So our Jaguars have truly imploded. But why all the surprise? The Jaguars were in desperate trouble before the season even started. A few of us called it only to be skewered by other "more knowledegable fans." The Jaguars are a power running offense and the devastating losses to the offensive line has made it nearly impossible to compete on a weekly basis. David Garrard has been heavily criticized, but can you imagine an immobile quarterback with no help up front. Without an offensive line, he has played extremely well. A healthy offensive line would have covered up a lot of glaring weaknesses on this team.

But the Del Rio/Harris off season woes would have stopped us from going too deep into the post season anyway. I will never forget the day I was waiting for the Jags to take Terrell Suggs in the draft and then heard Byron Leftwich's name called. Most fans knew that Garrard was waiting in the wings for Mark Brunell's departure. And then Leftwich proceeded to hold out. But that was just the start: Reggie Williams, Matt Jones (although he is trying to turn it around), Jerry Porter, and of course, Derrick Harvey. When the Jaguars finally realized they needed a pass rush, they grabbed the wrong guy--who also quickly went to a hold out status. So even with a great offensive line, our defense would have been suspect once we ran up against the league's elite.

But all the locker room stuff is just drama that occurs when frustrated players that are accustomed to winning don't. Jack was always going to have to tighten up the locker room sooner or later. This is his first head coaching job, and he had to learn that today's players are far different than those of his era. But it's much easier to start off hard and ease up, than vice-versa. I hope he hasn't waited too long because I do think he's a good coach. Then again, winning takes care of a lot of issues.

The Jaguars have a legitimate shot at going to the Super Bowl. They have a glaring need at DE, and draft Derrick Harvey. Could there be a better situation for a player? You play for the Gators and then get picked in the first round by the Jaguars. Get to camp, earn a spot as a starter, and get to play for a premier team in the NFL. Dream come true. But greed gets in the way and instead of reporting to camp, you hold out. The Jaguars move forward without you and the head coach publicly states that your demands are ridiculous. There goes that starting job. In fact, without training camp, you'll be hopelessly behind when you do show up and injuries are now far more likely. Derrick, Derrick, Derrick. You need to look at your situation. All of us mere mortals study a prospective company before we interview for a job. You should have done the same. Here's the cliff notes: their starting QB waited for years for his shot and then settled for less money to ensure he didn't have a negative impact on the team. David Garrard is a proven commodity who has actually PLAYED in the NFL. The Jags last rookie holdout was this guy named Byron. I can't remember his last name. Jack Del Rio wishes he couldn't remember . So ask yourself this: how can the Jags cave on your contract after holding tough on their starting QB? Jack Del Rio has never commented on contract negotiations--but he blasts you. Here's a newsflash--the Jags are not going to back down. The Rams told their best RB they wouldn't negotiate until he reported to camp. And they didn't. And that's Steven Jackson. Do you put yourself in the same class as Steven Jackson?

Oh well. The sad thing is you'll finally get it. You'll come to your senses and sign a contract. But it's too late. You've lost so much time that you'll never have an impact in 2008. The irony is that every day you hold out for more money, the less value you have to the team. Unlike others, I'm not blaming your agent. Your supposed to be a football player. And a real football player can smell a championship season. There are guys in the NFL that will never play for a contender. You had it all. And let it slip away. You've never played a down in the NFL. You've been offered millions yet you say it's not enough. You say, "I just want to be traded fairly." Are you kidding me?