mediocrity?
Since the release of Vice President of Football Operations, Tom Coughlin on December 18, 2019, the Jaguars have won two out of eight games. Can’t blame “Colonel” Coughlin any more. All fingers point to the front office inability to evaluate talent for a draft or during free agency. Sure the Jaguars appear to have a future with wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. and running back James Robinson, but that is not enough to cover the mistakes of the past.
Entering the 2020 season there was little hope for fans until the Jaguars surprising week one victory over the Colts. Since then tragedy. The defense under coordinator Todd Wash appears incapable of stopping their opponents on the ground or through the air. All while yielding over 30 points per game. The offense has regressed under quarterback Gardner Minshew and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. Yet all coaches and front office positions remain employed. Certainly an enigma in need of clarity.
But have faith Jaguars faithful. The end is near. There is only ten games left in 2020 and you will no longer be subjected to wasting your Sundays watching the incompetence on the sidelines after January 3, 2021. That is certainly something to be happy about.
Time is Now for Changes at the Top
After the inevitable loss to the Chargers this Sunday is the perfect time to make changes.
Just do it.
The team is heading into a bye week the following week. Go ahead and cut the cord. Will it solve anything? Perhaps not with this roster. But it would certainly send a message to the team and the fans. A message of action. Something the fanbase has been calling for years now. However there is a good chance it will not happen. For some reason general manager Dave Caldwell have been given a hall-pass by owner Shad Khan. Perplexing. Under the leadership of Caldwell, the Jaguars have 36 wins compared to 76 losses. Yes, you read that correctly, 76 loses. Still he remains at the head of the front office payroll. Caldwell continues to make bad decisions in the draft and through free agency. He had his chance. Now it is time for him to leave.
Also the Coaches Must Go
Head coach Doug Marrone has worn out his welcome in Jacksonville as well. His record below is .500 and plummeting. Worst of all he is losing his players trust. His unwavering faith in Wash on the defensive side of the ball is puzzling. Not many assistant coaches would survive after surrendering 30 plus points in five straight games. In fact most people would be out of their normal nine to five job with those type of metrics. Still, Marrone keeps Wash on board week after week. By the way, expect another 30 plus outburst in Los Angeles this Sunday.
Bottom Line
A change is needed in Jacksonville. The fans in the city have endured enough. Do not wait until the end of the year. Instead, send a statement after the game on Sunday and begin to clean house. No discussion. No wait and see. Make a move Khan and do it now.