Jaguars Look to RB’s and LB’s for ‘08 Success

In their preseason opener against Atlanta Saturday, the Jaguars showed flashes of what they expect will make them an elite team in the AFC this season, as well as some of the question marks which could derail them.  Not that you want to place too much stock in a performance against the lowly Falcons. 

Starting with the first team offense, QB David Garrard, fresh off an efficient 2007 in which he only threw 3 interceptions (and a fat franchise-record offseason contract) seemed to be out of rhythm on the first couple of series before settling in with a TD drive in the first quarter.  The fact that a 20 yard scramble was the key play underscores the question of who exactly will Garrard be throwing the ball to in 2008?  Marquee offseason free agent Jerry Porter remains out with a hamstring problem, and Reggie Williams and Troy Williamson also sat the preseason opener to nurse injuries.  That left Matt Jones and Mike Walker as the two starters at wide receiver, and I was not especially pleased by their performances. 

The Jaguars threw to troubled Matt Jones often; they basically had to due to the inujuries.  Jones showed himself to be a poor route runner on one play where he didn’t come back to the ball from Garrard and the pass could have easily ended up as an interception.  The 6′6″ Jones looked a lot better on a quick reaction play on a short pass and then using his big frame to ward off defenders on a high throw that was essentially a jump ball.  This clearly points to using him on short plays where he can use his athleticism and size rather than going down the field.   (Just this morning Jones has pleaded not guilty to cocaine possession charges that could carry a jail term of up to 10 years).

Mike Walker meanwhile had an even more enigmatic performance.  He had two great catches on difficult plays, one at the goal line with two defenders draped over him, and one on which he had no separation at all from a hand-fighting defender who’s mitts were right in his gut as the ball arrived.  Contrast these efforts to two inexcusable drops on pinpoint-accurate tosses from Garrard, one of which, deep in the Falcons’ zone, was a sure TD if he could have held on.  Walker, a second year player, clearly has some skills but his lack of concentration prevented him from taking advantage of his unearned rise up the depth chart.  I’m sure he’ll get an earful in practice and it will be interesting to see if he responds.

But the Jaguars are a running team and they flexed their strength and depth at the position over the first two quarters.  Maurice Jones-Drew looked awesome flashing his super-quick moves to the outside, as well as catching the ball.  Fullback Greg Jones also showed his versatility and skill.  Jones is like another tailback - he has a spin move and a hesitation move that you don’t expect in a big back, and he used them in impressive fashion rattling off 14, 8, 6 and 10 yard runs in succession.  Jones doesn’t just slam into contact with his head down, he’s able to feel around for a hole and has the speed to rush through it.  Add to this the expected contributions from graybeard Fred Taylor, who did not dress for the game to rest his old legs, and you have a potentially dominant running attack. 

The offensive line looked very comfortable opening holes on the aforementioned running plays in the first two quarters, and also provided excellent protection when Garrard dropped back.

The big splash on special teams was the blinding speed and acceleration from free agent rookie kick returner Brian Witherspoon, out of Spellman College.  Every time he had even a little daylight he showed a very impressive burst, and ended up with 64 yards on two kick returns and another 49 yards on two punt returns.  What would have been Witherspoon’s love-filled coming out party however was seriously marred by a bad fumble.  What made it bad was the fact that he was carrying the ball precariously with one hand and lost it so easily to a one-armed hand tackle.  Again, I’m sure Witherspoon will get an earful in practice and it will be interesting to see if he responds; obviously the Jags want to get that speed into the game but can’t risk fumbles on plays where there is no hard contact. 

As the Jaguars D enters the post-Marcus Stroud era, it seems like they will count on the linebackers to lead the squad instead of the patchwork defensive line. Evidence of this was provided on a 3rd and 15 play in the third quarter where the Jaguars only rushed four and decided, rather than blitzing, to play the percentages by bottling up the middle of the field. Mike Peterson will contribute to this strategy by being the anchor in the middle, and he defintely looked like the field general the Jags need him to be.  The rest of the linebacking corps, Daryl Smith and Justin Durant, along with Clint Ingram playing often off the bench, make up what is considered one of the elite units in the NFL, and all excelled in the first two quarters.  Smith and Durant showed good open field tackling abilities. Durant came through with a sack but did also miss a tackle overpursuing a run play.

The development of the defensive line has definitely been slowed by the continued and drawn out holdout of first round pick Derrick Harvey.  Mkristo Bruce, another rookie free agent, was brought in to temporarily fill the spot reserved for Harvey, and actually was the defensive player of the game with 2.5 sacks and two tackles.  But according to Coach Del Rio, Bruce is gone the minute Harvey signs. Defensive end Quentin Groves, the Jags second round pick, showed nice quickness and athleticism but also the inexperience that makes him unready to start in the NFL just yet, further underscoring the need to get Harvey in camp and up to speed.  Third year defensive tackle Tony McDaniel reportedly is having the most impressive camp of any Jaguar, and should be called upon to make a contribution this season, but had a mixed game with a nice pass block but also a costly penalty. 

Finally, looking at the secondary, safety Reggie Nelson had a mostly impressive game.  Nelson is the rare safety who can drop back into coverage and play as well as a top cornerback, and the second year player looked great breaking up a 35-yard bomb on single coverage on the game’s opening play from scrimmage.  Nelson also looked good following a play where corner Drayton Florence broke up a pass and Nelson was right there to scoop up the interception.  Nelson however did have a blown coverage on the Falcon’s second quarter touchdown pass to Roddy White. 

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Last post (s) by Mark Reichman

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