Dolphins vs Jaguars: Five Good Questions
With Sunday's big game between the Dolphins and Jaguars fast approaching, it's time learn more about this Jaguars team. To do so, we welcome in Chris Streetman of Big Cat Country. Below you will find his responses to my five questions. You can also head over to BCC on Friday to check out my responses to his Dolphin-related questions.
Matt: The Jaguars, like the Dolphins, got off to a rocky start. But they've seemingly turned things around and have won four of their last five. What do you attribute this turnaround to?
Chris: The reason for the turnaround is twofold. First, the coaching staff has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Del Rio's seems to get more out of younger players, Mel Tucker has been as good as advertised at improving DB's, and Andy Heck has Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton progressing nicely.
Secondly, our drafting has improved dramatically. Under James Harris, the Jaguars were position drafters, focusing on getting the best player at any given position. Now, Gene Smith has instituted a BAP philosophy that has our first four draft picks starting and making major contributions.
Matt: Just quickly glancing at Jacksonville's schedule, I noticed that the team has been a little schizophrenic in 2009. Yes, they've won seven games. But they've also lost to teams like Seattle (by 41) and San Francisco (by 17). What's that about?
Chris: The Jaguars seem to have a problem traveling to the West-Coast. The combined scores of the San Fran game and the Seattle game is 61-3, favoring the Jaguars' opponents. There is no other reason for the team's inexplicably poor play other than that. They seem to become turnover machines when they travel, and the fact that the next two games are at home bodes well for the team's playoff hopes. These Jaguars are NOT "road warriors."
Matt: David Garrard got off to a rough start but has since turned his season around. In his last five, Garrard is averaging 249 yards through the air and has a 5:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Is this a product of playing against average defenses? Is it a sign that Jacksonville's young receivers and tight ends are really starting to come around? Or is it something else altogether?
Chris: It's all about the tight-ends and WR's. Last year we didn't have a quality player at either position, as Marcedes Lewis looked pedestrian in 2008. Now, we've got Lewis playing at a pro-bowl level, Mike Sims-Walker as a legit #1, Mike Thomas as a true slot player, and Torry Holt as ole reliable. Our back-up TE's have been doing great, too. Wilford had a TD last week, and Zach Miller had huge YAC numbers.
Matt: The Jaguars haven't played well defensively - allowing 345 yards per game (19th in NFL) and 22.8 points per game (22nd). What's been their biggest issue defensively and are you worried about the Dolphins exploiting that weakness on Sunday?
Chris: The biggest issue is the pass defense. We've got Tyron Brackenride likely to start over Mathis again, and that means our best defensive player is out. We seem to get beaten deep at least once every game, as our Safeties have left something to be desired. Former first-round pick Reggie Nelson, has looked every bit replaceable, and Sean Considine and Gerald Alexander are both cast-offs from other teams (Lions and Eagles).
Our run-defense is stout, and our allowed yards against the rush are skewed by a 300 yard game that CJ of the Titans had against us while we still operated out of the 3-4. Since switching to the 4-3, our run defense has become extremely stingy. John Henderson and Terrence "Pot Roast" Knighton shut down the middle of the line. Only one of our DE's can play the run (Harvey), and as a result, you will see a lot of blitzes come from the other DE's (Groves) side to compensate for his inability to hold the point against the run.
Matt: Sunday's game is a huge one for obvious reasons. So tell us all your take. Who wins and why? And what Jaguar player will Dolphin fans learn a lot about on Sunday that we might not be too familiar with right now?
Chris: Sunday's game is huge, you're right about that. Despite how poorly the Jags have played away from home, they've managed to notch a 5-1 record at "The Jack". The player you will likely learn a lot about on defense is going to be Derek Cox or Terrance Knighton. These two rookies are outplaying many of the team's veterans, and both will be major contributors on Sunday. Offensively, you'll learn about Mike Thomas. He'll be catching short passes and making people miss. He may also return kicks, but a fumble last week on a punt may lead to Witherspoon getting the nod. We always keep games close, and have actually allowed more points than we've scored. It will be a close, run-the-ball and stop-the-run kind of game. My score... Jacksonville 16, Miami 13.
0 recs |
27 comments
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Comments
IDK much about the Jags but I agree this game is gonna be a really close, hard fought game
We NEED to stop the run and get our pass rush goin to win this game
Do our recievers exist? Ginn crawls out the hole, Bess is stumbling but hope is not lost.
Gibril i like you and imma let you finish the season but, Ed Reed is the best safety of all time, of all time!!
matty how are you always posting your entrys @ 12:15 every morning???
I actually think our ‘phins will win this game going away. Two rookie tackes up against our pass rush…A Jags team with a depleted secondary…I think MJD won’t have a huge day either(bad 4 me and my fantasy playoff chances). Phins win 27-10.
by Superzoe92 on Dec 11, 2009 1:10 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Not going to be an easy win...or a win "going away"
As much as I would love that, the Dolphins refuse to make life easy on me. They insist on causing me to lose hair and reduce the number of future birthdays I have by taking virtually every game down to the wire.
by Vanman_FishFan13 on Dec 11, 2009 8:21 AM EST up reply actions
hahaha it's a secret he is reluctant to let go..
And I agree with you on everything, including the score, which was exactly what I posted in another thread. I really think we’ll be able to throw and that Henne will bring confidence and rhythm carried over from the NE game… and If Mathis misses the game, look out.
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards
LN21 and MHTD - Goin Commando
I got dibs
by Little Nicky 21 on Dec 11, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions
I think he has it on auto post.
I noticed that too
hence the "Roboblog"
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.
I believe the Dolphins win this game hands down. The Jags hasn't beaten a good team all year and has almost lost every other game to very weak opponents.
Even last week they should’ve and would’ve loss if it weren’t for an ill advised HB option play (we all know how that works) If it weren’t for Schaub going out they would’ve probably lost that game and we wouldn’t even be talking about them being in contention, but they are so we’ll just have to see for ourselves who’s the better team. Hit’em low and go DOLPHINS!!!!!!
Would you consider the Jets, Texans, and Titans good teams?
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew is The Best RB in the AFC--Please Disagree with me
I know, I watched the first game this year
The Jaguars also sweeped a divisonal foe, the Texans who may be equal to the Jets.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew is The Best RB in the AFC--Please Disagree with me
keep the faith
given our record against the jags, we have’nt done so well. that being said, I’ve seen a resurgence of fire in our guys, they want it , we want it, and jax can’t fill their stadium. what does that tell you. our home games have been sellouts, It just sucks that we’re being blacked out here(live to close to jax) but I’ll just go out to watch it. If henne can put up300 plus again and ricky and lex have a decent day we can take this game home. what we need is pressure on garrard,and not go into prevent if we get ahead, pound them till its over,the phins showed real heart last week and 4th quarter fight lets hope they repeat go phins!!!!!!
Who is "Matt"?
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
Nicky forever.
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Dec 11, 2009 12:19 PM EST reply actions
Dillon???
Sorry, I know….a bad Gunsmoke reference!
by Vanman_FishFan13 on Dec 11, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
yeah really
should be Mr. Infante for all interviews lol
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards
LN21 and MHTD - Goin Commando
I got dibs
by Little Nicky 21 on Dec 11, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions
lol some how I like that idea.
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
Nicky forever.
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Dec 11, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
Ernest Wilford is going to bite us in the ass this week...
JK.. The Jags have had an up and down season, I see a close hard fought win. I also see the Pats losing… 1st place in AFC East, is ours for the taken.
JK.. The Jags have had an up and down season, I see a close hard fought win. I also see the Pats losing… 1st place in AFC East, is ours for the taken.Play hard and just win. Go Phins..
Boston Dolphins Fan
The Jaguars, like the Dolphins, got off to a rocky start. But they've seemingly turned things around and have won four of their last five. What do you attribute this turnaround to?
How about a very easy schedule and a few close wins against terrible teams?
Alot of Luck
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew is The Best RB in the AFC--Please Disagree with me
If it's true that Derek Cox is outplaying the vets in the secondary
Then let’s be honest, here. Chad Henne can and will throw all over your pass defense.
Derek Cox is allowing something like 64% of passes thrown his way turn into completions, and even when he beat Nate Washington deep a few weeks back with perfect positioning on the interception in the end zone, he dropped it, wide open.
If Rashean Mathis does not play in this game (knock on wood), the Jags secondary will be exposed as worse than the numbers show. We will grind Ricky Williams up the middle and, to a greater extent, on the edge. The game will stay close until the fourth quarter where we take a two-possession lead into the waning minutes and end up with a win of four points or more.
Some people seem worried about this game. After Henne and the receivers did what they did last week, I don’t understand why. David Garrard, Mike Sims-Walker, Torry Holt, and Mike Thomas are no Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Sam Aiken. Maurice Jones-Drew is playing about as well as some combination of Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, and Kevin Faulk the past few weeks, and the Jags secondary appears to be comparable to New England’s.
If we can beat them on the strength of Henne’s arm and solid days by Ricky and Davone, I see no reason why we cannot defeat the Jags in another must-win game.
And remember, last game at the site, we won by a two-TD margin.
2009 Unofficial "The Phinsider" (Phinaddict's League) Fantasy Baseball League Champion
by Dave.Phuller on Dec 11, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Here here!
Rec’d. No offense to Jags fans, but this is probably the game I am least worried about of our remaining schedule.
Driver of the Make David Lee OC Bandwagon
Repentant Former Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.
None Taken
If we can’t beat you, we’ll beat the Patriots.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew is The Best RB in the AFC--Please Disagree with me
if you force us to
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew is The Best RB in the AFC--Please Disagree with me
Good article,
but I just don’t understand the logic behind his score prediction. He admitted that their best defensive player is out and that their safeties leave something to be desired but then he predicts that Miami’s versatile offense will only put up 13 points? L-o-l.
Driver of the Make David Lee OC Bandwagon
Repentant Former Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.

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