Mike Smith…the coach who got away. Source: US-Presswire

When you look at the coaching staffs of the Falcons and the Jaguars, one thing is clear – the upper managements of both teams seem to evaluate coaches eerily similarly.  The head coach of the Falcons is Mike Smith, former defensive coordinator of the Jaguars.  The head coach of the Jaguars is Mike Mularkey, former offensive coordinator of the Falcons.  The offensive coordinator of the Falcons is Dirk Koetter, former offensive coordinator of the Jaguars.  The offensive coordinator of the Jaguars is Bob Bratkowski, former quarterbacks coach of the Falcons.  And what happens when coaches switch teams?  They sometimes take their players with them.  After Mike Smith went to the Falcons, ex-Jaguars just kept showing up on the Falcons roster: Mike Peterson, Brian Williams, Byron Leftwich, Vince Manuwai, and Luke McCown are probably the biggest names  (If you’re wondering why more recent Jaguars aren’t on this list, you’re probably not thinking about the talent drought that has recently hit Jacksonville).   Given the way Mike Smith has pursued ex-Jaguars, it would not surprise me at all if the Falcons made a run at Daryl Smith this offseason, especially since Smith starred for his defense for three years in Jacksonville.  The only reasons why this might not happen would be financial (cap space) and the high draft picks the Falcons have spent at the outside linebacker position in 2010 and 2011 in Sean Weatherspoon and Akeem Dent.

On the other hand, since Mike Smith left for the Falcons, the Jaguars roster has been pretty absent of ex-Falcons, with Grady Jackson as the only non-practice squad player (John Parker Wilson) that the Jaguars have had on their roster that came straight from the Falcons – and he only lasted one season with the Jaguars before he re-signed with the Falcons the following year.  When you look at the pedigree and performance of the players and coaches involved with both of these teams, it’s clear to even the most casual football fan that this relationship is as one sided as a regular season game between these two teams would be.

Shahid Khan, refusing to be bullied by the Falcons and media alike. Source: US Presswire

But Falcons fans, Mr. Khan isn’t a man that likes to be bullied.  That mustache don’t take no orders from nobody.  He saw Mike Smith sniping former Jaguar players and decided he would put an end to this madness.   Even though the Jaguars may have only one former Falcon on the team this year (versus the two they had last year in Mularkey and Bratkowski), he’s an ace-in-the-hole.  What better way to reverse the direction of this imbalanced relationship than sniping the Falcons’ number two personnel guy?  How Mr. Khan convinced a promising up-and-comer who was a premier GM candidate to take our 2-14 team and roster, I don’t know, but he probably deserves a medal for his powers of persuasion.  We should also probably give one to Jets owner Woody Johnson for insisting that Caldwell take on the rambunctious Rex Ryan as his head coach.

Welcome to the new era of Jaguars football, Jaguars fans.  To Mr. Caldwell, the Jaguars fans are a critical bunch, but you were the favorite GM candidate of not just Mr. Khan but much of Jaguar nation, and your signing received an overwhelmingly positive response from us on the web.  Coming off a 2-14 season, our standards are as low as they’ll ever be, so in many respects, this will be the easiest chance you’ll have to win our trust.  Even though you’re looking at a roster-deplete of talent, you can be calmed by the ease at which us fans can be won over in a post-Gene Smith era.   Plus, righting this ship should be a piece of cake since you’re bringing Matt Ryan with you, right?  (I’d settle for Sam Baker and Julio Jones.)

– Zain Gowani

If the Falcons are trying to recreate some level of success that the Jags had under Koetter, I have news for them: there isn’t any.

Chris Redman, I'll miss seeing you throw that ball. Now go back to selling insurance! Source: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

I’ve long disliked Koetter’s philosophy (stretching the field with a vertical passing game) and his coaching.  Further, I know that his system does not work…or at least didn’t with the Jaguars’ personnel.  After the 2007 season (a very good offensive year) the Jaguars attempted to fully implement Koetter’s approach and yielded greater scoring, more yards, and less wins.  I don’t care how you win in the NFL, but that’s the ultimate measure.  Besides that, the offense wasn’t nearly as successful as they had hoped.

And now there is Luke McCown.  I’ve been a McCown fan for a while and I like him as a backup.  But only on the bench.  If you need backup to show someone up in practice, he’s your man.  If you need a backup to take a few snaps late in a game, McCown’s your man.  If your quarterback goes down for an extended period of time, McCown is  not your man.  McCown has looked good in practice since he entered the league, but the journeyman backup will forever be a backup and doesn’t have the potential to raise your team from the depression that sets in once your starting quarterback goes down.  To go further, McCown has failed at orchestrating an offense under Koetter before.  If I were running the team, this would not be the way I would want things to be going.

I like Matt Ryan, I like Mike Smith, on the whole I think the Falcons are a solid organization.  But the trend of brining in failed offensive pieces should stop.  Atlanta has been hoping to make a splash in the playoffs for some time, this is not the way to do it.

It’s a tough league out there, the Falcons shouldn’t be making it harder on themselves.

- Luke N. Sims

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Nov. 13, 2011; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis (27) is walked off the field after an injury against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

The lone Jaguar seen through most of this change has been Rashean Mathis. For seasons past he has been the brightest star on the team, especially early in his career which brought on the name, “Rashean the Machine”. Two seasons ago he was even asking for an extension but was denied, which in hind sight was a good move for the Jags considering last seasons injury.

Their has however been a hit in his production the past few seasons, which can be explained through a number of reasons. Not being challenged like players Nnamdi Asomugha, who had his contract voided last year for production numbers, injuries taking him out of the game like last years painful ACL tear, as well as age, which has been slowly taking over.

Before this season starts, Mathis is still considered the best defensive back going into the season, with Derek Cox and Aaron Ross knocking at the door for the starting position. Cox will most likely start at right corner opposite Mathis at left. Depth now includes William Middleton who was recently resigned as well as drafted rookie Mike Harris and newly signed Ross.

Gone are names like Deon Grant, Donovin Darius, Brian Williams and Reggie Nelson, and a number or defensive backs who never worked out. Darius was known for hitting hard, even leaving current leading rusher then rookie Maurice Jones-Drew feeling completely numb on one side of his body, from a hit during practice. To define how hard he hit this is a symptom that correlates with a stroke. Brian Williams and Reggie Nelson were also good as Jaguars but Williams decided to leave with Defensive coordinator Mike Smith who became Atlanta Falcons head coach; and Nelson not living up to first round expectations, was traded for corner David Jones to provide depth.

November 20, 2011; Cleveland, OH , USA; Cleveland Browns running back Chris Ogbonnaya (25) drops a pass in the endzone as Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Dawan Landry (26) defends during the second quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric P. Mull-US PRESSWIRE

The Jaguars now have former Ravens Safety Dawan Landry and converted corner now Free Safety Dwight Lowery. Landry played in a 1-2 system with Ed Reed in Baltimore which essentially means both players would decide who would play free or strong depending on the down. On the Jaguars however, he remained strong at strong being one of only a few defensive backs to remain healthy and anchor the defense the entire year. Also coming out a strong defense was Lowery off of the Jets, who has been unable to stay healthy but was productive throughout the season. Lowery was converted and played well landing him a new four year deal. Depth includes last years draftees Rod Isaac and Chris Prosinski who are now simply on the team to provide depth as the above mentioned are clear cut starters.

If the Jaguars hope to advance their game in the secondary, health is the first issue to deal with as many Jaguars dropped due to injuries. While the playoffs were out of reach, DB’s Kevin Rutland, Ashton Youboty and Morgan Trent made starts. While signing free agents during the season have no business starting, The Jaguars still have to play on Sunday.

The Jaguars will also have to deal with Mathis’s impending departure from the squad as the 31 year old’s best years are most likely behind him. Newly signed Ross has yet to prove his worth after allowing 65.9 completion percentage and six touchdowns with the Giants according to Walterfootball.com, but should improve with a growing Jaguars defense and Middleton pushing for the nickel spot. If newly signed Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Tom Myslinski can keep the players healthier than former coach Luke Richesson, the Jaguars should pose a formable perimeter in 2012.

- Antonio Furgiuele