Jacksonville Jaguars Predictions
July 1, 2008
The Jaguars are a force to be reckoned with in the AFC South this season. Jacksonville took a big step in winning their first playoff game since 1999 and becoming the first team ever to beat the Steelers twice in the same year in Pittsburgh. Jack Del Rio and QB David Garrard were each given long-term contracts due to the success they had last year. Becoming a playoff contender, though, will ride on whether or not they can figure out Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. The Jaguars are 1-8 against those two the last three years and 31-11 against the rest of the league. The Jags addressed their biggest need via NFL Draft by selecting two pass rushers in Derrick Harvey and Quinton Groves as their first two picks of the ‘08 draft. They feel they have the rest of the pieces in place for a Super Bowl run. Let’s see how Info Plays rates this team with our 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars predictions and a team preview below.
Offense:
Coach Jack Del Rio cut Byron Leftwich before the 2007 season, and many doubters were quick to call Del Rio an idiot. But this was one of the biggest coaching moves in the league and it clearly paid off. David Garrard has Del Rio’s confidence and he proved he could carry this team with a 102.2 QB rating, third in the league behind Brady and Roethlisberger. Garrard also through 18 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions without having the luxury of a go-to receiver. Jacksonville signed Cleo Lemmon to be Garrard’s backup.
Veteran Fred Taylor still keeps on churning despite his game. Taylor ran for 1,202 yards last year and has stated he expects to rush for over 1,500 this season. Maurice Jones-Drew combines with Taylor to form one of the best 1-2 punches the league has to offer. Jones-Drew tacked on 768 rushing yards of his own last season. Taylor has shown no signs of slowing down despite being 32-years-old.
The Jaguars have a group of No. 2 receivers across the board. That’s why they signed free agent Jerry Porter to be Garrard’s No. 1 target. This receiving corps didn’t have a single guy catch more than 45 balls last year. Porter has the potential to catch 90 to 100 balls this season and a fresh start in Jacksonville could be exactly what this receiver needs. The Jags also traded for Troy Williams after Ernest Wilford departed in free agency. Dennis Northcutt returns after catching 44 passes last year. Also returning are first round draft disappointments Reggie Williams and Matt Jones. Williams did catch 10 touchdowns passes last year as a proven red zone target, but needs to become more of a possession receiver as he registered only 38 catches in 2007.
The Jaguars’ offensive line is solid with players that are just short of making a Pro Bowl. But losing Chris Naeole after tearing his quadriceps muscle last year is a big hit. Mo Williams switched to right guard in place of Naeole after getting beat out by Tony Pashos at right tackle. Pashos will start there while left tackle Khalif Barnes gets a chance to redeem himself at left tackle in a contract year. Brad Meester is a proven veteran at center, and Vince Manuwai is a solid left guard. Veteran Dennis Norman remains the oven proven backup here.
Defense:
Drafting Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves to improve their Jaguars’ pass rush was a brilliant move. Their addition will help ease the loss of tackle Marcus Stroud, who was hampered by injuries and a steroid suspension before being traded to Buffalo in the offseason. Defensive end Bobby McCray is gone to New Orleans in free agency as well. John Henderson and Reggie Hayward will each have to rebound to lead this defensive line. Paul Spicer’s eight sacks and Rob Meier’s four sacks are promising totals as each tries to make up for the loss of Stroud in the middle.
The linebackers represent the strongest unit on this team. Mike Peterson returns after missing the last six games with a broken hand. Peterson is the team’s best tackler and their emotional leader as well. His returns means Daryl Smith can move back to the outside where he is most comfortable. Clint Ingram and Justin Durant will fight for the other starting job on the outside.
Jacksonville signed free agent cornerback Drayton Florence to bolster their secondary. Brian Williams could be switched from corner to safety upon Florence’s arrival. Sammy Knight left in free agency so the Jaguars have an opening at strong safety. Gerald Sensabaugh could fill a safety spot after undergoing surgery on two torn labrums in the offseason. Their best defensive back is corner Rashean Mathis, a 2006 Pro Bowler who dealt with injuries last sesason. Reggie Nelson started as a rookie but was victimized far too many times despite leading the team in interceptions with five. The loss of Knight and Terry Cousin, who wasn’t resigned, brings an concern of depth to the equation in the secondary.
Info Plays 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars Predictions
Jacksonville still has many glaring weaknesses that will ultimately keep them from overtaking the Colts in the AFC South. A secondary that lacks depth and an unproven defensive line will be a few key concerns the Jaguars will have to deal with heading into training camp. But head coach Jack Del Rio has gotten the most out of his players and he’s starting to build a team capable of a Super Bowl run. Adding Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson in free agency was huge. David Garrard and the Jaguars’ passing attack shouldn’t be too far behind that of the Texans within the division. Two games against the Titans could tell the story for the Jaguars earning a trip to the Wild Card. Tennessee and Jacksonville match up very well and it’s a dog fight every time they face one another. Ultimately, the Jaguars will finish second in the AFC South and earn a return trip to the AFC Wild-Card round.