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Dillard/Van Slyke/Jacksonville Jaguars
Former Rice Owl All-American receiver Jarett Dillard is now in position to make his presence felt as a rookie receiver with the Jacksonville Jaguars. One reason---the Jaguars, on last Friday, traded 10-year veteran receiver Dennis Northcutt to Detroit for Safety, Gerald Alexander, leaving what was Northcutt's slot position wide open.
Northcutt had good numbers while with the Jaguars. He caught 88 passes for 1,146 yards and six touchdowns over 29 games. He also contributed as a return man. Northcutt signed a five-year contract worth $17.5 million that included a $4.5 million signing bonus as a free-agent back in 2007.
According to published reports, and really the short of it---the Jaguars didn't feel that Northcutt was that much better than the current crop of young talented receivers selected in this year's draft and decided to part ways saving them, what would have been, his 2009 salary of $2.75 million.
The current Jaguar veteran receivers
Former St. Louis Rams receiver Torry Holt and Mike Walker are, more than likely, going to be the starting outside receivers---at least heading into training camp. Walker, in his third season out of Central Florida, played in nine games last season and caught 16 passes for 217 yards and no touchdowns. He's also had numerous knee problems.
Interestingly enough, the 2008-09 receiving corp of Matt Jones, Jerry Porter, Reggie Williams, and Northcutt are no longer with the team. They accounted for half of the teams catches and 8 of the 15 touchdown receptions.
The Young Guns
One of the three, Mike Thomas out of Arizona, Tiquan Underwood from Rutgers, or Jarett Dillard from Rice, will emerge as a special talent and a surprise sleeper this season. The bigger question is which of the three will make a really good slot receiver?
Unless the Jaguars decide to add another veteran receiver and they could, I am putting my money on Dillard. Is that a real surprise? No! After watching what he did as a Rice Owl? No! After reading how impressed the coaches are with how he performs on the field? No!
The numbers and accomplishments speak for themselves. The two-time All-American finished his career as the most productive receiver in NCAA football history leading the nation wih 20 touchdown catches in 2008 and becoming the FIRST to catch more than 20 touchdowns in two seasons. Dillard also became the first player in Conference USA History to top 4,000 yards finishing with 4,138. He became Rice's first All-American since Buddy Dial in 1958.
Dillard and former Rice Owl record breaking quarterback, Chase Clement hold the NCAA career record for most touchdown passes between the same passer and receiver with 51. Dillard graduated from Rice in May 2008 with a degree in Political Science.
Dillard might have a chip on his shoulder
According to Deryk Gillmore, Dillards agent and former Penn State Nittany Lion, Jarett will be motivated even more when training camp starts. "He wants an opportunity to get on the field and show the people of Jacksonville why they drafted him."
Gillmore added "he's holds the NCAA record in touchdown receptions and I think he feels that people didn't give him the same recognition and I agree as a lot of the big time receivers that came out this year in the draft that went in the first round. So any opportunity that gives him an opportunity to showcase his skills and get on the field, he's looking forward to."
"He knows he's going to have to compete against the other rookies that are coming in because they are a great class of rookies as a whole and he's just excited to get that opportunity and looking forward to show people what he can do."
Chance to start?
Dillard is currently participating in the NFL Rookie Symposium. The event is designed to indoctrinate rookies to the lifestyle of the NFL. Following the symposium, Dillard will spend a few days in San Antonio before catching a flight back to Jacksonville to continue with his off-season conditioning program. Meanwhile, we further explore the chances of Dillard starting in the slot or getting significant playing time. Gillmore says, it's a waiting game.
"I think right now, when you're in, what we call underwear football mode, when you haven't put any pads on or haven't had a chance to really compete, I think it's too early to tell where anybody's going to be at. Jacksonville is the type program that is looking for people to come in and compete and win jobs."
"I don't think people thought Maurice Jones-Drew was going to come in and be the star. Although, I did because I coached against him while I was at the University of Oregon. But, I think just like he had the opportunity to come in and do great things, I think Jarett will get that opportunity too."
Meanwhile, we all watch and wait.
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