Our employees discusses the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator emptiness and previews the primary spherical of the 2023-24 NFL postseason.
Welcome to Big Cat Country’s weekly roundtable, the place our employees previews every NFL sport.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2023 season is fugahzi, fugazi. It’s a whazy, it’s a woozy, it’s fairy mud. It doesn’t exist. It’s by no means landed, it’s irrespective of, it’s not on the fundamental chart, it’s NOT F*****G REAL! But that’s not stopping us from speaking ball and previewing the playoffs.
Check out DraftKings Sportsbook for up to date odds for every Wild Card Round matchup.
What’s your response to the Jaguars parting methods with 10 coaches, together with defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell?
Dillon Appleman: Considering Doug Pederson’s complicated allegiance to Press Taylor, I personally felt like Mike Caldwell was at all times going to be the sacrificial lamb to fulfill followers who rightfully wished change after a disappointing season. That makes it arduous for me to not consider it as a little bit of a deflection try for Taylor, however I perceive the strikes nonetheless. I’m excited in regards to the prospect of getting a extra skilled, confirmed defensive coordinator this go-round.
Caitlin Connor: Why cease there? I believe extra modifications ought to have been made on the offensive aspect as nicely.
Travis Holmes: If through the 2023 bye week, you had informed me the Jaguars could be changing 10 coaches, I’d have been ecstatic and filled with a perception that materials modifications had been coming for the crew. With the present readability of which 10 coaches will now not be manning the sidelines, I should not have that hope. This feels just like the equal of switching out conditioning coaches when your crew’s major situation is at a coordinator spot. It could also be useful total, but it surely’s not what’s going to materially transfer the needle (re: wins and losses) for the crew. The offensive scheme, crew personnel, and the overall supervisor are the unaddressed albatross that hangs round Jacksonville’s neck.
Gus Logue: I used to be unsuprised by the Caldwell information. He isn’t totally innocent, but it surely felt like extra of a transfer to save lots of face than save the franchise. I wrote extra about Caldwell right here. The excellent news for Jaguars followers is there are tons of high-quality defensive coaches in the marketplace (ever heard of Bill Belichick? Just kidding — I believe).
Henry Zimmer: I really feel like Mike Caldwell might need been a scapegoat in lots of senses, but it surely is smart. If the crew— particularly Doug Pederson— is just not prepared to fireplace Press Taylor, then another person needed to be fired. That man ended up being Caldwell and the opposite ancillary coaches. Caldwell might be a very good coach. He additionally appears nicely favored and revered. But when you’ve got a collapse just like the Jags did, heads must roll. Is the protection in charge? Maybe, particularly late. But there are a wealth of different points exterior of not attending to the passer quick sufficient.
Who’s your first thought as the perfect candidate to exchange Caldwell?
Dillon: If I’m making this determination, I’m placing an enormous emphasis on expertise after going the young up-and-comer route with Caldwell. That’s why Leslie Frazier could be my first name for the search. He’s some of the revered defensive minds within the NFL and has confirmed that he can get probably the most out of every participant on his unit week in and week out. That expectation of consistency and accountability is one thing this unit desperately wants.
Caitlin: Andre Curtis or Leslie Frazier.
Travis: I believe somebody like Jerry Gray could be an amazing catch for the Jaguars. Currently the assistant head coach/protection in Atlanta, Gray has expertise as a DC for each Buffalo (2001-2005) and Tennessee (2011-2013). The Bills ranked second in whole protection in 2003 and 2004.
Gus:
Henry: Bill Belichick may coach the protection in Caldwell’s place. Nick Saban additionally wants a job. Get these two grumps to Jax and let’s change the tradition. Easy.
What’s your Super Bowl prediction?
Dillon: Philadelphia Eagles (5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (1)
Caitlin: Ravens vs 49ers
Travis: I could also be alone on this ledge, however I’ve confidence on this present iteration of the Ken Dorsey-less Bills to be the AFC consultant within the Super Bowl, over the Ravens. If the 49ers can keep wholesome I predict they are going to be topped champions, nevertheless. 49ers 27 – Bills 23.
Gus: Ravens over Rams. Baltimore has been my Super Bowl choose since earlier than final yr’s draft (ask Shipley) and Los Angeles is my favourite sleeper within the area.
Henry: The San Franciso Ben Bartchs win the Super Bowl towards the Buffalo Bills, 35-28.
Here are our employees’s Tallysight picks for the complete slate of video games this weekend.
What are your Wild Card Round predictions, Jaguars followers? Let us know within the feedback!
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