The final regular season installment of “Talking Teal” involves John Shirey, William Frost, Paul Martin, Sam Vancini, and I talking about our thoughts on Doug Marrone’s first game as Jacksonville’s interim head coach, expectations for the Colts game, guess the game score, and make one bold prediction. As a bonus, we also discuss who each of ours pick for the next head coach would be as well as give our final parting words on the Gus Bradley regime.
Talking Teal: Week 17
Thoughts on Doug Marrone’s First Game as the Jaguars’ Head Coach
John: While it isn’t unprecedented for a bad team to play much better the week after their coach is fired, last week’s performance against the Titans was much more than that. The team simply fired on all cylinders for the first team in a full calendar year. It wasn’t a classic case of players overperforming, everyone just played up to their potential. It really was a thing of beauty.
William: Well, if he gets the team playing like that again Sunday there’s a strong chance he earns himself a job, either with us or somewhere else. That was pretty much the perfect game I think, besides the Marcus Mariota injury and the fact we didn’t shut them out there isn’t a whole lot I would change about the way the game panned out. Jalen Ramsey got his first pick six, the pass rush finally came on somewhat, and we actually scored some points. Were we really watching the Jaguars?
Ben: I came away very impressed, obviously, because we actually won a game. Our offense showed signs of 2015 which was very promising. The defense played well enough as usual. Jalen Ramsey has played elite football this past month.
Paul: Doug Marrone’s first game as head coach was awesome! Amazing how the team played after firing Gus Bradley. It’s doubtful in my mind that Marrone becomes the next head coach, but the way the team played was a nice change of pace.
Sam: Wow. Possibly the best game I’ve seen in the past four years as a Jaguars fan other than maybe the 51-16 win over the Colts last year. I think that says a lot about the change in mentality that the players had just one week removed from Gus Bradley.
Expectations for the Jaguars’ Final Game
John: It should be a fun game. The Jaguars have a chance to sweep the Colts for only the second time in franchise history. Neither team has anything but pride to play for, but with division rivals don’t expect anyone to lay down in this one. There are likely changes coming for both organizations, and players on both sides will be looking to prove their worth.
William: With a chance to cement the Colts under .500 this year, I expect Jacksonville to try and finish the season strong. Not only to fulfill a sense of pride that we have obviously been lacking, but by showing out this roster will ensure that they have put themselves into contention just as the coaching market opens. If another strong victory ensures a top coach comes to Jacksonville, then I fully expect this Jaguars team to be fired up on Sunday.
Ben: One can only hope that Jacksonville will complete the sweep on the Colts, but I still don’t trust Blake Bortles enough to expect the offense to play well two games in a row. If the defense can get to Andrew Luck and cause turnovers though, then I believe we should win this game.
Paul: With how the Jaguars played against the Titans, the fans should expect a blowout just like last season when the team scored over 50. Maybe that won’t happen, but it would be a nice cap to the season.
Sam: I fully expect the Jaguars to continue their momentum from their last game against the Colts. However, I think we get a good game since the Colts are playing much better than they were a year ago. We should be ready to put up a fight.
Score Predictions
John: Jacksonville 24, Indianapolis 20
William: Jacksonville 27, Indianapolis 15
Ben: Indianapolis 24, Jacksonville 20
Paul: Jacksonville 42, Indianapolis 21
Sam: Jacksonville 30, Indianapolis 27
One Bold Prediction
John: After going 43 games without throwing for 300+ yards in a win, Blake Bortles finally accomplished just that against the Titans last week. He’ll do it again against the Colts.
William: Blake Bortles gets AFC Player of the Week with three passing TD’s and one on the ground.
Ben: Yannick Ngakoue records his first multiple sack game of his career.
Paul: Bortles throws four touchdowns against no interceptions. If you thought he was on fire against the Titans, wait until the season finale against the Colts.
Sam: Ramsey gets an interception for the third week in a row and solidifies his résumé for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
*Bonus 1*: Your Pick for the Jaguars’ Next Head Coach
John: I think Josh McDaniels could do wonderful things for the offense. His tenure in Denver may have been subpar, but he’s a bright, young coach out to prove that he’s more than another failed Bill Belichick coordinator.
William: I have thought about this a lot, and I want to say McDaniels, because it’s about time we hired a true offensive mastermind. 53 man roster control and no obligation to keep Bortles should entice him to bring his talents down to Florida. However, if he can get Blake performing like we know he can, then I would be incredibly excited about this team’s future.
Ben: Josh McDaniels is my guy. He’s an offensive genius that plays to his players’ strengths and also game plans to expose his opposition’s weaknesses on defense. I hope he can turn around Bortles, but if not then he’d definitely be the best guy to finally let Jimmy Garoppolo lead a team of his own.
Paul: My pick for the next head coach is Tom Coughlin. He may not be the most practical pick when you consider his age. However, some coaches at other levels have coached late into their life. Coughlin would easily bring discipline to the team. Plus, it would be a nice homecoming for the Jaguars original coach to reunite with his old team.
Sam: Tom Coughlin. I think the pros outweigh the cons pertaining to him enough that we should roll the dice on him. Yes, his age would mean we wouldn’t have him too long, but I think the team showed last week that there is enough talent to win now (rather than go through another rebuild). I think he can make it happen.
*Bonus 2*: Last Parting Words on the Gus Bradley Failure
John: Best wishes to Gus Bradley in all his future endeavors. Some people just aren’t cut out to be head coaches in the NFL. I hold no resentment towards Bradley. I never felt like he gave up on the team; he was coaching the same in his final game as he did in his first. Ironically, that inability to grow and adapt is what ultimately led to his 14-48 record as the head coach of the Jacksonville.
William: Don’t forget to close the door on your way out.
Ben: Gus is strictly a defensive coordinator and should never be a head coach in the NFL again or even college football for that matter. Good riddance.
Paul: I have nothing bad to say about Gus Bradley as a man. He obviously wanted to do well, but that’s the problem. He couldn’t get the success on the field; that’s why I would hope to have a coach with prior head coaching experience next.
Sam: I really wanted to believe that a true players coach such as himself could thrive in the NFL. His attitude was admirable, and I’m sad it didn’t work out. Some people are just not made to be a head coach. However, I think he is still a phenomenal defensive coordinator and wish him nothing but the best going forward.
Be Sure to Follow Us
Thanks for reading and be sure to check out each author’s LWOS page to read more of their previous work and if you’re on Twitter give them a follow.
John: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/john-shirey/
William: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/willfrost/
Twitter: @willfrost_
Ben: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/benjaminthompson/
Twitter: @JagsBenLWOS
Paul: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/paulmartin/
Twitter: @ p_mar93
