What Jaguars Fans Can Expect in 2009

When Jag fans reflect back on the 2008 season they will no doubt look at what went wrong on both sides of the ball. Gone is the ground game that produced two victories in Pittsburgh, a feat that has never happened before.

Gone is the defense ability to stop the run and pass.  A team that in 2007 averaged just less than 150 yards rushing had an inept ability to gain just over 110 yards. Expectations are low based on last season’s results.

So fast forward to the 09 season and what are the expectations for the Jaguars. The simple answer is to win more games, but in reality this team has to rebuild its confidence. The team made some horrific moves in free agency by giving big money to Drayton Florence and Jerry Porter who did nothing for the team.

So Coach Del Rio and newly appointed GM Gene Smith starting gutting the team. Gone are veterans Fred Taylor, Mike Peterson, Paul Spicer, Khalif Barnes, Gerald Sensabuagh, Reggie Williams, and Matt Jones.

In most of the moves the player did not perform at the levels they were expected, and others, in the case of Taylor, the team wanted to move forward with Jones-Drew. This decision was made in an attempt to improve team chemistry and quality of the player.

The Jags have made strides in their plan with the three players signed in free agency.  Sean Considine, Tra Thomas, and Torry Holt are quality players with high character and proven track records.  In Thomas and Holt the Jags hope their experience and tenure in the league will provide veteran leadership the team lacked in 08.

The Jags could push for a playoff spot in the ultra competitive AFC.  The first task is becoming competitive in the AFC South as Houston and Tennessee have moved ahead of them. To do this they must get immediate production from last year’s top picks Harvey and Groves along with the entire defensive unit.

The Jags addressed the defensive line with 09 draft pick Terrance Knighton and defensive back Derek Cox. In Cox they gave up next year’s second round pick so the pressure is on the William & Mary product.

The offensive unit with 09 picks Monroe and Britton should push veterans Thomas and Pashos for playing time. Hopefully the new guys will light a fire in the veterans and fill the huge void that hurt the team last year, quality offensive line depth.

If this does not happen the team is an injury or two away from a repeat of 2008. Add to this is the increased pressure on David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew. For Garrard he has to manage the game better and get back to his performance in 07.

Jones-Drew has taken over for Fred Taylor and must prove he is an every down back as the Jags paid him to do that. In Garrard his saving grace could come in the form of Thomas and Holt who will provide the best protection and receiver since the days of Tony Boselli and Jimmy Smith.

Add to this draft picks Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, and Tiquan Underwood should provide the Jags with a receiving corps that can make plays downfield.  

All of this is a moot point if this team does not believe it can beat any team anywhere. They had that in 07 and it showed in the playoffs and their ability to play with the Patriots. In time we will see if this team is a contender or pretender.