Jaguars vs. Falcons: What To Watch For
by Alfie Crow on Aug 19, 2011 9:01 AM EDT
in Jacksonville Jaguars Game Preview
Email
PrintThe Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Atlanta Falcons this evening down at EverBank Field. It's both team's second preseason games and the Jaguars are looking to improve from the curb stomping that the New England Patriots applied. It looks like veteran David Garrard is slated to start the game, as expected, and it will be an important one for him. He's got rookie Blaine Gabbert breathing down his neck and gunning for the starting position.
Here's some things to watch for tonight.
- David Garrard - As I mentioned, he needs a strong showing to throw some water on the quarterback competition fire. Gabbert took full advantage of the time Garrard was out with his back injury and has impressed the coaching staff with the quickness he's picked up the offense. Garrard needs a good game, because the word is people in the building want Gabbert to win the job.
- Wide Receivers - The wide receivers had a poor showing last week, dropping tons of passes. Guys like Mike Thomas can't drop easy plays that kill drives and leave a team with just a field goal. Jason Hill has gotten better as he adjusts to the humidity and another strong showing would take some worry off the position.
- Offensive Line - The Jaguars offensive line did not look good last week, but after watching the Patriots give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers all kinds of fits last night with the pass rush, it's possible it wasn't as bad as it looked. The Falcons however have a nice crop of defensive ends to throw at the Jaguars. Guy Whimper is going to have to step up, playing for an injured Eben Britton.
- Pass Rush - The Jaguars pass rush did not exist last week. Camp sensation Austen Lane was stonewalled, Jeremy Mincey didn't do a lot, and Larry Hart was unnoticeable. Newly signed Matt Roth is expected to play, so he will be one to watch, but overall the pass rush has to improve.
48 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Hey, Rhett...
were you one of the guys saying to trade for Osi? He’s having arthroscopic knee surgery, and is missing a few weeks. Good thing we didn’t get him!
Fidelis Ad Mortem
that wasnt me
but i said if it was a 3rd rounder would be worth it.
"thanks for hating"
by rhettchrystal on Aug 19, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
They indicated on Mike and MIke...
that the surgery might not be mandatory at this point, but if he was going to be a Giant, he was going to go ahead with it. In other words, he could have played the season if he was happy, but since he is not, screw the Giants!
Seeing the Pats abuse the Bucs last night made me feel a whole lot better about the Jags.
by Conservative on Aug 19, 2011 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
to expand on this
Brady did substantial damage though and he did not play against us, so I am not really sure how to fully compare the two results
by Jagsrok9008 on Aug 19, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
My thoughts are more on how our OL got destroyed and so did the Bucs' OL.
by Conservative on Aug 19, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
good point
I was speaking to the scoring aspect of the game, but you are correct in terms of assessing the line play
by Jagsrok9008 on Aug 19, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
This man does not sleep.
I swear there are two Alfies, or a Starbucks drive-thru very close to his house.
Very huge game for our QBs.
I’m worried about Guy Whimper. And the name “Whimper” seems to make me more uneasy about him.
Roth will be interesting to watch, as well as the 2nd time our new and improved defense hits some real turf together. I believe Knighton is playing in this one? I want to see The Pain Train live up to his nickname with Potroast at his side
by SexonvilleShaguars on Aug 19, 2011 9:36 AM EDT reply actions
keep an eye on 93 tonight
Alualu is gonna be a force this year, especially as Knighton gets into shape. I think we’ll see waves coming with Alualu, D’Anthony Smith, Pot Roast and Douzable up the middle.
Since both MJD and Jennings won't be playing, I hope to see a heavy does of Richard Murphy #34.
I think he is much better than most realize so far.
concussion? not likely
Concussions are gonna be a big thing this season. I don’t think any teams will send their guy out a week later in the preseason and would not be shocked if at least 1 week off is the standard protocol for concussions, regardless of baseline tests. It kind of was last year.
Have we offically established...
no Kampman or Knighton tonight? I think we did, but not positive. I want to see two things and I will be happy. Protection on offense and penetration on defense. Face it, you always need protection if there is going to be penetration! Happy Friday guys! I hope we all have a great time at the Bank tonight!
by GAJAGFAN on Aug 19, 2011 10:00 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
man, if I wasn't busy packing my house, I'd be there.
Guess I’ll catch it on tv. Watch the national media make a comment about the empty seats. Meanwhile in Tampa last night the stadium looked to have maybe 25K in attendance. Our transparency bites us in the ass, but perhaps it’s by design.
Haha I just finished packing. I like the fact that we’re open about our ticket problems and don’t hide it like other teams
"Don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because This is Just a Ride."
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold or cynical, but I am. So that's how it comes out."
-Bill Hicks
by montanajagsfan on Aug 19, 2011 10:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Even the stadium in Pittsburgh
was half empty last night
Here's hoping we have NFL football in 2011
I really would not use a preseaon game in pittsburgh being half empty as some sort of indication about any problems thee
truthfully I would hope preseson games don’t draw full stadiums
by Jagsrok9008 on Aug 19, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not
I was just pointing out that many stadiums are empty for preseason games. But we all know they’ll talk about it tonight in bashing the Jaguars.
Here's hoping we have NFL football in 2011
and as I'm commenting I just got offered free club seats for tonight
Guess I can pack tomorrow!
by Joe Fisher on Aug 19, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree on both fronts
That’s where we’ve invested so many draft picks in, the lines, and it’d be nice to see something from the lines to be hopeful about.
"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."- Jack Handey
I'm just watching the first team.
Honestly, we know about the depth for the most part. I’m just watching the ones.
Twitter: BLByline Youtube: BLByline
I'm willing to drink the Kool-ade, but I'm hungry for the truth.
by Brian Levenson on Aug 19, 2011 10:49 AM EDT reply actions
Once again...
I’m not worried about the defense on any of the three levels once all our guys are playing. Teams aren’t having to double team that many players on the line and when all our starters are in and rotating they’ll have to cut two guys free on single coverage… BAM down goes the quarterback HA HA HA
That being said the linebacker and secondary corps will be tougher for the preseason experience of not having pressure in the preseason…
Have faith in the WRs!!!!
O-line is the only thing we really need to be worried about… I’m not sure how they’re going to handle this, but it needs to be handled…
Give our boy Garrard a few seconds without being knocked to the ground and he’ll KILL this year…
Punters
I know it’s not really a big storyline but the punting has to be better then last week. Can’t have a repeat of last week. Special teams has to be an area the Jaguars excel in.
by lilmjd12 on Aug 19, 2011 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
By the way..
Did anyone see how Mallet performed playing earlier in the game against the Bucs? The one pass that was a thing of beauty, was a pass to the defender.
I bring this up to laugh about the media hyping up Mallet’s performance against guys on our team that won’t even be there coming week 1. And also to say that this is true for us,in case Gabbert starts late in the game…i hope not but im afraid he will play against 3rd and 4th stringers and then no valid evaluation can come out of this.
"Do I need to be liked? Absolutely not! I like to be liked, I enjoy being liked, I have to be liked. But it's not like this compulsive need to be liked...like my need to be praised." Michael Scott
I think the Jaguars themselves...
are as curious as to where this whole QB deal pans out. That being said, I think DG will start, but I expect to see Gabbert playing some early.
I hope we get to see them both early
and that the line gives them at least a little protection.
Not sure how the Falcons are planning to play this game but they are definitely one of the top teams in the NFL going into this season so it’ll be interesting to see how things go.
Here's hoping we have NFL football in 2011
According to the O-Zone......
John is of the opinion that the first half should be played by folks that should be on rosters by the start of the season, on both sides of the ball. I would like that!
Anyone have word on the newest offensive tackle (other than his prior teams/stats), Tony Moll?
Sean
Pax Armis Acquiritur
Tony Moll
I dont know, but his name is awesome!
"Do I need to be liked? Absolutely not! I like to be liked, I enjoy being liked, I have to be liked. But it's not like this compulsive need to be liked...like my need to be praised." Michael Scott
Wish his name was Tony Maul
now that would be awesome
Pass rush will be important to watch tonight. Hopefully Austen Lane isn’t stonewalled like last week. It’ll also be interesting to see how Roth performs with the DL.
"Don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because This is Just a Ride."
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold or cynical, but I am. So that's how it comes out."
-Bill Hicks
Here what I am looking to see from tonights game:
- Improvements along the O-Line (Wishful thinking, I feel this is our most pressing issue currently)
- D-Line needs to get into the pocket and create some mayhem
- NO DROPPED PASSES!! They are getting open, the QB’s are (for the most part) making the throws, they need to haul them in however.
- Secondary against Matt Ryan
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Big Cat Country
Related FanShots on Big Cat Country
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley arrested again; now has more NFL arrests than NFL sacks
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
