With the current preseason record of the Jaguars being 2-0, fans should be finding it hard to not expect a winning record season come next month. Everyone says, “It’s only preseason” but the Jaguars have not only beaten two of the elite teams in the league, Giants and Saints, they have also beat critic expectations. While Eli Manning and Drew Brees are brushing off the losses as good personal games, Super Bowl caliber teams should not be losing to rebuilding teams in the preseason.
As 2-0 for the first time since 2005, a year the Jags also went to the playoffs, Blaine Gabbert has shown poise and execution where he previously scrambled from a blitz still a mile off. Being able to hold his own against QBs like Manning and Brees shows progression, but the true test will come from the upcoming game versus the Baltimore Ravens. Even though the Jaguars won’t see the Ravens again during the regular season, it is important to remember the Jaguars beat the Ravens on national Monday Night Football last year. Mel Tucker’s defensive squad shined that night, but the Ravens' own defense will test Gabbert more than the Giants or Saints did in the past two weeks as they sort out deficiency.
The Ravens are feeling out a new defensive coordinator. So far, Dean Pees has seen his defense fall behind the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons. The Ravens are showing weakness primarily in the secondary. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed have both sat out the entire or majority of both preseason games, but with second stringers being unable to step up, I’d watch for Lewis and Reed to appear against the Jaguars. Still operating under the impression the Jaguars have footprints on their backs, Dean Pees can hope to work out Lewis against a soft offensive line. Yet, Blaine Gabbert took zero sacks against the Saints and one sack against the Giants.
As for the Jaguars defense, DE Andre Branch has separated himself from the rookie herd. With half a sack, QB hurry, and pass stop under the belt, Branch has shown he can adapt with the pass adjustments. DL Jeremy Mincey recorded a sack and a half against Drew Brees, proving his worth as a reinvestment for the Jaguars. As of late, CBs Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis have been sitting out with injuries, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the secondary performance.
The one advantage the Jaguars will have is the inconsistency of Raven’s QB Joe Flacco. Where the Ravens are tough in defense and WRs, Joe Flacco falls behind in execution. With each passing year, Flacco has become more and more like a hyper squirrel, scrambling where he previously stood tall. With 12 interceptions and 9 fumbles in the 2011 season, Flacco will need to show he can put the ball in WR hands as the Jaguars snagged an interception in their last matchup.
Look for more impressive grabs from Jags’ WR Justin Blackmon. Blackmon said himself he still has some learning to do with the playbook, but his ability to turn up yards after the catch says his grasp is tight. Hopefully we will see some action from WR Laurent Robinson. Right now, the Jaguars are relying on working out a young WR lineup, but working with veteran Robinson will give Gabbert more comfort in the pocket.
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