The Quarterback Situation
The Jaguars signed former Miami Dolphins QB Chad Henne presumably to help develop Blaine Gabbert. Chad Henne isn’t an old man, nor did he get a fair shake at truly coming into his own down in Miami. The Jaguars management will most likely do their best to say there is zero competition at the QB slot, insisting both QBs have their own role. I expect Gabbert to be vastly improved in everything from staying in the pocket to more productive scrambling but any Jaguars fan who says they aren’t curious to see Henne get some reps is lying. Henne’s ability to pick apart safeties lead Miami to the few wins they had under his injury ridden command. A healthy Henne is a talented Henne.
The Rookie Showcase
Although WR Justin Blackmon has yet to sign a contract, Jaguars fans should expect to see him at camp. The offense cannot truly gel until Blackmon joins the receiving core with the drama of the offseason behind him. Jaguars’ receivers do not have a stand out amongst them, which begs for Blackmon to step in as leader. DE Andre Branch will look to ingratiate himself in a defense that showed promise on Monday Night Football and also when no one was looking. Branch’s pass rushing specialty will give coach Mel Tucker’s strategy a boost for interception opportunities and help the defensive line get the sack more often.
Maurice Jones-Drew
Both MJD and the Jaguars’ management have dug their heels in when it comes to contract negotiations. The Jaguars’ feel two years remaining is too early to be discussing pay increase, but MJD’s status as elite running back says otherwise. Coming into the training camp with the most cap space in the NFL, the Jaguars have opened up their purses for stadium improvement but not to keep the most popular player in town. I do not believe this will keep MJD away from camp should the Jags refuse to budge by this time next week. However, silence or further rejection from management could create tension, pushing MJD to look to other horizons for respect and reward.
Mike Mularkey
As Mularkey takes up the name as Head Coach for the first time since his stint on the Buffalo Bills, some fans will put their faith in him simply because he is not Jack Del Rio. The rest of the fans and media are going to remain skeptical until they see a winning record. Mularkey must show patience in the face of slow starts. Granted, his Atlanta Falcon’s offensive strategy did not allow slow starts, but the Jaguars will still be trying to adapt. If we learn anything about Mularkey from training camp and preseason, it will be how willing he is to take chances even as this young team finds itself. For Mularkey to be embraced in the Jacksonville community, he will have to show a balance of passing and rushing, as well as not chickening out on 4th down where Jack Del Rio gave up in the final seconds so many times.
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