Ring…..ring……..ring…..

As football fans, the offseason is the most boring part of the year for many of us.  We can no longer compare matchups, look forward to football after church (or sleeping in) late in Sundays, or talk trash to our friends about how much better our team is doing than theirs.  The NFL, knowing this, teases all of us with four preseason games.

Due to our football deficiency over the past months we get very excited.  We analyze player versus player matchups, we over analyze the successes and deficiencies of some players, and we can finally enjoy watching football (even if many of the players we long to see more of aren’t on the field all that long).  But despite getting excited once again for the sport and enthralled by the feats of athleticism put on by the players, in the back of our minds we know that this is all nothing more than a tease.

The coaches are still playing their hands close to their vest, the players aren’t always putting in 100% (unless they need a roster spot), the scores generally don’t tell much, and even if you go 4-0 in the preseason you could very well go 0-4 to open the season.  And so, as the preseason comes to an end this week, we look forward to reality.

Yes, the young players for the Jaguars have looked very very good.  But many of them have looked good against their peers (2nd/3rd string players or players struggling to make the roster).  Yes, Luke McCown has looked very sharp during most of his playing time.  But he has never shown such poise in an actual game and has many seasons of journeyman-backup type work to support that claim.  Yes, MJD has appeared weak when touching the ball.  But we all know that he is still arguably the most explosive offensive threat in the league.  It’s all false.

No matter what the preseason gives us, we know it’s not always true.  But each year, we get sucked in and excited about everything football.  And having passed week 3 (in which the starters get the most playing time), I can now calmly watch week four with no concerns and look forward to week 1 against the Broncos.

Ring…..ring……..ring…..

“Hello?  Reality?  See you in a few weeks.”

The Jaguars have the potential to be EXPLOSIVE in 2010. In what’s supposed to be another year of tempered expectations, weapons are emerging that could turn the Jags’ Offense into a game-planning nightmare for opposing coordinators. Our Defense will have to make major strides if we want to entertain the idea of a playoff run, but I believe this Offense has the pieces in place to catch fire in the latter half of the season, as it did in 2007. As young guys get more experience to build on, we could really be in for some excitement.  Here are five players who I believe have the greatest potential to really step up this year.

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Ohhh there is big trouble and not much time!

Here at Black&Teal,  Terry and I have kept a vigil as to whether the Jaguars will be ready for the very critical opening weeks. We are just 12 days away from the 1^st regular game, but I still cannot give you a clear “yes” or “no” if they are ready for Denver. There are two big focus points I have a clearer picture on after the last game; the offense as whole unit; and the secondary. The secondary scares me very very much.

I am optimistic about the offense after the way they worked in Tampa. The Buccaneers might have a lot of problems, but that defense is not one of them. That’s a good unit; espcially the secondary; and that game was a really good barometer where the Jaguars offense are right now – as far as preparation. And if we see; that they put up almost 400 total yards without Maurice Drew and mostly without Marcedes Lewis, the 2 best players of the offense (I might count Eugene Monroe to that group); I must say is more them promising! Even without Maurice and Marcedes the Jaguars looked sharp; executed well (outside the red zone…). The offensive line didn’t allow a singe sack. Last week they allowed one sack against Miami, so the protection is getting better. The weapons are looking for real. Once you add in Maurice Drew then you can get really exited. In fact I say this, if the Jaguars have even an average at best defense, this team will punish you big time. So I think if David can limit his flaws and errors; I think the offense will be fine. In fact, better than fine, exciting!
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Glass half full? Jaguars have improved ? Glass half empty? Jaguars looking bad? How do you feel?

Things are looking up! 

• David Garrard has been very effective in passing completions. He is finding the open guy and tearing defenses apart.
• The receivers are clicking better than we imagined. This is a good bunch of guys!
• Maurice Jones Drew hasn’t even taken the field yet and the offense looks sharp.
• Special teams, WOW, we can kick field goals, nail punts and threaten to run back everything!
• The offensive line is beginning to hold on and David is getting more time.
• The defensive line is stopping the run and harassing the quarterback!
• The linebackers are making plays!
• The secondary, it needs work, but we can over come it!

Things are looking bad!

• David can’t get us in the end zone. Get him out and put Luke McCown in!
• Maurice had surgery. He won’t be ready to start the season.
• We still don’t know who the third receiver is and the choices aren’t super great.
• All of our guards contending for jobs shouldn’t have a job. All of them let people into the backfield.
• The defensive line still doesn’t generate any sacks.
•  Even second string quarterbacks look good when playing the Jaguars.
• Our defense will be shredded by passes this year. No one is back there to stop them.

 Which team do you see? I see the one looking up.  This will be a tough season and could go either way, but right now, I see it all positive.

- Terry O’Brien

Maybe I am nuts, but the Tampa Bay game for me was a big WOW! I am seeing the beginnings of a powerful team developing, still with holes, but power in a lot of places.

Let’s go through the WOW areas:

David Garrard – WOW! I called David Garrard a robot a few weeks back. He was anything but that. You could see a quarterback trusting his protection and finding open receivers. Pressure bother David? Not anymore. After 2008 and 2009, When David feels very well protected, he can make the right reads. Constantly he picked up blitzes and made them pay. Rashead Jennings was a great outlet. David even threw across his body to the left right on target. David lapsed once into old David, locking on to Mike Thomas for a pick. Once he let down. Fix that and it was a fantastic game.
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The so important 3^rd rd preseason game is over and I have a good and a bad news. The good news: The Jaguars finally won a game, the 1^st since last December against Houston. The bad news: there were too many disturbing things in this game which concerns me. I still did not receive clear answers for every question we had before this game. For example what will happen at guard and safety?

Let’s review some quick thoughts about the game. The best new development is that without Maurice Drew; and (most of the time) Marcedes Lewis (who is injured; but is ok according to Jack Del Rio); this team has a lot of offensive fire power. The receiver core looks more than average, especially if we compared what the Jaguars had in the same area 2-3 years ago. Mike Sims-Walker, Jarett Dillard, Mike Thomas, Rashad Jennings, Brock Bolen, Montell Owens, Zach Miller and John Matthews are all capable to make plays for this team. John Matthews with his fantastic 27 yard long TD catch made a strong push for the final roster in my opinion. I don’t know at this point, who is in bigger danger because of him; Underwood or Williamson; but if we count that factor; that Gene Smith wants this team to be young as possible; Troy Williamson can worry about his roster spot more then Underwood.
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The 3^rd week of the preseason means 2 things: 1; the regular season is on the horizon. 2, the final rosters will be announced soon as well. So because of that; here is Black&Teal’s projection about the ’10 Jaguars final 53 players. I explain everywhere where the situation is not a no-brainer; why I selected those players you can read in bold; I signaled the names of the starters with slanted letters. I also mention those who will making the practice squad as well.

Offense (25 players):

QB: (2) David Garrard and Luke McCown, in that order. 3^rd QB Trevor Harris maybe can make the practice squad. Maybe not…

RB: (3) Maurice Jones-Drew, Rashad Jennings, and Deji Karim. No argument here. Chad Kackert is a lock for the practice squad.

WR: (6) Mike Sims-Walker, Mike Thomas; Jarett Dillard, Troy Williamson, Tiquan Underwood, and Kassim Osgood. I think the Jaguars go with 6 wideouts this year. Clarence Denmark can make the practice squad.

TE: (3) Marcedes Lewis, Zach Miller, Ernest Wilford. Zach Potter might have a shot to make it 4; but I expect him to be a lock for the practice squad.

FB: (2) Greg Jones*, and Montell Owens. Brock Bolen is a practice squad lock. Except…

­*: Because of his high salary; and because the Jaguars use the FBs lately to just block; Greg Jones might get traded away for –most likely- a safety or maybe for a pick when the final roster will be announced! If that happens; Brock Bolen is the starting FB of this team!

Offensive line: (9) Brad Meester, Eugene Monroe, Eben Britton, Uche Nwaneri, Kynan Forney, Jordan Black, Vince Manuwai, John Estes, and Kevin Haslem. This part is the most intriguing part of the whole roster, especially at the guard position. As you can see, I think Kynan Forney will win the other staring guard spot. That means Manuwai and Justin Smiley battling for the backup position. In ideal scenario; the Jaguars would keep Manuwai and Smiley; but that would mean 5;5 million $(3 million is Vince’s salary; Smiley has reportedly 2;5 million after the paycut) would be sitting on the bench. That will not happen. Not in Jacksonville. And because of Smiley was injured almost all the time in training camp; I give my vote to Vinny. I not trust the guard position for a player who is always battling with injuries. Not to mention that the (conditional) draft pick; what the Jaguars gave for him to the Dolphins have a condition. Smiley must make the final roster or the pick is terminated! So the Jags can get back there 7^th round pick. Haslem was overexposed in the preseason; so I think the Jaguars would lose him in very short notice; if they put him to the practice squad. Many thinks Estes was better at center then Nwaneri so far; so I think he will stay on the active roster too. Daniel Baldridge; the other (very tall; and quite good) UDFA rookie T will make the practice squad. He is lock there.  

Defense (24 players):

Defensive line: (9) Aaron Kampman, Tyson Alualu, Terrance Knighton, Derrick Harvey, Larry Hart, Austen Lane, Leger Douzable, Attiyah Ellison, and Jeremy Mincey I thought a lot about who will be the 9^th D-lineman; and I voted for Mincey; because he can play DT and DE; and he is a high motor guy; and he missed this roster so many times because of injury. But if Aaron Morgan, the UDFA rookie DE/DT can make this team; that will be not a surprise either. If not he is a lock for the practice squad. Maybe Mincey and Morgan can make the team. I’M not 100% sold on Ellison yet.  UDFA rookie DT Ko(mmoyan) Quaye is a lock for the practice squad.

LB: (6) Darly Smith, Kirk Morrison, Justin Durant, Russel Allen, Tony Gilbert, Jacob Cutrera. The first 4 names are set. I think Gilbert has the best shot to be the 5^th LB; because he knows the system and he can play special teams. The 6^th will be I think UDFA rookie Jacob Cutrera; and Kyle Bosworth will make the practice squad.

CBs (5): Rashean Mathis, Derek Cox, Scott Starks, Michael Coe, Don Carey. I would love to see William Middleton as the 5^th CB; but Gene will keep his “darling” Don Carey on the roster; even with our huge concerns with his coverage abilities. Middleton is a heckuva ST player; and a solid CB. Scotty Starks is the teams nickel corner. Scotty McGee, who is also a corner; will be listed at ST.

Safety (4): Gerald Alexander, Anthony Smith, Sean Considine, Tyron Brackenridge. This was the other big position battle, -next to the guards spot-  in training camp. And you see someone is missing from the list. Yeah I think Reggie Nelson is done with this team; unless he doesn’t produce his best (2) game(s) ever in the next 7 days.  He will start in Tampa; but that is a message to Gerald Alexander. And what Tyron Brackenridge is doing on the list? He is a good CB who playing a lot at safety this training camp and  in the preseason as well. There is a Plan B for this position. I spent a few lines by trading Greg Jones for a safety. This is a position, where Gene Smith most likely adds a brand new player. If that happens; Next to Reggie Nelson, Sean Considine or Tyron Brackenridge can get waived as well. Courtney Greene is a lock for the practice squad

Special teams: (4 players)

PK Josh Scobee; P Adam Podlesh; LS Jeremy Cain; and PR Scotty McGee. No arguing here.

Practice Squad: RB Chad Kackert; WR Clarence Denmark; TE Zach Potter, FB Brock Bolen –if Greg Jones stays with the team- T Daniel Baldridge; DT Ko Quaye; LB Kyle Bosworth; S Courtney Greene; and if he not makes the final 53, DE/DT Aaron Morgan

So the final roster is set. We will monitoring the remaining preseason games; espcially the Tampa game; and see what kind of changes can we discover. But Jack Del Rio said on Wendesday; the final roster will be set after the Tampa Bay game. So I think after Saturday we will now even more accurate then now; who the final 53 will be.

Zoltan Paksa

Somewhere in a conference room coaches are huddled discussing moves for the roster and the early starting line-up. Comments are being made like “If he plays well then….”, “I haven’t seen this from ….. “, “He deserves a shot…”. Who plays and who doesn’t isn’t Gene Smith’s call, it is Jack’s. One thing has changed for the Jaguars since Gene, jars don’t sit on the shelf very long. The days of being Scotty Starks or Montel Owens are vanishing. Game film determines your fate and Gene wants game film.

Gene Smith        Source: Yardbarker

The Tampa Bay game will be interesting not from a football perspective but from a “who is in the game” perspective. Here are some questions the coaches might be looking at.

Is Eben Britton healthy enough for Denver? He hasn’t been on the field in a long time and when he was, Derrick Harvey ate him up. Jordan Black has played and played ok at times. Is Jordan the starter for Denver until Eben gets more time?  Can Jordan earn a starting spot outright? Continue reading this post »

King Gene and the Island of Misfit Toys

Gene Smith sees all the angles.  In his 18 month tenure, the autonomy granted by Wayne Weaver has been completely justified by Smith’s body of work. But GM Gene must contend with circumstances beyond the realm of player personnel.  Despite playing in Jacksonville for 15 seasons, the Jaguars are yet to establish a fanbase large enough and loyal enough to fill the stadium on an annual basis – a direct consequence of failing to field a product consistently worth the value of a season ticket. The fans need to see a winner, but building for sustained success by drafting and developing young talent takes time – something the Commissioner himself has warned is in desperately short supply for the Jaguars. So in this perfect storm of opposing pressures, what gives? Thankfully, our all-knowing GM has found a comprehensive solution where no one else was looking and with an army of NFL misfits, will save the franchise. Elite Special Teams will compensate for the Jaguars’ deficiencies of talent and experience in the upcoming season, keeping the team competitive and the fans satisfied as Smith’s draft classes mature and the foundation of the upcoming Jacksonville dynasty is solidified. Continue reading this post »

In the NFL, every season is a new season, every team is a new team. I remember a few years ago New Orleans made a run at the playoffs and then disappeared for a couple of years, then emerged as Super Bowl Champions. Tampa Bay was always a strong team, not any more. Detroit can’t win a game, but look out playing them this year.

Something is always different, something will surprise you for the good or the bad. So here are five things that may come true for the Jaguars and a what if scenario. You are welcome to play along. What if …..

The Jaguar receiving corp becomes really good?   What if Mike Sims-Walker is a real number one and Mike Thomas and Jarret Dillard become real threats? Marcedes can catch and is a top receiving threat as well. What if?  Well, teams couldn’t key in on Maurice Jones Drew. Suddenly linebackers can’t tell if the play is a running play or a play action. Maurice gets more room to run and breaks off larger runs. Key on Maurice and a receiver is open. We saw that against Miami, MSW across the middle. We saw it against Philly, Troy Williamson deep. Suddenly the offense opens up in wild and crazy ways. No more sitting at the games, we will be on our feet. Football parties on the weekend will be mandatory. Continue reading this post »