Cat's Out the Bag: 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars Season Could be Year To Forget

Last season was supposed to be a memorable one for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Well, in a sense, it still was.

It just wasn't in the way that the team, the players, the coaches, and the fans had desired.

After going 5-11 in 2008, without many highlights or positives to write home about, 2009 needs to be a year in which the Jaguars get back on their feet and headed in the right direction.

Unfortunately, it won't be.

Where Are the Champions?

The Jaguars don't play the toughest schedule this year, nor the easiest.

Either way, Jacksonville will not end up playing the four teams that will represent the AFC and NFC Conference Championships in the 2009 playoffs.

Those roads run through Minnesota and Philadelphia, and San Diego and Pittsburgh, setting up a Pennsylvania intrastate Super Bowl this season.

David Garrard's Season-Ending Injury

Do not get me wrong, I would never wish harm or negative things against anybody.

But, let's face it, Jaguars quarterback, Davd Garrard, has a ton to prove this season, while atonement for last season is absolutely imprinted on his mind.

Too much stress, too much pressure, and trying to make too many big plays spells disaster.

David Garrard hits the turf in Week 1, for the remainder of the season, at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts.

Matt Jones Returns to Jacksonville

Shortly after being signed by the Tennessee Titans, Matt Jones travels back to Jacksonville to play against his old team on Sunday, October 4th in Week 4.

Jones is then immediately released by the Titans after he tries to sniff the paint on the 30-yard line during the second quarter.

Matt Jones Returns to Jacksonville...Again

In keeping with the theme of giving former quarterbacks second chances in the NFL this season, the Jacksonville Jaguars decide to hire former player, Matt Jones, as a Wide Receivers Coach, shortly after his release from the Tennessee Titans.

During the 3rd quarter of the first game that Jones is on the sideline as a coach, he gets fired from the team after he drinks too much Gatorade and then tries to drive the team golf cart in for a touchdown.

Meet Me Against St. Louis

In Week 6 of the regular season, the Jaguars defeat the St. Louis Rams, 13-9, for their first win of the 2009 season, snapping a 5-game losing streak to start the season.

The Rams went 2-14 last season. Keep that in mind.

Break Out the Brooms

Jacksonville plays two games each against their AFC South Division foes, the Indianapolis Colts, the Tennessee Titans, and the Houston Texans.

The Colts still have Manning, the Titans still have Kerry Collins, and the Texans have their rising star behind center, Matt Schaub.

The Jaguars get swept in their own division in 2009, going 0-6 in those games.

Good News For Television Viewers

With the season not looking so hot, many fans may find themselves not wanting to see the local Jaguars games at all.

No worries there, my friends.

According to the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, some of the 32 NFL teams are facing the realization that home games may not be shown on television due to the number of tickets not being sold because of the current poor economy.

Jacksonville has seen its season ticket base drop from 42,000 last year to 25,000 this year, alone. The Florida city has one of the smallest markets in the league, and no matter what level of success the Jaguars achieve this season, it looks as if home games will only be viewed live and in person.

The Final Verdict

With a win against St. Louis in Week 6, and sneaking in a victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, there is not much else to look forward to in 2009 for the Jaguars.

Close games at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5, at the New York Jets in Week 10, at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, and at the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 have Jacksonville coming up just short each time.

In 2009, Jacksonville finishes the season at an NFL worst, 2-14.

The Ax Falls

Although, in my humble and unimportant opinion, it would not be deserving at all in this situation, the ax usually gets sharpened, with purpose, during or after a 2-14 NFL season.

I recall a head coach in San Diego being removed from his post after a 14-2 playoff run only a short time ago, after all.

The only question that remains for this Jacksonville Jaguars team is, who will it be?

The 2010 NFL Draft

The only thing good about being the worst team in the NFL is having the opportunity to receive next year's top NFL Draft Pick.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will find themselves in that prestigious situation prior to the 2010 season, and they'll be on the clock with lots of choices of whom to pick to help improve this Jaguars team.

That choice is simple.

The Jaguars select Florida Gators quarterback, Tim Tebow, No. 1.

That way, he can play every position for them, and all at the same time, something they may just need following 2009's painstaking season.