The key to making sure the Jaguars start off the season on a high note will not only be allowing QB Blaine Gabbert air the ball out, but redefining the Jacksonville running game. I don’t believe the entire team is happy with the way the pointless Maurice Jones-Drew holdout went, much less comforted by the fact MJD still has to become acclimated with a new, relentless offensive plan. To be fair, MJD did say he did not want to report to camp with a bad attitude, which is why he waited so long to come back at all, but the damage has already been done.
In order to solidify a win against the Vikings, the Jaguars’ defensive line must be on the attack. QB Christian Ponder was underwhelming last season, throwing 13 TDs but just as many interceptions. RB Adrian Peterson will be a game-day decision with lingering knee ligament tears from last season. However, I expect Peterson to be ready and receiving a full battery of running touches. My defensive spotlight falls on LB Paul Posluszny to have the most impact due to his propensity to switch from sack to interception modes. With 69 solo tackles and 50 assisted tackles, Posluszny is slated for a break out year. Overloading the Vikings’ offensive line will set the Jaguars apart from a team that wasn’t very much above them in stats in the ’11-’12 season.
One of the most important keys to success for the Jacksonville offense is protecting the quarterback. I may be hammering this too hard lately, but giving Blaine Gabbert as much time as possible in the pocket is essential. The best wide receiver in the league is useless without proper pass protection. Speaking of receivers, Justin Blackmon will not only be Gabbert’s best option, but also working under pressure of a NFL debut. During preseason, Blackmon showed a determination to prove himself after offseason drama. Expect the same determination to be present during mid-range and long passes.
While Maurice Jones-Drew will be back, he will not be starting against the Vikings. Rashad Jennings must not disappoint during the first half of this game. Mike Mularkey harbored no hard feelings against MJD, but we can bet our first-borns Mularkey won’t play MJD just to try and save the day if MJD is not in football shape. Jennings will need to keep up his preseason average of 5.1 yards per carry in order to carry the Jaguars to victory. The short running and passing game will allow the Jags to gain momentum, opening up the passing lanes for solid yardage.
Jaguars’ fans shouldn’t start making predictions for a playoff appearance based off of Sunday’s season opener. After preseason, the Jaguars certainly look capable of pulling out a winning season, but placing early pressure on the team will create even more of an uphill battle. I would love to see the Jaguars continue to be a sleeper team, announcing their arrival into the NFL contenders with the confidence of an earned fan base.
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