JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS WEEKLY GAME RELEASE

(Can you do anything to change the slow starts?) “I thought long and hard about the defer or take the ball
right at the start of the game. The one thing that we have been able to count on, not that it carries over
from game to game, is how effective we’ve been in the second half offensively. Those games are when
we start with the ball. I just felt like going into this opportunity, if we can get a defensive stop and get the
offense out there and with how much emphasis we put on starting fast, see if that can carry through the
first half where we start fast, get some points on the board and then have the ability to have the ball in
the second half and keep that strength our strength. There are things that you look at: the difference in
tempo, personnel groupings, changing personnel groupings. All of those things to stimulate the offense.
It comes back to execution and decision making.”
(Are you surprised Skuta hasn't gotten more work at Leo?) “Yeah, in the third down situations we looked
at it. He was hurt for a while there so just to get him back to play the Otto was important for us. I think
that is something we’ll take a look at this week.”
(If he hadn't had the groin injury were you looking that way?) “Yeah, because he got reps early in the
season. We tried to get him involved with some pass rushing.”
(Do you get the sense that they aren't playing with a sense of urgency at the beginning of game?) “What
I would say is that I think there’s a certain edge that you need to play the game with, and I think when you
go in there and you totally trust your preparation, you’re very confident, you get to the point where you
play with that edge. And we’ve got guys that have that edge but when you have that confidence to go out
there to where an opportunity comes your way you can’t wait for that opportunity, that sort of an edge.
I think there’s a learning curve that takes place with that. We’re not there yet consistently. That part
where we adjust, we quickly recover, those things are all important. In this League you’re going to have
us and downs in games and you have to have that trait, but to play with that edge when an opportunity
comes your way to make sure you capture it and take advantage of it, that’s what we’re not doing
consistently enough.”
(Week 3 to week 16 the same things—precision—crept up. How concerning is that?) “Yeah, a little bit
different philosophy in the games when we went into New England to when we went in yesterday. We
went into the idea where we played tighter coverage yesterday. With New England it was more split safety
and keep everything in front of you. If you looked at the two games the game plans were pretty different.”
(On Aaron Colvin's season) “I think the nickel spot, he is our most effective nickel right now. I think what
we need to look at with that spot is getting the best guys on the field. Does that mean that Aaron Colvin
is on the outside and someone else is on the inside? Looking at all of those variables. Like I told you we’re
going to constantly compete and try to get guys on the field that are deserving. I think we have to look at
all of those options, but I think at the nickel spot when you look at his man coverage and the zone
principles and some of the pressure he’s applied he’s been pretty productive that way.”
(On Bortles’ 35 touchdowns this season) “I think that any time you’re over 30 touchdowns as a
quarterback that’s pretty impressive. For him to be in his second year there’s still things that you’re
looking at with the protections, just like the snap, some of those things. I think that he has a better idea,
more ownership on the offense but I think that even after the season this is going to be a big offseason
because I think that ownership and that second year of being in a system, the continuity is so important.
I think that he can make great strides in that avenue and allow him to play even more freely. Yes, it’s very
impressive what he’s done.”
(On loss of Odrick and how it affected run defense) “He’s obviously someone who’s very stout up front,
but the other guys have got to go in there and adjust. Yeah, he’s a big part of us especially with the run
game.”
(On Gratz and McCray falling off in year three) “I think we need to take a look at it again this week and
see where they’re at. I would like to see more productivity. I think what we talked about earlier, that edge,
I think that’s where they’re doing some of the principles right. You watch them and it’s pretty consistent
but that edge to make a play, that edge that when your number is called you make a play. I think that’s