The following article regarding the misleading nature of the "Tackles" statistic was originally posted on The Washington Post. Of particular note are the rankings of Rob Meier and Reggie Hayward. This concept of the importance of preventing plays as opposed to a simply tally of tackles may be the reason for both Meier's and Hayward's presence on the current roster. The concept is incredibly simple: not all tackles are created equal, and a tackle made preventing the success of an opponent's play is much more important. Furthermore, the article suggests that this is a better indication of effectiveness than those currently provided. It's always nice to see someone attempt to quantify something we all know. In this case, I feel the concept is well represented.

The Bart Scott All-Stars
During his first training camp with the New York Jets, former Ravens linebacker Bart Scott insisted to ESPN.com's Tim Graham that the one stat he never wanted to lead the NFL in was total tackles. "What you want to do is limit your reps," Scott said. "You want to lead the league in three-and-outs. You want to play the least amount of plays than anybody in the NFL. That should be your goal, to be No. 1. To have a lot of tackles? That means nothing. I could stand on the field all day and make tackles, but our team isn't going to be very good."
Scott's absolutely right, and we're on his side at Football Outsiders. To that end, we keep two specific stats that reveal the actual value of a tackle: Stops and Defeats. Stops are the total number of plays which prevent a "success" by the opposing offense, which we classify as 45 percent of conversion yardage on first down, 60 percent on second down, and 100 percent on third and fourth down. Defeats are plays that stop the offense from gaining first down yardage on third or fourth down, stop the offense behind the line of scrimmage, or result in a fumble or interception. As opposed to total tackle numbers, which are statistical empty calories in the sense that so many tackles come from the old real estate adage - location, location, location. Going back to 2001, an inside or middle linebacker has led the NFL each season in combined tackles (solo and assists). This makes sense because so many rushing plays right up the gut, right in their collective wheelhouse.

Obviously, having one NFL tackling leader says nothing about your team's defensive efficiency, which is what Scott was implying. So, let's break it down by position for 2008. Who were the most efficient and valuable tacklers last season? Based on percentage of Defeats (minimum 20 plays), here they are ... your Bart Scott All-Stars!

The Seahawks, possessors of a 4-12 record in 2008, should lead the NFL in Defeats from their front four - in addition to Terrill and Mebane, they traded for Redding in the offseason. Peppers, Allen, and Freeney aside, you won't see the defensive end list dominated by sack leaders - leaders in percentage of Defeats are just as likely to come from the other side of the line - the unheralded run-stoppers like Hayward or Brown. That's another aspect of the value in a list of Defeats - lesser-known names show up in unexpected places. Brown had 15 run Defeats in 2008, third for his position behind Trent Cole of the Eagles and Adewale Ogunleye of the Bears.

Porter's career year is reflected here as well. Notice that just about all of the linebackers on this list, with the notable exception of Briggs, are 3-4 linebackers who frequently line up outside the ends. Timmons is the only one who frequently plays inside. Other 4-3 'backers high on this list include Philly's Chris Gocong, Chicago's Brian Urlacher, and Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers. Very little surprise among the top safeties, and some names to know from there.
Oh, and Mr Scott himself? He racked up 17 Defeats in 87 plays (19.54%), not bad at all for an inside guy. Good to know he walks it like he talks it...

Rodgers-Cromartie had an outstanding rookie campaign, and Johnson solidified the Oakland secondary opposite Nnamdi Asomugha after the DeAngelo Hall mistake was realized (sorry, Redskins fans...) David was cut by New Orleans because his coverage skills were ill-suited for a man scheme. Winfield and Woodson are two stalwart veterans - Woodson even played safety in a pinch for the Packers last season.
Obviously, the further back in the defense you go, the lower the percentages become. And there's more to any position than Defeats or Stop Rate. But as we go further inside the game, and realize the actual value of things like tackles, the more is revealed. That's what the numbers are all about.
By Doug Farrar | September 11, 2009; 4:38 PM ET |

Does anyone want to get some friends together and split some tickets? Everyone will be able to get the group discount, and support our very own Jaguars.

These are the benefits of buying group tickets according to Jaguars.com:

• Ticket prices start as low as $40.
• Save as much as 20% off the single game price
• Group tickets are available for all 10 Jaguars home games.
• Provide tickets to employees at discounted Jaguars pricing.
• Further discount on ticket pricing may be available for non-profit groups.
• Group tickets are available MONTHS before single-game tickets go on sale to the public.
• Special Group Experience programs are available on a limited basis.
• Parking is available for groups.
• Transportation can be arranged.
• Opportunity to add on a unique group experience.
• Discounts available for parking, food, beverages, and merchandise.
• Opportunity to add a luxury Jaguars Cabana for a special pre-game tailgate experience.

Here are some of the relevant info including dates/times, and section/price of home games. Ticket availability cannot be provided until we all know which games each of us is hoping to go to.





Jaguars.com has everything in Flash, so I did some painting. Just match the price to the box color surrounding each section.

I'm not sure how to create a poll with picks, as opposed to a single choice, like a checklist. Hopefully this will work, and leave a comment if you know how to create a checklist instead of a poll.

Poll

Which games would you be interested in going to?

27%

Arizona Cardinals; Sep. 20

3 votes

18%

Tennessee Titans; Oct. 4

2 votes

9%

St. Louis Rams; Oct. 18

1 votes

9%

Kansas City Chiefs; Nov. 8

1 votes

0%

Buffalo Bills; Nov. 22

0 votes

0%

Houston Texans; Dec. 6

0 votes

9%

Miami Dolphins; Dec. 13

1 votes

27%

Indianapolis Colts; Dec. 17

3 votes

11 votes | Poll has closed

ESPN's Paul Kuharsky posted some assessments from Torry Holt of our new wide receivers:

The Jaguars' new veteran receiver, Torry Holt, was asked about the team's three rookie receivers on Thursday. Holt met with the local media in Jacksonville as the team gets set for its minicamp starting Friday. When Holt was asked which draft pick was most like him, here's what he said: Fifth-rounder Jarett Dillard: "The one who's most like me I would say probably would be Dillard. Incredible hands, smooth, does a really good job with his routes. Has an incredible vertical leap, does a really good job with attacking the football."

Fourth-rounder Mike Thomas: "Mike Thomas was real strong, a very good stride, I think he will come in and can help us in the return game as a punt returner and as a kickoff returner. And also give us some depth at the receiver position, too. Put him at the slot but he's also strong and big enough where you can move him and play him outside at the Z or the X."

Seventh-rounder Tiquan Underwood: "Underwood, who played some special teams in college, played receiver there at Rutgers and he played on the other side of Kenny Britt. So he knows how to play. He knows how to play his role obviously, so I thought that they did a really good job with the draft this year."

Although they're not all that different from what we already know, it's still interesting to hear it from someone like Torry Holt.

So I checked out this video of Jarett Dillard. Bricks were shat. It's like he's on springs. Incredible route runner, wants to soak up Torry Holt's armpits-ness, and will leave DBs tripping over themselves. Imagine this guy running routes. Seriously, he's the route running, sure handed receiver every team wants. How did we get him in the 4th? Well, who cares, we got him. Awesome.



I need five more words

Zack Miller is looking like a complete baller, and more athletic than every other tight end in this year's class, complete with more impressive measurables at his pro day.

Here's some info from NFL.com

Vids via Youtube:




Need to fill the 75 word quota, so I thought I'd bring you an excerpt from the excellent "One Tin Soldier":

Listen, children, to a story
That was written long ago,
'Bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley-folk below.

On the mountain was a treasure
Buried deep beneath the stone,
And the valley-people swore
They'd have it for their very own.

Relevant article regarding Broncos/Sanchez/trade possibilities. Again, it's all conjecture, and it's nothing everyone doesn't already know, but it does sum up all the known parties interested in Sanchez.

Mark Sanchez drawing interest blah blah blah...

Similiar article from a Jets perspective

Looks like interest will be high regardless of Sanchez's availability. Eight doesn't seem to be as bad of a spot as we had thought. The salary drop-off generally begins at eight and nine, so teams might be far more willing to move up into the eighth spot than higher spots. Here are the list of first round contracts from:

2005
2006
2007
2008

With the exception of Antrelle Rolle's 2005 rookie contract with Arizona, there is usually a sizable drop in contract value and guaranteed money between picks seven and eight.

Happy birthday to us.

P.S. - If the trend holds true, whoever picks at eight should expect to pay somewhere around $19 mil guaranteed/27 mil 5yr value/36 mil max, unless the Redskins move up. In which case we can expect $50 mil guaranteed/71 mil 5yr value/95 mil max.