2010 NFL Season Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are an expansion franchise that began play in 1995. Surprisingly they started hot and even played in the conference championship game in two of their first five years of existence. Since then, they've only made the playoffs twice and are currently coming off two losing seasons. 

Is this the year they shake it off and get back to playing in January? 

Biggest Question Heading into Next Season

The Jaguars had a the third-worst attendance record last year. In fact, they are one of the few teams losing money. While this is primarily because of a poor economy, if the organization doesn't find a way to put fans in the seats, owner Wayne Weaver may be forced to sell. 

Note: That picture is from 2008 after the team lost 24-14 to the Tennessee Titans. 

Key Additions

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 31: Defensive end Aaron Kampman #74 of the Green Bay Packers is seen on the field during warm-ups against the Chicago Bears December 31, 2006 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Packers won 26-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

DE Aaron Kampman

This move was a bit of a steal, in my opinion. While he struggled last year in the transition to a 3-4 OLB, he had 43.5 sacks in the four years prior as a defensive end. 

G Justin Smiley

Smiley is a talented guard who has major injury concerns. 

ILB Kirk Morrison

Another bargain deal, in my mind. While Morrison may not be that big-play game-breaker that the Raiders were looking for, he does have 631 tackles over the past five seasons. 

OLB Freddie Keiaho

Keiaho is a solid linebacker with the ability of playing both inside and out. 

Key Losses

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 18: Defensive tackle John Henderson #98 of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on August 18, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty I

WR Torry Holt

Holt, a future Hall of Famer, had a career low 722 yards last season, which apparently wasn't good enough for the Jaguars.

DE Quentin Groves

Groves has been an absolute bust, as the former second round pick couldn't even prove worthy of being a starter.

DT John Henderson

Henderson, a once-dominant defensive tackle, played well last year. However, the team couldn't afford to keep him around. 

Draft Recap

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Tyson Alualu #44 of the California Golden Bears celebrates after recovering a fumble for a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during an NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium September 22, 2007 in Berkeley, California. (

First Round (No. 10 Overall):                        Cal DT Tyson Alualu

Third Round (No. 74 Overall):    Louisiana Tech DT D'Anthony Smith

Fifth Round (No. 143 Overall):  Central Arkansas DE Larry Hart

Fifth Round (No. 153 Overall):       Murray State DE Austen Lane

Sixth Round (No. 180 Overall):        South. Illinois RB Deji Karim

Sixth Round (No. 203 Overall);   James Madison KR Scotty McGee

The Jaguars had a very puzzling draft, headlined by the head-scratching move to reach for Tyson Alualu. 

Coaching Outlook

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DENVER - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars directs his team against the Denver Broncos during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on October 12, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The Jaguars defeated the Broncos 24-17. (Photo

Jack Del Rio is heading into his eighth season as the Jaguars' head coach. So far, he's been very inconsistent and seems to have a lack of energy. Honestly, I question why he hasn't been fired yet.  

Dirk Koetter will return for his fourth season as the team's offensive coordinator. He will be responsible for improving a unit that ranked 24th in points scored last year.

Mel Tucker is entering his second season as the team's defensive coordinator. He specializes in the defensive line and will need to improve the team's pass rush, which was dead-last in the league last year. 

Offense Outlook

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 06: David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates after a touchdown pass during the game against the Houston Texans at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Green

The Jaguars' offense is decent yet nothing special. 

At quarterback they have David Garrard, who played well last season and was even voted as a Pro Bowl selection. 

He doesn't, however, have many weapons to work with. Mike Sims-Walker did have a very solid, yet inconsistent season, though he caught 63 receptions for 869 yards and seven TDs. 

The team's best player is their running back, Maurice Jones-Drew. Despite some thinking that he wouldn't be able to be a workhorse, he proved everyone wrong by rushing for 1,391 yards and 15 TDs last season. 

As for their offensive line, they allowed 44 sacks last year, which ranked for seventh-worst in the league. Their tackles, Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, are inexperienced, while their interior line is pretty shaky. 

Defense Outlook

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 08: Cornerback Rashean Mathis #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates after making a tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc

The Jaguars' once-strong defense has faltered recently, as they ranked amongst the bottom quarter in the league in most statistical categories last year.

Along their defensive line they will have Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu at defensive tackle, with Aaron Kampman and Derrick Harvey at defensive end. Harvey, a former first round pick, has been a bust so far, as he's only registered 5.5 sacks during his two years in the league. 

At linebacker they will have Kirk Morrison up the middle with Daryl Smith and Justin Durant next to him on the outside. Smith is one of the more underrated players in the league, while Durant is very effective against the run. 

Their secondary, aside form Rashean Mathis, is a complete mess. The starting corner opposite him will be Derek Cox, who was constantly beaten last season. Free safety Reggie Nelson appeared to look lost at times last year, while strong safety Gerald Alexander is a below average player.

Overall, this is a very lackluster unit that will surrender a lot of points in 2010. 

Special Teams Outlook

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 06: Adam Podlesh #3 and Josh Scobee #10 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrate after a field goal during the game against the Houston Texans at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Phot

The Jaguars' special teams is a below average group.

Their kicker, Josh Scobee, was absolutely horrendous last season, as he only nailed 64.3 percent of his field goal attempts. 

Their punter, Adam Poldesh, played poorly too, as he had a weak 41.9 yards per punt average and only pinned 33 percent of his punts inside the 20-yard line

In terms of returns, they didn't score any themselves, yet they surrendered one. 

Fantasy Outlook

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Mike Sims-Walker #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for yardage during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Ge

RB Maurice Jones-Drew

Jones-Drew is a sure-fire first round pick and should be one of the top five running backs taken. 

WR Mike Sims-Walker

Sims-Walker played well last year and should push for 1,000 yards this season

QB David Garrard

Garrard is a solid backup quarterback, as he should throw for around 3,500 yards and 15 TD. 

Schedule

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Linebacker Daryl Smith #52 of the Jacksonville is introduced against the Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. Jacksonville defeated Buffalo 18-15. (Photo by Marc S

Week 1             vs. Denver Broncos

Week 2             @ San Diego Chargers

Week 3             vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 4             vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 5             @ Buffalo Bills

Week 6              vs. Tennessee Titans

Week 7              @ Kansas City Chiefs

Week 8              @ Dallas Cowboys

Week 9               Bye

Week 10             vs. Houston Texans

Week 11             vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 12            @ New York Giants

Week 13            @ Tennessee Titans

Week 14             vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 15             @ Indianapolis Colts

Week 16             vs. Washington Redskins

Week 17             @ Houston Texans

The Jaguars have a very tough road ahead of them. Along with their inter-division opponents, they will also be facing the NFC East and AFC West. 

Moreover, their itinerary is relatively busy, as they will be traveling all across the country. 

In a Nutshell

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 12: David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars stands in the huddle against the New England Patriots during the AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium game on January 12, 2008 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

In my mind, the Jaguars simply have too many question marks heading into next season to be competitive. 

Final Record: 5-11 (Fourth in AFC South)