December 17, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Johnson (11) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lost amid all the hullabaloo over drafting West Virginia QB Geno Smith was the fact that general manager Dave Caldwell is looking to bring in a quarterback or two from free agency or the draft to compete with Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne this offseason.  A name that was tossed around a lot was young quarterback Josh Johnson.

Johnson is an athletic quarterback with a lot of upside.  And now he isn’t on the market.  I was hoping the Jaguars would make a play for Johnson at some point, but either the team wasn’t interested, waited too long, or Johnson just wanted to backup Andy Dalton with the Cincinnati Bengals.  This is a really good free agent pickup by the Bengals and I think they have added quality depth behind their red-headed franchise quarterback.  Johnson was an offseason member of the San Francisco 49ers in 2012 before sticking with the Cleveland Browns.  He was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for years before that.

The already slim free agent quarterback market keeps getting slimmer with the Jags continuing to focus on signings elsewhere.  Geno Smith continues to look more and more inviting the longer the Jaguars don’t bring someone in to compete.  Then again, the Jags could probably take a fifth round QB and get some good competition from him against Gabbert and Henne.

- Luke N. Sims

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Does Gruden want a head coaching job yet?  Source:  Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

With Thursday’s firing of head coach Mike Mularkey, the Jacksonville Jaguars are in the market for a new head coach.  While some teams, like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns, have started filling their vacancies, the Jaguars are just beginning.  Potential candidates range, but the proposed emphasis seems to be on offensive coordinators.  Fitting that bill is Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

According to reports, Gruden has interest from the Jaguars as well as a number of other teams.  Since working with the Bengals to revamp their offense around young Andy Dalton, Gruden has become a popular candidate for head coaching jobs the last couple of years.  He turned down jobs last year, saying that he would like to focus on his family and continuing his work in Cincinnati.  For those of us who really like Gruden, it is only a matter of time until he hunkers down and accepts an HC position with a team.  It may as well be the Jaguars.

The Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles have all made overtures to Gruden and it will be curious to see how he responds.  Gruden is recognized as an innovative offensive mind who looks to exploit matchups with his personnel.  He has helped Dalton’s development and contributed to the Bengals making the playoffs this year and the year before.  Statistically, the up and coming coach is not as sound as other coordinator potential head coaches.  Gruden’s offense plays smart football but has not been in the top ten of major statistical categories.  He has only been at the job for two years, however, and it is anticipated that he will continue to grow as a coach.

If the Jaguars lean young, then Gruden could very easily be at the top of their list.

- Luke N. Sims

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The Jaguars defense came out hot and forced an Andy Dalton interception only to have Kyle Bosworth fumble the return without being touched.  The Bengals took advantage of the mistake and marched down the field for a field goal.  The Jaguars responded with a nice two yard touchdown pass to Marcedes Lewis to go up 7-3.  That’s when the Bengals really started to up their game.  Down 3-7 in the second quarter, the Bengals when up 17-7 by halftime.  The Jags went on to score a field goal after stalling in the redzone and the game ended 27-10.

Rashean Mathis was easily beat by Green all day.  Source: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

It was a depressing showing for Maurice Jones-Drew who had a meager 38 yards on 13 carries (2.9 yards per attempt).  Meanwhile, BenJarvus Green-Ellis put up 82 yards on 26 carries (3.1 yards per attempt) but seemed to be doing much more for the Bengals offense.  Andy Dalton looked tremendous going 20/31 for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and the interception fumbled by Bosworth.  A.J. Green was a big recipient of Dalton’s success and caught six balls for 117 yards and a score.  Gabbert continued to struggle to move the ball for the Jaguars offense and ended the day 23/34 for 186 yards, a touchdown, and a pick.  While a much better completion percentage for Gabbert, a large number of his throws were underneath to MJD or other backs.  Justin Blackmon did seem to finally break out of his shell with six catches for 48 yards but looked out of place and failed to compete for some balls.

The Jaguars failed to open up their offense and it cost them in a game that made the Bengals defense look much better than the bottom-feeding type it has been thus far this season.  Meanwhile, the Bengals seemed to be able to do what they wanted against the Jags.  While the Jags forced two Green-Ellis fumbles, the Bengals D seemed unstoppable and got to Gabbert six times.  The offensive line, especially LG Eben Britton, looked lost early in the game and allowed the Bengals defense to set the easily set the tone.

With the win the Bengals increase to 3-1 and the Jaguars join the Titans at 1-3 and at the bottom of the AFC South.

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims