JACKSONVILLE – Doug Marrone understands there will be questions. Tough questions.
TRhe Jaguars' head coach said while many want a specific reason for the team's five-game losing streak, the answer isn't about one individual or one group.
"This is really all of us; we all have to do a better job and we all have to dig ourselves out of this," Marrone said Monday afternoon, a day after the Jaguars' 34-16 loss to the Detroit Lions at TIAA Bank Field.
Marrone, who spoke Monday afternoon during his day-after media availability, on Sunday said Todd Wash will remain defensive coordinator as long as Marrone is head coach. The Jaguars have allowed 30 or more points in the last five games.
"When you're going through something that we're going through with a young football team, everyone's trying to figure out how can this team get better? And you appreciate that," Marrone said. "I get a lot of questions, 'Hey, are you going to do this or are you going to do that?' My past has shown I have done that everywhere I have been as a head coach – and when that stuff is warranted, I feel comfortable making that decision wherever it may be. …
"It's never as easy as what some people think. It would be easy if it was one thing, but it's not. We have to do better at all of it. That's how I feel."
Marrone emphasized Monday that neither the offensive nor defensive line played well enough Sunday. The Jaguars rushed for 44 yards on 16 carries Sunday, allowing 180 yards and three touchdowns on carries.
"I don't think we did a good job upfront on either side of the ball," Marrone said. "I thought that they got the best of us and I give them credit. We did not play as well on either side and there was some good individual play at times, but it wasn't consistent enough.
"When you run the football, everyone's talking about how great of a job the offensive line did and when you don't run the football, then obviously the people that are involved in that didn't play as well. I think that's what happened yesterday. Those guys didn't play as well, and Detroit got the better of us."
NOTABLE I
Defensive end Josh Allen could play Sunday, Marrone said Monday. Allen, a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie last season, missed the last two games with a knee injury sustained in a Week 4 loss at Cincinnati. "He had a good day this (Monday) morning, so I'm really thinking that he's trending on being able to play this week," Marrone said. Allen registered two sacks and seven quarterback hurries – both team-highs – in the first four games; the Jaguars have five sacks this season.
NOTABLE II
Marrone on Monday also said kicker Josh Lambo could kick during the week this week after missing the last four games with a hip injury. "We're going to see where he is then," Marrone said. "I'll have a better idea once he goes out there. We're talking about either Wednesday or Thursday, putting him out there and seeing how he feels." The Jaguars have used five different kickers in five games, with rookie Jon Brown converting from 31 yards and missing from 32 Sunday.
NOTABLE III
Marrone on Monday also discussed rookie defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson, who has a sack, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries in six games. The No. 20 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, Chaisson has started the last two games with Allen out. He played extensively in nickel situations in the first four games. "He's getting great experience right now as a rusher; that's something you sometimes take for granted with a lot of these players when they come into the league," Marrone said. "He's learning a ton each game, how to set up people. I think he's going to continue to get better and when it hits, it's going to hit pretty good for him. These are some of the things that go on when you have young players in that position."
NOTABLE IV
The Jaguars announced Monday that they will continue with the NFL's "intensive protocols" after a practice-squad player tested positive for COVID-19 Friday. The team thereafter placed 12 practice-squad players COVID-19/Reserve and will continue with "intensive protocols" through Friday. Practice-squad players added because of contact tracing can return to the team's facility Thursday if they continue testing negative. Player meetings will be held virtually. "We'll kind of split practice up a little bit," Marrone said of practicing without the practice squad Wednesday, the team's first scheduled practice of the week as they prepare to play a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday. "We're going to be able to get work done like a normal Wednesday. There will be a time when it comes down to the team periods to kind of back off. If not, then we'd have our team servicing each other. I want to make sure we're fresh and ready to go and then Thursday it would be a normal practice."
