JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
2009 RECORD: 7-9-0
(4th in AFC South)
HEAD COACH: Jack Del Rio
Key Additions: DE Aaron Kampman (FA/Green Bay), LB Kirk Morrison (trade/Oakland), WR Kasim Osgood (FA/San Diego), LB Fred Kelaho (FA/Indianapolis)
Key Losses: WR Torry Holt (FA/New England), DE Quentin Groves (trade/Oakland), DT John Henderson (FA)
Offense: Quarterback David Garrard had an up and down season last year, throwing for 3,597 yards and 15 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Garrard also rushed for 323 yard and scored three touchdowns.
Maurice Jones-Drew is the halfback and after splitting time with Fred Taylor for three seasons, he broke out for 1,391 yards (4.5 ypc average) and scored 15 TD, and also caught 53 passes and had one touchdown grab. Rashad Jennings is the backup.
The wide receivers are a bit thin as Torry Holt bolted for New England after just one season with the Jaguars. Mike Sim-Walker is the top receiver for the Jags, as he had 63 catches for 869 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009.
Tight End Mercedes Lewis caught 32 passes for 518 yards and two scores. Mike Thomas is also available after making 48 catches last year. Troy Williamson is looking to come back from a shoulder injury and will likely start along with Sims-Walker.
The offensive line consists of center Brad Meester, guards Uche Nwaneri and Vince Manuwai and tackles Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe.
Defense: The Jaguars picked up veteran Aaron Kampman from the Green Bay Packers and he will start at defensive end along with Derrick Harvey and tackles Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton.
The linebackers are Kirk Morrison in the middle along with Daryl Smith and Fred Keiaho, who comes over from division rival Indianapolis.
The secondary got lit up quite a bit in '09 and safeties Anthony Smith and Gerald Alexander, along with corners Derek Cox (four interceptions) and Rashean Mathis (three INT) will look to improve the 27th ranked pass defense, which allowed 236 yards per game last year.
The fact the defense only had 14 sacks (ranked last in NFL) didn't help as opposing quarterbacks had all the time in the world to pick apart the Jacksonville secondary.
Overall, the Jags' defense allowed 352 yards per game in '09 and they need to improve on that.
OUTLOOK: Head Coach Jack Del Rio is one of those rumored to be on the 'hot seat' this season and being a former linebacker, would benefit from seeing his defense get back on track after a lackluster season in 2009.
Garrard needs to step up his game at quarterback as well for Jacksonville.
The team is solid with Jones-Drew running the football, but he can only do so much and the others around him have to help.
The Jaguars play in the AFC South, which is dominated by the Colts. After finishing in fourth place at 7-9 a year ago, can the Jags get it together and make a playoff push in 2010?
The answer is no as the team finishes fourth once again, going 6-10 and looking to make strides in the future.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Denver
Week 2- at San Diego
Week 3- vs. Philadelphia
Week 4- vs. Indianapolis
Week 5- at Buffalo
Week 6- vs. Tennessee
Week 7- at Kansas City
Week 8- at Dallas
Week 9- Bye Week
Week 10- vs. Houston
Week 11- vs. Cleveland
Week 12- at NY Giants
Week 13- at Tennessee
Week 14- vs. Oakland
Week 15- at Indianapolis
Week 16- vs. Washington
Week 17- at Houston
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