SB Nation - Derek Landri

Quick Bytes 10/28/2009

Jonathan Loesche — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:52:31 -0000

Quick Bytes makes it's return finally. Look for it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Trial starts today in shooting of ex-Jacksonville Jaguar | Jacksonville.com
The trial begins of the man accused of shooting former Jaguar Richard Collier. The main piece of evidence is a secret tape recording of him admitting his guilt to police.

Witnesses at Hartsfield Trial Say They Never Saw Shooter | Firstcoastnews.com | Top Stories
However, none of the witnesses in the trial are able to confirm if it was indeed Hartsfield who shot Collier.

Jaguars notebook: Team prepares for two QB looks | Jacksonville.com
The Jaguars have been preparing for both Vince Young and Kerry Collins in practice. Maurice Jones-Drew says he thinks the Jags are the best team in the league, and Witherspoon rode the bike in practice.

Jaguars in the Community | Jacksonville.com
An look at the excellent community service being done by Derek Landri and Rashad Jennings. Landri is working with the Meals on Wheels program, while Jennings is helping with the United Way.

Jeff Fisher denies conflict with Titans owner Bud Adams over Vince Young - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com
Jeff Fisher denies conflict with Titans owner Bud Adams over Vince Young. Adams had previously said that he wants Young to start this Sunday against the Jaguars.

Bud Adams Wants the Titans to Turn to Vince Young to Guide Them
Will the Jaguars get to see Vince Young under center? With his history against the Jags, I hope so.

The Associated Press: Jaguars could be without Mathis against Titans
Rashean Mathis may be out of the Titans game thanks to his finger injury.

Week 1: Friday Injury Report, News

shake n bake — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:39:39 -0000

Not surprises on the Colts side today. Sanders (knee), Silva (abdomen) and Santi (ankle) missed practice again are have been ruled out for Sunday. Fili Moala sat out a second day of practice with a knee issue. He is listed as questionable. Jennings was back after being rested Thursday, while Marlin Jackson got today off for rest.

Out: Bob Sanders, Jamie Silva, Tom Santi

Questionable: Fili Moala (missed Thursday and Friday practice)

Colts.com link

On the Jags side Thomas (back) and Landri (knee) were limited in practice. Both are listed as probable. Zach Miller (the lesser) missed a 3rd practice this week and has been ruled out due to a knee injury.

Out: Zach Miller

Probable: Tra Thomas, Derek Landri

Jaguars.com link

Phil B expects Fili Moala to sit, but doubts he'll see significant time even if he suits up.

John Oesher reports that Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir and Eric Foster is the Colts likely defensive tackle rotation for Sunday, according to Coach Caldwell.

Week 1: Thursday Injury Report, News

shake n bake — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:11:32 -0000

Two new names on the injury report today. Fili Moala sat out today after practicing fully yesterday (knee) and Tim Jennings continues to get a day off to rest each week. Bob Sanders (knee), Jamie Silva (abdomen) and Tom Santi (ankle) sat out a second day of practice.

Colts.com link

Over on the Jags side. Backup tackle Tra Thomas returned to practice, TE Zach Miller (the lesser) sat out again and 2nd string (backup to rookie starter Terrance Knighton) DT Derek Landri was added to the report after being limited by a knee injury.

Jaguars.com link

In the news, Oesher reports that Coach Caldwell called Jerraud Powers starting Sunday's at CB opposite Kelvin Hayden "likely". Marlin Jackson will play the nickel with Tim Jennings likely relegated to the dime package.

Bill Polian on NFL Network (via 18to88) says that Sanders has been cleared by Dr. James Andrews, but must reach conditioning and practice time benchmarks before he will be allowed to play on the surgically repaired knee. Polian calls Sanders' progress "rapid".

Finally, in case you didn't see the announcement at the top right of every SB Nation blog, the network has launched a new mainpage with news, scores and analysis from bloggers within and (formerly) outside of SB Nation with sub-pages with all the previously mentioned features for each major sport. Looks very cool.

[Update] Phil B (via commenter Cass) relays the clearest injury status answer ever given by the Colts. Jamie Silva will not play Sunday. Leaving only the newly signed (and widely panned for poor cover skills by Cards fans) Aaron Francisco backing up Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt.

Camp Battle 2009: Defensive Tackle

Jonathan Loesche — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:16:29 -0000

Will the real John Henderson please stand up

The defensive tackle spot has gone from being the epicenter of the team to perhaps its weakest link. John Henderson had not performed well the past two seasons, Rob Meier flopped when handed the starting job, and a lack of depth all contributed to problems in 2008. This off season has been an eventful one for the unit, most notably because of Henderson and Coach Del Rio's high profile war of words earlier in OTAs. In addition, the Jaguars drafted Terrance Knighton in the 3rd round. What will it take for the Jaguars defensive interior to once again become dominate?

John Henderson

I'm sure anyone reading this knows the details already, so I'll just move to the meat of the issue. Henderson has to show he still has some fire left in him this season. His name was linked to multiple trade rumors and if any of the younger DTs step up this season, he will be on his way out this season. Even performing at a level somewhere between 2006 and the last two years would make him one of the better DTs in the NFL.

Now, can that happen? I'm leaning towards no. Henderson is getting on the back end of his career and to expect him to revitalize himself to that level might be asking too much. Perhaps Henderson's biggest value left is as trade bait.

Rob Meier

While Marcus Stroud and John Henderson started during the Jaguars' defensive glory days, Rob Meier was there as the reliable back up. Fans and coaches said he could've started on any other team that ran a 4-3 scheme. Then he was handed a sizable contract extension and the starting job. Meier's 2008 campaign was bad, enough said.

Meier may need to once again simply become "The best backup" to be effective again. It was painfully obvious Meier couldn't handle a starting job. However, can the talent behind Meier rise up to replace him?

Derek Landri

Landri is at the stage of his career he needs to "Come off the shelf." Landri has shown flashes in his two years on the roster, and the Jaguars need him more than ever. Landri has shown he can get after the passer in a reserve role, however, is he the same kind of fool's Gold that Meier turned out to be?

Terrance Knighton

Knighton was taken in the 3rd round out of Temple. Many draftniks felt Knighton was a reach, though the Jaguars claimed he was "the last DT with starting potential available." Knighton brings a good deal of raw potential to the defensive line, with the key word being raw. Unless Knighton vastly improves technique during camp, I expect him to be a backup for this season.

State of The Position

I know there are other DTs on the roster, but at this point, these are the four players who will be seeing the most playing time. The Jaguars have two aging, and rapidly declining, players in Henderson and Meier. Landri and Knighton represent the future of the position, and must begin to make their moves this season. Landri has the highest expectations this year. He has to stop being a "jar on the shelf" and become either the "third starter" or even replace Meier if the Jaguars want to be successful in the interior.

Poll

Which defensive tackle needs to improve the most in 2009?

John Henderson

236 votes

Rob Meier

35 votes

Derek Landri

106 votes

377 votes | Poll has closed

John Henderson: What is your MALFUNCTION

River City Rage — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:45:20 -0000

WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION JOHN HENDERSON!

I was "all in". I saw what Jack Del Rio said to John Henderson and I was OK with it. I saw that Henderson elected to respond positively and announce that he's "all in", and was OK with it. It looked like this would be an example of Jack calling a player out and it not being a sign that the guy was on the way out. Then I see as a toss-away item on Jaguars.com that Big "Lazy" John had missed another practice with his mysterious shoulder:

Defensive tackle John Henderson (shoulder) did not participate.

Stunning. Eight words that beg so many questions. Is the shoulder hurt so bad that he cannot take the field? Is he being legitimately held out? Or did he tell Jack Del Rio to shove it?

Normally I'm slow to react to things like this. There should be a certain tension within a team, as the coaches do their job and drive their players to push a little harder. Comments, like the ones made by Del Rio, send a message to everyone that anyone in that locker room can be pushed out if they fail to buy in to the overall direction. There are thirty rookies or UFA's on this roster right now, all of them need to learn, and all of them must see that the coach calls out the sure thing roster locks and pushes them to show results.

But no, Henderson rides the bike during the OTA and Jack backs down during the post practice interview.

Call me crazy, call me irrational, call me short tempered, but I think this is something we should be outraged about. I'd like to shout from the rooftops that this is an undercutting of the new regime, (the last for Del Rio, should things not improve), and that Henderson should face serious consequences. And if you pull the "these are voluntary practices" card, I'd encourage you to look at the contact drills held throughout the league at this time before you complain.

Henderson, in my opinion, is sending a bad message to a crowd of rookies fighting for his roster spot. If Big John wants to burn his way out of the team, more power to him. We have a young and developing roster. Derek Landri has put on the weight and spent the time working to contribute at DT as a serious part of the rotation. The Jaguars have no time, no place, and no need for anyone who's going to speak out of both sides of his mouth. You're either all in, and coming to practice, or you better damn well have a serious reason to be absent. Should John have a serious injury, then I'll by all means take this back, but to announce to the press that you're responding to your coaches, and then miss another practice, that reeks of nonsense.

-Chris

The 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars in Retrospect: Doubt Creeps In

silencecs — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:13:34 -0000

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. Rob 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.

Poll

Who do you "fire"

James Harris

112 votes

Jack Del Rio

12 votes

Gene Smith

4 votes

128 votes | Poll has closed