JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG MARRONE
Jaguars vs. Lions
(On plans for improvements in QB Gardner Minshew II’s performance) “We’ve just got to start making some plays and run the football better. I mean, I think there’s a lot of things that we can do for a lot of players that we’ve got to continue to take a look at. So, I think it’s all a team effort. Like I told the team, I mean, we all have to do a better job. So, you know, we dug ourselves in this hole, we’re not playing very well, we’re not making plays at critical times in the game, [we’re] falling behind, trying to play catch-up too early, not making plays early enough to keep the game within one score. So, I think we’re all able to see that and it becomes a point of frustration and it’s one that you have to work through and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
(On what attributed to the lack of momentum from the offensive line today) “Well, I think, you know, A.J. [Cann] gets hurt, we put someone in there. I just don’t think we did a good enough job at that point. I think we’ve got to give Detroit credit. I mean, they’ve got some big guys up front, played a bunch of guys in the box, they were playing a bunch of bear [defense]—which we knew, going in, that they had the ability to do. And we weren’t able to break them. And I think you saw on the other side, they were able to break a couple of those runs and at the end of the day, we just didn’t win enough, collectively. And that’s the one group that you have to win collectively on, we had just, maybe a couple, but obviously not even close to enough of what we needed to establish the run.”
(On whether Defensive Coordinator Todd Wash’s employment is safe) “Yes. Yes, as long as I’m here and I’m the head coach, yes, he’s safe.”
(On whether he doesn’t want to make changes or whether he doesn’t think Coach Todd Wash is the problem) “Oh, I think we all have to get better; I’m going to acknowledge that. I just think I don’t know what else. We’ve tried to do everything. I mean, we’ve done things, we’ve worked on them, we’ve changed things up, we’ve pressured, we’ve played defense. I think we need someone to step up and make plays. I think when you look at the first 17 points, there’s two third downs, one we give up a scramble, one we go offsides, to keep the drive going, they score. The second one, we get knocked out of a gap and the guys goes 50 and the we’ve got a DPI [defensive pass interference] and they score. Then, the field goal, there was another big play, a big pass play there, where we just can’t make a play on it. So, I think when you go through—when you talk about changes and things of that nature, I think if you have good options to go to—but right now, I don’t see any options. I see us at—we’ve just got to keep working to get these guys better and be able to make some plays, and that’s what’s hurting us. It’s not a lack of not trying of changing things, which we have done.”
(On not hitting available plays in the passing game) “Yeah, in the red zone, on the fourth down play, the ball was a little bit behind them on the slant route. A couple of opportunities out [there], man-coverage team pretty much, they played us early and some two, showing us bear and changing it up—which they do. I mean, it’s not anything that we don’t—that we didn’t practice or don’t know. A lot of times, it’s just trying to keep trying to dial it up until you can find ways to create some separation and create some plays. And right now, we’re not able to do that, we’re not able to get the clean pocket, step it up and go in at times when we need it. And then times when we have the clean pocket, we’re not probably getting it either opened enough or we’re not throwing it enough. I mean, there’s just so many things that are going into it and I think that’s where it leads to the frustration. Where if it’s an easy fix and it’s just like, ‘Oh, we just need to play this player more,’ or ‘Let’s feature this player,’ or ‘Let’s do that.’ I think we have enough good coaches here that we would do that. But, we’ve tried everything and we’re going to continue to keep trying.”
(On effort not being an issue on the team and whether it’s a talent issue on the roster) “I think we have a lot of young talent. I just think that we need to start making some plays to build that confidence. I think that when you’re not making plays, there’s a level of frustration, there’s a little bit of, obviously, a lot of disappointment. You’ve got to be able to battle through those things. I think that we have players that can do that, and [the team] relies on me to make sure that we’re getting it done. So, I would put it more on me than anything else.”
(On whether the players are being put in the best positions to make plays and be successful on the field) “Yeah, I mean, that’s what our goal is; that’s what we’re trying to do. I think that—what are you going to say? ‘I wish we double-covered someone on this play.’ If the guy makes a play, that’s tough to do. Or, ‘I wish we would’ve put a bigger guy in this gap or maybe make an inside move or do that.’ I think as coaches, we’re always going to question ourselves of how we can put them in better leverage and better situations. It’s just hard trying to—making sure that you’re sound and trying to figure out what is the play that they’re going to run so that you can put your guys in that good situation. Because there’s always going to be a variety of them. So, we’ve just got to continue to keep working and we’ve got to continue to make those plays and try to build the confidence where it’ll continue to make them back-to-back. Especially in situations that are on your side; whether it’s short yardage and we have the ball on offense or whether it’s 3rd-and-long and we’re rushing the quarterback, or in special teams when we have an opportunity. So, right now, we’re just not making any plays in all three phases and that’s on all of us, that’s not just on the players.”
(On his job status after a 1-5 start) “Yeah, I mean, the realistic part is you never know when it’s going to stop. I mean, I’m not going to be one of those guys to say that that’s not something that can happen. I mean, we see what happens around the league, so I acknowledge that. But at the same time, it’s something that I can’t control. So, and I’ve said it before; I really love the coaches we have, and I love the players that we have on this team. And I look at that sense of relationship that I have with them as to make sure that I’m coming in doing the best job I can to get everyone around me better for however long I maintain this position.”
(On whether it was considered to give QB Gardner Minshew a break) “No. Maybe in the future, I think. I mean, I’d be naïve not to say—that’s up for any position; any play that we can do for ourselves to get better. But no, I didn’t feel that way during the course of the game.”
(On whether this feels like the lowest point in his tenures as a coach) “It’s the most challenging, I’ll say that. I mean, that’s how I feel about it. I think it’s the most challenging. I think it probably hurts more because we’ve got guys that are working hard, we’ve got a bunch of coaches that work hard, and we can’t seem to bring it together. I think that’s what hurts me more than really anything. I mean, that’s what it comes down to at those; that’s the most important thing, those types of relationships that you have. I think if I look back at the challenges I’ve had in my whole career, outside of coaching, no, this is not anywhere near some of the challenges I’ve had in my life. And that’s what I try to talk to the players about. I think that we’ve all had these challenges, all of us, there’s 100 percent. There’s someone that has a story the way they’ve tried to come back from something that was tough. So, we’ve dug ourselves in this hole and we’ve got to fight our way and just keep fighting. And we can’t—whatever happens with the chips, whichever way they go, whichever side of the table, hopefully we can win enough that we can gather those chips up. But that’s what our goal is, that’s what we’re trying to do. But yeah, to answer your question, yeah, it’s a very difficult situation. I’m not going to lie about that.”
(On whether this is the most frustrated he’s been) “Yeah, I don’t—I want to make sure I’m clear on this. It’s the biggest disappointment I have in myself; is a better way to say it. You know what I’m saying, Gene? In other words, I don’t want to make it like, ‘Oh I’m just frustrated, I’m throwing [stuff] and I’m pulling out my hair.’ I’m just so disappointed. That feeling, whatever it is in your gut that people have, there’s a hole there for me. And because in my past I’ve been able to pull through some things and pull people up and get people to perform, and I’m doing everything I can to do that and it’s not either A, going as fast as I want it to, or B, I’m not getting that done and I feel like I’m the one that’s letting down the coaches and the players. But that’s just how I’ve always looked at things. So, I really want to stay away from the ‘frustration’ word because I look at it as I’m just disappointed in myself. So, I’d appreciate it if you agree with that.”
JAGUARS QUARTERBACK GARDNER MINSHEW II
(On going into a game knowing the offense will need to score 30 points to have a chance and if that changes the approach early in the game) “I don’t know. We ought to have some kind of a sense of urgency to be able to score every drive. But also, a lot of that is putting our defense in bad positions a lot of the time and not capitalizing when they put us in a good position. We have to do better at that and I think that will help us.”
(On knowing the responsibility for this falls on everybody) “We all love playing for a coach that is going to take accountability and he is going to stand on the front lines with us. But, we all know we have to do better. There’s not a guy out there dressed that can’t do a better job. At the end of the day, we all have to raise our game up a little bit and that will get us where we want to go.”
(On whether it was the Detroit Lions front seven that frustrated him or the experience of the Lions secondary) “They’re a very good defense and very well coached. That’s one thing that stands out. They did a good job mixing their blitzes and mixing their coverage. We never really got settled in and we just need to do a better job starting faster and getting in that rhythm a little sooner.”
(On if he remembers a game as frustrating as this one) “Yeah, I don’t know. It’s hard to think off the top of the head. Any time you play a game like that and you just walk away feeling that you beat yourself, that’s super frustrating. Talk about a disciplined team that beat themselves, we feel like we beat ourselves today and we just can’t do that.”
(On the frustration level offensively and the team in general) “Yeah, it’s frustrating. There’s not a guy on this team that likes losing or even wants to tolerate losing. We’re definitely frustrated. It feels like the same story each week. We are trying to figure out what our solution is, we got to start finding it and the urgency should be at an all-time high. That being said, I believe we have the guys in our building to do it so we’re just going to have to come back together, I know you all are sick of hearing it, but come back together, have a good week at practice, and just get ready to win one game at a time.”
JAGUARS LINEBACKER JOE SCHOBERT
(On potential solutions to help the defense going forward) “Speaking from the weeks before this week because I haven’t watched film yet obviously, it comes down to execution. Today, first half, I don’t know how many third down opportunities we had to get them off the field. Not just third-and-1s, but third-and-6-to-10-to-12-pluses, and we’ve just got to be able to get them off the field in those situations, know those situations and make plays on the ball. Matthew Stafford, they were going down the field trying to isolate people and we were in position a lot of times, but we’ve just got to be able to make plays and get off the field.”
(On how bad untimely penalties hurt the team) “I mean, you can point out some of the penalties today that obviously hurt. That’s just something that you have to be able to limit in football. We’re a young team, you’ve got to learn from these mistakes and execute it fast. The NFL is a rough league if you make those kinds of mistakes over and over again. You’ve got to be able to turn it around and learn from your mistakes and not do it again. I know I trust the guys on defense, their will and their want-to. I know they’re going to do their best to be able to correct that, and I know I’m looking forward to seeing how the guys keep on building and keep on going.”
(On how the defense changes without Abry Jones and Josh Allen) “Those are two guys – obviously, Abry (Jones) has been here, I think the longest-tenured guy on defense. His leadership, not just on the defensive line, but for the whole defense, is sorely missed when he’s not there. The NFL is a next-man up mentality and you’ve got to have the guys who come in, stepping up and making the plays that Abry would be making if he was in there. And then obviously Josh (Allen) is a one-of-a-kind guy coming off the edge. So, it always hurts not to have them, but I think we’ve still got talent coming off the edge, we’ve still got guys who can do their jobs and I’ve got full faith in those [players]. But obviously, when you have Abry and Josh missing, you’re missing something on your defense and are looking to replace it.”
(On the vibe in the locker room after the loss) “I mean, after the game, obviously you’re disappointed. You put so much work into this, not just during the week but in the offseason coming through. So you’re disappointed, there’s a lot of things out there, especially game like today where you left things on the field for our defense on third downs, like I said before, limiting big, explosive plays; we were in position and if we could have executed just a little bit better, we would have been off the field that much quicker, giving the ball back to our offense in an advantageous situation. I think the vibe, while disappointed, I think the group is still together and everybody’s working towards the same goal. Everybody understands the message and we’ll be right back to work on Tuesday.”
(On what the biggest problem stopping the run was, especially against D’Andre Swift) “I feel like you’re going to get tired of me saying it, but it’s just execution. You’ve got a gapped-out defense, everybody has their gap and everybody has to do their job. And when one guy pops out of his gap, somebody behind him doesn’t have the chance for the quick reaction to make them right, whether that’s D-line, linebackers or secondary. You’re going to get plays like that, especially against a talented runner like him [D’Andre Shift]. It’s just, it comes down to execution, you’ve just got to keep going over it and you’ve got to trust that guys that they’re going to do their one-eleventh, and everybody has to do their one-eleventh. You’ve got to be accountable. We’ve got to get better at that, and it’s been preached and preached to us. I think guys take it seriously, but, like I said before, [we’re] a young, young team and sometimes you’ve got to learn trial by fire and how quick that can hurt you in the NFL.”
(On the frustration of the defense making repeat mistakes) “You’ve got to be able to correct the mistakes in this league to be a winning team, and the reason we’re not winning is because some mistakes have happened over and over again. Speaking from a defensive perspective, I don’t know if it’s the same guys every week because we’ve got new guys playing at every level every week, it seems like, just with the situation that we’re in right now, and like I said earlier, next man up mentality. You’ve got to just come in and be able to do your job and be accountable to the guy next to you. That’s something we all have to work on and get better at.”
JAGUARS WIDE RECEIVER DJ CHARK JR.
(On how Jaguars wide receiver Keelan Cole has progressed) “He comes to practice every day [and] works. He’s a good friend of mine. Since I’ve been here, he’s always been supportive. We both compete and when he goes on the field, he takes that mentality out there. He’s a tough guy, he takes some hits, and he keeps running, he keeps going at practice every day, even through injury. When you have a guy like that, it’s good to see him successful.”
(On what the Lions’ defense was doing to make it difficult game for the Jaguars’ wide receivers) “I mean, I felt like we were open. Yeah.”
(On if he saw any changes to get him more involved in the offense) “We tried, we did some things. I felt like there was a play, a post, that I should have had. But yeah, I feel like their defense came out, they played well, but I felt like, as receivers, we got open. We have to get on the same page and we have to move the ball more efficiently so we don’t get to a point where we’re just throwing the ball and they can just sit back and not do anything. I don’t think there’s a DB in the league that can just sit there and follow every play and just completely shut down (a wide receiver) without any help. I think, when we get behind, and you’re up by a touchdown or two, you play safe as a defense. You play off, you force everything underneath, you send pressure and I think that’s what they did.”
(On how he thinks the Jaguars’ offense can become more efficient) “We can’t go three-and-out [on the] first drive. We can’t go three-and-out. We have to get open as receivers. We have to find the open guys. When we run the ball, we have to block downfield. We have to get first downs, we have to be efficient. And we can’t play from behind. We have to put up points. We can’t get in the red zone and rely on three points, because when you do that, if you don’t get the three points and if they go and score, you go from a manageable game to down two scores.”
(On the toll the five-game losing streak has taken on him) “I’m a competitor, I like to win. I go out every time to win. When we don’t win, it’s frustrating, it makes the week long, it makes going home tough. I’ve been here three years and still haven’t really won. It makes it tough, it makes it hard, it makes football more difficult, but the only way out of it is to win. And the only way to win is to come to work and do what you’re supposed to do. We just have to take that mentality throughout the whole team. Personally, I don’t think, really, that any of these teams are just better than us. I don’t know if you’re supposed to say that or not, but I don’t. But, you walk off the field and it’s 31-10 or 31-whatever-it-is, you can’t make that argument too much.”
(On if he has confidence in the coaching staff) “Yeah, I feel like, honestly, players play, coaches coach. Yes, the coaches have to put us in good positions to succeed. On offense — I can’t really speak for defense, I don’t really know their schemes to a T like that, but offensively — Coach Gruden tries. We’re on him about getting James (Robinson) the ball, we’re on him about getting me the ball, we’re on him about all this, but at the end of the day, the plays are being called and the attempts are there. [Coach Gruden] can’t go catch it for me, he can’t throw it to me, he can’t hand it to James [Robinson] himself. I think we just have to find a way to make things happen.”
