Preview of ‘07 Jaguars
AFC SOUTH PREVIEW
Del Rio Needs Big Season To Stay
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
2006 Record: 8-8
Last Year Summary: In 2005, the Jaguars made the playoffs with an impressive record of 12-4. Two of those losses came to the AFC South rival Colts. After the second meeting between the two teams, the Colts’ record was a perfect 13-0. Entertaining the ’06 season, the Jaguars expectations were high. However, the team finished a disappointing 8-8. On some occasions, the Jaguars could beat anybody and on other dates they literally lost to the worst teams. Jacksonville beat playoff teams Dallas (24-17), New York Jets (41-0), Philadelphia (13-6), New York Giants (26-10) and Indianapolis (44-17). Then they somehow lost to Washington (30-36), Houston twice (7-27, 10-13) and Buffalo (24-27). Despite the inconsistency, the Jaguars found themselves in the playoff hunt late in the season. They improved to 8-5 after defeating the eventual Super Bowl champions, Colts, by a score of 44-17. 
Jacksonville needed only one more win in their last three games to clinch a playoff berth, but lost to Tennessee, New England and Kansas City in consecutive weeks. David Garrard and Bryon Leftwich shared the QB duties in ’06, neither one of them were very impressive. RB Fred Taylor had another solid year, rushing for 1,146 yards on 231 carries (5 yards per carry) and scoring five rushing touchdowns. Taylor also added 242 receiving yards on 23 catches and scored one receiving touchdown. The biggest bright spot had to be rookie RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who finished the year with 941 yards rushing on 166 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and scored 13 rushing touchdowns. Also, Jones-Drew caught 46 passes for 436 yards and had two receiving touchdowns. Not to mention, he returned 31 kickoffs for 860 yards (27.7 yards per return) and scored a touchdown. Cornerback Rashean Mathis had a pro-bowl season with eight interceptions for 146 yards and defended 21 passes. Overall, the defense was great again and was second in NFL for allowing the least amount of yards per game (283.6) and was fourth in allowing the least amount of points per game in the NFL (17.1 points). Statistically the offense was good as well, they were 10th in the NFL in yards per game (338.9), third in the NFL in rushing per game (158.8) and ninth in the NFL in scoring per game (23.2). It is safe to say that this team was a lot better than their 8-8 record indicated.
Additions: WR Dennis Northcutt (Cleveland), OT Tony Pashos (Baltimore), TE Jermaine Wiggins (Minnesota), S Sammy Knight (Kansas City) and S Kevin McCadam (Carolina).
Subtractions: TE Kyle Brady (to NE), S Deon Grant (to SEA), WR Cortez Hankton (to MIN), S Donovin Darius (to OAK), P Chris Hanson (to NO) and CB Ahmad Carroll.
2007 Season Summary: Prior to Jack Del Rio’s arrival in Jacksonville, the team was on a decline with Tom Coughlin. The three seasons prior to Del Rio, the Jaguars held a record of 17-31. In his first season, Jacksonville was 5-11. However, they went 9-7 in ’04 and then 12-4 in ’05. Del Rio raised the expectations too high and his team finished 8-8 last and is remarkably on the hot seat in ’07. Del Rio continues to change his coaching staff by adding Dirk Koetter (new offensive coordinator), Todd Monken (new wide receiver coach), Mike Shula (new quarterback coach) and Joe DeCamillis (new special teams coach). All the coaching changes don’t seem to be helping and only four remain from Del Rio’s original ’03 staff. This offseason, Leftwich was named the starter and the rumor was that Del Rio coveted Brady Quinn, but was overruled come draft day from above. Nonetheless, the Jaguars have a championship caliber defense. Also, they have a bunch of talent on offense. A great running game and some young talented, but underachieving wide receivers. I expect the Jaguars to be in the playoff picture, but the AFC South has dramatically improved since their 12-4 season in ’05. The Colts continue to dominate, the Titans now have Vince Young and the Texans continue to build through the draft. Tough road games include Denver (Sept. 23), Kansas City (Oct. 7), New Orleans (Nov. 4), Tennessee (Nov. 11), Indianapolis (Dec. 2) and Pittsburgh (Dec. 16). Tough home games include Tennessee (Sept. 9), Indianapolis (Oct. 22), San Diego (Nov. 18) and Carolina (Dec. 9).
Best Rookie: S Reggie Nelson – Currently, Nelson is listed behind Nick Sorensen at free safety. However, eventually and maybe as soon as the season opener against Kansas City, Nelson will be the starter. You can say what you want about Nelson, but one thing is for sure, he is a playmaker. I like some of the other picks like second-rounder LB Justin Durant of Hampton and fourth-rounder DE Brian Smith of Missouri. Both players should help the Jaguars in the future, Smith is recovering from a major injury, but will be a good pass-rushing end in the NFL. Durant is a very fast linebacker, who could use some time to develop.
Big Games of the Year: vs. Tennessee (Sept. 9- 1:00pm- opening game), at Kansas City (Oct. 7- 1:00pm), vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 22- 8:30pm- Monday) and at Indianapolis (Dec. 2- 1:00pm).
2007 Projected Record: 10-6
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Jags to win the AFC South are 7/2. Not that bad of a bet, the Colts are losing a bunch of talent this year. However, I still wouldn’t do it. The win total betting is set at 9 games. Currently, the Jaguars odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 25/1.
