October 21, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis (27) is called for pass interference while breaking up a pass intended for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore (17) in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jaguars 26-23 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

A major headline this offseason was Maurice Jones-Drew holding out this season for a bigger contract. In response, Owner Shahid Khan stated the train’s leaving! MJD’s hold out could be considered based out of greed or a smart strategy to take care of his family for the future, or somewhere in between. However, it is all irrelevant, as the hold out was detrimental to both sides. MJD has been lost for almost the entire season and the Jaguars have struggled once again.

The Jaguars strategy however still lives, and in the long run it will pay off. This year MJD held out and returned on his own power after seeing the front office refusing to budge. This is much like the year before, when cornerback Rashean Mathis skipped OTA’s for a longer contract. Mathis is a prized player, but the Jaguars front office was not on the same page for his demands as he was entering the twilight of his career. Much like Jones-Drew, Mathis suffered a season ending injury (ACL tear) and was only re-signed to a 1 year contract. All leverage was lost.

Two star players both lost leverage and money in back to back seasons. While the Jaguars haven’t done the greatest on field, they have been great in controlling the demands of their best players. On the other hand, MJD’s contract has one year remaining, so how smart the Jaguars are depends on how they deal with that remaining year.

- Antonio Furgiuele

Nov.16, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Austen Lane (92) during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

What now? What do the Jaguars do now? The team is 2-12 with the New England Patriots on deck, the team is struggling in all three phases of the game, and fans are “All in to Fire Gene Smith”. Not to mention, their is no consensus top picks going into the draft.

A record of 2-12 is telling of how well the team has executed this season. Since quarterback David Garrard was released, the media had lost all faith in the Jags, saying they’d fall because of lack of receiving weapons, poor quarterback play, and defensive issues. In a fan’s head they are a bit different. Aside from Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne each struggling, the receiving and defensive issues have flip flopped for one season. Jaguars fans knew that the quarterback position was a work in progress, but injuries are the actual cause of the Jaguars’ demise. Every position has experienced some injury and either missed significant time or have players on I.R.

Regardless, the media has been right in stating as the season began that the Jaguars will not execute and have a poor record.

The New England Patriots are up next with the Tennessee Titans rounding out the schedule. It’s been hard to watch a team that has potential every year have the problems it does. Considering the implications of the game, the Patriots will surely dominate the game through the air and try to play the game like they did against the Texans. The Jaguars only have one player who is playing his heart out: middle linebacker Paul Posluszney, who should get team MVP. Fortunately enough the Jaguars might get another player back with similar heart and effort in Maurice Jones-Drew, who has yet to be ruled out.

Gene Smith is having his head called out. With four drafts and minimal results, I feel the frustration as well. Yet if Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland can stay, maybe Smith can have another year. High draft picks for multiple season should have yielded some results. Yet most of the 2009 and 2010 players drafted have been cut. As it seems, Smith has built a better team through free agency. Free agents can only go so far, even if Poz has been nothing short of spectacular. The team needs to have a 2011 Texans draft or 2012 Colts type draft, where the former seems more probable.

The Jaguars identity as of know is a run first team with a stout defense. The Jaguars should take a linebacker like Jarvis Jones to solidify the linebacker position which has been the team’s only bright spot. As a thought, imagine the team as a 3-4 defense with Russell Allen and Posluszney in the middle, with Jarvis Jones and Daryl Smith on the outside. Maybe only in my Madden-like dreams; but defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is fielding for Head Coaching college jobs.

The team needs a lot of work, but next year is always as promising as the rest, even if the Texans and Colts run the division.

- Antonio Furgiuele

Which Quarterback will be the answer if any?  Source: US-Presswire

This week the Jaguars host the Jets in what should be a close, hard fought game. While the national media might tend to view the Jaguars as a team that just can’t get it to work, the Jets are no better as they are slowly falling out of the hunt with their own controversies and poor performances.

The Jaguars have had trouble putting points on the board this year, as it’s been tradition to for the past few years. The concern has always been to get a solid player at the wide receiver position since Jimmy Smith retired. While some play has come from the likes of Matt Jones, Torry Holt, Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas; all were either patches and or expendable. With drafted receivers Cecil Shorts III and Justin Blackmon, the problem seems to be solved but other major concerns shine brighter with the quarterback position. Chad Henne can win games and has shown bigger play than Blaine Gabbert, but who’s to say either are the answer?  Gabbert was drafted to be the future of the franchise, yet in two years hasn’t be able to win the amount of games he was thought to win even through improvement. Gabbert is conservative who checks down too often, only throwing a deep ball when in the last seconds of a game. Henne on the other hand has everything to lose as he was the back up going into this season after his departure from Miami. When  your job is on the line you have to let it fly.

The Jets have a similar problem but with three names, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Greg McElroy. The fans and media of New York are a fickle breed. Winning is important and appealing to anyone, especially to such a highly populated city. Mark Sanchez, the incumbent starter, remains the starter this week even after getting benched in place of McElroy last week. Fans love anything “not Sanchez” right now. Had Tebow been in for Sanchez, the story would have been bigger but not as controversial as now three quarterbacks could start any given week.

The locker room will be divided as every player should favor one guy over another, as they all bring something to the table that gives the team a chance to win. However, quarterback is a position seldom played by more than one player for each team pending injury. The Tebow experiment is all but a bust, and after last week McElroy is the fan favorite. Tim Tebow has the been the best passer on the team statistics wise, save one hesitated McElroy touchdown.

With the Jets failing who will make the team a winner, if anyone? Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets locker room is definitely a tense place to be right now even if Sanchez has been given the green light for this week. With the team divided and distracted, the psychological edge will hands down go to opposing teams which will impact not only the offense but the entire team as well. Going forward no one knows who exactly will be the quarterback, the incumbent starter, the fan favorite, or the next best thing, but McElory said it best last January as the Jets Locker room can’t be a fun place right now.

- Antonio Furgiuele