Donnie Henderson and Gregg Williams

by Tkopa on Aug 8, 2008 2:20 AM EDT Comment 3 comments

I am having trouble seperating hope from reality so I am asking for comments.

It seems to me that the defense feels different this year even before any real test has been given. I sense a more personal touch in the way coaches are handling players and the players response seems to be a strongly positive. Here is what I offer as evidence:

Reggie Nelson called out early in OTAs as a star level athlete. From that I watch Reggie Nelson bounce into practice sessions smiling and interacting with the fans. He seems to have embraced his new stature.
John Henderson looking slimmer and faster from OTAs to training camp. No mysterious ailments keeping him off the field.
Quinten Groves saying he will spend the time between OTAs and training camp getting special tutoring in rushing techniques then shows up in camp and begins to exceed expectations.
Brian Williams happy and embracing his new safety role. Not only embrassing but seems to relish it.
The idea of platooniong Gerald Sensabaugh and Brian Williams is well accepted by the both of them. Not one word of negativity.
Reggie Hayward showing up not only ready but impressive.
Mike Peterson declaring the beast is back. His response to his contract situation is "I'll play harder and embarass you into giving me an extension". (I support him and think he is a great leader).
Scott Starks is beginning to show tangible evidence of the potential they saw when drafing him.
Paul Spicer sits OTAs out for maybe a day and comes back to a heros welcome and re-establishes his leadership.
Drayton Florence says nothing but others including Jack begin pointing him out. The message given in is that Drayton was a great addition.

What I am sensing is almost every member of our defense is exhibiting leadership qualities and a sense of personal responsibility and committment to the team. Everyone seems to be giving their best.

Creating an atmosphere for players to shine is what great coaches do. Mike Smith did a great job building the defensive culture in Jacksonville. Donnie Henderson and Gregg Williams seem to be taking it to a new level. Jack Del Rio is creating an atmosphere for coaches to shine. This seems to be a wonderful combination of coaches and players and I can't help but to call out coach Henderson and coach Williams this early as having already made a big difference.

Am I just being a silly fan living on new season hope or is there something to this?

0 recs | Comment 3 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Evaluations...accurate!

Great points there Tkopa. The Jaguars defense is definitely a revived unit. What’s great is that the national media is largely unaware of what we’re going to bring to the table this year. Most analysts still point to the loss of Marcus Stroud as a mark against our defense. Shows how much they know. How many Jaguar fans still think about that guy? And did he make ANY plays for us the past two years?

So, this defense knows they’re under the radar screen and that they have the potential to put the Jags over the top. That said, I do believe that AFC South teams know what we’ve got going on and I expect all match ups in our division this year to be amazing, brutal contests. Go Jags.

Unfortunately, the truth only comes out game-by-game.

by arthardie on Aug 8, 2008 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's a spirit of team

You’ve seen it in print and in interviews. Selflessness, not being selfish, team-think. They had a parade of players on the Sirius interviews the other day. The hosts kept asking each player questions about what they expect their personal season to be like. To the man, they all basically said the same thing. It’s not about my numbers, it’s about winning. The hosts kept trying to get sack guesses, interception guesses, yard predictions, even asking what would make these guys happy for those totals. They all said their personal totals don’t mean a thing if they lose.

They shut the hosts down each and every time. Even our media-center-piece MJD wouldn’t put numbers on himself. Reminds me of the way the Pats interviews always went last year. It’s almost inspirational! ;-) I can’t wait for the season to begin!

You’re right BTW, we have great coaching IMO.

by Pyrofish on Aug 8, 2008 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tomorrow will begin to tell

us if your impression is correct. I tend to agree with you. Others agree also. I have heard this called a unit that has the possibility to be the best defense that the Jags have ever had.

I can’t wait to see them in action Saturday. Granted, Atlanta is not the best test of a defense but it will be live hitting and that is what I have been waiting to see. Now Jack says that the ones will go longer than normal tomorrow. Since we already knew that Atlanta was going to keep their first string in for a while this should be real fun.

There is a reason to be excited if you are a Jags fan. We have improved our D. If the receivers get back healthy then we will have improved our O. David looks like he has improved his game. Freddy and MOJO are Freddy and MOJO. I have a feeling that tomorrow night we will get to see a good deal of Mike Walker against the first string cornerbacks of Atlanta. So after tomorrow we should have a good feel on if you are just being a silly fan or if we finally have made the moves to catch Indy.

Go Jags.

by demagogue on Aug 8, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs