SB Nation User Blog: silencecs

The Return of the 4-3 Defense, Series by Series: First-Half

silencecs — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:52:58 -0000

The look on the face of Kansas City's Center says it all... The Jaguars defensive line dominated.

Rather than just give my overall observations of the defense's play, I figured I would try something new, and go series by series on defense and give my evaluations in real-time (or real Tivo-time). This requires me watching each play numerous times, and as a result is very time-consuming, so unless the response is overwhelmingly positive, this may be the last time I do it in this style. Let me know what you think of the format in the comments, and recommend it if you like it.... Here we go...

KC first possession - Bad Podlesh punt, Chiefs take over on own 43 yard line.

Lots of movement defensively before the snap. Harvey and Groves are our every down DE's.

Cox is a tackling machine, and rarely seems to miss anything he gets his hands on.

KC is clearly targeting Groves side. Groves should've been in position to stop the short flare pass to the RB, but was out of position.

Derrick Harvey is blowing the RT off the line and is a force in the run game.

KC runs toward Groves, and he was easily pushed aside. He's not an every down DE.

KC runs a toss to Groves side, and he whiffed on the tackle in the backfield.

KC gets a field goal

Second KC possession

Incomplete pass on first down thanks to pressure by Groves. He's clearly a DPR trying to play every down.

Short slant pass, incomplete again. Harvey almost got to the QB despite the quick pass.

Henderson and Knighton are the reason KC has yet to even attempt to run up the middle. They are absolutely mauling KC's guards and Center, it's not even fair. Keep in mind, KC led the league up to this point in runs up the gut, so the fact they're shying away from it is very telling.

3rd and 10, the Jaguars return to the 3-4 defense with Groves roaming and blitzing from the LDE with his hand off the ground. Knighton drops into zone coverage, Daryl Smith blitzes and almost get to Cassel who rushes the pass, but completes it. It's clear they want to feature Daryl Smith in a pass rushing role, but I don't like switching back and forth. 5 yard gain, Reggie Nelson makes what appears to be a tackle, and by himself no less!

Jaguars did well to hold to three-and-out. Our defensive line is dominating at this point up the middle, and Harvey is owning his man, he really is playing very well, and when Del Rio said he's a force in the run, he wasn't kidding. Since blowing up the RT early on when they ran to his side, they have run exclusively to the left. Still no runs up the middle either.

KC third possession

1st down, lined up in the 4-3, very little movement before the snap. Offensive man in motion, but the defense makes no adjustment, the Jags are apparently in zone coverage. Right at the snap, Daryl and Gerald both release and hit the line's right side. KC had called a run left, to Harvey's side. Nothing doing, as Harvey easily stood his man up and assisted on the tackle . Bryan Smith (#53) was in for Groves, and boy is he fast. He was unblocked due to the overload blitz with Daryl and Gerald, and actually caught the back from behind when he hit the Jags' stout line. Our run defense is substantially better in the 4-3, and Harvey, Knighton, and Henderson are going to prove tough for any team to run against.

2nd and 8 KC is in the shotgun. KC runs a WR bubble screen. Knighton recognizes the linemen's attempt to disguise the screen immediately, and even though the play didn't go towards him, the fact he recognized it so quickly is encouraging. Bryan Smith is still in for Groves, and could have made a play had he been in better position. Clint Ingram easily shed the block of the other WR and made the tackle.

3rd and three, KC in the Shotgun. Ellison, Knighton, Harvey, and B.Smith are on the line. Run to the HB from the shotgun up the middle. barely two yards gained, and the Jaguars were clearly playing pass. Our run defense looks stout.

Three-and-out again. Nice work Team

KC's fourth possession ball on their 30 yard line. Single back set. Groves back in for B. Smith, they appear to be rotating them each series, we'll see who wins what is evidently a position battle. Ingram and Smith blitzed on that play, it was well picked up by KC, but the wide open TE dropped the pass on the drag pattern. Cox would've blown him up had he caught it though.

2nd and 10. Julius Williams is in for Harvey. KC runs at Williams side, he is blown back in a one-on-one battle. Daryl Smith was on that side as well, and was easily blocked.

3rd and 6, KC in the shotgun. John Henderson and Montavius Stanley run a stunt and Henderson should've had a sack. It was vintage Hen, as he totally tossed the offensive lineman aside and dove at Cassel's feet. Julius Williams stayed in for Harvey on that play, and brought some pressure. He is possibly our fastest DE, at least from watching today's film.

Three-and-out again. Nice work Team

Torry Holt fumbles.

Fifth KC possession at Jaguars 20. Groves is in again, and Harvey has returned. Knighton and Henderson are the DTs. KC is in the offset I-formation. KC runs towards Quentin's side, and he is easily pushed aside. KC is exposing a weakness here that is concerning... Only one DE capable of stopping the run. Gerald Alexander can hit, and made the tackle, while ringing his own bell.

1st and goal from the nine. KC runs a screen pass that fools everyone but Knighton and Durant, who both combine to make the stop. I am very impressed with Knighton and his grasp of the mental aspects of the game. That's a Temple education for you, though.

2nd and goal from the five. Single-back set. Cassel throws a rope which Reggie Nelson promptly rips out. Is this the same player we saw a week ago?!?

3rd and goal, KC in the shotgun from our 4. That should tell you how badly our line is owning theirs. KC runs out of the shotgun formation, and let me tell you, Terrence Knighton just absolutely wrecked KC's center and made the tackle. Groves was easily pushed aside. Although the ball wasn't run his way, I saw Gerald Alexander blitz to Groves side. It is so very clear that the Jaguars are having to compensate for Groves inability to hold up in the run game. A better team will exploit us, and every blitz can't come from Groves' side, it just won't work. That being said, the Jaguars held again and stopped KC from finding the endzone.

KC's sixth possession

Quick sideline pattern, but Mathis makes the tackle in bounds.

2nd and 3 - Harvey drops into Zone coverage, and sniffs out the screen, he's held by the offensive lineman, but no flag, and Harvey still makes it to the tackle after a gain of 6.

1st down and 10. KC in shotgun. B. Smith is easily blocked to the inside, Harvey is ridden down outside in what could be considered a hold, although it wasn't blatent. Cassel had a man, but overthrew him.

2nd and 10. KC in the shotgun. Harvey drives his man into Cassel, forcing him to roll-out. Cassel finds a man on the sideline who scampers up to the Jaguars 38 yard-line. It was encouraging to see Harvey overpower his man so forcefully. A solid bull-rush is a necessary component to any successful DE's repertoire.

1st and 10. KC in the shotgun. Jacksonville in the 3-4 defense. Harvey just pancaked the RT and cut inside the RB to force the early and errent throw. Derrick Harvey is looking like Reggie Hayward. He's absolutely owning on almost every play, bring pressure against the pass, and blowing up run plays. Using both speed and power, he's been stellar, and the eyes don't lie. Iwuh was in as the fourth LB in the 3-4 front.

2nd and 10. KC in the shotgun. Jaguars in the 3-4 with Groves and Harvey as the DE's. Harvey is double-teamed and Cassel rolls out and throws incomplete. Not much beef on the line of scrimmage there.

KC misses the FG, end of the half.

Notes: Where is Derek Landri?!? I haven't seen him in for one play this entire half. Derrick Harvey is clearly better with his hand on the ground in both the run and the pass. Terrence Knighton looks like a younger John Henderson, and plays with exceptional balence and intensity. Gerald Alexander is playing the SS position well, and Reggie Nelson looks like a different player. Can he continue to play this well each week?

If you like this format, please let me know and comment, because this is substantially more time consuming, and unless there is an extremely positive response, I doubt I'll do this again. Let me know your thoughts.

-Collin Streetman

Jaguars Return to Roots in Victory Over Chiefs: Offensive edition

silencecs — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:25:08 -0000

More photos » by Stephen Morton - AP

2 days ago: Jacksonville Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings, right, stiff-arms Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Brown for a touchdown in first-quarter action during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)

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For the first time since week one, the Jacksonville Jaguars played like, well, the Jacksonville Jaguars. We returned to our roots in a vicious beating of the Kansas City Chiefs that wasn't nearly as close as the final score indicated. Sunday, we saw what we can be, and it's a whole lot better than we thought up to this point. Today, I'll go over the offense's return to form, and tomorrow, expect my analysis of the defense's return to their roots. Let's look at why the Jaguars' offense succeeded on Sunday.

Run, and Do So Up the Middle.

Vince Manuwai showed he's almost fully recovered from his season-ending injury last year, and that he's still a great run-blocker. At the age of 30, he still has a few solid years in the tank. Uche Nwaneri played one of his most physical games of the season, and the way he pushed the pile at the goal-line was textbook Jaguar football. Brad Meester played like a man possessed in the run game. Despite being 33, the savvy veteran showed he can still bring it. Our interior line is clearly better at run-blocking than they are at protecting David.

Rookie Tackles Showing Improvement

The first and second-round picks in this year's draft are both starting for the team, and both continue to improve each week. I don't want to hear anyone say that they're not doing great, because clearly they are. Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton are outperforming both Andre Smith, and Jason Smith, and continue to improve each week. We almost never see a holding penalty, unless it is to keep Garrard from getting sacked. Last year, it was surprising if our tackles weren't penalized for holding at least twice a week. Andy Heck is one of the better assistant coaches this team has, and under his tutelage, I expect both to be excelling by week 14.

WR's Emerging

Mike Sims-Walker has shown he's a legit number one receiver, and when the team runs to set up the pass, he makes things look easy. That being said, I was more impressed with out rookie WR play. We haven't ever seen such an instant impact from late round picks. Mike Thomas is a madman when returning kicks, and Spoony has likely lost his job, even when he returns healthy. Jarrett Dillard showed the hands he displayed in college, when he literaly snatched a crucial 3rd down rocket, courtesy of Garrard. The future is going to be sooner than we expect if these players continue to progress.

Clock Management

The Jaguars' return to their historical roots of running the ball and stopping the run was beautiful to watch, and it should remind all of us WHY they go hand in hand. The Jaguars had two drives of 10 plays, and three drives of 9 plays. They ran the ball 41 times, and controlled the clock as a result. We all know the clock stops after an incomplete pass, therefore, pass-happy teams leave more clock for their opponents to score with. The Jaguars had the ball almost 13 minutes more than the Chiefs, do you think that may have had something to do with why the Chiefs defense looked so exhausted in the 4th Quarter?

When you run the ball all game long, the defense wears down. RB's like Jerome Bettis, and Marcus Allen got better as the game wore on, because the defensive players had been so beaten down all game. It's like a boxing match between two heavy-weights, you may not knock the guy out in the first round, but the accumulation of punishment leads to mistakes by your opponent, and eventually, his defeat.

Running the Ball Makes 3rd Down Manageable

The Jaguars commitment to the run enabled them to post a better than 50% conversion ratio on third-down. We saw very few third and long situations, and even when the Jaguars encountered them, David seemed to find the open man. The Jaguars employed safe, hard-nosed football, and nothing brought me more joy than to see the Jaguars run the QB sneak on second or third and short numerous times. That's the kind of conservative, clock-eating football that keeps your defense fresh, the opponent's defense tired, and the opposing offense out of rhythm. Run the ball and stop the run, and you'll win far more than you'll lose.

Well Timed Play-Action Passes and Good Route Design

I have to give props to Dirk Koetter for calling a run-first game while still utilizing the play-action pass effectively. The play that sprung Sims-Walker free was all play-design. MJD lined up on the outside as a WR, while Sims-Walker was lined up with two other wide-outs in the trips formation to the opposite side. When MJD came in motion, the whole defense took notice. Once the ball was snapped, MSW ran a simple drag pattern across the defense and was completely unaccounted for because of the confusion the design caused the Chiefs. When Dirk establishes the run first, he looks a whole lot smarter.

-Collin Streetman

Second-Half Thread

silencecs — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:38:20 -0000

Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)	Week #9	Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)
	VS.

Date:	November 8th, 2009	Location:	Jacksonville,FL
Time:	1:00 PM EST	Stadium:	"The Jack"
TV:	CBS	Favorite:	Jaguars -6.5
Radio:	WOKV	Over/Under:	42.5
Weather:	High 70's, slight chance of rain	Injury Report:	Click Here
SBN Coverage:	Arrowhead Pride	Coverage Map	Click Here

4-3 defense is owning it... LB's are on fire. MJD is a beast. Return of the I-Formation and Greg Jones shows why he's the best in the league at FB... MSW is the real deal, and when healthy is showing he is an elite WR.... Um... Thank you Shack for providing the top FB, RB, and one of the best emerging WR's in the league...Manuwai is playing well too. Runs up the middle are devastating the defense. He's owning the NT and allowing Meester to get free to the LB's... discuss, These are MY OBSERVATIONS.... What are your's?

-Collin

Jaguars Claim Safety Anthony Smith Off Waivers

silencecs — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:47:11 -0000

Jaguars Claim Safety Anthony Smith Off Waivers

Well, Gene Smith continues to show his dissatisfaction toward our safety play, as he acquired the former Rams Safety Anthony Smith off of waivers. Gene is trying to fix the safety spot as the season progresses, with other teams' cast-offs.

Jacksonville Jaguars' Coaches: Jack, Dirk, and Mel

silencecs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:25:10 -0000

More photos » by John Russell - AP

Jack... You have to hold this team together...

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Quote of the week:

"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now."
Bruce Coslet, on the Bengals' 1997 season

Thankfully, the Jaguars are not in the same position the 1997 Bengals were. This is a team that has the potential to overachieve this season, and I look for us to finish at least 8-8. Jack Del Rio has shown he's most effective when working with young men, and make no mistake, this is a young team. Jack Del Rio is directly tied to the defense's success, and he should be judged based on their progress through the season. If we defend the Patriots pass attack well in December, that will say a lot about where we are as a defense.

Three Coordinators + Three Years = Defensive Confusion

Jack Del Rio is directly responsible for the team's move to a 3-4 defensive scheme, and if it continues to fail so epically through the season, it falls on his shoulders. We have the personnel to stop the run. Two of our three defensive linemen are powerful against the rush, and three of our linebackers are literally tackling machines. Their issues in defense have come from being out of position, which is a result of learning a new scheme, and having their third defensive coordinator who is making major changes, in three years. This isn't entirely Jack's fault, as he's trying to replace an irreplaceable defensive coordinator, in Mike Smith.

The jury is still out on Mel Tucker, as he was brought here with the expectation he would coach up our talented, yet struggling secondary. So far, Reggie Nelson continues to be inconsistent, although the strides Derek Cox is making can't, and shouldn't be discounted. Derek Cox is going to be a long-term fixture at corner for the Jaguars. On the play he dropped the interception in the end-zone, he was extremely disciplined. Even though Vince Young is known as a short to intermediate passer, Derek didn't bite on the double move by Nate Washington, and as a result, he almost got an interception. He has already surpassed B-Dub in ability, and I have been pleasantly surprised by Derek's ball-skills and tackling. He seems to rarely miss a tackle when he gets his hands on the ball-carrier.

Persistently Inconsistent Offense

One of the major issues the Jaguars have struggled with is consistency on offense. Despite having 100 million dollars in a RB and a FB, the team continues to pursue the route of a pass-first offense. Gone are the days where 12-18 play drives were to be expected each week in Duval. Gone are the games made of low-risk, mistake free football. Gone are the days of the play-action pass reigning supreme. However, our offensive coordinator is the same. So, that begs the question... Why?

It is quite simple actually. Dirk was brought here to bring the high-flying attack to North Florida that he had at ASU. When he got here, he was conservative, and played towards the Jaguars' strengths. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said today. He's had his play selection slammed by MJD and he's also faced questions from veteran and leader of the WR corp, Torry Holt. If Dirk can't get back to what's successful by focusing on the Jaguars strengths, he'll hold the team down. Unfortunately, he's tied entirely to Del Rio, and Jack cannot get rid of Dirk to bring someone else in. If anyone goes in the next two years, it will be Jack himself. If that happens, and let's hope it doesn't, it will mean this team is going to be in rebuilding for at least three seasons.

-Collin Streetman

Second Half Thread: Run the ball

silencecs — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:55:31 -0000

Tennessee Titans (0-6)	Week #8	Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)
	VS.

Date:	November 1st, 2009	Location:	Nashville, TN
Time:	4:05 PM EST	Stadium:	LP Field
TV:	CBS	Favorite:	Titans -3
Radio:	Click Here	Over/Under:	44
Weather:	Mid 50's, no chance of rain	Injury Report:	Click Here
SBN Coverage:	Music City Miracles	Coverage Map	Click Here

Here's the open thread for the second-half... enjoy! Go Jags!

First Half Game-Thread: Late start edition

silencecs — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:32:27 -0000

Tennessee Titans (0-6)	Week #8	Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)
	VS.

Date:	November 1st, 2009	Location:	Nashville, TN
Time:	4:05 PM EST	Stadium:	LP Field
TV:	CBS	Favorite:	Titans -3
Radio:	Click Here	Over/Under:	44
Weather:	Mid 50's, no chance of rain	Injury Report:	Click Here
SBN Coverage:	Music City Miracles	Coverage Map	Click Here

Here's the open thread for the first half... enjoy! Go Jags!

COMCAST's Red Zone Channel: Jaguars' MJD is better than Titans' Chris Johnson

silencecs — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:44:21 -0000

This post is sponsored by Comcast and their NFL RedZone channel, a new NFL Network channel. Want to see every touchdown from every NFL game as it happens as well as live look-ins to all of Sunday's games in key situations? Then you need Comcast's NFL RedZone.

The Jaguars: This group has the makings of a team that can be great in the red-zone.

According to Pat Kirwin of NFL.com, here's what it takes to succeed in the most important area of the football field.

With four weeks of the 2009 season in the books, there is enough information to take a look at red-zone production. Also, a number of coaches have explained what it takes to be an effective red-zone team.

Here are the things most mentioned as components to being a successful red-zone team (in no particular order):

1. A mobile quarterback -- The threat to also run the ball in for a score can break down a red-zone defense.
2. An athletic tight end -- Teams need a player who can open up his alignment and take defenders away from the line of scrimmage to open up the running game.
3. A tall receiver -- With size, there is always the threat of a fade route in the end zone.
4. A power back -- Pushing the pile and moving the chains can keep defenses honest.

The Jaguars have every single one of those. Garrard is no doubt a running threat, and can provide TD's with his legs in crucial situations. Marcedes Lewis is starting to look like what we were promised he'd become last year, a tall, athletic, and oversized WR. HE's actually catching the ball, and seems to be on route to a very productive year. Our offensive line is improving every game, and they can push the pile forward, as we've seen first-hand evidence of during games. Top it off with Mike SIms-Walker, and you've got yourself the makings of a powerhouse in the red-zone.

Proof the MJD is better than Chris Johnson: It's all about the "zone"

MJD is the league's premier back, and there's nobody in the NFL I'd rather have in the backfield (No, not even AP). He's a dual threat to receive or run the ball every time he's on the field, and he plays a major role in closing out drives and guaranteeing success on third downs. MJD has 26 carries in the red-zone for 69 yards, a 2.7 YPC average. However, he's gotten a whopping 7 TD's out of those carries. He's stellar in the red-zone.

Chris Johnson is a speed-demon, but he's not a multi-faceted RB the likes of MJD. He possesses the same home-run ability the MJD has, and Johnson's receiving ability is adequate, although clearly inferior. The major flaw in Johnson's game is his inability to slam into a pile, and still gain 3 yards. He doesn't have the power of MJD, and his red-zone stats for the season clearly indicate this. So far, Chris Johnson has only two rushing attempts inside the red-zone, for an average of -2.0 YPC (You read that right, negative two yards on two carries). The team clearly believes that Lendale White is the only goal-line power-back, as he's gotten 6 carries and netted 16 yards (a respectable red-zone average of 2.7 YPC).

If MJD can continue to provide the key to the TD, then the Jags will win again on Sunday.

-Collin Streetm an

The Titans break the curse of the terrible towel...

silencecs — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:24:56 -0000

The Titans break the curse of the terrible towel...

I hope you aren't superstitious... Otherwise this might be misconstrued as a "bad omen". Talent, coaching, and heart win football games, and the titans lack two of those. It hasn't the slightest to do with some ethereal curse or other mysterious force. Nothing is going to stop a second curb stomping of "The Fish", only this time we're taking the ass-kicking to their back-yard.

Florida NFL team for sale?!?

silencecs — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:52:09 -0000

Florida NFL team for sale?!?

Wow... Well, The Glazers also own a soccer team that is draining their income too. They could be a potential team to move. The Glazers aren't committed to Tampa. As a resident, I can tell you that. This is fantastic news for the Jaguars... Absolutely fantastic.