Jaguars looking for more production from pass rush
With Jacksonville struggling to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said Monday they team needs better production out of the pass-rushing Leo position over the final four weeks of the season.
Jacksonville's top two Leos, defensive ends Chris Clemons and Andre Branch, have combined for just four sacks this season.
“What we’re getting out of the Leo the last couple of weeks, we need to try to find a way to get more,” Bradley said, per the team's official website. “What we’re hoping to get out of that position, we’re not getting exactly what we want.”
The coach noted that while the pair have been good against the run, the pass rush needs improvement.
Clemons, who signed with Jacksonville in 2014 after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, had 8.0 sacks last season, but has been unable to match those number thus far this year. He's played in all 12 games this season, with eight starts.
Branch, a 2012 second-round pick, has just 12 career sacks. He's appeared in nine games this season, with five starts.
While four weeks remain, the Jaguars may need to wait until next season's return of Dante Fowler Jr. to see real improvement. The 2015 first-round pick who was drafted to be the team's pass-rushing threat has missed the entire season with a torn ACL.
