Worst to First #23

The pre-season has begun and our collective semi-bone is creating a bulge that neither sandbags nor concrete dam could prevent from exploding in less than a month's time. With that said, allow us to stroke the fire, so to speak, and preview all 32 teams. Beginning with who we think will suck the most, and ending with who we think will suck the best.

b Lee, what's up with the boots on your feet?


Jack's Jag Reflex




There's no question which team was the biggest disappointment in the NFL last year. Of course, it was the Jets. The second biggest disappointment had to have been the Jaguars. In 2007, the Jaguars were to challenge the undefeated Patriots in the playoffs, mainly because of their above average defense and their strong running game. They didn't, but whatever.

At the beginning of the 2008 season, David Garrard had removed any doubt that he was the quarterback of the future. The Jags could only get better, right?

Or, not.

2008 was a full-on meltdown for Jacksonville. Before the season even began, both Fred Taylor and Matt "Snow" Jones were arrested and their backup offensive tackle (Collier) was shot and critically wounded, ending his career in the process. Along with these incidents came a rash of injuries and it wasn't long before the Jags were eliminated from playoff contention, finishing the season with a record of 5-11.

Both offense and defense struggled dramatically throughout the season as well as shown below:

Defense
2007: 5,021 yards allowed - Rank: 12 (19 points allowed per game)
2008: 5,295 yards allowed - Rank : 17 (23 points allowed per game)

Offense
2007: 5,719 yards gained - Rank 7 (25 points per game)
2008: 5,106 yards gained - Rank 20 (19 points per game)

Maybe the offense was actually the problem, especially when considering the 11 balls laid on the turf and David Garrard's 153 INTs (He only threw THREE in 2007).

So, why would the Jags be any better this year? Perhaps because they got rid of their number 1 receiver (and best skier, coincidentally) in Matt Jones? Now, for a team that averages a mere 208 yards passing a game, can you really afford such a loss?

Or, is it because they allowed the their number 2 running back to walk away? Some may argue that because MJD now has a full season to perform, that this could potentially boost offensive production due to the breakaway talent that the little guy possesses. But, at the same time, MJD has never had to carry a full load throughout the course of an entire season. Whether or not he can support the weight that such a position levies, is a big question mark.

The Jags did go out and add a slew of young wide receivers in the offseason, hoping to boost their ability to stretch the field, opening up the field for MJD to run wild, and in stark contrast to the passed few years when the Jaguars believed solely in the "Possession Receiver" philosophy of losers across the football world. Whether these young guns make an immediate impact is a big question mark, as well.

But the bigger question mark is, even if the Jags have improved at all, can they compete this year in an ever-improving AFC South? The Titans will still be good enough, the Texans are getting better, and the Colts are still the Colts (checkered history with the Jaguars duly noted).

Or, maybe the trainer just needs to crack Mr. Henderson in the face with 2x4 prior each game instead of just using his bare hand.

Hey, it worked in Tommy Boy.