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AFC South breakdown - Jacksonville Jaguars
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AFC South – Jacksonville Jaguars – 2007 Record 11-5: 2nd place AFC South
The Jacksonville Jaguars have earned a lot of respect the past two seasons and by all accounts this team is ready to make a run at the perennial AFC South Champion Colts. They are driven by their hard nose coach, Jack Del Rio and play a smash mouth game which served them well last year.
Make no mistake, this team knows they have to take out Indy to make the next step and it was proven in this year’s draft. The Jags gave up four draft choices to take two players who they hope will disrupt Peyton Manning and the Colts. Not to mention, all roads to the Super Bowl run through New England and after watching the Giants demolish Tom Brady, Jacksonville used all its resources to take defensive ends in the draft.
Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves were both selected in the first 52 picks of the draft but still might lack that big play guy (see Justin Tuck against Brady) to strike fear in the high powered AFC.
On offense, coordinator Kirk Koetter goes with a play-action passing attack with a heavy emphasis on the run. With franchise player Fred Taylor and bruiser Maurice Jones-Drew handling the running load and David Garrard another year mature after taking over the starting duties, this offense should be good. Garrard finished third in passer rating and rewarded the Jags faith in him with a solid season. The addition of Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson addressed a big need at wide receiver which should only bolster their attack.
Defensively, Gregg Williams knows his unit will have to attack the quarterback to make big strides this season. In 2007, the Jags glaring weakness was the inability to get pressure and they hope their draft picks can be the piece to fit that puzzle. The secondary should be an upgrade after bringing in free agent Drayton Florence and fifth-round pick Trae Williams from South Florida. There are still questions along the line with regards to age and injuries so keep your eye on that area of the defense.
Prediction: 2nd AFC South
Playoffs: This team is capable of making some noise in the postseason. Look for at least one win as a wild card team.
