Jacksonville Jaguars

Jags versus Eagles Preview > From NBC Philadelphia.

// September 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Aaron Kampman, David Garrard, Mike Sims-Walker, jack del rio

Every week during the season, we’ll scout out the Eagles next opponent. This week, that opponent is the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Record: 1-1

The Line: Eagles by 3.5. Again, the Eagles are road favorites going up against a supposedly bad team. They failed to cover last week.

Last Game: A 38-13 beatdown courtesy of the Chargers, who breezed through the Jags as if they weren’t even there. Quarterback David Garrard, who looked so good in the team’s 24-17 opening week win over Denver, got picked off four times and was eventually benched for Luke McCown. LUKE MCCOWN! Oh, that’s not good at all.

The Coach: Jack Del Rio, aka Eddie Money. This is Del Rio’s last season in Jacksonville. He doesn’t know that yet, so shhhhhhhh! I’d hate to spoil the surprise.

The Offense: It’s hard to figure out which Garrard will show up on Sunday: the one who looked so good in the opener, or the one who went to pieces last week. In his best season (2007), Garrard was a highly efficient passer who seemed on the verge of breaking out. But it’s three years later and he still has yet to make that leap. Mike Sims-Walker is a dangerous threat downfield, and you know all about Maurice Jones-Drew. Given how the Eagles fared against the Lions offense last week, I think it’s safe to say the Jags can do some damage.

The Defense: Aaron Kampman was stolen away from Green Bay and looks very much like his old pass rushing self. It’ll be the job of the Eagles’ o-line, which hasn’t been very good thus far, to keep him away from Kevin Kolb, lest Kolb be concussed again and give way to Michael Vick. Yes, that would be tragic. I guess. Kind of.

Key Matchup: Sims-Walker vs. Asante Samuel. Shut down Sims-Walker, and you’ve basically shutdown the Jaguars passing game. They’re considerate like that.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/blogs/birds-nest/Out-Of-The-Nest-Eagles-at-Jaguars—103435759.html

How the National Media Views the Jacksonville Jaguars

// June 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Aaron Kampman, Coaching Staff, David Garrard, Maurice Jones Drew, Mike Sims-Walker, NFL Draft, Playoffs??? Playoffs!!!?, Rashean Mathis, Thanks Wayne Weaver, jack del rio

Why Your Team Won’t Win the Super Bowl: Jacksonville Jaguars Edition.
Nick Signorelli by
Nick Signorelli
Senior Writer Written on June 13, 2010
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/405022-why-your-team-wont-win-the-super-bowl?search_query=jaguars%20why

No, I am not picking on just the Jacksonville Jaguars! This is a series that I am doing for all 32 of the NFL teams, Why Your Team Won’t Win The Super Bowl.

To me, the Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the strangest teams to figure out. During the NFL’s last expansion, instead of putting a team in the second largest market in America, LA, the powers that be decided to put the franchise in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Jaguars have had numerous problems selling out home games, and have had many games blacked out,for lack of ticket sales.

They have even had games where they would section off parts of the stadium so that people would not see the empty seats.

In my opinion, forget about all the talk about the Rams or the Vikings moving to Los Angeles when their leases are up at their current buildings. In my opinion, it is going to be the Jaguars.

This is not to disrespect the fans of Jacksonville in any way. I actually feel sorry for any city that loses their team. But I honestly believe from the top down the Jaguars are looking to make a change.

For starters this offseason we had the verbal spatting between head coach Jack Del Rio and owner Wayne Weaver over Del Rio’s interest in coaching the USC Trojans when Pete Carroll left to coach the Seahawks.

Del Rio is a former player and coach at USC, and I would be willing to bet the mortgage that the powers that be at USC would have taken Del Rio over Lane Kiffin in a second.

Del Rio has been the Jaguars second coach, only to Tom Coughlin, since the inception of the Jaguars in 1995.

He has made some curious decisions, such as allowing Byron Leftwich to walk out the door and to hand the reigns of the franchise to David Garrard.

Garrard is a decent player, but has yet to prove that he is any where near good enough to lead the Jaguars into the future successfully. And Jacksonville has done nothing to bring in competition for him, or address the situation in the draft.

The defensive line has struggled, even though Aaron Kampman was brought in to help the younger players.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker are two potential superstars, but without a quality offensive line or quarterback, neither one’s skills will reach full potential as long as they are in Jacksonville.

Though there are some bright spots for the Jaguars, there are just too many holes for this team to make a serious run at the Lombardi this year.

My prediction: 5-11, last place in the AFC South.

Competition and Versatility key for Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Line

// June 1st, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Coaching Staff, David Garrard, jack del rio

By Charlie Bernstein
Editor-in-Chief
Posted May 31, 2010

The biggest statistic which stands out is the 44 times quarterback David Garrard was sacked a year ago.

“We gave up 44 sacks last year which was in the bottom third of the league,” Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said.

Those numbers are staggering in comparison to the low number of sacks that the Jacksonville defense produced, which was 14, good for dead-last in the NFL.

Still, don’t just blame the O-line.

“There’s a percentage of them that are Dave (Garrard’s) fault. There’s a percentage that’s the O-line’s fault. There’s some that are the wideouts faults. There are some that are the running backs fault,” Koetter explained.

After a nightmarish 2008 campaign which saw the Jaguars virtually put their line together with duct tape due to early and often injuries, the team decided to take a proactive approach in fixing the life blood of their offense.

Second-year player Uche Nwaneri stepped up last season, the tackles of the present and future in Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton were drafted, and that unit despite giving up all the sacks, produced a Pro Bowl running back.

Much greater things are expected from the line in 2010, as Monroe and Britton are getting comfortable with the NFL game, and Nwaneri continues to progress.

“Last year those two rookie tackles, they were hanging on just to learn the vocabulary, just to learn what they’re doing,” Koetter said as he addressed the media last week. “Now, we have two of the most athletic tackles in the league so in the offseason we studied different ways that we could use the tackles in space, tackle pulling plays, tackle screen plays.”

Not satisfied with just another year of maturity, the team pulled the trigger on a deal to acquire former 49ers and Dolphins left guard, Justin Smiley. Add in a recovering Vince Manuwai, veteran Kynan Forney and tackle Jordan Black, and you have several players competing for just a few select spots, who can play all over the line.

“Kynan Forney has been a guy that’s worked his way into the rotation with the first group because Uche (Nwaneri) has the flexibility to play guard or center and when he’s at center, Brad (Meester’s) out of the game,” Koetter said.

With Brad Meester not finishing three of the last five seasons and his play regressing last year, all signs would point to the current longest-tenured Jaguar being possibly on the outs.

Dirk Koetter refuted that.

“Everyone’s in a hurry to replace Brad Meester because he’s the oldest guy but from where I sit, Brad Meester has had as good eight practices as any O-lineman would have right now. So I wouldn’t bury Brad quite yet.”

Just a few days after making that statement, the team traded for Justin Smiley.

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio dove a little deeper into the offensive line situation.

“Kynan (Forney’s) had a good spring…He’s working very hard in the weight room. He’s more comfortable in our system and I think he’ll fight for some time. I think Uche (Nwaneri’s) been a little inconsistent but he has been a good player for us at both guard and center. I think Vinny (Manuwai) still has a ways to go.”

The Jaguars now have several players on the line who can start for many teams, and most are interchangeable, especially along the interior of the line. The expectation is that the line takes a giant step up in 2010 and anchors the offense.

“We came out of last year saying look, we’ve got to have better play from our line, period, and our two young tackles we know are going to grow and get better, but our interior line needs to pick it up as well and they are working at it and they are challenging and competing and we expect them to play at a much higher level for us,” the Jaguars head coach emphatically stated.

It starts on the line with competition and versatility, but results are the only thing that will be accepted.

Jacksonville Jaguars get a done deal on Dolphins OT Justin Smiley

// May 26th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Aaron Kampman, David Garrard, Organized Team Activity OTA, Player News, Rashean Mathis, jack del rio

by vito.stellino@jacksonville.com

Justin Smiley was healthy enough Tuesday to pass his physical with the Jaguars.

Now the question is whether he will stay healthy enough to help shore up the interior of their offensive line.

Smiley, who was traded to the Jaguars for a conditional seventh-round pick after passing his physical, has been a durable performer in the NFL. He’s started 73 of 83 games in six years since he was drafted in the second round in the 2004 draft out of Alabama by San Francisco.

But after starting 16 games in 2005 and 2006, he missed eight games in 2007 with a right shoulder injury and went on injured reserve.

After Smiley signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Dolphins in 2008, he missed the final four games with an ankle injury and went on IR.

Last year, Smiley missed one game and four starts last year with a shoulder injury.

But the Jaguars aren’t taking a huge risk because Smiley restructured his contract, and he’s rated a top guard when he’s healthy. If Smiley stays healthy, he would appear to have a good chance to be a starter.

Coach Jack Del Rio was candid Tuesday in saying the Jaguars have to upgrade the play of the offensive line.

“We’ve got to have better play with our line, period, and our two young tackles [Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton] we know are going to grow and get better, but our interior line has to pick it up as well,” he said.

Patrick let go

To make room for Smiley on the roster, the Jaguars cut first-year running back Allen Patrick because they already have 86 players on their roster. A team is allowed 80 players on its roster, plus unsigned draft picks, so when the Jaguars bring in a player or sign a draft pick, they have to cut a player.

New policy

For his first seven years as a head coach, Del Rio decided not to practice with other teams during training camp. He changed his policy this year and will practice for two days with the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 9-10. The Jaguars will have their traditional Friday night intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 6.

Explaining why he changed his policy, Del Rio said, “It’s not that I haven’t considered it in the past. We just never settled on a team or an exchange that we thought would be best for us.”

Going opposite directions

Former first-round draft pick Troy Williamson, who’s noted for his speed but often has problems catching the ball, hasn’t had a lot of impact in drills and had a sideline a pass bounce off his shoulders Tuesday.

“That got my attention,” Del Rio said of the play. “I want him to catch the ball.”

By contrast, undrafted Jacksonville native Clarence Denmark has been catching everything thrown his way.

“He’s put himself in a position to legitimately contend for a roster spot, so I think he’s done a nice job,” Del Rio said.

Seeing some progress

Counting the five minicamp practices, the Jaguars are at about the halfway mark of their offseason drills. They’ve had 10 practices with nine to go.

“I think the biggest thing is you start to see some of the things that you’re stressing and teaching beginning to show up,” Del Rio said.

It wasn’t ‘Turnover Tuesday’

The defense was calling Tuesday’s drills “Turnover Tuesday” because last Tuesday the defense intercepted four passes, three by David Garrard. But neither Garrard nor Luke McCown threw a pick Tuesday, although Courtney Green forced a fumble. Garrard threw three touchdown passes in the red zone.

Etc.

Del Rio said he’s had no contact with CB Rashean Mathis, who is skipping the OTAs because he’s unhappy with his contract. … Del Rio said free agent DE Aaron Kampman, coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, will miss all of the OTAs. But Del Rio added that Kampman is ahead of schedule and will practice in training camp, although probably just once a day. … The Jaguars wrap up their second week of OTAs on Thursday, have next week off and will have their final eight OTAs in June.

vito.stellino@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4279

Rashean wants one last good contract from the Jaguars, or anyone else who aren’t the Jaguars

// May 18th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Derek Cox, Gene Smith, Rashean Mathis, jack del rio

So Rashean “The Team” Mathis wants to skip OTA’s over his contract. A contract that he has two years left on. As there isn’t a bigger Rashean fan than myself, this move is about as transparent as they come, and I don’t blame Rashean for a second.  Last year was the first year where we saw Rashean lose a step. The mere fact that Gene Smith spent a 2nd round pick last year to move up and grab Cornerback Derrick Cox wasn’t just because we needed another corner to complement Rashean, but Gene Smith knew we would need one to replace him a  few years down the road.

I’m DEFINITELY not writing Rashean off as being over the hill, I’m just saying time marches on. Time also Marches the fastest on Cornerbacks and Wide Receivers the former being especially true.

So why is Rashean balking? Mainly because he knows the only way he is going to get one last good contract is either to a) get one from the Jaguars, or b) get one from a team that isn’t the Jaguars. Regardless of which one he truly wants, he has a well earned contract with the Jaguars and nothing to lose except his trade or release, which likely would lead to a new contract.

That’s my two cents…

-Jimmy

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2010/5/18/1477279/gene-smith-vs-rashean-mathis-why

-Collin Streetman

There is a crucial point that seems to getting lost in the shuffle of Mathis-gate. One of the reasons this is all occurring now, happens to be that Gene Smith has shown a heartless and cold attitude toward a number longtime Jaguars’ mainstays. Although this had to be done, the purge has definitely left those remaining realizing that they have to get paid now, because it may be their last season as a Jaguar. Henderson, Taylor, and Brian Williams were all do large paydays, and all were released without hesitation. This was the right play to make, but you have to know it has a lasting effect on those players who were “left behind”.

Could it be the way the Jaguars have been run as a team these last two years that has players scared for their jobs?

Gene Smith’s approach is the correct one to take, as he is clearly putting the organization above any individual player. However, this leaves the players thinking they must now look out for themselves, because the team is clearly not. Rashean Mathis may not be convinced that he’ll be here for the duration of his contract, albeit only 2 more seasons. Perhaps Gene will blink and cave to Rashean’s demands. Perhaps Mathis will voice his silent protest during OTA’s and show up ready to go at training camp.

Gene’s got all the power in this situation, and will want a positive precedent set against future players wanting to hold out. Gene is trying to run the organization as thriftily as possible, and one can’t blame him after all of the money wasted prior to his ascension to the top of the Jaguars food-chain. If Rashean gets anything, it will be from the good graces of Gene, and it won’t be much. However, don’t read into Jack Del Rio’s comment that Rashean won’t get a new deal. Jack has no power over personnel and is really playing outside his “sandbox”. Forget what the coach says, Gene’s got the Conn.

Rashean can’t be demonized or blamed for his behavior either. He’s been a top-flight corner and has been one of the best players on the defense next to Daryl Smith. His injuries have hurt his stock, and likely have him thinking that his shelf life is shortened. He’s got to be thinking that if he goes down again for a period, he’ll likely be cut and have to sign a “prove it” contract with another team for one year. Mathis wants his money now, and he deserves it… The question is, will it happen? Not likely.

Head Coach Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars talks to Raines Students

// May 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // Jacksonvill Jaguars in the Community, Tebow, jack del rio

Jags’ Del Rio Talks To Raines Students
Coach Suggests Playing-Field Principles Students Should Apply To Life Goals

POSTED: Thursday, May 13, 2010
UPDATED: 1:29 pm EDT May 13, 2010
Jack Del Rio at Raines High School
Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio talks with students at Raines High School.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio spent part of his morning Thursday at Raines High School speaking to a small group of students.

He told them how they can apply some principals from the playing field toward winning in life.

“How many people know what courage is?” Del Rio asked the students.

It was like a locker room talk as the NFL coach shared some of his wisdom with the students.

“If you’re not willing to stand up for what’s right and hold somebody else accountable, then you’re not showing courage,” Del Rio said.

He used principles from the field — things like team work, discipline, faith and accountability — and suggested the students apply them toward their own life goals.

“Sometimes I have to stand up in front of my guys and say, ‘You know what, I made a mistake,’” Del Rio said.

Del Rio said when the school’s principal invited him, it was an easy yes.

“I basically put down a few notes from the heart and came in here and visited, and it’s very similar to the messages I give to the football team,” he said.

Students had a chance to ask questions and didn’t miss an opportunity to ask the coach about the Jags.

“Why didn’t you draft Tebow?” one student asked.

“That’s a popular question,” Del Rio said. “I think once (first-round draft pick Tyson) Alu Alu gets here, I think he’s going to make a strong impact on the community.”

Students gave the coach their undivided attention, and the school’s athletes had even more to gain.

“Leadership on the football field is leading the team, but also the classrooms, doing the right things, and in the hallways, and also attitude,” Del Rio said.

One football player at the school said it best.

“Jack Del Rio talks to you, you listen,” he said.

Copyright 2010 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft 2010 >> Tyson Alualu > First Round Pick > DT > California

// April 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // College Football, Gene Smith, Jaguar History, Maurice Jones Drew, NFL Draft, Player News, Senior Bowl, Tebow, Thanks Wayne Weaver, jack del rio

Despite Tebow Nation’s notion that they know better than the Jacksonville Jaguars latest savior Gene Smith, the Jacksonville Jaguars zigged when everyone expected them to zag. Choosing to follow Jacksonville Jaguars ex-coach Tom Coughlin’s recipe for front seven dominance, Jacksonville decided to go Stroud-Henderson 2.0 and pair up Tyson Alualu with second year, one man wrecking crew, Terrance Knighton.

Even though it was apparent that Jacksonville could have traded down with San Diego, as they jumped to the 12 spot to grab Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews, I feel the Jacksonville Jaguars had their man, and they took him. Hearing Jacksonville Jaguars’s Gene Smith talk about him was to hear a man who had just gotten a new BMW M series for Christmas.

The newest Jacksonville Jaguar Tyson Alualu may be the ultimate character guy, relative to our culture here on the mainland. I could get into it, but it will be well documented in the Jacksonville media. Born and bread in Hawaiian culture, he is not subject to the diva-esque trappings that so many “Professional Athletes” suffer from. (See Reggie Nelson.) Another team I follow has added numerous American Samoans, you can see the rest of the team rally around them as they live and die with each passing play. It has lead to a Division Championship and a playoff birth. It is a culture that stresses teamwork and working together for the greater good. Something our government should take a long look at.

I applaud the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pick, as I’m sure if there was a trade to be had, Gene Smith would have pulled the trigger. Mel Kiper isn’t hiding extras brains in all that hair, just look at Jimmy Clausen. How did Did Mel Kiper’s ranking and clairvoyance work out for the “Best Quarterback in the Draft.” He woke up today in the same spot he was yesterday, knowing all 32 teams passed on him.

The only other question I have is did fellow Califonia alum Maurice Jone-Drew have a say in this pick? Pocket Hercules gets a vote if I were Wayne Weaver.

Check out some of the videos and check back here for the Jacksonville Jaguars Round Two and Three picks.

Tyson Alualu Highlights from jack bauer on Vimeo.

Garrard is better than a good share of NFL quarterbacks: Buffalo, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, St. Louis and Oakland.

// March 17th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // David Garrard, Gene Smith, Player News, jack del rio

Is David Garrard a good enough quarterback to help get the Jaguars to the next level?

Garrard is a competent starter, but may not be the long-term solution in Jacksonville.
The recent debate over whether he’s elite was somewhat silly, everyone knows that he hasn’t been. Does Garrard have some skills? Sure. Has he won and taken his team to the second round of the playoffs? Yup. Have his protection and weapons been sufficient? Nope.

But that’s not enough to gain him a full endorsement, even as GM Gene Smith has indicated the team will move forward with Garrard and Luke McCown as their top two. Garrard locks in on receivers and lacks instincts at crucial times.

If everything goes right around him, he can make plays. But how often does an offensive snap find the 10 other players doing everything right? Not very many.

Garrard is better than a good share of NFL quarterbacks. Buffalo, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, St. Louis and Oakland would all be better off with him on their rosters, I believe.

Still, I have trouble seeing him as the long-term solution for Jacksonville.

(Here’s a column on Garrard from last summer with interesting insight from Dirk Koetter on what Garrard throws best.)

For a second-opinion I went to the ever-reliable Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc.:

“I am not sure what the logic is by Jack Del Rio to say those things in public, but I don’t disagree. He isn’t elite. It doesn’t take much of a scout to see that. But, his protection also was not very good last year and overall throughout his career, his weapons have been substandard. I do love his athletic ability and his strong body. Can break tackles. Make plays with his feet. Buy time. Hurt a D as a runner. Above average arm.

“All those things are nice, but he doesn’t get the ball out of his hands on time and is just average from an accuracy standpoint. Doesn’t consistently put the ball where it needs to be or on time. At this point, I tend to think he is what he is and probably will not improve by leaps and bounds. That being said, I thought he was much better the past two years than he was in 2009.

“Could there have been an injury or three that we didn’t know about? I do think he is starting material, but not in the upper half of starting QBs…so in the end, he is good enough to win with and be competitive with if his supporting cast is excellent, but he is also the kind of QB that you always look to upgrade upon. Tough situation to be in.”

Jacksonville’s David Garrard To Be A Scapegoat?

// February 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // David Garrard, jack del rio

I really feel like David has made a scapegoat out of himself. Lets face it, Jack’s assessment that he is “middle tier” is only backed up by his selection in the ProBowl as the 8th available Quarterback.

In the AFC.

That ranks him somewhere between 12-16 as far as Quarterbacks in the NFL go.

Also take a look at his Passer broken out by Quarter.

1. 81.3
2. 95.1
3. 78.7
4. 75.3

From 95 in the second quarter to 75 in the fourth.

Is that elite? Get real.

Jack’s just calling it like he sees it. Jack also sees that his success is tied to Garrard and his buttery fingers, so if he is distancing himself, I think this is simply a good career move.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
David Garrard To Be A Scapegoat?
from the Bleacher Report
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/345803-jaguars-jack-del-rio-setting-up-jaguars-qb-david-garrard-to-be-a-scapegoat

Correspondent Written on February 14, 2010

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio has become publicly critical of incumbent starting QB David Garrard, calling him a “middle-tier” quarterback at his season-ending press conference and then said he wasn’t an elite quarterback during an interview with Jim Rome during Super Bowl week. “David is a guy who can be successful when he has really good players playing well around him but the teams who win consistently in the playoffs have elite quarterbacks. David is not an elite quarterback,” he said. But it would seem to be difficult for Del Rio to survive an eighth season with just one playoff victory even though it will cost owner Wayne Weaver about $10 million to fire him at the end of the 2010 season. It’s almost as if Del Rio is planning on blaming Garrard if they don’t make the playoffs and creates what could be an awkward situation this year.

Garrard not Elite, Thanks for the Newsflash Jim Rome.

// February 11th, 2010 // No Comments » // David Garrard, ESPN, jack del rio

In a series of candid remarks, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio made it clear how he feels about quarterback David Garrard. His overriding message during an ESPN television appearance: Garrard is good, certainly not great.
When asked if Garrard is a Super Bowl caliber quarterback by host Jim Rome,

Del Rio replied: “Well, that’s a good question. I would say a quarterback like David Garrard can be that with a great supporting cast. You know, I don’t know. “When you look at teams that have won multiple championships, I think they’ve had elite quarterbacks Peyton Manning type guys, Joe Montana type guys. The elite quarterback? He’s not that. I do think David’s a good football player.”

It’s an honest comment, but it raises the question about how Garrard’s confidence and his teammates’ confidence will be affected in a quarterback whose play has been solid to average for the most part.