SB Nation User Blog: bwfull

Digusting performance but Jack mans up.

bwfull — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:08:35 -0000

Digusting performance but Jack mans up.

Del Rio post-game press conference. Falling on his sword...as he should.

Jaguars' Coach Jack Del Rio: Weighed, Measured and Found Wanting

bwfull — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:54:20 -0000

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio walks the sideline in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. The Titans won 30-13 for their first win of the season.

(AP Photo/John Russell)

I found myself struggling to decide which was more nauseating: the Vince Young love fest from Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker or the Jaguars. So I tossed a coin.

Let me retract all the good things I wrote about this team after their earlier win over the Tennessee Titans. Everything they said on the field that day has been found to be false. There was nothing new to see in Nashville, just the same old Jaguars after a bye. I guess the "roller coaster of love" mantra would be better to use for the remainder of the season.

I am happy for Vince. I don't want to see anyone succumb to failure apart from their inability to perform on the field. Given the opportunity, he silenced the echoes of bad decisions and a lack of confidence to lead the Titans to their first victory of the season. The team rallied around him and at games end were obviously happy not only to win but that Vince was a part of it.

That being said, let's not pretend that it was Vince Young that won this game. There is nothing gaudy about what he did going 15\18, 125 yards and one TD (114.1 passer rating). His rushing stats aren't even that great with 12 attempts for 30 yards.

However, Young did not throw an INT, though he deserved one, no thanks to Derek Cox. He also did on the ground what Steve McNair once did: He got the yards when the Titans needed it. On two scoring drives Young managed just enough to convert third downs.

Through the air he was just as effective. He managed to get them out of the shadow of their own end zone. He ensured the defense had to respect to pass which eventually would setup the run. He eluded the rush and delivered the ball to open receivers. In summary, Young managed the game in order for the actual talent to control the game.

As for Jacksonville, Garrard awoke the memories of his epic failure three years ago. He threw two interceptions, one which was a badly overthrown ball for Mike Walker which is a touchdown had it been completed, and finished with a quarterback rating of 35.9. Amazingly he actually rates worse than the 53.1 he put up in 2006.

But David is the easy scape goat. He surely didn't play his best game, but part of that thanks goes to the Titans defense and the Jaguars pass protection. Sacked four times and hit more times than a pinata, you couldn't blame him if his focus was on the powder blue jerseys circling his wagon.

Who then is to blame?

Reggie Nelson

The touchdown pass to Nate Washington could have been defended. If you were blind you would've thought the pass was a beautiful throw to the back corner of the end zone. At game's end the announcers were still fawning over the play. It wasn't a fade. The ball was fairly flat but because Nelson was beat off the line and didn't look back for the ball soon enough, Young was able to throw it like a timing route.

The pinnacle of his failures were the two big runs by Chris Johnson. Here he showed why so many are down on his tackling. Someone needs to tell Reggie that quick runners won't be as susceptible to you trying to cut our their legs. I know this was his first start at CB and the demands are different but Reggie's overall play continues to digress.

Offensive Line

I won't spend too much time here as we know this group is expected to undulate due to inexperience. They opened holes for MJD. But they just killed David. This group is young and coming off injuries but today was simply unacceptable. No matter how good (or bad) your QB may be, he can't take that type of beating and be expected to focus on the field.

Dirk Koetter

Did I really watch a game in which the Jaguars did not attempt a run until mid-way through the second quarter. And when I did it went to Mike Thomas? That isn't a cut at Mike. The WR end around has worked great for the Jaguars and it netted 7 yards. The problem is that it was the first run of the game and brought the Jaguars offensive total to zero yards. Yes...that is zero as in 0.

Series 1: three passes.

Series 2: five passes (even with the aid of two Titans penalties they go "three" and out)

Series 3: one run, two passes (the second pass an INT thanks to a pick by the official)

Series 4: one run (TD)

Series 5: nine passes, three runs

Koetter's obvious fear of the Titans run defense wound up giving the Titans a 2:1 TOP advantage at game's end. They went into the half only having had the ball for seven minutes and 52 seconds.

I understand David shredded Tennessee in Jacksonville but not getting your best player involved until late in the second quarter is mind boggling. Part of the poor play of the offensive line has to fall on Koetter. If David isn't being given the time to throw you need to make adjustments.

And why did you give it to Rashad Jennings on third and three!!!!!?????

Defense

Both long runs by C.J. should never have happened. The failure to tackle was a big reason why the Titans were able to pull away. The inability to make Young uncomfortable ensured the Titans offense would find their groove and feed off their emotions. You simply can't let Tennessee start the game with a seven minute and fourteen second drive.

Allowing your opponent a 53% third down percentage is also a major black eye. Adding insult to injury is that some of those were converted by Young and LenDale White. This was the game in which your best was to be considerably better than their best.

David Garrard

He doesn't get a free pass. He had some gems (a third and twenty to Jarett Dillard) but he missed a wide open Sims-Walker that would have been a TD when they really needed the score. He made some terrible reads (screen to MJD) and held the ball too long (pump and go to Ernest Wilford). Yes David was abused but there were plays to be made and at his cost they have to be made.

Jack Del Rio

What can we say, Jack? You are two and five coming off a bye. Players may make plays but the coach is responsible for preparation. This team was to be 5-3 going into a big game in New York. Yet again the Titans have spoiled any momentum you could bring to this team and the fan base. This isn't the same Titans team that lost 59-0 but they were lead by a pedestrian quarterback who was ripe to to rattled.

This was embarrassing, Jack.

- Brian Fullford

Paul Kuharsky Espn RT @jaguarsinsider: Rashean Mathis (finger) and CB Brian Witherspoon (hamstring)...

bwfull — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:05:31 -0000

Paul Kuharsky Espn RT @jaguarsinsider: Rashean Mathis (finger) and CB Brian Witherspoon (hamstring) are out for the Jaguars on Sunday. #NFL #JAC

Vince Young Will Get The Start

bwfull — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:14:08 -0000

Vince Young Will Get The Start

According to The Tennessean, Vince Young will start against Jacksonville this Sunday.

The Jaguars have no excuse for losing this game.

Trivia Question: What two NFL teams have the Jaguars never beaten and what are their records...

bwfull — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:40:18 -0000

Trivia Question: What two NFL teams have the Jaguars never beaten and what are their records against those teams? Try not to cheat by doing a web search.

Latest Los Angeles stadium whispering is that there could be two NFL teams relocating to share a...

bwfull — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:50:29 -0000

Latest Los Angeles stadium whispering is that there could be two NFL teams relocating to share a stadium. If just one stadium is built, the San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders and Vikings are considered contenders for relocation.

St. Paul Pioneer Press

Jacksonville Jaguars Defeat Tennessee Titans: Actions speak louder than words

bwfull — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:27:35 -0000

Marcedes Lewis puts the nail in the coffin.

It wasn't anything special. Call play action and drag the tight end across the field with most of the defense up tight to stop the run. The problem is that, for the Jaguars, it isn't something seen very often, much less executed to success.

However, this play was symbolic of how this team should be perceived ongoing. I won't pretend to know what Jack Del Rio and Dirk Koetter were thinking. Maybe they just wanted to run the clock out. Maybe they were looking for that nail in the coffin score. What I do know is that pass play was one of many statements made this weekend.

Statement 1: This coaching staff is smarter than you are

Tennessee had just scored to close the gap, 30-17. With 5:28 left to play, the Titans line up for the onside kick. As Jeff Fisher is inclined to do, the Titans first fake the kick to the left and then pooch it up to the right where Ernest Wilford secures it.

Up to this point the Jaguars had run the ball 23 times, averaging roughly five yards per carry. With only two time-outs remaining the game was all but over. After a two yard loss, followed by a nine yard gain, the Jaguars found themselves with a manageable third and three and the Titans had no time outs left.

With the defense sitting on the run, Dirk Koetter calls for play-action to Rashad Jennings. Rolling to his right David Garrard finds Marcedes Lewis wide open behind the linebackers. He catches the ball at the 20 and one athletic move later Lewis is in the end zone. The Jaguars post the final points of the game. This will not be a run the clock out team.

Statement 2: Don't stack the line on short yardage

For those of us who have followed this team closely, I'm sure we can recall any number of games in which this team was sitting on a second and short, only to find themselves punting on fourth down because they couldn't convert. We had an aversion to them passing it because the receivers were bad and the quarterback was getting no protection. That left teams to stack the box and end the drive.

Not this Sunday.

Garrard was playing the best game in years. The Titans secondary, a known weakness coming into the game, had been abused for three and a half quarters. It wasn't an overly aggressive call but it was smart, showing not only an understanding of what your opponent was going to do (remember the Titans came in with the second rated rushing defense), but also a confidence in your players to execute. Garrard failed to convert on in similar situations earlier in the game but Dirk obviously had faith in our quarterback.

Statement 3: This is not a one man team

Going into the game, this was one of the quotes that generated a good deal of interest from the Jaguars and their fans.

"All fantasy football players, I would advise you to bench Maurice Jones-Drew. I’m sure he’s been doing great for you the past three weeks, tremendous numbers, but we’ve got to slow that down this week."

Keith Bulluck

Why shouldn't they feel confident? Apart from Jones-Drew no one on the Jaguar's team had managed to step up as a play-maker, in the run or the pass.

Kudos to Keith and the rest of his defensive teammates. MJD posted one TD rushing but managed only 14 yards rushing (six attempts) and 26 yards receiving (three receptions). What the Titans did not account for is that six players would touch the ball in the run game, allowing the Jaguars to still compile a 4.6 yards per carry average.

On top of that, Mike Sims-Walker led the team in receiving yards for the third week in a row. In those games he totaled 106, 81 and 91 yards respectively. Game planning for the Jaguars may no longer be a one-dimensional approach.

Statement 4: Hey Titans, you might want to consider this a rivalry

As much as the Titans have owned the Jaguars in Jacksonville, they are suffering some humiliating defeats in the series. Since the Del Rio era started, Jack's team can claim victories of 27 points (2005), 30 points (2006) and 15 points (2007). The first two mentioned being in Jacksonville. During this same era the Titans have managed only two games in which they posted a double digit margin - 13 points (2003) and 10 points (2008).

Win the next game and the series is tied at seven apiece. Sure it is easy to claim the Colts as your rival as they've been the team to beat since the AFC South was born. Jacksonville has been criticized for a failure to beat their division opponents and Fisher has been mentioned as a better coach than Del Rio. That appears to be changing.

Statement 5: MIssing two starters on the o-line, we'll still stop you

The Titans came in with an attitude in a must win game, preparing to stop the trademark Jaguar rushing attack. With Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe out of the lineup, Tra Thomas and Maurice Williams stepped in to open holes while giving David enough time to find his receivers. Jacksonville became the first team to rush for over 100 yards against Tennessee. The passing game success was expected, but ta king down the 2nd rated rush defense was an accomplishment.

What should instill even greater confidence is that, unlike last year, this team has the capability to rotate their offensive linemen without seeing a drop off in production. Now we just sit back and let the rookies mature. The Tra Thomas acquisition, so far, looks to be a big win.

Statement 6: Jaguars are fast on defense

I went into this game wondering how many big runs Johnson was going to break off. His longest run of the day was 18 yards and a good number of times he benefited from bad tackling. On pass plays, receivers were getting open but few times were there any yards after the catch. The likes of Derek Cox, Justin Durant, Daryl Smith and Reggie Nelson were flying all over the field to negate the big play in both the run and passing game.

One play in particular. It is second and one, mid-way through the second quarter, and C.J. has just busted off a nine yard run down the left sideline. On second down the Titans again send the speedy back to the left in hopes of catching the corner. Nelson darts from his safety spot, between the mix of linemen, to cut down C.J. for no gain. The next play Derek Harvey knocks down a pass intended for Bo Scaife: The Titans punt.

Coming off the home opener against Arizona there was justified concern that this rebuilding effort was going to be more painful than we expected. Jack reminded his players to turn off their ears while the fans were told "we're rebuilding". That was the statement made on that day.

Yesterday was different. Against the Titans the statement was one of further establishing an identity for the present and the future. One that will bring with it victories. Yesterday didn't require anything verbal. We saw it.

-Brian Fullford (The Real B-Dub)

Vic on JDR Stopping Garrard's Radio Show Stephen from Jacksonville "Del Rio cancels Garrard's...

bwfull — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:49:09 -0000

Vic on JDR Stopping Garrard's Radio Show

Stephen from Jacksonville
"Del Rio cancels Garrard's weekly show" is the headline read on ESPN. It sounds to me like sour grapes. David was out promoting the product and doing his best to help build a fan base and Del Rio didn't like the fact that he wasn't included. It's not like Del Rio and his bland personality are out there trying to get people excited about Jaguars football. Mr. Ketchman, you know better than I do, but is there really anything wrong with what Garrard was doing?

Vic: I’ve been covering the Jaguars from their inception and that includes two head coaches and I can tell you that Jack Del Rio didn’t do anything Tom Coughlin or any other coach wouldn’t have done. What you don’t know, Stephen, is that Friday’s practice schedule is tailored for players to get home early, relax, do things around the house and spend time with their families. Why is that important? Because they’re going to be gone all weekend. They will report to the stadium on Saturday morning and they will go from there to the hotel, etc. No coach shortens the work day so his players can do radio interviews. Friday afternoon is the concentration line, Stephen. The players cross it when they get within 48 hours of kickoff and coaches want their players to have a singular focus from that point on. It’s been that way forever and every beat guy who covers any team knows this to be true and they know it to be fair. The game plan has been installed and coaches don’t want anything being said that might reveal its contents or the medical condition of a teammate. When we get to Friday afternoon, Stephen, every coach in the league becomes hyper-sensitive. Friday is lock-down. I knew coach Del Rio would get ripped on this thing because America loves nothing more than a good freedom-of-speech argument and this made for an easy target. Coach Del Rio was in a no-win position. Also, it provided another excuse for fans not buying tickets: He wouldn’t let Garrard interact with us. That is such crap.

Jaguars - Titans: The History Should Fill This Stadium

bwfull — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:40:35 -0000

via snsimages.tribune.com

I know this hurts...it was meant to.

Fallout Boy

This weekend Jeff Fisher and the Tennessee Titans return to what was once deemed their "second home field". Fisher's comments were further insult to injury as they were uttered after the Titans won the AFCCG 33-14 back in 2000. I was at that game and I vividly remember the complete disgust I felt watching them hoist the trophy.

Rivalries are the cornerstone of sports: Browns\Steelers, Cowboys\Redskins, Chiefs\Raiders, Buckeyes\Wolverines, Florida\Tennessee, Florida St.\Miami(to name a few). They not only rally the fan base but they also play a big role in establishing a tradition the team can feed off.

Jim Tressel understood this when he took over as the Ohio St. coach. Lane Kiffin used beating Florida as a rallying cry. George Allen was quite vocal in his hatred for the Cowboys. Early on Coughlin used the Steelers as the Jaguars must win game to define his team as physical.

Is it a sense of professional courtesy that JDR and WW are not leveraging the history of this rivalry to promote the game for the sake of filling the stadium? Have Jaguar fans simply lost that fire? It should not matter who has what record nor whether either team is in a position to be a playoff contender.

Maybe everyone needs to be reminded of why this stadium should be filled with passionate anti-Tennessee sentiment.

1995: Jacksonville' inaugural season. The then Houston Oilers hand the Jaguars there first ever defeat 10-3 in front of a 72,363 fans at the Gator Bowl. Four weeks later the Jaguars get their first franchise victory with a 17-16 win at Houston. The foundation is set.

1996: Houston again beats Jacksonville at home, 34-27, behind a punishing 143 yard performance from Eddie George. In the middle of a season ending 5 game winning streak, Jacksonville forces 4 turnovers while holding George to 45 yard rushing in a 23-17 victory.

Eddie George and punishing...a combination we'd come to know and loathe.

1997: With the team now known as the Tennessee Oilers, Jacksonville sweeps the season with a 30-24 victory at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and a 17-9 victory at home. The Jaguars again make the playoffs. The Oilers, still a .500 team.

More significant is that Steve McNair became the Oiler's staring QB. You can almost hear the audience scream "He is behind the door! Don't open the door!"

1998: This year, the Oilers played their home games at Vanderbilt Stadium where 2 fourth quarter field goals give the Jaguars a 27-22 victory in a sloppy game by both teams. Later in the year, the Oilers re-established their tradition of winning in Jacksonville with a 16-13 victory thanks to a 41 yard FG by Al Del Greco with 4 seconds left. Still, Jacksonville finishes first and makes the playoffs. The Oilers are still a .500 team.

1999: And so it begins. They finish the season 14-2. They lose in the AFCCG. All 3 loses to the now Tennessee Titans. In week 3 Jacksonville out gains the Titans 369-231 but can't get the win. Samari Rolle's interception of a Mark Brunell pass, on 3rd and goal, late in the 4th quarter seals the victory.

Week 16 would be the turning point. Knocking out Brunell early, the Titans out muscled the Jaguars with a 41-14 win, out-gaining them 476-237.

The dominance continued as the Titans shut out the Jags in the second half of the AFCCG en route to a 33-14 victory and a trip to the Super Bowl. Tennessee became the first team in NFL history to be a team three times in one season, with two of those wins coming on the road.

McNair was unstoppable, making play after play when it was needed. George simply wore down the defense, while the Jags offense looked pedestrian in the face of the aggressive Titans. Jag fans would come to expect this type of play for years to come.

2000: The run is over. At the end of the 2000 season the Titans will be 13-3; the Jags 7-9 and falling fast. In Nashville, Eddie and Steve carve up the Jaguars 27-13 in a game that was more lopsided than the score would indicate. However, in a game as close as the final stats, Mike Hollis kicks a 37 yard FG with no time left as the Jaguars get a home win 16-13.

It isn't much but we get to see the Titans lose and the team ends the year on a 4-2 run (though losing their final two). Next year, right?

2001: The final year of the AFC Central saw tradition win out. Pittsburgh and Baltimore held the top two spots while Tennessee and Jacksonville wallowed at 7-9 and 6-10 respectively. For Jacksonville, salary cap problems would continue to gut the team.

Both games were closely contested with each team getting a victory on their home turf. The Jaguars took the first game 13-6, the latter won by the Titans 28-24. What distinguished one game from the other? McNair played in Nashville. He won the game on a 1 yard run with 44 seconds left.

Steve was a consistent source of pain for the Jaguars defense and his return would signal a three year stint of misery.

2002: Welcome to the AFC South. Titans would finish first, the Jaguars third, in what would be Coughlin's last year. Jacksonville visited Tennessee in week 6 with the Titans riding a four game losing streak. This game would serve as another statement game by the Titans. The Jaguars were coming off a big win over the Eagles and stood at 3-1, poised to regain their lost glory.

Rolle knocked Brunell out of the game in the first quarter. Led by David Garrard, the Jags pulled to within two points, gaining momentum, with a late third quarter TD. The Jags needed only to stop the Titans.

Tennessee responded with a 7 minute and 36 second death march to take the lead. Garrard led the Jags down to the Tennessee 31 before throwing an interception. In the final 3:37, George would gain 9 yards on third-and-eight while McNair would gain 4 yards on a third-and-three. This was the beginning of the end for Jacksonville's season.

Back home in Jacksonville it didn't get any better. With the season now completely lost (initiated by the loss in week 6), and the Titans well on their way to the playoffs, the Jaguars were no match for the relentless Titan rushing attack. It wasn't that George was piling up long runs (17 yards was his best) in the 28-10 win, it was how he got them. Bit by bit the Jag defense was chipped at. 5 yards here, 3 yards there, 6 yards, 4 yards...All you need to know is the time of possession in both games: 22:17 - 37:43 and 24:21 - 35:39. Advant age Titans.

2003: We welcomed Jack Del Rio as the Jaguars new coach. Apart from that, nothing much changed. The Titans swept the Jaguars...again. This time 30-17 in Jacksonville and 10-3 at Tennessee. The first game began where last season left off. Down 20-10 at the half, the Jaguars again lost the time of possession battle 20:46 - 39:14. Though the defense played well in the latter loss, the offense did nothing until a late fourth quarter field goal.

The rivalry had become a joke and there was no greater indication than the game one fourth quarter drive in which the Titans held the ball for 11 minutes and 14 seconds. After the game Jack noted, "We're going to identify the guys who aren't getting it done and find guys who can, because that's embarrassing."

2004: Finally! At 9-7 the Jaguars would barely miss the playoffs (though it will be remembered for the dismal attendance in a 21-0 late season loss to the Texans). At 5-11 the Titans were the worst team in the division. Sadly, the Jaguars still couldn't manage to relish this with any dominance over the Titans. A late TD by Fred Taylor gave the Jaguars a 15-12 victory in Tennessee. However, a week 11 visit by the 3-6 Titans would end with an 18-15 loss, starting a three game losing streak for the then 6-3 Jaguars.

Once again the Titans play a major role in a season lost. A classic post game quote by Fred Taylor:

"They weren't anywhere near the type of talented team that they usually are, which is what makes this all the more sickening. No way in hell are we supposed to lose that game to that team."

2005: This was the year we believed it all had changed. Coming off a 9-7 season, the Jaguars would finish 12-4 while the Titans would end at 4-12. McNair was old an injured. Eddie George was two years removed.

The Jags would get the sweep, starting with an exciting come from behind victory at Tennessee. Byron Leftwich led them back from a 21-14 deficit in route to a 31-28 victory. Unlike past years, the Jaguars finished strong with 24 second half points.

The team then gave us a Happy New Year with a 40-13 dismantling of the Titans. It was as if years of frustration and losing burst forth as they went up 40-0 before the fourth quarter even started.

2006: It wasn't that finishing tied with the Titans at 8-8 was bad, it was everything else that surrounded it.

This year we welcomed Vince Young and Maurice Jones-Drew. Young came off a National Championship season. Drew played second fiddle to cross-town rival and Heisman Trophy winning Reggie Bush. Fitting.

In their first encounter the 4-3 Jaguars again dominated the 2-5 Titans, scoring 37 points in three quarter on their way to a 37-7 win. Both teams looked to be heading in opposite directions. Then it happened...again.

Week 15 and the 8-5 Jaguars were looking to finish strong. All that was left were the Patriots, Chiefs and Titans. 10-6 looked like a sure thing. They had just humiliated the Colts 44-17 on the legs of Taylor and Drew and next was a Titans team that was on a four game win streak. Young was again turning heads.

83. 92. 61. Those were the defensive scores by the Titans. Jacksonville's fifth rated defense neutered Young and his offense but Garrard's turnovers (along with some memorable failures by Matt Jones) simply gave the game away.

No playoffs for the Jags. To make matters worse...Young got OROY.

2007: Both teams would be redefined as defensive powers. Both teams would make it to the playoffs. The rivalry became fun again. And much like the days of the past, Jacksonville simply couldn't win at home.

Surely there was no better way to start the season. The much maligned offense was given new breath as Garrard became the starting QB. The Titans were coming to town to start the season. The ghosts of Eddie George were awoken as Chris Brown shredded the Jacksonville defense for 175 yards. Tennessee held the ball almost 14 minutes longer than Jacksonville. And much like McNair once did, Young's scramble with one minute left in the third quarter proved the game winner.

The tide turned in Tennessee with Jacksonville winning 28-13. Ironically this loss ended the Titans three game win streak and start a three game losing streak. For Jacksonville it was the first win in a series that saw them go 6-2 to end the season. For the fan it was another example that Drew should've won OROY.

2008: Watching the Jaguars play in the Super Bowl was inevitable. That run would start in Nashville.

With a chance to redeem themselves from last year's opening season defeat, Jacksonville managed to actually play worse, losing 17-10. Garrard was harassed all day long, getting sacked 7 times. The offensive line ensured complete failure by giving Taylor and Drew no where to run (thought in fairness to them the injuries in just the first half were catastrophic). Maybe the biggest mistake they made was knocking Young out of the game. Kerry Collins came in and led the Titans to their final score. He went on to lead them to 10 straight wins and a league best 13-3 record.

But the pain didn't stop there. Coming off a much needed win against the Lions, the 4-5 Jaguars took a 14-3 lead into the half. McNair could've given the half time speech as Collins came out and took charge, throwing 3 TD passes. The Titans won 24-14, their 10th straight win. For Jacksonville, the loss was the first in a series of defeats that would find them 1-6 over their final seven games.

==================================================================================================================

So here we are in 2009. Are we due for another bad memory? Will we be forced to look back at this game as the one in which the Titans turned their season around on the way to a Super Bowl?

The Titans have given the Jaguars and their fans enough nightmares to keep Stephen King busy for the rest of his life. I know you can still hear Fisher's words ringing in your ears and I know it makes you sick. If the details above aren't enough, here are some consolidated stats.

Series record: 12-17 Titans

At Jacksonville: 10-5 Titans

At Tennessee: 7-5 Jaguars

Season Sweeps: Jaguars 2, Titans 4

You can pretend it isn't there, but it is. You can act as if it isn't important, but you'd be deceiving yourself. These rookies need to understand that the Jaguars began against the Oilers. Their Super Bowl run was halted by the Titans. Their first ROY was stolen by the Titans. They were the more physical team when you thought that was your identity. They kept you out of the playoffs when it was inches from your mouth.

Read it again if you must. These are events you pass down to your children. When they ask you why you hate the "Stinking flaming thumb tacks", the response should be quick. If it hurts you to speak it then print this out and make them read it. As Trent Reznor wrote, "I was up above it. Now I'm down in it."

I used to be so big and strong.
I used to know my right from wrong.
I used to never be afraid.
I used to be somebody.

If they're going to call this a rebuilding year they should make a statement and start owning this rivalry.

-Brian Fullford

(Thanks to Bullseye for the inspiration)

Jacksonville Jaguars: The roller coaster of love

bwfull — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:45:06 -0000

Lovin' you is really wild - Oh it's just a love rollercoaster - Step right up and get your tickets

Red Hot Chili Peppers

By now, you should officially be in the throes of that emotional swell you'd receive from seeing that hot girl across the bar (or guy depending on your gender or...no need to go there). This past Sunday you caught a glimpse of what can happen when the Jaguars look in the closet and pick out that matching ensemble. By that I mean, both players and coaches coordinating.

So, now you find yourself going into week 4 with a Titans team coming to town looking like they've been ridden hard and put up wet. Can you feel your heart beat a bit faster? Is your tummy feeling funny?

Surely you find yourself contemplating the next hill they'll climb when Jack says:

"I like the energy, I like the effort. The way we’re approaching it, we will improve. It’s not maybe, it’s a matter of how much."

What's not to like? Grabbing Battle Red Day by the horns and wrestling away all the optimism the Texans had going into their game against the lowly Jaguars. Not folding after the Sims-Walker fumble. When Daryl Smith recovered that football it was almost as if that girl gave you her phone number, right after laughing at you for asking.

Might I suggest you dial the number before leaving the bar. Or maybe get a look at her in some good light.

Not to take anything away from the victory, but before the message boards and phone lines are filled with any thoughts of this team making a turn there should be some serious consideration of who the Jaguars beat.

Houston

231.7 ypg passing

204.7 ypg rushing

Compare that to the previous teams they've played:

Indianapolis

192.3 ypg passing

125.7 ypg rushing

Arizona

280.3 ypg passing (skewed by junk yardage vs Jacksonville)

79.7 ypg rushing

Had you not known, I doubt you'd be shocked if I told you the Jaguars beat the Texans by 7, lost to the Colts by 2 and lost to the Cardinals by 14. Before you point out the Jags had to throw more against Arizona, I'll remind you that, save the 36 yard run early, MJD averaged 2.5 ypc for the game.

This weekend the Titans come to town boasting the 2nd best rushing defense in the NFL, yielding 60.7 ypg. The hope would be Garrard could exploit their 28th rated pass defense which giv es up 274.7 ypg, but that assumes the Jaguars 19th rated passing offense can improve on their 202.7 ypg average.

Defensively the Titans are again near the top in sacks with 7 for the year.

Feeling down? Remember...this is a roller coaster.

Vincent Fuller is out for 6 weeks with a broken right forearm, hurting their depth. Cortland Finnegan is nursing a sore hamstring. Tennessee hasn't been able to get consistency from their Special Teams and they haven't been able to hold a lead late in any of their 3 loses.

Kerry Collins has gotten progressively worse with each passing game, with no help from untimely drops by his receivers. While C.J. has been terrorizing defenses, LenDale White has yet to add that second punch.

Yet, the one thing that cannot be ignored is that across the field stands Jeff Fisher. In the last 7 trips, the Fisher lead Titans are 5-2 in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

If the opportunity is to exist for a victory it must reside with the defense. In two of their three games the Jaguars have won the turnover battle, something the Titans have failed to do in their last two games. Once again an immobile quarterback comes to town, this time with much less talent at receiver. In fact, after facing Wayne, Fitzgerad and Johnson the defense should embrace the moment. This is the game to unleash the blitz packages.

The most compelling question may be who needs this game more? Tennessee's new mantra is "just win one game", while the Jaguars are hoping this past win will court fans to fill the stadium with their hated rival coming to town. Sending the Super Bowl contending Titans to 0-4 would be a rush for the fans and this young team. This is a great time to walk up and buy a ticket for the ride that is the 2009 Jaguar season.

- Brian Fullford