Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

Many teams have experimented or have switched to a base 3-4 defense; including the Jaguars in the Gregg Williams days of 2008. While switching, player personnel must be heavily considered due to the different type of talent needed to fulfill the scheme. Experimentation, and a terrible draft that no longer exists, led to failure, and the Jaguars have stuck with what they know under current defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.

For the past eight years, Daryl Smith has anchored the defense with consistent play. Playing both outside and inside in his career, Smith is one of the lesser known versatile players that has made plays for the Jaguars year after year. As stated in an article by Football Outsiders.com, Smith was the best in “Defeats” in 2010, topping play makers like DeMarcus Ware and Ray Lewis. Smith is both underrated and unknown because he plays for a small market team and lacks the chances to rack up sacks like his 3-4 counterparts. He needs to step up and account for more defeats this season by recording more turnovers. With his supporting cast now a year together, their play will allow him to reach a higher level.

Posluszny or “Poz”, had Jaguars fans rejoicing when he joined the team this past season. Being miscast in the Buffalo Bills 3-4 defense, Poz wanted to pursue a team in a 4-3 to play at his highest level. The Jaguars came knocking aggressively as they desperately needed a new Mike, which would allow Smith to play to his strengths on the outside. Poz lead the team in tackles, but struggled at times in pass protection, his only knock when signing as a Jag. In the modern day NFL, linebackers are being asked to be more athletic to keep up with faster Tight Ends and play solid zone coverage. Poz is a classic MLB who would thrive in years past when the passing game was still developing. Being a three down player, Poz will need to improve his coverage for the upcoming season.

Another piece added with Poz was Clint Session off of the Colts. Session was excited to play for a team with more beef on the front lines, referring to Defensive Tackles Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu. Session hasn’t played a complete season since 2008, which was his biggest concern for him during free agency. He played nine games this past season, being marred by concussions, with his second ending his season. Session was a bit of a gamble of a free agent, and may prove useful if healthy, but newly extended Russell Allen may end up replacing the injury plagued Session.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Russell Allen (50) Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

Russell Allen has been a career backup with a promising future as a Jaguar. He recently resigned for recording three turnovers, (1 interception and 2 forced fumbles), as well as half a sack replacing the injured Session. If Session or one the other LB’s cannot stay healthy, Allen will be a great plug in.

The final player to round out this list is “The Real” Brandon Marshall. Marshall will most likely play a special teams role unless lightning strikes twice and the Jaguars have more players on injured reserve than the active roster.

If the Jaguars are to enter top 5 contention and elite status, all players must work on their own issues, weather it be recording more turnovers, playing tighter coverage or staying healthy. However, each player must actually perform all three tasks in order for the defense to become elite.

- Antonio Furgiuele

The key point here is that they loom ominously in the distance.

So far the Jaguars have done a good job of not being overly affected by the holdouts of MJD and Scobee.  The team is in a transition phase.  A new head coach, offensive coordinator, and owner have all been installed.  With them will come a change in focus, priorities, and approach to the game.  And during it all they have managed to keep the superior culture of the Jacksonville Jaguars organization alive.

The team focuses hard, they have learned and installed the new offense, and the team is willing to step up for the new leadership.  The team comes off as stable (unless you’re paying attention to the major news outlets who don’t really pay attention to the Jaguars) and strong.  Talent has been infused into the roster and the team is more hopeful now than they have been in years.  All of this is occurring despite the absence of the highest point scorer of the team the biggest catalyst of the team.

This stability and sense of confidence is all due to those in charge of the team and they deserve a lot of credit for keeping the team focused.

The Jaguars are not a team of divas so it isn’t a shock that there hasn’t been a lot of focus placed on the holdouts by the players holding out or the team.  But being able to keep the focus on football is something that is truly amazing.

- Luke N. Sims

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The Jaguars have had a handful of very talented individuals play defense since their inaugural season in 1995. Consequently, this team is comprised of players from many different years. I also threw in the special teamers at the end.

Defensive End – Tony Brackens

Easily the best defensive end in Jaguars history, Tony Brackens was a strong, athletic, pass rushing fiend on the edge of line. Brackens holds the franchise record for sacks (55) and he really is the only intimidating pass rusher the Jaguars have had in their history. While the team has had several solid defensive ends that could hold their own against the run and occasionally create some pressure, Brackens was the only player who the Jaguars could count on to consistently fluster the quarterback.

Defensive Tackle – John Henderson

John Henderson teamed up with the next guy on our list to create one of the best interior defensive lines in the NFL. John Henderson provided a massive presence (6’7”, 328 lbs) on the defense and he managed to provide a consistent pass rush while stuffing the run. As the last first round pick of the Tom Coughlin era, Henderson made two pro bowls and provided a strong foundation for Jack Del Rio’s defense. He was also a total badass.

Henderson is also on the All Time "Please Don't Hurt Me" Team. Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

Henderson is also on the All Time “Please Don’t Hurt Me” Team.

Defensive Tackle – Marcus Stroud

While not quite as imposing a presence as Henderson, Stroud was a wide load who made it very difficult for opposing teams to run the football. He made three consecutive pro bowls and played outstanding football for the Jaguars until he was suspended for using steroids in 2007.

Defensive End – Paul Spicer

This is one of the positions where no player really stood out behind Tony Brackens. This was a tossup between a couple of players who put together nice 2 to 3 year stretches, so I went with Paul Spicer. Spicer was a journeyman who spent 9 seasons with the Jaguars and didn’t really make an impact until his 6^th season when he broke out with 7.5 sacks. He went on to have 4 solid seasons with the team before retiring.

Linebacker – Daryl Smith

A current Jaguar finally makes an appearance on the defense! Underappreciated for several years, Smith has finally begun to reap the praise he’s deserved. Smith has been nothing short of solid since being drafted in 2004 and he has emerged as a defensive leader and one of the best 4-3 linebackers in the NFL. If he played on a higher profile team, Smith likely would have a few pro bowl appearances on his ledger.

Linebacker – Mike Peterson

Signed as a free agent in 2003, Mike Peterson was the quarterback of the defense for 5 very solid statistical seasons. Peterson was the prototypical tackling machine teams wanted as their 4-3 middle linebacker.

Linebacker – Kevin Hardy

As the 2^nd overall pick of the 1996 draft, Hardy never quite lived up to his promise, but he still managed to carve out a nice career with the Jaguars. Hardy had one particularly strong year in 1999 when he made the pro bowl – he managed double-digit sacks along with his solid tackle numbers.

Cornerback – Rashean Mathis

The Jaguars’ all-time leader in interceptions is a safe bet to be on this list for many years to come. In his peak seasons, Mathis had all the attributes you wanted in a cornerback – ball hawking, man-to-man skills, baiting the quarterback, press coverage, tackling. He’s not the same player at this point in his career, but he has developed several savvy moves characteristic of a wily veteran.

Man-to-man skills, press coverage skills, and some sweet dreads. Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger via US PRESSWIRE

Man-to-man skills, press coverage skills, and some sweet dreads.

Cornerback – Aaron Beasley

Like defensive end, there is a substantial gap between one and two at cornerback on this list. Beasley was a solid defensive back from 1996-2001 for the Jags, but he wasn’t the shutdown type of corner Mathis has been over his career. He had one standout season in 1999 when he racked up 6 interceptions, 2 of which he returned for touchdowns.

Safety – Donovan Darius

Donovan Darius was an intimidator in the Jaguars backend known for his big hits. He led the Jaguars secondary in tackles for 7 straight seasons and made receivers think twice before going over the middle, just ask Robert Ferguson.

Safety – Deon Grant

Another tough spot to pin down, I went with Deon Grant. Only with the team for three seasons, Grant was part of a nice pairing in the defensive backfield with Darius. While unspectacular, he was rarely seen giving up big plays and he was a good enough tackler to provide a solid last line of defense.

Kicker – Josh Scobee

This was probably the toughest spot to make a decision on. While Mike Hollis is the franchise leader in field goals made (175) and field goal percentage (80.6%), Scobee is likely to overtake him in field goals made this season (167) and he has made more field goals from 40+ yards (62 to 53). Also, while Hollis has a few clutch field goals to his credit (particularly in 1996), Scobee has made numerous long-distance kicks to win games or put the team ahead. Scobee also has the edge in kickoffs.

59 yards. 'Nuff said. Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

59 yards. ‘Nuff said.

Punter – Bryan Barker

You can’t really go wrong with Chris Hanson or Bryan Barker here, so I went with the punter who was on my favorite Jaguars team (1996). Barker is the franchise leader in punt yards and yards per punt.

Kick Returner – Reggie Barlow

Reggie Barlow served primarily as a punt/kick returner during his five years in Jacksonville. His 3 overall return touchdowns still stand as a franchise record.

All-Time Defense/Special Teams

There you have it! The entire First Team All Jaguars roster is set. It’s pretty clear that several positions are up for grabs over the next several years so it should be exciting to see who can cement their place in Jaguars lore.

-Daniel Lago