Settling the Jaguars Offensive Line

by Alfie Crow on Aug 16, 2011 8:30 AM EDT in Jacksonville Jaguars Camp Battles

The Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line is in a weird state right now. Longtime offensive guard Vince Manuwai was released a few weeks ago, but his replacement hasn't been settled yet. Rookie guard Will Rackleyseems to be the leader in the clubhouse. Rackley dislocated a finger recently in practice, but as an offensive lineman he should be fine. There's currently two positions up for grabs on the offensive, one because of the loss of Manuwai and the other because Eben Britton can't seem to get on the field.

The left guard position, as mentioned is a competition between rookie Will Rackley and newly signed veteran Jason Spitz. Rackley is currently the leader at that position and I'd expect him to win the job. The real interesting competition is going to be at the right tackle position. Most counted on the return of Eben Britton help solidifying a shaky pass protection group from 2010. Britton came back into camp, but struggled in pass protection. Even in his rookie year, pass protection wasn't Britton's strength. Newly signed offensive lineman Tony Mollis going to push Britton for his job at right tackle, and it will be hard for Britton to win it being on the bench with a back injury.

We know David Garrard's back is a disc issue, as Garrard let that information out recent. Britton's injury, which has kept him out of practice nearly over a week, is much more hush hush. Even though Britton is suspect in the passing game, he's still the best candidate for right tackle at this time, and the Jaguars need him on the field.

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How about we try out Stinchcomb from NO?

by Nikola R on Aug 16, 2011 8:39 AM EDT reply actions

I was thinking about that

As soon as they relesead him, kinda like a tra thomas signing

by amujic32 on Aug 16, 2011 9:42 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yea why not, they just released him

by FgallosJAGS on Aug 16, 2011 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

how good is moll?

wuld he not really be a dropoff from britton? someone fill me in on what this guys like

by UCLAllDay on Aug 16, 2011 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

From what I gather he is not vry good

I figured him more to be a body who can backup a starter

by Jagsrok9008 on Aug 16, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Im kinda starting

To think britton was all talk, “best offensive tackle in the league” my ass.

by dan073eb on Aug 16, 2011 9:47 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah, he should stick to yoga with his mom.

by Slawsc on Aug 16, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Its funny how last April tons of fans were pissed we drafted Rackley

screaming how we absolutely needed defense….looks like the Rackley pick was an amazing pick considering the current state of the line now. Hes young, a leader and though it might take him a bit looks like he will be a good guard for a long time.

"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 Aug 16, 2011 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

That is how best available player works. You truly don't know for sure what your needs will be.

by Conservative on Aug 16, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Another possibility:

Rackley was a LT in college. I know he is not as tall as you’d like, but I’d bet he could play RT in a pinch.

by Conservative on Aug 16, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

true, but there's a huge gulf between Lehigh and NFL starter in the span of a few months.

Perhaps he can do it, but I think Vinny and Britton’s condition when the lockout lifted has really hurt this team thus far. Perhaps O Line is going to be what the secondary was for us last year.

by Joe Fisher on Aug 16, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey Eben remember this quote

"I couldn’t be happier than to be picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars but I was [ticked] off," Britton said, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "There isn’t a better organization that I could have asked for, but every team that passed on me will regret it for the rest of the history of their franchise."

I know injuries havent helped you…but ya gotta be able to produce if your gonna talk yourself up like that

"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 Aug 16, 2011 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

I completely bought into his hype when I read that quote

A couple of years later and I’m not sure he’ll ever be a contributing member to this team.

I remember thinking what a great pick he was, how he was projected as a 1st rounder and we were getting a steal…how he had like 600 snaps in college and one penalty and would be a leader on our offensive line…and instead he just sits on IR, with his dirty porn ’stache.

Eben, I’m disowning you.

by Distance on Aug 16, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Give me 10 Matt Jones anyday before Eben....

by Slawsc on Aug 16, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

come on now with the hyperbole

Britton gives a damn, he just has a problem staying healthy.

by Joe Fisher on Aug 16, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

just like to lighten the mood

every now and then with some smart ass comments.

by Slawsc on Aug 17, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions

amazingly, I expect everyone to have the same smart ass filter as I do

I apolgize.

by Joe Fisher on Aug 17, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I say we bring in Sean Locklear, he’s good, and will win that spot, then we let Britton slide to LG.

"thanks for hating"

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by rhettchrystal on Aug 16, 2011 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

nevermind he got signed by Redskins

but we should bring in Langston Walker for the same reason, hes mediocre in pass protection, but a mauler in run blocking.

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by rhettchrystal on Aug 16, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Do what with uche when you move eben to LG?

by amujic32 on Aug 16, 2011 10:57 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Move Eben to Center

by duuuvaaalll on Aug 16, 2011 11:10 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Meester can still get the job done

by Joe Fisher on Aug 16, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Meester was one of, if not the best lineman last year

by Distance on Aug 16, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I think hes is

Too tall for that plus brad earned his spot

by amujic32 on Aug 16, 2011 11:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I meant as a future move

Meester can’t play forever

by duuuvaaalll on Aug 16, 2011 11:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

So u have to get rid of

Meester? Not smart

by amujic32 on Aug 16, 2011 12:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

not this season

Britton as the eventual replacement

by duuuvaaalll on Aug 16, 2011 12:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

So that means

Someone has to be a back up right

by amujic32 on Aug 16, 2011 12:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

the kid we just picked up from Green Bay played Center

by Joe Fisher on Aug 16, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

with Britton's luck, he'll rip his shoulder out hiking the ball.

Thinking Mike Pearson part 2.

by Joe Fisher on Aug 16, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe he could use some of mine, Joe.

Thumbs up!

by ShannyMc on Aug 16, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

well played, good sir. Well played.

by Joe Fisher on Aug 16, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

We've had a had a sub par o-line

for a long time. Garrard has taken more hits than any QB in the league for many years. Monroe and Britton have NEVER lived up to their billing. If we don’t address this problem , it will again be seen as poor QB play. Look at what other teams are able to do to our defense simply because their o-line controls the pass rush. It’s not that their QB is better it’s that their QB has time to find the open receiver.

by mrgomez on Aug 16, 2011 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

I certainly dont think that after 2 seasons you can say if they have, or have not lived up to their billing.

by chrisltr22c on Aug 16, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

why not?

IF you look at best OL picked in 1st od 2nd rnd ’09. non of them is realy good, but should that realy be our excuse?

I realy expect my top 10 pick, OT to play like LOng, Clady, T.Williams….

by Nikola R on Aug 16, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

With that as the goal, Monroe said he worked as hard during the lockout-marred off-season as he ever has in his career. He said he is in the best shape of his career, and he is lighter than he ever has been, playing around 295 pounds.

Can you push ppl around at 295? I thought bigger better

by Nikola R on Aug 16, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions