Jaguars Seek a Return to Winning Form in 2009

After a successful 2007 season that yielded the franchise's first playoff victory since 1999, the Jacksonville Jaguars seemed to be a franchise on the rise. However, a few key injuries and a pair of free agent disappointments coupled with an apparent lack of team chemistry left the Jags searching for answers after a dismal 5-11 record in 2008.

In response, the team has parted ways with Director of Pro Personnel James “Shack” Harris and much of his work. First-round busts Reggie Williams and Matt Jones, along with free agent failures Jerry Porter and Drayton Florence, were sent packing by new General Manager Gene Smith. 

Smith values filling the locker room with high-character individuals with a team-first attitude this offseason, and his signings and draft selecitons have reflected those principles.

As the Jaguars begin their Organized Team Activities for the 2009 season, there are expectations of a return to 2007 form. The club and its fans should expect the team to compete for a spot in the playoffs this season.

Throughout last season, many weaknesses presented themselves as Jax struggled to put points on the board and prevent their opposition from scoring. The most glaring on the offensive side of the ball was the lack of depth on the line and the lack of talent in the wide receiver corps.

Both of those issues were addressed in a big way this offseason by Smith. To help with the O-line, he signed veteran tackle Tra Thomas and drafted two more tackles with his first two picks of the draft, Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. To help with the passing game, he signed veteran Pro Bowler Torry Holt and picked up receivers Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, and Tiquan Underwood in the draft.

With these additions, the Jaguars should have the power up front and the firepower on the outside to open up their run-first attack led by Maurice Jones-Drew. That's the strategy they featured in 2007, and the one in which quarterback David Garrard flourished. Expect to see Garrard take the next step towards becoming the elite NFL quarterback this team thought he was destined to be after throwing for 18 touchdowns and only three interceptions in 2007.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Jaguars are seeking to return to the attacking style that was noticeably absent last year. In most situations, it appeared that the defense was playing on its heels last season as they struggled to stop opposing offenses from imposing their will.

There are three important factors that will dictate the success of the D this season:

The first is the emergence of Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves as pass rushers in their second seasons. Last year, both were drafted for the sole purpose of knocking down the opponent's quarterback; this year, they both need to step up their game and get to the signal-caller. A solid pass rush will not only result in negative plays for the opposing offense but will also help to take pressure off the secondary.

Secondly, the team must determine whether or not John Henderson will return to his dominating form in the middle. For years, trying to run up the middle on the Jaguars defense was harder than running through a brick wall, but this past season teams had success attacking the heart. Jack Del Rio and new Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker hope that Henderson can revert to his old self and make cutting between the tackles an impossible task once again.

The third factor is the ability to find somebody who can play opposite Rashean Mathis.  Last year neither Drayton Florence nor Brian Williams could handle coverage duties, and that led to the Jaguars having one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Smith traded away next yea'rs second-round pick to draft Derek Cox in the third round because he believes that Cox is the guy that can be successful playing with Mathis.

It has become apparent that it does not take much to turn an NFL franchise from a loser to a winner (see the Dolphins and Falcons of '08).

It appears that despite a dismal 2008 season, the Jaguars have themselves heading in the right direction going towards the 2009 campaign, and should once again find themselves in the hunt for the playoffs this season.