SB Nation User Blog: FSBlueApocalypse

Jaguars-Titans Postmortem

FSBlueApocalypse — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:00:15 -0000

Hope seemingly ran wild in the first half. This looked like the Jaguar team that looked like the trendy Dark Horse Super Bowl pick of the offseason. It ran the ball while David Garrard his recievers in stride. The defense got pressure and managed to stuff the run. A 14-3 lead was built and it seemed Tennessee would leave Jacksonville 9-1 and the Jaguars could gain the kind of confidence building win to launch a furious wildcard run. Then the 2nd half kicked off and we were reminded why this team is now 4-6, effectively eliminated from the playoffs and now hoping we don't have to pay another Top 10 pick.

This game served as a microcosm of the Jaguars entire season to this point. The hype of the preseason was the 1st half, and the 2nd half served as the cold reality this season had become. This is the kind of deflating loss that we have to wonder if this team is going to simply pack it up for the season.

I hate to really crank up the FIRE COACH X speech, but I think its now appropiate. I believe a 3-3 finish is the minimum Jack Del Rio needs to save his job as the Jaguars Head Coach. Once again, the Jaguars have seemingly been unable to grasp success. We follow a massive win at Green Bay with a shutout against the Texans and the playoffs with it. We follow the most dominating regular season win the Jaguars history against the Colts with 3 losses to kill our playoff hopes.

This season has only magnified those problems into an entire season. It will be telling of his ability to continue being our head coach depending on how we finish the season.

As for GM Shack Harris, it wouldn't surprise me to see headlines reading he was let go a week or two after the season. Ironically considering the events of the last few weeks, outside of Mike Peterson, name one big name free agent we've brought in that's been a big help? Byron Leftwich and Reggie Williams occupy the spaces right after R.Jay Soward on the list of worst 1st round picks, and Matt Jones would be there had he not had a transformation this season.

Congratulations to the Titans on the win.

Tennessee Titans vs Jacksonville Jaguars Pregame/Game Thread

FSBlueApocalypse — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:19:52 -0000

Tennessee Titans (9-0)	GAME #10	JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-5)
	VS.

Date:	November 16, 2008	Location:	Jacksonville, FL
Time:	4:15 p.m. ET	Stadium:	The Jack
TV:	CBS	Favorite:	Titans -3
Radio:	Click Here	Over/Under:	39.5
Weather:	High 65, Clear	Injury Report:	Click Here
SBN Coverage:	Music City Miracles	Coverage Map	Click Here
Final Score:	Tennessee Titans - ?? :: Jacksonville Jaguars - ??

Post all your thoughts leading up to the Titans games, and until Chris, Collin, or I say so, during the game in this thread. I was going to post a "Drunk Message for Titans Fans #2" but that would have topped letting the political can of worms out the day after election day in the "Well That was Bad in Retrospect" list.

Drunk Message #1 for the Titans

FSBlueApocalypse — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:14:41 -0000

You know, I remember lots of fond childhood memories. Alot of those are Jaguars games. I was there in the stadium when Morten Anderson missed that kick. I was there to meet the team after we beat the Broncos in the biggest upset since Super Bowl III. But sadly, the 1999 season is going to forever be in grained in my brain. First, we had to cancel our season tickets because of budget cuts to my dad's business. Then we manage to somehow lose our only two games to the Titans all year. Then the AFC title game comes around. It's in Alltell Stadium, the place is packed, you could cut the anticipation with a knife. My dad had a standing offer to get a hotel and 4 tickets, and seeing we're leading at halftime, he accepts it. Then the Titans proceed to unzip their pants and let loose on my childhood. I understand now the term "I've already had my heroes." But f*** you Tennessee for denying them their shot at immortality.

-John "Been talking to Jack Daniels too much tonight" Loesche

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars Game Preview

FSBlueApocalypse — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:56:16 -0000

Tennessee Titans (9-0)	GAME #10	JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-5)
	VS.

Date:	November 16, 2008	Location:	Jacksonville, FL
Time:	4:15 p.m. ET	Stadium:	The Jack
TV:	CBS	Favorite:	Titans -3
Radio:	Click Here	Over/Under:	39.5
Weather:	High 65, Clear	Injury Report:	Click Here
SBN Coverage:	Music City Miracles	Coverage Map	Click Here
Final Score:	Tennessee Titans - ?? :: Jacksonville Jaguars - ??

The Jaguars and the Titans have a long history together. Their first game was against the then Houston Oilers, and their first win came in the Astrodome. I won't bother recounting the 1999 season. Week 1 seems almost a lifetime away. The Jaguars were seen as the ascending team in the AFC heading to the Super Bowl while the Titans were something of an after though. Who would have thought the roles these teams would play in the rematch? Simply put, this is the Jaguar's "Super Bowl" at this point. The playoffs are a fools dream and hey, let's at least ruin our rivals chance at history.

What to watch for: Jacksonville Jaguars

1. Daryl Smith: Ladies and Gentleman, I give you our new starting middle linebacker for the foreseeable future. He played lights out against the Lions, and he'll need to keep Chris Johnson and Lendale White at bay.

2. David Garrard: Is there anything more I can say about him right now?

3. Maurice Jones-Drew and Greg Jones: I called it somewhat last week. Expect more of the same with Fred getting a lesser workload and MJD and Greg getting the bulk of the carries.

4. The O-line interior: Albert Haynesworth is having an MVP worthy season right now. They have to keep him at bay so Garrard is running for his life and MJD is swallowed at the line.

5. Pass Rush: It's Kerry Collins under center, not Johnny Unitas. If we get some pressure Rashean might be seeing a Pick 6.

Things to watch for: Tennessee Titans

1. Kerry Collins: He showed he could bail the Titans out of a rut last week. If the Jags can stop the run again, can he prove he's a worthy starter?

2. Chris Johnson: A rookie of the year candidate, he shredded the Jaguars D week one. The Jaguars will have to contain him if they have a shot at winning.

3. Injuries: Looking at the injury report shows alot of key players were held out of practice. Rust or further strain could be in the Jaguars favor.

4. Keith Bullock: Just look and think, wow we could have drafted him instead of R. Jay Soward.

5. Pressure: 9-0 is usually where the cracking begins for undefeated teams. Each win begins to add pressure. Can Jeff Fisher keep his team composed?

Player On the Hotseat:

David Garrard, QB, Jacksonville

Simply put, the Jaguars have lived and died with him this season. I'm not sold on the fact the Jags D can keep Johnson and White from making a few big runs, and the Jags will surely need to answer score for score.

Prediction

Titans 27

Jaguars 23

Ask Big Cat Country

FSBlueApocalypse — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:13:25 -0000

Hola, John from Big Cat Country here.

Ask anything you feel might be relevant to the game on Sunday. Hopefully it'll be a good one as they usually are. While Kerry Collins is getting a lot of praise as of late with his heroics against Chicago, do you feel it should be tempered a bit considering it came against a team that had to rally to beat Detroit. (Yes, I realized we lost to the Bungles.)

Quick Bytes: Midweek Before Tennessee Edition

FSBlueApocalypse — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:03:54 -0000

Tennessee Titans (9-0)	GAME #10	JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-5)
	VS.

Date:	November 16, 2008	Location:	Jacksonville, FL
Time:	4:15 p.m. ET	Stadium:	The Jack
TV:	CBS	Favorite:	Titans -3
Radio:	Click Here	Over/Under:	39.5
Weather:	High 65, Clear	Injury Report:	Click Here
SBN Coverage:	Music City Miracles	My Prediction:	??
Final Score:	Tennessee Titans - ?? :: Jacksonville Jaguars - ??

1. Matt Jones has staved off suspension for another week has his appeals with the NFL continues. Hopefully an official announcement will come forward soon.

2. I made a fanpost about this earlier, but here is the preliminary coverage map for the game Sunday.

3. Maurice Jones Drew has been nominated for FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Voting can be done here.

4. Interesting comments from Coach Del Rio referring to the Titans game as a David vs Goliath esque battle. Either way, as I said during Week 1, it seem Chris Johnson is going to be a royal pain for the Jags for years to come.

A quick note on Broadcast area for Sunday

FSBlueApocalypse — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:49:44 -0000

Hey guys

Busy with school right now but I thought I would pass along the current arrangement for the broadcast area for the Titans game. It's actually fairly high from what I expected it to be. Currently all of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and parts of Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina will be receiving the game as of right now. I figured the broadcast area was going to be alot less, but its nice to be wrong sometimes.

Jaguars-Lions post game thoughts

FSBlueApocalypse — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:22:35 -0000

As someone else who commented in the game thread, when this team wins, I have a lot less to say. For sure some of this victory was because we played the Lions, but it is still satisfying. Hopefully we can keep this going next week and derail the Titans quest for perfection.

Game Balls Go To

Maurice Jones-Drew for 3 touchdowns

Matt Jones for his amazing catch on 4th down

Jack Del Rio for cracking down this week

Also, was toying around in my boredom to get an official looking banner for Game threads. The one below is a protoversion on the final look, any input would be appreciated.

Game Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions

FSBlueApocalypse — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:32:23 -0000

When/TV: 1pm CBS

Where: Detroit, Michigan, Ford Field

Weather: Dome

Hope is a well only fools drink. Hope has long since been replaced by Nickle beer night at Wrigley Field. Hope is the dream of Raiders fans that Al Davis didn't make a deal with the Devil to live forever. But you know what, Hope is all that 1980 USA Hockey team had against the Soviets. And Hope was all that 1996 Jaguars team had. At 4-7, down late to the Baltimore Ravens, Mark Brunell led a rally that launched us to the AFC Championship game. While my pick of the Jaguars to reach the Super Bowl currently looks like it was made with 8 inch thick Teal and Black glasses, let's see how the season goes.

Things to Watch For: Jacksonville Jaguars

1. Mike Peterson-He has apparently be reinstated. Hopefully this lights a fire under him to play big today.

2. John Henderson-Much the same as Peterson. Big John has been underperforming. Injuries may be to blame for most of it, but lets see if he can have a big day.

3. MJD and Greg Jones: If Fred really is more hurt than he's letting on, expect him to be phased out abit of the rotation if he doesn't heal.

4. David Garrard/Matt Jones: I would just put offense here, but.......

5. Demeanor: This game can tell us alot about the character of this team. Either they show up and try to salvage this season, or we can begin discussing about who we should draft with our top 10 pick.

Things to Watch for: Detroit Lions

1. Daunte Culpepper: Everyone's favorite UCF Golden Knight is back in the NFC North where he had his heyday as a Viking. Hard to believe this guy is only a few years removed from being one of the most prolific QBs in football.

2. Ernie Sims: If he does play Sunday, he's one of the best Linebackers in the league. Not good for an Oline that can't open holes to begin with.

3. Calvin Johnson: The human freek could benefit from an arm like Culpepper's. Then again, Detroit is where receivers go to die.

4. Motivation: My biggest fear is both of these teams show up not caring at all about the game Sunday. Yay sloppy football.

Player on the Hot Seat
Daunte Culpepper, QB, Detroit

Culpepper will be making his first start. Situations like this lead to one of two things. Either it complicates things even further or he could spark the Lions to victory, and Jaguar fans to the bottom of the bottle.

Prediction:
Jaguars 27 Lions 13

Better Know the Jacksonville Jaguars

FSBlueApocalypse — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:53:09 -0000

Hey guys, John from Big Cat Country here

Sorry this wasn't posted earlier but the staff over at BCC has been busy with real world stuff. Anyways, ask us anything you would like to know about the team. I was hoping this game would be played on Thanksgiving, but I guess the NFL made the right call considering the way these two teams are heading right now. How do you guys feel about finally running Matt Millen out of town?