Mike Mularkey, Maurice Jones-Drew defend Jacksonville Jaguars failed strategy vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey has defended the change of strategy in their game versus Cincinnati Bengals altogether different from the previous game which led to fewer opportunities given to running back Maurice Jones-Drew in spite of the fact
that he had led the side to a win over the Indianapolis Colts a game earlier.
The coach said they had opportunities for plays but could not exploit them to their gains at the end, apparently coming to defend the decision of additionally relying on quarterback Blaine Gabbert, while Maurice was reduced to only a few plays.
Jones ran 13 times for only 38 yards and the performance is nowhere near to 177 yards he had rushed against the Colts, helping the Jaguars claim their first win of the season.
Mularkey said:
"At the start of the game we had some opportunities. We failed to make some plays early and let the game get out of hand late. We have to learn how to make plays."
The coach did not explain much the choice of relying on Blaine at a time when he is struggling to give a match-winning performance, saying he can go after the players to an extent. He said:
"You have to be careful how much you try to create pressures. It may cost us somewhere else. We are trying to do whatever we can with our guys. We are getting to the quarterback, we are doing things with our linebackers and we are doing some things with
the nickel and dime to get there."
Maurice himself has avoided answering any questions directly. He said he had run for the opportunities he was given in the game but defended the team’s decision of changing the strategy.
He said they had worked on the strategy throughout the week but at the end it did not work out for them, which was disappointing.
The Cincinnati Bengals had come into the game without key defensive players due to injury problems and the Jaguars attempted to exploit the situation to their advantage. The Bengals were able to respond strongly and thrash the Jaguars with a convincing margin
at the end.
Now Mularkey has tried to downplay the criticism, which his change of the game-plan has generated since the defeat.
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