Marrone: 'Magic pill' won't fix Jaguars, only fundamentals
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone believes he can get his team that started the year with Super Bowl aspirations back on track, but it won't be easy.
"There is no magic pill or magic moment that you can just snap your fingers and go," Marrone told ESPN's Michael DiRocco on Wednesday. "The only way to start playing better is you have to work your ass off. You have to work hard. You have to coach better. We have to play better."
After starting the season 3-1, the Jaguars were blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys, being outscored 70-21 in the two contests.
Things should fare better when they return home to take on the Houston Texans who are ranked 21st in the NFL in points per game (22.5) and whose offensive line is rated by Pro Football Focus as worst in the league. The Jaguars front-7 should be excited for the matchup, but Marrone isn't taking the fixture lightly.
"Well if you think of it like that, I think that's a pretty good path to probably get your ass kicked," Marrone said. "Fundamentally, we have gotten away from some things and that is on us as coaches. What I have challenged the coaches and I challenged myself with this week is, 'Hey listen, we have to get back to fundamentals.'"
This season, Jacksonville ranks 29th in points per game (18.2), 18th in rushing yards per game (103.3) and 16th in passing yards per game (371.0). Even after being torched the last two weeks, the Jaguars' defense still ranks second in total defensive yards allowed.
The team has been without its star running back Leonard Fournette for the majority of the season as he battles a hamstring injury.