Jacksonville Jaguars Week 16: Thoughts and Observations
by silencecs on Dec 17, 2008 5:24 PM EST
in Jacksonville Jaguars News
Email
PrintI was re-watching the game against Green Bay last week and made a few observations I thought deserved mention. The Jaguars clearly are playing to win, and that is a huge statement considering the letdown this season has become. Forget that trash about tanking to get a good draft pick. Just ask Herm Edwards why you play the game. I bet he'll tell you. We get 48 hours (TV time) of football guaranteed to us each year, and I demand the best effort possible from my team every minute of that time. It's why we watch, but more importantly, it is why we love sports.
If the team can turn it around and go 7-9, it gives us a much brighter outlook on the future. There were quite a few things that didn't seem to go our way all season, and it has cost us. The missed FGs, the injuries, the needless turnovers, the shooting of a player, the locker-room infighting, the incorporation of a new defensive scheme, the loss of coaches to other teams... All of it hurt more than we thought. However, if we can turn it around and beat two playoff contenders back-to-back, then I think it shows we aren't far off our mark of being a playoff caliber team.
Last Sunday's game against a much-maligned, but very talented Packers team showed us that there are quite a few players who realize they are on the hot seat. Dennis Northcutt clearly realizes he's in danger of being cut in the offseason and is desperately trying to secure his roster spot for next year. Our WR corps has been the bane of this teams existence for far too long. Reggie Williams will have to turn out record breaking games in the next two contests, or the team will undoubtedly opt out of his final contract year. He knows this and we'll likely see his best effort. 2 games with 8-10 catches and 2 TD might be enough to save his job, but even that is unlikely.
George Wrighster is another player who I don't see having a future as a Jaguar. He's scheduled to earn $950,000 next season, and Marcedes Lewis and Greg Estandia have closed the significant gap in blocking ability that once existed between Wrighster and the rest of the TE's. George Wrighster is a Kyle Brady clone. He has sure hands and rarely drops a pass, can block like a guard, but is by far the slowest of our 4 TE's. George is another player who must turn out major performances in the last two games if he has any hope of keeping his job at a salary 3 times as high as Estandia's.
Khalif Barnes is a guy I wouldn't mind resigning as a back-up tackle, but the team is obviously going to let him test free-agency. Expect a complete overhaul on the offensive line. The only two linemen who are secure as starters are Uche Nwari and Tony Pashos, everyone else is auditioning for a back-up role or possibilities with other franchises. Ideally, the Jags would want to resign Meester, but it may not be in the cards for the aging center. The question is, can the Front Office find an adequate replacement for him in the offseason at a cheaper price. He's good, but not as good as he once was, and that is exactly why you replace guys.
Defensive Line is another area of concern. While watching the Green Bay game again, I noticed quite a few bright spots, but some concerning trends as well.
Derrick Harvey, played very well in my opinion. He was often double teamed on run plays to his side, and he held his ground (your job when being double teamed), and on a few occasions forced the opposing blockers back. I repeat, he can play the run well. For the first time, I saw consistent pass rush moves employed by Harvey to get to the QB. He had a spin move, a dive move, he executed his stunts flawlessly (something he had struggled with all season), and most importantly, he used his hands very well to keep the opposing linemen from locking on with their blocks. He has improved and I think he'll be much better next season. It was nice to see something other than a bull rush or an outside move.
Rob Meier is inconsistent and hasn't played up to his contract extension. If John Henderson is playing well, then Rob plays well because the opponents focus on Big John. I haven't liked what I've seen from Meier lately. Tony Mc Daniel is now on IR so he's completely out of the mix. Quentin Groves is fast, explosive, and too small to play DE against the run. He must bulk up in the offseason or teams will continue to exploit his lack of size and inability to hold the point.
Reggie Hayward is a veteran who knows change is coming and can see the writing on the wall. He's playing for a roster spot next year and has really come on in the past month. If he continues to make plays he'll continue to be a Jag. Paul Spicer is in my Dog-House. He supposedly went to offseason training to improve his pass rushing abilities, and he hasn't done squat. He's old and really poses no threat in the pass game anymore. He is strong against the run, but not as strong as he used to be (notice a trend forming here?). In my opinion he's another player who is likely to be released unless he shows he's worth keeping.
Don't forget to show up to our Big Cat Country Tailgate Party!!!
Read about it in the posts below.
Finally, an answer the countless emails we've been receiving from all of you:
YES, Chris, Terry, and Myself will be signing autographs, and we'll stay until everything is signed! ;)
-Collin
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I like how people are starting to see what
I’ve been noticing since the preseason.
However, I don’t think Wrighster will be gone because has value as a fullback (I, unlike Vic, think that Owens is not a sufficient at FB for full time duty. This is all assuming g Jones is hurt for some reason.). He moves differently than the other TE’s and he’s been working his butt off. I do however wish he would keep the butt kicking between the whistles instead of through/after the whistles.
BTW, I also a little confused by this "Seth Meier" thing. I know you’re referring to Rob Meier. But that’s not the only time I’ve seen him called Seth. ??? I believe his middle name is Jack Daniels though. lol
Spicer will probably stick around because of his versatility considering he can play inside at DT and he’s ok on run downs at DE. But IMO he hasn’t been that good even at stopping the run at DE. Just because he’s savvy, big, and strong doesn’t automatically make him good at stopping the run. He’s been especially bad on stretch runs to his side. But if there is an influx of DE’s, like Wyche/someone drafted/FA, Spicer will be the first to go.
I wonder if Porter and Reggie Williams will take a pay cut next year if they became in danger of being cut.
Also I think Hayward has been playing the best of all the DL most of the year, though Landri has been on par with him a few times. Landri has been by far the best DT this year. In fact I’d really like to see him play some DE and have Hayward play some more DT. Landri isn’t super fast nor is he tall, but he’s got the best spin move on the DL.
Tony McDaniel looks like a back up and nothing more. If nothing else I’d have him slim down some more and have him play some DE on run downs, and get rid of Spicer. He just doesn’t have the speed or leverage to be a top player.
Also I wouldn’t go as far as to say that Uche Nwaneri has solidified a starting spot for next year. He might have to compete with Maurice Williams for a G spot next year. IMO there is no way we let Mo Williams go unless he’s not healthy. Pashos has problems pass blocking against faster guys and we don’t know what the depth will be like at LT. And as far as I know Mo Williams has played both tackle spots and RG. If anyone is hurt at any spot other than at C (Norman is usually the 1st back up here when not starting somewhere else) then Williams could take that spot assuming he isn’t already starting somewhere else.
next year
I expect to see some major changes next year in the back field Maurice will be the starter and Fred T may be back if he cuts his paycheck down a bit otherwise he is gone. Garrard will still be the QB but we may have a new back up. ide receivers should see a major shake up reggie Williams gone, Mike Williams a question Mark, Dennis Northcutt may stay. Matt Jones stays , Jerry Porter if healthly stays 1 more year otherwise he is gone, Oline will be completely revamped and Podlesh may be gone or at least pushed in trainning camp Same f9r Scoobe
Defense line we will see some aging veterans cut and donot be surprised if big John is one of them. Line backers Mike P is gone the other starters will stay as far as DB are concerned look for nelson and Mathisd to change positions Flourence may be cut and Williams will be back there either as a safety or a corner as long as we resign Sensaugbh We may fill a few holes thru free agency but do not look to get the whole problem fixed in one year
Armand Riendeau
next year
next year I expect to see some major changes next year in the back field Maurice will be the starter and Fred T may be back if he cuts his paycheck down a bit otherwise he is gone. Garrard will still be the QB but we may have a new back up. The receivers should see a major shake up reggie Williams gone, Mike Williams a question Mark, Dennis Northcutt may stay. Matt Jones stays , Jerry Porter if healthly stays 1 more year otherwise he is gone, Oline will be completely revamped and Podlesh may be gone or at least pushed in trainning camp Same for Scoobe
Defense line we will see some aging veterans cut and donot be surprised if big John is one of them. Line backers Mike P is gone the other starters will stay as far as DB are concerned look for nelson and Mathisd to change positions Flourence may be cut and Williams will be back there either as a safety or a corner as long as we resign Sensaugbh We may fill a few holes thru free agency but do not look to get the whole problem fixed in one year
Armand Riendeau
Just when I thought I was out...
they pulled me back in!
Great discussion. I saw Khalif B. on his butt too many times for any team to want him. Stay with the thinking “age and how much money” and the Jags will end up a hungry-mean team again.
Not That Far Out of the Ordinary
Everybody is talking about rebuilding, and we are making more then a few personnel moves, but look around the league. This is normal, the teams that have been competitive every year have been doing this.
I have to disagree with Armjag, I think Porter is history and so is Troy Williamson. I agree that Matt Jones and Dennis Northcut will probably stick around. In truth I think our very mediocre receiving core just needs a decent speedy deep receiver. If opposing teams had to double or at least provide help over the top for one receiver it would open up the field tremendously for the over receivers and the running game.
If the Jags can make just a few good personnel moves and maybe get lucky (lets face it, our luck in the personnel department hasn’t been good lately) we could return to our previous form. Think about acquiring one good, not excellent, just good deep threat receiver. Then get our O-line healthy again and bring in one new starter and some developmental talent. All of a sudden we have a new and threatening offense.
As for the defense, if Groves and Harvey continue to develop and begin to have real impact on the game and we once again get just one new starter and some more developmental talent. Our defense will once again be a force to reckon with. Our secondary is not the best in the league and with our poor pass rush it is no wonder why.
Oh, and lets kick Podlesh to the curb, I can’t believe we let Chris Hanson go for this guy. We don’t know who made the final decision to let him go, but personnel are Shack Harris’ job and this seems like another bone head move made by him.
I think we are going to be back to form next year, just imagine where this team would be now if our O-line had remained healthy this season
yeah, but think back...
Chris Hanson was pretty bad too. That was the case of ‘poor field position’ games. I still say you don’t draft a punter or kicker. FA only.
Not That Far Out of the Ordinary
I agree with Kingfysh that Williamson is gone but the reason I think Porter will be back is his Hamstring surgery if he is fully recovered and he behaves and plays nice with the other receivers he may be the deep threat that we are looking for other wise cut him,
On the oline we need a center and at least one good tackle if our starting IR guards are fully recovered the line will be set, On the Defensive side of the ball Greg Williams is not the reason for the problems it is the players either not understanding his system or not being able to play it. But this is what I feel we need one dt to help or replace big John, on the de side we may need to let Paul Spicer go to force Groves and Harvey to play better. In the Secondary I see Reggie Nelson moving to corner with mathis and Brian Williams and Gerald Sensabaugh playing safety.
I see the following people gone Kahlif Barnes, Reggie Lewis, Troy Williamson, Adam Podlesh/ Steve Weatherford Drayton Florence,Cameron Stephenson,Brad Meester,George Wrighster III,Cleo Lemon,Alvin Pearman,Jeremy Mincey,Atiyyah Ellison,Paul Spicer,Mike Peterson,Tim Shaw,William James,Calvin Lowry,Isaiah Gardner,Cotrone, Anthony ,Lewis, Jonathan ,Scott Starks , Fred Taylor, Richard Collier, this list includes the IR list and Reserve/Non-Football Injury list
Armand Riendeau
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Jim Irsay says he would welcome Peyton Manning back … at the right price
- Roddy White isn’t thrilled with Roger Goodell’s $20 million salary
- Could concussions actually kill football?
- J.T. Thomas arrested for possessing some marijuana
- Bucs hire Butch Davis as ‘special assistant,’ have no issue with his double-dipping
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
