2010 RECORD: 8-8-0
(2nd in AFC South)
HEAD COACH: Jack Del Rio
Offense: David Garrard returns as the Jaguars' starting quarterback with rookie Blaine Gabbert (Missouri) waiting in the wings. Garrard had 2,734 yards passing with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions last season.
Maurice Jones-Drew (1,324 rushing yards, 4.4 ypc average, five touchdowns) is the man who will get the bulk of the carries for Jacksonville. Rashad Jennings (459, 5.5, four TD) showed some flashes last season and will get some touches again in 2011. The fullbacks are Greg Jones and Montell Owens.
The tight end is Mercedes Lewis, who hauled in 58 passes for 700 yards and ten touchdowns in 2010. He is a solid tight end who provides a big target over the middle.
The wideouts will be minus Mike Sims-Walker in 2011, who departed via free agency. However, Mike Thomas, who led the Jags with 66 catches for 820 yards and had four touchdowns, is back and will team with speedster Jason Hill (11 catches for a 22.5 ypc average and a touchdown in 2010) as the primary receivers. Kasim Osgood, Jarett Dillard and rookie Cecil Shorts will provide depth.
The offensive line has Brad Meester at center, Jason Spitz and Uche Nwaneri at guard and tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton.
Defense: This is a weak spot for the Jaguars and must improve if they want to have success in 2011.
After allowing 372 yards per game last year (28th in the NFL), including 250 yards passing per game, Jacksonville will look to fix that in the 2011 season.
The 4-3 look has Tyson Alualu and Terrnace Knighton at tackles and Aaron Kampman and Austen Lane at the ends. The linebackers are Paul Posluszny (newcomer from Buffalo), Clint Session and Daryl Smith. Kyle Bosworth, Russell Allen and Jacob Cutera are on hand as well.
The front seven has to get better at rushing the passer. In 2010, the Jags had only 26 quarterback sacks, which ranked them 30th overall.
The secondary picked off only 13 passes last season and was torched time and time again by the long pass.
Cornerback Derek Cox led the Jags with four interceptions and will line up along with Rashean Mathis in 2011. The safeties are Dawan Landry and Courtney Greene.
OUTLOOK: Improved defense is what will determine whether or not the Jaguars can get above the .500 level in 2011.
Head Coach Jack Del Rio was thought to be on the hot seat entering last season. The team got off to a good start, including a big win over the Colts and that helped save Del Rio's job. But Jacksonville sputtered down the stretch, losing their final three games and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
The offense is decent, especially running the football where the Jags ranked third in the NFL with 150 yards per game last season. The passing game will have to answer questions as the season rolls along, such as whether or not Garrard can stay healthy and if he cannot, will Gabbert be ready to take over?
A tougher schedule in 2011 won't make things easy and over taking Indianapolis in the AFC South is never easy.
Figure the Jaguars to finish 5-11 this season and look toward the future as they continue the rebuilding process.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Tennessee
Week 2- at NY Jets
Week 3- at Carolina
Week 4- vs. New Orleans
Week 5- vs. Cincinnati
Week 6- at Pittsburgh
Week 7- vs. Baltimore
Week 8- at Houston
Week 9- BYE WEEK
Week 10- at Indianapolis
Week 11- at Cleveland
Week 12- vs. Houston
Week 13- vs. San Diego
Week 14- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 15- at Atlanta
Week 16- at Tennessee
Week 17- vs. Indianapolis
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