JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash knows that his unit has drastically under-performed in the turnover department.
The first-year coordinator blames the lack of interceptions and fumble recoveries on the pass rush. His patience is clearly wearing thin.
“I would say we have to pressure the quarterback," Wash said on Wednesday.
"Continue to do that, just so we have some errant throws. We have to be more ball-aware in tackle situations with the second guy in punching and ripping and getting at it. It has been a point of emphasis and we have to continue to stress it.”
The unit has also struggled to create consistent pressure. While that has been a problem for the past two seasons, the cast of characters rushing the passer are completely different than those from the previous campaign. Perhaps, it's a side effect of relying too heavily on unknown entities.
“We are continuing to work with some younger guys and that kind of stuff," Wash said.
"You see some development. We all understand with younger pass rushers, it takes a little bit of time. You see some times where they are winning and the ball is coming out. You see some other times where they are holding it and we are not getting there. It is a combination of maybe we have to work some more games and twists and stuff like that to give them a chance. When they hold the ball we just have to get there.”
In Week 11, the Jaguars will have to find a way to get to Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Now in his eighth season, Stafford is ranked fifth in completion percentage (67.3) and eighth in passing touchdowns (18). He has only thrown five interceptions and been sacked 20 times.
“He is very intelligent," Wash said.
"We played against him a couple different times. Unbelievable live arm. He can put the ball in tight windows, so if you are playing zone coverage you have to be on your all out breaks. If you are playing man coverage you better be close to him. His arm strength is outstanding and just his ability to read the coverages and get them in the plays he needs to do to attack us.”
Stafford has two interchangeable weapons at wide receiver, despite losing All-Pro play-maker Calvin Johnson to retirement. Golden Tate and Marvin Jones have combined for 86 catches for 1,174 receiving yards and six touchdowns in nine games.
"Obviously Golden Tate is something to deal with," Wash said. "Once he gets the ball in his hands, he is like a running back. You have to worry about him and their screen game and their jet sweep game. Golden is going to get the ball. [Marvin] Jones on the outside is going to try to take the top off."
Wash also has to have his group prepared for the versatile talent of running Theo Riddick. While he missed some time due to injury, Riddck produced 209 total yards and averaged 5 yards per carry in the two games since returning to the lineup.
“We have to be able to set the edges," Wash said.
"Play some outside-in coverages to keep him tight within the tackle box. He is extremely explosive, not only in the run game, but the screen game that they have is good. Obviously they will put him out in empty and run normal routes with him. He is a dynamic player. It is a situation in the run game where we have to keep him between the tackles and contain him on the screen.”
The defensive coordinator will have his work cut out for him on Sunday and he knows it. Going up against a "pick your poison" offense is never easy - especially on the road - when your defense struggles create pressure or turnovers.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.
