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Q&A with the Jacksonville Jaguars expert

By Will Lomas

Nov 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nearly 24 hours until the Tennessee Titans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in a surprisingly relevant game in late October.

So on a quick week with limited time to really study the Jacksonville Jaguars, Daniel Lago of Black and Teal saved me some long nights by reaching out to me and asking for a Q&A.

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Here are my five questions I asked him about the Jags:

1. Blake Bortles has had his issues this year especially with turnovers early in the game. How much of that is on his receivers and how much is on him making bad decisions?

“His receivers certainly haven’t helped him, particularly Allen Robinson, but the struggles of the offense are a direct results of Bortles’ poor play.

Mechanically he’s a mess, but he’s clearly dealing with some lack of confidence that is hindering his ability to make the big plays that propelled his production last season.

There are plenty of things to criticize with Blake’s game right now – he’s missing open receivers, holding on to the ball too long, making bad decisions. These things all sound like a player deficiency, but I think the coaching deserves a significant portion of the blame.

The combination of lack of motivation and just downright elementary schematic principles have made this offense the easiest to gameplan against in the league.”

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    • 2. How has the offensive line looked this year? With the Titans pass rush really looking like a threat, do you expect the OL to be able to hold their own?

    “The pass blocking has actually been much better this year compared to 2015. There are a number of things going wrong around Bortles, but he usually has ample time to read the field when he drops back.

    On the flip side, the run blocking has been mediocre to poor. The Jaguars have a bottom 3 rushing attack and a big reason why is the inconsistent run blocking. T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory rarely have holes to run through and the inability to establish a respectable rushing threat has hurt the team.

    I don’t expect that to change against the Titans.”

    3. With the Titans offensive line rebuilt and the running game giving this team an identity, are you concerned at all about a smaller, faster defense struggling against a physical running game?

    “I would not have been too worried if you had asked me last week, but the season ending injury to Roy Miller is a factor that shouldn’t be understated.

    Miller has been one of the most effective run stuffing defensive tackles in the league over the last two seasons and his absence is going to force the Jaguars to adjust their scheme – an inherent coaching requirement that Gus Bradley is incapable of doing.

    Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith are two of the better linebackers in the AFC in terms of stopping the run, but it’s going to be tough without much help from their defensive line. I don’t think the Titans will have trouble getting push along the line of scrimmage.”

    4. How do you feel the short week will hurt and help the Jacksonville Jaguars?

    “I don’t think it matters solely because whether it’s 3 months or 3 days of preparation allotted to him, head coach Gus Bradley is inevitably going to get outcoached (even against Mike Mularkey).

    The players are frustrated after getting booed for the better part of four quarters at home, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the short week serves as a disadvantage in terms of trying to fight through the negative stench emanating from the locker room. I don’t think the outcome would be much different if this game were held on Sunday instead of Thursday, but it certainly doesn’t help the Jaguars.”

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    5. What is your prediction for the game?

    “I predicted the Jaguars would handily win both games against Tennessee in my preseason forecast, but I think the tables have turned in a monumental way. A primetime home game against the Jaguars is a remedy to gain confidence for any team right now, so I expect the Titans to come in and bulldoze the Jaguars. Bortles has no confidence right now which means an ineffective offense and a blowout loss to Tennessee.

    Jaguars 13 – Titans 27″

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