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          Jacksonville Jaguars mailbag

          • Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff WriterSep 20, 2014, 08:00 AM ET
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              Michael DiRocco is an NFL reporter at ESPN. DiRocco covers the Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously covered the University of Florida for over a decade for ESPN.com and Florida Times-Union. DiRocco graduated from Jacksonville University and is a multiple APSE award winner. You can follow DiRocco on Twitter at @ESPNdirocco.
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          Got questions about the Jacksonville Jaguars? I’ll try to answer a representative selection of them every Saturday. Submit your questions via Twitter to @ESPNdirocco.

          @ESPNdirocco: I know you're looking for a single issue that can be resolved and make everything better, but there isn't one. Responsibility for the tight end depends on the coverage. Sometimes it's a cornerback, sometimes a safety, and sometimes a linebacker. Guys are missing assignments and there have been a lot of blown coverages in the first two weeks, so part of it is a mental issue, too. Another factor is the lack of speed at linebacker. That position needs an upgrade in that area and rookie Telvin Smith helps, but that's only a start.

          @ESPNdirocco: Adding a pass-rusher is the most logical choice and the upcoming draft appears to be a good one in that regard (provided some underclassmen declare). Some names to watch: Nebraska's Randy Gregory, Missouri's Shane Ray, and Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun.

          @ESPNdirocco: Honestly, I don't think any running back would have had much success behind that offensive line the first two weeks. There just aren't a lot of openings for the backs, although there have been some that Toby Gerhart has missed. Part of the reason Gerhart has been on the field more is he's better in pass protection, and as we've seen the Jaguars need all the help they can get there. Still, I'd like to see Robinson on the field more, too, but I don't think giving him the ball and having him run inside is the best way to use him. Stretch plays, pitches, swing passes, screens, anything to get him out in the open field so he can use his elusiveness.

          @ESPNdirocco: I like the changes. Cameron Bradfield played terribly last week and in the third preseason game. Sam Young has a good camp and he deserves a shot at right tackle. Remember, though, that he's only there until Austin Pasztor returns from a broken hand, most likely next week. The Jaguars' plan was to eventually drop rookie sixth-round pick Luke Bowanko into the starting spot at center but Jacques McClendon's poor play pushed that timetable up. He is more athletic and has more upside than McClendon. I don't see the Jaguars abandoning their scheme, which is essentially saying they're changing their offense. Getting better players and guys not blowing assignments and missing blocks will help the run game improve.

          @ESPNdirocco: Who? If a player is available at this point in the season the chances are he's not very good or has severe limitations. Even if the Jags were to sign somebody off the street right now, they would have to learn the offense. That means they wouldn't be able to contribute much, if at all. A better option is practice squad player Kerry Taylor, who has been with the team since last season.

          @ESPNdirocco: I don't mean to be flippant, but: See above answer. Any player the Jaguars sign now, whether it's a tight end or receiver or guard or cornerback, isn't going to be very good and would be zero help other than being another body. That's why they're available.

          @ESPNdirocco: Blake Bortles' first start has less to do with record than with how well the offense and quarterback Chad Henne is playing. It also has to do with making sure that Bortles is completely ready to play. That was the criteria that coach Gus Bradley and GM David Caldwell have set. If Bradley believes Bortles is ready to play and the offense struggles again this week, then we could see Bortles next week. But he also may not play until November, either. We'll just have to wait and see.

          @ESPNdirocco: It has already started, on Twitter at least. There were harsh words directed at coach Gus Bradley and GM David Caldwell early in the week after Bradley announced that Chad Henne was going to start this week. Fans are getting upset at the fact that 12 of the Jaguars' 14 losses under the Bradley/Caldwell regime have been by double digits. The honeymoon may be coming to an end.

          @ESPNdirocco: Players are blowing coverage, missing assignments, getting out of position, and there have been miscommunication issues. All of that can be corrected or at the very worst minimized. However, the offense bears some blame, too. The Jaguars have had 28 possessions and 22 have lasted for five plays or fewer, including 14 that lasted three or fewer. That puts the defense on the field too much and doesn't give that unit ample time to rest and adjust between possessions.

          @ESPNdirocco: That depends on how much the offensive line improves. Gerhart isn't the type of back that makes guys miss and creates plays out of nothing. He's at his best when he can get through the hole and use his size and strength to run over players on the second level. Well, there haven't been many holes. Gerhart isn't completely blameless, though, because he's missed several opportunities for sizeable gains. The run game is a work in progress and until everything meshes the Jaguars will continue to have trouble running the ball.

          @ESPNdirocco: Two things, really: His tackling and his knowledge of the defense. The coaching staff was pleased with his development in his second season, especially in terms of his coverage abilities. The latter was evident after he went out late in the first half of the Philadelphia game. Johnathan Cyprien still has work to do, but he's the best player in the secondary by far.