Jacksonville Jaguars’ Madden ’09 Ratings Review/Madden ’10 Ratings Preview

The player ratings for this year’s EA sports Madden video game have been rolling out over the last few weeks, team by team.

The complete roster and player ratings for the Jaguars are due to be released Tuesday (though the preliminary ratings supposedly leaked a month or so ago on a Web site and were subsequently taken down).

What we do have, for sure, is the top 10 players per offensive skill position and the top 10 overall defensive players.

No Jaguars made the list, not even running back Maurice Jones-Drew. We know that Jets veteran Thomas Jones (tied for ninth in RBs) is rated higher than Jones-Drew at a 90.

We also know that first-round pick Eugene Monroe is rated an 82 and second-round pick Eben Britton a 78.

EA released the ratings of the first 64 draft picks already.

For those of you anticipating the game’s release in August, don’t get angry when you see the lower player ratings. EA Sports reportedly decided to grade tougher this year, it could be five or 10 points lower on average.

You’re not likely to have backups in the 80s anymore.

As an advance for Tuesday’s ’10 ratings breakdown, I’ll review the ’09 Jaguars player ratings.

 

TEAM – 93

The Jaguars were the No. 5 team in the AFC last year (behind division leaders New England, Indianapolis, San Diego and Pittsburgh) and the No. 7 team overall.

After a 5-11 season, that ranking is sure to plummet. I would expect them to be ranked the lowest in the AFC South. Yes, even behind the Texans.

 

QB

David Garrard – 92, Cleo Lemon – 77

New Jaguars backup quarterback Todd Bouman, replacing the released Lemon, wasn’t in Madden ’09.

 

RB/FB

Fred Taylor – 94, Maurice Jones-Drew – 91, Chauncey Washington – 74

Greg Jones – 91

We already know Jones-Drew is going to be downgraded (as will many, many Jaguars) since he didn’t make the top 10 running backs (and the No. 10 running back was ranked a 90).

Rookie Rashad Jennings should be rated higher than Washington, if the Madden brains have been following the news out of OTAs.

 

WR/TE

Torry Holt (Rams) – 94, Jerry Porter – 86, Reggie Williams – 83, Dennis Northcutt – 81, Troy Williamson – 78, Matt Jones – 77, Mike Walker – 71, John Broussard – 70

Marcedes Lewis – 84, George Wrightster – 80, Greg Estandia – 71

Porter’s rating as the top Jags receiver is laughable given what transpired in 2009. Jones should improve on his 77 but will obviously be a free agent.

 

OT/G/C

Tra Thomas (Eagles) – 95, Khalif Barnes – 90, Tony Pashos – 87, Jordan Black (Texans) – 74, Richard Collier – 72, Andrew Carnahan – 66

Vince Manuwai – 94, Maurice Williams – 91, Tutan Reyes – 74, Uche Nwaneri – 72

Brad Meester – 93, Dennis Norman – 68

Jaguars fans know Thomas is good but not that good. The entire line will probably be downgraded.

 

DE

Paul Spicer – 87, Reggie Hayward – 86, Derrick Harvey – 81, Quentin Groves – 79, Brent Hawkins – 71 , Jeremy Mincey – 69

Now that Harvey’s first rounder honeymoon is over, it will be interesting to see how Madden rates him based on his slow first season versus his upside.

 

DT

John Henderson – 95, Rob Meier – 86, Derek Landri – 77, Jimmy Kennedy – 73

Henderson is still a big name, so I don’t expect Madden to bring him down that much, but he may no longer be a 90s guy. Meier will not be in the 80s, either.

 

LB

Mike Peterson – 93, Daryl Smith – 92, Justin Durant – 83, Clint Ingram – 78, Brian Iwuh – 73, Thomas Williams – 72, Tony Gilbert – 69

Durant and Smith will be much closer this year, and there’s a chance Durant passes Smith. I still don’t expect any Jaguars linebackers in the 90s.

 

CB

Rashean Mathis – 95, Drayton Florence – 85, Scott Starks – 75, Trae Williams – 73

Mathis has a shot to stay in the 90s, and I think he should. Rookie Derek Cox will probably be ranked higher than Starks.

 

FS/SS

Reggie Nelson – 92, Gerald Alexander (Lions) – 80, Jamaal Fudge – 70

Brian Williams – 87, Marlon McCree (Broncos) – 83, Gerald Sensabaugh – 79, Sean Considine (Eagles) – 78, Chad Nkang – 66

Madden should have the rosters updated to reflect the Dennis Northcutt-Gerald Alexander trade. Nelson will still be the top-rated Jaguars safety, but he certainly won’t be in the 90s.

 

K/P

Josh Scobee – 86, Steve Weatherford (Saints) – 78, Adam Podlesh – 77

If you’re looking for who has the edge in the punting competition…

The 10 Biggest Games in Jacksonville Jaguars History (5 Through 1)

As advertised, I bring you the top five games in Jacksonville Jaguars history today.

Keep in mind this is just one objective football fan’s opinion. Jaguars fans may have a different take. If so, I’d like to read some comments and see what other views are out there.

Here’s a recap of 10 through six:

10. 2005 AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Patriots 28, Jaguars 3
9. 2007 AFC Divisional Playoffs: Patriots 31, Jaguars 20
8. 1995 Week 5: Jaguars 17, Oilers 16 (Franchise’s First Win)
7. 2007 AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Jaguars 31, Steelers 29
6. 1999 AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Jaguars 62, Dolphins 7

All of those games held significance, but I really believe the following top five are a cut above.

The 10 Biggest Games in Jacksonville Jaguars History (10 Through 6)

As the Jaguars enter their 15th season, I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at the top games in team history.

The team is 118-106 all time and 5-6 in the playoffs.

This list includes wins AND losses. Just because a team loses doesn’t make the game meaningless.

Of course, most of the games will come from the glory years of the Tom Coughlin era and not the Jack Del Rio regime.

There will be more highlights of Mark Brunell than Byron Leftwich, more Jimmy Smith than Reggie Williams, more Joel Smeenge than Reggie Hayward. You see where I’m going here?

On Saturday, I reveal 10 through six. On Sunday, the top five.

Jacksonville Jaguars Release Safety Calvin Lowry

This time, the Jaguars are letting go of a safety instead of adding one.

Jacksonville released Calvin Lowry on Thursday. He had become expendable with recent additions Gerald Alexander and Marlon McCree, who join Reggie Nelson and Sean Considine as the four safeties likely to make the team out of training camp.

McCree is the big winner here, as he would have been in danger of being let go if Lowry had an outstanding camp.

Lowry, 26, has started 14 career games at both safety positions. He registered 18 tackles in 11 games for Denver in 2008 before being signed by the Jaguars in December. He never played a down for Jacksonville.

Previously, Lowry spent 2006 and 2007 with the Titans, where he started 11 times and racked up a career-high 58 tackles in 2007.

Lowry was a fifth-round pick of Tennessee in 2006 out of Penn State. He has enough experience to be picked up by another team.

Mike Thomas Signed to Jaguars As Fourth-Round Wide Receiver

The Jaguars signed their second draft pick of the 2009 class Thursday, agreeing to terms with wide receiver Mike Thomas on a four-year deal, according to the Florida Times-Union.

He reportedly received a $507,450 signing bonus.

Thomas, taken in the fourth round, joins sixth-round tight end Zach Miller in signing so far. He is a favorite to be the team’s slot receiver behind Torry Holt and Mike Walker and could play a factor in the return game as well.

Projecting the Jaguars’ Kickoff Weekend Roster: Defense

I predicted what the Jaguars offense would look like on Wednesday. Today, defense takes the stage.

I expect a few more backup battles on this side of the ball, especially on a defensive line that will be very deep with several players getting time on a rotational basis. I’ll begin there.

 

Defensive End

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Paul Spicer, Reggie Hayward, Derrick Harvey, Quentin Groves

2009 Training Camp: Reggie Hayward, Derrick Harvey, Quentin Groves, James Wyche, Jeremy Mincey, Jeremy Navarre, Julius Williams

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Derrick Harvey, Quentin Groves, Reggie Hayward, James Wyche, Jeremy Mincey

Between Harvey, Groves and Hayward, two must separate themselves as starters. However, all three should play.

There is a chance that Hayward may be one of the annual big-name players cut prior to the season, but the Jaguars have already done a lot of house cleaning. 

Wyche and Mincey could be battling for one roster spot, especially if the team signs a free agent or two at any position. For now, they both make it.

 

Defensive Tackle

2008 Kickoff Weekend: John Henderson, Rob Meier, Derek Landri, Jimmy Kennedy, Tony McDaniel

2009 Training Camp: John Henderson, Rob Meier, Derek Landri, Terrance Knighton, Atiyyah Ellison, George Hypolite, Jonathan Lewis

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: John Henderson, Rob Meier, Terrance Knighton, Derek Landri, Atiyyah Ellison

This is sure to be a rotational position. Henderson and Knighton, a third-round pick, are sure bets to make the team. Meier, a Jaguar since 2000, should make it but faces the same danger as Hayward.

Landri should see a decent amount of playing time, too, after playing in 15 games last season. Ellison was a former third-round pick by Carolina. He should beat out Hypolite and Lewis for the last spot.

 

Linebacker

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Mike Peterson, Daryl Smith, Clint Ingram, Justin Durant, Brent Hawkins, Brian Iwuh, Thomas Williams

2009 Training Camp: Daryl Smith, Clint Ingram, Justin Durant, Brian Iwuh, Thomas Williams, Russell Allen, Jeremy Cain, Lamar Myles, Tim Shaw Johnny Williams

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Daryl Smith, Clint Ingram, Justin Durant, Brian Iwuh, Thomas Williams, Johnny Williams

Smith, Ingram and Durant are sure-fire starters and form a dynamic young trio.

Iwuh and Thomas Williams played in 15 games and six games, respectively, last season and are good bets to be primary backups and special teams players.

I project the Jaguars to go with six linebackers, giving them one backup at each spot. The last man will be determined during training camp. I don’t have much to analyze there other than knowing Johnny Williams was a decent player at Kentucky.

 

Cornerback

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Rashean Mathis, Drayton Florence, Scott Starks, Brian Witherspoon, William James

2009 Training Camp: Rashean Mathis, Brian Williams, Scott Starks, Brian Witherspoon, Derek Cox, Tyron Brackenridge, Kennard Cox, Pete Ittersagen, Mesphin Forrester

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Rashean Mathis, Brian Williams, Derek Cox, Scott Starks, Brian Witherspoon

Mathis is one of the best cover men in the NFL when healthy. Williams started out 2008 as a safety but had to move back to corner to replace free-agent bust Drayton Florence.

Williams will stay at corner unless third-rounder Derek Cox matures extremely quick and the new safeties fail to impress at camp. At the very least, expect Cox to be the primary nickel corner.

Starks tore his ACL in September but signed a two-year deal in February. The former Wisconsin Badger has been one of the team’s most reliable special teams players the last few years.

Witherspoon, an undrafted rookie in 2008, became Jacksonville’s primary return man. The Jaguars finished around the league average in returns. He’ll get a chance to improve upon that in his second year.

 

Safety

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Brian Williams, Gerald Sensabaugh, Reggie Nelson, Pierson Prioleau

2009 Training Camp: Reggie Nelson, Sean Considine, Gerald Alexander, Marlon McCree, Calvin Lowry, Michael Desormeaux

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Reggie Nelson, Sean Considine, Gerald Alexander, Marlon McCree

The front office made shrewd moves in adding Alexander and McCree recently, adding much-needed depth with veterans Sensabaugh and Prioleau gone and Williams back at corner.

Nelson figures to start at free safety, though Alexander says he wants to make it a real training camp battle.

Considine’s job isn’t safe either. Alexander has strong safety experience and could start there, too.

McCree is better suited at free safety.

 

Punter

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Adam Podlesh

2009 Training Camp: Adam Podlesh, Steve Weatherford

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Adam Podlesh

Podlesh and Weatherford both punted for the Jaguars in 2008. Podlesh, a fourth-round draft pick in 2007, averaged 43.2 yards per punt. Weatherford averaged 43.6.

That’s not much of a difference. You can flip a coin really, though Podlesh being drafted so highly for a punter might give him a bit of an edge going in.

 

Summary

QB: David Garrard, Todd Bouman

RB: Maurice Jones-Drew, Rashad Jennings, Chauncey Washington

FB: Greg Jones, Montell Owens

WR: Torry Holt, Mike Walker, Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, Tiquan Underwood, Troy Williamson

TE: Marcedes Lewis, Zach Miller, Greg Estandia, Joe Zelenka

OT: Tra Thomas, Tony Pashos, Eugene Monroe, Eben Britton

OG: Vince Manuwai, Maurice Williams, Uche Nwaneri

C: Brad Meester, Dennis Norman

K: Josh Scobee

DE: Derrick Harvey, Quentin Groves, Reggie Hayward, Jeremy Mincey, James Wyche

DT: John Henderson, Rob Meier, Derek Landri, Atiyyah Ellison, Terrance Knighton

LB: Daryl Smith, Clint Ingram, Justin Durant, Brian Iwuh, Thomas Williams, Johnny Williams

CB: Rashean Mathis, Brian Williams, Derek Cox, Scott Starks, Brian Witherspoon

S: Reggie Nelson, Sean Considine, Gerald Alexander, Marlon McCree

P: Adam Podlesh

 

Projecting the Jaguars’ Kickoff Weekend Roster: Offense

Training camp isn’t until August, and the regular season doesn’t start for another two months, but it’s never too early to start prognosticating the make of a team’s roster.

With the Jaguars, 2009 should bring a younger offense (save veterans Todd Bouman and Torry Holt) and, they hope, one that can stay healthier than it did in 2008.

Here’s the early projection on how that offense will be comprised.

 

Quarterback

2008 Kickoff Weekend: David Garrard, Cleo Lemon

2009 Training Camp: David Garrard, Todd Bouman, Paul Smith, Todd Boeckman

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: David Garrard, Todd Bouman

Garrard may not have much competition to for the starting spot, but he is certainly feeling pressure to perform after a subpar 2008. If Garrard repeats last year’s performance (and the Jaguars have another losing season), he won’t have it so easy this time next year.

Bouman is the de facto No. 2 after Cleo Lemon was released. Lemon is the first of several free agent busts we will mention in this roster preview.

Bouman, 36, hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since 2005. If he shows his age, expect the Jaguars to try and find a free agent replacement.

The Jags only carried two active quarterbacks instead of the usual three on the roster last season. The NFL is trending more that way, so I don’t expect Smith or Boeckman to make the initial 53-man roster. They are competing for nothing more then a practice squad spot.

 

Running Back

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, Chauncey Washington

2009 Training Camp: Maurice Jones-Drew, Chauncey Washington, Alvin Pearman, Rashad Jennings

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Maurice Jones-Drew, Rashad Jennings, Chauncey Washington

Jones-Drew will shoulder the load with Fred Taylor now a member of the New England Patriots.

Many fantasy leaguers are salivating at the thought of this, especially since the Jaguars don’t have an experienced backup to steal carries.

Jennings, a seventh-round rookie out of little Liberty, has been raved about during OTAs and could vault himself past Pearman, Washington, and fullback Greg Jones as the top backup. He’s about as sure of a bet to make an NFL roster as any seventh rounder.

That leaves Washington and Pearman to fight for the last spot. Washington was on the active roster all of last season, while Pearman was only signed in December once Taylor was placed on injured reserve. This seems like an easy call to make.

 

Fullback

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Greg Jones, Montell Owens

2009 Training Camp: Greg Jones, Montell Owens, Brock Bolen

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Greg Jones, Montell Owens

Jones is one of the best remaining players at a fading position in the NFL. He is versatile enough to finish second on the team in carries with Taylor gone.

Owens has been a special team’s standout since 2006 and shouldn’t be in much danger of losing his roster spot.

 

Wide Receiver

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, Dennis Northcutt, Jerry Porter, Mike Walker, Troy Williamson

2009 Training Camp: Torry Holt, Mike Walker, Troy Williamson, Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, Tiquan Underwood, Maurice Dupree, Nate Hughes, Todd Peterson, Andy Strickland

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Torry Holt, Mike Walker, Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, Tiquan Underwood, Troy Williamson

Walker and Williamson are the only holdovers from 2008. The other four, to varying degrees, were primarily disappointments.

The signing of aged Holt and the selections of Thomas, Dillard, and Underwood on the second day of the draft signals a new era for Jacksonville receivers. That could be a good thing since the receivers have been dreadful since Jimmy Smith retired.

At 33, Holt will be counted on to lead the team in all receiving categories while also mentoring all of his position mates.

And I do mean all.

Walker, the other projected starter, has one 100-yard game to his credit but needs to avoid injury.

The rookies need to learn fast, as somebody will have to step up and claim the slot position as their own. Right now, Thomas seems the best fit.

Williamson, a former first-round pick of Minnesota, is in serious danger of being cut if he can’t excel on special teams.

 

Tight End

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Marcedes Lewis, Greg Estandia, Richard Angulo, Joe Zelenka

2009 Training Camp: Marcedes Lewis, Greg Estandia, Richard Angulo, Zach Miller, Tyler Lorenzen, Joe Zelenka

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Marcedes Lewis, Zach Miller, Greg Estandia, Joe Zelenka

Lewis, a first-round pick in 2006, has looked nothing better than an average NFL tight end during his first three seasons. However, reports out of OTAs had him becoming a better pass catcher to supplement his developed blocking skills.

Miller is a rookie project as a converted quarterback. His athleticism alone should vault him past Estandia and Angulo, who are likely competing for only one roster spot.

Zelenka, a fan favorite, should be safe to keep his role as long snapper.

 

Tackle

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Khalif Barnes, Tony Pashos, Richard Collier

2009 Training Camp: Tra Thomas, Tony Pashos, Eugene Monroe, Eben Britton, Jordan Black

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Tra Thomas, Tony Pashos, Eugene Monroe, Eben Britton

Tackle might be the team’s deepest position heading into training camp. Thomas and Pashos are established starters while Monroe and Britton are the team’s top two draft picks.

Thomas, a former Pro Bowler, is likely keeping the left tackle seat warm for when Monroe is ready to take over.

Pashos has a “significant” lead over Britton at right tackle, according to Jaguars.com. It will likely take Britton longer than Monroe to secure a starting role.

 

Guard

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Vince Manuwai, Maurice Williams, Tutan Reyes, Uche Nwaneri

2009 Training Camp: Vince Manuwai, Maurice Williams, Uche Nwaneri, Cameron Stephenson

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Vince Manuwai, Maurice Williams, Uche Nwaneri

Manuwai and Williams are coming off major injuries that ended their 2008 seasons early, but they are being counted on to return to top form.

Nwaneri, a fifth-round pick in 2007, started 15 games last year after the injuries to Williams and Manuwai. With him and center/guard Dennis Norman, the Jags should have enough depth at the position.

 

Center

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Brad Meester, Dennis Norman

2009 Training Camp: Brad Meester, Dennis Norman, Cecil Newton

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Brad Meester, Dennis Norman

The veteran Meester is the leader of the offensive line. It’s unclear how much the 32-year-old has left in the tank, however.

Norman

has been Meester’s long-tenured backup. He spent a lot of time alongside Meester as a guard in 2008, but he is an adequate No. 2 center as well.

 

Kicker

2008 Kickoff Weekend: Josh Scobee

2009 Training Camp: Josh Scobee

2009 Kickoff Weekend Projection: Josh Scobee

Scobee led the NFL with a 92 percent field goal accuracy in an injury-shortened 2007. During a healthier 2008, he made 19-of-25 field goals (76 percent) and was near the bottom of the league.

He, like Garrard, could really use a bounce-back 2009.

 

Summary

QB: David Garrard, Todd Bouman

RB: Maurice Jones-Drew, Rashad Jennings, Chauncey Washington

FB: Greg Jones, Montell Owens

WR: Torry Holt, Mike Walker, Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, Tiquan Underwood, Troy Williamson

TE: Marcedes Lewis, Zach Miller, Greg Estandia, Joe Zelenka

OT: Tra Thomas, Tony Pashos, Eugene Monroe, Eben Britton

OG: Vince Manuwai, Maurice Williams, Uche Nwaneri

C: Brad Meester, Dennis Norman

K: Josh Scobee

 

COMING THURSDAY: The Defense

Could Gerald Alexander Unseat Reggie Nelson as Jaguars’ Free Safety?

When the Jaguars traded for Lions safety Gerald Alexander two weeks ago, the obvious conclusion was that Alexander would push Sean Considine to start at strong safety.

According to Jaguars.com, Alexander had other ideas. “In what could turn out to be one of the highlight competitions of training camp, Alexander hopes to duel with [Reggie] Nelson for the starting free safety job.”

It will be interesting if it comes to fruition.

This wouldn’t be the first time the Jags are forced to choose between Alexander and Nelson.

The Jaguars may have taken Alexander in the second round of the 2007 draft—if they decided to pass on Nelson in the first—according to the report.

Of course, the Jags took Nelson—instead of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn—and were not going to draft safeties with both their first and second round picks.

Alexander went to the Lions with the 61st pick and started as a free safety as a rookie. In 2008, before his season-ending neck injury, Alexander began the season at strong safety—he played cornerback at Boise State.

It’s clear Alexander is versatile enough to play either safety spot. Still, it’s surprising if the Jags brought him in as competition for Nelson instead of Considine.

Nelson has had his problems transitioning from college to the NFL, but he is still oozing with talent and potential. If he were to be benched, it could seriously harm his psyche as a recent first-round pick.

Considine spent 2008 on special teams in Philadelphia. On paper, he seems less suited for every down duty compared to Nelson.

Don’t read too much into Alexander’s comments—he hasn’t taken a hit since suffering a cracked vertebrae and a herniated disk in October.

He still has a long way to go.

Fallen Rival: How Steve McNair Will be Remembered in Jacksonville

The stunning death of Steve McNair is sure to send shockwaves through the NFL and the nation this weekend.

McNair, 36, was one of the best quarterbacks of this decade and remains the most marquee player for the Tennessee Titans franchise since the move from Houston to the Volunteer State.

As far as Jacksonville Jaguars fans go, McNair was a huge rival during the heyday of the Jacksonville-Tennessee rivalry a decade ago.

Former Jaguars cornerback Dave Thomas summed up McNair’s talents best.

“He’s one of those electrifying players,” Thomas told the St. Augustine (Fla.) Record in 2000. 

McNair was not a running quarterback; he was a quarterback that could also run. There is a difference, a big one, and Jaguars fans know that.

At Alltel Stadium, McNair was surely booed but definitely respected.

The 2003 NFL MVP played in 16 career games against Jacksonville, tied with Pittsburgh for the most of any opponent other than Cincinnati. He went 9-7 against the Jaguars in the regular season.

Though he was sacked a career-most 29 times by the Jags defense, he rebounded to throw 20 touchdowns versus 13 interceptions with a 62.6 completion percentage.

McNair lost his first four games against Jacksonville from 1996 to 1998, but he did record his first 300-yard passing game against the rival on Dec. 8, 1996.

In 1999, the Titans were the only team to beat the Jaguars. They did it three times, with McNair starting twice.

The third Titans win was probably the biggest game in Jaguars history.

In the 1999 AFC Championship, McNair and the fourth-seeded Titans visited the top-seeded Jaguars.

McNair wasn’t the typical “Air McNair” that day (just 14-for-23, 112 yards). Instead, his feet did the damage.

He rushed nine times for 91 yards and two second-half touchdowns to ice a 33-14 romp at Alltel Stadium.

“He’s a strong, strong, physical football player,” then-Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin told the Associated Press after the AFC Championship. “We had guys with our arms wrapped around him and they couldn’t bring him down. He’s a tremendous weapon when he’s running down the field.”

Rivals like McNair’s Titans don’t come around often.

McNair will be missed.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars Pass on Derrick Brooks, Keep Youth Movement

Happy Fourth of July, Derrick Brooks. Not even the Jaguars want you.

The 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker and future Hall of Famer has not received many sniffs, if any, since being cut by the Buccaneers in February.

Jacksonville is the latest uninterested party, according to a Florida Times-Union report.

Here’s an excerpt from Gene Frenette’s mishmash column Saturday:

“It doesn’t appear the Jaguars have much interest in throwing a life line at 36-year-old linebacker Derrick Brooks, who is still job-hunting after getting cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even if Brooks wanted to play for the veteran minimum, the Jaguars think 2008 draft pick Thomas Williams and rookie free agent Russell Allen will alleviate concerns about depth at the position.”

Brooks has played in all 224 games of his 14-year career in Tampa, starting all but three in his rookie season.

He is clearly on the downside of his career. Brooks registered a career-low 73 tackles in 2008, and became a liability in pass coverage as the team opted for younger options on third downs.

The Jags already have three entrenched starters at linebacker: Daryl Smith (who plays weak side, same as Brooks), Clint Ingram, and Justin Durant.

They have little depth, but apparently would rather take a chance on an unheralded youngster like Williams or Allen, especially when backup linebackers are needed on special teams.

Good for the Jaguars. They are sticking to their guns and staying young.

Remember the last couple times Jacksonville welcomed past-their-prime linebackers?

Bryce Paup. Hardy Nickerson. Just sayin’.

Brooks should be pleased, too. He is too accomplished and intelligent (and perhaps too slow) to cover kickoff duties.

The Jaguars are not the type of team he should be looking at.

Sports Illustrated reported last month that Brooks had yet to receive any offers.

Be patient. As training camp nears, the phone will ring.

Hopefully for Brooks, it will be a team that has players closer to his age.

Next Page »

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