Jacksonville Jaguars Mid-Season Report Card – Grading the Linebackers

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the midst of arguably the most inept stretch of football in the history of the NFL. Mercifully, they have a bye this week to regroup and reevaluate some players and decide how to approach the last 8 games.

The bye week also gives us the opportunity to grade the personnel and their performance so far. Today’s unit is the linebackers.

Sep 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) stiff arms Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Geno Hayes (55) during the 1st half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars have only had three linebackers play almost the entire season but no one has really played well at the three positions. Paul Posluszny is 2^nd in the league in tackles for inside linebackers with 75, but he’s graded out terribly against the run and in coverage. His lone highlight this year was a terrific interception return for a touchdown against Peyton Manning in Denver.  He’s a serviceable player, but he needs playmakers outside of him because he doesn’t provide any pass rush.

Geno Hayes is graded as the 2^nd worst 4-3 outside linebacker according to Pro Football Focus and his 9 missed tackles is a big reason why. He’s been terrible against the run and constantly gets pushed out of plays. He’s a transitional piece anyway but I imagine David Caldwell expected a little bit better play when they signed him this offseason.

Russell Allen has probably been the best linebacker on the team, but he’s been exposed in coverage a few times this year. He has as many missed tackles as Posluszny in significantly less snaps and he hasn’t been anything better than solid this season.

Mid-Season Grades: Linebackers

Paul Posluszny – C

Geno Hayes – D

Russell Allen – C+

– Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89