Camp Battle 2009: Defensive Tackle
by Jonathan Loesche on Jul 10, 2009 11:16 AM EDT
in Jacksonville Jaguars Camp Battles
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The defensive tackle spot has gone from being the epicenter of the team to perhaps its weakest link. John Henderson had not performed well the past two seasons, Rob Meier flopped when handed the starting job, and a lack of depth all contributed to problems in 2008. This off season has been an eventful one for the unit, most notably because of Henderson and Coach Del Rio's high profile war of words earlier in OTAs. In addition, the Jaguars drafted Terrance Knighton in the 3rd round. What will it take for the Jaguars defensive interior to once again become dominate?
John Henderson
I'm sure anyone reading this knows the details already, so I'll just move to the meat of the issue. Henderson has to show he still has some fire left in him this season. His name was linked to multiple trade rumors and if any of the younger DTs step up this season, he will be on his way out this season. Even performing at a level somewhere between 2006 and the last two years would make him one of the better DTs in the NFL.
Now, can that happen? I'm leaning towards no. Henderson is getting on the back end of his career and to expect him to revitalize himself to that level might be asking too much. Perhaps Henderson's biggest value left is as trade bait.
Rob Meier
While Marcus Stroud and John Henderson started during the Jaguars' defensive glory days, Rob Meier was there as the reliable back up. Fans and coaches said he could've started on any other team that ran a 4-3 scheme. Then he was handed a sizable contract extension and the starting job. Meier's 2008 campaign was bad, enough said.
Meier may need to once again simply become "The best backup" to be effective again. It was painfully obvious Meier couldn't handle a starting job. However, can the talent behind Meier rise up to replace him?
Derek Landri
Landri is at the stage of his career he needs to "Come off the shelf." Landri has shown flashes in his two years on the roster, and the Jaguars need him more than ever. Landri has shown he can get after the passer in a reserve role, however, is he the same kind of fool's Gold that Meier turned out to be?
Terrance Knighton
Knighton was taken in the 3rd round out of Temple. Many draftniks felt Knighton was a reach, though the Jaguars claimed he was "the last DT with starting potential available." Knighton brings a good deal of raw potential to the defensive line, with the key word being raw. Unless Knighton vastly improves technique during camp, I expect him to be a backup for this season.
State of The Position
I know there are other DTs on the roster, but at this point, these are the four players who will be seeing the most playing time. The Jaguars have two aging, and rapidly declining, players in Henderson and Meier. Landri and Knighton represent the future of the position, and must begin to make their moves this season. Landri has the highest expectations this year. He has to stop being a "jar on the shelf" and become either the "third starter" or even replace Meier if the Jaguars want to be successful in the interior.
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Hands are tied...
What can the Jags do? No reason to spend big money on an acquisition. Knighton was a 3 pick. We saw how the 1 & 2 picks peformed last year so I wouldn’t hold my breath for something spectacular. This will be the weak link this year and I think as fans, we’ll just have to suck it up. Pick a lot of “Under’s” this year, hope for a .500 record, and a couple of good picks next year. Where does young QB come in?
Spot on Jaghomer
I agree with Jaghomer – D line is now weak link on team (assumes O line improvement). There were just to many holes to fill on this team coming into this year. The O Line was the top priority and it was addressed. I believe most people acknowledge this was a 2 – 3 year rebuild project – despite what JDR says (what else is he supposed to say?). Another off season or 2 are needed.
Yes
Too many holes to be filled in 1 year…. I’m still hoping that the D-line this year is going to be better than last year – not necessarily brilliant, but better. The bright side of the situation is this: if the next “off season or 2” are as good as this one appears to have been, we are going to be helluva football team by 2012.
Oops
Didn’t explain WHY I’m hoping the D-line will be better. Harvey and Groves should, in theory, be much better than last year. They both have that extra year of experience. Harvey will have had a training camp. Groves is apparently bigger, and less likely to be man-handled. Landi has the potential, and is more experienced (apparently bigger too). Henderson is… well, who knows. Our secondary should perform better than last year, and hence allow our D-line more rest. Our O-line should be better than lasy year, and hence allow our D-line more rest.
In summary… I expect the D-line to be the team’s weak link. I also expect them to do better than last year. Probably not well enough to take us into the play-offs, but we should get at least 8-8. It is worth remembering that as poor as we were last year, we lost a lot of games by very little. If luck had gone with us, we could so easily have posted 8-8 or better last year, despite how many “holes” we had.
I think we should also
keep an eye on Reggie Hayward. If we get anything from the DT’s he can be a real force as far removed from his injury as he is. If he was on a team like the Giants he would be getting 8 sacks a year.
I really liked how he looked at DT on passing downs. I think he proved to me he could be a good 3-4 DE.
I have a feeling
That one of the Henderson/Rob Meier duo will be traded/released before opening day. Anyone has these kind of ideas?
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Jul 10, 2009 7:58 PM EDT reply actions
He has a role in this team
What if Mathis or Cox will be injured, and must skip multiple games? Or what if Derek Cox will struggle(I not think that, but we cannot expect a 100% security just yet)? What if 2 from theReggie Nelson, Sean Considine, and Gerald Alexander trio will stuggle at safety? And by the way, this tem will face Manning (twice), Schaub (probably twice), Warner, Brady, Hasselback, just to name a few QBs, and I didn’t write down all the receivers our opponens have…-and the Jaguars have a relatvie easy schedule this year.., You cannot have enough good defensive backs in the AFC South! And Brain is a good one-specialy right now on this team!
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Jul 10, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
all good points
it’s just my outlandish “what if” of the off-season
according to rotoworld, he will make
“3/11/2006: Signed a six-year, $32 million contract. The deal included a $10 million signing bonus. 2009: $4 million, 2010: $5 million, 2011: $6 million, 2012: Free Agent. Cap charges: $6 million (2009), $7 million (2010), $8 million (2011).”
LateRoundPick.com
He is needed here
He is among the better players of this defense, which is currently a bit lacking of talent in some areas. maybe if the jaguars can find via draft or cheap free agency someone, then we can think about stuff like that, but currently “B Dub” is needed here!
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Jul 10, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree he does a lot for this team
but I think we get the same production at the CB position from someone like Deltha Oneil. But our first backup plan would probably be Scott Starks. And I think Pete Ittersagen can be a good player too. And if Gerald Alexander beats out Reggie Nelson he could probably switch to CB.
I think Ellison should be included in this discussion as well.
He practiced with the 1st string during OTAs, so I think he has as good of a chance as any to be a starter.
agreed... and basically all of our UDFA DT's, because someone is going to make this squad unexpectedly, and someone is going to lose thier spot unespectedly.
The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
The question is
it is Henderson or Meier will be that someone?
If henderson can improve, then Meier. He is a good back-up, but I see no much more in him sadly.(Of course if he can surpise me in a positice way, I"ll apologize for this.)
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Jul 11, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
zoltan, i would like to add this to your quote
…and life without thought is a life without eyes
LateRoundPick.com
That add was not
on that song from this message is….
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Jul 12, 2009 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah
i was just listening to music and that sentence just came to me when i read yours
LateRoundPick.com
Do you heard
this phrase in that song? What did you heard?
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Jul 12, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Henderson needs to improve
whether its to stay in J-Ville or to get us something good from a trade =P
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
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