While it is true that the Texans are much, much better than the Vikings, it is no excuse for rolling over and letting the Texans have their way with the Jags.  The defense looked confused and overmatched.  The offense looked very out-of-sync and ill-prepared.  Hopefully this game will be a wakeup call for the men in teal and allow them to band together and get to work.  Here is what we saw in the Jaguars’ Week 2 loss to the Texans:

-The defense lacks swagger – It is hard to pinpoint the exact reason, but the defense looked defeated before the end of the first quarter, waving their white jerseys in the air as a sign of surrender.  In his second NFL game, rookie defensive end Andre Branch was an absolute non-factor from the first Houston snap.  The rest of the defensive line was not much better.  The linebacking corp with the exception of Paul Posluszny seemed to lack the ability to tackle anyone wearing a blue jersey.  The same goes for defensive backs like Aaron Ross who looked like he was more worried about messing up his uniform than making a tackle.  The score could have been much worse if the Texans hadn’t relaxed so much about midway through the third quarter.  The defensive group as a whole seemed to be void of any confidence or aggressiveness.  Mel Tucker better step up and get this group moving in the right direction soon.

-The offensive line is miserable – As the injury bug makes its way around the offensive line unit once again, it makes me wonder if Blaine Gabbert will become another David Carr.  We have seen Gabbert play well and we know he is improving stepping into the pocket when pressure is on, but when there is pressure on every play, it’s hard to blame him for dumping the ball off to a running back or tight end.  Eugene Monroe did an excellent job against Jared Allen in Week One, but the Texans have multiple pass rushers and Monroe can’t be everywhere.  The injury excuse is wearing thin.  While it means that our best options may not be there, this happens seemingly every year and something has to change.  Get better trainers or get healthier linemen but we have to get better up front.  Every team has injuries and every player on our sideline is a professional football player.  It’s not like we are pulling our backups from local high schools.  Gabbert was under nonstop pressure yesterday and didn’t even attempt a pass to a wide receiver until late in the game.  When he did have time it resulted in a beautiful pass deep down the field to Laurent Robinson that split two defensive backs and led to the Jags only touchdown.

-Brian Anger might actually be our best player – It pains me to admit it, but the Jaguars did a great job when they drafted Brian Anger in the third round.  While I will forever believe we could have drafted an every down player instead, he is living up to the hype and for a team that punts nine times a game, it’s nice to know the punter is a potentially great one.

I am putting Gene Smith on notice today, Monday the 17^th, 2012.  We have heard the same thing over and over.  “We’re young.” “We’re rebuilding.” “We must stick to the plan.”  When your team wins about 25% of its games year after year, you aren’t rebuilding, you just suck.  That’s what the Jags are turning into, a team that sucks.  We have changed owners, coaches, and quarterbacks.  We have bought into the same excuses and empty promises for years.  If the Jaguars’ 2012 season continues the way it has played out through two weeks, there is only one more thing to change, Mr. Smith.

As far as far as football practice in shorts goes, it was pretty ordinary overall.  After a team stretch lead by a handful of Jaguars veterans (including number 11 in the front center spot, which really excited me for some reason)  they separated for position drills, followed by one on ones, 11 on 11, 7 on 7, more position drills, and finishing with a light scrimmage and a cool-down stretch .

Here are the things and players that stood out over those two hours of practice:

1. The Wide Receiver Position – Upon seeing Justin Blackmon for the first time with the rest of the receivers, the first impression I got was that they weren’t kidding when they listed him at 6’1”.  In fact, that might be a little generous.  Granted he is noticeably taller than both Mike Thomas and Lee Evans, but he seemed taller when watching him play at Oklahoma State.  That being said, he definitely plays taller and faster than his measurables indicate.  He caught almost everything thrown his way.  There were two passes from Gabbert that were way off target that Blackmon reeled in anyway, one leaping and one sliding.  Blackmon was also clearly Gabbert’s (and Henne’s for that matter) favorite target in 11 on 11’s and 7 on 7’s.  He was targeted about 50% of the time he was on the field (the other 50% containing all 3 or 4 other options in a given pass attempt).  This really got me excited!  Blackmon is showing early signs of potentially being the reliable receiver that the Jaguars have been missing since Jimmy Smith retired.   I would have liked to see some more passes thrown Laurent Robinson’s way, who is easily the Jags most physically impressive receiver.  Mike Thomas had a few drops, but he also made an incredible catch towards the end of practice when he slipped as Gabbert threw a rocket towards him and Thomas ripped it out of the air over his head as he was falling down like a frog snatching a fly.  The first team receivers were Blackmon, Robinson, and Thomas, with Brian Robiskie being a popular target when subbed in.

2. Aaron Ross – With Rashean Mathis still sidelined for most of practice as he enters the final stages of recovery from an ACL tear, Aaron Ross got a lot of action lining up opposite Derek Cox at the cornerback position.  Throughout the entire practice Ross was the defensive player that stood out the most to me.  He was all over the field, making plays, running stride for stride with Blackmon and Thomas.  It may be difficult to fully judge a defensive player in a non-contact setting, but it was clear that he is an athletic, cerebral player that will improve our pass coverage and hopefully contribute to a few coverage sacks.  His mouth had quite a workout too as he reminded Blackmon and Chastin West who won in their 1 on 1 drills.  He also made sure to coach and advise fellow defensive backs.  His two Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants seem to garner a lot of respect from his teammates and he appears to be comfortably asserting himself as a leader on defense.  One of the most intriguing position battles come training camp will be Ross versus Mathis for the second starting cornerback job.  Early prediction? Aaron Ross will get the nod over Shean.

3. Quarterbacks’ Performance – Okay, Blaine Gabbert is the starting quarterback and will be the opening day starter barring some unforeseen setback.  But it is in the team’s best interest for us to consider the possibility of a repeat performance from last year, as unlikely as we think that is to happen.  If that nightmare scenario does take place, I believe we acquired a very capable backup in Chad Henne.  He never accomplished anything noteworthy but was a fairly reliable option for the Dolphins.  He started 31 games in four seasons with Miami and has a 60% completion rate over his career. During Wednesday’s practice, Blaine stood out as the better talent, especially with deeper routes.  Henne showed signs of what I believe a good backup quarterback possesses.  He was consistent with his throws, accurate in shallow and midrange routes across the middle and underthrowing some deeper routes.  He doesn’t throw it with the velocity of Gabbert, but his calm consistency and past experience makes him a great number two option for the Jaguars.  Now to the Blaine train.  Gabbert looked relaxed and in control throughout practice.  His drop steps have a shorter stride and coaches were standing behind him making sure he didn’t hold on to the ball too long.  As long as these things continue to improve, it seems likely that Blaine will have a noticeably better season in 2012.

4. The Bryan Anger Watch – There was one moment, just one, during the practice where everyone in the stands gave a round of applause.  It wasn’t a Gabbert pass or a Derek Cox interception.  IT WAS A PUNT!!  During the punting drill early in practice, Bryan Anger displayed the greatest single punt any of us had ever seen.  A guy behind me clocked it close to 6 seconds of hang time and the return man had to quickly backtrack to catch it 65 yards from the line of scrimmage.  It was a booming tight spiral that soared through the air screaming “walk the walk!” as it bounced off the moon and reentered our atmosphere.  Yes, I was one of the detractors.  I hated the fact that we drafted a punter in the 3^rd round when there were plenty of excellent position players and potential every-down starters still left in the draft.  I don’t think I’ll be alone in scrutinizing him throughout the season, but if he can reproduce punts like that on a regular basis, I will gladly and graciously admit defeat and retreat to my curmudgeon lair.

Yes, it was only mini camp and the pressure, contact, and speed of real NFL games are absent.  However, the characteristics of a team that plays like a team and wins like a team can be seen.  The players appeared to be working hard, communicating with coaches and teammates, and generally enjoying the game of football.  All of these signs are good for a team that must come together in a short amount of time given the new coaching staff and new players that will need to play key roles during the season like Ross, Robinson, Blackmon, and Andre Branch.  I like the Jaguars progress to this point and hope to see further growth and cohesion as training camp approaches.

-Lionel Joel

Guy 1: “Dude, it’s that time again! It’s gonna be great, I just know it!”

Guy 2: “Are you sure?  I’m pretty sure it’s disappointed you every time in the past.”

Guy 1: “Whatever, man, I know it’s gonna work out this time!!”

Guy 2: “Okay, buddy, but when you are left frustrated and defending your choice to every single person you talk to, just remember that you go through this every year.”

Like the McRib, GM Gene Smith leaves everyone who sides with him constantly on the defensive.  While it is usually 1^st round picks like Alualu and (to a lesser extent) Gabbert that Gene surprises people with, this year he decided to make his 3^rd round draft choice a national talking point.  Bryan Anger, through no fault of his own, has made the Jaguars a laughing stock throughout the sports world.  Even if he becomes a perennial pro bowler, he is still a punter drafted in the third round, where solid defensive and offensive contributors can be found.  Just based on Jaguars’ recent draft history, do you think Derek Cox, Terrance Knighton, and Will Rackley are as equally valuable as a punter?  They were all 3^rd round picks.  They are all starters.  I don’t care what the Jaguars say, a punter is never considered a starter.  There are about 900 plays a year on each offense and defense, and about 100 plays of special teams.  If you are looking for a “starter” on one of the three, which one seems more valuable?

Unfortunately, after hours of research, I have discovered that “Back to the Future” is based in fiction and time travel is currently not possible.  But I don’t care.  I looked at the draft results and compiled a list of prospects the Jaguars could have drafted instead of Brian Anger that could contribute to our team and still meet the value of a 3^rd round pick.

Brandon Taylor, S, LSU – The 3^rd ranked strong safety in the draft, Taylor started 33 consecutive games for one of the top defenses in country.  A strong and quick defender with considerable experience in big games against top-level talent in the SEC.  Lacks great one-on-one coverage ability and operating in space but has a high football IQ. (Drafted: #73, Chargers)

Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State - Projected to get drafted in the second round but was still available when the Jags drafted in the third round with the #70 overall pick.  Agreat pass rush can win a lot of games and the Jags had a great opportunity to get an excellent value pick in Crawford to pair with Andre Branch.  He is a quick, athletic player and at 6’4”, 275lbs, he has excellent size.  Still kind of raw but succeeded at the JuCo and Division I levels so there is definitely growth potential if he can learn from coaches and veteran players. (Drafted: #81, Cowboys)

Sean Spence, OLB, Miami(FL) – A little undersized at 5’11”, 230lbs, he has shown that he can overcome his lack of ideal size by being a film room junkie.  He has excellent read-and -react ability, strong coverage skills, and is a fierce natural leader on the field.  He is also quite fast for a linebacker. (Drafted: #86, Steelers)

Alameda Ta’amu, DT, Washington – I wrote about this beast in the middle a few weeks ago, and I still believe he could help our interior.  He is 6’3”, 350lbs, but reportedly has surprising quickness and has the wide frame to plug up the middle and take on multiple blockers to free up other defenders.  Ta’amu has short arms and isn’t great pursuing downfield.  I don’t care if he can’t catch Chris Johnson from behind if he can keep Johnson from getting there. (Drafted: #109, Steelers)

T.Y. Hilton, WR, FIU – Hilton was a topic of conversation on ESPN, CBS, and the NFL Network in the days leading up to the draft as being a dark horse draft pick after round one.  Playing for FIU will never garner very much attention, but he has shown excellent potential.  Hilton ran a 4.37 40 at the combine and runs strong, clean routes.  Has the size and speed to be a DeSean Jackson, minus the mind-numbing baggage. (Drafted: #92, Colts)

Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia – Boykin’s stock dropped when he broke his fibula in the Senior Bowl and couldn’t work out at the combine or UGA’s pro day.  On film it is clear that he has elite speed (reportedly clocked at sub-4.4 sec in the 40 multiple times) and is good in tight coverage situations.  He is aggressive in run support and works hard to overcome his smaller build.  He was also an excellent return specialist.  Could be valuable if his versatility is utilized as a nickel corner and punt returner. (Drafted: #123, Eagles)

Chris Rainey, RB, Florida – Rainey may not be the prototypical “Gene guy”  given his text messaging history, but head coach Mike Mularkey was the only NFL H.C. at the Gators’ pro day and specifically cited Rainey as a player of interest.  He could have been the Jags’ guy in the fourth, but that pick was wisely traded for Justin Blackmon.  Not having a fourth, however, could have led the Jaguars to reach for a playmaker like Rainey, who arguably could be valued higher on a pure talent basis.  He was also available when the Jaguars drafted in the fifth round.  He was extremely versatile in college, with successful stints at running back, wide receiver, punt/kick returner, and punt/field goal blocker.  He is quite possibly the fastest player in the 2012 draft and has great hands, field vision, and cutting ability.  Rainey isn’t a good run blocker or pass protector.  At 5’8”, 180lbs, and a history of shoulder issues, his durability as an NFL player is in question.  He also has some character issues.   But the Saints (with Reggie Bush and then Darren Sproles) have shown that an undersized player with speed and soft hands can be very valuable as both a playmaker and a decoy and can immediately boost your team’s short yardage offense. (Drafted: #159, Steelers)

The Jaguars had the potential to have one of the best drafts of 2012 and one of the best in team history.  We got our potential star in Blackmon, a highly coveted pass rusher in Branch, and addressed weaknesses in special teams and defense.  However, drafting Brian Anger in the 3^rd round was a total whiff by the Jaguars.  In his senior season, Anger averaged 44.2 yards per punt.  This would rank him tied for 22^nd in the NFL in 2011 (according to pro-football-reference.com).   It is only 1.5 yards more than Nick Harris, who was the Jags punter for the last 11 weeks of 2011.  A 3^rd round pick to put a team on the 36 yard line instead of the 38 yard line and plays in 10.3% of the game?  What about a player that can score touchdowns, stop the run, or buy Blaine an extra second in the pocket?  Is that not worth an average NFL punter?  The Jaguars and their fans already have to deal with chatter about low ticket sales, underachieving players, and tarps in the stands.

Why did Gene have to pile on more internal and external criticism?

-Lionel Joel