Jalen Ramsey leaving Jaguars' brutal 2018 season behind him

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Jalen Ramsey has had three weeks to reflect on the Jacksonville Jaguars' embarrassing 2018 season, and he eventually decided on one thing: He's not going to think or talk about it any longer.

The 3-1 start that included a victory against New England, the seven-game losing streak, the benching of starting quarterback Blake Bortles, the two offensive touchdowns in the final five games, the drastic reduction in sacks and turnovers forced by the defense ... he's going to bury it all.

"I'm kind of just letting it go, man," Ramsey said Wednesday after the AFC's first practice of Pro Bowl week for Sunday's game (3 p.m. ET, ESPN). "Our last game was in 2018 and that's where I plan on leaving it and that's where I plan on leaving the season.

"I'm just enjoying the moment right now, being here in the Pro Bowl."

Ramsey was one of the few bright spots in what was one of the most discouraging seasons in franchise history. He broke up 13 passes, intercepted three and finished fourth on the team with 65 tackles, which included a career-high 62 solo tackles. He didn't earn first- or second-team All-Pro honors (he was a first-teamer last season), but he did make his second consecutive Pro Bowl.

Ramsey picked off two passes during the hourlong practice. He also spent time joking around with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson before practice and considerable time with Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James after practice. Ramsey and James played one year together at Florida State (2015).

Ramsey actually mentioned the possibility of playing some safety alongside James in Sunday's game to Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, the former Jaguars coach from 2013 to '16.

"That probably won't happen," Ramsey said. "We'll be on the same side majority of the game, though. We're going to try to scheme that."

Ramsey said he plans on enjoying the week in Orlando, in part because it'll help diminish the memories of what happened in 2018. The Jaguars were expected to be one of the top teams in the AFC and it appeared they were after their 3-1 start included a 31-20 rout of the Patriots, who had beaten the Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game eight months before.

The season fell apart because of injuries along the offensive line (by Week 16 only one starter was playing) and at tight end, terrible quarterback play by Bortles, and a disappointing season by running back Leonard Fournette.

The defense also wasn't as dominant as it was in 2017, though it still finished in the top 10 in total defense, passing defense and scoring.

"You can look at it that way," Ramsey said. "You can look at it a bunch of different ways, but the way I'm going to look at it is: I'm not. I'm going to worry about it next year, because that was in 2018.

"New year, new me."

Ramsey knows the 2019 Jaguars are headed for significant changes, especially on offense since the team is moving on from Bortles and has hired a new offensive coordinator (John DeFilippo). There's also the possibility the team will be releasing high-priced defensive veterans Malik Jackson and Tashaun Gipson. Ramsey said he doesn't know what to expect but is optimistic about the future.

"I don't know all the changes," Ramsey said. "I don't control the front office. I let them handle that. I don't control my future. I just trust in God, and what will be, will be."