Somethings New and Somethings Old: Meet the Jaguars’ Coaching Staff

A 5–11 season, following a playoff run, tends to be a warning sign that a team is nearing the end of it’s relevance. Teams can either hang on, and hope for one last hurrah, or make a drastic shift to try to nip the problem in the bud before bad habits and losses become a yearly occurrence.

Thankfully, the Jags chose the latter, and after an off–season purge, they are back with a fresh new look.

The most noticeable change comes in the form of one of the coordinators. Gregg Williams, bastion of giving up the big play and defender of all things sloppy, is gone.

Apparently, when the Jags hired defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, the job description stated something the following: “at absolutely no point should our defensive line be counted upon to either sack the quarterback or to stop the run. Defensive backs should jump at the receivers’ first twitch; odds are, he’s not going to make a double move.”

Gregg Williams fulfilled that requirement, and then some. However, the drunken intern who logged into the official Jags’ defensive coordinator online application and mucked it all up eventually fessed up to the changes and was canned (it’s handled much like a wiki, you can really add whatever you want).

After management cleared up that mess, they fired Gregg Williams as well, as he had coached the Jaguars defense to some of the worst numbers in head coach, Jack Del Rio’s tenure.

Replacing Williams is ex–Cleveland Brown’s defensive coordinator, Mel Tucker.

Two, often overlooked positions, the special teams coordinator and the strength and conditioning coach, are held by shining, new faces as well.

You will get to meet each of the new guys, but you won’t get to haze them. We adhere to a strict, no hazing rule, here in Jacksonville. You’ll also get to re–meet the old guys.

After 5 months of other, useless crap getting saved on your brainputers, you’ve probably forgotten all about the Jaguars (I know I deleted 2008).

Jags’ New Look More Than Just a Uniform Change

This year, Jags fans will notice a few changes.  First, are the new, simplified uniforms.  Gone are the variations (black on black, white on white), the Jags will be playing in teal on white or white on black uniforms.  The helmet’s reminiscent of a bass boat, sparkling and appearing to change colors under different lights.

However, the changes are not all cosmetic.  A few major things happened under the hood as well. 

Most significantly, career Jag and future Hall of Famer, Fred Taylor has been released. 

Taylor, a team captain, saw reduced action last season as the team moved forward with current running back, Maurice Jones–Drew.

The ramifications of this move will be present from the start.  The 5′ 7″ Jones–Drew will be given “feature back” status, a rarity in the current tandem–friendly NFL. 

However, Jones–Drew will not shoulder all of the rushing responsibilities.  Head coach Jack Del Rio envisions FB Greg Jones carrying the ball in an increased capacity.  A Florida Times Union article claims Del Rio wants to get Jones the ball 10 to ten times per game.

This Jones–Drew led rushing attack will still primarily focus on “smashmouth” football.  Don’t expect too much “Wildcat”; Greg Jones’ most impressive attribute is his blocking out of the I–Formation.  Del Rio will try to get the two backs on the field as often as possible.

One mid–major side effect of Jones–Drew taking full reign of the running game will be a new kick returner. 

While he did not take the majority of the returns last year, the Jags cannot afford to have No. 32 taking unnecessary shots.  Witherspoon will have to share this load with someone else

The end of Taylor’s Jags career did not prove to be the only major ripple in the Jags’ offseason.  The addition of All–Pro receiver Torry Holt provides some much needed stability at the WR position.

Since the retirement of Jimmy Smith, the Jags have searched for a No. 1 wide receiver.  Holt has the hands, brains, and ability to do just that. 

Even in his 12th year, Holt will prove to be the Jags’ best intermediate threat, and while he may not run the deep route as often, Garrard will have a consistent, go–to receiver for the first time in his career as a starter. 

Look for far more passing out of the 2009 Jags.  The one–two punch of Holt and Lewis will open up the short passing game for Jones–Drew to exploit.  Jones–Drew has been an effective pass catching RB and with less of the attention focused on him, look for him to continue to utilize this strength.

However, the most visually apparent change may be the switch in defensive schemes. 

With the hiring of former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, the Jags have a very real shot of turning into a 3–4 defense this year.  Even though a permanent switch is not likely, look for the team to use the scheme throughout the season. 

If a switch is to be made, the Jags have some positions to fill, the biggest (literally) being the 3–4 nose tackle.  John Henderson seems to be most fit to fill this role (no pun intended) and Terrance Knighton may also see action in the formation. 

The defensive ends remain a bit more tricky.  Derrick Harvey and Reggie Hayward are the only ends with enough size to play a 3–4 scheme.  Quentin Groves will likely move to OLB with Jeremy Mincey. 

While the Jags can certainly field a 3–4, the scheme looks a little shallow.  The Jags will have to find a decent set of rotational players to make a full switch.

These changes may prove to be just the tune-up the Jags need to get back on top of the AFC South.

Good Not Great: Jacksonville Jaguars’ Three Keys to a Successful Season

Coming off of a disappointing season marred with injuries and tragedy, the Jaguars are looking to bounce back in 2009.  All the teams carry similar, middle of the road, strength of schedule.

However, as usual in the AFC South, the difficulty will come from inside of the league. 

Tennessee will follow last year’s success as the league’s front-runner. Houston is hungry and made typical, Houston draft selections in their first two rounds (USC’s Cushing and Cincinnati’s Barwin) adding some much needed depth to their defense, and probably causing a bit of controversy.

After the Williams over Bush selection, I trust Houston’s judgment. Those guys will make the Texans better. Indianapolis remains dangerous as long as Peyton Manning remains under center.

However, this year does not contain a 2005 Colts. No team should go perfect in league play making for a very competitive season. 

In order to succeed this season, the Jags need to get back to the postseason. That’s it.  No need to expect a Super Bowl or even a division championship. Going from 5–11 to 10–6 and showing up as a wild card will be enough to mark down 2009 as successful. 

Missing the playoffs would be bad; another losing season would be disastrous. They have not posted back-to-back losing seasons since the 2000-2003 “dark years”.  Every Jags fan would like to forget those years of wasted Fred Taylor production (three times over 1300 yards) and poor cap management.

So how do the Jags get back to the playoffs?  It’s definitely possible with the parity, and competitiveness of this league.  However, it will not be easy.  In order for the Jags to get back to the playoffs this year, three major things need to happen:

 

1.  A No. 1 WR option needs to step up, and No. 2 and No. 3 need to be solid.

Matt Jones showed up when he could hast year; unfortunately his off the field issues finally became too much to handle and the Jags cut him loose leaving a gaping hole in their offense.

Right now, the Jags’ No. 1 receiving option is Maurice Jones-Drew, and No. 2 is Marcedes Lewis. This does not bode well for a successful season. MoJo is no Brian Westbrook. He can catch a pass out of the backfield, but he can’t lead his team in receptions. He’s built like a classic  running back and does his best work when handed the ball, not thrown it.

The top two WRs have to get better. Northcutt’s 30+ years old, and only showed up in any major capacity in two games last season. This is his last shot. Mike Walker absolutely must produce.  Those two guys need to account for 75+ yards per game in order for Jacksonville to have any shot at winning consistently.

 

2. The Rookie OTs can’t be busts

Eugene Monroe has to be a day one player.  The Jags don’t have enough depth to rely on a slow, steady, safe development.  He has to either provide consistent, high level rotational play or be the starter immediately.

Britton’s a big dude, but I admit, I don’t know much about him.  I do know that he was not a “reach” for an early second round selection. Thus, he needs to provide immediate support.

 

3. The Defensive Line must be fixed

Last year’s defense was a disaster.  The Jags gave up three additional points per game and ranked 24th in pass defense, compared to 15th in 2007. Derrick Harvey’s career may rest on his performance this year.

Somebody must step up inside to complement Henderson as well. Without the ability to stop their opponents, the Jags cannot get their biggest weapon, Maurice Jones-Drew, back on the field.

Without improvement in all three of these areas, the Jaguars will be stuck in the bottom half of the AFC South, and will, once again, be in the dark, searching for answers while a young, talented running back ages and wastes his best years.

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