Losing Paul Posluszny Hurts Jaguars’ Improved Defense

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been competitive through the last three games almost solely from due to their defense. In their first victory of the season against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday the defense created turnovers that directly led to 17 points, more than enough to top the Browns 24-6. Paul Posluszny, the middle linebacker for the Jaguars, unfortunately tore his pectoral in the game and finished with five solo tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery that was forced by fellow linebacker Telvin Smith.

Paul Posluszny isn’t just a team leader statistically. While it’s great to have his team leading 47 tackles and his two sacks, he is more than a solid tackler. He is the leader of this defense, hands down.

I’m on record saying that this defense is for real but losing Posluszny presents a pretty major hole for the team. Daniel Lago summed it up well in his article:

"The Jaguars now need someone else to step up and take over the role of “quarterback on defense” and make sure everyone is lined up in the correct spot. For a young defense that was starting to play more consistently and together, this is a big blow."

The key here is that the defense is incredibly young. There are some veteran performers on the team who are doing well and have some stellar track records (Chris Clemons, Sen’Derrick Marks) but they aren’t the leaders that Posluszny is. He makes sure that the defense is ready on every play and he sets the tone of the team. There are few images more iconic of Posluszny than the many shots of blood dripping down his face with a cut on the bridge of his nose.

Nov 18, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) has a cut on his nose repaired against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The defense will have to maintain that tone without their leader. Somebody else will have to step up and enforce order for a very young part of the Jaguars (though, honestly, they are all young). The unit is still in a fragile stage, struggling to overcome the early problems of the 2014 season.

Poz will be missed.