What is Success for Jaguars in 2013?

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by Cole Pepper

For every team, success is not the same. In 2013, its doubtful that a 6-10 season would be viewed as a success for many fans of the Denver Broncos or the San Francisco 49ers. But I believe that is the minimum requirement for success for the 2013 Jaguars. However, there is more to it.

Why? First, let’s agree (begin to nod your head now) that success and improvement are two different things. I know that Gus Bradley has talked about improving every day as his credo, but if the Jaguars win one more game this year than last, will you think its a successful season? I won’t.

Two years ago, the Jaguars won five games and most of the local media (myself included) assumed that through the off-season moves and the expected improvement of Blaine Gabbert that the Jaguars could contend for a wildcard spot. And, in fact, early on in training camp, it looked like everything was on track. There was a real “feel good” vibe with the team. But it didn’t last.

Now with the franchise’s third head coach in three years, once again, that “feel good” vibe is starting to build around EverBank Field. That’s as it should be in the off-season. If there is an NFL team that doesn’t feel like they have improved right now, they’re in big trouble.

So back to the question about success. Can the Jaguars have a season that is considered successful without quantifying it with wins? Yes, but it will be hard to sell to fans if the team is picking in the top three again next year (although, the opportunity to select a top quarterback or Jedeveon Clowney might make Jaguar nation feel a bit better about it).

A six win season would not give the Jaguars optimum drafting position, but it would mean that the quarterback position would have shown growth. Whether that’s Gabbert or Chad Henne, that remains to be seen. Just as an aside, I expect that Gabbert will be the starter on opening day, but I’m not ready to bet the farm on that.

However, if Gabbert falters and Henne doesn’t show any more than he has to this point as a Jaguar, Dave Caldwell will be in the position to draft a potential franchise quarterback and will have a need for one.

And that’s when the clock starts ticking on the new regime. As soon as you draft your quarterback, you are on the clock as a GM. Ask Shack Harris. Ask Gene Smith. Ask the guys who drafted any of the unsuccessful top 15-pick quarterback over the past 20 years. Get the right guy and you win. You win, and you keep your job. It’s a simple formula.

What is success for the Jaguars in 2013? Ultimately, that will be judged on opening day 2014 when, one way or another, they should be able to answer this simple question: Who is your franchise quarterback.

Jaguars Off-season Review: Offensive Line

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Second overall pick, Luke Joeckel, figures to start for the Jaguars at right tackle in 2013.

Second overall pick, Luke Joeckel, figures to start for the Jaguars at right tackle in 2013. (photo by NESN)

by Cole Pepper

Each week during the off-season, I’ll break down a position group for the Jaguars. This week, it’s the offensive line.

In an off-season of dramatic change, there may be more consistency on the offensive line than at any other position group for the Jaguars. That being said, it doesn’t take much to be more stable than the rest of this team.

There are questions–plenty of questions.  But let’s start with what we (think we) know. Eugene Monroe will start at left tackle, Brad Meester at center and first round pick Luke Joeckel at right tackle.

Much has been written about Gus Bradley’s plans for Joeckel. It flies in the face of traditional football logic to use a player at a “non-premium” position. But perhaps right tackle is beginning to join left tackle as a premium position in the current, pass-happy NFL.

There are more teams running hybrid defenses. There are more teams who put lighter, faster pass rushers on the field on 3rd down. It makes some sense. And with Monroe’s contract up after 2013, if the Jaguars don’t re-sign him, Joeckel can always move over to the left side, where he will see the opponents best pass rusher more often.

I’ll be interested to watch Joeckel’s development.

At guard, Uche Nwaneri has to get healthy. When he’s not injured, Nwaneri can be a better than adequate guard. He’s athletic for the position, but with the change in the run blocking scheme, it will be interesting to see what kind of guard is favored by the Jaguars going forward.

Left guard is going to be up for grabs. The Jaguars used 9 different players at that position last year (including preseason starters). Will Rackley is returning from a foot injury. Veteran Jason Spitz, Austin Pasztor, Drew Nowak and center-turned-guard (for now) Mike Brewster are also in the mix. The previous coaching and scouting staffs liked Brewster as a developmental center, Brad Meester’s heir apparent. If he is viewed the same way by the new regime, it might make sense to keep Brewster in the starting lineup. He’s not as powerful as Spitz or Paszstor, but he moves well and has a high football IQ.

And so we come to Brad Meester. Mr. Jaguar. Nobody has started or played more games in a Jaguars uniform. The 36-year old father of six girls told me at the end of last season that he only wanted to return as a Jaguar. He wasn’t going to shop himself to another team for a year, maybe two (even with six future weddings to pay for!). Whatever the football equivalent of a crafty left handed pitcher is, Meester is that. When his playing days are done (some thought that would happen years ago), he wants to open up a motorcycle repair shop. No, I”m not kidding. He’ll have to wait at least another year. Maybe his most signification contribution to the team will be as a leader.

What is Success for this group? Improving pass protection, adapting to new run blocking scheme, giving the quarterback (whoever it is) a chance.

Secondary success: Figure out whether Mike Brewster is Brad Meester’s heir apparent.

Projected Depth Chart:

OLine Depth Chart

On Fan-dom and Media

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“C’mon, you can admit it,” said a friend of mine. “You’re a Jaguars fan.”

No, in fact I am not. At least, not the way he assumed. For some, it’s hard to imagine passionately covering or following a team without being a fan. But for me, there is a clear distinction. A fan has his emotions invested in the outcome of a game.  For me, the outcome of a Jaguars game doesn’t matter. It’s the story.

Okay, that’s the pure journalist side of the story. But I’ll be honest: sometimes the outcome of the game did matter. Or at least, I thought it did. I will tell you unabashedly, that I am a fan of the city of Jacksonville. Not a blind acolyte of whoever is currently in power, but I am an advocate for what Jacksonville is and what it can become. I’ve turned down jobs in other markets to stay here because I love what life can be like in Jacksonville.

When the Jaguars do well, its good for business. It’s good for the city. At least, it can be.

I don’t think we’ve done enough to really capitalize on the Jaguars, but that’s a topic for another time.

Back to the topic at hand. And really, it’s a question: as a fan, do you want another fan giving you analysis or do you want informed, opinionated analysis?  I suppose it’s the same question we should all be asking ourselves about political coverage.

For my part, I’ll continue to cover the Jaguars, not as a fan. In fact, because I no longer work for the organization, there may be more of an opportunity to serve as a watchdog. Afterall, the media’s most important roles are to disseminate truth and serve as a watchdog for government and business, and there is no more important business in Jacksonville than the Jaguars.