Marrone heading back to the basics after defense is gashed

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JACKSONVILLE — Just like last season, the Jaguars are at a crossroads.

With six games to go, they’re back in the AFC South cellar and coach Doug Marrone is back to desperation to save the season and perhaps his job.

Starting Wednesday, he’s taking a backto-basics fundamentals approach for his practices this week ahead of Sunday’s game at Tennessee.

It was the same approach he took last season after the Jaguars were outscored 70-21 during back-to-back losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. Despite the emphasis, the Jaguars went on to lose their next five games before finishing 5-11.

This time, the Jaguars have been outscored 59-16 during back-to-back division losses to the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts to slip to 4-6.

“I’m going to change up some of the things in the practice schedule, the focus on the things that we need to be doing better,” Marrone said Monday. “Obviously, it’s going to start with fundamentals, and then I’m going to challenge our assistant coaches. We’ve got to do a better job; there’s no doubt about it.”

The Jaguars’ most glaring problem? Their run defense has been abysmal. The Jaguars have allowed 480 total rushing yards, a 240-yard average, in their past two games.

The Jaguars’ inability to tackle was particularly obvious in Sunday’s 33-13 loss against the Colts when they surrendered 264 yards rushing, the fourth-most in franchise history.

It came after they allowed 216 yards rushing two weeks ago in a 26-3 drubbing from the Texans in London in Week 9 before going on their bye week.

What happened against the Colts and Texans was essentially a repeat of Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers, when the Jaguars were gashed for 285 yards rushing, the second-most allowed in franchise history.

Teams are exposing the Jaguars’ inconsistent run effort. The Colts had little trouble finding the flaw quickly.

During a play in the first quarter, middle linebacker Myles Jack lined up outside near the line of scrimmage, and the Colts charged directly at him on a sweep by backup running back Jonathan Williams, who enjoyed a career-high 116 yards rushing.

Jack was knocked back by Colts tackle Anthony Castonzo about 5 yards, unable to get off the block to make the play. Later in the quarter, Colts starting tailback Marlon Mack, who rushed for 109 yards, did a double-spin move that forced missed tackles by cornerback Tre Herndon and linebacker Najee Goode before he scored on a 13-yard run.

The Jaguars’ defensive front continues to struggle to handle gap responsibility. The linebackers still can’t get off the blocks in time to stop runs up the middle. And too many players are missing tackles, even when they have a clear angle to make the stop.

“We have to develop that mentality where we make sure teams are not going to run on us,” said defensive end Calais Campbell, who made one tackle against the Colts. “We understand if we stop the run, we’re a tough team to beat. But when teams run like they [Colts] did, we’re going to lose.”