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2008 Team Report: Jacksonville Jaguars

Quarterbacks

Starter: David Garrard
Backup(s): Cleo Lemon

Starting QB: Jack Del Rio surprised many observers shortly before the start of the 2008 season by cutting long-time starter Byron Leftwich and handing over the reins to David Garrard. Many people who had watched Garrard for a long time contended that he had a better makeup and skill-set, not to mention more mobility and a quicker delivery then Byron Leftwich. Del Rio's decision to go with Garrard was validated quickly as the Jaguars went 11-5 in the regular season and won their Wild Card playoff game against the Steelers. Garrard is 29 years old but should have plenty of productive years left as he only appeared in 15 games over his career going in to 2007. The Jaguars solid offensive line and strong running game no doubt contribute to David Garrard's success.

Backup QB: Garrard has missed time with injury the last two seasons so the Jaguars will need a backup that can step in and be productive in the event Garrard is hurt. Lemon started seven games in Miami last season and played fairly well at times but it's unclear if he has the discipline necessary to run the conservative, ball control offense Jacksonville employs.

Running Backs

Starter: Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew
Backup(s): Chauncey Washington [R]
Fullback(s): Greg Jones

Starting RB: Fred Taylor continues to churn out yards at an amazing pace. After turning 30 he seemed to find new life and has averaged over five yards per carry in the last two seasons. His lack of trips to the end-zone keep his fantasy value down, but Taylor continues to run with great success, finally passing 10,000 yards for his career last season and earning his way to the Pro-Bowl for the first time. It is expected that Fred Taylor will continue with the same role this season in Jacksonville. Much of Taylor's continued success can be traced back to the addition of Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew has the speed and quickness to complement Taylor, and it is he, not the long-time veteran that has scored 22 rushing touchdowns in the last two seasons. Jones-Drew has also excelled as a receiver out of the backfield catching more than 40 balls in each of his two seasons.

Backup RBs: Rookie Chauncey Washington has run as RB3 for most of the preseason. At 5'11", 211 pounds, he has prototypical size and ran a blistering 40 time in predraft workouts. Unfortunately his instincts and ability to shed blockers leave much to be desired.

Fullback: Greg Jones moved in to the fullback role some time ago but still receives a handful of carries out of the backfield on the occasion Taylor is getting a breather or is injured. Jones isn't particularly agile, but he has settled in as a big, bruising complement to Taylor and Jones-Drew.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Jerry Porter, Dennis Northcutt
Backups: Troy Williamson, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Mike Walker

Starting WRs: This situation is in flux and looks much more like a committee than a tried and true pecking order. Jerry Porter was brought in from Oakland after a few tumultuous years and although his numbers have never shown him to be an elite receiver, the Jaguars are hoping he can solidify their corps of pass-catchers. Porter has shown a knack for getting in the end-zone despite somewhat low reception totals. He runs solid routes and has reliable hands and it should be interesting to see if he is successful on a team with a solid passing and rushing attack. Unfortunately, Porter has been hit with the injury bug and missed most of training camp after undergoing surgery on his hamstring. Dennis Northcutt or Reggie Williams are good bets to start opposite Porter. Northcutt turned himself into an above average route runner and also commits to blocking on running plays. While he has a low ceiling, his floor is respectable and he'll help move the chains.

Backup WRs: Reggie Williams finally began to live up to his first-round pick status in 2007 as he became a reliable target around the endzone, hauling in 10 touchdowns. Williams' total number of receptions remained low at 38, but he made the most of those catches averaging an impressive 16 yards each. He had his knee cleaned out at the start of camp but returned in late August. The Jaguars took a chance on Minnesota bust Troy Williamson hoping that offseason eye surgery will help fix the dropsies that have plagued the former top-10 draft pick. Williamson could just as easily lead the Jags in receiving as he could sit on the bench for all 16 games. Matt Jones was arrested on a felony drug charge in July and was thought to be a dead man walking, but the injury issues have opened the door for Jones to keep his roster spot. Mike Walker has all the talent in the world, but he needs to stay healthy and acclimate himself into the offense to earn playing time.

Tight Ends

Starters: Marcedes Lewis
Backups: Richard Angulo, Greg Estandia

Marcedes Lewis made great strides last season as both a blocker and pass-catcher, hauling in 37 passes for 391 yards. Lewis hasn't quite found the gear necessary to get down the field and provide a true mid-range option to Garrard, but his improvement last season shows that he still has quite a bit of upside left to tap into. Estandia and Angulo are special teamers and blockers.

Place Kicker

Josh Scobee : After injuring his quadriceps before week one, Scobee ended up only playing in only eight games last year. In half a year's work, he was 12 of 13 (92.3%) on field goals and 26 of 27 on PATs. Scobee was inconsistent at the outset of his career, but has shown improved accuracy from both short and long range. His biggest strength remains kickoffs, where he has averaged over 65.3 yards and is annually one of the league leaders in touchbacks. After four years near the bottom of the kicker scoring rankings, the Jaguars climbed to 15th in 2005 and then 6th in 2006. Last year they slipped back to 19th with Scobee and fill-in John Carney's combined 109 points.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Maurice Jones-Drew; Troy Williamson; Scott Starks

As a rookie in 2006, RB Maurice Drew did an excellent job on kickoff returns (31 returns, 27.7 avg., 1 TD). In 2007 he essentially had a repeat performance (31 returns, 26.2 avg., 1 TD). The Jaguars defense doesn't give up many scores, thus Jones-Drew didn't get enough opportunities to be a top tier fantasy returner. He ranked 24th last year. He may not continue to be the primary kickoff returner, since the team would like to increase his role on offense. That could open up the job to a slew of candidates. Newcomer WR Troy Williamson begin 2006 as the Vikings starting kickoff returner (14 returns, 23.1 avg.), but was eventually replaced by Bethel Johnson. He occasionally returned kicks last year (17 returns, 22.8 avg.). DB Scott Starks was a backup last year (5 returns, 16.2 avg.).

Punt Returners: Dennis Northcutt; Maurice Jones-Drew; Rashean Mathis

WR Dennis Northcutt was one of the best punt returners in the league during his seven years with the Browns, averaging 10.6 yards per return. He scored three TDs, and had quite a few others negated by penalty. During his first year with the Jaguars last year he averaged 9.2 yards on 26 returns. Maurice Jones-Drew led the NCAA in punt return average (28.5 yards) in 2005, and returned three for TDs. He's had limited punt return opportunities since joining the NFL (3 returns, 9.3 avg. last year). CB Rashean Mathis has been used sparingly on punt returns by the Jaguars (one or two a year); however he has experience from back in college at Bethune-Cookman (55 returns, 11.6 avg., 2 TDs).

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Khalif Barnes, LG Vince Manuwai, C Brad Meester, RG Maurice Williams, RT Tony Pashos
Key Backups: Tutan Reyes, Uche Nwaneri, Dennis Norman

Commentary coming soon.

Team Defense

The Jaguars looked like a team on the verge last year and will return all starters with the exception of SS Sammy Knight and DT Marcus Stroud who had been hurt much of the past two seasons anyway. Despite their record, Jacksonville actually took a step back in some defensive categories. They slipped to 10th in scoring defense while finishing 11th versus the run and 15th against the pass. On the other hand, takeaways and sacks were up slightly. The end result was a second consecutive year finishing just outside the top 12 in most scoring systems. The sack total (37) was good but the club didn't like the things they had to do to get them. A pass rushing defensive end has been a need here since Tony Brackens heyday in the late '90s. After trading up to grab Derrick Harvey in Round 1 and taking Quentin Groves in the second, they hope to have resolved that issue for the long term. How big an impact they have as rookies remains to be seen. The only sure immediate impact will be the return of MLB Mike Peterson, an on-field leader who was lost to injury last season. The future seems bright, but for now, we should expect this unit to continue as a borderline starting option in 12-team leagues.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Reggie Hayward, DT John Henderson, DE Paul Spicer, DT/DE Rob Meier
Backups: DE Brent Hawkins, DT Jimmy Kennedy, DE Quentin Groves, DE Derrick Harvey [R], DT Tony McDaniel, DT Derek Landri

Starting DL: Hayward had 27.5 sacks and 5 FFs from 2003-2005, but only 3.5 since 006 (missing 20 games). After inking a five year, $25 mil. contract in '05 he looked like a smart signing with 8.5 sacks his first year in Jacksonville. A torn Achilles tendon aborted Hayward's 2006 season and he was still noticeably limited by the injury last year. He is just 29, was reportedly moving more like his pre-injury form in OTAs and could rebound (Pro Bowler Julian Peterson played much better two years removed from the same devastating injury). By basically blowing up their draft to add prized rookie DEs Derrick Harvey (1.08) and Quentin Groves (2.21), Hayward presumably needs to produce at a level more in line with his paycheck or could prove vulnerable for cap reasons. Pro Bowler "Hendo" comes off a disappointing, injury-riddled campaign, but remains one of the most dominant interior run disruptors in the game (and still has the league's best pre-game ritual). Long time reserve Meier's gradual emergence with 15 sacks from 2005-2007 made the oft-injured Marcus Stroud expendable (traded to Buffalo), and he was rewarded with an extension. Paul Spicer figures as a starter, and at the least is expected to be used heavily in a rotation. The former UFA from tiny Saginaw Valley has been with the Jaguars his entire career (entering his ninth season) and is a team leader. Spicer has 18 sacks and 4 FFs since 2005 and would like to receive an extension, but will be 33 in 2008 and the front office has been unable to come to an agreement with him.

Backup DL: A protracted holdout ruined Derrick Harvey's shot at starting his career as an NFL starter, but his future remains bright. The Jags didn't pay so dearly for him (1.26, two 3rds and a 4th) to not at least give him a prominent situational pass rushing role (Bobby McCray departed in free agency). Harvey looks the part of a prototypical DE, is just 21 and very talented. The team has lacked a playmaker at the position for ages, and to get to the Super Bowl, they need to put Manning and Brady on the ground more often. Groves may not have as complete a game or be as pro-ready as fellow rookie Harvey, but could have more raw talent and higher upside as a pure edge rusher. He figures to be gradually worked into the DE rotation, initially in passing situations. Groves is a physical specimen with the kind of burst and closing speed that could eventually give opposing OLs fits with some physical maturation and development. Hawkins is a tweener tried unsuccessfully at LB returning to his more natural position. Smith (2007 - 4th) and Wyche (2006 - 7th) were on IR last year and haven't had a chance to prove themselves yet. Kennedy is trying to ressurect a career that up till now is best defined as being a collossal bust for the Rams. McDaniel is another Jag DL ending 2007 on IR (wrist). Landri saw limited action as a rookie but finished on a high note, with 1 sack and 1 INT in the Wild Card playoff win against the Steelers.

Linebackers

Starters: M/WLB Mike Peterson, W/MLB Daryl Smith, SLB Clint Ingram
Backups: WLB/MLB Justin Durant, OLB Kenneth Pettway, OLB Brian Iwuh, OLB Thomas Williams

Starting LBs: Peterson (older brother of Bears reserve RB Adrian) is one of the most athletic veteran MLBs in the NFL after Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher. After starring at WLB with the Colts (100+ solo tackles in 2000 and 2002), the 6'1" 235 lb MLB's positional conversion for the Jags was a spectacular success. Highlights included averaging 90+ solos and flashing a playmaking 11 sacks, 3 INTs and 3 FFs combined from 2004-2005. Peterson is a warrior willing to play hurt but in a disturbing trend has played less than half of his last 32 games, with season-ending injuries (torn pectoral and hand) in 2006 and 2007. With versatile WLB Daryl Smith's proven, battle-tested ability to man the middle, and multi-talented OLB Justin Durant waiting in the wings, the soon to be 32 year old Peterson finds himself in a contract year and highly motivated to secure his financial future with a huge season. Smith is about as high profile as his last name, but is an extremely capable starter with the added bonus of having positional interchangeability at all three LB spots. He has good size (6'2" 245) with above average diagnostic, block shedding and open field tackling ability. Ingram is the least accomplished starter, and his job in the most immanent danger from gifted 2007 2nd rounder Durant, who has shown signs of being a special player. The LB unit is one of the strengths of the team, and their athleticism and physical toughness was assembled in ex-NFL LB Del Rio's own image.

Backup LBs: As noted in the starter section, Durant flashed impressive skills as a rookie and has the kind of talent to force his way onto the field sooner rather than later. The 6'1" 235 lb. speedster from Hampton was the consensus top small school LB prospect from the class of '07, but wasn't nearly as raw as advertised after Peterson's injury thrust him into the starting lineup. He seized the opportunity, racking up nearly 60 tackles with 1 sack and 1 INT in the final eight games (including two playoff contests). Don't blink in 2008 or you could miss his breakout. Williams was oddly drafted in the 5th round despite not starting at USC. Besides the obvious Trojan connection with Del Rio, having the improbable misfortune and bad timing of playing behind one 2008 1st rounder (Keith Rivers - 1.09) and two expected 2009 1st rounders (Rey Maualaga could go as high as top 10 with Brian Cushing's current grade not far behind) was not held against him, and Williams played well when called upon in limited action due to injuries. He adds value by upgrading depth at multiple positions and as a ST demon. Pettway and Iwuh are also depth and ST-types. Gilbert finished the season on IR (bicep).

Defensive Backs

Starters: FS Reggie Nelson, SS Gerald Sensabaugh, CB Rashean Mathis, CB Drayton Florence
Backups: CB Brian Williams, CB Scott Starks, S Jamaal Fudge, S Pierson Prioleau, CB Will James

Starting DBs: Sensabaugh could fill the void with the departure in free agency of starting SS Sammy Knight, but is somewhat untested after tearing both labrums (shoulder) and going on IR just two games into last season. The Jags are also thought to be experimenting with starting CB Brian Williams at SS to get their best players on the field, and the addition of underrated Drayton Florence gives them that flexibility. Williams has the smarts, physical abilty and diverse skill set to pull off such a switch, but will have to adjust to different angles. Del Rio was adamant that he will start somewhere. Nelson is a lock to start, exceeding rookie expectations in some ways as a 1st rounder hoped to fix some long standing coverage issues at the position. His 5 INTs tied 3rd among safeties and led rookie DBs. Nelson was prone to inconsistency (like most rookie DBs), often blowing assignments or coverages, and also was an at times unreliable open field tackler, even when in position. He unmistakably has compelling upside, though. Pro Bowler Mathis had an uncharacteristic down year with 1 INT in 2007 (after 18 INTs from 2004-2006), but has the kind of versatility to be a potential Pro Bowl safety. Florence was signed to a monster 6 year $36 mil. contract. He has a well rounded game (averaging 50+ solo tackles with the Chargers from 2005-2007, with 4 and 3 INT seasons in 2004 and 2006), and there's no shame in being bumped to nickle back by prodigiously talented athletic phenom Antonio Cromartie. Williams could vie for the starting CB gig opposite Mathis (if not at SS).

Backup DBs: Fudge could be in the mix at SS with Sensabaugh and Williams, and more importantly, holds an unassailable place on the FBG All Name Team. Journeyman Prioleau brings valuable experience in the defense of new DC Gregg Williams from Washington, and the ability to mentor some of the roster's younger DBs on scheme intricacies and pass coverage fine points. Nkang is a ST ace who set the team record in tackles. Brian Williams would be the favorite for nickle CB if he doesn't start at SS or CB, as expected. While undersized at 5'9" 180, 2005 3rd rounder Starks may be the fastest player on the team and is in the mix at nickle. Trae Williams is a rookie 5th rounder who won't have a difficult move coming from South Florida. Moulton is a UFA who played offense and defense as well as returning for tiny Fort Valley State.

Last modified: 2008-09-01 23:00:11