NFL 2006: Jacksonville Jaguars

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Jacksonville Jaguars.)

Jacksonville, under the direction of Jack Del Rio, played above and beyond what anyone thought capable of last season. The Jags snuck up on some people and finished the year 12-4, and if not for the Colts, would have gone into the playoffs as a divisional champ instead of a wild card.

If the Jaguars expect to do that this season, the offense must improve and the defense has to stay as consistent as it was last season. Can they do it? Only time will tell.

Offense: The offense is led by quarterback Byron Leftwich, who despite his obvious talents, has been inconsistent and injury-prone during his career. He threw for 2,123 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, but missed six games do to injury. David Garrard is a quality backup.

Fred Taylor (737-3) started to show signs of age last season and because of that the Jags drafted Maurice Drew of UCLA in the second round. Drew is a small back, but he runs hard and is a top special teams performer. Alvin Pearman and LaBrandon Toefield also return to add depth. Greg Jones led all fullbacks in rushing last season with 575 yards and four scores.

Jimmy Smith hung up his cleats as the all-time leading receiver in Jacksonville history and the loss is huge. After Smith, the wideouts were a weak unit in 2006 and someone needs to step up. Second-year man Matt Jones appears to be the guy capable of big things. He caught 36 passes for 432 yards and five touchdowns in a solid rookie season. Ernest Wilford (41-681-7) will be the other starter with Reggie Williams and Randy Hymes serving as the three and four.

Kyle Brady (18-157-1) is the current No.1 tight end, but that role is in serious jeopardy after the Jaguars drafted Marcedes Lewis in the first round. Lewis is a tall, athletic tight end who should supplant Brady in training camp.

The offensive line returns Brad Meester at center, Chris Naeole and Vince Manuwai at guards and Khalif Barnes and Maurice Williams at tackle. Maurice Williams will be challenged on the right side by Mike Williams, a free agent acquisition from the Bills. Stockar McDougle and Derrick Fletcher provide backup.

Defense: The defense is the strength of Jacksonville and this unit needs to continue to play at a high level if it wants to duplicate or improve upon its 2005 record.

The Jaguars have one of the best young defensive lines in the game and with another year under their belts, this group should be even stronger than last season. Paul Spicer (7.5 sacks) and Reggie Hayward (8.5 sacks) man the defensive end spots, while big John Henderson (70 tackles and three sacks) and Marcus Stroud are solid in the interior. Rob Meier (six sacks), Bobby McCray (5.5 sacks) and Marcellus Wiley make up the rest of this outstanding group.

Mike Peterson (131 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions) is one of the best middle linebackers in the league and Daryl Smith (81-4) is decent on the outside. Akin Ayodele is gone, but Nick Griesen (85) was brought in from the Giants and should start at the strong side spot. Tony Gilbert and rookie Clint Ingram will see action as well.

Rashean Mathis (69-5) and Brian Williams (four picks) return to provide solid corner play. Terry Cousin (four interceptions) in the nickel corner. Scott Starks will see action also. Deon Grant (66-3) returns at strong safety, while Donovin Darius will try to bounce back from injury at free safety. Gerald Sensabaugh and Nick Sorenson provide depth.

Special Teams: This unit should be considerably stronger with the addition of Drew. The UCLA product led the NCAA in punt returns last season and should supplant Pearman as Jacksonville's punt returner. Josh Scobee (107 points, 23-30 field goals, 38-39 extra points) is back, along with punter Chris Hanson (42.9). Derrick Wimbush (24.5) and Drew will return kicks.

Outlook: Jack Del Rio and his staff have done a great job in Jacksonville. The players work hard for him and the defense has excelled under the former linebacker. The problem is the offense. This wasn't a strong offensive football team last season, despite the 12-4 record, and might be even weaker this year with Fred Taylor's aging legs and Jimmy Smith gone. Leftwich must step up and become the type of quarterback everyone thought he was when he came out of Marshall. If he doesn't, this team will find it hard to duplicate 2005.

Prediction: The schedule is tougher this season and the Jags won't sneak up on anybody. Unless Leftwich improves his game and one of the receivers steps up to take the pressure off the running game, this team will slide back in 2006. The defense will keep them in most games and that should be enough to have a winning season and a shot at the playoffs once again. The Jaguars will finish 10-6.

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