Previewing the ’10 Jaguars – The Linebackers

Kirk Morrison tackling Rashard Mendenahall: Source: Yardbarker

I start with Captain Kirk Morrison, Gene’s surprise steal of this year’s draft. The Jaguars gave their 4th round selection to Oakland for Kirk Morrison and the Raiders 5th round pick. The Raiders selected Jacoby Ford, a WR from Clemson who is 5’9″ and has 4.28 40 speed. Kirk Morrison has recorded 496 solo tackles, 631 total tackles and 5 QB sacks in his five seasons. According To ProFootballFocus, Kirk Morrison is the 4th best run stopping linebacker in 2009. Good luck to Jacoby Ford, the Jaguars needed a middle LB tackling machine.

Kirk played all of the games in his professional career with the Oakland Raiders, started 79 of 80 while at Oakland. He had over 100 tackles in every season as a Raider; the fewest was 116 in his rookie season. In his career, he has 7 interceptions; 6 FFs; and 5 sacks. He has been outstanding, top 10 in tackles for the NFL his last two years. He does have trouble in pass coverage; bottom 5. Teams will look to take advantage of him over the middle, so we will watch how that develops.

Why let go by the Raiders? Maybe because he has a reputation as a good guy, a team leader and a durable player? He has never played in the postseason and he very much wants to reach that here in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars wanted Sean Lee from Penn State in the second round, instead they got Captain Kirk Morrison for almost nothing in the 4th round. I don’t think they lost very much, a big gold star for that pickup;  Gene!