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Every season a team comes from relative obscurity to have a great season and make a playoff run. In 2009 that team could be the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars slipped to an awful 5-11 last year but they made some nice off-season moves and could be poised to jump right back into the playoffs this season. Jacksonville is considered a longshot which makes them a nice value in NFL odds to win the Super Bowl as they are listed at 45-1.
The Jaguars really cleaned house in the off-season. They got rid of Fred Taylor, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Mike Peterson, Khalif Barnes, Paul Spicer, Jerry Porter, Drayton Florence and Gerald Sensabaughnees. What could also help the Jaguars make a big improvement this season is the pressure on head coach Jack Del Rio. The Jaguars also have a new defensive coordinator as Gregg Williams is gone, replaced by Mel Tucker.
The Jaguars finally did something about their poor receiving corps by getting Torry Holt in the off-season. He immediately makes their offense a lot better. He gives quarterback David Garrard the receiver he has needed for years. This is a make or break season for Garrard so the heat is on in Jacksonville. The Jags still have a very good running game led by Maurice Jones-Drew. He is a great runner and receiver and is the key player on offense. He led NFL running backs in receiving yards last year. Receivers looking to get playing time alongside Holt are Mike Walker, Troy Williamson and rookies Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard. Mercedes Lewis is a solid tight end. The offensive line should be a lot better in 2009. Three starters are back from injuries and the Jags took Eugene Monroe out of Virginia at #8 in the draft and they also got Eben Britton of Arizona. The team also signed free agent tackle Tra Thomas. Jacksonville is going to be a lot better on offense in 2009 with a healthy and talented offensive line.
The defense is a question mark for the Jags. Tackles John Henderson and Rob Meier are okay but nothing special while ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves don't excite you either. The linebackers are solid even without Peterson. Daryl Smith could be a start while Clint Ingram and Justin Durant should be in the mix. The secondary is led by cornerback Rashean Mathis who is back from injury. The problem for the Jags is they don't have much behind him. They are hoping draft pick Derek Cox can step in and play this year. They also picked up safety Sean Considine from the Eagles and they added Gerald Alexander and Marlon McCree. The Jaguars have a great kicker in Josh Scobee while Steve Weatherford is a solid punter.
