Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
This week, we’re discussing big-picture topics on the Jacksonville Jaguars as they come out of their Week 7 bye.
Question 1: It’s rarely constructive to assign blame for a narrow loss from the past. That said… were there any issues from Jacksonville’s Week 6 loss that you fear could rear its ugly head again in close games later this season?
Dillon Appleman: I’ve said it in earlier roundtables, but the defense’s inability to get a stop when it absolutely
has to is becoming a real problem. Both of this year’s losses ended with the opposing offense taking the ball and finishing the game. We were a half yard away against Cincy from making it three, and eight seconds away against Philly from making it four. Right now Travis Hunter feels like the only guy consistently making impact plays in the big moments, and as great as he is, one player can’t carry that load. I think a certain expensive pass rush duo needs to start showing up when the game is on the line. If that doesn’t change, it’ll bite us again in a playoff-caliber game.
Travis Holmes: I truly believe the Houston Texans are simply a bad matchup for the Jacksonville Jaguars, primarily because they understand the many ways to stress both the Jacksonville offense and defense. You never quite know whether Houston will have a dominant day defensively or offensively, but one thing seems clear: The Texans will find a weakness to exploit, largely because of the extensive history between these two teams. With that said, the Jaguars’ secondary in explosive passing situations and their run defense against jumbo personnel are two areas where I believe other teams will take notice and look to attack in future matchups.
Gus Logue: I think Jacksonville’s playcallers are still learning how to manage big-time games. Liam Coen was actually great against Houston, but he had some silly calls against Philadelphia and got out-schemed against Denver. In the Texans game, he trusted Cam Little to make a 60-yard field goal AND his defense to stop a red-hot C.J. Stroud instead of his own quarterback to convert a 4th-and-4 to win the game. As for Campanile, he could’ve simplified his calls after his starting safeties went down with injuries against Houston, and his defense sure doesn’t feel trustworthy late in games.
Henry Zimmer: I think the secondary not only getting thrown on a bunch, but the overall health of the unit, is an issue. If that group doesn’t get healthy at the safety position, the Jags could be in trouble. The lack of pass rush adds to more time. More time leads to more completions. And if you don’t even have your starters out there, it only cycles into more bad stuff happening. Health in the secondary is a quiet, but very real, issue.
Question 2: The Jaguars put themselves in a good spot by going 4-2 over the toughest part of their schedule. What aspect of the team are you most excited to see after the bye week?
Dillon: I’m most excited to see this team play cleaner football, because I’m certain that’s coming. Getting to 4-2 through the toughest stretch of the schedule on inconsistent play is a great sign, especially with how up and down the season has been on both sides of the ball: sloppy stretches, a ton of penalties, and too many empty red zone trips. Teams that win through that kind of mess tend to tighten up as the year goes on, and that’s exactly what happened during last year’s playoff push. I fully expect a much more consistent product by season’s end.
Travis: The looming return of rotational edge rusher BJ Green is something I’m looking forward to over the coming weeks. With the Jacksonville defense still struggling to find its footing, particularly when it comes to generating a consistent pass rush, Green could be the final puzzle piece capable of moving the needle in that area. If he’s unable to help this rush group, in the immortal words of Vic Ketchman, “Help isn’t on the way.”
Gus: I’ll say it: Travis freakin’ Hunter! His Week 7 performance was so, so encouraging. It took him 13 NFL games to record his first 1 TD/1 INT game — something only two other players have done since the 1970 merger — and it wasn’t just the fact that he did it. It was how he did it. Hunter shadowed Nico Collins and fooled C.J. Stroud into throwing a redzone interception by purposefully stumbling in man coverage. (Guess he must’ve learned a thing or two from his former Hall of Fame head coach.) And on the other side of the ball, Liam Coen unleashed him in the closest thing we’ve seen to Cooper Kupp/Puka Nacua/Chris Godwin usage in Jacksonville. Each of his 4 targets were big-boy designer looks, a notable step up from the basic RPO packages Hunter was used in just a few weeks ago. He’s arrived.
Henry: Who would have guessed we would even be slightly complaining about a 4-2 start heading into the bye?! The offense has been really exciting and I have been impressed with the aggressive running ability of Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. I want to see more of them popping pads against defenders and hopefully the Jags getting a 100-yard rusher in a game.
Question 3: Should the Jaguars deal Brian Thomas Jr. to the highest bidder, or are you not ready for him to leave Jacksonville? Are there any other moves you’d like to see the Jaguars make (or not make) ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline?
Dillon: I flip back and forth on this one. The depth of the receiver room is a huge strength, because defenses can’t key on any one guy without the rest making them pay. But it’s been so bad for BTJ that I don’t think teams even respect his speed anymore, which is the one move left in his bag, and if the Jags are going to get anything of substance for him, it’s going to be in-season, so I can understand a deal. As for other moves, a veteran ball-hawking safety like Jessie Bates really stands out to me, or getting Quenton Nelson on a one-year rental for a Super Bowl push would be awesome too.
Travis: I feel the Brian Thomas Jr. saga may have run its course in Jacksonville. With Josh Cameron and Travis Hunter already in the building, the Jaguars would be wise to listen to offers from the highest bidder. That is especially true if they believe they can secure a second-round pick or better for the former Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist. However, Jacksonville doesn’t have to trade him. With BTJ still under contract through next season and the team holding his fifth-year option, the Jaguars could choose to keep him through the offseason before making a decision. As for additional moves, I believe Jacksonville would be wise to explore potential trades for defensive tackles Zach Sieler of the Miami Dolphins or Daron Payne of the Washington Commanders.
Gus: I suggested Jacksonville deal Thomas a few weeks ago, before his trade value plummeted even further. He has not caught a football since that article was published. I still think Jaguars should deal him to the highest bidder, though. Pretty much anything they could get in a trade would probably be more valuable than the 0.1 EPA/target Thomas has provided Jacksonville’s offense. (That figure ranks 82nd among 131 receivers this season, between 34-year-old Keenan Allen and 31-year-old Calvin Ridley.) Thomas has continued to underwhelm, to put it politely, but the real reason that Jacksonville could finally pull the trigger is the blossoming of Josh Cameron and Travis Hunter.
Henry: If there are any bidders for BTJ, you have to listen. We have now seen two explosive spurts on offense from Travis Hunter and the emergence of Josh Cameron. Aside from the idea of BTJ’s ability that defenses may fear, what is he providing? If the Jags can deal him for picks and/or a defensive lineman, I think you would be silly not to consider it.
Jags fans, let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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