What is going on with the Jacksonville Jaguars?

 I have to admit I am confused by a lot of things and here is a list of them. 

Early in the year, soon after the last game, a lot of national and local media reported high level Jaguar sources were saying Jack Del Rio was on the way out. Then the Jaguars held the owner, coach, GM meeting and acted like nothing was going on. They were all happy with each other and working to the betterment of the team. OK Great. So the media made all that up? Where is the truth? 

Maurice Jones Drew didn’t play more than 4 downs in preseason. Doesn’t need to the Jaguars said. He said he was fine. He definitely ran out of gas near the end of last season, with about 4 games left. This season, he looks like the end of last season is the new Maurice. He looks ineffective. Did the Jaguars burn him out? Is he hurt? Is there a problem? Last year Maurice was very vocal, this year he is silent. It is as if he is depressed or something. Where is the truth?

Donnie Henderson said Reggie Nelson was one of the most incredible athletes he ever coached.  The Jaguars canned Donnie Henderson after Jack Del Rio said he liked him. No real secondary coach replaced him. Mel Tucker is the defensive coordinator. Is he? Jack spent all his time with the defense in camp and they look bad, especially in the secondary. What is going on in the coaching staff? Who has responsibility for what? Is the Jaguar disorganization a symptom of Jack Del Rio’s style? Where is the truth?

The Jaguars pitted Reggie Nelson against Gerald Alexander for free safety in 2010. The entire preseason they battled. Gene Smith, one week before the season starts, gets rid of them both.  Now I like David Jones, but was Reggie Nelson that bad at safety? He was the leading tackler in most of the preseason games and not really that bad. Not as bad as they said. Why was Reggie Nelson AND Gerald Alexander cut? Do the Jaguars really believe Sean Considine was the best man in camp? If so, say it! Are the yreally keeping and playing the best guys? Where is the truth?

Derek Cox was hailed as a real find at cornerback. He was singled out most of last season by the opposition and the Jaguars had trouble stopping the pass. This year, he played in the fourth preseason game. No hurt veteran played in that game. Derek Cox did not look hurt during the Falcons preseason game. He was burned badly by Denver. Jack Del Rio said he was still the starter, but he didn’t start. He wasn’t hurt in the last preseason game and he wasn’t hurt in the Denver game. Did he lose his starting job? Is he hurt? Is he just no good? Where is the truth?

Here is my point, I don’t know what the Jaguars are really doing. I know they sold a lot of tickets to a lot of people. There will be more blackouts around the NFL this year than last year even though the Jaguars won’t contribute but maybe at most three to the list.  Despite this, there seems to be a curtain of secrecy around this organization. There are just so many confusing and unexplained things.

In Gene we trust? I am not sure who I trust at the Jaguars anymore.

– Terry O’Brien