Jack Del Rio Justified in His Frustration with John Henderson

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio must notice that the temperature of his hot seat is steadily rising.

After a disappointing 5-11 season, the Jaguars made numerous changes. All of them seemed to indicate that if Del Rio didn't get this thing turned around, he'd be next to go.

The defense, considered a strength for so long, struggled mightily under first year defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, so the team wasted no time in getting rid of him.

It has also been reported that Jack will have his handprints all over the defense.

So if the defense struggles in 2009, you can bet that it won't be new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker who shoulders the blame.

Jacksonville also got rid of general manager Shack Harris, who had been in charge of personnel decisions since 2003. He reportedly "resigned," but everyone understands he was forced out the door.

If owner Wayne Weaver feels that new general manager Gene Smith has done a good job with the personnel (and I believe he has thus far), and the Jags are still scuffling, that's another strike against Del Rio.

With all that in mind, the head coach entering his seventh year with the team knows that 2009 is a put up or shut up time. That means he needs everyone to give 100 percent in order for Del Rio to keep his job.

Apparently, John Henderson didn't get the memo.

Henderson, one of the most popular and productive players on the roster, has missed two days of organized team activities with a shoulder injury.

Reportedly, he hurt his shoulder during a forward roll after the team was done stretching.

Doesn't sound very serious, does it?

Del Rio didn't think so either, and he didn't waste any time letting the media know about it.

"I would think that (Vince) Lombardi's rolling over (in his grave) right now," Del Rio told Michael C. Wright of the Florida Times-Union.

"John's got a shoulder that, back when I played, even prior to (then), I don't think anyone would've ever missed a snap for it. I think it's a minor bruise of sorts. It's not something that should keep anybody out of work. But he feels like he can't go, so we'll let him wait until he can."

Ouch.

Del Rio went on to question Henderson's role on the team, saying that he "can't lead acting that way" and that it was "embarrassing for me to even be talking about it."

For his part, Henderson took the high road and declined comment.

To a certain extent, it would be fair to say that Del Rio is overreacting. It's the second day of organized team activities. The players aren't even in pads yet.

However, Henderson's unwillingness to gut it out is indicative of a much larger problem with both Henderson and the team as a whole.

In the past two years, Henderson has gained a reputation for being kind of lazy. His production has slipped dramatically, and members of the media (especially the sports talk radio variety) have openly questioned his heart, drive, and fire.

From a team perspective, the Jaguars definitely could have been labeled as soft in 2008. They got pushed around up front on both sides of the ball.

Now the most dominant man in the trenches can't go because of a shoulder boo-boo?

That's a very bad sign.

Sure, Del Rio probably could've handled the situation with a little more tact, but I can't fault the man for being ticked off.

Hopefully, his public berating of Henderson will give Big John the motivation needed to get back on the field and return to Pro Bowl form.

One thing is certain: Jacksonville will not come close to making the playoffs if Henderson doesn't man up.