We continue our list of the Top-25 Jaguars of all-time. The comments on our #22 player, David Garrard, left me both amused, curious, and at times yelling obscenities at my computer screen. So all in all, the column was a complete success! As I somewhat expected, a record amount of people voted in the poll for this series, and with 225 votes at last count, exactly 50% of you felt #22 was the perfect fit for Garrard. Not odd when you consider how split this fanbase was and continues to be when discussing the former quarterback. As always, I appreciate the comments and votes, regardless of how moronic they can be.
Moving on to our player coming in at #21, we have our first current Jaguar on the list. Interested in seeing the reaction and response to his placement. Perhaps it's fitting we discuss his career today, given current events.
Let's roll....
#21. Josh Scobee, K, 2004-Present
Since being drafted by the Jaguars in 2004, Josh Scobee has made the franchise feel secure in the ever important facet of special teams, specifically in the field goal department. Before being drafted, the team spent nearly three years trying to find the successor to legendary kicker Mike Hollis. After being burned time and time again by the likes of Hayden Epstein, Jim Tarle, Richie Cunningham, and Danny Boyd, Scobee brought to the team a dependable kicker that could be relied on in crunch time to win games.
Throughout his career Scobee has been known best for being clutch when the situation called for it. In his rookie year, Scobee nailed a 53 yard field goal to beat the Indianapolis Colts for the team's first ever victory on the Colt's home field. Defeating the Colts with last minute heroics would become something of a trend for Scobee. In 2008, Scobee hit a 51 yard field goal to once again beat the Colts at their place, giving the Jags their first win of the season. Perhaps his most well known kick, from a local and national standpoint , was in 2010 when Scobee kicked a miraculous 59 yard field goal as time expired to again defeat Indianapolis, this time in front of the home fans of EverBank Field. Scobee has also been reliable in the team's post-season appearances since his arrival. Most notably, he hit the game winning field goal from 25 yards out to beat Pittsburgh, in the Jaguars only post-season victory since 1999. During the 2011 season, in a nationally televised Monday Night game, Scobee went a perfect 4/4 and tied a NFL record for most field goals made of 50+ yards in a game (3), and was the only offense in a 12-7 upset of the Baltimore Ravens at EverBank Field.
While his overall accuracy has been an issue at times, he's only a career 78.8% average on field goals attempted, generally speaking Scobee has been a consistent producer for a team that at times has struggled with point production in his time with the Jags.
When compared to Mike Hollis, who most fans revere as the best kicker in team history, Scobee more than holds his own. His career percentage of 70% from 50+ yards, is only a point behind Hollis' career 71% from that same distance. When it comes to kicks of distances between 40-49 yards, Scobee's career average of 71% edges out Hollis' 68%. Scobee surprisingly holds a substantial dominance over Hollis in career percentage from field goals attempted between 20-29 yards, with a commanding 98% career average, to Hollis' 87%. Where Hollis owns the advantage, however, is in the 30-39 yard range, averaging 86% made field goal attempts in his Jaguars career, to Scobee's 82%.
Scobee's big leg also has shown it's dominance in the field position department. He holds a team record with a career total of 145 touchbacks since '04, and his ability to keep opposing offenses pinned deep in their own territory on kickoffs, has helped spurn several top ten defenses in his time as a Jaguar. To put Scobee's touchback number in perspective, Mike Hollis is second in the franchise history...with 22.
What separates Scobee and Hollis, is Hollis' career accruacy (80.6%) and frankly Hollis' impact on the franchise's early successes, as well as his place in NFL history during his time as a Jag. Who knows if Scobee will come close to any of those milestones, but he surely belongs mentioned in the same breath as Hollis in Jaguars lore.
In 2012, providing he plays one way or another through an ongoing contract dispute with the team, Scobee is set to pass Hollis as the all-time leader for points scored in Jaguars history.
The Top 25 List:
#25. Aaron Beasley, CB, 1996-2001
#24. Bryan Barker, P, 1995-2000
#23. Donovin Darius, S, 1998-2006
#22. David Garrard, QB, 2002-2010
#21. Josh Scobee, K, 2004-Present