By request of Collin and out of sheer boredom while I should be writing a paper, I’ve decided to write an evaluation of Riley Skinner. Don't take this as a sign I'm looking past the season to the draft, once again, I'm just extremely bored.

I've watched Skinner for his entire career at Wake so I thought I'd give you some info on a player you probably haven't seen a lot of unless you are a dedicated ACC person. He has progressed and matured as a four year starter and has taken a big step forward this year as Jim Grobe has finally let him lead the offense through the air.

He's most likely not getting too much attention because of his relatively small size (6'1" 210) and very small school. He could probably be picked up in a late round with minimal risk (if he decides to enter the draft of course).I've been very impressed with what he has accomplished over the years with not a lot of talent around him, but this year I think he is really starting to look like an NFL prospect.

Strengths:

Accuracy: What he's known for, his passing efficiency is currently about .673 which is pretty impressive. Currently he is the most accurate QB in ACC history. He puts the ball exactly where it needs to be almost all of the time. During his first couple of seasons he was limited mostly to short passes but has since shown his ability to the long ball.

Mechanics: I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more mechanically sound QB in the draft this year. He has a quick “NFL” type of release that looks pretty similar to Matt Ryan. He moves around in the pocket quite a bit, but sets his feet well when he throws. His passes are a thing of beauty, tight spirals with just the right amount of velocity. He doesn't have a cannon like Jamarcus Russell, but his arm strength is adequate for the NFL.

Mobility: Years behind a poor O-line have given him an excellent ability to feel and avoid pressure while always keeping his eyes downfield. He is not overly fast (about a 4.7 would be my guess) but has very good quickness when dodging defenders and is a gifted scrambler when the occasion calls for it. His accuracy does not suffer when rolling either direction, in fact I've heard many commentators say his accuracy is enhanced when he is on the move.

Toughness: He gets hit hard often, but is willing to take big hits in the pocket. He is not rattled after being sacked. He was sacked six times in the NC State game but threw for 3 touchdowns and career high yardage. Has started 33 consecutive games.

Intelligence/Intangibles: He is very diligent with his progressions and rarely locks on to one target. He doesn't make dangerous passes often and has very good instincts regarding when to use his check downs and when to throw it away.  He knows his limitations well and rarely “forces” passes.

Skinner can run the two minute drill better than just about any QB I have ever seen. If you have 360, watch the replay of his last drive to tie the BC game to see what I mean. He has 7 career game winning drives in the 4th quarter and a whole lot more game tying 4th Q drives. He's also a very smart guy graduating from the business school this semester which is one of the toughest in the country.

Negatives:

Size: Obviously, at 6'1" 210 he is smaller than most NFL QB's (But about the same as Drew Brees). This means he needs to step up in the pocket more often and might be more susceptible to deflections at the line of scrimmage (although this hasn't been an issue at Wake). His agility allows him to escape pass rushers often, but if a d-lineman gets two hands on him, he goes down pretty easily so no Big Ben type antics.

Footwork: His feet move around a lot and sometimes he can be a bit jumpy. It’s an odd looking habit but does not seem to affect his ability to get his feet set and make good throws.

When it rains it pours: Though he seems to have broken himself of this habit this season, in the past couple of years early mistakes seemed to get to him mentally and affect him throughout the game. So once he made one crucial error he had a hard time shaking it off and getting back into a good rhythm. This typically only happened once per season but it was pretty bad particularly in the Navy game last year. But I reiterate, haven't seen any signs of this this season.

Sometimes he has a tendency to hold the ball for too long not unlike Garrard, which has resulted in some nasty hits and fumbles.

He takes about 2/3rds of his snaps out of the shotgun so an NFL offense would be a bit of a transition but that’s the case with many college QB’s.

I can't find many good clips on him, but here are a few.

Nice pass on the run

A beauty to Chris Givens

A nice fade

Stepping up in the pocket

These are highlights of Skinner throwing to DJ Boldin who was a yac type of guy so they are mostly dink and dunk. Best plays at 0:33, 3:10, and 5:45

Skinner would be a nice pickup in the 4th round or later or even an FA signing. I think he has the potential to be an NFL starter, but at the very least his intelligence and experience would make him an excellent backup or PS QB. Here’s what Gene Frennette thinks of him. . 

Now that I’ve wasted a good 45 minutes and given more information than anyone wanted, it’s time to get back to studyin’

 (The Play is at about 0:38)

There were many bad plays to choose from but I thought the first of our 4th down attempts in the 1st was one of the worst especially since it, more than any other play had the potential to get us in the game.

The Scenario: The score was 3-0 Seattle with 2:30 left in the 1st. The Jags let up a field goal, but the game was still in control. With a couple of big plays from Holt and Jones-Drew the Jags find themselves on the Seattle ten. Two bad passes and one good one later it's 4th and goal on the two. JDR makes the call to go for it.

The Formation: Jags line up in the I formation Jones in front of MJD, two tights ends on the right Lewis and Wilford on the outside, Mo Williams is eligible on the left side as a tight end.The formation says we're most likely going to do one of four things: FB dive, HB dive, misdirection play, or PA pass. A QB sneak up the gut would also be possible but we most likely would have spread the formation if we were going to try that.

This play was doomed from the start. At the time I was listening to the radio broadcast and Jeff Lageman said it was going to be a pass when he saw them get set. After watching the replay myself I can see why. Even in Low-Res NFL.com video I can see that every down lineman with the exception of Wilford and Vinny has their weight back in their stance. Just about anyone who has ever lined up in a three point stance on a football field knows that means they are going to drop back and pass block, pull, or pivot and seal. At this point, before the ball is even snapped, the Hawks know we are going to pass and most likely it will be to one of the two tight endson the right.

Execution: Garrard snaps and makes a lame excuse for a play action fake. Greg Jones goes out to the right flat, Wilford runs a four yard out towards the right corner of the endzone. The left gaurd pulls and everyone else up front attempts to seal the right side. Garrard rolls out right pump, fakes once, looks like he wants to tuck it, hesitates and steps back. No one is open, he throws it out of the back of the endzone, turnover on downs, depression sets in.

The defense was never fooled for a second. The linebackers took a single step up and went into coverage on the right. There were at least 5 blue shirts around Wilford and Jones. Jones was well short of the end zone so Wilford was the one man who had a shot to make the play but he was surrounded by blue. 

Problems: Well it didn't work! A PA roll out like this one only works if you get the D to bite hard on the run. That's why I just don't get this play. Why have your lineman line up to seal or pass block when you are trying to sell the run? Why limit your options to two players? Dave didn't even have a chance to take it in himself b/c the entire secondary only had 2 recievers to account for. With all the brilliant plays we've called in the same situation I'm baffled with Koetter's choice here. The only possible explanation I can think of is that someone screwed up their assignment.

We have a big QB, 2 powerful runners, and a bulldozer (well at least he used to be) at guard. Don't get cute, punch it up the gut! Or if you want to pass SELL THE RUN!

Or......why not just take the three pts in the first place?

I know this was waaaay to in depth but for me this was the pivitotal point in the game and one of the lamest excuses for a play I've seen the Jags run for a while.

Don't know if any of you guys have seen this but I found this video while wandering around NFL.com. Brings back memories of a better time for the Jaguars back when thousands of people not only bought tickets, but were willing to come to the stadium in the middle of the night just to welcome them home.

After watching this I can't help thinking that 2009 will be the next 1996 just with new names. A young upstart team with no respect around the league catches everyone off guard. I know its been said many times before, especially on this site, but we thrive as the underdog and that's definitely the position we're in now. Maybe we can scratch our way to the playoffs and catch someone with their pants down!

Well that's my positive thought for the day. Now go buy some tickets before we lose this team!

       As bad as it's been this season (and it has been quite bad) the one positive aspect of it is that we as Jaguars are back in familiar territory: the underdog spot. As much as this team and its fans have complained about that "lack of respect" we know we all secretly love it. Put us in the spotlight, start guaranteeing victories and superbowls and look what happens; The 2000 season and this season so far, that's what happens. So here we are, back in familiar territory as underdogs this weekend up against the hottest team in the NFL and I couldn't be more excited. Defying the odds makes the win all the more satisfying. It just makes me think of Buffalo and Denver in 96'. I know that was completely different and the odds against us were much greater, but it gives me the same feeling.  I'm not saying I'm expecting a win but I am expecting a dogfight. So go ahead Tennesee, tell us we can't win and see what happens.

I don't care if I'm jinxing it or not but I'm going to go ahead and predict an anger driven beat-down on Cinci. I have to admit I , I had bad feelings before our game last sunday, but this week I'm feeling the same way I did before we played Denver. Here's why....

1. Obvious, we got embarassed last week, only this time our opponent was a losing team.

2. We could have easily won or even dominated the game if it were not for stupid mistakes, 1 busted coverage, 2 or 3 easy tackles were missed, off-sides twice, and a fumble. That's not a bad team, that's just sloppiness which would make me a lot more pissed off than losing to the better team.

3. The chance to go to the playoffs is on the line, no they really mean it this time. A loss here would end the season and the fans would move on.

4. We are not coming off the bye. A lot of teams lose their edge during the bye. Our defense came out flat at the beggining of the game because of it. Our returning starters have also gotten re-aquainted with the game and should improve next week. Mike walker is also a plus.

5. Rashean seems to play to the talent of the recievers he line up against and Chad Ocho Cinco is pretty good.

6.  JDR is pissed and he's not someone to be trifled with when he's mad.

7.  We're away in the cold and good things seem to happen for us in that situation

I know the Jags usually f-up good situations but I just don't see it happening this week. What are we going to do get caught looking ahead to the lions?

     I don't know about you guys but I am getting very impatient with our rookies. I'm getting sick of this "it takes time to develop" stuff. I know the NFL is a whole new game but their jobs aren't exactly the most comlicated thing in the world. The techniques aren't any different than the high-school level, the guys are just a lot faster and a lot stronger.  Here is my simple guide for a pass rush specialist.

1. Line up with your hand BEHIND where the ball is

2. WATCH the ball, do not listen to the quarterback.

3. When the ball moves explode out of your stance and using a combination of rip, spin, bull rush, and counter moves get to the guy with the ball

4. Tackle that guy

Sure they'll throw in a stunt every now and then but those aren't too difficult either.  If harvey and groves were DB's or linebackers I would be a little more understanding because those positions actually require learning a lot of different schemes and knowing how/when to adjust to different offensive formations. Even for rookies jumping offsides is inexcusable. These guys both come from the closest thing possible to the NFL, the SEC. They are used to playing in front of crowds nearly twice the size of of JMS. We need a pass rush, do your job. This may seem like harsh words especially for someone who never played on the college level much less the NFL, but when you're getting payed that kind of money and your physical abilities are so great, the expectations are kind of high. Not to mention the fact that Harvey subjected himself to much harsher scrutiny when he decided not to attend camp in order to get more money. I hate to be critical and negative, but It's such a shame that a guy who has yet to prove himself is getting paid more than a star like Maurice Jones Drew. I'm sure it's a lot more comlicated than it looks, but there is no denying that D-end is the most straight forward position on the field.

I suppose it's not fair to go after just Harvey and Groves because the veterans aren't producing either, but that's why we drafted these guys.

What do you guys think? How much time should it take for these guys to be threats like they were in college?

So I'm bored in between classes because it's a bye week and I decide to go on the Jaguars message board for the first time. Holy sh*t! Do we have the most negative and ignorant fans in the nation or what? Every single post was a fierce argument about how this guy sucks or bench him because he dropped one ball. There were a lot of posts about how Fred Taylor should be released because MJD had a good game and is much better. It's called a running back "tandem" because we have TWO running backs who are each exceptionally talented and bring different styles to the table. Why have one great running back when you can have 2? I have never seen anybody so quick to bash a particular player. I'll admit I can be very negative after a loss but this is after a substantial victory. I know that that board represents a small portion of our fan base but is every message board this negative? Of course I'm generalizing a bit when I say that every post was negative,  I'm sure there are some good ones there, but  the overall impression I got was far too negative.

Does anybody here frequent that site? If so what do you think of it?

Oh well I guess I'll stick to Big Cat Country from now on.

Couldn't even stand up and win at home against a depleted team in prime time even when we get 129 yards of help from the officials. The game would have been a blowout if it weren't for some questionable calls in our favor and that gift of a pick six. Jones drew and Taylor combine for 15 YARDs meanwhile a "depleted" backfield runs all over us for 129 yards. This is totally unacceptable, the defense can no longer wait to the second half to play and I don't care what string you are, can the secondary PLEASE cover someone (I'm lookin' at you Brian Williams and William James)? Can the O-Line maybe block for just a play or two I mean come on, the Steelers back-up d-linemen can't be that good can they? In no aspect of the game did the Jags come out on top, the Steelers out rushed us, out passed us, ruled the time of possesion, got more first downs, and obviously outscored us. Beating the Steelers were one of the only things this team could ever do consistently, but now all we seem to do consistently is show a glimmer of hope and loose. There was once a time that when I saw someone proudly wearing Steelers gear, I got a small sense of pride. I didn't even need to say anything the feeling alone was enough. Without a superbowl victory, or even an AFC South title, owning the Steelers was the one thing that every Jaguars fan could take pride in. Well, after tonight, it won't be that way again for quite some time. This was supposed to be a statement game, the game that turned or season around. The Steelers had a short practice week, a depleted secondary, a banged up quarterback and a road-trip to a team they hadn't beaten in their last 4 matchups. I guess the conditions were just too good. Leave it to the Jags to come up short when all the odds are on their side.

Sorry for all that negativity, but I live on a hall full of Steelers fans who each proceeded to rub their victory in my face and will undoubtably continue to do so for the rest of the year, so needless to say, I'm a bit pissed off.

Negatives, well my entire rant above and...

1. We lost, At home, In prime time, to the Steelers

2. Our secondary (excepting the pick Ben so generously gave us) was completely shredded during the first half. They weren't playing smart, or with too much intensity.

3. Not much out of the linebackers, I was expecting better play especially with the return of Justin Durrant.

4. This is the big one, NO RUN GAME. Where the hell is it? We are opening the field by passing well, we were playing against some back ups on the defense, yet nothing, no holes, no big plays, nothing. Two hard working backs like Jones-Drew and Taylor don't deserve blocking like this.

5. Stupid penalties, though the Steelers got called for a lot more of them, getting called for stuff like taunting is inexcuseable. You're a professional athlete ACT PROFESSIONAL.

6. Another no show for big money reciever Jerry Porter. Was he even playing for most of the game? And on that note, Where were Northcutt and Williamson, and what happened to Reggie Williams? Suddenly we have become a team of only two recievers.

7. The defense got run over by backup running backs. What happened to us? Is it Greg Williams? Or is it our players' lack of effort laying down and giving up leads in the 4th? "The defense is adjusting to a new coordinator" excuse just isn't cutting it for me any more. It's been five weeks something needs to be fixed NOW!

I miss Mike Smith.

And the Positives...

1. Mike Walker played a great game aside from a couple of key drops at key points that would have been tough catches anyway.

2. No turnovers, though we came close on that fumble.

3. Podlesh's punts looked very good. (He's had plenty of practice I guess)

4. We actually put some pressure on somebody, Imagine that? Maybe if we could do that consistently and make a tackle we might have something that could pass for a defense.

5. Pass protection was decent, though slightly inconsistent. They picked up blitzes well but got beat a few times when Pitt. played base.

7. Garrard didn't throw a pick and had an average game overall especially considering that the offense was completely 1 dimensional.

Well, I'm glad I got all that out, we need to get over the loss and improve every single aspect of our football team, go to Denver, and get a DECISIVE VICTORY, not a win in the last seconds by a field goal, not an overtime squeaker, we need a rout. I'm talking 200 plus yds rushing, passing sucessfully to all of our receivers and total defensive dominance. No problem right? This team, especially the o-line and the defense needs to make a statement. In my opinion, that, and only that can salvage our season from going down the drain. Anything less and we might as well pack it in start over-hyping our team for next year, and pray that the franchise stays in Jacksonville. Once again I apologize for all the negative vibes, but I haven't been more disappointed by a game in recent memory. With all that being said, I have not totally lost all hope, we can still make this into a respectable season but it ain't gonna be easy. If we quit on this franchise and don't support this team it will be gone before we know it. A bad team is a lot better than no team at all.

Congrats Steelers, (especially Big Ben) for a VERY well played game that should not have been nearly as close as it was. You certainly wanted it and deserved it more than we did. Please go win your division so we can have a tiny glimmer of hope for a wildcard spot.