Fans, critics look for blame in Jaguars' losses

AP photo AP Photo/Tim Ireland

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Not only are Jaguars fans frustrated by the team's 0-3 start to the season, now critics are beginning to join calls for coach Gus Bradley to be fired. His 12-39 record as head coach is the worst in the NFL.

"As the head coach, I’m the problem-solver," Bradley said after Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. "We’ve got to solve these problems and quickly, and that’s exactly what I told the team."

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But not everyone is pointing fingers at the coaching staff. Some say these losses are more on the shoulders of quarterback Blake Bortles.

"They gotta start winning," fan Lee Holliday said Monday. 

Players Grill is plastered with Jaguars banners and is a gathering spot for fans to watch the game. 

"I had a lot of grumpy fans," owner Rose Sarkees said.

At Monday's news conference Bradley was asked if he’s getting pressure from general manager Dave Caldwell or owner Shad Khan -- the two men who could fire him.

"From Dave and Shad, I’ve got great support," Bradley said. "I just think it would be selfish to think of me or anybody else other than those players in the locker room."

News4Jax sports director Sam Kouvaris said that's exactly he would expect Bradley to say.

"Gus is very authentic where he talks about where his concerns are on getting the team ready, that it would be selfish to think about himself or any other coaches," Kouvaris said.

Even with a bye week coming after this Sunday's game in London, Kouvaris believes Bradley's job is secure.

A lot of fans are also pointing fingers at Bortles, who walked off the field before the end of Sunday's game in apparent frustration. 

"He’s not handling situational football well right now," former Jaguar and News4Jax analyst Mark Brunell said on his Monday morning quarterback segment. "He’s making some poor decisions, hesitant in the pocket.  Just hasn’t found that rhythm yet.  So while Gus is going to get a lot of the heat, I think a majority of the problems... he’s got a lot of potential."

Kouvaris said if Bradley was replaced mid-season, the only person on the current staff with head coaching experience is Doug Marrone, the Jaguars' assistant head coach for the offense.

There's also Tom Coughlin, the team's original head coach who went on to coach the New York Giants for 11 years, taking them to the Super Bowl three times. Coughlin still owns a house in Jacksonville.

 


About the Author:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.