How the Arizona Cardinals match-up with: the Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 2)

Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 

Week 2 - @Jacksonville, Jacksonville Stadium
Sunday, Sept. 20th, 1:00 PM ET, FOX

All-time series: Jacksonville 2 - Arizona 0
Last 10 games: Jacksonville 2 - Arizona 0

Interesting Stat: In two games, Jacksonville has outscored Arizona 68-27

Quarterback
Jaguars - Let's just say that if David Garrard gets injured for any amount of time, the Jags are in big trouble.  After releasing Cleo Lemon so they didn't have to pay a back-up quarterback $3 million a year to ride the pine, the Jaguars were left with, well, nothing.  Todd Boeckman didn't even play that much in college, nonetheless the pros, and Todd Bouman is 106 years old.  To make matters worse, Garrard's not even all that good.
Cardinals - If you ask me if I want Garrard or Warner, I pick Warner.  If you ask me if I want Garrard or Leinart, I pick Leinart.
Edge: Cardinals, because their back-up is better than the Jags starter.

Running Back
Jaguars - Much like the quarterback position, the Jaguars are sparse at running back.  This being the first year in a good while that the Jacksonville fans won't be able to see Fred Taylor on the field, Maurice Jones-Drew will have to become a 30-carry back for the first time as well.  The question then becomes, "Can he do it?"  I think he can, but as is the case with most shared-carry backs that move into the featured roll, I expect his production (per carry) to go down.  If a solid back-up can be found in rookie Rashad Jennings, Alvin Pearman, or Chauncey Washington, there is a chance the run game won't suffer the loss of Taylor too much...but don't count on it.
Cardinals - "Lean" and "Mean," Tim Hightower and Chris "Beanie" Wells. have huge potential, but as you will hear me reiterate again and again before the season starts, they are wholly unproven.  Potential in no way equals production and I cannot in good objective standards annoint them...yet.
Edge: Jaguars, if Maurice Jones-Drew stays healthy.

Wide Receiver
Jaguars - Another trouble area for the Jaguars, although landing veteran Torry Holt does help matters at least.  Without Holt, this write-up would be very easy: they're bad.  However, there is a lot of youth here, and like the Cardinals run game, has a lot of potential.  Reggie Williams was solid last year, but not mind-blowing (he didn't have over 55 yards in any game last year) and he's no longer with the team; Mike Thomas was a stud at the University of Arizona and should see playing time quickly if he pays attention in training camp; the other Mike, Mike Walker, had some games last year that looked promising, so he could easily become Garrard's second or third option; and the rest will be figured out in the pre-season, with the young receivers battling it out (all with a chance to play).
Cardinals - This comparison is kind of sad, really.  I mean, c'mon, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston vs. Holt, Williams, and Thomas?  Let's just say that if you add all the receiving yards of the wide receivers currently on the Jaguars roster (not counting Jones-Drew, a running back), it is less than Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin by themselves.
Edge: Cardinals, with no explanation needed.

Tight End
Jaguars - Marcedes Lewis really wasn't all that bad last year and in my opinion, was under-utilized.  The Jaguars have almost as many tight ends on their roster as the Cardinals and needless to say, like the Cardinals, they're trying to figure this thing out.
Cardinals - If Stephen Spach doesn't become the main tight end, I'll be worried.  Ben Patrick and Leonard Pope just aren't consistent enough.
Edge: Draw, with an asterix to wait until the regular season for an answer.

Offensive Line
Jaguars - Unlike the 49ers, the Jaguars jumped head first into fixing their weak offensive line, and they did a phenomenal job - Eugene Monroe is a monster and Eben Britton can hang with the best of them.  This is a tough group to measure accurately because they were so devastated with injuries last year, but you can be sure that it will improve.  In fact, as important a piece as the offensive line is in football, if this group can gel quickly, their improved play could have an all-around effect, from Garrard on down.  I believe the Jaguars will rise or fall based on the performance at this position, so watch their development closely.  Also, be glad the Cardinals are playing them early in the season since they should steadily improve as the season rolls on.
Cardinals - Again, this is one of my groups to watch throughout training camp because of the talent here (and because there were too many dumb mistakes made last year), but overall the Cardinals are pretty stout.  Their five starters played together in every single game last year and they know each other well.  I don't expect much drop off here and since they were already playing at a high level, I expect big things.
Edge: Cardinals, but it's close.

Defensive Line
Jaguars - You have to go 62 spots to find a Jaguar on the sacks statistics sheet and that lone man is veteran Reggie Hayward.  The next one on the list is second-year player and last year's number one draft pick, Derrick Harvey, at 88.  This group needs to step it up in the pass rush department big time.  They did, however, do an okay job at stopping the run last year and with a little more experience, could be even better this year.  Against the Cardinals, though, you need to be able to do more than stop the run.
Cardinals - Bertrand Berry and Darnell Dockett help to make up what is to be a very solid line yet again this year.  Antonio who?  I expect no drop off in production.  In fact, Darnell Dockett wants a contract extension, so he's going to be playing at the top of his game to make sure he gets paid.
Edge: Cardinals, as I expect two pro-bowlers to come from the line this year.

Linebacker
Jaguars - Maybe one of the most experienced positions on the field for the Jaguars, if the defense is going to be able to stop anyone, this group has to step-up and answer the bell.  Just as the Jacksonville offense will be heavily decided by the success of the offensive line, so will the defense by the linebackers.
Cardinals - Karlos Dansby is a stud and Gerald Hayes can make opponents suffer, but the Cardinals really need Cody Brown to find his way onto the field for the linebacking corps to really be strong.
Edge: Cardinals, which says a lot since this is the best part of the Jaguars defense.

Secondary
Jaguars - There were only two teams that allowed more passing touchdowns than the Jaguars last year and one of them was the Cardinals.  Unfortunately for the Jaguars, they don't have the kind of offensive fire-power that the Cards have.  In conclusion, a pass-happy Cardinals team will be meeting a very soft secondary.  Uh oh.
Cardinals - There is way more talent in this group than the statistics showed last year and there's no way they allow the same number of touchdowns this season.  DRC already has a year under his belt (one very amazing year) and this season will have some help from his clone, rookie Greg Toler.  Partner those two with Antrel Rolle and Adrian Wilson roaming the middle of the field and there is a ton of athleticism in this secondary.
Edge: Cardinals, in a close one.

Special Teams
Jaguars - Josh Scobee kicked the ball out of bounds three times off of kick-offs and made an abysmal 76% of his field goals.  Oddly, though, he was 4 for 5 over 50 yards.  As for punting, well, the Jaguars had to use both of their punters last year due to Adam Podlesh's season-ending injury, and neither one was great.  On kick and punt returns, however, Brian Witherspoon was better than average, and if he can hold on to the ball (he fumbled a total of four times on returns), this could be a nice shiny cog in Jacksonville's game.
Cardinals - Unless Ben Graham suddenly gets super powers, the Cardinals punt game will continue to be toilet worthy, and Neil Rackers wasn't exactly flawless last year.  As far as kick and punt returns are concerned...well, let's see...who do we go with this year?  Breaston, who was fast, but clumsy at times?  Or maybe Toler or DRC, both who have lightning fast speed?  This will be a fun one to watch come training camp.
Edge: Jaguars, but that could change come season's start.

Overall
Jaguars - It again comes down to key positions for this comparison, as quarterback, wide receiver, and the secondary are all suffering from off-season losses and lack of talent for the Jaguars.  Drafting a couple of strong offensive linemen was a great place to start to rebuild this team, so I give the Jaguars front office credit there.  Unfortunately for Jacksonville fans, it's going to take awhile for this rebuilding process to become complete.  Here's the silver-lining: if the Jaguars lose enough games, they can score a top-flight quarterback from the draft next year, which will be badly needed after Garrard once again under-performs.
Cardinals - Kurt Warner is back with a vengeance and he's got some great weapons to throw to.  If Wells truly becomes what the Cardinals hope he can be and the offensive line stays healthy, this offense is going to be a lot of fun to watch.  In fact, if the defense wasn't as good as I think it's going to be, I still wouldn't be worried.  I expect the Cardinals to put up almost 30 points a game.

Week 2 (pre-training camp) prediction: Cardinals 32 - Jaguars 10

Other weekly opponent breakdowns:
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers - Weeks 1 and 14
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts - Week 3
Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans - Week 5
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks - Weeks 6 and 10
Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants - Week 7
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers - Week 8
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears - Week 9
Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams - Weeks 11 and 16
Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans - Week 12

For More Jacksonville Jaguars Analysis:
Jacksonville Jaguars Examiner