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2009 Team Report: Jacksonville Jaguars

Quarterbacks

Starter: David Garrard
Backup(s): Cleo Lemon, Todd Bouman

Starting QB: David Garrard began his career in Jacksonville spending his first four years as a backup (first to Mark Brunell, then to Byron Leftwich) before he started the majority of the 2006 season when Leftwich was injured. The Jaguars decided -- just before the start of the season -- to go with Garrard as the starter in 2007, and he rewarded them with an 11-5 season and a playoff win over the Steelers. In 2008, disaster struck along the offensive line (four of the team's five starters were lost by the conclusion of the first game) and the team regressed to 5-11. In a season in which nearly everything that could have gone wrong did, Garrard was still the No. 11 fantasy QB, throwing for 3620 yards and 15 touchdowns. With a rejuvenated offensive line, and a new go-to receiver in Torry Holt, Garrard should be able to improve on last year's numbers. He has a great temperament for a QB, a quick release, good mobility, and enough NFL experience to be comfortable in any situation.

Backup QB: Cleo Lemon has been in the league for six years, mostly as a backup, but he did start seven games for the Dolphins in 2007. That season went poorly for the Dolphins and for Lemon, although he did have a 300+ yard game against Baltimore. Lemon saw almost no playing time with the Jaguars last year since Garrard stayed healthy. Lemon is a mobile quarterback with a strong arm, but lacks accuracy and good decision-making under fire. Many observers thought that Todd Bouman outperformed Lemon in last year's training camp, but the Jaguars stuck with Lemon as their backup (while Bouman landed in Baltimore backing up Joe Flacco and Troy Smith). The Jaguars have brought Bouman back to compete with Lemon once again in this year's training camp.

Running Backs

Starter: Maurice Jones-Drew
Backup(s): Rashad Jennings [R], Chauncey Washington, Alvin Pearman
Fullback(s): Greg Jones, Montell Owens

Starting RB: Maurice Jones-Drew split time with Fred Taylor in each of his three seasons with the Jaguars so far, and he has never carried the ball more than 200 times in a season. With Taylor headed to New England, Jones-Drew's workload should increase in 2009. He is a quick runner with exceptional balance and surprising power and toughness. He is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield and can handle blitzing linebackers in pass protection. Jones-Drew averaged 5.7 and 4.6 yards per carry his first two years in the league. Even running behind a completely dismantled offensive line last year, he still averaged over four yards a carry. Throughout his NFL career, Jones-Drew has had a knack for making big plays. He's scored 38 touchdowns from scrimmage in three seasons. With a revamped OL in 2009 and the backfield more to himself, Jones-Drew is primed for his best fantasy year yet.

Backup RBs: Although many people figured Rashad Jennings to go somewhere between the second- and fifth-round in this year's draft, the Jaguars were able to pick him up in the seventh. He was a two-time conference player of the year at Liberty. He's a big back (6'1, 230 pounds) with good power, an effective stiff-arm, adequate speed, and outstanding college production (over 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns). He could see a fair amount of playing time as a rookie since the Jaguars aren't averse to using a rotation in the backfield to keep MJD fresh. Jennings will compete with Chauncey Washington for the number two role at RB. Washington was the Jaguars' seventh-round pick last year. He is another back with good size (5'11, 224 pounds). He got a little playing time late last season but is mostly an unknown commodity at the NFL level.

Fullback: Greg Jones has an outstanding size-speed combination and can play some tailback as well as fullback. He lost the 2006 season due to a knee injury and may not have completely regained his agility since then. Although Jones got only two carries last year, he is a better runner than most fullbacks and is a threat to score in goal-line situations.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Torry Holt, Mike Walker
Backups: Mike Thomas [R], Jarett Dillard [R], Tiquan Underwood [R], Troy Williamson

Starting WRs: With Matt Jones and Reggie Williams gone, the Jaguars will have a new look at the WR position this year. Former Ram Torry Holt joins the team after 10 productive seasons in St. Louis. Holt has been remarkably durable throughout his career, having missed only two games in ten seasons. He'll be 33 when the season starts, and last year marked his worst fantasy season as a pro. He caught 64 passes for 796 yards (the least since his rookie year) and just three touchdowns (the fewest in his career). Can a 33-year-old receiver bounce back to fantasy starting material? Initial indications out of the Jaguars' first mini-camp are good, as Garrard and Holt have established some chemistry right away. Mike Walker is expected to occupy the other starting WR spot. Walker was the Jaguars' thirdround draft pick in 2007, but missed his entire rookie season after suffering a knee injury in the final preseason game. He started to come on early in 2008, leading the Jaguars with 11 receptions in Weeks 4 and 5 combined. Week 5 marked his first 100-yard game, but a knee injury kept him out of the next four games and when he returned late in the season at less than 100 percent his impact was minimal. He heads into 2009 healthy, and could have a breakout fantasy season.

Backup WRs: Mike Thomas was this year's fourth-round draft pick -- the first of three WRs selected by the Jaguars. He was a four-year starter at Arizona and finished as the Pac-10's all-time leading receiver with 259 college receptions. Jarett Dillard was the team's fifth-round pick; he is another four-year starter (at Rice) and holds the NCAA record with 60 college touchdown receptions. Troy Williamson was the seventh overall pick by the Vikings in 2005, but his on-field production has been disappointing. He has track star speed, so he could help the Jaguars if he improves his route-running and concentration.

Tight Ends

Starters: Marcedes Lewis
Backups: Greg Estandia, Richard Angulo

Marcedes Lewis became a full-time starter in 2007 continued to improve in 2008. Lewis has great size and athletic ability. He was highly recruited as a basketball player coming out of high school, but chose football and set a few school records at UCLA. Lewis is a complete TE, competent as both a receiver and blocker, but he's not outstanding in either category. So far, he has been a worthwhile fantasy backup at best. Greg Estandia and Richard Angulo are special teamers and blockers.

Place Kicker

Josh Scobee : After injuring his quadriceps before Week 1, Josh Scobee ended up playing in only eight games in 2007. In half a year's work, he was 12 of 13 (92.3 percent ) on field goals and 26 of 27 on PATs, for the best numbers of his NFL career. The strong finish did not carry over into 2008. Last year Scobee made only 19 of 25 (76.0 percent) field goals, including three misses from under 40 yards. His biggest strength remains kickoffs, where he has averaged 65.2 yards on kickoffs, and had 11, 20, 21, 12, and 10 touchbacks. After four years near the bottom of the kicker scoring rankings, the Jaguars climbed to 15th in 2005 and then 6th in 2006. In 2007 they slipped back to 19th with Scobee and fill-in John Carney's combined 109 points, and last year they dropped back down to the bottom at 29th.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Brian Witherspoon, Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Thomas, Troy Williamson, Montell Owens, Scott Starks

As an undrafted rookie out of Stillman College in 2008, DB Brian Witherspoon was a long shot to make the team. But he did, using his speed to secure the return specialist role. He went on to average 24.0 yards on 52 kickoff returns. 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). Last year (13 returns, 21.6 avg.) he supplemented Witherspoon. He may not continue in that role, presuming that he will be even busier on offense this year. Fourth round draft pick WR Mike Thomas out of Arizona averaged 22.6 yards on kickoff returns last year. WR Troy Williamson begin 2006 as the Vikings starting kickoff returner (14 returns, 23.1 avg.), but was eventually replaced by Bethel Johnson. With the Jaguars last year he returned a few kicks (4 returns, 21.0 avg.). Backups/Upmen include DB Scott Starks (5 returns, 16.2 avg. in 2007) and RB Montell Owens (2 returns, 15.0 avg. in 2008).

Punt Returners: Brian Witherspoon, Mike Thomas, Derek Cox, Maurice Jones-Drew, Rashean Mathis

Brian Witherspoon averaged 11.3 yards on punt returns last year, and finished as the 11th ranked fantasy returner despite missing two games due to injury. Like many players after their long rookie year, he spent the off-season working on conditioning. Witherspoon won't be able to rest, with two capable rookies behind him. Mike Thomas' 13.5 yard average on punt returns last year was 15th in the NCAA, and he also scored twice. Third round draft pick CB Derek Cox out of William & Mary also scored twice on punt returns last year. 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 (7 returns, 9.9 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). The Jaguars have ranked 20th, 24th, and 20th in fantasy returns the last three years.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Tra Thomas, LG Maurice Williams, C Brad Meester, RG Vince Manuwai, RT Tony Pashos
Key Backups: T Eugene Monroe [R], T Eben Britton [R], G Uche Nwaneri, G/T Dennis Norman

Injuries crushed the Jaguars offensive line last season. The club addressed that in a huge way this offseason by picking up veteran LT Tra Thomas from the Eagles and drafting a pair of tackles in the draft (Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton). With starting guards Maurice Williams and Vince Manuwai back into the starting rotation and Tra Thomas providing a stabilizing presence at left tackle, the Jaguars should see a return to their strong play of 2007 and 2006.

Team Defense

The Jaguars were supposed to make a lot of noise last season but were instead a huge disappointment. Much of the blame falls on a defense that was 21st in scoring, recorded only 29 sacks and the second lowest takeaway total in the league at 17. This on the heels of the club using first and second round picks on ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves who accounted for just seven sacks between them. The coaching staff must be convinced that these two will improve in their second year because the only help for the defense this offseason comes in the form of third-round picks Terrance Knighton at DT and Derek Cox at corner, and free agent Sean Considine at safety. Jacksonville really missed Marcus Stroud and they hope that Knighton can come close to replacing him. Justin Durant will move into the lineup at linebacker replacing Mike Peterson and Considine is projected to claim the starting job at SS. With no impact additions the pressure will be on this group to play much better in 2009.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Reggie Hayward; DE Derrick Harvey; DT John Henderson; DT Rob Meier
Backups: DE Quentin Groves; DT Derek Landri; DT Terrance Knighton

Starting DL: DE Reggie Hayward is an NFL veteran who once could be counted on to gather up close to double digit sacks, but that is no longer the case. He has only had eight sacks in the last seasons and only 42 total tackles. He hasn't been the same player since he tore his Achilles tendon in 2006. Paul Spicer is no longer on the team and that means second year players Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves will have to step up their play from last year. Harvey was a highly touted first round pick, eighth overall, in last year's draft. He still has a fairly steep learning curve and only had 4.5 sacks last year, two coming in the season finale. He's added 15 pounds this year in order to be better equipped to handle opposing linemen, hopefully without losing the quickness that got him drafted so highly. Both Jaguar DTs John Henderson and Rob Meier had disappointing years in 2008. Henderson faced double teams much of the year. Once an elite fantasy tackle, Henderson is unlikely worth a roster spot now. Meier, while a serviceable backup, proved last year that his role must remain a supporting one. He's still officially the starter, but look for the team to hope that one of it's free agents will be able to step in adequately, since they did not draft a tackle.

Backup DL: Depth is a major concern on their defensive line. Quentin Groves, as with Harvey, also added 15 pounds in the offseason. And as with Harvey, his performance was equally uninspiring. When he was drafted, the team was aware he needed some work in order to become anything more than a pass rushing specialist. The Jaguars need more from Groves, who will likely rotate in the lineup with Harvey. The team drafted Terrance Knighton in the third round of the draft and hope he can step in immediately and provide an impact. Despite an inconsistent career at Temple, Knighton impressed with his workouts and he could fill a big need for the team since the departure of Marcus Stroud. It's more than possible that Knighton becomes a starter before the end of 2009. Derek Landri, a seventh round draft pick in 2007, has turned out to be an adequate backup and will be counted in for more improvement this year.

Linebackers

Starters: LB Justin Durant; LB Daryl Smith; LB Clint Ingram
Backups: LB Tim Shaw; LB Brian Iwuh; LB Thomas Williams

Starting LBs: The team appears to have made a move in the middle, as Justin Durant should be their opening day starter there, and Daryl Smith swings back outside. Smith, while a consistent and reliable sort, has never quite lived up to his expectations when the team drafted him in the second round, and fantasy owners have especially been disappointed. When Smith has moved to the middle in the past, his numbers have paled in comparison to those of his predecessor, Mike Peterson. Durant, a second round pick out of Hampton, meanwhile was on the field less than Smith and still put up similar numbers. Look for Durant to be a valuable commodity in fantasy circles and look for Smith to be more of an also-ran. Clint Ingram, a 2006 third round pick out of Oklahoma, will lineup on the strong side. The good news for Ingram is that he's a likely starter, but the bad news is that for fantasy purposes, the tackles are swallowed up by the other two linebackers in this defense, so it's doubtful that Ingram puts up quality numbers in 2009.

Backup LBs: While their linebacking unit is a positive point for their defense, their depth and overall talent is minimal. Brian Iwuh was an undrafted free agent acquired by the Jaguars in 2006 and is entering his fourth season with the team. Like with just about everyone providing their linebacking depth, he has little experience in the regular lineup and will be providing what little reserve experience they have in support of the starters. Tim Shaw, a fifth round draft choice by Carolina out of Penn State, has been mostly a special teams player. Waived by the the Panthers on August 30, 2008, he was eventually re-signed. He was acquired as a free agent by the Jaguars a few months later. Thomas Williams is a second year player out of USC drafted in the fifth round. He played sparingly at best last year. Like with the other youngsters in the linebacking unit, they Jaguars need Williams to show improvement this season.

Defensive Backs

Starters: S Reggie Nelson; S Sean Considine; CB Rashean Mathis; CB Brian Williams
Backups: CB William James; CB Derek Cox

Starting DBs: The Jaguars secondary should be reasonably strong this year. Reggie Nelson is a solid safety returning for this third year. The former first round draft pick has not quite produced the way expected when selecting him with the 21st pick overall two years ago, but he has shown flashes of potential. Hurt early in the season last hurt, he came back fairly strong and the team believes he is heading into his prime. Sean Considine couldn't hang on to the starting gig in Philadelphia the past several years, but it appears he'll be the starter this year in Jacksonville. He hits hard and excels in run support, but is a liability in coverage. Brian Williams might be a better fit at safety, but for right now, he's needed at the corner spot. The long time NFL veteran had statistically his best year last season since 2003 and is a major asset for the team with his experience and versatility. Rashean Mathis remains one of the league's better corners. After not missing a game in his first four seasons, Mathis has missed over the last two seasons and the missed time and injuries have meant reduced production. Still in his prime, there's no reason that Mathis can not return to become a top 20 defensive back in fantasy leagues.

Backup DBs: Rookie Derek Cox, a relative unknown drafted in the third round out of William and Mary College. He's a physical player with nice size who should immediately play a role in the nickel and dime packages. If can crack the starting lineup, it will enable Brian Williams to move back to his more natural role at safety. Cox impressed all onlookers at the team's first mini-camp, reinforcing the views of their scouts on draft day. CB William James is entering his second season with Jacksonville, his third NFL team, and his ninth season overall. He made his share of mistakes last year but his veteran experience could prove vital to the team.

Last modified: 2009-07-09 14:30:53