2009 NFL Predictions: Jacksonville Jaguars

Written August 22, 2009 by Nick Scarpa

jacksonville-jags-predictions-2009 For the Jacksonville Jaguars to return to the playoffs they will need for their team chemistry and defense to raise up a few notches after falling on their faces in a 5-11 2008 campaign. Change was necessary and Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio has brought in plenty of new faces and a new defensive coordinator. The key on the offensive side of the football will be for the O-Line to keep panicky QB David Garrard’s jersey clean. Del Rio is under the gun to produce results now or else he could have another occupation very soon. Even with the necessary changes made the nasty defense that helped the Jags early in Del Rio’s tenure is not the same. Look for Jacksonville to sputter to a 6-10 finish in the rugged AFC South.

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Jacksonville’s passing game is of the dink and dunk variety with a ball-control styled in QB David Garrard. Garrard is a durable and athletic player but he is not much of a leader and has limited field vision. Garrard does not have an elite wideout corps that is going to put defenders on their heels without a true difference maker. Jacksonville lost their all-time leading rusher in Fred Taylor last season and will rely mostly on RB Maurice Jones-Drew to power the offense. Jones-Drew is a punishing runner that has excellent hands out of the backfield but has durability and fumbling issues. The O-Line was awful last year but some strong acquisitions should solidify the unit.

Last year Jacksonville ranked 21st in points allowed and showed weaknesses across the board. The Jaguars area smash-mouth team that depends on it’s defenders to keep games low-scoring. Now a leadership void must be filled at MLB with the loss of Mike Peterson. Peterson’s replacement Daryl Smith is a quality player but it remains to be seen if he can fill the leadership void created. OLB Justin Durant is an awesome athlete that needs to turn the corner in his mental game to help this sagging unit. Jacksonville still has a playmaking big man in the middle with DT John Henderson but the loss of run-stuffing DT Marcus Stroud next to him has made a major negative impact. FS Reggie Nelson is a difference maker in the secondary but this unit is mediocre as a whole. Jacksonville has a decent kicking game but may feel the impact of Jones-Drew relinquishing his return duties.

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