2011 NFL Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars

2010 Record: 8-8



Offense:



The lockout hurt the Jaguars, as Baline Gabbert wasn't able to get a lot of experience with their offense. That's actually ok I think in the long run, because I think it's better when these guys don't just get thrown in the fire. With Gabbert not starting that means Garrard will once again be the starter. Then again, Garrard has been fighting back problems, so I guess you never know. Whoever is behind center they are going to have a tough time. Jason Hill, and Mike Thomas are their best WRs, and that just isn't good for anyone. Sure Maurice Jones-Drew is pretty awesome, but I am starting to wonder when all these carries are going to start catching up with him.



Defense:



This was the 30th ranked defense in the NFL last year. They banked on Aaron Kampman being able to bounce back from a torn ACL last year. He had 4 sacks and then tore his ACL again, so they will once again be hoping he can bouce back. They did sign Matt Roth, who could be a nice player coming off the edge of the defense. Clint Session, and Paul Posluszny should give a linebacking core that let up the 3 most yards per carry in the NFL last year. Dawan Landry moves into the safety spot and he is an upgrade over anything they had.



Overall:



I have no idea how this team was 8-8 last year, but I'll give them credit they have improved, especially on defense. Problem is Jack Del Rio sucks, and this team overachieved last year.



2011 Record: 5-11

If LA Builds it, Will the NFL Come?

Los Angeles' City Council approved a plan for a privately funded $1.2 billion football stadium to be built adjacent to the Staples Center. The stadium would seat 70,000 and would likely be completed by 2016. The planners still need to endure the environmental permit procedure. And of course, they need a team.

It's ridiculous that there's no NFL football in LA, and hasn't been for 17 years. It's the second largest media market in the country.

Then again, it's not like the people of LA don't watch NFL football on the television. And the NFL does get most of its revenues from TV. One of the problems with LA is that fans don't show up unless the team is winning. Not just competitive. The team has to be good enough so that it becomes the cool thing for people to do.

There are candidates to go West. The Vikings, who have stadium issues and would ironically be following in the Lakers' foot-steps. The Bills. The Jaguars. I think it should be the Jags. It's kind of silly to have a pro sports team in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are a decently competitive team that can't fill its own stadium.

You have to move a team that can make the playoffs out to LA. The Bills would become the Clippers if they go to California. The Vikings or Jaguars would at least generate some excitement.

Photo Credit:
HO - Reuters

-The Commodore

Patriots 47, Jaguars 12

I have to admit, I've never been more excited for a pre-season opener than I was last night. Maybe because just a month ago, we had no idea if this game would even be played.

Then the game started and reality sunk in. This is the first game of the pre-season and it doesn't matter much. Brady didn't play a snap, neither did Welker, Branch, Ochocinco, Wilfork, McCourty, Mayo. This was a game to evaluate other players. As Belichick said after "We didn’t rest anybody. There were players that we wanted to see play, and we looked at them and we let them play."

Some did well, some didn't. Taylor Price caught 5 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. He's been having a very good training camp and looks to have the inside track for the 4th spot on the WR depth chart.

Andover, MA native and utility man Buddy Farnham made an interception. He's listed as a receiver, but he's one of those guys that can do multiple things. Will he make the team? That might be tough, but he's definitely in that Belichick mold.

Darius Butler and Jonathan Wilhite were both heavily evaluated last night, playing deep into the 4th quarter. That's not a good sign for either guy. Neither played well, neither has played well in their tenure in Foxborough, and I wouldn't be shocked if one of these guys gets cut before the regular season started.

Aaron Hernandez caught 6 passes but wound up fumbling twice. That's not a good way for him to get playing time in the future, considering he has Gronkowski to compete with.

Overall, it was the Jaguars, it was pre-season. We already know the Patriots have a pretty good team. Some of the details have to be figured out by the coaches, such as the #4 WR spot, such as what to do with Butler and Wilhite.

But wasn't it nice to see some football, after an off-season that was more about legal proceedings than the game?

Pre-season game #2 is next Thursday night at Tampa Bay.

-The Commodore