2021-10-05 07:00:00
For any team to have a chance of success, particularly when the team in question is mired in eternal mediocrity, the head coach must have the respect of his players. Among the Jaguars, everything indicates that the Urban Meyer experience will quickly become another sad chapter in the history of the franchise.
Meyer, considered a genius in the college ranks after leading two different programs (Florida and Ohio State) to a national championship, was introduced with great fanfare last January as the Jaguars’ new head coach.
After last Thursday’s loss to the Bengals, Meyer did not accompany his team on the flight home, preferring to stay in Ohio to see his grandchildren.
Instead, he found himself in a public place, at the center of compromising photos involving women other than his own.
Let’s be clear: what Meyer did was not a crime. The scope of his personal adventures belongs only to him.
Where we have to ask ourselves questions is about the message he sends to his players. Players from whom everyone demands exemplary behavior and who see their coach taking it easy after another embarrassing defeat.
While it’s true that after a Thursday night game, players generally have the weekend off, that’s not the case for coaches, who move straight on to their next opponent. Even less when their club is 0-4…
If at least it was just an incident, leniency would be in order. Except that since his arrival in Jacksonville, Meyer has had a knack for repeatedly embarrassing himself.
Other cases
He did so first by hiring director of sports performance Chris Doyle, who had just been accused by University of Iowa players of making racist remarks and using intimidation tactics.
He then inherited a $100,000 fine from the NFL for violating rules surrounding permitted contact during practice.
And what about his supposed training camp quarterback competition between Trevor Lawrence and Gardner Minshew? The cards were known in advance and Meyer deprived the young Lawrence of important rehearsals with the starters.
In short, the photos that have gone viral on the web are only one of the symptoms of a malaise that seems much greater.
Big Thursday evening
Usually, this space is devoted to the Thursday evening duel. We had to come back to the Meyer case, a hot issue of the moment in the NFL, but the match between Rams and Seahawks tomorrow evening should keep us in suspense.
It’s hard to imagine the Rams dropping two in a row, but in Seattle’s hostile environment, anything is possible. The Rams defense will bottle up Russell Wilson.
THURSDAY DUEL
THE FORCES PRESENT
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford | quarterback | 11 T, 2 INT, 1222 yards Darrell Henderson | ball carrier | 2 T, 212 yards Cooper Kupp | Catcher | 5 T, 431 yards
Seahawks de seattle
Russell Wilson | quarterback | 9 T, 0 INT, 1044 yards Chris Carson | ball carrier | 3 T, 232 yards Tyler Lockett | receiver | 3 T, 333 yards
PLAYER TO WATCH
From Jefferson | Receiver, Rams
Photo AFP
The second-year receiver must play a more important role in this matchup against the Seahawks. He was targeted just 18 times this season and caught 13 passes from Matthew Stafford for an average of 17.4 yards per reception. Against the Seahawks, who tend to concede big plays, he risks being used. The aerial attack needs to diversify and Stafford targeted Cooper Kupp 46 times, far more than any of his other receivers.
MY PREDICTION
Rams 20 – 17 Seahawks
1. Cardinals of Arizona 4-0
Last week: 5
They beat the team that many saw as the best in the NFL right now. The throne returns to them. At least, temporarily, since parity means that no one stays at the top for long. Kyler Murray plays football worthy of a future “MVP”.
2. Buccaneers from Tampa Bay 3-1
Last week: 2
The Buccaneers did not play a great game against the Patriots and lost two other defensive backs in Carlton Davis and Antoine Winfield. On the other hand, they won despite their patchy tertiary and Richard Sherman should take his ease quietly.
3. Bills from Buffalo 3-1
Last week: 3
Bills fans, rejoice! Your team is only the third to have two shutouts in its first four games. The others, Baltimore in 2000 and Washington in 1991, ended the season by winning the Super Bowl. Prepare for the parade on Chippewa Street!
4. Packers de Green Bay 3-1
Last week: 4
The Packers delivered another convincing performance, but misfortune still knocked at the door. Cornerback Jaire Alexander, certainly a top-3 pick at his position in the NFL, suffered a shoulder injury. If the Packers lose his services long term, it’s a potential disaster.
5. Rams from Los Angeles 3-1
Last week: 1
It’s difficult to explain the Rams’ disappointing performance against the Cardinals on Sunday. The team seemed lifeless. The defense was manhandled, Aaron Donald was invisible and on offense, Matthew Stafford looked for himself when Cooper Kupp was not open.
6. Chargers from Los Angeles 3-1
Last week: 10
Rightly so, everyone is amazed by Justin Herbert’s performances. He does not ignore the work of the defense. The Raiders showed up with eight straight games of over 400 yards of offense and the Chargers limited them to 251 yards and 13 first downs.
7. Ravens the Baltimore 3-1
Last week: 8
Driver John Harbaugh caused controversy because, with the game in his pocket, he called for a run rather than a knee. He wanted the Ravens to extend their streak of games with at least 100 rushing yards to 43. What’s the problem? It’s debatable, but no scandal.
8. Browns the Cleveland 3-1
Last week: 9
For the second year in a row, the Browns are 3-1 after four games. This hasn’t happened since Methuselah. Actually, since Belichick. Yes, when big Bill wore orange and brown hoodies in 1995, long before his Patriots hoodies.
9. Chiefs of Kansas City 2-2
Last week: 13
The good thing is that the Chiefs didn’t clear any time against the Eagles. In seven possessions, they scored six touchdowns on 31 first downs and 471 yards. What’s not so good is that their defense still seems incapable of stopping anyone.
10. Cowboys from Dallas 3-1
Last week: 12
You’d swear that cornerback Trevon Diggs made a bet with his brother, receiver Stefon Diggs, that he would catch more balls than him in 2021. Here he is with five interceptions. This is the first time this has happened after four games since Darren Sharper, with the Saints, in 2009.
11. Raiders from Las Vegas 3-1
Last week: 6
The Raiders fought well against the Chargers despite a difficult first half. We should not conclude too quickly that they are the same good old Raiders who will collapse after a promising start to the season. But we will have to go for these big division matches.
12. Seahawks de Seattle 2-2
Last week: 19
Russell Wilson collected his 100th career victory and no quarterback had reached this plateau faster than him. Wilson took 10 seasons and four games to get there, while Peyton Manning previously held the mark in 10 seasons and 10 games.
13. 49ers from San Francisco 2-2
Last week: 7
Jimmy Garoppolo is still injured and hopes not to miss too much time. We wish him that too, because the third overall pick in the last draft, Trey Lance, offers inordinate athletic potential. In relief, he often lacked precision, but can take off at any time.
14. Panthers Caroline 3-1
Last week: 14
No one knows yet if Sam Darnold’s experiment will work long term in Carolina. What is certain is that in the defeat, he became the first quarterback in history to score five rushing touchdowns in his first four games. In a quiz question in 20 years, it will be worth gold.
15. Bengals by Cincinnati 3-1
Last week: 17
Joe Burrow’s second half against the Jaguars, even without receiver Tee Higgins, demonstrates the extent of his potential. His accuracy is remarkable and the Bengals overcame a 14-point deficit, which was unimaginable so recently…
16. Broncos the Denver 3-1
Last week: 16
Teddy Bridgewater suffered a concussion, but even before he fell in action, the offense was struggling against the Ravens and the quarterback was poorly protected. Consolation, rookie carrier Javonte Williams continues to massacre opponents. This one will be special.
17. Titans du Tennessee 2-2
Last week: 11
Where the Titans are unrecognizable from the last two successful seasons is in pass protection. They just conceded at least six sacks for the second time in four games. In five appearances in the paying zone, they have only scored one touchdown.
18. Saints from New Orleans 2-2
Last week: 15
The Saints led by 11 points against the Giants with eight minutes remaining. Even with force, it was impossible to escape! Possible solution: why not target Alvin Kamara more in the aerial game? No targets on Sunday and only 10 receptions this fall.
19. Patriots New England 1-3
Last week: 21
The Patriots can almost speak of a moral victory after their last minute loss against the Buccaneers. Mac Jones is progressing and the defense is holding its own. But hey, probably Bill Belichick would violently regurgitate reading such sentences.
20. Team de Washington 2-2
Last week: 23
Taylor Heinicke will most likely never be the future of the Washington franchise, but it’s impossible not to appreciate the way he plays, with total abandon of himself. Resilient, he improvises and draws, as if he had drawn the game on his hand in the huddle.
21. Vikings you Minnesota 1-3
Last week: 18
One of the Vikings’ big priorities this season was reconfiguring the run defense. After four weeks, this defense is giving up 135.5 rushing yards per game and has just given up 184 to the Browns. The attack stagnated for a rare time.
22. Colts d’Indianapolis 1-3
Last week: 24
The Colts protected Carson Wentz in the best way possible: by rushing 33 times for 139 yards, including 103 by carrier Jonathan Taylor. Wentz got rid of the ball quickly and had his first game with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown since 2019.
23. Giants de New York 1-3
Last week: 28
Hope is reborn! Daniel Jones rode hard with 402 passing yards despite the absence of Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. Finally, the Giants got rookie receiver Kadarius Toney (six receptions, 78 yards) involved and running back Saquon Barkley stepped up.
24. Bears from Chicago 2-2
Last week: 27
Carrier David Montgomery, injured in the knee, will miss four to five weeks. A big loss! Otherwise, Justin Fields looked better than in his first start. He already has nine completed passes that each passed at least 10 yards in the air, compared to two for Andy Dalton.
25. Steelers de Pittsburgh 1-3
Last week: 22
Ben Roethlisberger seems completely finished, but the Steelers don’t really have another viable option. Mason Rudolph suffers from being overly cautious with the ball, and handing the keys to the offense to Dwayne Haskins remains a huge risk. The talent of good receivers is wasted.
26. Dolphins from Miami 1-3
Last week: 20
The Dolphins were playing an opponent (the Colts) that allowed the sixth highest average yards per play (6.3) and yet they generated only three measly yards per play. Jacoby Brissett only attempted a pass of more than 20 yards. Are we starting to miss Tua?
27. Eagles from Philadelphia 1-3
Last week: 25
After an encouraging start to the season, the Eagles have just been pierced by 83 points and 850 yards in their last two games. On offense, they are productive, but the penalties cost them three touchdowns. The Panthers, Bucs and Raiders are waiting for them. It smells like a rout.
28. Falcons d’Atlanta 1-3
Last week: 26
The Falcons led by eight points in the fourth quarter. But is there anything more Falconesque than blowing a lead in the fourth quarter? This team seems to have a lifetime subscription to this sad scenario, regardless of the coach and staff in place.
29. Jets de New York 1-3
Last week: 31
The Jets won and rookie quarterback Zach Wilson showed great things in the fourth quarter by stretching plays to give his receivers the chance to stand out. It’s exactly the kind of moment that reminds us why the Jets drafted him.
30. Lions from Detroit 0-4
Last week: 29
The Lions reached the pay zone on their first three possessions against the Bears. They came away with no points! There is also center Frank Ragnow who is injured, just like defensive end Romeo Okwara, whose season is ruined. Another horrible day at the office.
31. Texans de Houston 1-3
Last week: 30
The Texans finished the first half against the Bills with -23 net passing yards. Such a cataclysm had not been seen since November 21, 1999, when the Eagles committed the same ignominy against the Colts. Delving into the past allows you to forget the painful present.
32. Jaguars de Jacksonville 0-4
Last week: 32
The Jaguars squandered a second-half lead for the second straight week. At least Trevor Lawrence showed signs of progress, unlike his boss Urban Meyer, who treated himself to a vacation after the game. The poor thing seems to have already dropped out.
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