Before the recap, we have a TRADE ALERT. Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone wanted a pass catching back that can also return kicks and punts. After the Bears destroyed the Packers, and Cohen got no snaps he was frustarted. We offered a 2020 4th and 2021 4th, with good relationships between the owners and both feeling they won the trade, it was accepted. He will join our great stable of running backs for week 2 against the Patriots!
Now for week 1 against the Saints, were the offense had a terrible start to the year. With a score of 7-6 going into the half. It was filled with punts, 2 INTs, and a fumble that should have been a incompletion because he did not even take a step. The defense played well all game, forcing 5 turnovers and forcing 4 punts. The offense finally started to get back into gear and we ended up winning 28-9.
On the offense side, Carr missed some throws and made some very bad decisions. He started to rub the rust off and get into a groove. He ended 20-32, 235 yards and 2 TDs but 2 costly INTs, one in the redzone. The rookie steal of the draft, the best TE coming out Okwuegbunam (No one can say his name correctly), had a team high 8 catches for 90 yards and his first TD. Chark continues to play great have 4 catches for 89 yards and a TD. Besides that, Keelan Cole who had a great season last year only caught 3 passes for 29 yards and only 1 pass for Lee. We need to spread the ball around more. Running game was there, the staple of our offense. Fournette had 17 carries for 101 yds and a TD. Carr also ran a TD in. Hyde had a bad game only have 22 yards on 6 carries. Look for Cohen to take away his 2 catches and his carries.
Now for the defense that carried us all season last year, with our shaky offense. ROOKIE Carl Ganderson in his first regular season game had FOUR sacks.... FOUR. Statement game for him. Myles Jack lead the team with 7 tackles and a INT. Harrison and Smith also added a INT each, and Gipson had 2! Ngakoue after switching to the other side so that Ganderson could be a scheme fit and feel more comfortable, still produced 2 sacks. The backup edge rusher McCray had a sack along with Jackson. Total yards gained for the Saints offense was only 195 yards.
Our offense looks ready for another playoff spot, but will the offense pick it up next week against the Patriots? Can our 2 rookie studs show out again next week? How will Cohen fit in this offense? Lots of questions going into week 2 vs the Patriots!
#GOJAGS
1st round pick - Carl Ganderson, edge rusher: 76 star
3rd round pick- Albert Okwuegunam, TE: 74 star
3rd round pick- Ross Pierchbacher, gaurd: 72 quick
3rd round pick- Juan Thornhill, Corner: 74 normal
4th round pick- Mark McLaurin, Safety: 69 star
6th round pick- Justice Hill, running back: 64 quick
7th round pick- Diontae Johnson, WR: 64 normal
After signing 0 people in free agency, the Jaguars fans started to get mad. But then they realized the expiring contracts of Ramsey, Jack, Ngakoue, and Cole. Four huge pieces of our team needed to be resigned, so the Jaguars not signing anybody started to make more sense.
With the depature of Calias, an edge rusher to fill his void was number one on our board. While the owner wasn't able to make the draft, our Head Coach made a great pick in a young star Ganderson. He will be an instant impact on the defense.
Day 2 was the most important day for us. We had many holes we needed to fill, and had 3 3rd round picks to do it. After Fant went, and also Wilson the pick before us, we were scared to take a TE at this spot. But we decided to pull the trigger on a athletic beast and boy did it pay off, the best TE in the draft overall wise for now, also will be a star one day.
We then needed a instant starter at gaurd after the depature of AJ Cann. We hit on this pick to, getting the aggressive gaurd out of Alabama. He will be plugged into the starting Oline nicely. Then we had to select a slot corner, and a second round prospect was there and we pulled the trigger. While he may not get much betetr, right now he is a very solid player.
Then our last few picks we needed to draft depth. Grabing McLaurin who is a raw safety that is fast and can hit hard, he could be a star one day with his development. He needs a lot of imporvement in coevrage to be a starter. Then selecting a HB who is now on the PS, but a good playmaker. Then grabbing a late round WR who ended up making the team as our 6th WR.
Overall, while we didn't hit on every pick we hit on a lot, and filled many of our holes. Got a edge rusher, starting gaurd, tight end, and a slot corner was huge. I give our draft a A-, manly because of the amount of talent we got with how late our picks were. The best TE in the draft after 2 other TEs went was the biggest steal of the draft for us! Losing in the superbowl wasn't easy, revenge tour has started and these rookies are on board!
#GOJAGS