The 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars in Retrospect: Doubt Creeps In

Reggie Nelson and Derrick Harvey were bought brought in here because Shack scouted them personally, and they came highly recommended from Urban Meyer. The more we find out about Meyer, it seems Mephistopheles would be a better source. I do agree though, its obvious that the coaching and personnel departments are on two different agendas. My biggest concern though, once again, is it seemed that team dogged it Monday night. If that becomes the case the next 4 weeks, add Del Rio to my Fire list.

I thnk you make some very good points. As any regular to this site knows, I’ve been very hard on Harvey and I believe with good reason. AND – it’s always been measured against the expectation level for this year – and that’s a very key point. I’ve been thinking about submitting an article where I dig deeper into the stats with Harvey and Groves. I have also readjusted the expectations as well. After doing more reasearched, I’ve actually softened my postion on Harvey a little. There is definately potential there, but potential don’t pay the rent.

Some prliminary research shows Harvey & Groves rank 15th & 16th respectively as far as rookie DL’s go so far this year. Harvey is the only rookie DL to have a Pass Defensed (2) and an INT (1). That’s good. Harvey has talent and athleticism – no doubt. My problem with him is he has a history of taking plays off and he (in my opinion) has continued that into his NFL career.

I was shocked at his lack of performance Monday night. If there was EVER an ideal situation to be motivated and to perform, it was Monday night. He was matched against another rookie, Duane Browm LT – not a pro bowler LT, but a rookie. Harvey was shut out stats wise for the entire game. – Not a single tackle or play. For a 1st rounder and 8th overall pick – that just doesn’t cut it.

If you can somehow marry Harvey’s raw talent with Groves’ motor – he’d be all Galaxy!

Groves gives high end effort each play and I love that about him. He’s definatley undersized and physically overmatched at this level. He either needs to bulk up a bit, or be moved to LB like Vernon Gholston was for the Jets. And I think he’d be a special teams nightmare for the opposition. Given his physical disadvantges this season, I actually think he’s done OK

http://mvn.com/jaguarsjournal/2008/12/2008-jacksonville-jaguars-anatomy-of-a-collapse.html

A lot of the criticisms people seem to have of this guy sound very similar to criticisms people had of Mario Williams in his first year. No motor, too slow, one-trick pony, etc.

Part of that is because much of the mainstream sporting media in Houston (meaning two guys at the Chronicle) is barely smart enough to breathe and type at the same time. Another reason is that much of Houston was expecting to take Reggie Bush with the first overall pick or hoping that the pick would be Vince Young. In fact, Richard Justice, one of the two aforementioned Chronicle journalists, is famed in the Texans blogosphere for his irrational (and downright scary) man crush on Vince Young.

Williams also played with a pretty gnarly case of plantar fascitis and was switched around the line, all while having to adjust to the pro game.

The good news, of course, is that Mario made all the adjustments and is now one of the best defensive lineman in the game.

I say all this basically to encourage you guys not to give up on your young DE’s — not this season at least. If they have the talent and the will, it will show through.

Why are some people saying fire Del Rio? They weren’t saying that last year when we went to the playoffs, or when we beat the Steelers 2 times in a month. They didn’t say that when he got rid of Leftwhich and took up Garrard. They weren’t saying that in the pre season. And they certainly weren’t complaining on here when we drafted Derrick Harvey (yes i did go there).

Now suddenly he is going to lose his job and he’s a horrible coach. You can’t fire a head coach off of one season. The Jags have had their ups and downs. But you can’t just assume that Del Rio has busted. Give the guy another year and see what happens.

just imagine we won 3 of those 7 or less point losses. 7-5 doesn’t sound too bad does it?