JACKSONVILLE – Myles Jack opted out of the question.
That's understandable, because the question was about whether he has had a Pro-Bowl caliber season – and the Jaguars' weak-side linebacker isn't given to self-promotion.
So, has he had a Pro Bowl year?
"I don't know," Jack said Thursday as the Jaguars (1-12) prepared to play the Baltimore Ravens (8-5) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., Sunday at 1 p.m. "I think that kind of (equates) to wins and that's kind of like a fan thing."
If it were a defensive coordinator thing, Jack would be in the Pro Bowl. While defensive coordinator Todd Wash agreed with Jack that the Jaguars' record could play a factor in postseason accolades, Wash left little doubt about his opinion of Jack's play this season.
"Myles is playing at a very, very high level," Wash said. "He has played well for 13 games. He has really found a home. Obviously, he's playing well. It's something to look forward to for a Jaguars fan.
"He's playing at that (Pro Bowl) level. You also have to understand where we are as a team. A lot of those accolades don't come for guys who are not on successful football teams. The winning is some of it, but he is playing well enough to be on some of those teams."
Jack, a second-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, moved to weak-side linebacker this season after playing strong-side then middle his first four seasons. The Jaguars and Jack both discussed it at the time of the move as one to Jack's natural position – one where he could best utilize his athleticism and speed.
Pro Football Focus currently ranks Jack as its No. 5 linebacker this season. He is on pace for a career-high in tackles and currently has 95. He also has a sack, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, three passes defensed, a career-high six tackles for loss and an interception.
"I think I've had a pretty decent season," Jack said. "There are a lot of plays I want back, looking back on film and stuff. It hasn't been perfect – up to my standards."
Jack added with a smile, "I definitely would like to go to the Pro Bowl and receive that bonus. That would be cool, so I could invest that money. But Pro Bowlers typically come from winning teams and we haven't been winning.
"There are plays I could have made that could have helped us win, so I kind of put that on me."
Jack on Thursday also discussed the Jaguars' future, saying that he believes lessons learned by a talented young roster during a 12-game losing streak will help moving forward. Jack, a defensive captain, said that was his message to players following this past Sunday's 31-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
"I told guys, 'Embrace this season; learn from everything,''' Jack said. "There are a couple of plays here and there that really flip the game. Most of the games we've really been in down to the wire. Three or four of them, we got blown out of the water. But most of them, we've been right in the game. Our record could be different.
"I told guys, 'Really learn from this season. Remember that one play you slipped up on and all of a sudden it changed the whole dynamic of the game. That's how slim this league is. It's a play here or there. I think guys will not like the taste in their mouth.
"We'll have to hear another offseason about negativity about the Jags. I hope that really motivates people because it did for me last year, and moving forward it will. The young guys that really take it and grow from it and take their bumps and bruises, they'll come back their second year extremely hungry. We're not that far off. We'll get there."
QUOTABLE I
Jack on playing two former teammates – defensive ends Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue, both of whom are now with the Ravens: "That's definitely going to be crazy for me. Those are my guys. Yann, we came in together [in the 2016 NFL Draft]. That's like a brother for me. I'm always going to have love for Yann. I'm super proud of his journey through everything, even college going into the league and what he has become and becoming a household name and making plays. Obviously, Calais – he's taught me things, showed me the right things to do. He always has been super honest with me. It's going to be cool. I would love to have them on our side if I could, but it's definitely going to be cool to watch them in action doing their thing. I wish them nothing but the best."
QUOTABLE II
Jack on the responsibility he feels during the Jaguars' current losing streak: "I feel like everything falls on my shoulders. Being on the defense, being one of the older guys, having a 'C' (for captain) on my chest, I take full responsibility for everything. If we give up 40 points, I feel like I gave up 40 points. I go home and I can't get out of bed until Tuesday. It really weighs on me. It hurts me. I haven't thought about the Pro Bowl. I could care less. I just want to win. That's all that matters to me, is bringing this city a championship."
