2011 NFL Predictions: AFC South Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Season: 8 – 8

2011 NFL Draft: QB Blaine Gabbert (Missouri, Rd. 1/Pick 10), G William Rackley (Lehigh, Rd. 3/Pick 12), WR Cecil Shorts (Mount Union, RD. 4/Pick 17), S Christopher Prosinski (Wyoming, Rd. 4/Pick 24), CB Roderick Issac (Middle Tennessee St., Rd. 5/Pick 16)

Key Additions: LB Paul Posluszny, G Jason Spitz

Key Losses: LB Justin Durant, WR Mike Sims-Walker

2010 Individual Stat Leaders:

• Passing yards — David Garrard — 2,734 yards

• Passing touchdowns — David Garrard — 23

• Rushing yards — Maurice Jones-Drew — 1,324 yards

• Rushing touchdowns ­— Maurice Jones-Drew/David Garrard — 5

• Receiving yards — Mike Thomas — 820 yards

• Receiving touchdowns — Marcedes Lewis — 10

• Tackles — Daryl Smith — 97

• Sacks — Jeremy Mincey — 5

• Interceptions — Derek Cox — 4

2011 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: Titans

Week 2: @ NY Jets

Week 3: @ Panthers

Week 4: Saints

Week 5: Bengals

Week 6: @ Steelers

Week 7: Ravens

Week 8: @ Texans

Week 9: Bye

Week 10: @ Colts

Week 11: @ Browns

Week 12: Texans

Week 13: Chargers

Week 14: Bucs

Week 15: @ Falcons

Week 16: @ Titans

Week 17: Colts

Analysis: The Jaguars had a chance to upend the AFC South last season, but feel flat in the end by losing three straight games. QB David Garrard was once thought to be the next great quarterback, but the Jaguars have since changed their mind and drafted what some thought was the best passer in the draft this year in QB Blaine Gabbert. Still, I think the position is Garrard’s to lose. No matter who starts at QB, they will have one less target to throw to with losing WR Mike Sims-Walker. WR Mike Thomas and TE Marcedes Lewis are strong targets, but the Jaguars could do with a solid #2 receiver. RB Maurice Jones-Drew had a down season last year, only getting into the end zone five times on the ground. G Jason Spitz should be a nice addition to help the run game as well as protect the quarterback. Besides Gabbert, the Jaguars didn’t do much in the draft, which is a disappointment for the defense. LB Paul Posluszny is a great pick-up in free agency, but they could have definitely used some help in the secondary playing in the same division as QB Peyton Manning and QB Matt Schaub. For the defensive reasons alone the Jaguars would have a long season, but add in the lack of quarterback confidence and no clear #2 receiver and the team should be in for a long season.

2011 Season Prediction: 5 – 11, Fourth in the AFC South

 

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