Cut Down Analysis

by Jonathan Loesche on Sep 6, 2009 10:18 AM EDT in Meta-Jacksonville Jaguars

1. The Jaguars threw ball almost twice as much as the ran it in the preseason, and the roster reflects that. The Jaguars have 10 WRs and TEs on the roster, meaning this will be the most pass happy team under Jack Del Rio. Anyone familiar with Dirk Koetter's teams at Arizona State remember that he threw the ball practically every down. I'm sure he had a hand in the offensive roster.

2. We all knew this year's draft class would have a big impact, and it showed today. Several UDFA and all picks (sans Tiquan Underwood) made the roster. The first four picks (Monroe, Britton, Knighton, and Cox) will be starters on opening day. If things work out for this class, this will be the core from which the Jaguars will be built over the next few years.

3. Once again Gene shows that he doesn't give a damn who you are by cutting Brian Williams and Tony Pashos. I agree that both moves needed to be made in light of the preseason, though I thought Williams might have been saved by the depth he provided in the back field.

4. If nothing else, I believe this roster points to a make or break year for David Garrard. The offensive side of the ball is tailor made to throw it 30 times a game if need be, and Garrard won't have any excuses if the offense fails to deliver this year.

5. Fair well Joe Z. Hopefully you can get a career in radio somewhere in the Jacksonville area. I'm going to miss you in Teal.

6. Luke McCown, Luke McCown. Well, he's got to be an upgrade over Todd Bouman, right? If nothing else, McCown provides the Jaguars a QB that can step in for 3-4 games and not tank the Jaguars season.

7. Any thoughts of the Jaguars running a 3-4 died in the first preseason game in Miami. The Jaguars kept 10 defensive linemen compared to just six linebackers.

Biggest Surprise: I could go Brian Williams or Tony Pashos here, but I think both of these were looking more and more likely as the date neared. I'm sure both were optioned around on the trading block with little in return, so I have a more suitable answer. The biggest surprise was cutting Chauncey Washington. Washington had the best preseason out of all of the running backs and I thought was a lock for a roster spot.

Move We Should've Seen Coming: The Jaguars keeping six wide receivers (really seven counting Ernest Wilford) is a move that had been talked about for awhile. However, I don't think anyone was seriously thinking it would happen. However, the wide receiving corp showed it was one of the strengths of the preseason and deserved to gain the extra spot.

Looking between the lines: Almost all of Gene Smith's draft picks made it onto the final roster this year. Even some who were questionable (Mike Thomas, Zach Miller) ended up on the final roster and not sent to waivers. On the flip side, we saw many Shack Harris players let go. Was this on purpose or did Gene honestly think these were the best 53 players?

Where to go from here: Assuming the Jaguars don't bring in one of the many young QBs that were let go last night, I expect them to try and get another running back at some point. The Jaguars only have 2 true running backs on the roster right now and a third one would provide some extra security.

-Jonathan Loesche

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Really good job John

I agree with what you wrote, and let me add this to the “offense built for pass” line.
Pashos was a good run blocker, but not a good pass blocker…

( I linked your article to the Hungarian Jags topic, I hope those 4-5 Jags fans (and the rest of the NFL loving fans there will discover BCC too)

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Sep 6, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

i always knew we'd keep 6 WR's

and chauncey will be resigned
Jennigs will be a star someday

by harveyismyboy on Sep 6, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Running Back

.. is our biggest need right now. I too was suprised that Washington was cut, he had a decent preseason, and Jennings looks like he needs some work before he is NFL ready.

by KeithG on Sep 6, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

Well I must say

this roster has Gene Smith and Dirk Koetter written all over it. Could this be our next head coach if this season does not pan out? (did I open the proverbial can of worms?) Anyhow, I am truly excited about the first game of the season next week. Can the Jags pull out an “upset” or are we really in rebuilding mode? By the way guys, is Uche starting at that other guard spot?

by DeeMoe on Sep 6, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

Dont doubt Mike Thomas, because of injuries and matchups you cant judge everything on preseason you must also still judge via practices and athletic talent and with Jennings, he deserves a roster spot over Washington. Just you wait, jennings has to much upside. I wish we could have kept them both. Both with so much wealth at the WR spot cuts are going to have to be made. I will say this i cant remember a year where i had a bigger problem justfying cuts. Ill take that as a very good sign.

by cty on Sep 6, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

Comment if you agree...

I think we are headed toward a more west coast oriented offense…think the Eagles. All our RBs have great hands, the QB can throw and run if need be, our WRs have solid hands and have great YAC ability which translates into a gradual passing away of the POWER running game. This team is not the same, at all. It appears to be a better blend of speed and power. I don’t think MJD will be a 1,000 yard back (I could be wrong) but he will have a ton (I’m thinking 1,800 yards combined) of all purpose yards.

by Slvrgun on Sep 6, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

I do agree

hopefully it will resemble the team of ’07 when we would mix the pass with the powerful running game to go on long and time consumimg drives. I bet 2 years ago the Jags had 2 or 3 of the leagues top 20 clock eating marches for touchdowns. I think the screen pass, which is almost an extension of the running game, whether to MJD or someone like Mike Thomas on a WR screen, will be a big play this year. MJD in space is worth the price of admission. I like this team because it seems like everyone is throwing themselves around in aggressive and focused football. I think our overall team speed makes us one of the quickest and fastest teams in our short history.

by Jaggernaut on Sep 6, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Then You Don't Agree

What you just wrote isn’t the west coast offense. Thats just ball control, with a small mix of the Air Coryelle. Slvrgun is talking of passing the ball 35-40 times a game and gaining the lead, then running the ball to run out the clock at the end. He is saying the power running game will take a backseat to the intermediate passing game and extended handoffs.

Slvrgun, I agree. This team is no longer capable of running 40 times a game. Playing to the teams new strength, the passing game, is the way to win football games this season.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Sep 6, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right..

I mispoke or failed to communicate my real point which was the power running game is what enabled us to mix in with the pass for long sustained drives 2 years ago. I meant to say that this year we can use the short passing game instead of the power running game to combine with a mid range passing game to duplicate the ball control from 2007.

by Jaggernaut on Sep 6, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh Underwood will make the roster...on PS.

IMO

by Slvrgun on Sep 6, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

He'll stay there for 2-3 years till Holt retires

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Leader of the Run-Paul-Smith-Out-Of-Town Club **--Mission Complete--**
"As for me, Life goes on."-TheTealDeal

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Good article. Very informative for us neophyte Jags fans.

Still surprising to me that Jacksonville would change their offensive philosophy that much.

by NorthLeft12 on Sep 6, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

I think Koetter already had the system and the philosophy...just not the personnel.

by Slvrgun on Sep 6, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

Personally, I think this can only be a good thing. I know we are supposed to be a run-first team, but having a dangerous passing attack just makes it easier to run effectively when needed.

by KeithG on Sep 6, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Plus I thought that run first mentality was setting us up for an eventual failure.

Players even on the line appear to get quicker each year and defenses have become much more attack oriented and complex. Running between the tackles is only going to get harder. Not saying it can’t be done but if you look at that 2007 team it was way to one dimesional.

by Slvrgun on Sep 6, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

This passing attack could have unexpected benefits

You would run less leaving less tear on MJD than before, when you’d run the ball 30-40+ times. So in a sense this will help him stay healthy. I hope they get someone else for RB, if not Washington, Vaughan, or Bolen who?

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

You suggesting with that

If somethinh happen to Jack, the head coach could be Koetter?

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Sep 6, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

He could be a good head coach.

by Slvrgun on Sep 6, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

these cuts have me worried...

I know there’s a lot of people here that aren’t sad that Pashos and B-dub are gone but I for one think that this is just way too much of a youth movement and it really has me concerned about the team.

The roster is clearly set up for next year, not this year so if Del Rio’s job is on the line then they should just let him go now because this team isn’t going to succeed.

by pksiv on Sep 6, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

I know being objective is probably....

the best way to analyze sports, but being a Jag fan and seeing the changes that have been made, I find it hard not to be optimistic and think the Jags will have some level of success this year. We have the core of the team of 2007 that had a great year combined with highly rated young offensive linemen, in addition to a couple of second year defensive players who are miles ahead of what they were last year. Include our depth and speed at linebacker and faster, more talented receivers and I think this year could be very rewarding.

by Jaggernaut on Sep 6, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

If this team

Plays into the regular season like they did in those last 3, especially 2 pre-season games… 10 wins and a wildcard berth. Yeah, I just went there.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Sep 6, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

The faster and the more the rookie T's play

The faster and better they’ll be.

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah - a little thin at RB

I was a little surprised they kept 4 TE’s and whacked a RB position. I do think this team will definatley be more pass oriented than previous Jags teams and I think that’s a good thing.

Gene kept what he believed were the best players – but I think he has a different philosophy than Shack had – hence different types of players and roster make up.

I agree with you that they may go after another RB.

Interesting comments posted about JDR – hhmmmm

by OGN on Sep 6, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

I'm really looking forward to this season - can't wait for the Colts game

by OGN on Sep 6, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I wish I could fastforward to next Sunday at 4:15

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Sep 6, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

oh baby!!!!

LateRoundPick.com

by Surteal on Sep 6, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

The game start at 1.00 PM

next week (or you wanna know the results?)

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Sep 6, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

The Results baby...

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Sep 6, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

RB

I was also surprised at the lack of running backs. Maybe when Zach Miller gets back, they’ll cut one of them and bring in Washington or Vaughn.

by acedarney on Sep 6, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Zach Miller is on the 53 man roster

When he comes back, no one has to go.

by Adam Stites on Sep 6, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Not because he's taking space.

It’s because he’s currently injured, so there are four TE’s in order to have three available. Once he’s ready, they’ll likely cut one.

by Kbot on Sep 6, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

agree

by OGN on Sep 7, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions

why do you see mike thomas and zach miller as surprises

when they played, the both made impacts

thomas is ready to go and miller is a week and a half away

LateRoundPick.com

by Surteal on Sep 6, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

I think the reason the Jags only kept 2 RBs

Is because they plan on giving Greg Jones alot more touches and using him more as a RB.
The depth chart wont reflect this, but in reality the RB position goes:
1. MJD
2. Greg Jones
3. Rashad Jennings
I’d expect the three to all get touches in each game.
Perhaps another RB could be added, but I don’t see it as a dire necessity.

by Adam Stites on Sep 6, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

Thing Is

Most teams only keep 1 fullback, and we kept 2. So really it makes sense. Instead of a third running back, we have a second fullback, who is fully capable of playing running back as well.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Sep 6, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

I was hoping I was making a little sense

by Adam Stites on Sep 6, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Would Montel get some rushes too?

or just ST?

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Why are they contiuning to push Greg Jones as a RB?

He’s never at least in the NFL been great at that.

by Slvrgun on Sep 6, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

3-4 defense

I don’t think that the 3-4 experiment is done yet. I think that they kept the guys that will allow them to continue a hybrid defense. They have a guy that can play NT and a guy that can backup the NT. They have 2-3 DE that can play the outside LB in the 3-4, so that gives them 8-9 LBs. They leaves them 3-4 guys that can play the 3-4 DE. They still have the guys necessary to play the 4-3 defense too. They seemed to create the most pressure from random blitzes out of the 3-4.

by tigg75 on Sep 6, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

I also think we'll continue to see that - Groves may be most effective in a 3 - 4 scheme

by OGN on Sep 6, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe add a Tweener guy in later rounds

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t forget… no roster is EVER set in stone… who we have right now might not be there on opening day or farther into the season…

Sean Jax Beach Bum

by cuffs007 on Sep 6, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

I think we"ll beat the Colts.

by Slvrgun on Sep 6, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Thats optimistic

i sure hope so

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Great News for all 2011 teams drafting in the first round!

Richard Seymour has been traded to Oakland for the Raiders 1st pick in 2011…..which means (dumb roll please) that Al David can’t draft a player then pay him insane amounts of money which screws every other team over!!! woooooh

"I’m going to punish him. If he hits me, fine, but if I catch him, believe me, I’m going to get the better shot." - Fred Taylor

by kterr on Sep 6, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

*Davis

"I’m going to punish him. If he hits me, fine, but if I catch him, believe me, I’m going to get the better shot." - Fred Taylor

by kterr on Sep 6, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

AKA - senility in action

Seymore is basically used up – a couple of ok years left. trading away the future like that – wow – cliff1982 said it – glad I’m not a ‘raddah’ fan.

by OGN on Sep 6, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Stupidity reaches new bounds

Seymore is 30ish years old whereas you could get a DE/LB thats younger and probably better with that first. Does he think he only needs one player to go to the superbowl? Senile

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm just glad im not a raiders fan

by cliff1982 on Sep 6, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

But it means that the Pats get an almost guarnteed top five pick.

And the rich get richer.

by Komentaja on Sep 6, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm looking forward to the day that Gene is in position to make these kinds of trades

by OGN on Sep 6, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

No wonder Pats have best drafts

They get these are you kidding me trades.

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Visiting Pats fan

Brother of mine is a big Jags fan, and Tiquan Underwood went to high school with us. I was bummed to hear the news about his release. Hope he makes the practice squad, though.

Beer is good! And stuff!

by R_Adragna on Sep 6, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

He should, I think he'll get a roster spot when Torry Holt retires in 2-3 years

Till then he can learn and develop. You guys got lucky with that 1st round pick trade. Too good to be true almost.

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

we really liked him here - he'll land somewhere - hopefully on our PS

by OGN on Sep 6, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

It was confirmed by @Jaguarsinsider

He and my boy Vaughan are on the PS

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

i bet the raiders would take Tra for next years 2nd

LateRoundPick.com

by Surteal on Sep 6, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

Why

They got Khalif, what else they need?….

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Sep 6, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

damn it. that actually made me LOL … good one Zoltan!

Sean Jax Beach Bum

by cuffs007 on Sep 6, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Should of traded Khalif too

We’ll give them a kiddy meal and toy along with (insert player here) for a first.

by TheTealDeal on Sep 6, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Chauncey Washington - Practice Squad

Only appeared in 6 games last season (need 9 games to earn 1 accrued season, which dq’s you for ps). Is he worth keeping around and developing, assuming he’s not snatched up by a rb hungry team?

Ignore the hype; look at the results.

by harperslaw on Sep 6, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions