Jacksonville Jaguars

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.

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.

Jacksonville Jaguars 2010 Draft > All Pass Rush, No over the top Safety crush.

// May 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // Coaching Staff, Derek Cox, Florida State University, NFL Draft, Rashean Mathis, Tickets

If you have read any of the coverage on this blog leading up to the draft, I talked alot about Safety and Cornerbacks. Rasheen is no spring chicken and Reggie Nelson is on his way to the place Jaguar #1 pick go, to go get cut from another another team.

Low and behold, we didn’t pick up any top line talent, let alone talent period to help the secondary. No Myron Rolle in the 6th Round? Sell some Jerseys and engage the beleaguered Florida State Fans NOT making weekly trips to Doak Campbell. You can’t tell me it wouldn’t have resulted in 50 jaguar season tickets due to waning interest in FSU football. Add concessions and $80 jerseys and I think he would have paid his own salary and you add a positive character guy, not to mention someone smarter than the teams Quarterback. How many teams can say they have a backup safety more intelligent than the head coach?

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2010/5/6/1460403/2010-mini-camp-aftermath-the
by Alfie Crow

One of the areas for concern all off-season and during mini-camp was the safety position. Many people aren’t concerned with the cornerback position all that much, but should they? Some interesting happenings occurred during mini-camp weekend that could potentially be foreshadowing.

As we all know, the saftey position on the Jacksonville Jaguars is a position of dire concern. Former first round pick Reggie Nelson took a nosedive in play after his rookie season and so far in camp hasn’t been any better. There were murmurs of the team trying to move him during the draft to no avail, and even a report earlier in the week about calling around and trying to peddle him now. Outside of Gerald Alexander who the Jaguars traded for last season, everyone else filling in at safety has left a lot to be desired.

Something interesting that did occur however, was at the cornerback position. Derek Cox, who was a 3rd round pick in 2009 that everyone questioned, got a lot of work at the left cornerback position, normally manned by veteran Rashean Mathis. “I thought it was because Rashean [Mathis] needed a blow,” Cox told Michael DiRocco of the Florida Times-Union. “I thought they were just doing a veteran move, letting him sit down and I was just taking the reps on the left side. I guess it’s worth giving it a shot.”

The move shouldn’t be unfamiliar to Cox if it occurs, as he played on the left side in high school and in college at William & Mary. “I like the left side, just because I’ve done it for so long. It’s comfortable for me.” If the move works into being permanent, does that mean Rashean Mathis is being phased out and over to the right side, or is something else in the works?

In 2003, Rashean Mathis was drafted in the second round as a free safety out of Bethune Cookman. He played all 16 games as a rookie, beginning his career at free safety and then moving to starting cornerback as the year went on. With the concern at safety and Cox working in on the left side, is it possible the Jacksonville Jaguars ask Rashean Mathis to make a move back to the safety position in the same way they did with former Jaguar Brian Williams a few seasons ago?

If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Mathis is 29 years old, he’ll turn 30 during the season. He’s getting to the point where he will be considered “older” for a cornerback. Mathis play hasn’t wained yet, but he has been hampered by injuries and hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2006. A move to free safety could not only add a real ball hawk in the backfield, but prolong his career. Mathis isn’t really known as a tackler, but at the safety position he can use his range and ball skills to play center field, like the Jaguars hoped Reggie Nelson would be able to do. A move from corner to safety isn’t an abnormal thing for older corners either, especially considering Rashean Mathis’ size (6′1″, 200lbs).

The big question if the move is made however, is who takes over at the right cornerback position that Derek Cox used to man? My first guess would be Tyron Brackenridge, who had a very good season last year starting 5 games as a fill-in corner and nickelback. Outside of Brackenridge, William MIddleton had a lot of work with the first team defense over the weekend. Then there is always the infamous pirated player, Don Carey. Carey had a decent weekend, but you can tell he’s getting his legs out from under him after a year out of football.