Jaguars to host Chargers this Monday, play their first game in post Del Rio era – NFL Preview
The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8) are playing San Diego Chargers (4-7) as a host this Monday with their head coach Del Rio not to be on the sideline for the first time in nine years.
This will be the Jaguars' first game in the post Del Rio era, and following shake-up announced by their owner Wayne Weaver.
The head coach who had been fired from their side on Tuesday was replaced by their defensive co-ordinator Mel Tucker. Tucker is elevated as an interim arrangement as the Jaguars side is still without fulltime head coach. They had
also fired their wide receivers coach Johnny Cox.
This is Tucker's first game as an interim head coach who over past few days has introduced a number of changes. The player who had been the main source of criticism for Del Rio and rest of the team however is still at very much
at charge at starting position. Blaine Gabbert has been given go ahead by Tucker too, to start in their game against Chargers.
The Jaguars are 3-8 in the American Football Conference (AFC) south division and looked to improve from this position in their coming games under new setup.
The side has not given any notable performance since 2007. They had made to playoffs only two times under their former coach Del Rio.
"I told Jack I appreciated the nine years he served the organization, and his contributions to the organization and the community," said Weaver. "But we deserved better and the community deserved better. We've been very average
over the last few years."
San Diego Chargers meanwhile have problems of their own. This included their issues at the quarterback position. Their head coach Norv Turner too is facing criticism and possibly the fate of Del Rio. One of the chargers’ key problems
is their inability to win the games which otherwise had finished very close.
Last week's game 16-13 with the Denver was one of their past few games that they stood chances to win but could not finished the game the way they had started, making it too all easy for their oppositions at the end to inflict
a defeat on them.
They will be looking to avoid their longest losing streak of nine consecutive games, which last time they had faced in 2001.
Historically both teams record is even with two wins each in the total four games they played in between them. Both wins for both teams had come as their home victories. Keeping this in view the Jaguars will have an advantage of
home ground and crowd, who have set high expectations for the Jaguars win under new setup.
Tags: