Understanding Jack Del Rio

I have had a hard time understanding how I feel about Jack Del Rio.  Most of the time, I am not impressed. I think there are mind games played that don’t work. I think he lost the team in 2008. I think he fired people to pass blame and feels he is never, never at fault for anything. I think he tinkers too much and I think he feels he is above all of us  and simply can’t relate to the common fan and doesn’t care to.

But sometimes I have moments of respect. I think Jack boils football down to a very basic level, my guy can beat your guy. I think that is the real level of football that matters, man on man competition. That is the one thing I appreciate about Jack Del Rio. When it is time for a fourth down conversion, the challenge is issued, my man can beat your man.

The simple truth is the Jaguars didn’t have that ability in the recent past. The drafting is mildly improved. I am not completely sold on Gene Smith but he is headed in the right direction. I am, however, sold on Luke Richesson, the strength coach. if my man can beat your man, then my man has to be stronger and meaner and ready to demonstrate it.

Luke Richesson reports that Eugene Monroe is down to 300 pounds and ready to play. That is great news. Eugene Monroe was a fantastic athlete at 330 pounds. He should be faster with more endurance at 300 pounds. He is a star in the making. When Luke describes him as “brutally strong” I am ready for the season to start.

Hey fatboy – Lose the weight.  Source: yardbarker

Luke reports that Eben Britton has a measurable increase in muscle playing at 310. Eben Britton needs technique, but if he gets that, this new body will be dangerous to our opponents.  I love that. Eben Britton is an untrained assassin that needs a little guidance. I would love for him to flatten Elvis Dumervil in the first game. To be honest, I hope he stomps on him as well.

I am encouraged by reports of Derrick Harvey being lighter and stronger. I am encouraged by all the reports of the offensive and defensive linemen. Brad Meester is stronger and Vince Manuwai is down to (down to?) 320 pounds. This is all great news.

In Jack Del Rio football there are no clever schemes. It isn’t that you trick your opponent. You simply go out and beat him and then you do it again. Throughout the first quarter you exert your dominance and beat your man to a pulp regardless of the score. Then in the second quarter you do it again. Somewhere in the third quarter panic takes hold of the opponent and they begin to try to get away with tricks. It backfires and they lose heart. The opponent quits. You can see it when it happens.

Jack Del Rio plays my favorite kind of football. It is man beats man until the other guy relents and surrenders. This has been Jaguar football. This is the Jaguar football coming in 2010. I for one can’t wait.

So how do I feel about Jack Del Rio? I love the guy when his team is playing his kind of football. If we got away from that and are returning, great, all is forgiven. My man can beat your man and my man is a Jaguar.  I am so sick of being on the butt end of jokes that I want revenge. I want revenge on the field. I want revenge to start with Denver and run straight through to Tennessee on Monday Night. I want our men to beat their men into submission.

Jack, lead this team. Luke, build the raw muscle. Gene, bring in the right guys. Let’s get on with it. The Division Title is ours this year and Luke Richesson may be the guy to thank. Jack, get it done. I am behind you.

– Terry O’Brien