SB Nation - Jordan Black

San Francisco 49ers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: A Prospector's Guide

Fooch — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:14 -0000

vs.

The 49ers look to get back on the winning track against a quirky Jacksonville Jaguars squad. I have always been intrigued by the Jaguars because something doesn't add up about them. They are 6-4, but something just seems off about that. Going through their 2009 statistics (listed at the bottom), I noticed that they've been outscored this season by 36 points. The only other team above .500 with a negative scoring differential is Denver (-13)...and I've always questioned Denver's early success (which is certainly bearing fruit now). Will the Jaguars keep it up the rest of the season?

The 49ers host the Jaguars in what will be the 3rd meeting between the two teams in the series, and the first at Candlestick Park. The last time the two teams squared off was in 2005 in Jacksonville, when the Jaguars defeated the 49ers 10-9.

The 49ers enter the upcoming game following a 30-24 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field last weekend. In that game, the Packers defense was able to hold off a second half surge by the 49ers offense to seal the victory. QB Alex Smith connected on three touchdown passes in the final two quarters of play, which included a 38-yard strike to rookie
WR Michael Crabtree for his first career touchdown, a 24-yard toss to TE Vernon Davis for his 8th score of the season and a 10-yard pass to RB Frank Gore, marking his 4th consecutive game with a touchdown.

The 49ers have won 6 out of their last 8 games at Candlestick Park. In those games, San Francisco has rushed for over 100 yards in all but one contest.

49ers-Jaguars Connections
Coaching Connections
• 49ers assistant strength coach Mark Uyeyama worked as a graduate assistant from 2001-2002 and an assistant in 2003 at Arizona State under Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, who was then head coach. Jaguars defensive line coach Ted Monachino served in the same position with Arizona State during that time.
• 49ers QB Shaun Hill was coached by Jaguars assistant head coach/tight ends Mike Tice from 2002-2005 when Tice was the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings.
• 49ers rookie RB Glen Coffee was recruited and coached by Jaguars QBs coach Mike Shula when Shula was the head coach at Alabama (2003-06).
• 49ers DE Justin Smith was coached by Jaguars LBs coach Mark Duffner in Cincinnati from 2001-2002 when Duffner was the defensive coordinator there.

RAMS RE-UNITED - 49ers WR Isaac Bruce and CB Dre’ Bly were teammates with Jaguars WR Torry Holt for the St. Louis Rams from 1999-2002, winning a Super Bowl together in 1999. Bruce and Holt remained with the Rams and played together until 2007.

NOR-CAL CONNECTIONS – RB Maurice Jones-Drew was born in Anticoh, and still calls it home. Jones-Drew prepped at national powerhouse De La Salle High School, which won a record 151 straight games from 1992-2003. During the three years Jones-Drew starred there (1999-2002), he kept the streak alive, never losing a game.

HELLO AGAIN – 49ers SS Michael Lewis and Jaguars T Tra Thomas were teammates in Philadelphia from 2002-2006. Lewis, Thomas and Jaguars S Sean Considine all played together with the Eagles in 2005 and 2006. 49ers LB Takeo Spikes played on the same defense with Considine and was a teammate of Thomas’ while in Philadelphia in 2007.

GOLDEN DOMERS - 49ers WR Arnaz Battle and Jaguars T Jordan Black were teammates at Notre Dame for four seasons (1999-2002).

NATIONAL CHAMPS - 49ers DT Ray McDonald was a teammate of Jaguars DE Derrick Harvey and S Reggie Nelson at Florida. They were part of a National Championship team in 2006.

ROCKY TOP - 49ers NT Aubrayo Franklin and Jaguars DT John Henderson played on the same defensive line at the University of Tennessee in 2001.

FORMER 49ERS - Jaguars DL Atiyyah Ellison spent two years with the 49ers, serving on the active roster in 2007, and as a member of the practice squad in 2008.

Series Highlights
Matchups: 2
Series Record: Jaguars Lead Series 2-0
49ers Home Record vs. Jaguars: None
First Meeting: 9/12/99, Jaguars win 41-3
Last Meeting: 12/18/05, Jaguars win 10-9
Current Streak: Lost 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: None
Longest Jaguars Win Streak: 2
Most 49ers Points: 9 (12/18/05)
Most Jaguars Points: 4 (9/12/99)
49ers Shutouts: None
Jaguars Shutouts: None

JACKSONVILLE 10, SAN FRANCISCO 9
At Jacksonville, FL, December 18, 2005

The San Francisco 49ers lost 10-9 to Jacksonville in what Head Coach Mike Nolan termed the most physical game of the season. The 49ers entered the game with six rookies in the starting lineup, including four on offense. Rookie RB Frank Gore started in place of the injured RB Kevan Barlow (knee) and gained over 100 combined yards with 79 yards rushing and 57 yards receiving. His most impressive play was at the end of the 1st half when he caught a screen pass from QB Alex Smith and raced down the right sideline for a 47-yard gain to the Jacksonville 30-yard line to set up a 47-yard FG by K Joe Nedney with one second left in the 1st half.

The 49ers opened the game with an 8-play, 80-yard drive that ended in the first of three Nedney FGs for a 3-0 lead. A big defensive play helped the 49ers take the 3-0 lead into the 2nd quarter. On 4th-and-1 from the San Francisco 6-yard line, DE Marques Douglas stopped FB Greg Jones for no gain and the 49ers took over on downs. Jacksonville converted two, 3rd-down plays on a 71-yard drive in the 2nd quarter that ended when QB David Garrard broke free from LB Julian Peterson on his way to a 13-yard TD for a 7-3 lead. The 49ers regained possession deep in their own territory with just 24 seconds left to play in the 1st half. Instead of taking a knee and allowing time to run out, the 49ers attempted a high percentage screen pass with the hopes of being able to break one for a big play. A pass from Smith to Gore in the right flat went for a 47-yard gain, with Gore sprinting down the sideline to the Jacksonville 30-yard line with 6 seconds left to play. Nedney nailed a 47-yard FG for a 7-6 halftime deficit.

After a scoreless 3rd quarter, the 49ers took a 9-7 lead on the first play of the 4th quarter with a 33-yard FG by Nedney. Smith completed a 28-yard pass to WR Johnnie Morton to get the 49ers in FG range. Jacksonville responded by taking the ensuing kick and advancing on a 10-play, 47-yard drive that ended in a 32-yard FG for a 10-9 lead. The Jaguars drive was aided when Nedney’s kickoff went out of bounds, allowing Jacksonville to start the drive at their own 40-yard line. The 49ers gained just 15 yards on their next four drives and committed one turnover when Smith was intercepted.

2009 Statistics

49ERS (rank)		JAGUARS (rank)
4-6 (2nd NFCW)	Record	6-4 (2nd AFCS)
20.8 (19th)	Points per game	19.9 (21st)
278.5 (27th)	Total Offense	354.0 (12th)
99.0 (24th)	Rushing Offense	136.3 (6th)
179.5 (23rd)	Passing Offense	217.7 (17th)
28:44 (21st)	Possession Avg	30:46 (11th)
21.0 (17th)	Points allowed/gm	23.5 (23rd)
350.8 (22nd)	Total Defense	356.9 (23rd)
94.7 (6th)	Rushing Defense	112.1 (17th)
256.1 (30th)	Passing Defense	244.8 (25th)
19 (t-21st)	Sacks	10 (32nd)
47.9 (2nd)	Punting Avg (Gross)	41.7 (26th)
0 (t-15th)	Turnover Differential	0 (t-15th)

Chiefs Inactives: WR Bobby Wade, FS Jon McGraw

Joel Thorman — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:43:37 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

2 months ago: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Bobby Wade turns to escape Washington Redskins cornerback Justin Tryon during the third quarter of an NFL football game , Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Browse more photos »

As expected, Chiefs free safety Jon McGraw is not active. He's been suffering from an injury and is expected to be replaced by SS DaJuan Morgan.

The surprise here is the deactivation of WR Bobby Wade. I considered him possibly the second best receiver on the team. Well, that's before Chris Chambers came on board.

It's possible Wade is the victim of Chambers addition. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

WR Lance Long is active and probably beats out Wade because he plays special teams. He's definitely a "Haley guy."

Here are the rest of the inactives, courtesy of Josh Looney at KCChiefs.com.

QB Matt Gutierrez (3rd)
CB Donald Washington
S Jon McGraw
G/T Ikechuku Ndukwe
WR Bobby Wade
TE Jake O’Connell
TE Brad Cottam
LB Pierre Walters

Notable inactive from the Jaguars: Former Chiefs T Jordan Black.

Dang.

Kansas City Chiefs Draft Retrospective: 1998-2005

Joel Thorman — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:54:53 -0000

Last year around this time Chris revisted the 1998 through 2005 drafts by the Kansas City Chiefs. He went player-by-player, year-by-year and graded each draft pick and each overall draft.

In that time frame the Chiefs drafted 27 defensive players and 28 offensive players.

There's no new information here or anything in the way of "analysis". With draft talk heating up, I thought this might be an interesting (or painful) topic worth revisiting.

We all know how "terrifying" the Chiefs defense has been as of late so keep that in mind as you sift through the draft picks during this time period.

So click through and agree or disagree with Chris' grades, wallow in our drafting ineptitude for the last decade and think about how low the bar has been set for Scott Pioli and his first draft with the Chiefs.

1998 Draft (Overall - C-)

Round 1 (27, 27) - Victor Riley, Auburn, T - C+
Round 3 (27, 88) - Rashaan Shehee, Washington, RB - D
Round 4 (28, 120) - Greg Favors, Mississippi State, LB - C-
Round 5 (5, 128) - Robert Williams, North Carolina, DB - C-
Round 6 (28, 181) - Derrick Ransom, Cincinnati, DE - B+
Round 7 (27, 216) - Eric Warfield, Nebraska, DB - A-
Round 7 (35, 224) - Ernest Blackwell, Missouri, RB (Compensatory pick) - F

1999 Draft (Overall - B-)

Round 1 (14, 14) - John Tait, Brigham Young, T- A
Round 2 (23, 54) - Mike Cloud, Boston College, RB - D
Round 3 (14, 75) - Gary Stills, West Virginia, LB - B
Round 3 (23, 84) - Larry Atkins, UCLA, DB - D
Round 4 (13, 108) - Larry Parker, USC, WR - D+
Round 7 (14, 220) - Eric King, Richmond, G - F

2000 Draft (Overall - C+)

Round 1 (21, 21) - Sylvester Morris, Jackson State, WR - D-
Round 2 (23, 54) - William Bartee, Oklahoma, DB - C+
Round 3 (23, 85) - Greg Wesley, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, DB - B
Round 4 (21, 115) - Frank Moreau, Louisville, RB - C-
Round 5 (24, 153) - Dante Hall, Texas A&M, RB - A
Round 5 (33, 162) - Patrick Dennis, Louisiana-Monroe, DB - C
Round 6 (22, 188) - Darnell Alford, Boston College, G - D
Round 7 (2, 208) - Desmond Kitchings, Furman, WR - F

2001 Draft (Overall - C)

Round 3, #75 overall, DT Eric Downing - C-
Round 3, #77 overall, WR Marvin Minnis - D
Round 4, #107 overall, LB Monty Beisel - B
Round 4, #108 overall, RB George Layne - F
Round 5, #141 overall, TE Billy Baber - C
Round 5, #150 overall, RB Derrick Blaylock - B+
Round 6, #176 overall, G Alex Sulfsted - F
Round 7, #212 overall, DB Shaunard Harts - B+
Round 7, #243 overall, DT Terdell Sands - F

2002 Draft (Overall - D)

Round 1, #6 overall, DT Ryan Sims - F
Round 2, #43 overall, DT Eddie Freeman - F
Round 4, #107 overall, FB Omar Easy - D+
Round 5, #143 overall, LB Scott Fujita - B+
Round 7, #221 overall, LB Maurice Rodriguez - F

2003 Draft (Overall - C+)

Round 1, #27 overall, RB Larry Johnson - A
Round 2, #47 overall, LB Kawika Mitchell -B
Round 3, #92 overall, DB Julian Battle - D
Round 4, #113 overall, T Brett Williams - F
Round 5, #153 overall, T Jordan Black - C-
Round 6, #189 overall, DE Jimmy Wilkerson - B-
Round 7, #230 overall, DT Montique Sharpe - D+
Round 7, #252, DB Willie Pile - C+

2004 Draft (Overall - D)

Round 2, #36 overall, DT Junior Siavii - F
Round 2, #61 overall, TE Kris Wilson - D+
Round 3, #93 overall, LB Keyaron Fox - C+
Round 4, #105 overall, WR Samie Parker - C
Round 4, #126 overall, DE Jared Allen - A+
Round 6, #195 overall, WR Jeris McIntyre - D
Round 7, #231 overall, T Kevin Sampson - D

2005 Draft (Overall - B-)

Round 1, #15 overall, LB Derrick Johnson - A
Traded Round 2 Pick for Pat Surtain - A-
Round 3, #99 overall, P Dustin Colquitt - A
Round 5, #138 overall, LB Boomer Grigsby; #147 overall, CB Alphonso Hodge - C
Round 6, #187 overall, OG Will Svitek; #199, DE Khari Long - C
Round 7, #229 overall, QB James Killian; #238 overall, T Jeremy Parquet - C

Below is the total list of players drafted during this span. 27 went to defense, 28 went to offense and 2 went to special teams.

Total	LB	DT/DE	DB/S	T/G/C	WR/TE	RB	QB	ST
57	9	9	10	11	8	8	1	2

This debacle was orchestrated by the previous regime. By all indications, Scott Pioli will do much better than this.

Let's Call This One IllegalContactGate

Tim — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:51:41 -0000

If nothing else, part of me wants to thank your Houston Texans for giving us something to talk about during the dregs of the sporting calendar year. Sure, I wish it was something more positive, but beggars can't be choosers. Especially in post-Super Bowl February. After having a bit of time to digest the allegations levied against the organization and/or coaching staff, I have a few thoughts:

1. Are the allegations true? I have no idea. Gun to my head, I'd bet they are. Coaches are constantly looking for every edge they can get, and I wholeheartedly buy the notion that these sort of prohibited contact drills are far more commonplace than not. That leads to the question of whether "everybody's doing it" is a legitimate defense. Your opinion may differ, but that sort of justification rings hollow to me. It reverts back to the old question my parents always used to ask about whether I'd jump off a bridge just because everyone else was doing it. The herd mentality doesn't persuade me that there's an excuse for breaking the rules.

2. Are the allegations serious? Absolutely. Rules are rules. You break 'em, and you pay the consequences. Here, the consequences range from a monetary fine to possible loss of team activity time to the forfeiture of a fourth-round draft pick. Obviously, that last penalty is the most serious. Imagine, if you will, your Houston Texans missing out on the chance to add another player of Owen Daniels' or, to a lesser extent, Xavier Adibi's or Fred Bennett's caliber. Each of those current Texans were fourth-round picks. We all love to pat Smithiak on the back for their middle and later round draft finds, so the thought of losing the opportunity to add another diamond in the rough in April should underscore that this transgression has the potential to really sting.

3. Are the allegations a bit tougher to believe considering the source(s)? The veracity of the allegations, not really, though you have to question Dan Stevenson's motivation for coming forward. The guy was a fringe player in the NFL, and this whistleblowing (including but not limited to the subsequent lawsuit against the Texans he's purportedly set to file) could simply be his way of earning a living and/or saving for retirement for the next few years. I definitely don't buy the notion that Stevenson is some sort of crusader for workers' rights. Do you think he'd have blown the whistle if he had a guaranteed contract or roster spot? In other words, would he really bite the hand that was feeding him if it was still feeding him? I don't think so. Call me a cynic.

4. I do know this: Stevenson, Jordan Black, and Fred Weary just made it a whole lot more unlikely that they'll be plying their trade in the NFL come September 2009. When deciding on those last few roster spots, I have a hard time believing NFL teams are going to stick with guys who now have a well-publicized history of raging against the machine. Superstars can get away with being the squeaky wheel. These guys aren't superstars.

5. Smartest dude in the bunch? Chukky Okobi. His silence has been golden thus far.

6. I am a bit disappointed in the Texans organization, though. I know there are all sorts of policies that govern responding to these sort of allegations, and I respect the idea of waiting until the issues are evaluated thoroughly before disseminating some half-cocked response. Still...the Texans know if they broke the rules. If they did, Bob McNair, Rick Smith, and Kubes need to issue statements apologizing for their conduct and take their medicine. In short, they need to be the stand-up organization that we believe they are. Any sort of waffling or tap-dancing is weak sauce.

Thoughts?

BREAKING NEWS: Texans Under Investigation For Illegal Contact Drills

Riott — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:34:13 -0000

According to ESPN's Outside The Lines, former offensive guard Dan Stevenson is suing the Houston Texans for being required to participate in illegal drills in minicamp.

According to the report, players wearing only their helmets were instructed to do live one-on-one blocking drills, despite not wearing any pads. Dan Stevenson, Jordan Black, and Chukky Okobi all claimed to have been injured during the drill, with Stevenson tearing a shoulder labrum, Black suffering a labrum injury, and Chukki Okobi injuring his triceps. Fred Weary also signed a notarized affidavit supporting the claim.

Stevenson has allegedly tried to intervene through the NFLPA once before, but his claim was rejected.

Apparently holding unsanctioned drills is pretty common, but to have 3 season ending injuries in one drill? That's kind of ridiculous. We will keep an eye out on what's going on with this story.

[UPDATE BY TIM]: From John McClain:

If the Texans are found to have violated the NFL’s offseason workout policy, they will lose one week of their organized team activities, and coach Gary Kubiak could be fined.

If a league investigation finds more than one violation during the league year, the Texans could be fined a fourth-round draft choice, according to the collective bargaining agreement.

Losing a mid-round draft choice? This is serious.