DON'T JUMP ON JAGS 8/13/03
Stephen Nover
Can anyone tell me how the Jacksonville Jaguars can possibly win more than seven games this season?
That's Jacksonville's regular season 'over/under' win total at Olympic sports book. I can't see the Jaguars winning more than four games. When it's all said and done, the Jaguars could be the worst team in the AFC.
Yes, worse even than the second-year Houston Texans.
Do you doubt this? OK, let's examine Jacksonville. The Jaguars had trouble stopping the run and lacked a consistent pass rush. The offense looks even worse.
Mark Brunell, who has slowed to a crawl, is fading quickly. First-round draft choice Byron Leftwich finally ended a 19-day holdout. Wide receiver Jimmy Smith has lost a step and there's little behind him. So desperate were the Jaguars for another wide receiver, they opened their checkbook for perennial underachiever J.J. Stokes. They would have been better off with J.J. Walker.
Fred Taylor is Jacksonville's only playmaker and threat. However, Taylor can't stay healthy. He's already missed the past two weeks with a bone bruise on his knee. The Jaguars' revamped and unsettled offensive line never will be able to keep the brittle Taylor in one piece. Unlike last year, there is not a proven back to replace Taylor because Stacey Mack has moved to Houston.
Sometimes you have to sink to the bottom before you can start to be good again. That's going to be the case with Jacksonville. Not only do the Jaguars have a first-year head coach in Jack Del Rio, but they are also breaking in new offensive and defensive coordinators. So it figures there's going to be an adjustment period.
The Jaguars also must find a place-kicker. Their kicking game was so poor last year that the team was forced to pass on any field goals longer than 33-yards. A rookie is currently the leading place-kicking contender.
Jacksonville has already had defensive injuries. Several linemen are hurt, including Tony Brackens, who may be out a while. The Jaguars' big off-season signing was defensive end Hugh Douglas. Sadly, though, Douglas reported out of shape.
If all this isn't enough, the Jaguars have had major distractions in training camp. Besides Leftwich holding out, three players had to be rushed to the hospital because of heat stroke problems.
During the eight years Tom Coughlin was Jacksonville’s coach, the club never had a player go down with a heat-related illness. Coughlin may have been a stern taskmaster, but his coaching acumen and experience are going to be missed.
The Jaguars' schedule has them opening as a 'dog on the road to Carolina where they might have trouble breaking double-digits against an excellent Panthers' defense.
The Jaguars could win their second game at home against Buffalo, although the Bills certainly look improved. Road games at Indianapolis and Houston are next before the team returns home to meet San Diego and Miami.
The squad might defeat the Texans and Chargers, but I have my doubts if it can win on the road against Houston.
Looking at it very optimistically, that would be three wins heading into the team’s bye week. Games against Tennessee, at Baltimore, Indianapolis and at Tennessee follow, and I don't see any victories there.
The schedule continues with a road game against the Jets and home games against Tampa and Houston. Figure the Jaguars to beat the Texans at home, although Taylor could be on injured reserve by that time and an inexperienced body may be at quarterback.
The Jaguars close the season on the road against New England, at home versus New Orleans and at Atlanta. That means maybe a win against the Saints.
So, the best case scenario for the Jaguars is five victories. And that's being generous.
Stephen Nover
Can anyone tell me how the Jacksonville Jaguars can possibly win more than seven games this season?
That's Jacksonville's regular season 'over/under' win total at Olympic sports book. I can't see the Jaguars winning more than four games. When it's all said and done, the Jaguars could be the worst team in the AFC.
Yes, worse even than the second-year Houston Texans.
Do you doubt this? OK, let's examine Jacksonville. The Jaguars had trouble stopping the run and lacked a consistent pass rush. The offense looks even worse.
Mark Brunell, who has slowed to a crawl, is fading quickly. First-round draft choice Byron Leftwich finally ended a 19-day holdout. Wide receiver Jimmy Smith has lost a step and there's little behind him. So desperate were the Jaguars for another wide receiver, they opened their checkbook for perennial underachiever J.J. Stokes. They would have been better off with J.J. Walker.
Fred Taylor is Jacksonville's only playmaker and threat. However, Taylor can't stay healthy. He's already missed the past two weeks with a bone bruise on his knee. The Jaguars' revamped and unsettled offensive line never will be able to keep the brittle Taylor in one piece. Unlike last year, there is not a proven back to replace Taylor because Stacey Mack has moved to Houston.
Sometimes you have to sink to the bottom before you can start to be good again. That's going to be the case with Jacksonville. Not only do the Jaguars have a first-year head coach in Jack Del Rio, but they are also breaking in new offensive and defensive coordinators. So it figures there's going to be an adjustment period.
The Jaguars also must find a place-kicker. Their kicking game was so poor last year that the team was forced to pass on any field goals longer than 33-yards. A rookie is currently the leading place-kicking contender.
Jacksonville has already had defensive injuries. Several linemen are hurt, including Tony Brackens, who may be out a while. The Jaguars' big off-season signing was defensive end Hugh Douglas. Sadly, though, Douglas reported out of shape.
If all this isn't enough, the Jaguars have had major distractions in training camp. Besides Leftwich holding out, three players had to be rushed to the hospital because of heat stroke problems.
During the eight years Tom Coughlin was Jacksonville’s coach, the club never had a player go down with a heat-related illness. Coughlin may have been a stern taskmaster, but his coaching acumen and experience are going to be missed.
The Jaguars' schedule has them opening as a 'dog on the road to Carolina where they might have trouble breaking double-digits against an excellent Panthers' defense.
The Jaguars could win their second game at home against Buffalo, although the Bills certainly look improved. Road games at Indianapolis and Houston are next before the team returns home to meet San Diego and Miami.
The squad might defeat the Texans and Chargers, but I have my doubts if it can win on the road against Houston.
Looking at it very optimistically, that would be three wins heading into the team’s bye week. Games against Tennessee, at Baltimore, Indianapolis and at Tennessee follow, and I don't see any victories there.
The schedule continues with a road game against the Jets and home games against Tampa and Houston. Figure the Jaguars to beat the Texans at home, although Taylor could be on injured reserve by that time and an inexperienced body may be at quarterback.
The Jaguars close the season on the road against New England, at home versus New Orleans and at Atlanta. That means maybe a win against the Saints.
So, the best case scenario for the Jaguars is five victories. And that's being generous.
