Anyone want to fill us in on the Jags?

[PATSNUTme]

I must admit that the Jags are a team that I know little about. For some reason, I have not seen any of their games this year.

OK, they have Mo Jones Drew, Gerrard, Henderson and Monroe but how do they match up against the Patriots. I'm assuming that they are a run first team but so were the Fins.

Here is their depth chart from the official team web site;

Jacksonville Jaguars Unoffial Depth Chart - jaguars.com

So who are these guys and what should we be looking for from them?

Discuss

 

[Patspsycho]

I must admit that the Jags are a team that I know little about. For some reason, I have not seen any of their games this year.

OK, they have Mo Jones Drew, Gerrard, Henderson and Monroe but how do they match up against the Patriots. I'm assuming that they are a run first team but so were the Fins.

Here is their depth chart from the official team web site;

Jacksonville Jaguars Unoffial Depth Chart - jaguars.com

So who are these guys and what should we be looking for from them?

Discuss

Off the top of my head I think they are more dangerous if Garrard is allowed to pass more than handing off to MJD. I remember reading somewhere that the Jaguars are not as good if MJD rushes for 95 or more yards.

I really hate playing against MJD because he is so small and hard to tackle. He is the RB version of Welker and you know our tackling hasn't been anything worth talking about lately, so I expect this to be a troubling area for us. I think they have the #2 ranked run line out of the AFC, or perhaps even the entire league.

They've had a solid OL, always been a big physical team, and you know Garrard can run, and is hard to bring down.

Their weakness is how well they prepare for games. You heard Taylor spill it out that they don't watch half the tapes that the Pats do and their preparations are likewise.

It'll be interesting to see how Taylor does against his former team.

 

[Feep50]

New England has a history of finishing off the Jag-Offs seasons. It will be the same thing this Sunday in Foxboro. Goodnight Olivia Del Rio, Cya Jag-Offs.

 

[Gwedd]

Interesting article by a Pro-Jaguar blogger:

Can the Jaguars finally get over thePatriots? - Big Cat Country

The comments are also very interesting.

 

[supafly]

The things that scare me about the JAX game is the fact that they are:

1. Very hungry, playing for their playoff lives. Seemed well enough prepared for the IND game, as they practically runied their perfect season.

2. Have had 10 days to prepare, can very well make a difference.

3. Have a good enough offense that they can cause us problems if we don't take them very seriously.

4. May have somewhat of a revenge factor, as NE has ended their season a few times in the past several years.

------

The things that make me feel better about the game are:

1. JAX is 2-6 against the spread, and 2-6 straight up in their past 8 on the road in the month of December.

2. NE has won 7 out of their past 8 vs. JAX, as they seem to have their number so to speak

3. NE has been playing better defense of late, and seem to have a nice homefield advantage this year.

4. NE should be playing tough, and making some pre-playoff preperations.

 

[SVN]

Off the top of my head I think they are more dangerous if Garrard is allowed to pass more than handing off to MJD. I remember reading somewhere that the Jaguars are not as good if MJD rushes for 95 or more yards.

I really hate playing against MJD because he is so small and hard to tackle. He is the RB version of Welker and you know our tackling hasn't been anything worth talking about lately, so I expect this to be a troubling area for us. I think they have the #2 ranked run line out of the AFC, or perhaps even the entire league.

They've had a solid OL, always been a big physical team, and you know Garrard can run, and is hard to bring down.

Their weakness is how well they prepare for games. You heard Taylor spill it out that they don't watch half the tapes that the Pats do and their preparations are likewise.

It'll be interesting to see how Taylor does against his former team.

have you seen any our pats wrap up a player in a tackle ?if they just tackle better then they could cause more issues to offenses instead of scheme. We must be one of the poor tackling teams in the league IMO.

 

[Patjew]

Why do I have a feeling we lose this game and then wrap up the AFCE with a win in Houston?

 

[upstater1]

Why do I have a feeling we lose this game and then wrap up the AFCE with a win in Houston?

Or a Miami loss this week.

Back into the playoffs at 9-7?

When we missed last year at 11-5?

 

[PATSNUTme]

Why do I have a feeling we lose this game and then wrap up the AFCE with a win in Houston?

Because you are paranoid?

This is a huge game for both teams and should be a hard fought close game.
However, I my feeling is the the Patriots have a comfortable win by 17+ points. I have not felt that way in a long time.

 

[Patjew]

Because you are paranoid?

Well, duh.

This is a huge game for both teams and should be a hard fought close game.
However, I my feeling is the the Patriots have a comfortable win by 17+ points. I have not felt that way in a long time.

That makes me even more nervous!

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Interesting article by a Pro-Jaguar blogger:

Can the Jaguars finally get over thePatriots? - Big Cat Country

The comments are also very interesting.

That's a great find. Thanks for posting it.

We're so focused here on Indy and the Steelers and the divisional rivals that I have to admit I just didn't realize how much hurt we had put on the Jaguars over the years.

I'm nervous with a capital Nervous about this game. For two reasons. The first is the obvious reason that they're a good team on ten days rest and hungry not only to make the Playoffs but to avenge a lot of history.

The second is that I think we'll win, but I'm anxious that we build momentum and do something like the Giants did to the Redskins on Monday. I'd like to see us put together two great halves on both sides of the ball for the first time this season. Come out of the game with a little of that old swagger back. Maybe even take it into Houston for a half or so. If we just slip quietly into the playoffs, I don't know how much we can expect in January.

BTW, the weather is forecast to be balmy for Foxboro in late December with temps in the 40's and a 50% chance of rain. Jacksonville gets its share of rain, so it doesn't like the weather will work that much to our advantage, though the rain might slow down their running game.

 

[Patspsycho]

Interesting article by a Pro-Jaguar blogger:

Can the Jaguars finally get over thePatriots? - Big Cat Country

The comments are also very interesting.

The players they still do have [on defense] are on the downside of their careers.

 

[McPoyle]

As an avid Jaguars fan I can tell you there is not much to worry about for NE fans. Our pass rush is by far the worst I have ever witnessed and this will prove to be advantageous for Brady and co. Look for Brady to break 300 yards in the 3rd quarter and expect him to complete about 80% of his passes. Brandon Marshall's single game catches record may be in trouble, as I see Welker picking us apart underneath all day loooooooooooong.

We are a pretty darn good team, but until we solve the pass rush quandary we are an atrociously team.(does that last sentence make sense?) Our o-line isn't a whole lot better. They have been pretty good in the run game, but they are as weak as it comes pass blocking up the middle. Our rookie tackles have actually played quite well this season, however the veteran interior of our line has been soft as mush.

I think we will be able to run on you guys consistently, however I don't think it will matter much as I see you guys running the ball with WW via 5 yard passes. This has been your guys' game plan against us in the past, and it was successful when we had a pass rush, should be deadly these days.

Also our safeties are pretty weak, Moss should be able to get open downfield no problem.

That being said, I certainly hope we steal one up in Mass from you guys, but if not, here is to you guys unceremoniously ousting the Colts from the play-offs.

 

[larryo]

So the Jags have two rookie tackles and an o line that has allowed 37 sacks and over 100 hits to the qb. Will we see more of the standing milling line to confuse the rookies?

Would the Pats do that if Wilfork and Warren are back or was that just because they were out?

 

[supafly]

So the Jags have two rookie tackles and an o line that has allowed 37 sacks and over 100 hits to the qb. Will we see more of the standing milling line to confuse the rookies?

Would the Pats do that if Wilfork and Warren are back or was that just because they were out?

I believe Belichick said that is was due to the change in personnel, but maybe it worked out a little better than he origianlly thought it would. Like many here, I wouldn't mind seeing it again in the right situation.

 

[Gwedd]

Yes indeed. The team has used that formation a number of times over the years, and it confuses both the other team, and the announcers. I like that formation and think it is quite useful from time to time.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Check my thread on the 5 keys to victory for in-depth insight and analysis on Jacksonville.

 

[larryo]

Yes indeed. The team has used that formation a number of times over the years, and it confuses both the other team, and the announcers. I like that formation and think it is quite useful from time to time.

Like to see the Pats get up by a couple of scores tomorrow and make them throw. Bring in the five and dime to bring the pressure and close it out. That would be an awesome ending to a great holiday weekend.

 

[jmt57]

Here's what's being discussed on the jaguars.com messageboard:

jaguars.com forum -- **OFFICIAL** We will beat the Pats thread - Jaguars Forum - a few Jaguar fans are thinking positively, convinced MJD will run for 200 yards because the Pats' defense is on the skids, and the team is in turmoil due to BB sending four players home for being late.

There's also a couple of jabs at ESPN (I think every NFL fan base hates them), as well as the media in general for not giving Jones-Drew enough love.

jaguars.com forum -- What is the weakest link on the team? - Jaguars Forum - Apparently the consensus is that the weak link on the Jacksonville team is their lack of a pass rush (where have we heard that before?), and the play of their defensive ends in particular.

jaguars.com forum -- WHY ARE MOST OF YOU TAKING SUCH OFFENSE TO WHAT FRED SAID? - Jaguars Forum - Sounds like Fred Taylor's comments touched a nerve with some and created a mini-controversy.

jaguars.com forum -- Del Rio Defends Garrard - Jaguars Forum - And there's a quarterback controversy within the fanbase.

 

[jmt57]

Jaguars quarterback David Garrard not blaming line for high number of hits | Jacksonville.com

I thought for sure Roethlisberger or Campbell were the most hit/sacked NFL quarterbacks, but apparently it's David Garrard that holds that honor. And similar to Roethlisberger, it sound like it is due in part to holding on to the ball too long before making a play.

The shots David Garrard takes don't just come from fans and the media.
It appears that opponents are teeing off on the quarterback, too.

The fifth-most sacked quarterback in the league (37), Garrard ranked second last season in quarterback hits (73), according to Football Outsiders and currently leads the league with 72 thus far this season (this statistic includes plays canceled by penalties, but not sacks).

"I've been told that I do have that number," Garrard said. "That's all right. I don't care. I know my offensive linemen are doing their best. I'm not like other quarterbacks where sometimes they will throw the ball away or they'll just get on the ground. I'm going to stand in there and try to take the shot and get the ball up at the same time. Your teammates respect you when you can do that."

Given the lack of much of a pass rush by the Pats this season coupled with Garrard's proclivity to hold onto the ball as long as possible, it's doubtful we'll see him pressured into making a bad decision. On the other hand if the Jacksonville offensive line is sub-par with their protection, perhaps the Pats will be able to get to Garrard on a few key plays.

Del Rio said the hits Garrard has taken are a combination of the quarterback's decision-making and the line's protection.

"When you're talking about a guy like Peyton [Manning], he's not getting hit, and part of that is the way he plays the position," Del Rio said. "He's not going to sit back there and take any of that. Some off it is on the line protection. Some of it is on David making quicker decisions, and where we can do more as a football team to help protect him, surround him with playmakers and help ourselves.