Tom Coughlin will lend a strong hand to the Jaguars
I waited to grade all the moves until the coaching staffs were complete and filled because coordinators and assistants do factor heavily into the success of a team’s staff.
So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the latest team in this series.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Okay, so admittedly, this may be the most boring post yet, because the Jags retained the majority of their staff from the end of the season. However, that decision in itself deserves consideration.
HEAD COACH: Doug Marrone
The coach
Perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised that the Jaguars decided to retain interim coach Doug Marrone; in fact, his resume on face value would put him among the best available coaching candidates around the NFL. After working with Sean Payton and the Saints, he resurrected Syracuse’s football program (squeezing two 8-5 seasons out of a mediocre group), and then did a solid job in Buffalo, going 6-10 and then 9-7 with late-acquisition Kyle Orton under center.
And then, something funky happened. Marrone opted out of his contract with the Bills, under the widely held belief that he’d step right into the same post with the Jets. According to reports, Marrone bombed that interview and didn’t get the job — or any job aside from the Jags’ OL coach spot.
I’d love to know: what the heck happened in that interview? Did Marrone demand too much power/money? Or did he literally pull his pants down and take a shit on Woody Johnson’s desk? Either way, that infamous meeting has plagued Marrone’s chances and branded him as an arrogant ass (with reports of the same trickling out of Buffalo.)
Because that’s mere speculation and rumor, we can’t really judge him based on that. As a coach, Marrone appears quite competent. grade: B
The fit
The elephant in the room with this coaching search was the fate of Blake Bortles. Bortles regressed badly in 2016 — and in fact, the deeper stats show he wasn’t very good in his “breakout” 2015, either. He continues to be a mechanical mess: too slow to process, too slow to wind up, too wonky with his form. It’s no wonder that he’s a turnover machine. Ownership and GM David Caldwell clearly still believe in Bortles — at least, enough to give him this one last chance before his contract runs out.
Given that, the decision to retain Marrone makes much more sense. The last thing Bortles needs in a “make or break” year is an entirely new coaching staff and playbook to digest. Marrone runs an uptempo, run-based attack that makes it easy for his QBs. If Bortles bombs again, there will be no excuses. All in all, Marrone, as a fit, grades as a solid B+.
Offensive Staff
As unpopular as Doug Marrone turned out to be in Buffalo, his right-hand man and OC Nathaniel Hackett may be even higher on that loathed list. Hackett’s play calling got bashed quite readily in BUF, and he’ll continue to take up those reins in JAX (as Marrone doesn’t call plays himself.)
Despite that reputation, Hackett’s not a bad coordinator. He’s still young and developing as a coach, but he understands what Marrone wants to do. He also has an energy and passion that complements Marrone well.
The team tweaked the staff by adding new blood assistants like RB coach Tyrone Wheatley and WR coach Keenan McCardell, both smart additions. While this offensive staff may not be popular, it’s prudent given these circumstances. grade: B+
Defensive Staff
The Jaguars also retained their defensive coordinator Todd Wash. Even though Wash’s defense improved in 2016, I’m not as bullish on that decision.
For starters, I’d credit much of the Jags’ improvement in pass defense to Gus Bradley, and the obvious addition of superstar-in-training Jalen Ramsey. Wash was largely seen as Bradley’s lieutenant; giving him the keys by himself represents a risk, in my mind.
Given the youth and potential of this defensive unit, I would have liked to see the Jags pursue a rising star defensive assistant like Carolina’s Steve Wilks or Atlanta’s Jerome Henderson. This job is the type of springboard that could have launched them into head coaching consideration.
Instead, it’ll be Wash once again, for better or worse. New DB coach Perry Fewell adds some more experience to the staff and could be an in-house replacement if Wash’s unit flails. B-
OVERALL
As mentioned, the Jags decided to tweak their staff as opposed to overhauling it, but that doesn’t mean that changes aren’t on the horizon.
After all, the biggest addition to this front office is the one I haven’t mentioned yet: new “executive vice president of football operations” Tom Coughlin.
There’s no doubt that Coughlin is qualified for the role; the man has a wealth of experience, both with the franchise and with the Super Bowl. However, his shadow will absolutely loom over this organization. I wonder: will the still-ambitious Coughlin squeeze out “GM” David Caldwell? Will he try to squeeze out Marrone and step back onto the sidelines?
Most likely, Coughlin will lay low for a year, giving both Blake Bortles (and Doug Marrone’s staff) a trial run. If both of them combust in 2017, it’s fair to wonder if the Jags will be holding an entirely new coaching search come 2018. (After all, rumored candidate Josh McDaniels could take the job and bring free agent Jimmy Garoppolo with him.)
Given all that, the Jags’ coaching hires feel more like a punt and “let’s wait and see” than a true long-term commitment to me. Considering the massive question mark surrounding Blake Bortles, that may have been the wise (non)move to make. STAFF GRADE: B
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