Hey Jags…Keep John Matthews!
This post isn’t intended to be a Jaguar news article, but rather a campaign. A campaign you ask? Yes a campaign…. for Jaguar wide receiver John Matthews. In the pre-season he is leading the team in touchdowns, but more than that, he has excited a fan base. Every morning this week, I’ve heard callers on sports radio talking about this young man. Rumor has it that he will be relegated to the practice squad. Note to Jaguar GM Gene Smith, “What if”.
What is he is a hidden gem? What if he is the Next Wes Welker? What if he got a shot this season to play in a real NFL game with the first string offense. Let’s face it, if the Jaguars chose to keep Matthews and cut Troy Williamson would that be such a huge loss if Matthews didn’t pan out?
There have been many circumstances in the past where a Coach or GM took a gamble and gave a player like Matthews a shot. Sometimes it has paid huge dividends and many times at the wide receiver position. Take Welker for example. Despite being undrafted, only one player in NFL history, Gale Sayers, had more all-purpose yards in his first three NFL seasons than Welker did with the Dolphins. He also holds the three highest single season reception totals in Patriots history, and is the only receiver in NFL history to record at least 110 receptions in three consecutive seasons.
After this organization has taken to so many risks with the likes of Reggie Williams and Matt Jones, don’t you think the Jaguars could afford to take a chance when they so desperately need production from the receiving corps?
I don’t have a crystal ball and I am not saying that John Matthews is going to be the next Wes Welker. I am simply saying “What if”.
QB Controversey in Jacksonville? Not Impossible.
Jaguars’ Quarterback David Garrard put up great numbers last night during the Jags win agains the Buccaneers….wait for it… B U T, his performance in the red zone was lackluster at best. Garrard was 24 of 30 for 211 yards, which on paper looks great, but he threw a crucial interception in the red zone and threw a few other “questionable” balls. On the other hand back up QB Luke McCown threaded the needle in a beautiful throw to WR John Matthews for a touchdown. After watching that play, I would be lying if I didn’t admit to thinking “maybe McCown should be given the chance to lead this team”.
The experts and talking heads will say “you can’t compare Garrard and McCown- it’s apples to oranges”. Garrard plays again first team defenses and McCown has not. I am not an expert – but I am a fan & I do believe in “Fan’s Intuition” (it’s similar to a mother’s intuition). I can compare their styles and their decision making. It’s early, I know, so I won’t make a legnthy compelling case that McCown should be the guy, but if you fast forward 6 weeks and we are reading about a QB contro in Jax, don’t be shocked.
Garrard needs to make better decisions in the red zone-obviously. But he also needs to find the David Garrard of 2007! THAT Garrard looked very similar to the Luke McCown of 2010….fearless, excited, and aggressive. Jags fans want THAT kind of QB-they couldn’t care less about whose name appears on the back of the jersey.
Defense Still a Question Mark, Garrard Plays Well
Once the Jacksonville Jaguars took the field after a two-hour rain/lightining delay, the defensive line looked great early. First round pick Tyson Alualu and Aaron Kampman sacked Dolphins QB Chad Henne on the first play from scrimmage for a near-safety. However the following series and the rest that followed, Henne barely had any pressure at all. With all that time Henne and backup QB Chad Pennington threw completions to wide-open receivers throughout the first half.
Many of the images that haunted Jaguar fans from 2009 seemed to be apparent last night as well. The most glaringly obvious issue was the defenses inability to stop Miami on third down.
Keep in mind, Alualu and Kampman only played a few series. If the dynamic 
duo can create pressure throughout an entire game, the defense might show a vast improvement from 2009.
On the offensive side of the football, Jaguar QB David Garrard actually played quite well until he was hit in the chest and knocked out of the game. Despite the constant pressure from the Dolphins defensive front, Garrard completed 6 of 8 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown with a QB rating of 145.3. He even showed a glimpse of the David Garrard of old when he scrambled for an 8 yard gain and a near first down.
All in all, the Jaguars looked better than the pre-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. However fans are quite aware that in the last two weeks, the defense has made both opposing quaterbacks look like pro-bowlers. Pressuring the QB is a must if the Jaguars have any chance of making the play-offs in 2010.
Preseason, We Talking Bout the Preseason!
That being said, let’s take a look at some things we need to keep our eyes on going forward:
1) Safeties, Maybe? -Reggie Nelson, aka the Eraser, aka the Mistake had a couple pass break ups that at least gave me hope that he is learning how to get in and stay in the right spot in pass coverage. I was really impressed with Gerald Alexander, he has a nose for the football and I would pencil him in as a starter. Sean Considine continued his impressive preseason with another good showing last night.
2) We finally have a pass rush – NOT! I’m just making sure you’re paying attention here. Truthfully there’s no way to know if we’ll have a pass rush or not. Big Tyson sat this one out and so did Kampman who are probably are two most valuable D lineman. In addition, we were extremely vanilla with the pass rush. I’m going to withhold judgment on this one.
3) McCown, Whoa – Ok, I know, I know, but you said it’s only preseason, it doesn’t matter. That’s true, but what McCown did deserves a deeper look. The guy threw three TDs against primarily second and third stringers, but what impressed me more was the placement of the ball. I mean several of his throws the receivers didn’t have to do anything, but put their arms out. That’s really all I’ll say on this, but I am going to keep an eye on this as camp progresses.
4) Deji Karim may help – In both the return game and the running game. In the return game he was impressive, 68, 41, and 27 yard returns. When I look at this kid on the field I think MJD clone. He’s tough, shifty, and kind of looks like the human bowling ball that is MJD. If he’s legit, meaning he can do it consistently in the regular season, then he and Jennings will be able to lighten the load a little for MJD, which will help a ton in the last quarter of the season.
All in all I still feel there is a lot of hope that this team will be improved over last year, but only time will tell and to quote Allen Iverson, “we talking bout practice man.”
Happy Saturday!
Jaguars vs. Eagles Preview
Garrard takes a snap from center Brad Meester.
As the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare to take on the Philadelphia Eagles this Friday night, there are a few important match-ups that may be an indication of what’s to come. Given that key starters will not play more than a just a couple of series, Jaguar fans will be looking very closely at the offensive and defensive lines as well as the passing game.
Offensive Line
Will we even see Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe? If we do, how will they fare against DE Trent Cole who is coming off a 12.5 sack season in 2009? Protecting David Garrard is vital for the Jaguars to have any chance of making the playoffs this season.
Defensive Line
From all indications Derrick Harvey is having a phenomenal training camp and Tyson Alualu is said to be the real deal. Will we see some early pressure on Eagles QB Kevin Kolb? Coming off of a team total 14 sacks in 2009, the Jaguars must get to the Quarterback in 2010.
Passing Game
If QB David Garrard has protection and time to throw to receivers Mike Sims Walker and Mike Thomas, how will he perform against a secondary that includes pro-bowl CB Asante Samuel?
While some of these questions will still remain throughout the pre-season, we will start to gain at least a little perspective of how the 2010 Jacksonville Jaguar roster will perform this season.
