Assuming We Get Jax, What is Our Strategy?

[RayClay]

The Jaguars have to get an early lead to have a chance, so we need to not allow Garrard to complete a lucky bomb. Obviously, we need to honor their running game, so that means short passes over the middle.

The only problem would be using Drew in the passing game and he goes nuts. We have to prevent that.

They can't outscore us running the ball, so they would need to gamble on quick strikes or breakout plays like Drew could do.

On offense, just run our O. I'd like to see Brady for blocking 4 wr and empty backfield. I don't see them stopping us.

If they move the ball on the ground and with short passes with no YAC, we simply outscore them and apply the clamp as needed.

With Big Vince and the rest of the DLine, I think we can control a running game if we commit to it (add rodney).

Garrard's willingness to throw right into coverage on short passes shows me his "stats" are more a product of teams not bothering to aggressively attack his comfort zone. Just another "game manager" who is really just a QB with training wheels.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I still think staying primarily in the 3WR-1RB-1TE is the way to go here. Jags pass rush isn't lethal, but K. Brady or even Watson at the line or to chip rushers has been successful. Faulk/Maroney out of the backfield to dump it off, plus the 4-wide spread was having less success as the year went on.

hopefully they avoid the watson in the flat routes. i'd rather see him go down the seam. i see welker having a very big day.

 

[DaBruinz]

Pittsburgh didn't "take away" anything. JDR abandoned the run and tried to turn us into a passing team all of a sudden.

Jacksonville had 21 passes to 29 rushes. or 58% of the plays were rushes. Jacksonville, on the year, rushed 52% of the time. So you actually ran MORE last night than you normally do.

So, how can you say that JDR abandoned the run?

 

[BradyManny]

The one thing in the Jaguars column, IMO, is the fact that Colvin's absence will probably be felt quite a bit in this game. We've made it up for it with nick and dime packages, but against the Jags, I would've expected something like base 3-4 with Rodney coming up to be the 8th in the box and shadow MJD out of the backfield. I still would expect them to use Rodney like that but not having Colvin makes it more difficult with a thinner LB corp.

 

[RayClay]

hopefully they avoid the watson in the flat routes. i'd rather see him go down the seam. i see welker having a very big day.

I'd like 4W and Brady for blocking. Watson hasn't been getting any YAC, so why not just use Gaffney?

I don't see us running much until we get a lead, so I'd rather have the big man, Brady.

He can still catch and stand like a statue, which is Watson's best after catch move.

 

[BradyManny]

hopefully they avoid the watson in the flat routes. i'd rather see him go down the seam. i see welker having a very big day.

I think b/c they were using him to chip on the line against the NYG that dictated his routes. Probably don't need him to do that against the Jags, their pass-rush isn't near NYG's.

 

[DaBruinz]

if they aren't a one-dimensional offense, then I don't know who is.
As for Henderson, he looked like he really wanted to jump back in the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he was active next week. He'd probably play with a little pain.

This is a big misconception on your part. The Jags ran the ball 52.7 % of the time and passed 47.3% of the time. Compared to the Pats that threw 57% of the time and ran 43% of the time.

Now, that doesn't make the Pats one dimensional, as they showed against the Phins, Jets, and Giants. For the Pats, much of it was game-planning.

I fully expect the Pats to use a LOT of different things against the Jags. But the big thing will be to take away the run and play-action pass while putting pressure on Garrard, forcing him to into errors. The Pats can do that with the front 3 they have in Wilfork, Warren and Seymour.

 

[RayClay]

Garrard can also throw the ball too, so don't convince yourselves that we are a total one-dimensional offense.

Two of the worst Ints I've seen in post season play. Ray Charles could have read the coverage and known not to throw those balls.

 

[Doctor DDS]

NewJagsCity -So I am assuming you consider the Pats a one-dimensional offense as well?

In all honesty, I do think the Pats are a bit one dimensional. It just so happens that their one dimension is the greatest in NFL History. There is no question that the Pats would have been throwing the ball on 3rd and 6 unlike the Steelers who ran that lame QA draw (or whatever that was) In fact, we are comfortable throwing it 50 times and I have no problem with that. We can dink and dunk, throw inside and out and go up top for the bomb. The teams defensively that gave us the most trouble were those that could get a sustained pass rush with just their front 4 (Colts -1st half, Ravens) or had physical corners/safeties that are good in coverage (Eagles, Ravens) I'm not sure those are traits of the Jags. We will have some trouble stopping your run and I do not doubt that Garrard will make some plays. Our defense is only adequate in my opinion. I can certainly see the Jags putting up around 20 points. It really comes down to whether or not the Jags can slow down the Pats offense and keep us under 30. This I just do not see. If they get behind early our defense becomes much stronger as we have a solid pass rush.

 

[Jr.]

watson should have stuck with academics, the guy can't catch/play ball.

 

[Jr.]

Two of the worst Ints I've seen in post season play. Ray Charles could have read the coverage and known not to throw those balls.

the one farrior picked off lol, i litterally paused and tried to figure out who/where he was throwing.

 

[Oswlek]

The Jags just let Roeth pass all over them in the second half when Pitt was down by two scores for much of it. And this was after one of his worst first halves that he ever played. I don't see why I am supposed to be worried about this game.

Frankly, I didn't even think that Jax had much to do with Roeth's struggles. He just couldn't make a decision. I remember one play where he actually rolled into the only guy defender who was anywhere near the play after pumping a couple times. And he did all of this despite the fact that every single receiver was open on the play. I kid you not; every single guy was open. I'm still trying to figure out what Ben was looking at.

Barring a hurricane, I don't see how Jax holds NE under 35 points.

 

[DaBruinz]

watson should have stuck with academics, the guy can't catch/play ball.

Listen, Jr. You clearly are just bashing Watson for the hell of it. Because facts don't support you.

Run along, unless you have something other than unfounded one-liners to add to the conversation.

 

[Oswlek]

if they aren't a one-dimensional offense, then I don't know who is.
As for Henderson, he looked like he really wanted to jump back in the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he was active next week. He'd probably play with a little pain.

I guess you don't know who is then...

 

[patriot lifer]

This is a big misconception on your part. The Jags ran the ball 52.7 % of the time and passed 47.3% of the time. Compared to the Pats that threw 57% of the time and ran 43% of the time.

Now, that doesn't make the Pats one dimensional, as they showed against the Phins, Jets, and Giants. For the Pats, much of it was game-planning.

I fully expect the Pats to use a LOT of different things against the Jags. But the big thing will be to take away the run and play-action pass while putting pressure on Garrard, forcing him to into errors. The Pats can do that with the front 3 they have in Wilfork, Warren and Seymour.

Okay, so one-dimensional is the wrong term. the fact still remains that they are built to run the ball. that is where they are dangerous, and they are relatively harmless in the passing game. I don't call that balance. if they're well behind in a game, can they catch-up with an effective passing game? NO.

 

[Jr.]

Listen, Jr. You clearly are just bashing Watson for the hell of it. Because facts don't support you.

Run along, unless you have something other than unfounded one-liners to add to the conversation.

I admire watson for his work ethics/smarts but seriously, how often does watson drop drive killers?

 

[Remix 6]

stop the run. thats it.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

watson should have stuck with academics, the guy can't catch/play ball.

Watson has a 73% Catch% - that's all balls thrown to him not just catchable ones - which is among the highest in the league among TE. You're factually incorrect.

 

[PatsFan#37]

Two of the worst Ints I've seen in post season play. Ray Charles could have read the coverage and known not to throw those balls.

roflmao.......very very funny......

 

[DaBruinz]

Okay, so one-dimensional is the wrong term. the fact still remains that they are built to run the ball. that is where they are dangerous, and they are relatively harmless in the passing game. I don't call that balance. if they're well behind in a game, can they catch-up with an effective passing game? NO.

You think they are relatively harmless in the passing game? While having only 18 TDs on the season isn't spectacular, you have to consider that Garrard only threw 325 passes and 3 ints. That says ALOT. Am I scared of the Jags passing game? No. But I respect them because they CAN beat the Pats with it (as every team can be beaten).

Did you watch the last drive of the game last night? Garrard made a couple of nice passes. Yes, it was the 32 yard draw play that won them the game, but why? Because the Steelers were respecting the pass.

Remember, any team can beat any other team on any given day.