JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Drafting players that come from a culture of winning is one of the criteria that the Jaguars had in mind when they selected Jalen Ramsey No. 5 overall this past April. In three season at Florida State he went 37-4 and won a National Championship.
Sunday’s 26-19 loss to Detroit was the Jaguars fifth straight defeat and the third in a row where the final outcome was decided by one-score. Just before the end of that game the Jaguars young cornerback was moved to tears and the television broadcast showed him mouthing the words “I’m tired of losing.”
Recommended Videos
Jacksonville’s eight losses this season are more than Ramsey loss in his entire collegiate career and it’s not something he’s planning on getting accustomed to.
“I don’t like losing, it’s clear,” said Ramsey. “I’ve never been a loser. I’ve never been a part of losing like this in my life.”
The Jaguars haven’t mathematically been eliminated from the playoffs, but at 2-8 it would take a small miracle for them to be playing for anything other than pride come this time next month. Currently Jacksonville is on pace for a top five NFL draft pick, which would be the sixth straight season that has happened. Last season the Jaguars set a NFL record for most consecutive years with a top five pick. Even as early as the Green Bay game, Ramsey said that he’s not use to losing and it’s something that he’ll never accept.
“I don’t really need anybody to motivate me to go out there and play full speed,” said Ramsey. “I don’t come in here to just get my check and then leave. I have goals and things that I want to accomplish. There are places I want to get in my football career. So I’m always self-motivated.”
Ramsey forced a fumble on the first drive of the game against Detroit, but an official review reversed the call on the field. That would’ve been the first forced turnover of Ramsey’s career. While the Jaguars defensive backs have played solid and done a good job of not getting beat for big plays, they’re still coming up short in the interception department. Free safety Tashaun Gipson’s interception in a week three loss against Baltimore, is the lone tally for the entire secondary.
“It’s embarrassing to be honest,” said Ramsey. “It’s embarrassing that we’re not making plays. Maybe we’re not in the position to make the plays, I don’t know what it is but it’s embarrassing.”
Even without the takeaways, Ramsey is still a candidate for defensive rookie of the year. One thing that can’t be questioned is his passion for the game of football.
“Every time you’re not fortunate to win on Sunday’s I think it takes a part out of you,” said Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash. “Jalen is a very emotional player. He’s had a lot of success in his career. I think he’s doing a good job of handling this and getting ready when we come in on Monday’s and Tuesday’s. He transitions into the next game and does a nice job. It effects all of us but at the same time we have a new challenge this week and have to move on.”