Roster Holes and Tough AFC South May Doom the Jaguars
It seems as though the Jacksonville Jaguars have been in purgatory in recent years. The team never seems to rise to the top yet they never hit rock bottom, which has prevented them from landing more franchise players.
In his seven seasons as Jacksonville head coach, Jack Del Rio has posted a 57-55 record that has led to two trips to the postseason, in 2005 and 2007.
One of Del Rio’s boldest moves was releasing Byron Leftwich and replacing him with David Garrard at quarterback. The move worked well in 2007 as Garrard threw only three interceptions all season and the Jaguars made it to the Divisional Round before the undefeated New England Patriots defeated them.
A tough task ahead
Since then, the AFC South division has gotten stronger and stronger, while the Jaguars seem to have faded. There’s the Colts obviously, a young and improving Houston Texans team and the Tennessee Titans who seem to be playoff contenders every year.
Questions over Garrard
In the last two seasons, Garrard has struggled as his turnover ratio has increased and his passer rating was 83.5. It simply isn’t good enough for a quarterback who was awarded the richest contract in team history two seasons ago.
Garrard’s leadership has been questioned as well. The 32-year old is the most experienced on a Jag’s offense that has been mediocre. They have no threats at wide receiver.
The Jaguars best offensive weapon is running back Maurice Jones-Drew who rushed for 1,391 yards last season in his first year as a starter. Hopefully the Jaguars offensive line and receivers can improve with another year’s experience under their belts.
Garrard has not shown that he has all the mechanics and wits to be a starter. His accuracy drops under pressure. His x-factor is that he’s strong and can use his legs to get out of pressure. His limitations though prevent Jacksonville from being a legitimate threat to the AFC South.
Jones-Drew will be the main man on offence. Not just in the run game but all around the offence. He is a tremendous pass blocker and he is a threat in the passing game as well, with his breakaway speed and his strong lower body. There aren’t many other weapons the Jags can turn to after Jones-Drew. The remaining backs simply are nowhere near where Jones-Drew is.
Marcedes Lewis is a solid run-blocking tight end who is also helpful in the passing game.
The receiving corps features Mike Sims-Walker who was inconsistent last season, has the ability to attack the middle of the field. The Jags lost Tory Holt and will turn to newcomer Kassim Osgood and veteran Troy Williamson can help. However Williamson is unreliable and Osgood has spent most of his career on special teams.
On defence, the Jaguars have to hope that their recent draft picks will pay off, including Austen Lane, Larry Hart and Tyson Alualu. The Jags hope to bring pressure up the middle and improve their secondary.
Eighth year corner Rashean Mathis has barked for a new contract but he’ll have to show he can stay healthy and help the Jags secondary.
Special teams
On special teams, Josh Scobee is looking to bounce back from last season where he missed 10 field goals, granted five of those misses were from outside 50 yards. Punter Adam Podlesh doesn’t have the best leg but the cover unit was the best in the game last year, averaging 4.2 yards per return.
Jones-Drew is valuable for the return game but the Jags cannot afford to wear him out on special teams. He is their biggest threat on offence.
This season, the Jaguars may slightly improve due to their younger players gaining more experience. Their defence and their running game will have to carry them through if they are to compete. They still need to get their problems at quarterback fixed though, and in a division featuring Peyton Manning, Matt Schaub and an improving Vince Young, the Jaguars look like the most vulnerable and may be looking at another 4th place finish in the south.
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