Jaguars' Derrick Harvey Looking To Bounce Back From Disappointing Rookie Year

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Last year at this time, Jacksonville Jaguars' fans were in a very similar situation as this year.

Believing that the team was possibly one player away from being a Super Bowl contender, the Jaguars traded up in the 2008 NFL draft to select Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey.

After being selected, Harvey wanted big money and proved so by lasting 33 days in a holdout that ended up hurting his entire season.

By the time Harvey finally signed with the team, the Jaguars had already practiced and prepared for the start of the season with other players including Paul Spicer, Reggie Hayward, and Quentin Groves.

Harvey eventually was able to find himself playing more and more minutes in football games, but never played at the high level the Jaguars had expected.

Ending the year on a high note by recording two sacks against the Baltimore Ravens, Harvey is looking to prove this season that he was worth the money.

With one full season behind him and no contract issues for distraction, Harvey could be on his way to a break out season in his second year. 

An absolute monster at the University of Florida, Harvey has plenty to prove and has the talent to do so at the next level.

Harvey will get help on the defensive line opposite of Hayward. With Groves backing them up, the job looks to be Harvey's to lose.

The Jaguars' young defense will need players like Harvey to step up at an early point in his career and lead the way in order for this team to shut down offenses. 

Thus far through training camp, it has been reported that the Jaguars defense is looking surprisingly strong and may be more of a force than teams may expect.

With one month left until the start of the regular season, the Jaguars still have plenty of work to get done and chemistry to build.  

Harvey is a small piece in a large puzzle that is coming into the season with drastically lowered expectations compared to a year ago. 

Please check out NFLTouchdown.com for more articles written by Jaguars Writer David Nelson.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?