Heading into the 2016 season, the secondary was one of the biggest question marks on a youthful roster for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The defensive backfield is one of the most talented units on the team, but every player has something to prove this year.
The unit is spearheaded by rookie phenom and fifth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey is joined by free agent additions safety Tashaun Gipson and fellow corner Prince Amukamara. Returning players in the secondary such as safety Jonathan Cyprien, and cornerbacks Davon House and Aaron Colvin are out to prove that they can still be valuable contributors to this organization even with the new influx of talent in what quickly became a very crowed secondary.
Jacksonville Jaguars Secondary Quarterly Review
Through four games, the unit has performed admirably. The secondary has allowed an average of only 198.8 yards through the air per game. That is good for seventh in the NFL. That statistic is especially impressive when taking into account the quarterbacks the Jaguars have faced in the first quarter of the season. The team opened with Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Joe Flacco and Andrew Luck. Those four guys have combined for 14 Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl MVPs, and an NFL MVP award.
In week one, former MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers came into Everbank Field and struggled to move the ball downfield at times. Rodgers threw for less than 200 yards, something he’s done only ten times in the past five seasons. Ramsey played well, and he let the whole world know it. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough to win the game for the Jaguars.
Week two in San Diego was the worst game for the Jaguars with the Chargers jumping out to a huge lead and Philip Rivers tossing four touchdowns. The secondary wasn’t at fault for all of the miscues, but they certainly were not blameless, either. Prince Amukamara missed the game with a hamstring injury, Davon House had a few blown coverages and Johnathan Cyprien took a poor angle and missed an open field tackle, resulting in a touchdown for the Chargers.
The Jaguars returned to Everbank with an 0-2 record to take on the Baltimore Ravens. The secondary again had a pretty solid game despite Amukamara missing a second consecutive game. Jalen Ramsey tussled with Ravens veteran receiver Steve Smith. Ramsey also tipped a Flacco pass which resulted in Tashaun Gipson’s first interception as a member of the Jaguars. Again, a commendable effort by the defense wasn’t enough for the Jaguars to defeat the Ravens and they fell to 0-3.
The Jaguars met the Indianapolis Colts at Wembley Stadium in London for a week four bout. Amukamara returned to the lineup and played well, and the secondary as a whole put together what was arguably their best game of the season, limiting Andrew Luck to just 47 yards in the first half. A couple of pass interference calls on Cyprien and House, respectively, and a blown coverage on a 64-yard long bomb to Phillip Dorset in the fourth quarter brought the Colts within three points. However, the defense didn’t allow any more points and the Jaguars held on to win their first game of the season.
Through four games, the secondary has performed at a high level. Amukamara, who is playing on a one-year deal, and Ramsey, who appears to be on his way to being an All-Pro, have formed a very dynamic duo at cornerback. Cyprien, despite a few penalties and poor angles is actually enjoying his best season since his rookie year. Gipson has been rangy and a major improvement over the revolving door at free safety that the Jags have had in recent years. Nickel corner Aaron Colvin will return from a four-game suspension against the Chicago Bears this Sunday and will likely keep Davon House on the bench. Despite setting a franchise record in passes broken up last season, House has been the weakest link in the secondary.
All and all, the arrow is pointing up for this young unit. The Jaguars will go to Soldier Field to take on the 1-4 Chicago Bears, which is a game they should win. Brian Hoyer will be in at quarterback for an injured Jay Cutler. The secondary should be able to capitalize on that and possibly improve on the one interception they have accounted for through the first quarter of the season.
