before the season started. Most informed Jaguar fans thought they would be at best an 8-8 or maybe a 9-7 team. However, fueled by several young players and a few top notch free agent signings, the Jags performed well early and even over-achieved at times. This success bred  an optimism amongst fans that the Jags were true playoff contenders. Because of this optimism, the last part of the Jags season is viewed by many as a collapse. I don't neccessarily agree. Of the final 3 games, considering the circumstances, we lost the games we we're expected to lose and lost to a Washington team we should have beat. If it was a collapse, it was partly due to injuries to major players. In reality, we were closer to a 6-10 team this year than a 10-6 team. We lost 6 games by an average of 21 points and won 6 games by an average of 6.3  points. We were still cutting and signing starting safeties, your last line of defense, 5 or 6 games into the season. With the exception of Daryl Smith, our linebackers should have their faces on milk cartons. We have a great nucleus of young players, mostly acquired by Gene Smith and this is why I think Jack should be given one more year. I don't think many coaches could win with first round picks like Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, Byron Leftwich and so on. With that said, I have no problem if we digress this next year , that JDR be fired. Unfortunately, we can be vastly improved next year, and because of the schedule, finish close to 8-8 again. We play 7 games against this years playoff teams plus Tampa Bay and San Diego. Fortunately, we have games against Cleveland, Cinncinatti, and Carolina. I hope we draft a young QB to back up Garrard so he can learn while DG leads the team, and if DG does get hurt or is totally uneffective, we can start playing his successor instead of guys like Boumann, Edwards, Couch, etc. I also hope we sign a high profile free agent linebacker or safety because I think our d line will get better with age. I'm through venting, I had great season ticket seats in the corner of the Hail Mary pass, and I look forward to next years games. Thanks to all the people here at BCC for months of Jaguar enjoyment, I think I'll start playing golf now until the free agent signings and draft in a few months. Happy New Year.