Now that’s how you play three phases of preseason football.
The Jacksonville Jaguars took down the visiting Tamp Bay Buccaneers, 19-0, Friday behind three phases of solid play. The Jags got some representative offense, a special teams touchdown and 61-yard field goal as well as a turnover on defense. It was a complete departure from the mess that was the Carolina game.
Are the Jaguars now primed to win the Super Bowl because Wesley Williams and Michael Wortham played well? Who’s to say, but at the very
least that was a solid way to send this team into the 53-man roster phase ahead of the Week 1 tilt against the Cleveland Browns.
WINNERS
Defensive Ends
Have a freaking day Bryan Thomas Jr. and Wesley Williams.
Friday night was a feast for two rookie defensive ends in Thomas Jr. (not the wide receiver!) and Williams. The former had 2.5 sacks and two tackles for loss while Williams had two tackles and a fumble recovery.
It was probably always going to be the case that Williams, a fourth round pick out of Duke, was going to make the roster. Not so much for Thomas Jr., but he made a tremendous effort in his final dress rehearsal as to why he should make the 53-man team.
While the Jags may have issues on the backup offensive line front, Tampa Bay certainly does as well and the Jags feasted in the backfield to the tune of five total sacks.
A special shoutout also goes to second-year Auburn man Jalen McLeod who somewhat quietly led the team with seven tackles and one tackle for loss. All three of these guys put great tape out there in the final preseason game and by all counts should continue to rock a Jags jersey.
Michael Wortham
Speaking of having a day, Wortham really decided he wanted to make the roster too. The rookie out of Montana went out and collected 170 total all-purpose yards including a 63-yard punt return touchdown. He finished tied for first on the team in receiving with three catches for 47 yards.
An emerging question mark from preseason was who could possibly be the Jags number two return man behind Parker Washington? Well, Wortham made an incredibly strong case for it being him moving forward and I don’t think any Jags fan would complain after seeing that dude cross the length of the field and turn on the afterburners. It’s CJ Williams’ or Josh Cameron’s backup WR spot to lose, but hey good for Wortham for making people in the front office at leas think about it.
Credit where it’s due, the special teams unit blocked the hell out of that punt return and had multiple bodies up to see Wortham to the end zone. That’s what you like to see from the backups.
Hunter Long
Someone maybe not on the roster bubble but could always use a good showing was Hunter Long. And prior to injury, he looked like a man among boys out there.
Long tied Wortham in yardage with two catches for 47 yards, taking the first offensive possession for the Jags for 34 yards. Long was rumbling and stumbling when he had the ball in his hands, putting up a good showing for why he should be kept around.
After drafting two tight ends in April, Long might be on the outside looking in by default, but he made his case. At the very least, he seems like for the practice squad and for a call-up if a guy goes down. We know he can play and will play hard as hell. He certainly cannot hurt this team by keeping him in Duval.
Carter Bradley Closing Strong
For all the shit Bradley has gotten, and much of it deserved, hats off to the dude for closing the preseason in the best way possible.
Most of Friday night saw Bradley getting killed by his offensive front, mouthing to himself that he wasn’t getting helped and footballs bouncing helplessly out of the reach of receivers who need the catches to make a living. That was until the third quarter.
Bradley and the gang mounted a 14 play (!!) 74-yard touchdown drive that saw Bradley float a pass to DeeJay Dallas for six. For good measure, Bradley ran hard for a two-point conversion that had to just feel euphoric for the dude after all he had been through the past two games and change.
This won’t change his fate in the NFL, but the rookie closed strong. He even played hurt as evidenced by his hand being wrapped up on the sideline after his scoring drive. I have given Bradley plenty of grief, but I have to give him his flowers for grinding that score out.
Special Teams
Cam Little and Logan Cooke are good. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
LOSERS
Backup Offensive Line
Hey so this might be an issue, yeah?
I’m not so certain much of anyone flashed as great backup offensive line options through the length of the preseason outside of rookie Emmanuel Pregnon. The team is getting Cole Van Lanen back which is cause for celebration, but questions still linger about Chuma Edoga and his status which could cause him to miss the roster altogether.
This isn’t an inspired group and the backups didn’t impress against Tampa Bay, helping give way to four sacks and a moribund 2.8 yards per rush.
Backup Quarterback
Nick Mullens, you’re the backup quarterback. Congrats. Buy the Rivalry Jersey now.
Trevor Lawrence needs to stay healthy and this is all for naught, but if there is another nitpick area of concern for the Jags you can make the case that it’s the QB2 position. It likely (hopefully) doesn’t matter in the long run but Mullens didn’t exactly flash on TV. His camp reports were fine so hopefully if he’s ever needed facing live game action, he turns to that version of himself.
This franchise goes by the way of Lawrence anyway so if Mullens, or really anybody else, is in it’s probably over regardless.
