Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyson Alualu will need to shoulder the load Sunday

by Jonathan Loesche on Sep 10, 2010 12:53 PM EDT in Jacksonville Jaguars Game Preview

PS: BCC Radio returns tonight at 8:30 pm EST to break down the Broncos game.

With all of the talk centered around ~~Jaguars~~ Broncos QB Tim Tebow, there has been relatively little about the Jaguars first round pick. Tyson Alualu has been relatively anonymous since signing his rookie deal and getting into camp. After getting a sack on his first play of the preseason, he settled into doing the dirty work of a defensive lineman. However, he'll need to make an immediate impact on Sunday if the Jaguars are going to win.

Like it or not, there is going to be a lot of attention and pressure on Alualu this season. It comes with the territory of being a Top Ten pick. Not to mention the added pressure of being called a "reach" by virtually every draft "expert." Not to mention every Tebowite has been himming and hawing at the fact Alualu was taken instead of their Golden Boy.

If Tyson Alualu is the kind of player Gene Smith believes he is, than that talent will have to begin showing itself Sunday.

The Broncos will be starting rookie JD Walton at center and will have another player who's never played in a regular season game at Guard. When combined with the double teams Terrance Knighton is going to command for most of the game, and it should allow Alualu to have a relatively easy path to Kyle Orton.

With Ryan Clady back at left tackle for the Broncos, Aaron Kampman will have a fight on his hands coming off the edge. The Jaguars best hope for a pass rush most likely lies in Alualu coming up the middle and bringing pressure directly into Orton's face. While Orton doesn't have a major rep for happy feet, he isn't going to sit in the pocket until right before he's about to be hit.

On 90% of plays, the average fan doesn't pay attention to what a defensive tackle is doing. It's only the moments when things either go very well or very poorly do they take notice. It's going to be those kind of plays that'll determine the perception of Alualu.

Is this too much to be asking for a rookie? Maybe. But then again he already knows how to rough up Tim Tebow

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TA

For anybody who doubted Alualu coming out of Cal, I wish they could have seen the Cal-Minnesota game. One of the most dominating performances by a defensive player I saw last year. When the Jags took Alaulu, Mayock raved about the kid and the first thing he mentioned was the Minnesota game.

by Fivus Viener on Sep 10, 2010 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

I think they should play that video in a loop

on the big screen at the stadium before the game, during half-time, and during all timeouts.

DG is the best we have and help is not on the way. I realize he's not perfect, but I feel a lot better about him at QB than I do the O-Line, DB's and LB's ability to cover a TE.

by pksiv on Sep 10, 2010 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

LOL

by JPQ! on Sep 10, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I second this!

by KeithG on Sep 10, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Alualu

Give em hell Tyson! I’m sick of hearing about Tebow. Alualu gets no respect for being a 10th round pick. Here’s to wishing he shows up everybody and blows our expectations out of the water!!!

Wish i could be at the game! Sucks being a Jaguars fan up in Virginia, but i love wearing my teal and black around these redskins fans!

Just win, Baby!

by bcrabtree4 on Sep 10, 2010 2:01 PM EDT reply actions