The 1-2 Jaguars battle the 0-3 Titans in a game that will have major repercussions for both team's seasons. You guys know the drill so play nice.

Quick Notes
Mo Williams will start at RT over Eben Britton and Tra Thomas, Uche in at RG

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They came out ugly, offered us a moment of hope, and then broke our heart again as the Jacksonville Jaguars fell to the Arizona Cardinals 31-17.  Cardinals QB Kurt Warner set an NFL record 92% completion percentage, the Jaguars pass rush could not stop the offense, and Mike Sims-Walker emerged as a real honest-to-goodness wide receiver.

This was a game where the Jaguars made countless mental mistakes, penalties and poor decisions, and generally speaking looked awful.  The Offensive Line could NOT protect David Garrard, the only time that David got anything done was when the Cardinals fell into their prevent defense at the end of the game.  I'm not going to bang the Fire Del Rio drum just yet, but there were some discipline issues, particularly when emotions were high, that were problematic.  Early play was sloppy, there was no rhythm, and after Scobee's field goal was blocked and returned for a touchdown, the mental focus was lost for some time.

This was a game where we were teased, there were moments where you thought that the Jaguars were just starting to get something done, but dropped passes and a late interception ended the game.  Interestingly, the Cardinals targeted the Jaguars linebackers more than anything else with screens and short passes.  Linebacker is an area of strength for this team, at least in theory, so it'll be interesting to see what the tape tells us about the group.

Player of the Game: Mike Sims-Walker: 106 yards, 1 TD, 1 tackle.  Mike Walker is a real wide receiver now.  He's a bright star to admire looking forward.  He's a young leader on the roster and someone to look forward to each week.

More analysis to come.

Jaguars Inactives: Brian Witherspoon, Kynan Forney, Jordan Black, Mike Thomas, Zach Miller, Jarett Dillard, Jeremy Navarre, Montavious Stanley.  Once again, Thomas and Dillard are out, very very strange.

Welcome to the Home Opener:

The best part about gameday is that you almost forget the previous week's game  Here we are, two hours away from kickoff and I'm completely refreshed and pumped for the days action.  Indianapolis is behind us, all eyes are forward on the Jaguars/Cardinals matchup.  Let's look at some of the burning questions.

1. Is the Jaguars 3-4 defense for real?  With Reggie Hayward out for the year, the Jacksonville Jaguars are forced to adopt the 3-4 that they experimented with during the preseason.  Reggie, for good reason, was the key player in keeping the Jaguars in a 4-3, with his absence the Jaguars go full time to the new defensive front.  Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey will serve as outside linebackers, John Henderson becomes a defensive end, along with Atiyyah Ellison (HT to Michael Wright at the Times Union for finding that out), and Terrance Knighton holds the point at nose tackle. 

Now, what hurts the Jaguars is that their stellar trio of linebackers, Durrant, Ingram, and Smith are restricted to (generally) only having two of them on the field at a time.  Will this work?  Will the Jaguars develop a new defensive identity?  Is there anything stranger than thinking about John Henderson playing defensive end?

2.  Can the Jaguars secondary stop Larry and Anquan?   Derek Cox had a mixed day against Reggie Wayne, this week he'll probably see the best receiving duo on the league, rough way to open the season.  Reggie Nelson and Sean Considine had moments of greatness followed by lapses of judgement, will that unit tighten up?

3. Will the story of the game be a Jaguars win or a blackout?  Sadly, I think at the end of this game, the story will be the blackout, not the outcome.

Big Cat Country: The T-Shirt.

If you're interested in a Big Cat Country T-shirt (and really, why wouldn't you want one), I need you to seriously answer the poll question.  Depending on the results, we'll work on getting these printed.  So if you're really interested in spending 12 bucks (with shipping), let us know in the poll.  If you're not interested, that's totally fine, just let us know in the poll.

Consider this the first open thread for the game.

-Chris

(Wtf, we had live access to AP Photos in the preseason)

7-6 Colts at Halftime. Both offenses have had their share of mistakes. Biggest thing the Jaguars need to do is actually force the Colts off the field on third down. Colts only failed to convert 1 3rd down in the 1st half.

Injury Report:
Out

Jaguars: Zach Miller

Colts: Bob Sanders, Jamie Silva, Tom Santi

Jaguars Inactives: LB Adam Seward, G Kynan Forney,  OT Jordan Black,  TE Zach Miller, WR Mike Thomas, WR Jaret Dillard, DE Julias Williams, DE James Wyche

Colts Inactives:Curtis Painter, Bob Sanders, Jamie Silva, Cody Glenn, Kyle DeVan, Dan Federkell, Tom Santi, Fili Moala.

PS: Game is on channel 708 for those who have Sunday Ticket

BIG CAT COUNTRY:: THE TAILGATE!

It's FINALLY here, the official BIG CAT COUNTRY TAILGATE/MEETUP!

This Thursday Night, starting at 5:30 pm, come meet Collin, Tkopa, and Myself as our Jaguars seek to complete the Sweep against the dreaded Indianapolis Colts! 

Who: Big Cat Country Editors and Readers

Where: Jacksonville Arthritis Foundation 314 Palmetto St, Jacksonville Florida: Map Here.

It's where JagNation parks, so you know we'll be in good company!

When: 5:30-7:30

What to Bring: As much as I'd like to provide a huge tailgate, this is going to be a BYOT.  I'll have a small grill if anyone wants to bring meat.  Remember, the Official Unofficial Beer of Big Cat Country is Yuengling, that's what I'll be drinking at least.

Etc: If you're going to the game and want to meet up, let us know in the comments.  You can also email me at absurdpolitiks[at] gmail [dot] com.

We'd love to meet anyone who wants to come.  We'll be at a Silver Compact Car with Jaguars tags, I'll be in a black Maurice Jones-Drew jersey, so be sure to say hello!

See you at the game!!

-Chris

Reggie Nelson Intercepts to Seal the Victory!*

Well that was fun: Jaguars give the Home Crowd a good showing!

For the first time in 4 weeks the Jacksonville Jaguars go into the locker room with a win.  About damn time if you ask me, the Jaguars season has been far too upsetting.  Without being too much of a downer, this game should have been put away long before Reggie Nelson's interception.  Dennis Northcutt, Marcades Lewis and Greg Estandia all dropped important passes, though Northcutt did have 5 catches for 127 yards and a TD, so he'll be forgiven. 

Speaking of the receivers, we can now assume that Matt Jones and Dennis Northcutt will be on the roster in 2009.  Mike Walker

Maurice Jones-Drew had a great day with a pair of touchdowns, one passing and one receiving, but only 12 carries for 48 yards.  Without Garrard's 31 rushing yards, the Jaguars only ran for 63 yards against one of the worst run defenses in the league.

Jack Del Rio earned his 50th win as an NFL head coach, which is a nice honor.  While we're quick to criticize the guy, he's done very well during his time in the league.

The Defense did a bit too much bending but it did not break, though the Jaguars allowed far too many passes on 3rd down.

Injuries:

Daryl Smith left the game with a groin injury, with a short week that could be bad.  Jerry Porter got "bad news" according to Del Rio, he'll probably be IR'ed.

Play of the Game:

David Garrard, 4th quarter, QB Draw with 3:25 left in the 4th quarter.  David gets the critical conversion, fumbles, and has the focus to fall on it.  It was the epitome of Jaguars football, hard yards, terrifying, and occasionally exhilarating.

MVP:

David Garrard: Two Passing TD's, no interceptions, 21 of 33 for 238 yards, 105.3 passer rating.  He dinked and dunked and made the big play when it was needed.  Dennis Northcutt would be here had he not dropped the critical 3rd down pass.

Errata:

Maurice Jones-Drew is the first Jaguar to have three seasons of 10 or more touchdowns.

Short Week!

Don't forget, let us know in the comments if you're going to the Indianpolis v. Jacksonville game on Thursday!

-Chris

Green Bay Packers(5-8)	GAME #14	Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)
	VS.

GREGG WILLIAMS: Good as Gone

ESPN is reporting that Gregg Williams will not be with the Jaguars in 2009.  He was basically on a one year deal anyhow, but this confirms it.  Gregg's defense did not match the players and led to some terrible play.  I was awfully excited about Williams, but that was completely misplaced.

James Harris Speaks Out:

Big Cat Country favorite Michael Wright has a fantastic interview with GM James Harris.  Read it here, we'll talk about it on Monday.  It's as close to required reading as you can get.

The Offensive Offense:

Matt Jones, Greg Jones, Fred Taylor and Jerry Porter will all be absent.  Not that Porter actually playing would make a difference (11 catches for 10 Million Dollars), but it's going to be a seriously depleated offense as the Jaguars take on the Packers. 

Speaking of Fred Taylor, it seems that the "insiders", of Brian Sexton and Vic "weakest leak" Ketchman have come to the conclusion that he's going to be back next season.  According to them, Fred will cut two million from his 6 million salary next season, and move into his backup role behind Maurice Jones-Drew.  Fred, according to Vic, gave him "a wink" that was code for "I'm retiring", but then changed his mind.  I, for one, am very much OK with that.  Fred Taylor needs to get 1,042 yards to pass Jim Brown and probably assure his place in the Hall of Fame.  It's awfully easy to argue someone's acceptance into Canton if you retort any criticism with "He ran for more yards than Jim Brown".

Speaking of Matt Jones, I heard that he had a conversation with Jack Del Rio as he left for his season-ending suspension that indcated that "this season was only the begining".  Matt's not known for being a terribly passionate guy, so this is something I'm looking forward to see develop over the offseason.

Mike Walker is finishing up what can only be described as the "Worst Week Ever", having buried his best friend and his father in the same few days.  He's playing today and will do so with a heavy heart.  Walker is going to need to show something positive in the last few weeks of the season, but if it's not today, I'll understand.

GO JAGUARS!!