# 32 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS SEASON PREVIEW

2012 Record: 2-14 2012 Finish in the Standings: 4th AFC South 2012 Offensive and Defensive Rankings: 21st Passing Offense, 30th Rushing Offense, 22nd Passing Defense, 30th Rushing Defense He of the handlebar mustache, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Kahn, should have had his new General Manager David Caldwell pursue the services of Tim Tebow and his flock of religious followers because at this point this team doesnt have a prayer. However, new coach Gus Bradley should bring the same intensity that he had when he was the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator. The only problem is that Bradley doesnt have the same personnel with the Jags that he had at his fingertips in Seattle. The Jags had quite a bit of misfortune on the injury front last year when former fantasy football stud running back Maurice Jones-Drew went down with a lisfranc injury in the sixth game of 2012. The injury required season-ending surgery on his left foot that he put off until December, slowing his recovery time. Preseason reports continue to suggest that Jones-Drew is still having trouble with the foot because he was held out of the Jags first preseason game. He is expected to take limited snaps in the next preseason game against the Jets on Saturday night. The quarterback position is still not solidified on this team and continues to add to the Jags misery. Picking a quarterback to start for Jacksonville is like picking the lesser of two evils. Neither quarterback has been able to step up and gain a stranglehold on the coveted spot. Former first round pick and third year starter Blaine Gabbert hasnt shown the leadership of an NFL quarterback. It remains to be seen if he is truly the QB of the future that the Jags expected when they drafted him with the tenth pick in 2011. However, at no fault of his own, Gabbert was sidelined for the year in week 11 of 2012 with an elbow injury to his throwing arm. Gabbert finished the season completing 162 passes out of 278 for a percentage of 58.3%. He ended up with 1662 yards, 9 touchdown passes, and 6 interceptions. His successor for the rest of the season, Chad Henne didnt fare much better going 166 for 308 with a 53.9 completion percentage, 2,084 yards, 11 TDs, and 11 interceptions. Gabbert and Henne will battle it out this preseason to see who gets the starting nod. The pundits keep talking about how South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will be the #1 overall pick in next years draft. However, if the Jags keep getting terrible

play out of the QB position, they will surely be sitting in the top spot for next years draft. They will no doubt be forced to find a franchise quarterback among the college ranks. The NFL did not do any favors for the Jaguars with the 2013 schedule and they will effectively lose a home game. Jacksonville is rumored to be the team that Commissioner Roger Goodell is going to use for his pet project of world domination beginning with an NFL team in London. Therefore, the Jags are going to be showcased this year for the annual game in front of the Brits. The travel is not going to be easy for either team, but the Jags face the daunting challenge of facing off against the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Jacksonville added some nice pieces to the puzzle this year to build for the future. However, these draft picks will need a couple years to gel. The Jaguars picked up monster offensive tackle Luke Joekel in the first round of this years draft. He was projected as the #1 pick in the draft for weeks and fell to the Jags at #2. Joekel should anchor the offensive line for many years to come. The Jaguars also drafted a couple of key components for their secondary in 2nd round pick Jonathan Cyprien from Florida International and 3rd rounder Dwayne Gratz from Connecticut. Cyprien, a safety, and Gratz, a cornerback, should see lots of playing time. The team also added offensive weapon Denard Robinson who played quarterback at Michigan. The Jags see Robinson as a slash type player getting involved with elements of the passing, running, and receiving game. Outlook: Lets face it, new uniforms and logos wont help this team play better. However, they have picked up some pieces for the future. That future may also include drafting a franchise quarterback in next years draft if current quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne dont pan out this year. It will be a long year for Jags, but they should be able to steal wins against San Diego and division rivals Tennessee and Indianapolis this year. 2013 Projected Record: 3-13 2013 Finish in the Standings: 4th AFC South