SB Nation User Blog: silencecs

Check out this review of "The Jack". Don't forget about this week's episode of BCC Radio. Click...

silencecs — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:44:18 -0000

Check out this review of "The Jack".

Don't forget about this week's episode of BCC Radio. Click here.

Clint Ingram: A rusty cog that needs changing

silencecs — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:28:08 -0000

More photos » by John Raoux - AP

Who is this man, and what's he done with Clint Ingram?!?

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Clint "Country" Ingram, the Jaguars' LB known for devastating hits, had this to say about the team's defense.

"We need to match them, it's obvious."

No, Clint, what's obvious is that you need to match them.

Attention to the linebacker formerly known as Clint Ingram: You should be a well-oiled, hard-firing piston for the defense. Instead, you've been a rusty cog that has hardly lived up to expectations. I don't blame you for playing poorly in that infernal 3-4 scheme, you clearly aren't built for that kind of game-plan. However, last Sunday's game against the Jets was inexcusable. Let's review a few plays that led to the Jets continuing their second drive (After the int).

Few plays into the drive, 1st and 10 on Jacksonville's 25 yard-line. Clint is lined up on the line of scrimmage, the Jets in an I formation. Knighton and Henderson are both easily blocked, Pot Roast is spun around, but Clint is left un accounted for off the edge. He misses the tackle.

Next play, 2nd and 5 Jacksonville's 20 yard-line. Jag's in zone, throw to the Slot in the flat at the 19, Clint comes running into the view of the camera and... stops?!? Seriously, he stops in his tracks and waits for the ball-carrier to come to him, allowing the first down. That's entirely on you Clint, and there is no excuse (part of the reason Mr. Allen took your place for a while starting the next drive).

Poor play in the 4-3 defensive scheme is not what we expect from you. You've been part of the reason our run defense has been successful, and you were fair against the pass coming out of college. Neither has been the case this season, and the latter hasen't been the case since your second-year. Either your speed has altogether faltered, or you're over-thinking plays. I'm hoping it's just because you have been forced to learn so many defensive alignments and responsibilities as the Jaguars continue their yearly defensive coordinator carousal.

I know you realize you played far and away your worst game of the season Sunday, and it was only compounded by the fact that it was predominantly in the 4-3 defensive front, which suits your style and build. The hesitation has got to stop. You can have only one mind-set... No, not win... Never win... Only kill. That's it. Kill.

Stay quiet, or call out your own abhorrent play.

Since you did neither, We're calling you out, you impostor. Whatever you've done with Clint Ingram, we want him back playing LB this week in Duval. We've got a game Sunday, just in case it wasn't on your calendar.

Sincerely,

The 46,000 Fans Attending Sunday's Game.

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

silencecs — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:50:27 -0000

More photos » by Stephen Morton - AP

GET 'EM!!!

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In case you missed it, here's the first-half breakdown of the defense, play-by-play.

So far the Jaguars defense has been dominant, allowing only 30 yards rushing by KC's backs. The also held KC on third downs, forcing 3 three-and-outs in the first-half. Today, we'll take a look at the second-half and see if the Jaguars were able to continue to impose their will on KC's offense.

KC's first possession of 3rd quarter - Big kick by Scobee, great hangtime and coverage by the special teams. KC is stopped short of the 20 yard-line.

1st down - KC in offset I-formation, RB goes in motion. Line includes Harvey, Groves, Hen, and Pot Roast to start the half. At the hike, Durant and Smith both blitz, Durant from the middle, and Smith from Groves' side. Harvey drops off the line into zone coverage. It appears the Jaguars are utilizing some of the schemes from a 3-4, but operating them out of a 4-3, and to a great deal of success thus far (albeit against weaker competition). Smith gets a big time sack, loss of 4 on the play.

2nd down and 14 - KC in the offset I-formation again, a single TE and two WR's. Reggie Nelson comes up into the box prior to the snap, creating an 8-man front. Reggie's responsibility is the TE, I'm ok with that. The pass to the FB behind the line of scrimmage, tackle made by Daryl Smith immediately. Our LB's are playing well. Loss of three on the play.

3rd down 17 - KC is in the shotgun formation, single-back set. Great protection for Cassel, but he still threw it early for only a short gain. He gave up on that play because he was scared of getting hit. That pass was thrown knowing it wouldn't convert. Cassel is intimidated. Tackle made again by... guess... Daryl Smith. Wow, that series was completely his.

Three-and-out number four of the ball game. They came out with intensity.

KC's Second possession of the half.

1st down at their own 20 yard-line.

Bryan Smith is in for Groves, Stanley is in for Knighton. Harvey and Hen remain in the game. KC in the offset I-formation, I really love their commitment to old school football, it's a shame their offensive line is so lackluster. Play-action is called, Harvey beats his man, and Cassel throws a hurried screen to the HB that obviously didn't have time to fully develop due to the pressure. Stanley was utterly fooled by the screen though, and had he been in position, he would've made the easy tackle, however, he showed great hustle to try to get back into position to make the tackle, although he was unable to do so. Clint Ingram comes up, but slips and misses the tackle. Bryan Smith got absolutely owned on the play, and was a total non-factor, being knocked significantly off the line of scrimmage. Harvey makes a great hussle play and comes from behind the RB to assist on the tackle after providing pressure to Cassel. Gain of 8 yards.

2nd down and two. KC in the pro-set (2 RB lined up parallel in the backfield), 1 TE and 2 WR's. Derek Cox is up on the LOS, and looks ready to blitz. AMAZING play design by KC, props on this one. At the snap, the QB fakes the hand off to the RB on his right side, and the left RB acts as if he'll be the lead blocker, he then circles around on what can only be described as a mini-reverse. Ingram and Cox both blitz to Bryan Smith's side of the LOS and Harvey drops into zone coverage again. Great design that nets 7 yards, Daryl pushes the RB out of bounds. 1st down KC.

1st Down - KC in the shotgun, single back, 2 TE set. All front seven Jaguars are up close to the LOS. Blitz coming, Daryl Smith is up in Cassel's grill again, forcing the QB to scramble. Hen barely misses another sack, and Cassel throws the ball away, although the Jags catch a break and offensive pass-interference is called on Bowe.

1st and 20 - KC is in the pro-set, staggered to the weak-side of their line. Short three-step-drop by Cassel. Montavius Stanley recognizes the quick drop and gets his hands up, swatting the pass at the LOS. Stanley is very much impressing me this game, and I would have to say, he's showing that he belongs on the field. He plays with a great motor, which is saying a lot for a man his size. Great find Gene.

2nd and 20 - KC in the shotgun, single back, 1 TE and 3 WR set. Daryl Smith blitzes again, and comes free, forcing the quick pass, there is pressure all over the place today. The RB safety valve who Cassel dumps the ball to is immediately swallowed up by Gerald Alexander, no gain on the play.

3rd and 20 - KC in shotgun, single back, 4 WR set. Hen and Bryan run a stunt, to no avail. Harvey bull-rushes his man back five yards, but the ball is already coming out of Cassel's hand. Daryl Smith blitzes again, this time from Harvey's side, and the two of them look real good rushing alongside one another. Pass complete over the middle, Reggie Nelson whiffs on a tackle, and badly. Had it been third-and-10, he would've just allowed a third down conversion. Now this is the Reggie I've come to expect, soft and confused. I love the guy, got his autograph and everything, but man is he inconsistent. Reggie slams his hands together after the play, clearly upset with himself. Reggie, A whole sack of sorry won't buy one single punt. The Jags hold again.

KC third possession of the half

1st and 10 - KC in the pro-set, RB motions out of the backfield, single back set now. Defensive line is Julius Williams, Pot Roast, Ellison, and Groves. Mathis CB blitz on the play, from Williams' side. Daryl blitzes from Williams' side too. No linemen drop into coverage, the Jags are rushing more than the Chiefs can block. Daryl Smith and Mathis both have the opportunity to make the tackle for a loss against the RB, but Mathis seems to think Smith will make it, and Smith took a bad angle, providing the RB with a cutback lane which was open because Mathis and Smith were blitzing, leaving their lanes exposed. KC's best run of the game, but it should've been stopped for a loss, Mel Tucker had the right call there. Gerald Alexander makes the stop after a gain of 13.

1st and 10 - KC in the hurry-up offense. Shotgun 3 WR set. Jaguars only have 6 in the box, looks like Nickel defense to me, practically inviting the run. The Chiefs oblige, and run from the shotgun for a gain of 5, tackle by Durant. They ran right at Groves, and I mean right at him. Knighton held up the double team and still almost made the tackle, but the run was so far toward the LT that Knighton missed the RB's ankles. Groves was easily moved aside... I'm noticing a theme here. Reggie Nelson was completely locked up by the WR, and had he been able to shed what wasn't even a very good block, he could've made the tackle a few yards earlier. 5 yard gain

2nd and 5 - KC is in the shotgun, Jaguars remain in their Nickel front, only 6 in the box again. Reggie is lined up in the slot on a WR and blitzes, as does Daryl Smith. Groves drops into Zone coverage, the Jaguars are utilizing a fair amount of zone-blitzing schemes, and it seems to be confusing KC's protection. Daryl Smith actually gets a hand on Cassel, and forces an early and errant throw. Incomplete overthrown. Reggie Nelson was easily blocked by the RB, and seemed to almost give up after the initial block was thrown by the RB. I'm not TRYING to get down on the guy, you'll see from the first half analysis, that I was impressed with how he played, however, this half is a different story, and he's looking very mediocre.

3rd and 5 - KC in the shotgun again (and still can't get Cassel time), 4 WR, single back. Jags still in nickel, Daryl Smith blitzes again. Decent protection on that play, complete for a first down and a gain of 13. Tackle by Derek Cox, although Rashean was the man who was beat, he just couldn't make the tackle with only one hand, so Bowe got an extra 7 or 8 YAC. Cox just makes sure tackles, I love this kid.

1st and 10 - KC in the shotgun, 3 WR 1 TE, single back set. Jacksonville remains in Nickel, meaning no Ingram, and Sean Considine instead. Harvey, Hen, Stanley, and Bryan Smith on the d-line. Bad snap (gotta love that shotgun), and Montavius Stanley looks like a man possessed going for that football. It was like someone told him they were giving out twinkies in the backfield. This looked like a Jaguars' recovery to me, although the officials saw it differently. Wow, on the replay, it showed their RB literally snatch it out of Stanley's hands... strong little guy.

2nd and 14 - Jags remain in Nickel, KC in shotgun. Daryl Smith blitzes, Harvey drops into zone coverage. Bryan Smith comes unblocked and delivers a blow to Cassel, who launches the ball out of bounds. Phenomenal pressure today.

3rd and 14 - Jags in Nickel, KC in shotgun. Jags bring an all out blitz, I like Mel's play-calling style. Sometimes he sits back in coverage, and others he's all about pressure. Mix it up. Durant and Considine both blitz on the play. Durant and Bryan Smith both get to the QB. Durant timed his blitz perfectly up the middle, and Bryan ran a stunt up the gut behind Justin, they both got there about the same time and forced the bad pass early. Gain of 4 on the play, tackle by Daryl Smith.

KC's fourth possession of the Half

1st and 10 from their own 25 yard-line - KC is in the I-formation, Jaguars return to their regular defensive front with Ingram in the game. Harvey, Groves, Pot Roast and Hen are your linemen. Smith and Durant blitz, and Harvey drops into Zone coverage. The double-team went to Knighton on that play, and Hen was able to stand up the offensive guard with one arm, and reach to make the tackle with the other, along with Ingram and Nelson. Gain of four on the play, nice run.

2nd and six, KC is in the I-formation again. Smith and Alexander blitz to Harvey's side, Groves drops into Zone coverage. Mel seems to favor overloading one side or the other on blitzes. Harvery had his best pass rush of the half on that play. He easily beat his man, and arrived at the QB the same time that Hen did, which was almost immediately. Harvey got a hand on Cassel, and Hen came barreling in, Cassel ducks, and Hen crashes into Harvey, knocking both down. Pot Roast and Smith combine on the clean-up sack, but Harvey and Hen caused that sack very clearly, and Harvey would've gotten the sack had Hen not slammed into him. Encouraging play to watch. Interesting tid-bit per the announcers, Knighton used to play WR... No wonder his balance is so exceptional. Loss of 8 on the sack.

3rd and 14 - Jags appear to be in 3-4 Nickel, KC is in the shotgun, single back 3 WR. Considine blitzes from a dead standstill at the safety position, he was too far off the line to even have a chance to get there, and he doesn't have great speed either, I don't like the call. Nelson blitzes too. KC easily picks up every rusher, Cassel had a man, but overthrew him. Fourth-down.

Nice three and out team.

KC fifth possession of the half

1st and 10 from their own 29 yard-line - Jaguars in Nickel 4-3 defense. KC in shotgun 3 WR set, single back. Your line is Julius Williams, Bryan Smith, Montavius Stanley, and Hen. Daryl Smith blitzes on the play, Bryan Smith drops into Zone coverage. Cassel throws a perfect pass to the WR on a short out pattern, and he drops it.

2nd and 10 - KC in shotgun single back set. Jags in Nickel. Durant fakes the blitz, and Daryl Smith and Nelson blitz to J. Williams side, Bryan Smith drops into Zone again. Cassel passes over the middle complete, and Durant makes the instant tackle. Gain of nine.

3rd and 1 - KC is in the shotgun, single back 4 WR, trips right. Jags in Nickel. Daryl Smith and Sean Considine blitz, there will be no prevent defense today. No linemen drop into zone, it was an overload blitz. Cassel throws a prayer to Dwayne Bowe, who makes the catch despite Derek Cox having perfect position, and I mean perfect. Had he known the ball was thrown, he would've made the interception. It was an all around great play by KC's best player, Bowe. First down KC. Lucky.

1st and 10 from Jags' 45 yard-line - KC in shotgun, 4 WR, trips right again. Jaguars in Nickel. Daryl Smith blitzes, Julius Williams drops into zone, and Hen and Bryan Smith both make it to Cassel, who is thrown to the ground had by B. Smith. Incomplete, and great pressure.

2nd and 10 - KC in shotgun , 3 WR 1 TE, single back set. Jaguars in Nickel. D. Smith blitzes from the outside, Bryan Smith's side. Henderson collapses the middle and gets a sack. D. Smith was blatently held by the RB, or he may have made the sack, no flag, but it was an obvious hold. Hen with the sack, loss of 9 on the play.

3rd and 19 - KC in the I-formation. Jaguars in the 3-4, with Harvey, Knighton, and I think Ellison, but couldn't tell because of the camera angle. Reggie Nelson and Gerald Alexander both blitz, and the Jaguars get burned deep by Chris Chambers. That's what happens when you blitz your safety and he doesn't get home. Sean Considine was badly beaten on his coverage. TD that should never have happened.

KC sixth possession of the half

Onside kick recovered by KC.

1st and 10 from KC's 31 yard-line. Jaguars in the 4-3 Nickel. KC in the shotgun, single back, 3 WR set. Daryl Smith blitzes again (notice a trend here?), good protection though. Cassel makes a good throw, and Cox makes what looks like a TD saving shoe-string tackle. Reggie Nelson was out of position, and had Cox not made the tackle, KC's WR may have been off to the races.

1st and 10 - KC in the shotgun, Jacksonville in Nickel. Nelson blitzes and gets to Cassel, he hits him hard and forces the bad pass, somehow Dwayne Bowe just came up with it... I have no idea how he adjusted to that pass so seamlessly. This guy is good, and Derek Cox was in position again. Cox rarely gets beaten badly, I can't praise him enough for how he's played this season.

1st and 10 from Jaguars' 20 - KC in the shotgun, 2 RB and 3 WR set. Jaguars in base defense, Harvey, Hen, Groves, and Pot Roast are your linemen. Four man rush is easily picked up by KC, Cassel has a man in the endzone, but Cox jumps up and knocks the pass away with his fingertips. TD saving play, and phenomenal ups by Cox.

2nd and 10 - Jags in Nickel, KC in shotgun, 2 RB and 3 WR set, it's obvious KC is running max-protect with the dual blocking HBs. Cox and Smith blitz, Harvey drops into zone. D. Smith flattens the FB on his way to the QB. Hen and Smith both provide pressure and Cassel throws it away.

3rd and 10 - Jags in Nickel, KC in shotgun single back. Jaguars rush four. Harvey is double-teamed on that play. Illegal use of hands by Cox, automatic first down.

1st and 10 from the Jaguars 15 - Jaguars in the 3-4, KC in the shotgun, single back. Harvey is double-teamed again, and Groves rushes with his hand off the ground. Daryl Smith blitzes as well. Slant pass, gain of two. Tackle by Reggie Nelson.

2nd and 8 - Cassel throws a fade pattern to Bowe, and Cox couldn't have played it any better. He was in position to snag the game-ending interception, when Reggie burst in and swatted the ball away. Cox is every bit as good as Rashean was his rookie year, and that bodes well for our future at the postion.

3rd and 8 - KC in shotgun, single back, 4 WRs, trips left. Jags in Nickel. Groves best rush of the half, he almost got to Cassel on a pure speed rush to the outside. Gerald Alexander and another LB blitz (not D. Smith). Complete pass, first down and goal.

1st and goal from the 5 - Jaguars in base defense, KC in the I-formation, motioning into the wishbone. Wow, there's a formation I haven't seen in awhile, I like it though. KC runs play action, and it is effective at freezing the LB's who, like me, were anticipating run out of that formation. Cassel rolls out and hits his man in the front corner of the endzone. TD KC. I Love some of the formations KC employs...

That would be the last time KC would touch the football. Jaguars win, and dominate for 56 minutes on defense.

NOTES:

Harvey played absolutely fantastic, and in this reporters opinion, is shaping up to be the best first round DE taken in 2008. He's stout against the run, and easily plays the most snaps of any defensive lineman on the Jags. I was very impressed with him in the first half especially. He seemed to face more double-teams and chip blocks in the second-half, perhaps to combat his effectiveness.

Daryl Smith is Mel's new favorite toy. He blitzes more often than not, and seems to have a knack for creating havoc in the back-field. Cox was flat out the best player in the secondary today, and had we taken him in the first round, I wouldn't complain. I discovered Pot Roast used to be a WR, which explains his great balance, and he's clearly the team's future at DT. Henderson is playing like it's 2006, and seems rejuvenated by Knighton's presence. Smith and Durant are clearly a step above Clint Ingram, and "Country" had an average game against KC.

Montavius Stanley is our clear number three DT, and there is very little drop-off when he comes in to spell Hen or Knighton. Stanley gets his hands up to bat balls, and has a great motor. He's stout against the run, and I'll be anxious to see him perform against a better offensive line when we play the Jets.

-Collin Streetman

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

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

More photos » by Phil Coale - AP

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

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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

about 1 month 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...

Browse more photos »

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!