Are Jaguars Tuned up for '09 Rebound?
Clifton Brown - SportingNews.com
Aug 10, 2009
JACKSONVILLE -- Nobody at Jaguars training camp likes talking about last season.
"We can't live in the past," running back Maurice Jones-Drew said.
"I'm not looking back," coach Jack Del Rio said.
"It's a new year -- I'm focusing on a new season," defensive end Derrick Harvey said.
Can you blame the Jaguars for having selective memory? They were a huge disappointment last year, finishing 5-11 and last in the AFC South, after making the playoffs in '07. They had injuries. They had chemistry problems. And when the season ended, they had to make changes.
So much is different with the '09 team, including new uniforms. Gone are many players who played key roles last season -- running back Fred Taylor, defensive end Paul Spicer, cornerback Drayton Florence and wide receivers Matt Jones and Reggie Williams. The Jaguars have succeeded in getting younger. But will they be better?
"This division remains very tough in my opinion," Del Rio said. "Tennessee put together a heck of year. Peyton (Manning) is always tough. Houston has really come on. We're a hungry team, looking to fight our way to the top."
David Garrard's play at quarterback will be critical, especially working with a new group of receivers. After a career-best season in '07, Garrard had three fewer touchdown passes in '08 and 10 more interceptions. Analyzing his play, Garrard is looking for a bounce-back year, just like his team.
"I need to hit the open guy, get the ball into the playmakers' hands and get it out of my hands faster," Garrard said. "Stop trying to make the big throw on every play, force things in and win it right now."
Wide receiver Torry Holt, who put together a stellar career in 10 seasons with the Rams, was signed as a free agent to mentor a young group of receivers. The Jaguars drafted three receivers -- Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, and Tiquan Underwood -- and all are trying to soak up Holt's knowledge.
"My first day seeing him was kind of shocking, because you watch this guy on TV and now he's your teammate," Underwood said. "He taught me that everybody has talent in this league. What are you going to do to separate yourself, as in putting in extra work?"
The Jaguars are a team with many unanswered questions, trying to regain a swagger that was lost last season. Many players reported to camp wearing beards, a display of team unity. Yes, the Jaguars have more hair but what they need most is more victories.
"Things happen, but that was last year," Jones-Drew said. "We have some new guys coming in ready to work hard. We're starting something new."
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
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