Look For a Rebound Season For The Jaguars

A 2008 season that began with such excitement and expectation for the Jaguars ended up in major disappointment.  The 2008 season was a complete 180 as the Jags won a measly five games all season which is the same amount of games they lost in the entire 2007 regular season.  Perhaps it was the sub-par running game that has been their bread and butter or the key injuries at the offensive line but last season was no doubt a failed season by Jack Del Rio standards. 

But for all those Jag fans who may have lost hope after last season you can take solace in the fact that in their last four seasons they have rebounded from a losing season by making the playoffs the following season.  Despite alot of activity this off-season a playoff berth for the Jaguars is certainly not out of the question.  That being said it will not be easy as the AFC South has been greatly improved with every team now a legitimate playoff contender. 

Offensively the key for the Jags will be establishing the run game.  The running game is their bread and butter when it is working they are winning when it is not things will go South in a hurry.  With the release of veteran Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew is the unquestioned go to guy for the offence and will be relied of heavily to help the Jaguars get back to their smash mouth style that made them such a force two years ago.  At Quarterback David Garrard has come out of nowhere to establish himself as a premiere player and has shown he can carry this team if called upon.  With the key injuries on the O-line Garrard had his best ever season rushing wise as he totalled 322 yards on the ground.  The bad side of that however was that he threw 13 interceptions which was his highest ever total statistically.  A healthy offensive line should help improve the running game which can also be bolstered with fullback Greg Jones who may not get as many carries but is a very effective blocker. 

Defensively they would like to get back to the team of 06 that only allowed 91 yards per game on the ground all season.  They let go of Paul Spicer and Mike Peterson who were valuable parts of their team but they should have enough to be good enough against the run.  This will put pressure on their secondary to step up as they were ranked 24th last season in defensive passing.  Rashean Mathis will be a key as he has proven to be a very aggressive corner-back who can disguise coverage really well and make the interceptions they need to swing the course of a game in their favour.  They'll need that kind of spark on defence as teams no doubt this season will be looking to exploit their secondary. 

At special teams Josh Scobee should provide the consistency they need to make the big field goals as he has proven to be a good clutch kicker in recent years.  For returning kicks Maurice Jones-Drew and Dennis Northcutt pose a good double threat that kicking teams will need to be aware of. 

The Jaguars will have a tough schedule this year as they open against the Indianapolis Colts and then the Super Bowl runner up Arizona Cardinals.  All in all 10 of their 16 games this season comes against teams that had a 500 or better record last season which means they will need to be on their game.  The biggest key is the run game, can Jones-Drew carry the load on offence?  And can Garrard get back to his play of 2007 when he threw only 3 interceptions all season?  With a successful running game the Jaguars should improve greatly.  The veteran experience of Torry Holt will not only give Garrard a big target at receiver but it will give their opponents alot more to think about when the Jaguars offence takes the field.  Jack Del Rio makes no secret of his game plan, this is a smash mouth football team that will try and run it down your throat if you let them.  Should they stay healthy I look for a much improved season for the Jags with a post-season berth more than attainable.