“We will be Super Bowl Contenders…soon” it’s what every GM says after a season which can be considered rebuilding, disappointing, or for teams like the Browns and the Lions, expected. The truth is, while all teams who aren’t battling for a title say this, not all teams are truly on the path towards long-term success. Many teams in the NFL are plugging holes in their sinking ships with free agents, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle each season as they slowly sink towards mediocrity. Teams like this will eventually realize that their championship window has closed only to begin their inevitable rebuilding process. Other teams have stockpiled and developed young talent and are on the verge of entering their time; but have not matured to a level fully evident to the naked eye. Teams matching the second description will be discussed within this series of posts. Each update will examine an NFL franchise quietly on the rise, such as the Arizona Cardinals or Huston Texans were back a couple years back.
The Jacksonville Jaguars
In 2007, the Jaguars were an expectedly playoff bound 11-5 team with a dynamic rushing attack based around the cagey veteran Fred Taylor, and an explosive 2nd year back in Maurice Jones-Drew. Furthermore, they benefited from the emergence of a and the surprisingly effective David Garrard. After losing to the undefeated Patriots in the AFC championship, the Jags were an expected lock for playoff success the upcoming season. Unfortunately this was false hope for the Jags as the 2008 season exposed their age and injury issues in critical areas, such as their defensive/offensive lines, as well as a talent deficiency within their wide receiver corps as they stumbled towards a 5-11 season. Such a season forced the Jaguars’ front office into action. Drastic measures were taken, such as cutting the troubled but promising 1st pick Matt Jones (WR) and franchise icon Fred Taylor (RB, pictured above) while also rebuilding through prospects found in the draft.
The cutting of Fred Taylor thrust Maurice Jones-Drew or “Pocked Hercules”, as NFL Network’s Rich Eisen likes to say, into a franchise back role. With this came more touches for MJD, taking the Jags rushing attack from consistent to simply explosive. This was a main step in the advancement of Del Rio’s team, as it made them dangerous. To further the development of the Jag’s running game, the Jags drafted a pair of bookend offensive tackles in UVA’s Eugene Monroe (LT) and Eben Britton (mauling run blocking RT with an attitude)early in the 09 draft, and thrusting them into immediate action where they showed bright flashes of potential mixed with inconsistency. From there the Jag’s drafted Rutgers’s massive DT Terrance Knighton (6’3” 320+) and plugged him in next to and even John Henderson (DT); while mixed results followed, Knighton’s play has garnered him praise and a potentially bright future. Lastly, the Jags drafted little known Derrick Cox (CB, pictured to the right) out of William & Mary and immediately inserted him into an opening day starting spot opposite all pro CB Rashean Mathis, where he flourished recording 72 tackles, 4 Ints, and even a fumble recovery (while Mathis spent significant time on the DL hampering the Jag’s pass defense). These picks have helped the Jags improve in multiple important areas; however they are but a few of the youthful talent base which the fiery Del Rio commands.
The Jaguars also have managed to acquire multiple young and talented skill position players under the radar such as 7th rd steal Mike Sims-Walker (25 years old, 63rec/869yds/7td in 2009), tiny Arizona alumni Mike Thomas (22 years old, 48rec/452yds/1td in 2009), and high upside 6th rd TE Zach Miller (25 years old, 8rec/69yds/2tds in wk 17). Furthermore, the emergence of MLB Justin Durant (24 years old, 98 tckl, 1 sack/ff/int in 2009), the presence of young yet amazingly versatile MLB/OLB Daryl Smith (27 years old, averaging 78 tackles/season through his career, and 14.5 sacks in 6 seasons), and the inevitable resurgence of playmaking FS Reggie Nelson (26 years old, 7 int/20 passes defended in 3 seasons) make their defense built for long run success. If the Jaguars keep drafting well, and their prospects reach the potential they have shown, the Jags could be very dangerous very quickly.
*Fred Taylor photograph credit- Rick Stewart/Getty Images
*Derrick Cox photograph credit- Andy Lyons/Getty Images
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