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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars have an open quarterback competition after their coach Doug Marrone scored Blake Bortles early in the third quarter of Sunday's 20-7 loss to Houston.
And a really frustrated team too.
Minds resumed in the post-game locker room of TIAA Bank Field after the team's third consecutive loss. No fist was thrown, but the players screamed at each other and at some point – when the locker doors were opened prematurely to allow the media to enter – the Calais defensive wing Campbell was seen restricting the defensive wing Yannick Ngakoue and heard screaming.
This is a clear sign that the Jaguars' recent struggles go beyond injuries, poor quarterback games, an alleged elite defense that can not suddenly stop the race and turnarounds .
"You all walk here, you all see how it goes here, you all see how we vibrate with each other, you all see how we live with coaches," said cornerback Jalen Ramsey. "You all see how it's going, it's not a secret, it's happening right now, no one will say it because we can not, but it's not secret." and that is not good now.
"That's what it is."
Here is what it is: a crisis.
The Jaguars, who had played in the Super Bowl 10 minutes from last season, suddenly found themselves at 3-4 after a 3-1 start that included a stunning victory over New England. They have lost the last three games by a combined score of 90-28 – which includes a 57-0 margin in the first half – and are now the last of the NFL's turnover ratio with minus 12.
They are on their third left chord. They play a tight backback. The offensive line is rough and does not play well. And no one seems to know when the comeback Leonard Fournette (hamstring) will come back.
Nobody in attack plays well and Marrone has finally had enough. After seeing Bortles lose his second breakaway of the day, Marrone went with Cody Kessler, who the team acquired from Cleveland for a conditional seven-round pick in March.
However, Marrone said the referees 'ranking was more a result of overall offensive incompetence than Bortles' poor performance in recent weeks.
"Thought process was you [can’t] take 11, you do not have enough people, said Marrone. Reflection process: "Hey, listen. I will take the quarterback. Not like he had played worse than anyone. He had two fumbles.
"I just did it literally to try to get a spark from this football team to get everyone on the alert, they need to concentrate and get better at play. "It's not just about the quarterback, but that's how business is."
Bortles had completed six of his 12 passes for 61 yards against the Texans when he was benched. He lost a fumble in the third offensive game of the match, which led to a field goal, and lost another in the third game of the second half. The Texans scored on a 10-yard pass Deshaun Watson at DeAndre Hopkins two times later for a 20-0 lead.
At this point, the Jaguars had made nine turnovers in a little over ten quarters. Bortles had eight, including four interceptions and a fumble in a fifth week loss to Kansas City. The Jaguars returned against the Texans once again when Kessler's pass was repelled by T.J. Yeldon was intercepted.
"I'm focused on how we stop returning the ball," said Marrone. "It's difficult for me, in my mind, to stay here and try to say," If we can do that, we can do it … "We can not do — up to # 39, that we stop turning the ball C & # 39; is just like that.
As for the starting quarterback position, Marrone said it would be up for grabs this week as the Jaguars prepare for their annual match at Wembley Stadium in London.
Bortles, the third overall pick in 2014, had played 67 consecutive games with the Jaguars since he had succeeded Chad Henne in the second half of Week 3 in his rookie season. The Jaguars put Bortles on the bench for the third season of the preseason 2017, but he found the job and had the best season of his career: 21 touchdowns and 13 steals. He had averaged 21 turnovers per season in his first three years but reduced that number to 16 in 2017.
"You keep your head down and keep working," Bortles said. "That's all I've done in all my life – it's all I really know how to do – I think that's the only thing you can do in this." situation. "Introduce yourself with a positive attitude and get ready to play next week, play or not is not mine, then I'll be ready to go."
Kessler finished 21 of his 30 passes for a total of 156 yards and a touchdown. In addition to the rotation, he was also fired four times and fumbled once (offensive lineman Josh Walker recovered). He said that he is not going to change his approach this week.
"I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing since I came here: compete and help the quarterback in any way possible," said Kessler. "Whether it's a scouting team or reps, you have to keep the same state of mind, whether you're a beginner or a finalist, just get ready to go."
Quarterback may not be the only change in personnel, either. Marrone said that he was so frustrated with the way the Jaguars have played these last three weeks (all defeats and being outclassed 90 to 28). He's going to force everyone to fight for his job this week.
"Who is the starter at the right tackle?" Said Marrone. "Who is the starter in the middle?" Who is the starter at the receiver? Who is the starter? Everything is open. We have lost three consecutive games and we can not stop shooting ourselves in the foot for lack of money. a better expression.
"We have to do something, but the first thing to do is stop spinning that damn ball."
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