2008 Jacksonville Jaguars Season Preview

2008 Jacksonville Jaguars preview from MadduxSports.com. The AFC South is once again loaded and week by week anyone can knock off anybody in this division. Having an expert NFL pick handicapper will help you maximize your sports betting profits this season.

2008 Jacksonville Jaguars Predictions
By Adam Barone

Rundown
The Jags made and improbable playoff run last season, and enter this season as one of the favorites in the AFC. Going through Indianapolis, New England, Pittsburgh, and San Diego will be tough, but so are the Jags. They’re the face of physical football in the NFL, and signed head coach Jack Del Rio to a long term deal to keep it that way for years to come.

In 2007 the Jaguars ranked seventh in total offense and 12th in total defense. Some of their young players, like safety Reggie Nelson, are a year older, so the defense could take a step forward. They also added cornerback Drayton Florence in the off season to play nickel back.

Other signings include quarterback Cleo Lemon, and receivers Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson.

Jacksonville did have a few costly losses in the off season. Lemon will replace the departed Quinn Gray, while cornerback Aaron Glenn, safety Sammy Knight, ends Bobby McCray and Marcus Stroud, guard Chris Naeole, and receiver Ernest Wilford also left. Safeties Gerald Sensabaugh and Jamaal Fudge will compete for the safety spot opposite Nelson.

Running back Fred Taylor, 32, has already passed the age of 30, a number dreaded by NFL running backs. That’s typically when the pounding they receive renders them totally useless lumps of mush. Taylor, however, seems to be getting more durable with age. Dubbed as the “guy who’s always injured,” he’s played in 15 games in each of the past two seasons, topping 1000 yards in each. The Jags’ chances are multiplied when they can line a healthy Taylor up in the backfield with Maurice Jones-Drew.

Draft Analysis
The Jaguars feel that they adequately filled their need at receiver with the under-rated pair of Porter and Williamson, and believe that someone will emerge from the competition at safety between Sensabaugh and Fudge. Their only other need was a pass rusher. The Jags were torched last season by elite passers who had time to take a nap before finding an open receiver.

Jacksonville traded up in the first round to the eighth pick to acquire Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey, a move that some considered to have been a reach. Harvey can be an elite speed-rusher, but lacks run-stopping ability. He may also prove difficult to sign.

They went with another pass rusher in the second round—Auburn’s Quentin Groves. Groves is a hybrid end/linebacker who’s been compared to DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman.

Fifth round pick Thomas Williams didn’t get much playing time at USC, but can play all three linebacker positions. He was underrated because he was behind a ton of talent on the depth chart for the Trojan, but could prove to be a steal.

The Jags are an under-rated bet for the Super Bowl.

After viewing the Jacksonville Jaguars preview check out other AFC South clubs including the Texans, Titans, and Colts.

Related Pages:
Jaguars Official Site
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