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Jaguars Looking For a Christmas Miracle In New England

Published: December 24, 2009

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Even the most optimistic Jaguar fan must admit that a victory in Foxborough would be nothing short of a Christmas miracle. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Peyton Manning, they now get to travel and face Tom Brady. All that is missing is a season ending game in New Orleans.

You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. The greatest weakness of the Jaguars gets to face two of the most prolific passing attacks in the NFL with the playoffs on the line. If the Colts caused you concern, this game should totally horrify you.

The Patriots have two 1,000 yard receivers in Randy Moss and Wes Welker along with an efficient pass catching back in Kevin Faulk. Their offensive line has given up 16 sacks and 64 quarterback hits and get to face the worst pass rush in the league. Nothing implies the Jaguars can get to Brady with any consistency. They haven’t instilled fear in opposing offenses all year, save the final defensive stop in their win over Buffalo, to warrant any belief the pass rush will suddenly appear.

Need more perspective? Digest these.

Jacksonville ranks 29th in allowing a 66.6 percent completion rate to opposing quarterbacks. Seattle is 30th at 66.5 percent.
Jacksonville ranks 27th in allowing 3,421 yards passing for the season. San Francisco is next at 3,473 followed by Seattle at 3,492.
Jacksonville is tied with two other teams in allowing 24 passing touchdowns this season, ranking them 24th.
New England ranks 8th with a 64.8 percent completion rate.
New England ranks 4th with 3,926 yards for the year.
New England is tied with three teams in the 8th slot for passing touchdowns at 24.

What can the Jaguars exploit? Their strength is on the ground and they get to face a defense that has allowed a league low three rushing touchdowns all season.

Help from Mother Nature? In case you may have forgotten, the 59-0 dismantling of the Titans in week six was executed in a snow storm.

Now is not the time to expect a Derrick Harvey or Reggie Nelson to all of a sudden find that inner play-maker. Nor can we expect Derek Cox, Gerald Alexander and Rashean Mathis to collectively do what only the Darrelle Revis led Jets could do against a Welker-less Pats.

It is difficult to find any clinquant of hope.

That is the same way we all felt back in 2007 when the Jaguars went to face the perfect Patriots. It was a game in which, much like last week’s game against the Colts, the Jaguars rode the wave of David Garrard’s arm. Unfortunately when faced with perfection in both instances the Jaguars made just enough mistakes to fall short of victory.

David rebounded from sub-par games against Pittsburgh (2007) and Miami (2009) to put the team on his shoulders and quiet the nay sayers. When pundits were playing the funeral dirge for a one dimensional running team, number nine answered back.

There is your hope.

New England has given up over 400 yards of total offense four times this year: all loses.

In those same games they gave up over 300 yards through the air. Simply put, you want to beat the Pats you’d better be successful in the passing attack.

And it isn’t even a matter of getting up early. In loses to Indianapolis, Denver and Miami the Patriots couldn’t hold onto fourth quarter leads. This is not the same secondary that thwarted Peyton Manning annually

Surely many of you are questioning whether David can come through. His big game failings are well documented and the road is where we’ve seen him at his worst. But he has been to the north east before and performed above expectations. Remember, Garrard’s weapons against the perfect Patriots were Matt Jones, Dennis Northcut and Reggie Williams.

Maybe this time a wide receiver will make the catch…or Dirk Koetter will call another gem…or possibly the defense will be allowed to make plays rather than sit back and wait for someone else to make a mistake. This franchise has seen miracles before. It is the perfect season for one and the Jaguars are due.

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Jaguars Looking For a Christmas Miracle In New England

Published: December 24, 2009

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Need more perspective? Digest these.

Jacksonville ranks 29th in allowing a 66.6 percent completion rate to opposing quarterbacks. Seattle is 30th at 66.5 percent.
Jacksonville ranks 27th in allowing 3,421 yards passing for the season. San Francisco is next at 3,473 followed by Seattle at 3,492.
Jacksonville is tied with two other teams in allowing 24 passing touchdowns this season, ranking them 24th.
New England ranks 8th with a 64.8 percent completion rate.
New England ranks 4th with 3,926 yards for the year.
New England is tied with three teams in the 8th slot for passing touchdowns at 24.

What can the Jaguars exploit? Their strength is on the ground and they get to face a defense that has allowed a league low three rushing touchdowns all season.

Help from Mother Nature? In case you may have forgotten, the 59-0 dismantling of the Titans in week six was executed in a snow storm.

It is difficult to find any clinquant of hope.

There is your hope.

New England has given up over 400 yards of total offense four times this year: all loses.

In those same games they gave up over 300 yards through the air. Simply put, you want to beat the Pats you’d better be successful in the passing attack.

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Jaguars Fall Short Of Making History in Losing to The Colts

Published: December 18, 2009

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Chalk this up as just another close win for the Indianapolis Colts over the Jacksonville Jaguars on their trek to perfection. This one played out completely opposite of their first matchup, a 14-12 Colts victory, with offense taking center stage. Even with two chances in the last five minutes, the Jaguars could not take their place in the history books to become the story of the team that ended perfection.

The usual suspects assumed their time in the spotlight as Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark all played a major role in this hard fought game. The only mistake any of the three would make was Clark mishandling a Manning third quarter pass which led to an interception, his first pass of the game not caught by a Colt (the first incomplete pass would come a series later).

Big plays will be lauded. Chad Simpson’s 93 yard kickoff return. Wayne’s 65 yard touchdown catch that would end up being the game winner. Clark’s circus catch in the end zone for the the Colt’s first score.

In turn the Jaguars failings will be cited as causes for their loss. Reggie Nelson’s tackling which accounted for scores by both Clark and Wayne. Late game penalties which negated big plays. David Garrard’s overthrown passes at critical times. The lack of any real pressure on Manning for most of the game.

It did not have to be this way.

If David’s pass did not sail over the head of Mike Thomas, the talk would be much different. If Josh Scobee made his 57 yard field goal attempt before the half, the Jaguars may not have needed David to attempt that throw as their late-game drive would have needed to only have yielded three points instead of seven.

We might have heard analysis of how Dirk Koetter’s spectacular play-calling allowed Jacksonville to own an 11 minute time of possession advantage while attacking the Colts in a very balanced fashion with 44 pass plays to 32 run plays. Koetter commited to the run and the play selection, which displayed a faith in his quarterback and his line.

The talk about Garrard would be his play-making ability on more than one occasion. There was the pass to Mike Thomas for a touchdown on third and goal from the 13 yard line. The scramble and nine yard touchdown pass to Maurice Jones-Drew. A third and seven late fourth quarter throw on the run to Mike Sims-Walker who was triple covered.

The progression of Marcedes Lewis might have been a highlighted. Not only did he lead the team in yards per catch with 13.3, but he also had the longest catch of the night at 25 yards. He was also noted for his exceptional blocking which was a component of Garrard’s success. Tonight Lewis stood out not necessarily for his gaudy numbers but for his reliability.

How much praise would the offensive line get? Allowing time for Garrard to go through his progressions. Dominating the Colts defensive front as they opened holes for a running attack that averaged 4.1 yards per carry and 139 yards for the evening.

Maurice Jones-Drew, of course, must get his time. With three of his last four games being disappointments, Drew’s play did nothing short of stamping out those fires. He was patient while waiting for the lanes to open and fierce when he hit them. He managed 140 total yards, 110 on the ground and 30 through the air, and a touchdown both rushing and receiving.

Though giving up over 30 points, the defense would still get applause. The outstanding linebacker play of undrafted rookie Russell Allen and the veteran Justin Durant, both of whom seemed to have their motor running for a full 60 minutes. Gerald Alexander’s third down knockdown of a Manning to Clark pass on third down with a little more than two minutes left would have been the defensive play of the game.

For Jack Del Rio it would have made his coach of the year campaign that much stronger. Fielding such a young team against the veteran Manning led Colts, his past failings would have taken a back seat to accomplishment of handing Indianapolis their first loss.

So many woulds and mights.

The critical eyes will still look to focus on the cracks in Jim Caldwell’s armor. Already there are conversations and articles stating how the Jaguars exposed the means by which one can take Indianapolis down. But those stares will be harder and more invasive to the team that almost won. Del Rio does not have the safety net of an undefeated team and a Super Bowl run. Instead he will deal with how the playoffs were lost and why his team can’t finish games.

Jaguar fans, players and coaches may remember this game. It may eventually become a moment which, through losing, the team grew up. But for now they are just another team that fell short in their attempt to stop perfection. What most will remember is that, in week 15 of the 2009 NFL season, the Colts won.

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It Was Not All Maurice Jones-Drew: Dissecting the Game-Clinching Run

Published: December 8, 2009

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With the win over the Houston Texans, the “rebuilding” Jacksonville Jaguars continue to defy the odds. A winning record in the division and the conference tie-breaker advantage makes this four-game stretch an early Christmas present for Jaguar fans.

The credit for the victory has been assigned to a handful of players: Derek Harvey, Tyron Brackenridge, Derek Cox, Gerald Alexander, and Maurice-Jones Drew are a few names that come to mind.

In Drew’s case it was that late fourth-quarter run that sealed the victory and added to the mystique that he is the guy to be relied upon. Though he gets the glory for getting the yards, it was not all Drew in this instance.

I wanted to gain a better understanding of what made that final play such a success. Up to that point the Texans had held Maurice Jones-Drew in check, allowing only 41 yards on 17 carries. With 4:01 on the clock and three time outs remaining, there was more than enough time for the Houston defense to force a punt and give Matt Schaub the opportunity to steal this game.

Here is the breakdown of that final drive.

1st-and-10 at JAC 24 M.Jones-Drew up the middle to JAX 24 for no gain.
2nd-and-10 at JAC 24 M.Jones-Drew up the middle to JAX 39 for 15 yards.
1st-and-10 at JAC 39 M.Jones-Drew up the middle to JAX 43 for 4 yards.
2nd-and-6 at JAC 43 M.Jones-Drew right end to HST 48 for 9 yards.
1st-and-10 at HOU 48 M.Jones-Drew up the middle to HST 48 for no gain.
2nd-and-10 at HOU 48 M.Jones-Drew right end to HST 41 for 7 yards.
3rd-and-3 at HOU 41 M.Jones-Drew right end to HST 38 for 3 yards.

Houston uses their last time out with 2:13 left to play. Somehow, in six attempts, Drew has almost matched his game total. Maurice receives the glory for getting the yards, but the credit lies solely with Jordan Black, Marcedes Lewis, Eben Britton, and Greg Jones.

Jordan Black is lined up as the right offensive tackle while Eben is the right guard. The linebackers are reading the off-tackle play and the defensive backs are playing up tight. What is interesting about the Texans formation is that safety Bernard Pollard is playing the left outside linebacker spot, while Brian Cushing is wide-left to contain anything that gets pushed outside.

The right defensive end, Antonio Smith shoots the B gap and Black takes him inside. This has essesntially negated any interior lanes but has also opened the C gap. Black has done his job, but just barely. Smith is able to get a hand on MJD, something that will actually benefit the play.

Cushing pushes hard up-field in an effort to get around Marcedes. The beauty of this matchup is that Cushing’s attempt to put a swim move on Lewis completely fails. Big No. 89 gets under the linebacker’s pads, and clears out Cushing by driving him deep into the backfield. There is now no one to contain.

Meanwhile, Britton has pulled from his guard spot. Exhibiting great quickness, he fills the lane opened by Black and Lewis, taking out the CB Jacques Reeves (I may have the wrong player here as I couldn’t get a good read on the number or name on the jersey).

What Eben also does is to negate Bernard Pollard filling the lane from his safety position. Thought not credited with the tackle, he is one of the first to make contact with No. 32.

All that’s left is for the fullback to finish the task. Middle linebacker Demeco Ryans and right outside linebacker Zac Diles have read the play and are quick enough to get to the hole, actually getting a yard into the backfield. However, Greg Jones meets them just as they begin to turn towards MJD and like a bowling ball takes them both out of the play. The irony is that Smith’s brief grab of MJD looks to have allowed a split second for the running back to wait as Jones finishes his block.

As much as the offensive line has been highlighted as a weakness during the season, this play deserves recognition for its dominant execution at a critical time.

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Jaguar Fans Quit Blaming The Team: You Either Want Them Or You Don’t

Published: December 4, 2009

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Why, as a city, do we want this?

The question is really a double entendre. Why do we want this team? Why do we want to lose this team? Recent news from Los Angeles has energized the monster. Seeing it walk and hearing its menacing voice has left the citizens distraught. Prophets on street corners, perched high on their crates, warn those who will listen of the impending doom.

Now where did I put that crate?

Being the “NFL’s miscalculation” is worn like a hair shirt by the city and the fans. Groups like “Revive the Pride” and True to the Teal” are fighting hard to get this community involved in support. This weekend presented itself as an opportunity to make a statement to the league that the passion is still there. Yet the stadium will once again be hauntingly under attended.

Did you miss the memo? Controlling playoff destiny? Hated AFC South rival? 5-1 home record?

These last three home games were, I thought, a sure draw based on where this team stands in light of where they were supposed to be. Boy was I wrong. Now with the news that Los Angeles will be ready for a team, or teams, within the next two years how does the city respond? I’m not sure we’ll see much above 40,000.

Don’t throw away your team gear. It may be worth something.

Let me put this into perspective. Back on December 1, at Jacksonville defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27 before 57,408 fans. It was a game that followed a 28-25 OT victory in Baltimore. At the time the team was 5-7 and no one was thinking playoffs. The victory would be one of five to close out the season on an unbelievable run to the AFC Championship Game.

How much different is the 1996 team from the 2009 team? In hindsight we can see the talent that was Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. It would be a fair comment to say that, offensively, we’ve seen glimmers of the same excitement in David, Mike and Mike.

Defensively is another story. Apart from Daryl Smith, Rashean Mathis and John Henderson there is no real match for Tony Brackens, Kevin Hardy, Jeff Lageman, Joel Smeenge or Clyde Simmons. This years team looks to rookies Derek Cox and Terrance Knighton to be impact players.

But that new car smell was still wafting through the air 13 years ago. Today we’re tainted and cynical. We look at this team and our logic tells us there is no way this team can make the playoffs. Why bother buying tickets to watch a dying beast? The San Francisco loss gave evidence to the detractors, allowing them to leverage the teams inconsistency and youth as a reason not to “waste money”.

Consider this:

When the Bengals came to town they were 5-7 and would finish with a three game win streak.

The Houston Oilers were 7-6 when Jacksonville visited them the following week. The Jaguars would win that game 23-17.

The week prior to the OT win in Baltimore the Jaguars all but ended their season with a 28-3 loss in Pittsburgh.

Need I speak to what needed to happen at the end of the Atlanta game? “He missed it!. The Jaguars are going to the playoffs!”

I know what you’re thinking. The remainder of the 2009 schedule includes only one bad team remaining in Cleveland. The victory run in 1996 ended against the 7-9 Seahawks and the 3-13 Falcons. A fair point, but the Jaguars were still fielding an expansion roster. You can’t convince me the Bills and Broncos teams they faced in the playoffs are far off the Colts and Patriots teams they’ll face in the coming weeks.

Regardless of whether the playoffs are probable, the fact remains this team is in the playoff hunt. Much like you could never have predicted Morten Andersen would miss a chip shot field goal you can not predict what these next five games hold. What is your motivation: the probable or the possible?

So it begs the question: Is it probable or possible this team won’t move? Good question. Logic tells us all the factors are in place to move this team as a sound business decision. Yet we know it is still possible based on the stadium lease and the fondness of the owner that this team stays.

For those of us who have followed Vic Ketchman we know he leaves clues in his “Ask Vic” column. Dismiss the reports from Los Angeles and turn your eyes from Yahoo articles stating the Jaguars are moving but consider what Vic is actually saying with these recent responses to questions from fans.

David from Charlotte, NC Tim Tebow is being projected to be picked in the mid to early 20’s, which is where the Jags will likely pick if they can win the next few games. Do Gator fans realize these next few games might actually be for Tebow? If so, “The Jack” should be packed, right?
Vic: I wouldn’t worry about that.

Darian from Jacksonville The Jags are without a second-round pick this year, which I think is the round Tebow should be selected. Will this force the Jags to draft him in the first round because of this?
Vic: I wouldn’t worry about that.

Todd from Jacksonville From Craigslist: “Pittsburgh Steelers PSL-2 in Sec 236, $25,000 each (Irwin). Two Steelers seat licenses in Section 236, Row F, Seats 13-14, priced at $25,000 each. Great investment!” Are we not so lucky to have football in Jacksonville for pennies compared to this? Those fans will pay any amount to see their team play and we can’t get people to pay an amount far less. That’s just the PSL’s, not the season tickets. Crazy! Could you imagine the crowds if we had PSL’s?
Vic: I’m so sad for Jacksonville. It doesn’t understand the value of what it has and what losing it could mean.

John from Jacksonville Beach, FL How sick is it that a seat license could cost $25,000 in Pittsburgh? I feel sorry for them. Do they realize what a miserable life they have? Don’t feel sorry for folks in Jacksonville who have much more to do with their entertainment dollar.
Vic: I won’t.

What is he asking? If you listened to him on Jaguars This Week you heard a man that has years of NFL experience warning the listeners that there is little rope to grasp. Take from this what you will.

In speaking with a representative in the ticketing office, the Houston game will be embarrassing (my word). The Miami and the Indianapolis games, however, are looking like they may allow the game to be televised. I won’t speculate as to what that might mean to the talks of moving this team. I simply don’t know if we are beyond the point of no return.

Sadly we will have to live with lack of fan support for a playoff contending team on Sunday. Yes there are some that simply can not afford tickets but what of those who can? At 1:00 pm, I will be sitting in section 226, fully washed in the possibility of leaving the stadium with my team 7-5. If the city and fan base has gotten to a point where even playoff potential is measured by probability this team is doomed.

So here I stand, on my crate and preaching to the choir. I am hoping this isn’t the last song of the encore. I do not want this show to end.

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For the Jaguars, Their History With the Titans Cuts Deep

Published: September 30, 2009

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I know this hurts…it was meant to.

Fallout Boy

This weekend Jeff Fisher and the Tennessee Titans return to what was once deemed their “second home field.”

Fisher’s comments were further insult to injury as they were uttered after the Titans won the AFC Championship Game 33-14 back in 2000. I was at that game and I vividly remember the complete disgust I felt watching them hoist the trophy.

Rivalries are the cornerstone of sports: Browns\Steelers, Cowboys\Redskins, Chiefs\Raiders, Buckeyes\Wolverines, Florida\Tennessee, Florida St.\Miami (to name a few).

They not only rally the fan base but they also play a big role in establishing a tradition the team can feed off.

Jim Tressel understood this when he took over as the Ohio State coach. Lane Kiffin used beating Florida as a rallying cry. George Allen was quite vocal in his hatred for the Cowboys.

Early on, Coughlin used the Steelers as the Jaguars’ must-win game to define his team as physical.

Is it a sense of professional courtesy that JDR and WW are not leveraging the history of this rivalry to promote the game for the sake of filling the stadium?

Have Jaguar fans simply lost that fire? It should not matter who has what record nor whether either team is in a position to be a playoff contender.

Maybe everyone needs to be reminded of why this stadium should be filled with passionate anti-Tennessee sentiment.

1995: Jacksonville’s inaugural season. The then-Houston Oilers hand the Jaguars their first-ever defeat 10-3 in front of 72,363 fans at the Gator Bowl. Four weeks later the Jaguars get their first franchise victory with a 17-16 win at Houston. The foundation is set.

1996: Houston again beats Jacksonville at home, 34-27, behind a punishing 143-yard performance from Eddie George. In the middle of a season ending a five-game winning streak, Jacksonville forces four turnovers while holding George to 45-yard rushing in a 23-17 victory.

Eddie George and punishing…a combination we’d come to know and loathe.

1997: With the team now known as the Tennessee Oilers, Jacksonville sweeps the season with a 30-24 victory at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and a 17-9 victory at home. The Jaguars again make the playoffs. The Oilers, still a .500 team.

More significant is that Steve McNair became the Oilers starting QB. You can almost hear the audience scream, “He is behind the door! Don’t open the door!”

1998: This year, the Oilers played their home games at Vanderbilt Stadium where two fourth quarter field goals give the Jaguars a 27-22 victory in a sloppy game by both teams.

Later in the year, the Oilers re-establish their tradition of winning in Jacksonville with a 16-13 victory thanks to a 41 yard FG by Al DelGreco with four seconds left. Still, Jacksonville finishes first and makes the playoffs. The Oilers are still a .500 team.

1999: And so it begins. They finish the season 14-2. They lose in the AFC title game. All three losses to the now-Tennessee Titans.

In Week Three, Jacksonville outgains the Titans 369-231 but can’t get the win. Samari Rolle’s interception of a Mark Brunell pass, on third and goal, late in the fourth quarter seals the victory.

Week 16 would be the turning point. Knocking out Brunell early, the Titans out muscled the Jaguars with a 41-14 win, out-gaining them 476-237. That dominance would re-emerge as the Titans shut out the Jags in the second half of the AFC title game en route to a 33-14 victory and a trip to the Super Bowl.

McNair was unstoppable, making play after play when it was needed. George simply wore down the defense, while the Jags offense looked pedestrian in the face of the aggressive Titans. Jag fans would come to expect this type of play for years to come.

2000: The run is over. At the end of the 2000 season the Titans will be 13-3, the Jags 7-9 and falling fast. In Nashville, Eddie and Steve carve up the Jaguars 27-13 in a game that was more lopsided than the score would indicate.

However, in a game as close as the final stats, Mike Hollis kicks a 37-yard FG with no time left as the Jaguars get a home win 16-13.

It isn’t much but we get to see the Titans lose and the team ends the year on a 4-2 run (though losing their final two). Next year, right?

2001: The final year of the AFC Central saw tradition win out. Pittsburgh and Baltimore held the top two spots while Tennessee and Jacksonville wallowed at 7-9 and 6-10 respectively. For Jacksonville, salary cap problems would continue to gut the team.

Both games were closely contested with each team getting a victory on their home turf. The Jaguars took the first game 13-6, the latter won by the Titans 28-24.

What distinguished one game from the other? McNair played in Nashville. He won the game on a one yard run with 44 seconds left.

Steve was a consistent source of pain for the Jaguars’ defense and his return would signal a three year stint of misery.

2002: Welcome to the AFC South. Titans would finish first, the Jaguars third, in what was Coughlin’s last year. Jacksonville visited Tennessee in Week Six with the Titans riding a four-game losing streak.

This game would serve as another statement game by the Titans. The Jaguars were coming off a big win over the Eagles and stood at 3-1, poised to regain their lost glory.

Rolle knocked Brunell out of the game in the first quarter. Led by David Garrard, the Jags pulled to within two points, gaining momentum, with a late third quarter TD. The Jags needed only to stop the Titans.

Tennessee responded with a seven minute and 36 second death march to take the lead. Garrard led the Jags down to the Tennessee 31 before throwing an interception.

In the final 3:37, George would gain nine yards on third-and-eight while McNair would gain four yards on a third and three. This was the beginning of the end for Jacksonville’s season.

Back home in Jacksonville it didn’t get any better. With the season now completely lost (initiated by the loss in Week Six), and the Titans well on their way to the playoffs, the Jaguars were no match for the relentless Titan rushing attack.

It wasn’t that George was piling up long runs (17 yards was his best) in the 28-10 win, it was how he got them.

Bit by bit, the Jag defense was chipped at. Five yards here, three yards there, six yards, four yards…All you need to know is the time of possession in both games: 22:17-37:43 and 24:21-35:39. Advantage Titans.

2003: This year we welcomed Jack Del Rio as the Jaguars’ new coach. Apart from that, nothing much changed. The Titans swept the Jaguars…again. This time 30-17 in Jacksonville and 10-3 at Tennessee.

The first game began where last season left off. Down 20-10 at the half, the Jaguars again lost the time of possession battle 20:46-39:14. Though the defense played well in the latter loss, the offense did nothing until a late fourth quarter field goal.

The rivalry had become a joke and there was no greater indication than the game one fourth quarter drive in which the Titans held the ball for 11 minutes and 14 seconds.

After the game, Jack noted, “We’re going to identify the guys who aren’t getting it done and find guys who can, because that’s embarrassing.”

2004: Finally! At 9-7 the Jaguars would barely miss the playoffs, though it will be remembered for the dismal attendance in a 21-0 late season loss to the Texans. At 5-11 the Titans were the worst team in the division.

Sadly, the Jaguars still couldn’t manage to relish this with any dominance over the Titans. A late TD by Fred Taylor gave the Jaguars a 15-12 victory in Tennessee.

However, a Week 11 visit by the 3-6 Titans would end with an 18-15 loss, starting a three game losing streak for the then 6-3 Jaguars.

Once again the Titans play a major role in a season lost. A classic post game quote by Fred Taylor:

“They weren’t anywhere near the type of talented team that they usually are, which is what makes this all the more sickening. No way in hell are we supposed to lose that game to that team.”

2005: This was the year we believed it all had changed. Coming off a 9-7 season, the Jaguars would finish 12-4 while the Titans would end at 4-12. McNair was old and injured. Eddie George was two years removed.

The Jags would get the sweep, starting with an exciting come from behind victory at Tennessee. Byron Leftwich would lead them back from a 21-14 deficit in route to a 31-28 victory. Unlike past years, the Jaguars finished strong with 24 second half points.

The team then gave us a Happy New Year with a 40-13 dismantling of the Titans. It was as if years of frustration and losing burst forth as they went up 40-0 before the fourth quarter even started.

2006: It wasn’t that finishing tied with the Titans at 8-8 was bad, it was everything else that surrounded it.

This year we welcomed Vince Young and Maurice Jones-Drew. Young came off a National Championship season. Drew played second fiddle to cross-town rival and Heisman Trophy-winning Reggie Bush. Fitting.

In their first encounter the 4-3 Jaguars again dominated the 2-5 Titans, scoring 37 points in three quarters on their way to a 37-7 win. Both teams looked to be heading in opposite directions. Then it happened…again.

Week 15 and the 8-5 Jaguars were looking to finish strong. All that was left were the Patriots, Chiefs, and Titans. 10-6 looked like a sure thing.

They had just humiliated the Colts 44-17 on the legs of Taylor and Drew and next was a Titans team that was on a four game win streak. Young was again turning heads.

83. 92. 61. Those were the defensive scores by the Titans. Jacksonville’s fifth rated defense neutered Young and his offense but Garrard’s turnovers, along with some memorable failures by Matt Jones, simply gave the game away.

No playoffs for the Jags. To make matters worse…Young got OROY.

2007: Both teams would be redefined as defensive powers. Both teams would make it to the playoffs. The rivalry could become fun again. And much like the days of the past, Jacksonville simply couldn’t win at home.

Surely there would be no better way to start the season. The much maligned offense was given new breath as Garrard became the starting QB. The Titans were coming to town to start the season.

The ghosts of Eddie George were awoken as Chris Brown shredded the Jacksonville defense for 175 yards.

Tennessee held the ball almost 14 minutes longer than Jacksonville. And much like McNair once did, Young’s scramble with one minute left in the third quarter would be the game winner.

The turned in Tennessee with Jacksonville winning 28-13. Ironically this loss ended the Titans three game win streak and start a three game losing streak.

For Jacksonville, it was the first win in a series that would see them go 6-2 to end the season. For the fans it was another example that Drew should’ve won OROY.

2008: This was to be the year of the Super Bowl for the Jaguars. That run would start in Nashville.

With a chance to redeem themselves from last year’s opening season defeat, Jacksonville managed to actually play worse, losing 17-10. Garrard was harassed all day long, getting sacked seven times.

The offensive line ensured complete failure by giving Taylor and Drew no where to run, though in fairness to them the injuries in just the first half were catastrophic. Maybe the biggest mistake they made was knocking Young out of the game.

Kerry Collins came in and led the Titans to their final score. He would go on to lead them to 10 straight wins and a league-best 13-3 record.

But the pain didn’t stop there. Coming off a much needed win against the Lions, the 4-5 Jaguars took a 14-3 lead into the half. McNair could’ve given the half time speech as Collins came out and took charge, throwing three TD passes.

The Titans won 24-14, their 10th straight win. For the Jaguars, the loss would be the first in a series of defeats leaving them 1-6 over the last seven games.

So here we are in 2009. Are we due for another bad memory? Will we be forced to look back at this game as the one in which the Titans turned their season around on the way to a Super Bowl?

The Titans have given the Jaguars and their fans enough nightmares to keep Stephen King busy for the rest of his life.

I know you can still hear Fisher’s words ringing in your ears and I know it makes you sick. If the details above aren’t enough, here are some consolidated stats.

Series record: 12-17 Titans

At Jacksonville: 10-5 Titans

At Tennessee: 7-5 Jaguars

Season Sweeps: Jaguars 2, Titans 4

You can pretend it isn’t there, but it is. You can act as if it isn’t important, but you’d be deceiving yourself. These rookies need to understand that the Jaguars began against the Oilers. Their Super Bowl run was halted by the Titans. Their first ROY was stolen by the Titans.

They were the more physical team when you thought that was your identity. They kept you out of the playoffs when it was inches from your mouth.

Read it again if you must. These are events you pass down to your children. When they ask you why you hate the “Stinking flaming thumb tacks”, the response should be quick.

If it hurts you to speak it then print this out and make them read it. As Trent Reznor wrote, “I was up above it. Now I’m down in it.”

I used to be so big and strong.
I used to know my right from wrong.
I used to never be afraid.
I used to be somebody.

If they’re going to call this a rebuilding year, the Jaguars should make a statement and start owning this rivalry.

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Roller Coaster, of Love

Published: September 29, 2009

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“Lovin’ you is really wild – Oh it’s just a love rollercoaster – Step right up and get your tickets”

By now you should officially be in the throes of that emotional swell you’d receive from seeing that hot girl across the bar (or guy depending on your gender or…no need to go there).

This past Sunday, you caught a glimpse of what can happen when the Jaguars look in the closet and pick out that matching ensemble. By that, I mean, both players and coaches coordinating.

So now you find yourself going into week four with a Titans team coming to town looking road hard and put up wet. Can you feel your heart beat a bit faster? Is your tummy feeling funny?

Surely you find yourself contemplating the next hill they’ll climb when Jack says:

“I like the energy, I like the effort. The way we’re approaching it, we will improve. It’s not maybe, it’s a matter of how much.”

What’s not to like? Grabbing Battle Red Day by the horns and wrestling away all the optimism the Texans had going into their game against the lowly Jaguars. Not folding after the Sims-Walker fumble. When Daryl Smith recovered that football it was almost as if that girl gave you her phone number, right after laughing at you for asking.

Might I suggest you dial the number before leaving the bar. Or maybe get a look at her in some good light.

Not to take anything away from the victory, but before the message boards and phone lines are filled with any thoughts of this team making a turn there should be some serious consideration of who the Jaguars beat.

Houston

231.7 ypg passing

204.7 ypg rushing

Compare that to the previous teams they’ve played:

Indianapolis

192.3 ypg passing

125.7 ypg rushing

Arizona

280.3 ypg passing (skewed by junk yardage vs Jacksonville)

79.7 ypg rushing

Had you not known, I doubt you’d be shocked if I told you the Jaguars beat the Texans by seven, lost to the Colts by two, and lost to the Cardinals by 14. Before you point out the Jags had to throw more against Arizona, I’ll remind you that, save the 36-yard run early, MJD averaged 2.5 ypc for the game.

This weekend the Titans come to town boasting the second best rushing defense in the NFL, yielding 60.7 ypg. The hope would be Garrard could exploit their 28th rated pass defense which giv es up 274.7 ypg, but that assumes the Jaguars 19th rated passing offense can improve on their 202.7 ypg average.

Defensively, the Titans are again near the top in sacks, with seven for the year.

Feeling down? Remember…this is a roller coaster.

Vincent Fuller is out for six weeks with a broken right forearm, hurting their depth. Cortland Finnegan is nursing a sore hamstring. Tennessee hasn’t been able to get consistency from their Special Teams and they haven’t been able to hold a lead late in any of their three loses.

Kerry Collins has gotten progressively worse with each passing game. While C.J. has been terrorizing defenses, LenDale White has yet to add that second punch.

Yet, the one thing that cannot be ignored is that across the field stands Jeff Fisher. In the last seven trips to Jacksonville, the Fisher lead Titans are 5-2 in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

If the opportunity is to exist for a victory it must reside with the defense. In two of their three games the Jaguars have won the turnover battle, something the Titans have failed to do in their last two games. Once again an immobile quarterback comes to town, this time with much less talent at receiver.

In fact, after facing Wayne, Fitzgerald, and Johnson the defense should embrace the moment. This is the game to unleash the blitz packages.

The most compelling question may be who needs this game more? Tennessee’s new mantra is “just win one game”, while the Jaguars are hoping this past win will court fans to fill the stadium with their hated rival coming to town.

Sending the Super Bowl contending Titans to 0-4 would be a rush for the fans and this young team. This is a great time to walk up and buy a ticket for the ride that is the 2009 Jaguar season.

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First Job Interview: Jaguars Open the Preseason

Published: August 17, 2009

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For most us we will sit in a chair and answer questions with respect to the position we desire. In sports the format is quite a bit different and the interview never really ends. Every year the four preseason games become an official forum in which the coaches can evaluate the potential candidates.

Some will be dismissed while reading the resume, i.e. training camp, but most will get the chance to answer the questions in game time situations.

This is difficult for the fan to grasp as often you will hear season long predictions based solely on the performance of the first team offense in the first preseason game. If such a philosophy holds any value, then Colt fans had better prepare for a disappointing season.

I’m sure the coaching staff wants to see a victory. That would indicate a wealth of depth as every group of players put into the game dominated the opponent. But we can’t pretend to know what the ends to the means are when it comes to preseason.

Is the coach calling basic plays to evaluate certain positions? Are the coordinators looking for weaknesses that need further attention? As in chess, sometimes you gain more when you sacrifice than when you acquire.

Going into the Miami game with a mindset that this is the first interview of the year for the players may help with perspective. Some potential points of interest:

1. Can David Garrard lead the first team offense to touchdowns?

With past ineptness to score during the preseason there is historical reference for concern in this area. It would be easy to fall into that trap, especially with the youth at WR, but a better gauge might be whether David can sustain drives. Look for whether the offensive line is giving him protection. See if the throws are on target.

Look for correct checks under center. Finishing drives is the true measure of an offense but this Jaguar team goes into the Miami game without Mike Walker and with presumably limited playing time for Torry Holt.

The preseason is about progress and starting with multiple three and outs would be more of a red flag considering the most seasoned player in the receiving game may be the tight end.

2. Is the opposing quarterback going down?

Last year the Jaguars tied for 20th in the NFL with 29 sacks. Statistics from WalterFootball.com show, through passing touchdowns allowed divided by total passes attempted, the Jaguars gave up the fourth highest percentage of scores through the air.

First thing the Jaguars must establish is a pass rush on the quarterback so that big pass play can’t develop. Is the QB uncomfortable in the pocket? Watch to see if he can go through his progression.

That being said, Derrick Harvey ended the season leading the Jaguars in quarterback pressures with 29, a figure that ranked just behind Dwight Freeney (33) and ahead of Mario Williams (25).

The one stat he is lacking are the sacks, where his 3.5 is a nice 6th amongst rookies from 2008 yet is a distance from Williams (12) and Freeney (10.5). Seeing Harvey, or Reggie Hayward, take down Pennington and the ball would actually be progress.

3. The “big play” or the “sustained drive”?

Two questions being asked here: 1) Are the defensive backs as bad as last year indicated and 2) Do the Jaguars have the front seven to stop drives? The answer to question one may be contingent on point No. 2 above.

Looking back at the New England playoff game of 2007, given enough time the QB will find an open receiver. I personally think for Reggie Nelson, Brian Williams and Rashean Mathis, last year was a product of no pass rush, injuries and bad schemes.

Derek Cox has given reason to believe he can contribute and adding Marlon McCree was a big gain to positional depth. There is also interest as to whether Gerald Alexander can win a starting spot.

Miami really doesn’t field a true threat at WR and Chad doesn’t have an arm to fear so Jacksonville has no excuse for getting beat deep. Last year Miami’s domination at the point of attack ended up being an indication of Jacksonville weakness.

This may be the one exception to the preseason rule considering the veteran leadership.

Miami does, however, offer a challenge to the defensive front as well as the linebackers. Ronnie Brown is healthy and coming off a great year. Ricky Williams is 32 years old but may still be able to bruise.

Add Pat White to the mix and the Jaguars get a chance to answer some big questions. Is John Henderson back? What will Atiyyah Ellison and Derek Landri bring to the other DT position? How is Terrance Knighton progressing? Were the changes at LB the right move? Is there any depth at LB?

Where does Quentin Groves fit in? Long drives will happen you just don’t want the time of possession to be lopsided. With the talent at RB the Jaguars will face in the AFC South, this may be the most intriguing of all areas to watch from beginning to end.

4. Is there depth at running back?

There are high expectations and justified trepidation as to the post-Fred Taylor era in Jacksonville. If we’ve learned anything about the NFL in recent years it is that having a two headed monster at running back is critical. Maurice Jones-Drew has earned the faith but behind him are two looming question marks.

Greg Jones has battled from devastating injuries, shown glimpses of potential and now finds himself in the spot light. Rashad Jennings is thought of as a potential steal of the draft and has garnered serious attention thus far in camp. If all three live up to their potential, the offense looks strong going into the season.

Watching to see how Jones and Jennings run (find\hit the hole), whether they hold onto the ball and if they are a dual threat (run and catch) should be a big focus. Jones should be expected to produce against the first team defense of the Dolphins but he doesn’t have to be a game breaker.

5. Is the offensive line in control?

Much of their ability to succeed in the ground and in the air will be dependent on the play of the offensive line. Considering the beating Jacksonville took in last year’s preseason game, pride should be a motivation. This group is coming off injuries (Manuwai, Meester, and Williams).

It also added some high profile rookies (Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe) along with a Pro Bowl veteran in Tra Thomas.

A repeat of last year’s game could be cause for concern but the offensive line is an area where continuity is critical. The more they play together they better they’ll get. Possibly the more intriguing story may be the number of successes they have when the rookies are rotated into the game, especially if the news of Monroe getting time is accurate.

6. The play calling and execution.

Here is where a DVR and some time to spare will be a benefit. Questions have been asked about the Jaguars running some type of “wildcat” offense and how they will implement a pure or modified 3-4 defensive scheme.

Maybe the easiest way to remove yourself from caring who wins or loses is to focus on what is being called and who is executing at their position.

Was Britton at guard and did he pull quick enough? How is David’s play fake? Did the LB read the correct hole on the blitz? Is Harvey just bull rushing or is he using hand technique? How are the rookie WRs running their routes? During what situation did the Jaguars go to a 3-4 defense? This is how the coaches see the game.

This surely isn’t an exhaustive list and it may not even be the six best areas to focus (some will be watching Harvery vs Long). There is debate over what the preseason may foreshadow and for every 2007 New York Giants (1-3) there is a 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1).

The point is that what happens on Monday is more about building a team. Winning the game is more for the fans.

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