Going Forward From 2-12

Nov.16, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Austen Lane (92) during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

What now? What do the Jaguars do now? The team is 2-12 with the New England Patriots on deck, the team is struggling in all three phases of the game, and fans are “All in to Fire Gene Smith”. Not to mention, their is no consensus top picks going into the draft.

A record of 2-12 is telling of how well the team has executed this season. Since quarterback David Garrard was released, the media had lost all faith in the Jags, saying they’d fall because of lack of receiving weapons, poor quarterback play, and defensive issues. In a fan’s head they are a bit different. Aside from Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne each struggling, the receiving and defensive issues have flip flopped for one season. Jaguars fans knew that the quarterback position was a work in progress, but injuries are the actual cause of the Jaguars’ demise. Every position has experienced some injury and either missed significant time or have players on I.R.

Regardless, the media has been right in stating as the season began that the Jaguars will not execute and have a poor record.

The New England Patriots are up next with the Tennessee Titans rounding out the schedule. It’s been hard to watch a team that has potential every year have the problems it does. Considering the implications of the game, the Patriots will surely dominate the game through the air and try to play the game like they did against the Texans. The Jaguars only have one player who is playing his heart out: middle linebacker Paul Posluszney, who should get team MVP. Fortunately enough the Jaguars might get another player back with similar heart and effort in Maurice Jones-Drew, who has yet to be ruled out.

Gene Smith is having his head called out. With four drafts and minimal results, I feel the frustration as well. Yet if Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland can stay, maybe Smith can have another year. High draft picks for multiple season should have yielded some results. Yet most of the 2009 and 2010 players drafted have been cut. As it seems, Smith has built a better team through free agency. Free agents can only go so far, even if Poz has been nothing short of spectacular. The team needs to have a 2011 Texans draft or 2012 Colts type draft, where the former seems more probable.

The Jaguars identity as of know is a run first team with a stout defense. The Jaguars should take a linebacker like Jarvis Jones to solidify the linebacker position which has been the team’s only bright spot. As a thought, imagine the team as a 3-4 defense with Russell Allen and Posluszney in the middle, with Jarvis Jones and Daryl Smith on the outside. Maybe only in my Madden-like dreams; but defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is fielding for Head Coaching college jobs.

The team needs a lot of work, but next year is always as promising as the rest, even if the Texans and Colts run the division.

– Antonio Furgiuele