THE DIVISION CHAMPS ARE BACK, BABY!
Football season is upon us once again! The Jacksonville Jaguars begin the defense of their division championship with a practice game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys, led by Great Value brand Blake Bortles aka Dak Prescott, are perennially chasing the ghosts of their former glory years.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin aren’t walking through the doors of the Palace in Dallas to save them. Instead, the Jacksonville Jaguars come calling. The Jaguars enter year two under head coach Dougie P with an enhanced roster and heavy expectations.
While the score of a pre-season game is meaningless, the games are essential tools coaches use to evaluate the roster and iron out wrinkles in their schemes.
So here are three things to look for today when the Jaguars take on the Dallas Cowboys:
1-Calvin Ridley
It has been 655 days since Calvin Ridley played in an NFL game. Ridley has looked impressive in camp, but today’s game will be his first game action in a long while. How will his skills match up? How long will he play? How many ankles will he break?
2-Defensive Line
It’s no secret that pressuring opposing QBs is the most significant need for the Jaguars’ defense. The starters may play a bit in this game, but backups will take most of the defensive snaps. Today is the first opportunity to see who, if anyone, can provide meaningful depth for the defensive line this season. How many sacks will the Jags get? How many QB pressures? Tackles for loss?
3-Backup QB Battle
CJ Beathard and Nathan Rourke are auditioning for the understudy role for Trevor Lawrence in 2023. Beathard was the backup last season and was very effective in holding clipboards and warming up before games. Rourke has made some impressive plays with his feet this year in camp.
Can either of these QBs put up impressive numbers? Can they go out and win a game? Avoid turnovers? Will either player prove themselves to be a viable QB2?
Whatever the outcome on the field, it’s just nice to have football back, right?
