2009-2010 Jacksonville Jaguars 2009 Preview and Prediction

Last Season -

Jacksonville had a disappointing season in 2008 ending the year at 5-11 and 4th place in the AFC South. The Jaguars were just not impressive on either side of the ball. The defense was mediocre ranking right in the middle of the league. The offense struggled all year ranking towards the bottom half of the league averaging 310 yards per game of total offense. The Jaguars had a lot of problems finding running lanes for tailbacks Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. The running game consistently underachieved only be able to manage 109 yards of rushing as a team per game. The passing game appeared to be on the upswing behind quarterback David Garrard. Garrard had his best season behind center posting 3,620 total yards and 15 touchdowns. The running game will be a major focus heading into this season. If the Jaguars running game can compliment the passing, then they could have a lot of room for improvement. However, the defense will have to find a way to improve first and foremost.

Off-Season -

The Jaguars main objective heading into the off-season was to find some guys to toughen up the offensive line. Jacksonville believes in running back Maurice Jones-Drew and looked for ways to improve the offensive line that got beat up last season. Jacksonville exceeded all expectations during the NFL Draft. The Jaguars grabbed not one, but two very talented offensive linemen. Jacksonville grabbed what many experts considered the best offensive lineman out of this year’s stacked group of big men. The Jaguars drafted Eugene Monroe with the 8th overall selection. Monroe is an extremely powerful guy on the offensive front that has the possibility to be on the field in week 1. The former Virginia standout was listed as the number 1 offensive lineman on a few boards. Jacksonville not only captures Monroe, but they also roped in Eben Britton out of Arizona early in the 2nd round. Britton would have definitely been a first round pick if there were not so many big time offensive linemen in this year’s class. The Jaguars benefit from two rock solid players that could find themselves anchored down on the offensive front for some time. Jacksonville also added veteran wide receiver Torry Holt over the off-season. While Holt is not as good as he was earlier in his career, he should have no problem finding ways to get open with Garrard throwing him the football.

2009 Preview -

If you are a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, this year may not be the season you have been waiting for. However make no mistakes about it; the Jaguars are making the right moves to build a quality football team. The young offensive linemen need to develop fast if they are to improve the line in their first season. However, usually offensive lineman need a few years before they start really pushing defender backwards. Garrard could use some help if Jacksonville could somehow land a big time receiver. The Jaguars are loaded with young talent at the receiver position, but that too will need some time and just not convinced that Holt will be the veteran the group needs. Defensively the Jaguars have a long way to go to become the unit they need to become. However the program looks to be headed in the right direction, unfortunately we do not see any big chances this year.

2009 Preview -

The Jaguars start off by taking on Peyton Manning and the Colts in week 1 before returning home to take on the defending NFC Champions Arizona in week 2. However, the Jaguars do not have an extremely difficult schedule heading into 2009. If the Jaguars can simply take care of the games they are suppose to win, then they will be an improvement from last season. Jacksonville could gain a lot of momentum if they could get off to a quick start and if that were to happen the team could peak into the playoff picture. Jacksonville defense could hold them back from the post-season, but the offense has the capability of winning every weekend. We expect improvement, but how much is uncertain.

Pick - Tied for 3rd AFC South (7-9 overall) Read the rest of our NFL previews here.