Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.
Offseason Additions: Torry Holt (WR); Tra Thomas (OT); Marlon McCree (S); Sean Considine (S).
Offseason Losses: Paul Spicer (DE); Mike Peterson (LB); Khalif Barnes (OT); Reggie Williams (WR); Matt Jones (WR); Chris Naeole (G); Fred Taylor (RB); Gerald Sensabaugh (S); Jerry Proter (WR); Drayton Florence (CB).
Player to Watch: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB.
Now that Fred Taylor is in New England, the spotlight is solely on the highly talented MJD this season. The Jaguars figure to rely on MJD in the same fashion as the Eagles have relied on Brian Westbrook throughout the years, which can be viewed as both a positive and a negative. While giving MJD more opportunities to make plays in the offense is a plus, he’s never had over 300 touches and he’s expected to get 330-350 touches this season. Nobody doubts his ability to succeed, but can he carry Jacksonville’s offense or will he wear down?
Team Strength: Injuries ravaged the offensive line last year and sunk the Jaguars’ entire season. Now healthy and bolstered by the selections of Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton in the draft, Jacksonville’s strength should once again be the running game. The Jags did a nice job building depth along the offensive line in the offseason so if injuries do strike again, the team will be better prepared this time around. Jones-Drew is a budding star and as long as everyone stays healthy, Jacksonville will once again have one of the better rushing attacks in the AFC.
Potential Weakness: The Jaguars invested their top two draft picks in 2008 on the defensive end position and so far, they’ve had mixed results. Former top 10 pick Derrick Harvey showed flashes of potential as a rookie, but he only finished with 3.5 sacks and 20 tackles in nine starts. Former second round pick Quentin Groves added nearly 20 pounds to his frame this offseason in hopes of becoming an every down player, but he still couldn’t beat out veteran Reggie Hayward and is now being viewed as a pass-rush specialist. Hayward is good when healthy, although he can be too finesse at times. If Harvey can develop and Groves excels in his pass-rush role, the Jags will be fine at D-end. If not, Jax is going to have trouble rushing the quarterback this season.
Outlook: A healthy Jacksonville team will be improved in 2009, but how much improved remains the question. If Monroe, Britton and/or free agent pickup Tra Thomas can bolster the line, then MJD is due for a big season and the Jags won’t have much trouble moving the ball offensively. That said, there were rumblings that the Jags would select Mark Sanchez if he fell to them in the draft, so does the coaching staff have complete confidence in quarterback David Garrard? If he and the line can stay healthy, Garrard is a better player than he gets credit for and is more than capable of leading this team back to the playoffs as he did in ‘07. The Jag receiver corps remains an issue, although they added veteran Torry Holt in the offseason and if rookies Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard step up, the team will get by at the position. Defensively, the starting linebacker trio of Justin Durant, Daryl Smith and Clint Ingram must stay healthy because there’s little depth behind them, while Harvey and Groves have to step up to match the play of beast John Henderson on the line. In the secondary, Reggie Nelson held onto his free safety position despite a down sophomore campaign, but he’ll be on a short leash with Gerald Alexander ready to go behind him. While third round pick Derek Cox will push for some playing time, the Jags are set at cornerback with Rashean Mathis (now healthy) and Brian Williams. Free agent pickup Sean Considine looked good this summer and will assume the strong safety position.
Overall, Jack Del Rio’s team is a hard one to project. They certainly have enough talent on both sides of the ball to be competitive, but injuries devastated this team last year and could do so again this season if they hit certain positions, mainly linebacker and defensive back. The Jags could surprise, but they play in a tough division and will probably sink to the bottom of the AFC South again this season.
2009 Prediction: Fourth, AFC South.
