The Jaguars' season now is squarely in our rear view mirror, and we can take an honest look at what we're dealing with. Let me start by drawing a contrast between Chris and myself, I don't see us rebuilding, I see us reloading. The overall strength of our roster is good, and our young players are developing quite nicely. I'll focus on the defense, and touch on the glaring need for a LT now, and the offense will be next.

We need a strong LT to keep Garrard upright; that has got to be priority number one. This is the hardest position to fill besides QB, but our spot as the number 8 overall pick puts us in prime position to draft one of the few OT who can come in and start from the beginning, so we should be able to solve that issue. Another option is to tie up a LT in free agency as a stop-gap while the LT we draft learns. That would also free us up to trade away the number eight pick and grab a linemen farther back who may need some polish before they're ready to shut down DE's. 

We need a STRONG Safety. The Brian Williams experiment is over, and he's no Bob Sanders (despite what Vic says). Gerald Sensabaugh will likely leave in free agency and if that happens, then SS jumps up the board as a major need for the team. Reggie Nelson is a speed and coverage guy, not a run stuffer. Brian Williams is more of a pass defender then a run stuffer too, meaning we need another Sammy Knight (only younger and faster... and capable of covering TE's). 

After thinking about it, I don't think we have to draft another CB. Next year we'll have Mathis, Williams, Florence, and Scott Starks. Most of these players are proto-typical cover two corner-backs (minus Scott Starks... he has the speed to play man-to-man against most), and I expect we'll see a major improvement when the team returns to this style of defense. Our two DE's should help bring pressure next year and that will help the CB's immensely. 

Our Defensive line really only needs an interior run-stuffer, a position best filled through the draft. I wouldn't be surprised to see Big John traded in a fashion similar to Stroud. He has a very high cap number and hasn't produced up to his contract in the last 2 years. Some of you may remember that he missed countless practices last season due to "personal problems", and it was expected that he would return to form this season. However, that hasn't been the case and he has struggled at times. He has played well over the last month though (The Jags shut down their opponents' running game the last 4 contests of the year), which may increase his trade value, or prompt the team to give him another season. On the whole, his performance has been unsatisfactory for the last two years.

ROB (don't call me Seth) Meier hasn't played as well as he did last year prior to penning an extension. Derek Landri has played great, but he still isn't strong enough to be a force in the run-game. He's got a great ability to pressure to QB from the DT spot though, something that many interior linemen can't do. He was clearly an excellent 5th round pick, and you have to love anyone that comes out of Notre Dame.

Don't forget about our mammoth of a "jar on the shelf" Theo Horracks. He spent the season on IR, but he is a huge run-stopping DT we signed as a UDFA and holds a lot of promise. Our interior DT's must be our focus! If Terrence Cody comes out (which I'm betting he will) then I would have no problem trading back a few spots to try and draft him. Stop the run and run the ball... that's how you win.

Reggie Hayward has been one of the team's top performers at DE and has built a solid rapport with rookie DE Derrick Harvey. Hayward will undoubtedly be back both for his tutelage of Harvey, and his ability to play run or pass. Paul Spicer hasn't played as well this season either, but his versatility (he can play DE or DT) will get him another year. 

Harvey and Groves are developing quite well, and Derrick Harvey has actually been performing much better than most have given him credit for. As of Dec.12 he was only one behind Dwight Freeney and tied with Mario Williams in QB pressures. This was prior to his last three games, including the game against Baltimore where he registered 2 sacks.

AFC South QB pressures (with sacks)

Dwight Freeney, 25 (9.5)
Mario Williams, 24 (11)
Derrick Harvey, 24 (1.5)
Tony Brown, 21 (3.5)
Paul Spicer, 20 (3.5)
Albert Haynesworth, 19 (8.5)
Kyle Vanden Bosch, 18 (4.5)*
Reggie Hayward, 17 (1.5)
Rob Meier, 17 (2)
Jevon Kearse, 15 (2.5)
Robert Mathis 14, (11.5)

So, maybe some of you have been a little to hard on the guy, blaming him for the team's failures when he has been improving by leaps and bounds. Need more convincing? Read This.

Reggie Hayward had this to say about Harvey's development.

"He has the ability to be a great player," fellow starting defensive end Reggie Hayward said. "He's learning to let the game come to him instead of trying to force things."

"He used to be really quiet in the start, but now he's asking questions," Hayward said. "He's evolving his game. I don't mean physically, because he's already there. I mean he's evolving mentally. The game's starting to slow down for him."

Harvey admits that he may have forced his play a bit during the start of the season.

It is evident that Harvey is beginning to feel at ease with the team. He's got a mentor in Hayward and he is asking lots of questions, which highlights his desire to improve. I have no doubt that he will continue his strong push from the end of this season into next year. If he can continue to create pressure, it opens up all the possibilities of our defense. A new co-ordinator is going to walk into a very talented defense next season and I can't wait.

-Collin

Vernon is a 5th year OT who plays for the Miami Dolphins. He is currently playing RT, although he had a successful stint at LT in 2007 allowing only 3 sacks on the year. He was moved to RT this season to make room for the first overall pick, Jake Long to play LT.

This season he has only allowed 3.5 sacks and has been a big part of the Dolphins rushing attack thus far. However, Carey could be playing his last game as a dolphin tomorrow if the team loses to the Jets and misses the playoffs. Although the team has expressed interest in resigning him, it is unlikely that they will give him the 25-30 million he wants. The Jags could sign Carey to a lucrative deal and have their long-term LT. He would still come cheaper than many career LT's, and his success at the position in 2007 makes him less of a gamble. 

His character is impeccable, he has been involved in off the field charity activities since he began his career. He was the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP as well as being the Dolphins nominee for the NFL's Man of the Year award. He is a class act all around and I've posted a list of his various charitable endeavors below.

-Collin 

Community Activities

» Miami Dolphins Annual Holiday Toy Celebration
» Kids & Fins Publix Shopping Spree
» Souper Bowl of Caring Events
» Hosted his own turkey giveaway in Liberty City, donating hundreds of turkeys to the residents of his old neighborhood
» Adopted Brownsville Middle School in 2007 where he and his wife mentor twenty children at the school and take part in monthly activities with the kids. The Carey's bring the children on monthly field trips, provide holiday gifts for them, and participates in their field day
» Vernon also hosts 22 different children from Brownsville at every home game each season
» Miami Dolphins Foundation Fishing Tournament
» Make-A-Wish Sports Banquet

Community Honors

» 2007 Co-winner of the Nat Moore Community Service Award

I was re-watching the game against Green Bay last week and made a few observations I thought deserved mention. The Jaguars clearly are playing to win, and that is a huge statement considering the letdown this season has become. Forget that trash about tanking to get a good draft pick. Just ask Herm Edwards why you play the game. I bet he'll tell you. We get 48 hours (TV time) of football guaranteed to us each year, and  I demand the best effort possible from my team every minute of that time. It's why we watch, but more importantly, it is why we love sports.

If the team can turn it around and go 7-9, it gives us a much brighter outlook on the future. There were quite a few things that didn't seem to go our way all season, and it has cost us. The missed FGs, the injuries, the needless turnovers, the shooting of a player, the locker-room infighting, the incorporation of a new defensive scheme, the loss of coaches to other teams... All of it hurt more than we thought. However, if we can turn it around and beat two playoff contenders back-to-back, then I think it shows we aren't far off our mark of being a playoff caliber team.

Last Sunday's game against a much-maligned, but very talented Packers team showed us that there are quite a few players who realize they are on the hot seat. Dennis Northcutt clearly realizes he's in danger of being cut in the offseason and is desperately trying to secure his roster spot for next year. Our WR corps has been the bane of this teams existence for far too long. Reggie Williams will have to turn out record breaking games in the next two contests, or the team will undoubtedly opt out of his final contract year. He knows this and we'll likely see his best effort. 2 games with 8-10 catches and 2 TD might be enough to save his job, but even that is unlikely.

George Wrighster is another player who I don't see having a future as a Jaguar. He's scheduled to earn $950,000 next season, and Marcedes Lewis and Greg Estandia have closed the significant gap in blocking ability that once existed between Wrighster and the rest of the TE's. George Wrighster is a Kyle Brady clone. He has sure hands and rarely drops a pass, can block like a guard, but is by far the slowest of our 4 TE's. George is another player who must turn out major performances in the last two games if he has any hope of keeping his job at a salary 3 times as high as Estandia's. 

Khalif Barnes is a guy I wouldn't mind resigning as a back-up tackle, but the team is obviously going to let him test free-agency. Expect a complete overhaul on the offensive line. The only two linemen who are secure as starters are Uche Nwari and Tony Pashos, everyone else is auditioning for a back-up role or possibilities with other franchises. Ideally, the Jags would want to resign Meester, but it may not be in the cards for the aging center. The question is, can the Front Office find an adequate replacement for him in the offseason at a cheaper price. He's good, but not as good as he once was, and that is exactly why you replace guys. 

Defensive Line is another area of concern. While watching the Green Bay game again, I noticed quite a few bright spots, but some concerning trends as well.

Derrick Harvey, played very well in my opinion. He was often double teamed on run plays to his side, and he held his ground (your job when being double teamed), and on a few occasions forced the opposing blockers back. I repeat, he can play the run well. For the first time, I saw consistent pass rush moves employed by Harvey to get to the QB. He had a spin move, a dive move, he executed his stunts flawlessly (something he had struggled with all season), and most importantly, he used his hands very well to keep the opposing linemen from locking on with their blocks. He has improved and I think he'll be much better next season. It was nice to see something other than a bull rush or an outside move. 

Rob Meier is inconsistent and hasn't played up to his contract extension. If John Henderson is playing well, then Rob plays well because the opponents focus on Big John. I haven't liked what I've seen from Meier lately. Tony Mc Daniel is now on IR so he's completely out of the mix. Quentin Groves is fast, explosive, and too small to play DE against the run. He must bulk up in the offseason or teams will continue to exploit his lack of size and inability to hold the point.

Reggie Hayward is a veteran who knows change is coming and can see the writing on the wall. He's playing for a roster spot next year and has really come on in the past month. If he continues to make plays he'll continue to be a Jag. Paul Spicer is in my Dog-House. He supposedly went to offseason training to improve his pass rushing abilities, and he hasn't done squat. He's old and really poses no threat in the pass game anymore. He is strong against the run, but not as strong as he used to be (notice a trend forming here?). In my opinion he's another player who is likely to be released unless he shows he's worth keeping. 

Don't forget to show up to our Big Cat Country Tailgate Party!!!

Read about it in the posts below.

Finally, an answer the countless emails we've been receiving from all of you:

YES, Chris, Terry, and Myself will be signing autographs, and we'll stay until everything is signed!      ;)

-Collin

Having Just finished my finals, I'm sitting in a [insert substance of choice here] stupor before you. I know there are fans here at BCC that are in some sort of Educational Program, be it Law School (here's lookin at you abeaugh), a Grad School of some sort, or a backwater program like FSU... (sorry John). Now's the time that finals are going for some and finishing for others... we feel for you. When you're done we'll be here talking about the Jags. 

Feel Free to Vent... here's some brainstorming questions to help get you started and maybe jog your memory of test day...

Why are you such a failure?

When will you ever accomplish anything of value?

Why do grades come out right before Christmas?

Was it A and B, but not C, or was it A and C, but not B?

None of the above?

Again, Why are you such a failure?

Why did I bother to read the textbook, everything is from the lecture?

Why haven't I seen this before, did I skip a class?

Why did I skip that class...?

Is that girl cheating?

That girl is clearly cheating...

Why did I think open book/note test meant easy A?

Well, hope that helps! What questions do you have about test day? What teachers irked you, what tests were patently unfair, air it all out. Here's an anonymous forum to hate on any aspect of school. Have at it :)

-Collin

I stumbled across this interview with Sammie posted on a draft website. I wouldn't be surprised at all if we grabbed him either in the 7th round or signed him as a UDFA. He obviously has good character, the guy saved someone from a burning building! He's an enormous specimen and I know the team has been watching him closely. He may not face top-tier talent, but the guy clearly has the physical tools to play the game at the pro level. If anyone can find some video on this guy, please post it. I've searched and come up with nothing...

-Collin

The website is NFL Draft Blitz

Here's the interview.

Tony Conty:  What led you to Stillman out of West Blocton, Alabama? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Well, I was overlooked by a whole lot of schools, so my Defensive Coordinator kept calling and calling and that was the last place…my last chance to get a full school scholarship and play football in college. 

Tony Conty:  Looking at your history, you came out of high school weighing about 270, but what is your current height, weight, and 40 time? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  6’4, about 325, and around a 5.00 flat. 


Tony Conty:  You managed to put on some good weight over the years.  Describe the workout routine that helps you maintain optimum size and strength at this point of your career. 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Pretty much just basic stuff.  Bench Press, a lot of running, Squats, and Cleaning: all your basic lifts. 


Tony Conty:  Talking about your scheme now and what you can see, could you see yourself in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 alignment? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Yes, sir, I can. 


Tony Conty:  You went up in Tackles and Tackles for Loss last year and had a fair amount of sacks.  Do you pay much attention to stats over the year? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Yes, sir. 


Tony Conty:  Both you and teammate Dre’Mail Hardin received a few preseason honors.  Did you see more attention from opposing offensive linemen coming your way in these first two weeks? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Yes, sir, I do.  There’s a lot less running the ball my way.  They do not run the ball my way pretty much. 


Tony Conty: We are doing research on you.  One of the major headlines you received involved you and two teammates (one current and one former) saving a man from a burning building.  Describe the circumstances that led that to happen. 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Just one night on our way home, we were seeing a burning house on fire.  My teammate told me to turn around, because someone might need help and, sure enough, there was a lady outside saying that her father needs help.  All we could do was put our hands over our faces and hope that we didn’t get hurt.  We looked up, and, well, it was a blessing that we could grab him and protect ourselves so we all were safe? 


Tony Conty:  How was the local attention after that, because obviously it was a big story in Alabama? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  There was a lot of media and press coming around after that happened.  It was OK.  I felt like I didn’t need all that, because I would want somebody to do the same thing for my father or mother in the same situation. 

Tony Conty:  Did the Webb family contact you after the incident, or was it one of those things were you did your part and that was the end of it? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  They contacted us and we got everyone together.  They wanted to talk to us.  It just blew over, I guess. 


Tony Conty:  That was an interesting story.  Back to football.  This is a tough year to be a Defensive Tackle in this draft class.  Do you feed off of that pressure with the odds stacked against you, being from a small school? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  You have to, because of the simple fact that you are...I don’t want to say overlooked, because you have D-I players that are supposed to be better, but I gotta make it happen, being from a small school. 


Tony Conty: So, What are your individual goals for this season? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Working on my passing game, getting the pass rush down as best I can, and getting my numbers as high as I possibly can? 


Tony Conty:  So, someone like yourself:  a lot of I-AA and Division II players make their name at the Combine.  Do you think that 40 times, bench press numbers, and the like are overrated? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Not at all, sir. 


Tony Conty:  So, in other words you are going to impress people next year, right? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Try my best to. 


Tony Conty:  The team as a whole: You started the season with a great win against Miles, but yesterday you came up on the short end of a physical running game against Jackson State.  What should we expect the rest of the season from the Tigers? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Trying our best to stop and we are definitely trying to win the SIAC Conference. 


Tony Conty:  Describe a day or a week of practice after a win as opposed to a loss. 

Sammie Lee Hill:  After a win, we stick to the routine and it is not as hostile, but, on the losing end, it’s basically the same thing, but you have to work on your mistakes and learn from what you did wrong. 


Tony Conty:  Give a shout out to another member or two of your team that deserve attention from the draftniks.  Obviously, you are the one from Stillman that they are talking about, but who else deserves attention? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Well, you know Dre’Mail.   Does Dre’Mail count? 

Tony Conty:  Yes 

Sammie Lee Hill:  OK, I would say Dre’Mail, Darren Mack.  He got hurt, but if it wasn’t him, Deavion McCoy. 


Tony Conty:  Who are the most dominant Offensive Linemen that you have faced in your career? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  The Offensive Tackle from Tuskegee last year.  I can’t think of his name.  He was a Right Tackle for Tuskegee last year. 


Tony Conty:  I’d have to look that up, too, actually.  What current Defensive Lineman in the NFL do you admire? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Being honest, being a Defensive End right now, I usually watch Defensive Ends.  I know, like, Warren Sapp. 

Tony Conty:  So, where do you see yourself at the next level.  Do you see yourself inside or outside? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Being honest, it really doesn’t matter.  Whatever I have to do, I’ll just have to do it. 

Tony Conty:  Now, we always like to bring up current issues in the NFL to prospective players just to get their opinion.  Talk about the penalties that you have seen at the college level for excessive celebration.  Do you think that they’ve gone too far? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Well, I saw the game with BYU against Washington.  As far as that, sometimes you make a big play and you just can’t control yourself.  If it’s someone doing back flips, a Superman, or something like that, I could understand that.  But something like Washington against BYU…I don’t think you should be penalized for things like that. 


Tony Conty:  One of the buzzwords, when we at the site analyze players, is character.  Talk about the focus that Roger Goodell and the NFL have on character. 

Sammie Lee Hill:  Yes, sir, because if you are presenting money, a lot of money, to these players, character does play a big role.  I’m sure that he doesn’t want to go out there and pay these players all that money just so they can mess it up.  I think that he’s been handling it really well. 


Tony Conty:  Self-promote.  Why should teams pick you before some of the other Defensive Tackles that they may have listed ahead of you? 

Sammie Lee Hill:  For my size, I have tremendous athletic ability, I would say.  I am hungry to play NFL Football. 
 

"Pat, I'd like to buy a vowel".

That's the first thing that came to my mind when I heard that the team had picked up Mkristo Bruce, an UDFA (in 2007), to play DE while the "Harvey Holdout" was underway. Well, Mkristo made the most of his opportunity and lodged 2.5 sacks in a Jaguars' preseason game earlier this year. That play earned him a spot on the practice squad once Harvey inked his deal, and Mkristo has been improving ever since.

Fast forward 14 weeks. Now, the coaching staff has decided to give him a try on the active roster, promoting him when they sent Mathis to IR. I would expect to see him on the active roster for the final four games, as I'm sure the Jags want to see exactly what they've got in Bruce. He's a tall rangy DE, but he doesn't play up to his size, hopefully that has changed. The team obviously thinks he's improved, or he wouldn't have gotten called up.

Click here for a great piece Chris did early in the season immediately following Mkristo's 2.5 sack performance.

The last 4 games of this season are all about evaluating our needs for next season. We're out of the playoff hunt, but that doesn't mean these games are meaningless by any stretch of the imagination. If Bruce can show he's ready to play in the NFL, we may have a quality DE on our hands that nobody expected. The guy has the size to play the role. He needed to become more physical and increase his pass rush maneuvers. We'll find out in the next month whether he's accomplished that.

-Collin

Video 1

Video 2

Alphonso Smith makes plays. He's a late first round selection to an early second rounder as it stands now. The only real knock against the cat is his lack of size. He's fast, a technically sound tackler, and has exceptional hands. We could hear his name called for the Jags on draft day...

 

2009 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:

Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

Playing such a significant role on a team for four years is pretty impressive no matter where you play. Wake Forest has been a quality team over most of those seasons. After redshirting in 2004 as a true freshman, Alphonso Smith stepped into the starting line-up before the season began. The cornerback earned a variety of All-American honors for his efforts. As a sophomore he only started three contests, but he tallied 8.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and three interceptions. As an upperclassman Smith really came into his own and earned first team All-ACC honors due to his eight interceptions, including three that were returned for touchdowns. Through four games in 2008, Smith already has 30 tackles, four for loss and one interception.

Smith has everything anybody could want from a cornerback -- with one exception. He is quick, has great instincts, can catch the ball very effectively and is rarely caught out of position. The one problem is his size. He is only 5-9 and 190 pounds.

His size, or lack there of, will keep him down on some draft boards, but Smith deserves to be mentioned with some of the top corners in this class. If he can separate himself from players like Kevin Barnes of Maryland, Mike Mickens of Cincinnati and Darius Butler of Connecticut, Smith could be a first round selection come April.

11/11 Update: Smith has done nothing this season to diminish his hopes of a first day selection. He has five interceptions, 13 pass break-ups and has tallied 29 total tackles through nine games. That is not a bad season as it is and there is still more time. His lack of size will still be the biggest thing standing between him and a first-round selection.

Alright, I'll be honest. As I pen this article, I'm beginning to have doubts about the Jaguars' front office. Three weeks ago I began trumpeting the positives of our GM Shack Harris. However, What I've seen lately has been nothing short of abhorrent. I keep patiently waiting for Jerry Porter and Drayton Florence to show up to play ball, however, week after week I'm disappointed. The relatively easy drop by Porter in Monday's game was the straw that broke the camel's back, and may have been the turning point in the game.

Drayton Florence is constantly getting beat. He's a prototypical cover 2 corner, but we're playing the guy in a single high set-up. Why draft and sign players for one system, and then go hire a Def. Coordinator who specializes in man-to-man and blitzing schemes. The coaching staff and front office haven't been on the same page all year, and it shows.

I'm beginning to think we're going to see Shack fired before the first of the year, and Gene Smith promoted to GM. Harvey, Groves, Florence, and Porter have all been disasters thus far. Harvey and Groves have excuses, they're first year players and will take time to develop. The real fault is on JDR and Shack Harris (and us fans), for thinking a couple of rooks could really impact the season.

Harris bet the farm, and came up WAY short. I hope the cat stays, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's gone. I'm not sure any of the other deals Harris could've made would've been any better. Jason Taylor has been hurt and Jared Allen hasn't been the same force he was in KC. Add to that the fact that most of the early picks in the draft are underperforming, and it seems like there really wasn't a quick fix. That being said, I don't see the killer instinct a DE needs from Harvey. I see it from Groves, but he doesn't have the physical tools Harvey does. I'm not throwing Harvey under the bus, I'm still a major proponent of the guy, I'm just calling it like I've seen it thus far. We all have to hope that these two DE's really come on next year. We need one of them to step up and become another Tony Brackens for this team.

I like the skill set and natural size and speed of Derrick, but I'm dissatisfied with Ted Monachino's ability to coach up the guy. Ted was given a first and a second round pick and hasn't been able to get hardly anything out of either player. Ted, some guys coach their whole career and never get the opportunity to teach a 1st rounder. You got two players rated as first rounders in the same year and haven't gotten anything out of them. I'm officially calling for your head Teddy... The Defensive line has been a source of weakness for this team, and it is on YOU. John Henderson isn't playing with his usual intensity. Jimmy Kennedy (A former first rounder as well) was brought in and you couldn't help salvage his career. That's three first rounders with tons of natural ability, and bup-kiss for production. Seth Meier and Paul Spicer are having the worst season of each one's career, and the only bright spot I've seen is Derek Landri. Fire Todd Monachino, regardless of what's done with Shack. Ted must go, there must be accountability in the coaching ranks.

The Greatness of Fred Taylor

 by Tkopa on Nov 28, 2008 11:12 PM EST