On Gabbert, Maurice Jones-Drew, And The Jaguars' Defense

by Shane Clemons on Dec 28, 2011 2:40 PM EST in Jacksonville Jaguars Off-Topic

So now that this season is about wrapped up, it's about time to start to consider the season that was 2011. I had high hopes going into the season, but those hopes were more or less dashed very early on. Blaine Gabbert was predictably not ready to be a starting quarterback, but everyone knew he needed time to develop. A few weeks ago, I was ready to throw him under the bus, but then, he started showing real progress.

Gabbert gets my "Poised Jaguars Player Of The Year" award. I say that because he's never given up on winning games. How often have we seen a rookie quarterback be awful and pack it in way before the season was over? It's kinda fun to watch a guy like Gabbert slowly developing in front of our eyes. Let's just hope Gene Smith can get him some receivers that can help take the load off of his arm.

Speaking of players that don't give up, how about our favorite little-big-man, Maurice Jones-Drew. Providing Jones-Drew can indeed hang onto his big lead in rushing yards, it'll be a nice validation of his efforts and perseverance. While many analysts may not consider MJD to be the best running back in the league, we all know what a gem Jacksonville has in Jones-Drew. I'm looking forward to seeing him run next season with far more support from the Jaguars' passing attack.

MJD has been Blaine Gabbert's most powerful weapon as Gabbert continues to grow into his role as a starting quarterback. Without Jones-Drew, I'm really not sure that the Jaguars would have average any more than 10 points per game. I really can't understate how impressed I've been with Jones-Drew this season, even as the offense as a whole has been pretty abismal much of the time.

Finally, I want to talk about the Jaguars' defense. I've said before that there's a fine line between being cheap and being smart, and on the defensive side of the ball, no one can accuse the Jaguars of being cheap. Gene Smith went on a mission to improve the Jaguars once feared defense, and he did a great job fortifying the secondary.

While the Jaguars still have a highly ranked defense, they can't defend the pass as well anymore. Really, the Jags are holding on for the end of the season. At that point, they should be able to get healthy again for 2012, and hopefully, another strong season of defensive play.

I've also been very impressed with the development of the defensive line, more specifically Leger Douzable and Jeremy Mincey. Both of those guys have been improving in a big way to fill the holes left by Matt Roth and Aaron Kampman. The Jaguars' defensive line is finally getting consistent pressure game in and game out on the quarterback, and in some cases, they've been bailing out the secondary.

As the season ends, I feel a mixture of annoyance at another disappointing season, but I also feel optimism moving forward. There's no doubt in my mind that the Jaguars are still moving in the right direction, despite this season's multiple steps back. A new owner, a young quarterback, and a new coach bring a sense of new beginnings to Jacksonville. I can't wait to watch it unfold.

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Well said.

I will be glad to put this season behind us, and see what transpires during the offseason.

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by JPQ! on Dec 28, 2011 2:52 PM EST reply actions

JAGS FUTURE

Agree with many points you made bro , the jags have many questions to answer this off- season and they are critical ones ( new coach? , is gabbert the one? , WR overhaul ? And so e others ) Yes our season didn’t go as we had hoped but we do have some things to be happy about and to look forward to ……….MJD is a beast and we can always count on him , Mincey and Douzable are pretty good and have made much growth , our D which was a joke now is back where we need it to be …… our safety tandem aqusitions made us a lot better ….. I look forward to the off-season and I expect us to get even better !

L F J

by Daddycrapper on Dec 28, 2011 2:57 PM EST reply actions

Nice article. Gabbert is a very mature 22 year old.

It would have been very easy for him to show negative emotions or body language during this frustrating year.

He never did, not once. That says alot.

by zoxitic on Dec 28, 2011 3:03 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I agree with him being very mature...

no question about it. I don’t know that I agree with you concerning the negative emotions or body language, but I took my lashing for this opinon in the article after the game on Saturday, and I do wish for the best, and hope my read on Blaine is dead wrong. I hope he has a strong showing Sunday, and the whole team ends he year on a positive note.

by GAJAGFAN on Dec 28, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

Am I wrong or off base in this statement

The local media has been very kind when dealing with Gabbert directly.

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by Joe Fisher on Dec 28, 2011 11:32 PM EST up reply actions

I think you are right when it comes to tv and possibly newspaper, but radio has not been kind.

by zoxitic on Dec 29, 2011 8:28 AM EST up reply actions

Good article

I cant wait for the off season and next season, we should be a lot better

by fan7 on Dec 28, 2011 3:09 PM EST reply actions

Mincey is in his contract year

I would be worried about him pulling a Marcedes Lewis if he gets a big ticket. Lewis was disgusting this year. The most disappointing part of the whole season. He just flapped those oversized lips and did nothing else. Hoping the team would be moved closer to his home.

by number on Dec 28, 2011 3:10 PM EST reply actions

I understand your frustration.....

but am holding back on throwing Lewis under the bus until next season. If he comes out the same as played this year, I will be the first be done with him. I guess I really still don’t think he is that kind of guy (one that quits trying).

by GAJAGFAN on Dec 28, 2011 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

Very well said Shane. I agree that it’ll be very interesting over the next few years in Jacksonville.

"Viva los Zapatistas y la Revolucion"

by montanajagsfan on Dec 28, 2011 4:32 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

LOL...without MJD I don't know if the Jags average 7 points a game lol...

Seeing as we averaged 10 points for a good while even with him getting his yardage and putting drives together for us.

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by T.Holmes on Dec 28, 2011 5:28 PM EST reply actions

Rebuild again

For many reasons, we literally hit the bottom this year. We always seem to be rebuilding.

It would be nice to have a core group of stellar players that stick with the Jaguars for 5+ years to give us a base. Unfortunately, when we think we got a position stabilized (ex. tight end), the player regresses and then we have to start over.

by three finger on Dec 28, 2011 6:16 PM EST reply actions

Funny Gabbert got your "poised Jaguars player of the year"

because the biggest knock on his play has been his lack of poise in the pocket…

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by Brian Levenson on Dec 29, 2011 9:03 AM EST reply actions

This is an excerpt from a USA today article about Sam Bradford:

Bradford (who’s completing the second season of a six-year, $78 million rookie deal that guaranteed him $50 million when he signed it last year) had a solid NFL freshman campaign but has struggled as a sophomore with bum ankle and ineffectiveness (53.5% completion rate, 2,164 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs, 70.5 passer rate) in first year OC Josh McDaniels’ system. But in fairness to Bradford, he lacks downfield weapons, his offensive line was letting him down even before it lost three starters to IR and RB Steven Jackson is, again, the only guy who puts fear into opposing defenses.

Hmm, so not having downfield weapons or a good offensive line can affect a QBs performance. Go figure.

by zoxitic on Dec 29, 2011 1:38 PM EST reply actions