Week 10 kicks off tonight as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Indianapolis Colts. Our TNF analyst Trent Green filed this report:
Young guns:
I can’t wait to see these teams’ two young quarterbacks in action: the first overall pick in the 2012 draft, Andrew Luck, and a first-rounder from 2011, Blaine Gabbert. Both quarterbacks have similar completion percentage, touchdowns, interceptions and quarterback ratings. Luck, however, has a nearly 1,000-yard advantage in passing yardage. I want to see decision making, leadership, accuracy (which is different than completion percentage), footwork and overall game management. In recent years there has been a wave of young quarterback talent entering the league, and I’m looking forward to seeing how these two measure up.
Air it out???
Jacksonville is last in the NFL in passing yards with only 170 yards per game. Indianapolis will be without both of their starting corners, Vontae Davis and Jerraud Powers. Even with those corners, the Indianapolis defense has just two interceptions on the season. Could this be the breakout game for rookie first-round wide receiver Justin Blackmon? Can the Jags offensive line keep Mathis, Freeney, and company off of Gabbert? The Jaguars’ lone win this year came on an 80-yard catch-and-run by Cecil Shorts III in Week 3 against the Colts. Can they do it again tonight?
Quick stop:
After 20 years in the NFL as an assistant, Colts offensive coordinator/interim head coach Bruce Arians will be on the short-list of any owner looking for a new head coach. Since taking over in Week 4 for Chuck Pagano, who is battling leukemia, the Colts are 4-1. The job that he has done as offensive coordinator would have already put him on the head coaching radar. With a rookie quarterback, some holdovers, some castoffs and some trades, Arians has put together a productive and efficient offense. The leadership that he has shown as interim head coach is even more impressive. This has been an off-season and season of drastic change in Indianapolis – players, coaches and management. There are new faces everywhere you turn. So when Coach Pagano got sick, it would have been very easy for everyone to fall back on a multitude of excuses to explain why the Colts were struggling. The thing is the Colts haven’t struggled, they’ve thrived, and that is due to the leadership of Bruce Arians.
– Trent Green
Former NFL quarterback Trent Green is Westwood One’s Thursday Night Football analyst. Trent, Ian Eagle and sideline reporter Tony Boselli are in Jacksonville to bring you all the action as the Jaguars face the Colts. Coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern tonight.
