Season Preview: Weeks 1-4
by Jonathan Loesche on Aug 4, 2009 8:38 PM EDT
in Meta-Jacksonville Jaguars
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PrintThe smell of football is officially in the air. The Jaguars will soon be putting the pads on, and that means it is officially time we can look at the schedule ahead and get a realistic idea of how this team will fair. This is the first of four articles looking into the Jaguars' 2009 schedule, and seeing how the team will fair in the upcoming season.
Week 1
Sunday, September 13th
1pm, @ Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
The first game of the year provides for the toughest for me to analyze. Both the Jaguars and Colts have spent a large amount of their off seasons rebuilding. The Jaguars have gutted their roster, while the Colts have seen many key coaches leave for various reasons.
I had hoped this would be the beginning of the legend of Eugene Monroe, going against Dwight Freeney, but with each passing day it seems Tra Thomas will be the starter in Week 1. However, it may be for the best that Monroe not have to start his career against an All-Pro defensive end.
As usual, the game plan will be the hand off to MJD and keep Peyton Manning on the sidelines.
Speaking of Manning, as long as he is in a Colts uniform, I won't count out the Colts. I agreed with the move to let Marvin Harrision go, though all the turnover on the coaching staff is still an area of concern. I highly doubt it will affect Manning, but is his presence alone enough to keep things from going south, as they almost did for Indy last year?
As of now, this is a swing game, with a slight edge to Indy.
Probability of Jacksonville winning:45%
Week 2
Sunday, September 20th
1pm, @ Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
Week two brings the defending NFC Champions to the River City for the Jaguars home opener. The big question everyone is asking about Arizona is, which team will show up in 2009? Is it a return to futility, the team that barely won the worst division the NFL has seen in a decade, or the team that made a surprising Super Bowl run?
Two things are working against the Cardinals this season. Kurt Warner's Super Bowl follow up, and the Super Bowl loser curse. In the two seasons following Super Bowl appearances in St.Louis, Warner missed 14 games due to injury and saw his QB rating sink to 67.4 in 2002.
The biggest worry for the Jaguars is matching up with All-World receiver Larry Fitzgerald. However, I think that will be the only major worry for the team.
Probability of Jacksonville winning:65%
Week 3
Sunday, September 27th
1pm, Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
The Jaguars return to their favorite House of Horrors to face the Texans in Week 3. The Jaguars are 1-5 in their last six trips to Reliant Stadium, including several game Jaguar fans would love to never be mentioned again. The Texans are looking to finally break through after back to back 8-8 campaigns, but their success likely hinges on quarterback Matt Schaub's health.
The Texans brought in a solid draft in 2008, helping to improve an already above average defense. The selections of Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin should pay dividends this season.
However, the million dollar question for the Texans is simple, can Matt Schaub stay healthy? After sending two first round picks to the Falcons, Schaub has proved himself no better at being the Texans future than franchise bust David Carr. If the Texans want to contend for a playoff spot, that is the key.
Probability of Jacksonville winning: 40%
Week 4
Sunday, October 4th
Tennessee Titans
1pm, Jacksonville
The Jaguars return home for their third divisional game in four weeks to face the defending AFC South champs. The Titans certainly lost more than they gained this off season. The loss of Albert Haynesworth to the Redskins was the headline "move" for the team in the off season. Their main positive move was securing Kerry Collins to remain the team's starter in 2009.
The game plan for the Jaguars is to test the middle and see what the absence of Haynesworth means to the Titans defensive line. A healthy Manuwai and Mo Williams against a Haynesworth-less Titans should allow the Jaguars to have a better rushing attack than in their two losses a year ago.
Outside of Chris Johnson, the Titans lack any proven play makers, and relying on Collins to continue from 2008 is a risky.
Probability of Jacksonville winning: 60%
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I think with the Texans starting center going down for possibly 8 weeks, and Reeves their starting CB just broke his leg.
Plus, Dunta Robinson still hasn’t reported to camp…
I put our likelihood higher unless we suffer some major injuries.
The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
It's a little early for this since we haven't seen practices / preseason games yet
The Colts have their coaches back as consultants – not sure if you were aware of that. Here’s the link to the story:
http://www.indy.com/posts/colts-coaches-moore-mudd-back-by-camp
actually
here is a more accurate description about what they are doing
# Longtime assistants Tom Moore and Howard Mudd have indeed returned. They are doing the same jobs they did before. Their titles are Senior Offensive Coordinator and Senior Offensive Line Coach. The “senior” portion of their title enables them to have more “attitude” with their duties, allowing them to delegate more responsibility (if they wish) to other assistant coaches
From your good pals over at stampede blue ;)
by metal_militia on Aug 4, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions
First Four Games Could Decide the Season
As it appears the outcome of these games will decide how well the Jags will play out in 09…
Yes - exatly right
at least for the first half of the season
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
Texans
If the Jags play well, they can take the Texans. The offensive line is weaker than they want you to think. The defense, again, wants you to think it’s stronger than it is. Mario Williams is the defensive line. DeMeco Ryans is the only good linebacker, and Dunta Robinson is the only half-way respectable secondary member. Jags beat the Texans with balance 34-28
The other three are all swing games. I see the Jags coming out of this opening stretch 2-2. If they can do this, they’ll be in good shape, as the schedule gets much easier in my opinion.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
I am not sure any game is easy anymore
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
the losses of the colts assistant coaches is actually a huge upgrade. the jags have the crap to the bottom special teams coach the colts have been waiting to dump when dungy leaves/left and ron meeks and the bend but dont break coordinator is also gone. expect blitzing and a more aggressive tampa two. I think other teams fans are going to be disappointed at the supposed dismise of the colts coaches and team because of the lose of past coaches. this team is way better than last year as far as players and assistant coaches. the offense is intact and the ..hows marvin going to do in the reciever position, peytons over that…and we now have a rb who can not only run but catch out of the backfield. peyton is licking his chops. missing tony dungys leadership will no doubt be a loss but if other peoples fans think this team is going downhill..again sorry america…its not
Sorry that our 7th round RB is looking better than your first rounder...
How’s Peyton’s forehead these days?
BTW, you guys are still frail little girls on the defensive line… I hope you don’ think Ed “whoever” is gonna make a difference at DT. Plus, Bob Sanders can be counted on to get injured like always, and when he’s out, your Run defense sucks…
The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
Word
You know they had a 254 pound defensive tackle last season. Wow, I’d be scared if I was Dirk.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Ha
and we now have a rb who can not only run but catch out of the backfield… licking his chops.
Interesting… isn’t that the same thing they said about Addai a couple of years ago.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
hahaha...
Colts have reason to think it will be ok bc they have peyton… but the rest of their team isn’t great…
Very good passing game, average running game that would suck if teams weren’t worried about peyton throwing.
Horrific defense… absolutely terrible unless they are playing with a lead…
The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
It's so funny
They act like they actually have a running game. Read This.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
I cracked up too many times looking at that
Colts fan are counting the chickens be4 they hatch.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
I sense a tone of doubt in some posters
about the capability of Tra Thomas. I know this guy is in his twilight years, and had some knee problems, but he is one of the best in the game. We’re not talkin’ Khalif Barnes here… or am I being a homer?
No - I think you're good. A 85% Tra Thomas creams a 100% Barnes any day.
by OGN on Aug 5, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
No, even though your name says in it homer... Thinking Tra Thomas is an upgrade is far from homerism...
He’s clearly a top tier tackle and he’s gottne himself into great shape to earn his incentives.
The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
Who would win Jags vs Ditka?
Da Jags!
A littler superfan-fan :-)
Pass me anuda brat…. uhhh, uhhhh, uhhhhh, my left arm…..
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