A Jaguars preview from a Titans’ perspective

Continuing our series on AFC South opponents from a Titans’ perspective, we now turn to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although the Titans and Jags have split the series in the last two years, they haven’t been exactly equal. Indeed, Jacksonville has been the toughest matchup for Tennessee in the last several years. While the Titans have won two games from the Jags in two years, they’ve been by narrow margins. Jacksonville, on the other hand, has won their two games handily. Still, the two clubs are similar in quite a few ways and should once again compete for postseason play.
Schedule: Titans vs Jaguars, September 7, Week One
Titans at Jacksonville, November 16, Week Eleven
Jaguars’ 2007 record: 11-5, wildcard berth
Key Additions: CB Drayton Florence (SD), DE Quentin Groves (draft), DE Derrick Harvey (draft), DT Jimmy Kennedy (Chi), WR Jerry Porter (Oak), DC Gregg Williams (Was), WR Troy Williamson (Min)
Key Losses: CB Aaron Glenn (NO), S Sammy Knight (NYG), DE Bobby McCray (NO), DT Marcus Stroud (Buf)
So how might these changes affect the Titans vs. Jaguars matchups on the field?
One of the Jaguars’ weaknesses over the last several years has been the lack of a pass rush, especially against the Colts and in postseason play. They spent their first two draft picks on a pair of speed-rushing DEs, trading up to do so. While Groves, their second-round pick, has been in camp, first-round selection Harvey remains unsigned. Indications are talks are barely progressing, if at all, and even if the two sides are able to agree on a contract soon, Harvey won’t be anywhere near where the team wants him to be when the season starts against the Titans. Will he make a difference in Week Eleven? Time will tell. In the meantime, Jag veterans Paul Spicer and Reggie Hayward will mind the store. Initially, the addition of Harvey and Groves won’t be a difference-maker, but with the Titans’ recent lack of success passing against the Jags (and everyone else), things may eventually become even more difficult.
Since the Titans haven’t been productive with their passing game, I don’t see how any changes in the Jags’ secondary will be counter-productive. Drayton Florence should be an upgrade over Brian Williams at corner. Another change which shouldn’t hurt the Jags is their experiment moving Williams to strong safety and nickel back. Rashean Mathis was hampered by the injury bug last year and should improve, back or near to his 2006 Pro Bowl level.
The loss of Stroud isn’t as great as it would appear to be on the surface. Although he and John Henderson formed the best DT tandem in the league for several years, Rob Meier has also played well in the rotation and should continue to fit in nicely. Add Kennedy to the mix and the Jags shouldn’t miss much at all.
One guy who could make a difference is new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who previously held the same position with the Titans and Redskins, in addition to a head coaching gig in Buffalo. He’s been known as a guy not afraid to blitz, so if Harvey and Groves can’t produce more pressure on the quarterback, Williams won’t hesitate to rush five men. The linebackers are the strength of the defense.
Another weakness the Jags addressed in the offseason is the receiving corps. They haven’t hurt the Titans much since Jimmy Smith retired, but Porter, currently sidelined with a hammy, may change that. He’s had some problems but is also a proven commodity. He certainly can’t do worse than his recent predecessors. On the other hand, Troy Williamson didn’t do diddly-squat in Minnesota and appears to be a good fit for the Jaguars as a first-round draft pick WR who turned into a bust, following in the footsteps of Reggie Williams and Matt Jones. Dennis Northcutt should spend more time in the slot, where he should be a strong asset.
Several changes have also been made on the Jags’ offensive line. They experimented by moving LG Vince Manuwai to RG, lining up next to RT Tony Pashos in a move which could have helped the Jags run the ball to that side against Tony Brown and Jevon Kearse. Then they moved him back, and former backup tackle Maurice Williams to the RG position. We’ll have to wait and see if the guards are flip-flopped again. Center Brad Meester is out after biceps surgery, which will sideline him for the matchup in the season opener. Dennis Norman, who has started several games before, will fill in. LT Khalif Barnes, whom the Titans passed on to draft Michael Roos, has held off the challenge of Richard Collier. It says something about Barnes’ struggles, since a second-round draft pick should be solid and secure in his job.
Overall, I believe the Jaguars’ changes will make them an improved team. At the worst, they’ll be about the same, especially in their matchups with the Titans.