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Game Preview: Preseason Game 1 Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins


Miami Dolphins (0-0)
Preseason
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)

Dolphins_icon_medium

VS.

Jaguars_icon_medium

Date: August 17th, 2009
Location: Miami Gardens, FL
Time: 7:30 pm EST
Stadium: LandShark Stadium
TV: CBS/Local
Favorite: Dolphins -3
Radio: Click Here Over/Under: 31.5
Weather:
High 73, clear
Injury Report:
Coming Soon
SBN Coverage: The Phinsider Coverage Map
Local

 

What's this, light at the end of the tunnel? Grandma? Oh wait, it's just the start of the preseason.Either way, it's still great to finally see some live football after months of making mountains out of mole hills and endlessly debating the finer points of Gene Smith's moves. The first preseason game will finally allow the team to see all of it's offseason moves in action, and provide a glimpse of how the team will do.

The Dolphins were the surprise team of the year, going from 1-15 to winning the AFC East in 2008, reintroducing the NFL to the Wildcat offense, and lost to Baltimore in the Wild Card round. This year the Dolphins will now be playing with expectations, just as the Jaguars were in 2008. Last year's preseason game for the Dolphins was a harbinger of the 2008 season for the Jaguars, will this year provide a similar preview?

Star-divide

What To Watch For: Jacksonville Jaguars

1.The Offensive Line: Last year's game against the Dolphins began to show the struggles the offensive line would have all year. This year, newcomers Tra Thomas, Eben Britton, and rededicated Tony Pashos look to re-solidify the Jags line. A good performance from the first team line Monday night would be a great sight to see. In addition, a good performance from Tra Thomas would be more leverage for the Jaguars with Eugene Monroe.

2. Quarterbacks: David Garrard has been hit or miss in training camp. He'll make the kind of pass he did in 2007, then let a ball sail on him that would get intercepted. David has to begin to show that 2007 wasn't a one hit wonder. Paul Smith and Todd Bouman are now in a competition for the back up job. Smith was impressive at the scrimmage, and has dominated Bouman through out camp. If Smith can show this at full speed, then he'll go from the practice squad to having the back up job.

3. The Secondary: There might not be more competition on the team than in the defensive backfield. Third round pick Derek Cox has had his share of wow and face palm moments, which is to be expected of a talented rookie corner. Brian Williams has continued to show he is one of the best all around players on the team. Sean Considine has elevated himself from back up/special teamer status with his play in camp. Gerald Alexander has caught up to Reggie Nelson, or has Nelson fallen to Alexander?

4. Defensive line: The D-line will be the story for the Jaguars this preseason. As the Jags d-line goes, I believe the team will go. Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves are looking to show why they were essentially the Jaguars entire 2008 draft. Terrance Knighton has been solid in training camp. Can he make his way to be a starter? Will John Henderson even show up?

What to watch for: Miami Dolphins

1. Chad Henne: Henne was the Dolphins second round pick in 2008. While the Phins scored big by signing Chad Pennington, how much more does he have? Pennington never showed he could take a team to the next level with the Jets, and I doubt he will with the Dolphins. Henne will see a good amount of time against the Jaguars, and he could begin to make a case for being the Dolphins QB of the future.

2.Pat White: Another QB taken in the second round, White shot up draft boards after he showed that he could be a viable QB option in the NFL. As a rookie ,however, he'll be used in Miami's Wildcat offense. Expect to see a few uses of the Wildcat with White at the helm Monday night.

3. Ernest Wilford: Everyone's favorite ex-Jaguar may soon be an ex-Dolphin as well. Wilford has been struggling since signing with the Dolphins in 2008 and needs a good showing in the preseason to stay on the roster. Collin suggested the Jaguars resign Wilford if the Dolphins cut him, but do we want a guy who hasn't shown anything in two years?

4. Ricky Williams: Williams is still one of the most fascinating players in the NFL. I almost ordered a Toronto Argonauts jersey just because I found Williams situation so entertaining. Williams is currently backing up Ronnie Brown, but he is still a former Heisman Trophy winner. Williams would've been an all-time great if his favorite time of day wasn't 4:20.

Player On The Hot Seat

Quentin Groves, DE, Jacksonville

Groves needs a good preseason in the worst way. Groves was physically dominated through out last year and the whispers that he was too small to be a 4-3 DE became statements of fact. He then proceeded to become a workout warrior this offseason to show that he could compete in the NFL. Instead, Tra Thomas might as well have been the Berlin Wall during training camp. Groves has had a lackluster camp and may find himself on the chopping block if he doesn't show why he was a 2nd round pick.

Prediction

7-7 tie (When the first team players leave)

24-20 Jaguars

Poll
What do you want to see most in the first preseason game?
First team dominate
125 votes
Jaguars win
41 votes
Injury free game
184 votes
Win in the trenches
137 votes

487 votes | Poll has closed

1 recs  |  Comment 34 comments |

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Comments

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The Poll

It should also have “Win the Trenches.” That’s what I really want to see: the Jaguars dominate up front on both sides of the ball. It sounds like that’s what Del Rio wants too.

by acedarney on Aug 13, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Done

Cast your votes for the Jaguars 15th anniversary here

by FSBlueApocalypse on Aug 13, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Man...

I love seeing that box on top of a post…

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by River City Rage on Aug 13, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know right, means football is so close

Cast your votes for the Jaguars 15th anniversary here

by FSBlueApocalypse on Aug 13, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Any estimate on the time....

The starters will be on the field?

by jaxjags.. on Aug 13, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

They'll be gone by the start of the 2nd quarter

Cast your votes for the Jaguars 15th anniversary here

by FSBlueApocalypse on Aug 13, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

John - Great Primer for Monday Night

You hit all the right points. Some additional items:

1) I don’t expect to see much of Torry Holt. They know what he can do. Same of MJD, very little action expected.

2) When does Eben appear and in what position?

3) Controlling the edges. Our linebackers and DEs last year let the edges be vulnerable. Will that improve?

4) Will the 3-4 show up? Will we return to a primary cover-2 defense?

5) Troy Williamson? Why is he still on the team? Let’s see if Mike Walker is healthy.

a much anticipated game already!

 - Terry

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by Tkopa on Aug 13, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I understand that Walker has a high ankle sprain

so I don’t know how much action he’ll see. Although I’m very sorry to see that he is hurt yet again, I’m also not surprised in the least. If his propensity for getting injurred does not improve this year – I think he should be cut.

by OGN on Aug 13, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I want to see...

Justin Durant raving at the MLB position……….

by jaxjags.. on Aug 13, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

this is an above average test on the o-line

Joey Porter
Jason Taylor

They are both sack artists, but Porter’s were a little higher last year due to him being able to pick his own match-ups, Taylor cancels that. Regardless, this will really show us if Brittons has LT feet like Gene says.

I want to watch Davone Bess vs whoever we have. Bess was great at the end of last year.

I wanna see safety play from anyone. I wanna see Durant be too quick for the WildCat

I wanna see David hit Dillard for a jump ball

I wanna see Rashad make Greg be a FB (yeah right, but I’m hoping)

I wanna see Paul Smith beat out Bouman (this means future)

then most of all….Landri dominate every snap

LateRoundPick.com

by Surteal on Aug 13, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't know why, but I belive in Troy Williamson

I think if everything goes OK, Troy could show why he was 1st rnd pick.

by Nikola R on Aug 13, 2009 12:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Good luck on that one.

But keep believing, you might be right!

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by Tkopa on Aug 13, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

what I want to see

This is what I want to see
1) receivers getting separation from defensive back
2) offensive and defensive lines looking good
3) special teams looking good both coverage and return
4) find out who are punter is
These 4 items will help us to be come better this year

Armand Riendeau

by armjag1 on Aug 13, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

a very good list

As far as punter goes – I heard Lagerman state that right now, Weatherford would win the job in a route.

by OGN on Aug 13, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hope we keep Wearherford &...

Trade Podlesh for a pick in next year’s draft. Bucs are in sone serious need of a punter… What could we get for him?

In the face of adversity, what you do from then on dictates who you really are...

by JagsNguyen on Aug 13, 2009 1:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

I also hope we keep Weatherford

but I doubt we’d get so much as a used ball bag for Podlesh.

by OGN on Aug 13, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The ACL tear podlesh suffered likely impacted his 4.4 speed, which is why the jags drafted him so high.

Think of the fake punt possibilites when your punter runs faster than almost everyone else on the field

The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com

by silencecs on Aug 13, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Heck, why don't we let go of the rest of the team and let him play the other positions

You know, while we’re at it.

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

by TheTealDeal on Aug 13, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What to see

The O-line and D-line make a stone wall that has no holes in it

Receivers that can actually catch a ball that is thrown to them

Garrad show me why he was given a sweet contract

Our D-backs shut down the Miami passing attack

Durrant dominate at MLB

I agree with TK if Groves doesn’t show up and show us why he is a second round pick he is going to be on his way out

by jesusjagfan2009 on Aug 13, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You want the Super Bowl dream back

I’m there too, i want the dream back, but this time as a reality.

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by Tkopa on Aug 13, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Trueness

Honestly i feel that we are about 2 seasons away from that happening just a few more areas to tweek before

by jesusjagfan2009 on Aug 13, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm back from

a looooooong technical exile. Give me a short review what I have been missed in the last 4 weeks (it was soooooooooo long, you cannot imagine it)

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Aug 13, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No football, Football Otas, Season ticket holder practice, now preaseason

People that didn’t look too good in OTA’s are looking pretty good now (Tra Thomas).

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

by TheTealDeal on Aug 13, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is what I want to see.

More facepalms. Specifically from Derek Cox, the Trio, Landri, Knighton, Britton, Zach Miller, and Durant. Even more satisfying would be massive facepalms from Henderson and Nelson for all of the questions.

by Kbot on Aug 13, 2009 4:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What I want

is to see
1. The 1st team D-Line get QB pressure and maybe a sack.
2. Garrard hitting WR’s and them running after the catch.
3. Our new O-Line coming together like a stack of sand bags.

by JagSoldier on Aug 13, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

i would love to see the look on Dolphins fans when they think we're easy

and we hold Jason Taylor and Joey Porter to 0 sacks

LateRoundPick.com

by Surteal on Aug 13, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I go and comment on there website sometimes and they are really funny fans.

I think we need to can some Tuna and show DUVALLLLL is the best county in Florida

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

by TheTealDeal on Aug 13, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

My main focus is the O-line because that is where our success is going to be. We get a strong o – line and we are in business. our d-line to return to top form would be nice too

by jesusjagfan2009 on Aug 13, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What i look for also is seeing the back-ups look good

It shows we have depth and competitive-ness.

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

by TheTealDeal on Aug 13, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Paul Kuharsky mentions

this preview in his blog. BCC-finally- getting some real attention lately by him:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-11-78/Daily-developments—Johnson—White-entertain.html

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Aug 13, 2009 11:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

BCC is showing people how reliable it is as a news outlet of the Jaguars

It was interesting to noth that Paul is a local Oiler/Titans boy.

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

by TheTealDeal on Aug 14, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

noth=note*

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

by TheTealDeal on Aug 14, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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