Dec 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers strong safety Corey Lynch (41) runs out of the smoke during pregame introduction before a game against the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars are extremely slim at safety after releasing strong safety Dawan Landry last week.  The team needs a starter at strong safety and a replacement for Chris Prosinski for depth behind Dwight Lowery.  When Lowery was injured during 2012 it was apparent that Prosinski either needs to develop his game very, very quickly or else hit the pavement.  While there are some good prospects in the draft, the Jaguars should take a look at some players in free agency who could fill and be a bridge for the team, if they need it.

Head coach Gus Bradley likes big, physical defensive backs for his defensive schemes. Here are some safeties to take a look at:

Kenny Phillips

• 2012 Team: New York Giants
• Why: Phillips is an excellent free safety when he is on the field.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t see the field all that often. He only saw the field in seven games last season so it’s unlikely that many teams will be running to pick him up as their next starter right away.  If interest in him wanes (as I’m hoping it does) the Jaguars may be able to lure him onto the team to backup Dwight Lowery in order to save his body from too much pounding, at least for a season.  It may be an expensive insurance policy, but he would be a massive upgrade over Prosinski and may appreciate a year to recuperate.  Phillips also played strong safety for almost all of the 2010 season and could be put there if the Jags can’t find someone else to replace Landry.

Corey Lynch

• 2012 Team: San Diego Chargers
• Why: Lynch played well toward the end of the season for the Chargers in 2012.  He started four of the final five games and looked pretty good overall.  While he may not be an impact player, he could step in for the Jaguars immediately at strong safety to play alongside Lowery.  Pro Football Focus graded him out higher than Landry during the 2012 season.  Considering he has bounced through three teams in five season, Lynch could be a journeyman bridge for the Jags as they focus on rebuilding other parts of the roster.

Patrick Chung

• 2012 Team: New England Patriots
• Why: Chung is an above average, versatile safety.  He isn’t the tallest safety available, but he packs a lot of power into his 5’11″ frame and could be used in a number of situations.  Utilized both as a free safety and, predominantly, as a strong safety, Chung could fill in immediately for the Jaguars.  Like a number of the younger safety prospects available in free agency, Chung is not the best player at the position but should provide a relatively consistent force on the backend of the Jaguars defense.

- Luke N. Sims

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When your defense picks off Terrific Tom twice, you need to take advantage.  You absolutely cannot give the ball back in crucial situations!  Source: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

I’m all for seeing a Jags quarterback put up 300+ yards.  We all know we’ve been starved of that since Blaine Gabbert was chosen to be the future of the franchise.  However, if you toss 300 yards please don’t toss some untimely interceptions to go with them.  I’m just not certain Henne can play a complete four quarters.  He has tossed a number of picks to end games and even more during second halves that are close for the team.  When your defense is able to limit the best offense in the NFL to only 23 points, you have to try and win those games.

Henne just doesn’t look like he wants this job.

Maybe it’s the best he can do and the Jags truly don’t have a quarterback with a very high ceiling on the field.  Maybe it’s just a bad couple of series that are the perfect storm of poor line play, good coverage, and poor decision making.  I don’t much care what it is because it’s costing us games.  The final interception to Patrick Chung was the second interception near the endzone (both by Chung) of the game for Henne.

Henne was given the rest of the 2012 season to try out for the starting spot next year. With the body of work he has presented, I seriously doubt he’ll get the shot next year.  Right now, if both Gabbert and Henne are with the team next season, I can only see this being a quarterback competition with no clear leader at the moment.  It’s sad, but the big play ability that Henne brings to this Jags offense is fraught with unfortunate events like interceptions.

I wish Henne would play like he means to be a starter, but right now it doesn’t even seem like he wants it.

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims