Bleacher Report - Articles by Jeanne Buzzell

Questions for David Garrard of the Jacksonville Jaguars

Jeanne Buzzell — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:23:33 -0400

David Garrard is the offensive leader of the team, and not just because he is the quarterback. The players respect him and look to him for guidance. As an NFL player, he has evolved tremendously since he started. He has one of the best insights as to how the offense has changed over the offseason.

If given the chance, I would love an interview with him and I would ask him the following questions:

1. What did you learn about yourself in the struggle of last season? What did you learn about the game of football? About the fans?

2. You're son is almost two now. How has he changed your perspective on what the game of football can do to your body?

3. How do you handle having Crohn's disease while still playing as a starter in the NFL? Are there certain things that you can't do that others can? How do you compensate for that?

4. You've lost weight in the offseason. What did you go through? How do you think this has helped you?

5. How are you approaching this season differently than the two previous seasons you've had as a starter?

6. What is a typical day for you in the offseason? How does that compare to the regular season? Are workouts harder for you in the offseason or the regular season?

7. Without giving too much away, how heavily do you think the Jaguars will rely on the run game in the upcoming season? Do you think your throwing arm might get worked out a little more than in seasons past?

8. How has Torry Holt helped the roster? Are you noticing a considerable change in chemistry with the wide receivers?

9. On Jaguars.com, there's a fan poll that asks how the fans think the Jaguars will do next year. Some people think you will go all the way to the Super Bowl. What do you think is a realistic expectation for the season?

10. How do you think playing in the AFC South will affect your chances at the playoffs? Which team do you think will give you the most trouble? Why?

12. Which home game do you think will be the toughest? Which away game?

11. What is one thing that you think would surprise the people watching the Jaguars next season?

The 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars Have A Lot Of Work Left To Do

Jeanne Buzzell — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:46:14 -0400

Even though the Jaguars have done a lot to give the team a face lift, there are still a lot of pressing needs that the Jaguars have to address if they’re hoping for anything else besides the accomplishment of a winning season.

1. Depth at Quarterback

Yes, this is the No. 1 need. Why? There is doubt about David Garrard after last year’s performance. However, if Garrard goes down for an extended period of time, the team would be crippled. The two backups the Jaguars have are Cleo Lemon and Todd Bouman.

One almost had a winless season, the other has been in the league longer than Google has been a website.

Bouman may not lose the game for the Jaguars (which is all you can really ask a backup quarterback to do) but he certainly wouldn’t be able to lead the Jaguars to successive wins. I don’t think Lemon would be able to do either task based on his performance with the Miami Dolphins.

The Jaguars used to have fantastic depth at quarterback when Byron Leftwich was the starter, Garrard was the second stringer and Quinn Grey stood at third. Garrard deserves to have that kind of depth behind him as well.

The Jaguars could pick up some one like Rex Grossman, who has starter experience and has local appeal as a former Gator quarterback.

2. A Defensive Tackle for the future

John Henderson is getting older and last season he didn’t perform as well as he did in years past. The Jaguars picked up Terrance Knighton in the third round to help with this problem. He will be able to learn under some one like Henderson and eventually be able to take on his duties full time when Henderson’s time with the Jaguars is done.

However, the Jaguars still need to replace Marcus Stroud and Knighton can’t be both Henderson and Stroud.

They need some one to complete their 4-3 defensive line for years to come and if they can’t find some one this off season expect the Jaguars to draft a defensive tackle in the 2010 draft.

3. Wide Receiver

Yes, this all the way at number three. It has been a need for so long that it is hard to believe it isn’t the most important.

A team can operate without a stand out receiver. It won’t be flashy. It may not be fun to watch sometimes. But it can operate. It can win games. That is why in the best-available draft philosophy, Eugene Monroe gets picked over Michael Crabtree.

It is still a need, though. The Jaguars might have addressed it with a diamond in the rough in one of the six wide receiver rookies they have on their roster. They also might have addressed it with Torry Holt but there still needs to be a long term solution.

We won’t really know if this need has been resolved until the season gets underway and the rookies get to show the world what their made of. Until then, the Jaguars are stuck in a perpetual state of chasing the ghosts of Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell.

The Jaguars Look Different, Will They Play Different?

Jeanne Buzzell — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:48:38 -0400

We all know the 2009 Jaguars will look different. Their helmets are shinier. Their uniforms have upgraded thread technology to have the jerseys breath easier. David Garrard has dropped a few pounds.

And, notably, there are a few new faces wearing what can only be dubbed as the new “armpit stripe” and a few old faces that certainly will not be.

Fred Taylor is the most recognized face that will not be returning this year. He will be dawning red, white, and blue in New England. Other players like Matt Jones and Reggie Williams will be watching the Jaguars games on TV. It will certainly change how the plays are set up, especially when you consider who the Jaguars have replaced them with.

The Jaguars made two big moves in signing Tra Thomas and Torry Holt. Thomas, who is a giant of a man, is an experienced veteran looking to fill the holes on the offensive line. Holt, with his magically disfigured finger, was signed to help the Jaguars chase the ghost of Jimmy Smith.

In the draft, the Jaguars also picked up two offensive tackles, a defensive tackle, a cornerback, a handful of wide receivers, a quarterback playing as a tight end, and a running back.

So how will all that change the way the Jaguars play in 2009?

The Jaguars obviously addressed a crippling need in the offensive line. If they were successful in their draft and in the signing of Thomas, it will completely open up their playbook. The Jaguars struggled with the fundamentals in 2008: protecting the quarterback, running the ball, and, you know, actually putting up points.

By having depth at the offensive line, the Jaguars will give themselves a fighting chance. Instead of losing the game in the trenches, they will ensure the long, draw out drives that led them to success in 2007.

Garrard will have the ability to throw down the field because he will be given time to do it. Even if Holt turns out to be a dud, Garrard succeeded in his job in 2007 with Dennis Northcutt, Matt Jones, and Reggie Williams. Garrard has proven that if he isn’t rushed, he is able to throw accurate, intelligent passes.

Another plus of a healthy offensive line is that Maurice Jones-Drew will actually be able to move the ball down field without having to dodge three tackles before he reaches the line of scrimmage. Garrard’s dump passes to Jones-Drew in 2008 ensured that Jones-Drew would be sore the next morning from all the knocks he endured.

Now he doesn’t have to worry about that. Jones-Drew doesn’t have the burst of speed in the open field like Fred Taylor does, but he will definitely be able to deliver down after down with a capable offensive line.

The most interesting addition to the team is former college quarterback turned NFL tight end Zach Miller. He is the small school’s Tim Tebow. He run, throw, and block. I know a lot of people make disparaging comments about Miami’s wild cat formation but he would fit that part perfectly.

Yeah, I know. It is a trick play. But is anyone going to complain when it puts points on the board? Did anyone say anything when special team's super star Montell Owens scored on a trick play against Houston in 2008? No. We’re happy with what we get.

It is the off season right now. It is hard to see how the moves that the Jaguars made would hurt the team. After last year’s performance, it is hard to imagine anything could hurt the team much more. But hey, the NFL is controlled chaos. You can plan for everything and still be unprepared.

The Jaguars have gone through a redefining stage this off season. Now it is time to see that translate into redefining the play on Sundays.

How Will The AFC South Affect Playoff Chances For The Jacksonville Jaguars?

Jeanne Buzzell — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:38:45 -0400

There is no doubt about it. Playing in the AFC South is playing knowing that your best may not be good enough. When you play along side the Colts, Titans, Jaguars and Texans you know your journey to the playoffs won’t be with a confident strut.

It will be more like a few cautious steps as you always look over your shoulder, seeing how close your competitor is behind you.

The Titans managed to snatch the lead out of the Colts’ hands for the first time since 2003. With the fall of Vince Young and the rise of Kerry Collins, the Titans went on to win 11 games straight.

However, a key component of those wins will not be returning to Tennessee in the 2009 season. Albert Haynesworth will be playing happily with his engorged contract in Washington.

It is difficult to see Tennessee winning the division again but that does not mean they will not be an ever-present thorn in the side of the Jaguars’ playoff chances. Defeating the Titans is something the Jaguars have always struggled to do.

Even though the Colts relinquished their hold on the AFC South, they were still a force to fear and respect. They started off their season on a bad foot (or should I say a bad knee?) but managed to recover in typical Colts fashion.

When things started to look bad, Peyton Manning got his hands on the ball and you knew there was too much time left on the clock to count them out. The Colts started off 3-4 but ended the season with an 12-4 record. Even though they are under a new head coach, Tony Dungy’s presence will still be felt.

As we saw with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that is sometimes all you need in order to get into the playoffs. The Jaguars still have to get their Colts monkey off their back in order to have any strong presence in the post-season.

The Texans are the wild card. They probably won’t make it to the playoffs but they will surely get in the way of anyone who tries. They are a young franchise but they are gaining ground with every season that passes. They certainly have the number of every AFC South team.

The Texans splitting the wins with their AFC South brethren is not a hard idea to swallow. The Jaguars are the last AFC South opponent they face and you would be smart to bet on the fact that they will play that game for all its worth.

The Jaguars themselves are a huge “if”.

It will be remarkable if they make it as far as the playoffs this season. It would be much more likely to see them stronger in the 2010 season when they have another draft under their belts and they are able to fill more of their holes.

However, that seems to be just the type of element the Jaguars thrive on. The Jaguars are the team to surprise you when you’re least expecting it, a story told throughout their short history.

Denver IS Trading Jay Cutler | Yahoo Reports Jaguars Show Interest

Jeanne Buzzell — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:16:35 -0400

Last night Denver Bronco’s owner Pat Bowlen made it clear that Jay Cutler will not be playing for the Bronco’s next season.

Now for everyone’s favorite part of this process: The Bidding War

Several teams have shown interest in Jay Cutler including; the Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings and (according to Yahoo’s Charles Robinson) your Jacksonville Jaguars.

The advantage that the Jaguars have over any of these teams is that they have a decent QB to trade back to the Broncos (don’t try and tell me that Brady Quinn is decent). But what would the Jags have to give up besides Garrard for Jay Cutler? Definitely this year’s first round pick and something else to be determined. The smart thing would be to give up a pick next year contingent on how well the Jaguars do this year, similar to the deal the Jets had with the Packers last year over Brett Favre. Third round pick but if they make it to the playoffs it would be a second round pick and if they made it all the way to the Super Bowl, a first round pick.

The Bronco’s plan to deal Cutler before the draft so expect the next three weeks to be filled with rumors and here say. One things is for sure though, I love the NFL offseason.

Jacksonville Jaguars Preseason Schedule Announced

Jeanne Buzzell — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:23:35 -0400

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a fairly typical line up for preseason games this year.

Week 1: Jacksonville at Miami
Week 2: Tampa Bay at Jacksonville
Week 3: Jacksonville at Philadelphia
Week 4: Washington at Jacksonville

The usual suspects are on the line up. Miami, Tampa Bay, Washington. We played those three teams last year during the preseason. However, there is one fairly interesting one. That is, if you can consider anything being interesting in the preseason. The Jaguars will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in week three of the preseason.

Obviously, there are a lot of issues brought up about preseason, mostly centered around it being a glorified practice. However, I like it. You get to see guys fight for third string spots, never to hear their name again. There are so many stories that come about because of preseason.

After all, maybe we can take failed secondary player William James and leave him in Philadelphia where he started. Now that would be a story I would be in favor of.

Torry Holt To Visit Jacksonville Jaguars Today

Jeanne Buzzell — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:46:22 -0400

Former Rams' WR Torry Holt has just got back from his vacation and the first place he is visiting is Jacksonville. As everyone knows, we are in desperate need for some help at WR and Torry Holt would definitely be an upgrade over Dennis Northcutt and Mike Walker.

I would like to see the Jags pick up Holt, if the price is right. But other than adding depth and veteran leadership to our receiver corp, it would also prevent the Titans from improving their offense. The Titans have been the other team mentioned that is interested in signing Torry Holt, so this could turn out to be an AFC South bidding war.

We will see if the Jags let Holt leave town today. If they do, then I think his asking price may be too high and we probably will see Holt in a Titans' uniform.

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/around-the-horns/around-the-horns/2009/03/former-st-louis-ram-torry-holt-to-visit-jacksonville/

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/26/holts-heads-to-jacksonville-for-a-visit/

The Jacksonville Jaguars ARE Getting New Uniforms in 2009

Jeanne Buzzell — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:20:14 -0400

After months of speculation (not to mention 34 pages on the Jaguars message board), we finally have some solid information about the Jaguars' uniforms in 2009. In yesterday’s Ask Vic column, the following question was asked:

Matt from Jacksonville

I renewed my two season tickets. I just wanted to say that after the depression of last season, I am really looking forward to this brand new day of Jaguars football, and I’m very encouraged about what we have done so far. My question: Are we getting new uniforms this year as the rumors suggest, and is it true they will be radically different?

Vic: I saw them, but I had to vow not to describe what I had seen, which is no problem because I’ve already forgotten what I saw. I’m not a big fashion guy. I already know what I’m going to wear to work tomorrow: khaki pants and a short-sleeve sport shirt, which is what I’m wearing now and pretty much wear every day. In the winter and late fall, I wear a long-sleeve sport shirt, and sometimes even a sweater vest if it’s really cold or I’m in a daring mood.

So there you have it folks—Vic confirms that the Jaguars will be getting new uniforms, but he can’t say what they will look like, and he doesn’t really remember what they look like. So my guess is that there will be nothing drastic changed with the uniforms, but they will make some design changes much like the Falcons and Vikings did a few years back.

Expect the uniforms to be unveiled within the next month, sometime before the draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars Release Matt Jones

Jeanne Buzzell — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:31:23 -0400

After spending a week in jail for violating his probation, the Jaguars have released WR Matt Jones. Though I can’t blame Gene Smith for making the move, I don’t know where this leaves us as far as WRs.

So who is left?

Dennis Northcutt, Mike Walker and Troy Williamson.

Not exactly an awe inspiring group. Maybe will try to sign Tory Holt? Trade for a big name like Calvin Johnson or Anquan Boldin?

All I know is that they will have to do something. There is no way we can draft enough players to fill all the holes this team has.