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2013 Jacksonville Jaguars training camp preview: Defensive tackle

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle position will look completely different than it has in season's past, largely because virtually all of the players will be new and because they'll be of a different style due to Gus Bradley's defensive scheme. The Jaguars will be going away from collapsing the pocket from the interior with quicker defensive tackles and more towards holding the point and controlling the line of scrimmage.

The Players

Kyle Love
Ht 6-1 Wt: 315
Age: 26 Exp: 4
Start of Camp Status: Potential starter, one-technique

The Jacksonville Jaguars snagged Kyle Love off waivers when he was surprisingly released by the New England Patriots after his diabetes diagnosis. There's some debate if that was the actual reason, but regardless the Jaguars picked up a player who should be a Day 1 contributor to their defense.

Camp Outlook: Love will be battling Roy Miller for the No. 1 one-technique role, but both will likely be active and playing on game day.

Roy Miller
Ht 6-2 Wt: 310
Age: 26 Exp: 5
Start of Camp Status: Potential starter, one-technique

Roy Miller was originally a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had a solid time with the team, making his bones as a run stuffing one-technique on the Bucs line. He was snapped up by the Jaguars in free agency and is a fit in their new defensive system if he can stay healthy.

Camp Outlook: Miller will battle with Love for the starting one-technique position, but both will likely be rotating heavily on game day.

Sen'Derrick Marks
Ht 6-2 Wt: 294
Age: 26 Exp: 5
Start of Camp Status: Starter, three-technique

Marks was originally a second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in the 2009 NFL Draft and had an up and down career with the Titans, dealing with injuries starting only 26 games. Marks was signed by the Jaguars in free agency to compete for the starting three-technique role and so far has been impressing.

Camp Outlook: Marks should win the starting job in training camp and enter the season with the first team.

Brandon Deaderick
Ht 6-4 Wt: 305
Age: 25 Exp: 4
Start of Camp Status: Backup, three-technique

Deaderick, like Love, was claimed off waivers when he was released by the New England Patriots. Deaderick wasn't likely to make the Patriots final roster as they were overloaded at the position and making a transition to a more traditional 4-3 defense. Deaderick should compete for playing time at the three-technique and the five-technique defensive end position.

Camp Outlook: Deaderick is likely to be in the rotation at both defensive end and defensive tackle.

T.J. Barnes
Ht 6-7 Wt: 364
Age: 23 Exp: R
Start of Camp Status: Backup

The Jaguars picked up Barnes as an undrafted free agent following the 2013 NFL Draft. Barnes is a massive defensive tackle, but in college he still struggled to bend and hold the point of attack. If he can work on these issues he might have a role as a rotational run defender in the future.

Camp Outlook: Barnes is likely a candidate for the practice squad unless the team goes heavy (no pun intended) on the interior defensive line.

D'Anthony Smith
Ht 6-2 Wt: 300
Age: 25 Exp: 4
Start of Camp Status: Backup

The Jaguars originally drafted Smith in the third-round of the 2010 NFL Draft but has only played 101 total snaps for the team in the regular season, as he was active for 8 games in 2012. Smith tore his Achilles tendon in the team's first padded practice as a rookie and has spent his time on injured reserve in each of the past three seasons.

Camp Outlook: Smith enters camp as a starter, but I would be surprised if he made the final roster.

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