The Jaguars need a great defensive mind to replace Mel Tucker.

In the midst of the “blow it all to hell” craze that is sweeping Jaguars fans, Mel Tucker and his defensive unit tends to be overlooked.  We need to examine it.

Mel Tucker’s days should be numbered after three mediocre seasons and one decent season.  Source: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Mel Tucker came to Jacksonville in 2009 after serving as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2008.  Despite not fielding a top 10 defense from 2008-2010, Tucker retained his job and turned the 2011 Jaguars D into an almost elite unit.  Interestingly enough, it wasn’t takeaways that led the 2011 Jaguars to be so strong (Tucker’s Cleveland defense finished 3rd in takeaways in ’08).  Instead his unit played strong defense because its players were good at their responsibilities.

Tucker’s defense relies on his players being instinctive and able to play their specific positions well without needing to exploit matchups with superior scheming.  Unfortunately for Tucker, the Jaguars’ defense does not have the personnel to prop up such an approach.  After GM Gene Smith took away Drew Coleman and Matt Roth and failed to adequately address depth at safety and linebacker, Tucker’s unit fell apart.

The 2012 Jaguars defense is a shell of last year’s.  The play is slower, the few bright spots could have been anticipated last year, and those who were expected to make a jump fell off as the average skill level dropped off.  Which brings me to my point: the Jaguars need a Wade Phillips.

This team is desperate for a man who can come in, work with whoever is general manager, reorganize the defense and create schemes for it to minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths.  A good defensive coordinator can do wonders for an organization and make his head coach move from the hot seat to a very cushy, secure seat.

Phillips’ defenses have been in the top ten of at least one statistical category in almost every season of his 31 years of coaching.  The proven leadership, development, and consistency is what the Jaguars have lacked in coaching over the past few years.  It is something that is sorely needed as the Jaguars inevitably shake things up again this offseason.

Mel Tucker has done his work well, but it simply isn’t good enough and has not shifted enough with the inadequate talent that the Jaguars have had.  The Jaguars need someone with a proven history of success.  The Jaguars, like the Texans before them, need a Wade Phillips.

- Luke N. Sims

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Let’s Take a peek:

• Andrew Luck, QB – After three games, Peyton Manning’s replacement has gone 40/64 for 514 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.  He has looked strong in the pocket, has a look of determination and great focus on almost every play, and he is winning over his teammates with the control he has of the offense.  On the whole, Luck is looking like everything he was promised to be: a franchise quarterback.
• Justin Blackmon, WR - Blackmon has only played in two of the first three preseason games but has already established himself as the best receiver on the roster.  He has eight catches for 120 yards (15 yards per reception), and one touchdown.  He has outplayed defenders, catches the ball well out in front of him, and is easily the most aggressive and physical receiver the Jags have on their roster at this point.
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  Could Kendall Wright Outplay Justin Blackmon through the season? Source: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

  Kendall Wright, WR – Wright it quickly making himself a strong receiver for the Titans. He has eight catches for 100 yards (12.5 yards per reception), and one touchdown.  He has looked the like the threat they need with Kenny Britt facing off-field struggles yet again.  Some, like myself, worried about his transition to the big leagues but he has shown that he can be an NFL caliber receiver.  With Jake Locker taking over at quarterback he may get even more targets.

• Whitney Mercilus, OLB – Mercilus has to transition from defensive end to outside linebacker in Wade Phillips’ Houston defense.  Fortunately for the Texans, he appears to be doing just fine.  He has been in on six tackles and 2.5 sacks.  Reports are that he is making strides and earning more reps with the first-team offense.  He should be a solid addition to an already stout defense.

On the whole it looks like the AFC South is going to have a strong group of first-rounders that could transition into franchise keys for years to come.  So far, Luck will undoubtedly have the most effect on his team but it may be Wright that could have the most immediate effect and get the Titans over the hump and back into the playoffs – assuming Locker can hit him consistently.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

At least Carr got a ring... Source: Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

I’m not blaming David Carr or Bob McNair, but the Texans have failed to produce a winner and one year of success (a year with a very bemused Colts team) does not suddenly make the team a perennial playoff lock.  Personally, I think it all relates back to head coach Gary Kubiak.

A couple years ago, Kubiak’s job was on the line.  Many sports pundits openly said he was bound to lose his job and that it may be time for Houston to transition away from the ex-quarterback and focus on building a more complete team.  Having only one winning season in 2009 when the team went 9-7 and missed the playoffs, the team did not look to be heading toward success until the 2011 breakout that saw the team go 10-6, a full four more victories than their 2010 total (a 6-10 season that tied Kubiak’s worst).

So, with things seeming to look up, why am I hard on Kubiak?  Because it took the brilliance of Wade Phillips to bring the team to the playoffs.

Kubiak can, and has, built a superb offense.  His downside is his defense.  Phillips came in after being excused in Dallas and turned the Texans into a winner.  But even with a very, very good defense the team still only managed to win one more game than they did in 2009.  It could be extrapolated that the team would have been better with Matt Schaub under center, and I agree.  But that is a player, not scheming or coaching.

For a rookie, he did pretty damn well. Source: US-Presswire

T.J. Yates – a man some here at B&T thought would be drafted higher than the fifth round – is a decent player, one of the league’s greatest receivers plays in Houston, a superb pair of backs rush the ball, and a very strong crop of defensive players have responded well to good coaching from Phillips.

Meanwhile, Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin are turning no-names into legends and changing the way the game is played.  John Harbaugh is inspiring his players to heights far beyond their potential in Baltimore.  The Steelers are making waves with players who have been around the block a few too many times.  And the Broncos got by with a quarterback who could only play in the fourth quarter.

I like the Texans, they should have won the Super Bowl in 2011 with a healthy Matt Schaub.  The team has a roster that is stronger than most any other team you match it against.  But the team is being limited by a head coach who has worked hard at building a good offense but probably can’t sustain it.  The team relies too much on its players and too little on its coach to be successful over the longer term.

I’m not going to say the team won’t be tough to beat.  But look for a drop similar to the 2010 season for the Texans.  And when it’s all said and done I’ll be pointing at Kubiak and thinking of a potential Houston dynasty that could have been in the AFC South.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims