We now get into the two most important weeks of preseason. Week one is for shaking off the rust for the vets and seeing how the rookies react to their first games. Week two is for determining who's starting the season and getting basic teamwork down. The offenses should make improvements week 2 and start catching up to the advantage all defenses have so far. And in Jacksonville we have a nice test for our offense Defensive line: DE Derrick Harvey has finally arrived. The guy is finally starting to play up to his first round status. The rest of the defensive line however is a mash unit. DE Kampman is still rehabbing his ACL injury, DT D' Anthony Smith is out for the year with an achilles. 1st rounder DT Tyson Alualu is also dinged with a calf injury, and DE Austen Lane is nursing a leg injury. These injuries mean the Dolphins will be facing DE Jeremy Mincey, DT Leger Douzable, Larry Hart and DT Walter Curry who have played decently in camp and 2nd year DEs Julius Williams and Jermey Navarre who flashed a little last year but who I havent read anything sterling about this year. DT Attayih Ellison is average but probably the starter. If you're looking for the two good matchups against our 1st string Oline, watch DT Terrance Knighton and LDE Derrick Harvey. Everyone else is either banged up or a 2nd or 3rd stringer. Knighton had a great game apparently against the Eagles and Derrick Harvey is one of the stars of training camp. Linebackers: Haven't read much about the linebackers this preseason so it probably means they are solid but unspectacular overall. The starting unit features MLB Kirk Morrison as the new face along with OLB Daryl Smith and OLB Justin Durant who had a very good game against the Eagles.Former Colt Freddie Keiaho backs up Durant at this stage. There is some talent there and the unit should get better as it learns to play with each other. Russell Allen has flashed a bit as a backup OLB. Kyle Bosworth the cousin or nephew or something of Brian Bosworth is also in the mix. Former Lion, Teddy Lehman backs up Morrison. Secondary: Played brutal vs the Eagles. They gave up 285 yds passing and 79 yds in pass interference penalties. Rashean Mathis and and 2nd year Derek Cox have talent so you have to wonder if FS Reggie Nelson is still clueless back there. Gerald Alexander is the starting SS and is backed up by decent but unathletic Sean Considine. There is a good chance that Alexander will be the FS however and either Considine or the more athletic but less reliable Anthony Smith will take over the SS position. Tyron Brackenridge probably will play the slot. Anthony Smith is the dime back if he's not the SS. FS Reggie Nelson made some good plays against Philly but still makes mistakes. Basically they have a similar secondary to us last year when we had Gibril Wilson as FS. A good cover guy in Mathis, a promising youngster in Cox, a decent SS in Alexander and noone to play FS. BTW rookie CB Scotty McGee is an excellent returner apparently Bottom line, our offense should pass all day on Jacksonville. They have a banged up defensive line and a porous secondary. Expect Marshall, Hartline, Bess and Henne to put up good numbers. Watch how Carey handles Harvey and how our center(s) and guards handle Knighton. If we have trouble passing this week we have trouble passing period and if we give up sacks start worrying a little about our protection I'll give a rundown of the Jax offense a bit later
On offense the QB situation and the interior of the offensive line are serious weaknesses so far this camp. 60 million dollar QB Garrard has been interception prone this camp and McCown also although McCown put up impressive numbers against second stringers in the first PS game -11-for-15 passing, good for 244 yards, no picks and three TD passes. Of course he immediately suggested he would like to be the starter after the game lol. Trevor Harris has played poorly overall although he has flashed occasionally. Obviously the Jags have an elite RB in Maurice Jones Drew. They have FB Greg Jones who is rumored to be a potential cut due to his high salary for a FB and the decent play of FB Montell Owens. FB Brock Bolen also has potential. Backing up Drew at RB is Rashad Jennings who is a bit stiff. The surprise has been the little 6th rd rookie 5'8" 209 lb Deji Karim who apparently is killing it as a return guy. He might make a nice third down back and who knows maybe even supplant Jennings as Drew's backup. Chad Kackert flashed in camp but did nothing against the Eagles The Receivers: Mike Thomas has really come on in camp and surprisingly Troy Williamson has played well in camp and we all know how Mike Sims Walker played last year. Tiquan Underwood has been up and down. Kassim Osgood has been underwhelming. And Jarrett Dillard is a wlaking injury. The rest really dont matter. They may have a good one and two and maybe even three receiver set finally. After that its just bodies Tight Ends: Mercedes Lewis continues to get better albeit at a snail's pace. Supposedly the very good blocking TE has improved again this season, his 5th in the league. He's become a steady reliable receiver, though up to now unspectacular. Is worth a watch. Our old friend Ernest Wilford is in the mix though he may be injured and not play. 2nd year Zach Miller hurt his foot and probably wont play. Zach Potter is Harry's distant cousin and I know nothing about him. Mike Caussin had two catches against Philly for 25 yards The offensive line has been weak up the middle and their starting tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton are nursing injuries. Rookie Kevin Haslam played pretty well at OT in Philly though he made some mistakes. Rookie OT Daniel Baldridge played like crap but he's a project. Veteran OT Jordan Black is servicable as a backup. Center Meester played well in Philly and Uche Nwaneri has apperantly gotten the ROG position. Both are avergae at best and generally inconsistent. The LOG is between Justin Smiley, Kynan Forney and Vince Manuwai. Rookie Center John Estes played well and may make a run at backup over Cecil Newton. Paul McQuistan is another OG in the mix Overall, our front seven should look like stars against the Jags. Although our DBs may have some battles Garrard should be under pressure. If he isnt then our pass rush will need to improve before the start of the season. I expect more posts extolling the virtues of Soliai, Odrick, Langford, Starks, Wake, Misi, Dansby, etc after this game. Dont get too caught up in it if we have a very good game since the level of play on Jacksonville's side is kinda weak. As for our secondary I'll try to watch them pretending they have Peyton Manning throwing to them. I just want to see the coverage being tight and not whether they actually give up plays since I expect the pass rush to make it difficult for Garrard to find his receivers Overall we should dominate. If we dont its either because we are playing extra vanilla or we still have alot of work to do I'll update who will play and who will sit once they announce it
Good! I don't know about anyone else, but I've resented them since that 99' game with Marino where Brunell, Fred Taylor, Boselli and co. made us look extra stupid... Not to mention Dan and Jimmy Johnson's last game! I always hope to embarass them...
Brad Meester, I sorta hoped the Jags had a better Center as Starks and Soliai really need to be tested as I'm not 100% on Starks at NT as of yet.
I'm looking forward to a bomb from Henne to Marshall..... you know its gonna happen. Maybe this will be the first time. Cant wait! How long will our starters play Sat?
I dont think the starters will play that long but I might be wrong. Usually the 3rd game is the one where the starters play the longest.
I would much rather see the first team offense execute a long penalty free drive and score a touchdown. Let's get that down first then we can talk about big plays.
Sorry, adam didn't read much after Derrick Harvey starting to play to his potential. You'd be the only one arguing that here in Jacksonville. Unfortunately, as a Fin fan I don't get much Dolphins talk--except when they play each other. However, they absolutely despise Harvey up here--which is tough considering how obsessive J-ville is with the Florida Gators.
Ahhhhhh come on man! Doing that is like having a ferarri during rush hour traffic on 95. Lets throw the hammer down and see what this babys got! Although, i would like to see a long drive too, haha.
I'm just going off the reports Ive read about him this summer. He's always been good vs the run but his pass rushing has improved supposedly. He got a sack and forced a fumble against Philly in approximately 15 plays and a couple of pressures. Vic Ketchman the sportswriter for the Jags site said "Night and day. He’s a different player. I’m seeing technique in him I hadn’t seen previously. That’s for sure because he was not a technique guy. I’m seeing quickness in him. I’m seeing a spark in him. At times, he has looked like the dominant player you would expect from the eighth pick of the draft." http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2010/8/8/1612499/derrick-harvey-the-best-player-on there is quite a bit of hype surrounding him that Ive read this summer and he seemed to have a good game vs Philly so I'm willing to believe it for now. We'll see for ourselves come Saturday
I despise them... Not so much because of this (although it does sit in the back of my head), but living in Orlando, and having to deal with their blackouts and having their games override Miami just fuels me with a hatred. The Buccs I can possibly understand, but the Jags, who can't even fill their stands to avoid a blackout... AUGH!
I liked them a bit when they first started in the league. They made the playoffs pretty quickly for an expansion team. But the last decade has been a complete failure for them. The current team is just boring.
Thanks Prez.. Iam starting to realize that this staff will be as vanilla as a staff can possibly be thru the preseason...Their regular season gameplanning, and the way they use the hybrid predicates itself on unpredictability moreso than the norm..
You're taking the Jaguars' official site at face value? Come on, that's like giving Andy Cohen credence as an unbiased observer.
I'm giving an example of what is being said. I used him but there are other quotes by other writers. If you've watched him this offseason offer your own opinions or observations.
Haven't watched the Jags this offseason, but I haven't heard anything that suggests Harvey is becoming the pass rusher the Jags thought they drafted. My point is that I wouldn't take Vic Ketchman's word for anything except the status of season ticket sales.
Wanna see how Justin Smiley is doing and if it was a great move to let him go.The matchup between him and Tony McDaniel should be interesting if it happens.Heard big Tony is playing well of late. Be nice to see us run the ball effectively and stop dumping off on 3rd downs to Ricky for once.Can almost guarantee Marshall catches a couple. Would like to see at least a couple of blitz packages with Dansby/Bell coming right threw the A gaps.Wanna see Dobbins play because I never have and he could possibly be a great steal for us.I also don't want to see any rain.
Damn you know the Jags well adam im impressed. As much as Sparano has worked to build our offensive line up i say its time they show where we start (THE LINE) and let this offence show we have some playmakers this week. Dry weather would be a plus but with our running game to back up poor passing conditions its time for our team steps up and gives everyone fans and the team some very needed confidence.
so what have you heard. so far you havent offered anything relating to football but seem more intent on debating which writers are acceptable to you. I dont completely buy the preseason hype myself. I expect he made some improvements but not enough to be a dominant beast
i think smiley is a bit dinged up (shoulder?) so i wonder if we'll see him but he seems to be lockedd into a three way battle for that OG spot so we'll see. I would like to see him. I liked the guy but he was just so injury prone I think you may see him retire soon due to injuries. At some point you just have to say enough is enough. I would like to see a few blitzes just to see them I'm with you on the no rain part and please no injuries! I'm really hoping to see us air it out. I would like to see Henne get a good game under his belt before the season starts