The Jacksonville Jaguars are officially done with training camp for the 2011 NFL season. Opening day is only three weeks ago and we've learned a little bit about this team in the last few weeks.
- The Jaguars pass rush came into camp as a concern and it's still a concern. Austen Lane looked like a force early in camp, but disappeared in the first preseason game and was dominated by the Falcons tackles in their joint practice. Aaron Kampman's snaps are going to be reduced early on and late free agent pick up Matt Roth could likely start. It's still a big area of concern.
- The offensive line is more worrisome than it was coming into training camp. Eben Britton is dealing with back issues that forced him to have back surgery, he'll miss the entire preseason and is expected to start week 1, but I'll believe that when I see it. In his absence and with Kevin Haslam's season ending knee injury, the reserves in Guy Whimper and Daniel Baldridge haven't looked good. The Jaguars also lost Vince Manuwai and look to be starting a rookie. It's gone from a unit many expected to be improved to a unit that's a major concern.
- The Jaguars might have gotten their guy in rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. He's pushing veteran David Garrard for his job and could overtake him as the opening day starter. That of course has to play out, but it's a great sign for a rookie with only three weeks of practice.
- The Jaguars secondary has been improved by default, essentially.
- The Jaguars defense should be much better in 2011, but being much better than terrible shouldn't be that difficult.
- If Maurice Jones-Drew is slow to start, the Jaguars look like they've got a perfectly capable runningback in Rashad Jennings.
- Injuries continue to be a problem with the Jaguars. I'm not sure what could be done to solve it, but this team seems to just be snake-bitten with nagging injuries to some promising young players.
- Wide receiver is still a big question mark on the team, despite rookie Cecil Shorts looking like the real deal.
A lot of this stuff will play out over the rest of the preseason, but usually by this time you've got a pretty good idea of where you're at.