JACKSONVILLE – The defense was good at times last season, but must improve.
That was Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny's assessment on O-Zone Live on Facebook Thursday, an appearance during which he discussed a variety of Jaguars-related topics.
Posluszny, a 10-year NFL veteran who has been the Jaguars' starting middle linebacker the past six seasons, discussed among other topics the offseason hiring of Doug Marrone as head coach. He also discussed the team's decision to retain Todd Wash as defensive coordinator.
The defense improved from 24th in the NFL in yards allowed in 2015 to sixth in Wash's first season as coordinator last season, and Posluszny on Thursday said more progress is needed.
"To have him back is great for our defense as a whole," Posluszny told senior writer John Oehser Thursday afternoon. "Now, we can continue to learn and progress under the same DC and continue to move the needle. To have him back is great.
"We know we can improve. We played solid at times, but it obviously wasn't good enough. It wasn't good enough for us or for this organization. We're going to see great improvement from our defense. Even though we played solid, we know we can do more as a group, so we're looking forward to that."
Wash in 2016 retained a similar defense to that used the previous three seasons under then-coordinator Bob Babich. Posluszny said that familiarity benefitted him last season in what was perhaps his best season since joining the Jaguars.
"Your comfort level increases with that," Posluszny said. "I think that was a huge part of it. Being able to have a great understanding of what specifically I needed to do, and what I needed to hone in on and focus on in the offseason and leading to the season … it made a huge impact. I was able to play with a clear mind."
Posluszny also on Thursday addressed the hiring as permanent head coach of Marrone, the assistant head coach-offense/offensive line coach the past two seasons. Marrone coached the Jaguars to a 1-1 record in two games as interim head coach last season and took over as permanent head coach on January 9.
"I think he's going to do a great job of leading this team," Posluszny said. "Obviously, the offensive linemen know him extremely well and they speak very highly of him. The two games he stood in front of the team last year he had unbelievable presence. He did a great job of leading the team during a difficult time. You saw us get a big win with him at the helm.
"He's going to do everything that he can to get the best out of us, that's for sure."
Marrone during his introductory press conference in January challenged players to be working before the official beginning of the offseason program in April. Posluszny said he liked that approach.
"That's what this whole profession is, how much do you want to dedicate yourself to being the best player you can be," Posluszny said. "That doesn't start in April or May. That starts now. We need to build the success of our season now. So, for him to come out and say it, that was great.
"As players, that's what we want to hear. We want to know that all of the hard work and dedication we do now is going to mean something in the fall."
