Do The Math…Jags Officially Irrelevant in ‘08

Now, they’re playing for pride.  At 4-6 after the loss to Tennessee Sunday, the Jaguars could win out their remaining six games and still probably would not make the playoffs.  (And lets face it the Jags haven’t shown signs they could rattle off two wins in a row much less six). For the snakebitten Jags, the questions that remain for this club have nothing to do with making the playoffs, and center around “will Del Rio get control of the team?” “will Garrard step up and lead the offense consistently?” and “can Maurice Jones-Drew lead the NFL in rushing TDs?” 

According to Glen Frenette of the Florida Times Union, Jack Del Rio’s job is secure (after the head coach inked an April contract extension) through the end of next year…despite “fan outrage” likely to descend on Del Rio due to the team’s poor record (and in my opinion, due as well to the loss of team morale and discipline displayed through the events surrounding the suspension of Mike Peterson.) Frenette is so convinced of Del Rio’s control that he believes that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and VP of Player Personnel James Harris should both beware of upcoming axes, as Del Rio sells out his homies in order to pass the blame and please owner Wayne Weaver. 

So Del Rio will be apparently prepping for an ‘09 where he has more control over his staff, and a fresh opportunity to apply his strong personality to the challenge of re-establishing the Jaguars toughness and discipline.  My feeling is, if you’re going to trust the guy, you might as well give him the keys and let his retool the problem areas.  Contributing to this view is the fact that the Jaguars defense has lacked character and purpose from the get go this season, and the lack of contribution from slow learning defensive first rounders Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves has been at least one reason.

The second half letdown by the Jags against the Titans was a sad example of their defensive ineptitude.  The Jags actually set an offensive record on the day - a team record 10 punts by punter Adam Podlesh.  Not the good kind of record.  Despite a 14-3 lead in the early third quarter, the Jags seemingly were waiting for the other shoe to drop, and were powerless to stop the Titans flurry of three unanswered touchdowns.    The trend of Jaguar losing that started with Titans Loss I and was not especially different for TLII.

As the Jags prepare to “play for pride” it will be interesting to see who mails it in and who steps up their game for the love of football (and an ‘09 starting spot!).  The only way, albeit a convoluted one, that the Jaguars could consider ‘08 a success, would be to really use the remaining games wisely to evaluate talent and make some good decisions.  Wide receiver and defense especially!

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Last post (s) by Mark Reichman

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