JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio gathered his players at the 40-yard line, reminding them that there was plenty of time left to erase a 14-point deficit and turn things around.
Everyone listened.
Everyone agreed.
No one made a difference.
Jacksonville never recovered from two turnovers in the first two minutes against Minnesota on Sunday, losing for the fifth time in seven games and prompting Del Rio to suggest major changes could be in the team’s future.
Even that might not be enough for a franchise that started the season with Super Bowl hopes and has no real clue how everything unraveled so quickly.
irm commitment to make sure we’re getting this thing turned in the right direction as we close out this year and look to build for next year.”
The Jaguars (4-7) have endured all kinds of problems this season, from playing without three starting offensive linemen, to getting little contribution from high-priced, free-agent acquisitions Jerry Porter and Drayton Florence, to Del Rio questioning team chemistry and benching defensive captain Mike Peterson.
What happened against the Vikings may have been even more surprising.
The Jaguars turned the ball over five times, allowed four sacks, missed two field goals, dropped a touchdown pass and were flagged eight times – a mistake-filled performance that might have been the worst in Del Rio’s six seasons.
“It was an embarrassing performance,” Del Rio said. “Might have been as bad as I’ve felt postgame.”
It started on the first play. David Garrard lined up in shotgun formation, but Brad Meester thought he was under center.
Meester’s snap dropped to the ground, and Minnesota’s Napolean Harris picked it up and ran 27 yards for a touchdown.
“That was a fumblerooskie gone bad,” Del Rio joked.
ay into the end zone three plays later for a 14-0 lead.
“It’s just tough right now, tough to really find any answers,” running back Fred Taylor said.
Del Rio tried to settle his team down with a pep talk, but the Jaguars made too many mistakes the rest of the way to climb out of the early hole.
Del Rio defended himself and his players Monday, saying anyone who believes he has lost the team is mistaken and anyone who feels the Jaguars have given up is wrong.
“That’s never going to be an issue here,” Del Rio said. “I just don’t see that in our guys. I don’t think you can look at it and see that. I’ll watch the film with you. I don’t see that.”
He did indicate that something is still amiss, but wasn’t sure exactly what the problem is. If he knew, he says it would have been fixed weeks ago.
“There’s something missing in what we’re teaching and working on during the week and what we’re getting on Sundays,” Del Rio said. “There’s something missing. Based on some of the things that happened out there you would have thought that we just drew some things up and walked out there and tried to play with no work, no practice.
and come out here Sunday when it matters and have no idea what the (heck) we’re doing. It’s unacceptable.”
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