Tag: Gardner Minshew II

Fans react to Jags’ poor first half performance vs. Chargers with frustrations at an all-time high

Jags fans weren’t happy with the team’s first half performance against the Chargers. In fact, the game can’t end soon enough.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have gotten off to another embarrassing start and entered the half of Week 14’s game down 24-3. That quickly turned into a 31-3 deficit in the third quarter and fans have let their voices be heard about the product on the field.

Below are just some of the few fan reactions from the Jags poor showing in the first half:

Talk about an angry fanbase. But then again, can they really be blamed at this point?

The Jags poor showing in the first half wasn’t shocking, unfortunately. When looking at their 10 quarters heading into the half, they had been outscored by a deficit of 150-50.

With just under two minutes left in the third quarter, they will need a holiday miracle to close their current deficit of 37-10.

Jaguars X-factors on offense and defense vs. Chargers

Which Jags players can be the Jaguars’ X-factors on offense and defense vs. Chargers?

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers face off Sunday in a battle of two desperately disappointing franchises. Both teams are on a losing streak that spans at least three games, with the Jaguars trying to avoid losing their fifth-straight game.

Gardner Minshew II is back as the starting quarterback for Jacksonville, which is just about the only thing keeping fans engaged in what has otherwise has been a very disappointing season.

With positive momentum nowhere to be seen in Northeast Florida and tough games against wild-card hopefuls in the Oakland Raiders and Indianapolis Colts, and a game against an unpredictable Atlanta Falcons team, the Jaguars might not win another game this year if they aren’t able to win Sunday.

Simply put, a win by Jacksonville Sunday will take a special effort from some of the best players, but who can provide an X-factor for the Jaguars in this game?

RB Ryquell Armstead

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be up against a talented passing defense as the Chargers are ranked fourth in passing yards allowed under former Jags head coach Gus Bradley. Much of that is because of edge rushers Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. They also have an elite corner in Casey Hayward. That said, when considering how the group plays defense under Bradley, the Jags will need to depend on a player who makes defenders miss and Ryquell Armstead is just that.

Of course, Leonard Fournette has flourished as a pass-catcher this season, but the Chargers are well aware of who he is. That’s exactly why the Jags should look to get Armstead, who is still relatively unknown, some opportunities in the passing game as he and rookie Gardner Minshew already have one touchdown connection.

DE Yannick Ngakoue

Normally we don’t go with starers in our X-factors post, but Ngakoue has an X-factor ability: causing turnovers. He’ll be up against a quarterback with eight turnovers in his last three games in Philip Rivers. In that span, Rivers has also fumbled the ball twice.

Ngakoue is likely headed to the franchise tag as the future of this Jaguars’ front office remains up in the air. However, that hasn’t let contract issues prevent him from producing this season.

The fourth-year defensive end has registered four sacks and two forced fumbles in his last five games, which is a remarkably impressive run of form. The Chargers’ offensive line isn’t brilliant and if the Maryland product can make his presence felt against his assignment, then it could be a very fruitful day for him.

3 keys to a Jaguars victory vs. Chargers

Jaguars vs. Chargers provides an opportunity to finally stop the losing streak, here’s how Jacksonville can beat their struggling opponent.

The Jacksonville Jaguars need a win more so than any other team in football this weekend. Currently on a four-game skid, Jacksonville has gone from division title contenders to being near the top of the draft order in less than a month.

Unfortunately, the games don’t get any easier heading forward. Sunday’s opponents, the Los Angeles Chargers, are undeniably talented but are enduring a difficult season of their own, too. Thanks to divisional losses, they’ve found themselves at the bottom of the AFC West, though they have some big wins against the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and the 9-3 Green Bay Packers.

If Jacksonville is to stop the bleeding and avoid being condemned to their eleventh losing season in the last 12 years, they will have to stick to a clear game-plan.

Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Take the pressure off Gardner Minshew II

Gardner Minshew II has been reinserted as the Jaguars’ starter ahead of this game, but if the Jaguars end up relying on “Minshew Mania” too heavily for the win today then they have let their rookie quarterback down. The Jaguars have a running back playing at a Pro Bowl level this season in Leonard Fournette, and he should be utilized heavily in Sunday’s game.

The Chargers pass defense is fourth-best in the country, with the secondary continuing to shut down receivers and Derwin James set to start in his second game of the season coming back from a foot injury. This means offensive coordinator John DeFilippo will need to lean on his running back for the win Sunday.

This year Fournette has established himself as an option out of the backfield whilst continuing to impose himself as a powerful runner. Chargers’ pass rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are both exceptional at getting after the quarterback, and with Minshew’s documented fumbling issues, Fournette should be the feature of Sunday’s game if the Jags want to minimize turnover opportunities.

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WATCH: Minshew mania back as Jaguars name rookie starting QB over Foles

The Jaguars will start rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II in Sunday’s game versus the Chargers.

The Jaguars will start rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II in Sunday’s game versus the Chargers.

Minshew replaced Nick Foles after the first half of Jacksonville’s 28-11 Week 13 loss to the Buccaneers (5-7). Foles completed 7 of 14 pass attempts for 93 yards and threw one interception in what was just his fourth start of the season after suffering a collarbone injury during Week One.

A 2019 sixth-round draft pick, Minshew made eight starts after Foles injury, stepping into the quarterback role in Week 1 then leading the Jags through Week 9 before being replaced with a healthy Foles in Weeks 11 and 12.

In 10 games this season, Minshew has completed 204 of 334 pass attempts (61.1%) for 2,432 yards and 14 touchdowns. The former Washington State QB has thrown five interceptions this season.

The Jaguars (4-8) signed Foles to a four-year, $88 million deal in March. In four starts this season, the 30-year-old completed 77 of 117 pass attempts (65.8%) for 736 yards and three touchdowns. Foles has thrown two interceptions — one in his first start after returning from injury of Nov. 17 and one in the Dec. 1 loss.

Doug Marrone says he still believes in Nick Foles despite benching

Just because Doug Marrone benched Nick Foles doesn’t mean he’s lost confidence in the veteran.

Minshew Mania will be returning to Jacksonville soon as Jaguars coach Doug Marrone announced that the team will be starting rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II against the Los Angeles Chargers. The decision came after veteran Nick Foles struggled to get going since returning from the collarbone injury he sustained Week 1.

Marrone told the media the decision wasn’t an easy one in Monday’s media conference call, but in the end it came down to the mobility and elusiveness Minshew brings. He also added that he still believes in Foles and that his struggles solely weren’t his fault because the Jags weren’t playing well around him either.

“I still believe in him as the quarterback. I just think that a lot of times it’s never really just the one position, or one person. That’s the one position [where] it’s a team game, you need people around him to do a good job, and right now, we’re all not doing a good enough job. So, we’re just trying to put the best guys out there that give us the best chance to win. And it’s tough. It’s tough when you’re not doing a good job, starting with myself, to the coaches and at times obviously the players.”

Marrone’s statements on Foles sound identical to those he made when Minshew was sent back to the bench as he was on record for saying he believed in the rookie, who showed a lot of ability earlier in the season. After putting in the effort to cater the playbook to Foles this offseason alongside coordinator John DeFilippo, Marrone has built a strong bond with Foles. However, the Jags’ offensive line is an issue and the lack of mobility by Foles puts the unit at a disadvantage in most cases.

Heading forward, Minshew has a grand opportunity to put together a strong case to be the starter in 2020, too, regardless as to who is the coach. However, if he doesn’t, the Jags will have to heavily consider drafting or signing a starter in the offseason.

3 Jaguars to watch on offense vs. Colts

With kickoff just a few hours away, here are three Jaguars to watch on offense vs Indianapolis.

Despite an embarrassing showing in London against the Houston Texans, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance to be the provisional number six seed with a win over the Colts. Yes, the Oakland Raiders would also have to lose to an 0-9 Cincinnati team, but there’s a chance.

Head Coach Doug Marrone made the decision to go with now-healthy veteran quarterback Nick Foles after the bye week. With him only seeing the field for two series this regular season, fans will be eager to see what he has to offer against the Colts.

With the game just under an hour away, here are three players on offense to keep your eye on vs Indianapolis:

1. QB Nick Foles

He’s the player everyone is talking about. However, some fans and media members were onboard to see Minshew Mania throughout the rest of the season. In my opinion though, Marrone has done the right thing by rolling with the veteran as Jacksonville tries to make a late charge to the post-season.

The buzz around the improved aerial attack coming out of training camp was palpable. It was such a shame to see all of that momentum wiped out in the opening game. Hopefully, Foles is able to put on a show Sunday afternoon and remind us why the Jaguars felt comfortable giving him the most expensive contract in team history through free agency.

2. TE Josh Oliver

The rookie tight end was sidelined for the start of the season, but since returning to action in Week 7, his snap count is increasing more over time.

For Jacksonville, the bye week couldn’t have come at a better time as they prepare to run the table with three more divisional games. The extra week allows Foles to come back into the fray, whilst also giving Oliver the opportunity to establish himself in the offense. His return has seen Seth DeValve’s snap count drop week by week and this game will likely be the first time Oliver is used as the primary tight end.

3. RB Ryquell Armstead

The Jaguars offense has worked better when coordinator John DeFlippo uses other backs to take some of the pressure off Leonard Fournette. Over the last three games, Armstead has gradually been getting more involved in the offense. The rookie was one of a handful of standout players in England, catching five passes for over 60 yards, including a 35-yard reception which was the longest play of the day for Jacksonville.

It will be interesting to see if Jacksonville utilize him more, as he has shown his potential when asked to catch out of the backfield. That’s something Fournette is getting a chance to showcase more but Armstead may be an even better receiving tailback.

Gardner Minshew disappointed with losing starter role but grateful for the experience

Jags quarterback Gardner Minshew II wanted to remain the team’s starter but says he wouldn’t trade the eight starts he got for the role.

After going on a 4-4 run as a starter, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II will resume taking snaps as the team’s No. 2 quarterback this week as Nick Foles was renamed the team’s starter. While the competitor in him was disappointed about being named the backup again, Minshew told the media that he was grateful for his time on the field as he received a grand opportunity to learn a ton about the league.

“I was disappointed a little bit, obviously, because everybody wants to be that guy in the huddle,” Minshew said Wednesday. “But if you had told me at the beginning of year that I’d get to play half a season and then be able to learn, I’d have said I would take that deal 100 percent. I got a lot of good experience and I’m also going to be able to learn from one of the best dudes in the business.”

Minshew continued by stating that the experience he received made him believe that he proved himself as a NFL quarerback, however, there are some things in which he will look to improve upon before he’s given another chance.

“I think I proved I can be a guy in this league for a long, long time,” Minshew added. “I think they believe that. And there’s other things we’re going to get better at so the next time I do get this opportunity, I’ll be ready and I’ll be better and we’re all going to progress together.”

Minshew not only proved that there is a place in the league for him, but he played well enough to make fans wonder if he’s a starter. During his stretch of eight starts he was named Pepsi Rookie of the Week six times and Rookie of the Month in September. Statistically, he finished his stint as a starter 188-of-307 (61.2%) for 2,285 yards, 13 touchdowns, four picks and a quarterback rating of 92.8.

For the Jags, they now should feel very comfortable if Foles sustains another injury and Minshew has to step in. Heading forward, it will also be interesting to see Minshew’s development in the offseason and preseason as he builds upon the starts he received this year.