Silver Linings: Defensive depth

by Adam Stites on Nov 28, 2011 8:14 PM EST in Jacksonville Jaguars Post Game

At 3-8, the Jaguars are all but eliminated from contention in the 2011 playoffs. At this point, the Jaguars can only look towards the future when analyzing games and upcoming matchups as wins and losses mean nothing more than different positions in the 2012 draft now.

While the Jaguars are certainly not a playoff team and have much building to do, there are still some things that are encouraging about the 2011 Jaguars and bode well for the team in the not-so-distant future. Particularly, pieces on defense.

Coming into the 2011 season, the biggest concern about the Jaguars defense was depth. While the starting lineup looked good on paper, it appeared as though it was a very thin group beyond the starting 11. Following a streak of injuries that has limited or, in some cases, eliminated the contributions of starters on the defense, the defensive depth has been put to the test and the returns have been encouraging.

Without starting cornerbacks Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis, the secondary has filled in for the pair nicely using William Middleton, Kevin Rutland and recent signing, Ashton Youboty. While the team may need to address the cornerback position in the draft with Mathis's contract expiring after the season, the future at the position is encouraging for the Jaguars.

Also encouraging was the defensive line's performance against Arian Foster and the Texans. With the exception of a 43 yard run early in the game, the defensive line sans Terrance Knighton, Matt Roth and Aaron Kampman was able to hold Foster to 22 yards on his other 21 carries. An very impressive performance for a defensive line featuring Leger Douzable and C.J. Mosley against one of the dominant run-blocking offensive lines in the NFL.

Russell Allen's performance in the place of Clint Session also proved to be strong on Sunday and was enough to earn Gene Smith's Scout's Eye unsung player of the game during the GM's weekly radio show.

With strong, young talent on the Jaguars defense, the team has young talent that should be able to keep the Jaguars as one of the league's top units into the future, giving the organization time to bring the offense up to a level capable of winning a championship.

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I really like Middleton.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 28, 2011 8:19 PM EST reply actions

Me too

Middleton’s a smart guy. Really enjoyed his interview on Jags All Access tonight.

he’s contributed a lot to the team with what little time he’s been out on the field. Maybe we don’t need to draft a corner in the next draft.

I think we should call him Dr. Middleton.

ROCK, FLAG and EAGLE!!

by JAGGED_JAG_J on Nov 28, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

As well as he's played

he still struggles mightily against good route runners. If he was to take on a full time role, he would get eaten alive by chain moving receivers. But he’s made a drastic improvement from last year. I never did think he was a savvy NB.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 29, 2011 2:38 AM EST up reply actions

Or quick enough

to play NB. His change of direction isn’t very good for a CB. But his speed(Underrated) and tenacity are very good.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 29, 2011 2:39 AM EST up reply actions

I am not going to judge this injured defense until we play the Chargers and Falcons

The Texans were playing with their backup QB and third stringer. They played well against the run but still gave up 20 points. I want to see how they play next Monday night. In the offseason we need to do the opposite of what we did last year. We need to sign a big name WR and then a guy like Meachem or Harry Douglas. Then we need to sign one more guy for depth in the trenches. In the draft, we will have a high draft pick so either trade back for more picks or just draft Claiborne. In the second we need to draft the best D lineman available. In the third we need the best LB available. In the fourth, draft an OL and then depth from there. We would have a WR corp of our number 1 in FA, Meachem/Douglas, Thomas, Hill, Dillard. That is much better and will create some separation. At this point this team is making me go crazy.

by Dwalk1217 on Nov 28, 2011 8:20 PM EST reply actions

Giving up 20 ppg will get a defense into the top 3rd of NFL defenses.

It’s still pretty good.

On Wisconsin.

by Carly on Nov 28, 2011 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

our run defense was great

my point was i am not going to say this team has depth until we play a team with a legitimate starting QB in the NFL. Leinart only threw passes into the flats, so he was very average to me. Once Yates came in for the injured Leinart, I knew this game wouldnt be a good gauge of our defensive depth.

by Dwalk1217 on Nov 28, 2011 8:58 PM EST up reply actions

may i ask

who is this #1 reciever in free agency u speak of? desean jackson isnt coming here. vincent jackson isnt coming here. i hope im wrong but there arent too many #1 options out there. i like douglas.

by crash904 on Nov 28, 2011 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

Reggie Wayne seems realistic

Marques Colston and Dwayne Bowe could be outside chances if they don’t get new contracts.

Follow me on Twitter

by Adam Stites on Nov 28, 2011 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

Reggie Wayne

is over the hill unless he plays with someone like Peyton. Bowe has some character issues. Colston is a good guy with a good skill set. Could be a number one here. But even he struggles catching the types of passes Gabbert throws. His best catches are lofts over the middle in traffic. Catching a bullet from a 10 yard drag is not his forte.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 29, 2011 2:43 AM EST up reply actions

Yadda Yadda we know the defense is good, and will get better.

But right about now all I care about fixing is the shitty offense. Too bad it will have to wait until 2012.

by Slvrgun on Nov 28, 2011 8:24 PM EST reply actions

Yeah...

The is NO positive news allowed on a fan website! We must be angry and pissed off all the time!
GRRRRR!!!!!!!

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 28, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

+ 1

by Slvrgun on Nov 28, 2011 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

FULL CONSISTENCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Bryqan on Nov 28, 2011 10:44 PM EST up reply actions

You need to get laid big time

I still have yet to read anything positive you have ever written about anything.

by jstnblke41 on Nov 29, 2011 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

I was really, really impressed with Youboty

He seemed to have an immediate feel for our defense. I didn’t look up the stats but I must have heard his name on the speaker 15 times. No matter who he covered he was close enough to make a play, or at least a tackle. He also made good decisions on the run. I also noticed him covering Johnson more than Middleton was. I can’t believe he didn’t have his name mentioned anywhere until now.

Russel Allen and CJ Mosley were great. I think Mosley missed one or two tackles he should have had, but there was no way I thought either guy was going to play as good as they did.

So lets see…the list of NON no brainer defensive FA acquisitions/trades that are now contributors in the Gene Smith era:
Matt Roth (well, to Alfie it was a no-brainer, I remember him posting during the lockout he should be on the radar)
Dwight Lowery
Drew Coleman
John Chick
Russel Allen
CJ Mosley
Courtney Greene
Kevin Rutland

And that’s besides the no-brainers (that didn’t end up being Drayton Florence no-brainer) like Poz, Landry, Sessions and Kampman. Yah, the last two had injury problems, but what they were put on IR for was unrelated to their problems from the past so we can’t hold that against Gene Smith.

But yah that Gene Smith guy sucks, eh?

by Mr.Awesome on Nov 28, 2011 10:06 PM EST reply actions

Middelton is a Non no-brainer also

so is Nate Collins

Can't stand the truth?

by Aristotle45 on Nov 28, 2011 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

For some reason I was thinking Middleton was here before Gene was

But another good example. That makes everyone but Mathis in our secondary a Gene guy right? And everyone but Daryl Smith a Gene guy in our LBers. And everyone but Mincey on our DL but Mincey. That means this top Defense that we now cling to is about 89% Gene.

P.S. I wouldn’t put Nate Collins on this list yet, but only because he hasn’t had any solid contribution yet…but I haven’t forgotten him tearing up all the second halves of the preseason.

by Mr.Awesome on Nov 28, 2011 11:59 PM EST up reply actions

And everyone on our DL but Mincey*

Apologize for the redundancy

by Mr.Awesome on Nov 29, 2011 12:00 AM EST up reply actions

No I think

you can already add Collins to the list. He’s performed well when he’s played this regular season. And Douzable made a nice position change to LDE last week. Not as savvy as Roth, but he has a similar style and skill set.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 29, 2011 2:47 AM EST up reply actions

he sure does

at drafting for offense, maybe he should only draft for defense, and leave the offensive players to someone else lol.

by dan073eb on Nov 28, 2011 11:18 PM EST up reply actions

he could only fix a few things at a time

he’ll pay more attention to the offensive side of the ball between now and the 2012 season.

Section 442, RIP
"You think you know, but you don't know."

by unhipcat on Nov 28, 2011 11:37 PM EST up reply actions

I though most of his offensive players were good

Monroe has been awesome lately, and for a waiver wire guy Guy has been awesome. And I really have seen a night and day difference in Rackley since the beginning of the year. The WR’s have been subpar, and a LOT of that has to fall on the QB this year. Because up until this year Mike Thomas looked like a great 4th round pick. Dillard right now looks like a good pick for a 5th rounder. The jury is still out on Shorts. But the truth is, the highest investment Gene has made at the receiver position (Including anyone who catches the ball: TE’s, WR, RB’s, FB’s) is a forth round pick. And the only ones he given money to is Marcedes Lewis.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 29, 2011 2:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

And Mike Thomas

But this.

Everyone says Gene can’t draft offense….

Why? Because Britten has been banged up and some 4th round or lower skills guys haven’t become go-to starters. Okay…Deji and Tiquan suck, and okay for being Mr. Wildcard Mike Thomas can’t just be a regular receiver. If Miller and Dillard stay healthy both look like they could be weapons. If Rackley keeps improving he may be what we thought he would be after all.

People need to quit sweating over 5, 6, and 7th round picks that don’t work out. It’s what Gene does….goes for the risky athletic guys in the lower rounds.

by Mr.Awesome on Nov 29, 2011 3:31 AM EST up reply actions