Don’t know what I’m talking about?  Alright, I’ve got it for you right here:

Essentially, the Jags picked up yards like nothing I’ve seen since.  Fred Taylor looked like he was young again, Maurice Jones-Drew was young and showing that explosiveness that apparently is no more (thanks Pete Prisco), and David Garrard continued to solidify himself as a game manager quarterback.

I don’t think the Jaguars in 2011 could have ran five 17+ yard carries in a row.  With the faulty play of Blaine Gabbert which led to stacking the box against MJD, not to mention the lack of a good running back behind MJD (Sorry Deji Karim….maybe Greg Jones could have had an opportunity?), the Jags had little hope of being able to run wild.

But the Jaguars back in 2006?  It was a dream come true.  Garrard was setting himself up for his super efficient 2007 season, Taylor and Jones-Drew were a powerful tandem, and the offensive line was something beyond reproach.

That year, Garrard was getting some major starting time with an injured Byron Leftwich.  He wasn’t the model of efficiency that he would be in 2007, but he led the team with energy.

That year, the offensive line wasn’t supposed to be anything special, but the unit banded together and hunkered down.  It became a premier run blocking unit that allowed Fred Taylor to almost get 1,200 yards and MJD to get almost 1,000.

Taylor was always a delight to watch! Source: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Taylor and MJD were a delight to watch.  The energy of the young Jones-Drew seemed to invigorate Fred Taylor to new heights, revitalizing his running game.  The pair were a highlight reel all season long.  They averaged 5.0 and 5.7 yards per attempt on the season, respectively.

So, what’s so similar about the 2012 Jaguars and the 2006 Jaguars?  Hopefully it won’t be the record of 8-8.

Blaine Gabbert is entering a season where he isn’t expected to do much, and he should be able to be average.  David Garrard was right around average in 2006, and Byron Leftwich never got better than average in his career.

Further, Maurice Jones-Drew gets dependable, fresh legs to join him in the backfield in Rashad Jennings.  He’s the kind of guy you want back there to push you to greater heights.  Just the kind of guy who is supportive enough of your skills and legacy to make your past year that wore you down seem like a distant memory.  And if Jones-Drew gets tired after four straight run plays, bring in Jennings and your offense hasn’t lost a beat.

Now, onto the offensive line.  You know, the unit that has been ridiculed in the past couple years for not being good enough at pass protection?  While I certainly am not going to say that allowing 40 sacks is a good thing (Guard Uche Nwaneri has pledged to set a new record in sacks allowed this year), I am a firm believer in focusing on run blocking before focusing on pass blocking.  It worked in 2006, and it will work in 2012.  Here’s why:

You can have a very good pass blocking unit that allows your quarterback time to get the ball out and put up some monster yards (i.e. the Peyton Manning-led Colts).  That same line can do a good job of that in the red zone, allowing time for your passing attack to find the big target and throw it for a score.  That’s all well and good and it is the way a lot of teams are going in the pass heavy modern NFL.

Will Donald Brown live up to his potential? Source: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

But for teams like the Jaguars that have real running backs (no offense to Joseph Addai or Donald Brown), focusing on the run blocking is more important.  It opens up space for the running back, clears lanes, and, most importantly, allows the offense to remain balanced.  When the defense is always worried that the unit can easily move to the second level of the defense and block linebackers, then the defense has to respect the ability of the offense to “surge” forward.  In that surge, the running backs will move forward and pick up yards.  But what if it’s a passing play?  It takes a bit of time to identify the play (especially with play action which should be well respected due to the running attack).  The defense knows they could be moved off their responsibilities by a bully of an offensive line, and know that if they rush too much the ball carrier will slip past them up the middle, the side, or just barely past their outstretched arms.

So, how is this unit going to be good at running in 2012?  Because the offensive line did little to nothing more than run block last season.  The pass blocking was terrible.  Truly horrendous.  But with more legitimate receiving targets and a more mature quarterback, and a line that has played together for a year (minus tackle Eben Britton), you’re looking at a unit that will be able to bully the defense and thus free up better pass blocking through the respect the defense must give the run game.

I’ve stated this all far more convoluted than I should have, but, essentially, with a more balanced approach the pass blocking should be more free to have errors and less costly ones.  Those errors will be more irregular because the defense won’t be able to key in on the running game solely but must allow the play to develop some time before they know if it is going to be a draw play or a real pass play.  This frees up time for the offensive line to be more effective in passing plays.

That offensive line, in combination with skilled ball carriers and an average quarterback (at least) should set up the Jaguars to run wild in 2012.

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

Sep 11, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson (13) celebrates with wide receiver David Nelson (86) after catching a touchdown pass against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers (24) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

What do all of these players have in common? They were all late round picks. Day 3 gets no love, and while players picked in the 6th and 7th rounds have a lesser chance of sticking to a team than their earlier round counterparts, a good scout can find an undiscovered talent. Now I’m not saying that you’ll find the next Tom Brady, but it is possible to find players to add depth and insurance to their respected position. So without further ado, I give you four prospects to keep an eye on in the final rounds of the NFL Draft.

Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor:

Nov 26, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears running back Terrance Ganaway (24) rushes in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Cowboys Stadium. Baylor defeated Texas Tech 66-42. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

Kelcie McCray, SS, Arkansas St.:

Sep 03, 2011; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Jason Ford (middle) dives for a touchdown as Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Kelcie McCray (right) and defensive back Darren Edwards (1) try to stop him during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-US PRESSWIRE

  McCray has great size and height for the position. These days it can be very difficult to find a player who can play both the run AND the pass. McCray can do both. Not only does he have the ability to stay with receivers while in coverage, but he is also a very physical and willing tackler. He had ten interceptions in college and has good ball skills after the pick. He ran a 4.54 40 at the combine which was fourth among safeties, and he has no kind of injury history or off the field concerns. I for one wouldn’t mind seeing the Jaguars take McCray in the 6th. Some would say that’s a bit early, but I think he’d be worth it.

Charles Burton, OT, Montana: When I first started this series of mid-to-late round prospects, I received an email from the good editor here at blackandteal.com, Luke N. Sims. I am giving Mr. Sims all the credit here for several reasons. The main one being, HE is the one that turned me on to this versatile, complete, offensive lineman. If he ends up exploding onto the NFL scene, I want Mr. Sims to get the credit…because I had no idea who Burton was until now. So I did what anyone would do…I started reading about this kid. Burton started as a special teams player in 2008 before he switched to guard in 2009. In 2010, he switched to right tackle. Hmm…what does that tell you? He was going in the RIGHT direction on the O-line. If he started at tackle, then to guard, then demoted to special teams, then that would just mean he can’t hack it. What this tells me is that he has a willingness to adapt, he’s coachable, and he knows the game. You’re right, Luke. We could definitely take a 7th round flyer on this one. I can picture him being a swing tackle on game day, and maybe even kick inside to guard if need be.

DaJohn Harris, DT, USC:

October 29, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck (12) runs the ball against the defense of Southern California Trojans defensive tackle DaJohn Harris (98) during the overtime period half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

   One of the most underrated plays in football today is the pass break-up. Maybe it’s the cool “thud” sound the ball makes when it hits the hand of a mammoth defensive lineman that intrigues me so much, but either way a pass deflection makes that play null and void. Harris had six pass deflections last year. If you pair that with his seven tackles for losses, then it’s obvious he can be disruptive in the backfield. In 2010 he became a starter for the Trojans. He started on the defensive line all season and had 35 tackles, 5.5 for losses, 3.5 were sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one deflection.

Harris could be a fantastic addition to the Jags’ defensive line rotation.

So there you have it folks. Four more prospects to keep an eye on come next weekend. Notice I said next WEEKEND and not next THURSDAY.

For the past three weeks, I’ve broken down four prospects every Tuesday who are expected to go on days 2 and 3. If you’ve been keeping up, you should know of 12 more college players than you usually would…because let’s face it without me you wouldn’t know who anyone is past round 2. So go out and impress your friends with your newly found awesome yoda-like football knowledge!

Next week…7 Round Mock…you read right.

-David R. Johns

 

The Jags play the Colts for the first time in week 10 Source: sports-odds.com

As the Jags head into the bye week, they look forward to two very winnable games.  The Colts in week ten and the Browns in week eleven.  If this were a normal year, the Colts would probably have 0-2 losses and would be a formidable foe requiring intense preparation and development in the off week.  But this year, the Jags can focus on getting back to the basics, practicing harder and, hopefully, coming out of the bye week more refined.

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