1.  Cecil Shorts III, WR, Jacksonville:  Shorts may end up with 1,000 yards on the season in this game.  He needs 75 more to get it done and is probably going to be the target of many passes during this game.  If the Jags get down early then there will be moe need to pass and that bodes well for Shorts’ personal statistics.

2.  Danny Woodhead, RB, New England:  After the Patriots suffered some serious fumbling problems against the 49ers this past week, Woodhead ended up with a lot more touches than usual.  The sure-handed little back did what he needed to in order to get Bill Belichick and Brady to trust the running back position again.  The Patriots aren’t afraid to run with the hot hand so Woodhead could get some more touches against the Jags and who why he was trusted over his counterparts last week.

3.  Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England:  Hernandez is having a pretty good time of it without Rob Gronkowski in to complement him.  While the team is undoubtedly better with both of them on the field, Hernandez is still a good enough receiver to torch the Jags.  He isn’t as good at blocking as Gronk, but he manages to make the offense look good and that’s what matters.

4.  Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville:  Blackmon needs 300 yards to reach 1,000 so he probably won’t be Shorts to the mark, but Blackmon has shown that he can dominate defenses that aren’t aggressive enough toward him.  Nobody expected the rookie to explode against the Texans, yet he came away with 236 yards.  Blackmon is becoming a good receiver and could showcase his developing skills against a weak pass defense.

5.  Devin McCourty, S/KR/DB, New England:  If the Jaguars have to worry about a defensive back, it’ll be McCourty.  The guy has five interceptions on the year and plays pretty good defense on whomever he is covering.  Further, he has a kick return for a touchdown and averages almost 25 yards per return.  Look for him to be a difference maker when the Jags become one-dimensional or if the Jags start to mount a comeback.

- Luke N. Sims

The tight end position is on the rise in the NFL as more teams like find two tight end sets to be an effective variation of three receiver sets and allo for greater rushing versatility. Do the Jags have a group of tight ends that can measure up to what the opposition can bring?

1. 

   Two tight end sets have become powerful in the modern NFL. Will they last for 2012? Source: David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE

   Rob Gronkowski/Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots:  It’s very tough to argue against the production of Hernandez and Gronk.  The Patriots’ high flying tight ends don’t have to block well for runners because they are too busy catching touchdowns.  Used more like heavy receivers than anything else, the Patriots have the most talented tight ends in the league.

2. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers:  Like the Patriots the Packers have a very strong receiving target at the tight end position.  Finley can make al the grabs, can block effectively, and forces defenses to scheme to him.  He is missing a second component for 2012 but will have plenty of relief from the outside receiving targets that stock the Packers roster.
3. Owen Daniels/Garrett Graham, Houston Texans:  The Texans don’t have to use two tight ends to beat you, but they can take their pick from a position with some good depth.  The real force behind the strength of their tight end position is that both players fit very well with their passing attack and zone blocking scheme – allowing Ben Tate and Arian Foster to run wild while still presenting a legitimate receiving threat.
4. Brandon Pettigrew/Tony Scheffler, Detroit Lions:  Pettigrew is a great target for Matt Stafford and presents a big red zone threat against opposing defenses.  Tony Scheffler has a strong reputation the league over and helps to take some of the heat off Pettigrew when needed.  The Lions have Calvin Johnson on the outside, but don’t overlook what they have at tight end or the opposition gets beat.
5. Dustin Keller, New York Jets:  Keller has quietly put together some very good seasons for the Jets.  If Tebow ends up making the field at any point, look for Keller to be heavily involved.  He is the outlet for Mark Sanchez that somehow keeps them in playoff contention.
6. Jared Cook, Tennessee Titans:  Cook could have a big year if Jake Locker ends up starting for the season.  He blocks very effectively (when CJ2K feels like running) and also presents a nice target for the quarterback.
7. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals:  Jermaine Gresham will be joined by ex-Packer Donald Lee this season but will undoubtedly overshadow the journeyman tight end.  Gresham has become a favorite of Andy Dalton and helped to make Cedric Benson look like a real running back last year.
8. Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars:  Lewis could have been two or three on this list if he had replicated his 2010 numbers in 2011.  With the struggling Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, Lewis has failed to become the outlet a young quarterback needs.  A strong blocker, his help on the line can’t be overlooked in light of Maurice Jones-Drew’s rushing title season.  He needs to get better at the little things.
9. Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins:  I like Fasano though a lot of people could disagree with me.  He isn’t the most productive tight end in the world but he gets it done on the field when called on.
10. Kellen Davis, Chicago Bears:  For a pass-heavy team, Davis doesn’t accumulate many yards or many receptions. He isn’t the best target off the line and isn’t great in pass protecting.  I also suspect that Matt Forte’s success on the ground comes more from his skills than blocking contributions from Davis.
11. Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills:  Chandler has done little to separate himself from the pack of tight ends in the NFL.  If his blocking contributes to a breakout season for C.J. Spiller then this conversation may go another way.
12. 

    If Rudolph ups his game in 2012 he could be a powerful force for the Vikings and could aid Christian Ponder as he grows. Source: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

    Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings:  Essentially asked to block for the Vikings’ running backs, Rudolph does decently in that regard.  Like Lewis though he has failed to become the outlet that Christian Ponder needs as he develops.

13. Brandon Myers, Oakland Raiders:  Myers is a depressing starting option for the Raiders.  Tight end should be a position of need heading into the season for Oakland.
14. Coby Fleener, Indianpolis Colts:  Coby Fleener was a very, very good prospect in the 2011 draft.  He teams up with fellow Stanford draftee Andrew Luck to try and replicate their college success in the NFL.  I don’t think that is  a good thing.  I like Fleener’s skills and hope to be surprised but am not expecting anything.

The Jaguars play some really good tight ends and some very….mediocre tight ends throughout the season.  Marcedes Lewis needs to prove he’s worthy of being the top target for the Jaguars again because his 2011 season was a major down year.  It will be curious to see if the two tight end set is as effective in 2012 as it was in 2011 now that some teams are taking more steps to address the attack.

- Luke N. Sims

Check out our other roster strength analysis: QB, RB

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

Editor’s Note:  This post is from new Black and Teal writer David Johns.  David provides solid need for us Jaguars fans in this offseason: sanity.  Enjoy and welcome David to the community dear gents and ladies!

What’s done is done. Tim Tebow is NOT coming to Jacksonville. Speculating on the “why” will only lead to more spiritual agony and maybe even a migraine. It’s time to let it go, Jags fans. Tebow was not our only hope. This is a football team. So let’s talk football.

Yes, you are overrated. Source: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

I’ve spoken with several casual fans about the city. The Vincent Jacksons and Brandon Carrs of the NFL realm have all but left a goodbye letter. Everyone seems a bit agitated that Khan and Smith did not pursue any of these high-priced superstar, super stud, never-ever-fail, free agents. What everyone is failing to realize is that the best teams don’t have to sign these overvalued free agents. -Name one high priced free agent the Giants brought in last year. Try it with the Packers too – “Overvalued?” You may ask. Yes, overvalued. Name two free agents last year other than K David Akers and RB Darren Sproles to make an obvious impact. Braylon Edwards? That’s more the production. It’s not about the guys you sign. It’s about the off season designed.

Seriously, his future could be as bright as Aikman's. Source: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

The best teams never have, never will draft based on need. Did the Giants pass on Jason Pierre-Paul when they already had a league best pass rush? Did the Packers pass on Rodgers when they already had a future hall of famer? Did the Patriots really need to draft Aaron Hernandez in the mid rounds after getting Rob Gronkowski in the 2^nd?  NO! They didn’t need these guys, but they were getting the best players available (BPA). Now, this is something I do applaud the Jags on doing. They always do their best to go BPA. Last year when Gabbert slipped to the 10^th overall spot, they moved up and got their man. It’s easy to criticize that move after his first year, but does anyone remember Peyton Manning’s first year? How about Troy Aikman’s? If you don’t, use the google machine and get up to date. Rome wasn’t built in a day.