This preview could be the easiest one of any team in the league. Maurice Jones-Drew is all Jacksonville has. There is your preview. Jacksonville outside of the pintsized back is a talentless group of hyped college players and ignorance to hone a manageable defensive strategy. Coach Jack Del Rio has proven in the past that he can propel amazing defensive units and that he is capable of leading a team, yet for him, the lack of talent and bad investments made on the defensive side of the ball have turned Jacksonville from a once dominant team to a joke.
Offensively for Jacksonville QB David Garrard is about as streaky as they come, one week he could look like a Pro-Bowler and the next resemble an Arena League backup. Garrard’s biggest asset of mobility in the pocket has been wasted in past years due to instability on the line. His accuracy is questionable, though again the youth at receiver he has seen in past years is an acceptable excuse. In any case Garrard can will his teams to wins; however the reliance on MJD cannot be overstated in the success of Garrard as a starter in the league. This brings us to MJD himself. He has proven over the last 3 seasons he is one of the all around elite players in the league. His ability to catch the ball only adds to his appeal and importance in the Jaguars attack. MJD also provides above average blocking skills adding another element to what makes him so special. Unfortunately for Jacksonville, behind MJD only FB Greg Jones provides a mentionable skill set to spell the Pro Bowl RB. The line protecting Garrard and MJD is young yet a talented group. Tackles Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe will have to raise their play this year to give Garrard more time in the pocket, a job they failed miserably at last season. Filling out the other spots, veterans Justin Smiley and Brad Meester add to a veteran feel that hopefully can gel the talented unit. Receiving targets for Jacksonville have always been suspect since the exit of Jimmy Smith. Last year Mike Sims Walker provided a glimmer of hope at WR for the club. He looks again to be the go to guy for Garrard as the depth at this position is scarce. TE Mercedes Lewis has talent as a receiver, but with Jacksonville’s reliance on the run, he is often used as a primary blocker. Jarett Dillard and Tiquan Underwood offer more promise than current #2 Mike Thomas, yet expect neither to make a significant impact because of lack of opportunities.
Where the Jaguars need the most help is on the defensive side of the ball. On paper it looks like a veteran unit that has the ability to play better than last year’s dismal season that witnessed a line unable to stop ball carriers, yet the holes are obvious as the defensive line lacks a capable pass rusher and the secondary plays below their athletic ball hawks skill set. The line that features former Pro-Bowler Aaron Kampman and first round pick Tyson Alualu should be interesting to watch in their attempt to resurrect a pass rush that has been absent for several years. With John Henderson no longer anchoring the middle, Terrance Knighton is now allowed to step up and show that last year was no fluke and that he can become the space eater so desperately needed. Roaming the middle linebackers Daryl Smith and Justin Durant provide average talent. They are not impact players that are needed to mesh the secondary and line, yet provide enough talent in terms of making tackles and in pursuit to show hopes for success 2010. Though they are an older group, they do provide the most stable and reliable part of the defense. The secondary for Jacksonville is loaded with super athletic players who just haven’t been able to make a considerable contribution in bettering the overall team. At CB Rashean Mathis is only behind MJD in terms of skill. When on, he is an excellent cover corner, when off, he doesn’t apply an adequate press and is susceptible to double moves on deep routes. Derek Cox is another young talented player who when playing well can be a great 2nd corner, however he is too often beat on underneath routes. The biggest disappointment for the Jaguars is in FS Reggie Nelson. An incredible athlete, Nelson has been unable to absorb the knowledge to read coverages and not get beat out of position. If not for his elite speed and agility he would no longer be i the league, let alone contending for a starting spot.
Jaguar fans will not enjoy 2010 any more than they did last season. Other than watching MJD break off 60 yard runs, the inability to stop the run and provide a pass rush will force Jacksonville to constantly play from behind. In doing so, this takes away the potential for their greatest weapon, MJD. Garrard can lead this unit to the playoffs, however he needs the young line to show they are worth their 1st round selection and give Garrard time to find receivers other than Sims-Walker on deep fly routes. In all for Jacksonville success this year, better defensive and offensive line play are key to the team’s success. In a tough division the Jaguars look for moderate success, yet with question marks along key areas, 4-5 wins seems about all this team will muster.
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