Tag: Jacksonville Jaugars

NFL midseason honors with a political twist

November 4, 2008 /

Matt RyanWith Tuesday being election day, YAHOO! Sports decided to hand out some NFL midseason awards, but with a political twist.

Field Delegate (MVP)
Robinson: Nobody cares about running backs anymore, right? Well, Clinton Portis has been as consistent as gravity this season, averaging 110.6 yards per game and blowing people up blocking, too. Part of the reason quarterback Jason Campbell has just one interception is because defenses are creeping up to stop Portis rather than sitting back in passing lanes. Remove Portis from the equation and the Redskins aren’t winning all these close games (six wins all by eight points or less).

Absentee performer (Most disappointing team/unit)
Silver: Last January, the Jacksonville Jaguars looked like the league’s up-and-coming power. Led by their cool and efficient quarterback, David Garrard, and a roster of underappreciated hard workers, the Jags went up to Pittsburgh and pulled out a tight playoff victory, then gamely battled the undefeated Patriots before losing in the Foxborough chill. This season, head coach Jack Del Rio has many of the same players, but the formula isn’t working. It’s not like Jacksonville (3-5) is getting blown out – all eight of its games have been decided by a touchdown or less – but after Sunday’s 21-19 loss to the previously winless Bengals, another trip to the postseason is highly unlikely.

Chris JohnsonFirst-time voter (Rookie of the Year)
Cole: It isn’t simply that Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan’s first pass went for a touchdown or even that he’s kept the previously hapless Falcons in contention through half the season. It’s that Ryan stepped into a pressurized situation and is thriving. Ryan indirectly followed the talented Michael Vick, thrived in the racially divisive situation Vick’s case created in Atlanta and has had to live up to the richest rookie contract ever. So far, so good.

Chris Johnson of the Titans has been extraordinary and really has been Tennessee’s offensive MVP to this point. But Matt Ryan has been so good that he makes you forget that he’s still a rookie. I watch the Falcons on Sunday expecting Ryan to make plays and assume that he’s going to keep Atlanta in ballgames. It’s absolutely amazing what he’s been able to accomplish in his first year.

And my vote is definitely for the Jags as most disappointing team. They were supposed to compete with the Pats, Colts and Chargers in the AFC for the right to go to the Super Bowl and instead they’re losing to the Browns and Bengals in consecutive weeks.

Fantasy Football, NFL

NFL News & Notes: McNabb practices for Eagles

September 26, 2008 /

– RB Brian Westbrook and TE L.J. Smith once again did not practice for the Eagles on Friday, but QB Donovan McNabb did. It looks more and more likely that Westbrook and Smith will not play against the Bears Sunday night, but now that he’s practiced, McNabb of course will. (PhiladelphiaEagles.com)

Adrian Peterson– The Minnesota Vikings have listed RB Adrian Peterson as questionable for Sunday’s game at Tennessee. Peterson is battling a hamstring injury, but he was listed as questionable last week against Carolina and still played significant time so he’s like to start against the Titans. (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

– New Orleans Saints’ head coach Sean Payton said Friday that the team could expect to have TE Jeremy Shockey back by Week 6. Despite several reports, Shockey doesn’t have a sports hernia and Payton noted that his tight end feels “comfortable” again. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

– Jerry Porter is reportedly set to make his debut this weekend for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Porter has dealt with a hamstring injury since arriving from Oakland in the offseason, but would provide the Jags’ passing game with a much-needed boost if he can play Sunday against the Texans. (Jaguars.com)

– Retired Bill Cowher told NFL Network’s Adam Schefter that he will not coach in 2009 and that the earliest he could see himself returning to the sidelines would be 2010. (NFL.com)

Fantasy Football, NFL

Jaguars, Bills heading in different directions

September 14, 2008 /

Trent EdwardsAfter rallying to beat the Jaguars 20-16 on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills have started the 2008 season 2-0, while Jacksonville, who was supposed to contend for the Super Bowl this season, dropped to 0-2 on the year.

• Edwards became the first Bills QB to complete 80 percent of his passes in a game (min. 25 attempts) since Doug Flutie completed 20 of 25 passes at Seattle on Dec. 23, 2000.
• The Jaguars are 0-2 for the first time since 2003 when they began the season with four straight losses en route to a 5-11 season.
• Jacksonville was 2-11 on third-down conversions.
• David Garrard threw his third interception of the season, equaling his total from 2007.

Entering the season, many figured that Buffalo’s defense was good enough to keep the team competitive, but that their overall success would hinder on whether or not Trent Edwards could continue to develop as a passer. Thus far, Edwards has been outstanding and if he continues to play as well as he has, the Bills are serious contenders in the AFC. It’s still early, but Buffalo has just beaten two potential playoff teams in back to back weeks.

It’s no secret why the Jags are struggling this year; not only can they not run the ball as effectively as they did last season, but Garrard is turning the ball over as well. I don’t think it’s time to hit the panic button yet, but with Indianapolis and Pittsburgh coming up in the next three weeks, Jacksonville better figure things out offensively or things could get worse before they get better.

Fantasy Football, NFL

© 2025 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑