Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio Makes a Point, Demotes Mike Peterson to Backup

Last week Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio became so angry at the insubordination shown by starting middle linebacker and team captain Mike Peterson that he sent him home from practice. Del Rio also fined Peterson $10,000.

But while Peterson is back with the team, he's not back in the starting lineup. Del Rio says he has permanently demoted Peterson to backup status, replacing him with Daryl Smith.

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports:

"Daryl Smith is our starting middle linebacker," Del Rio said in a telephone conversation after Friday's practice, as the Jaguars got ready for the undefeated Tennessee Titans. ...

Del Rio was asked if he and Peterson have reached any kind of meeting of the minds after last week's dispute.

"There will be no meetings," Del Rio said. "He has to embrace his new role on the team."

So Peterson is now relegated to special teams, which he hasn't played in years. And that's ridiculous. If Peterson was good enough to start before, why is he suddenly not good enough to start after he talked back to Del Rio? Benching players for insubordination might build character when it comes from a high school coach. It smacks of desperation when it comes from a professional coach.

Trouble in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson has racked up over 900 tackles in his 10-year career. Now he's been ousted from his starting spot for insubordination and demoted to backup by head coach Jack Del Rio.

Scott Cunningham, Getty Images

The Jaguars came into the new season as one of the contenders in the AFC, but the last few months have been a nightmare off-the-field for Del Rio's team. Click through to see some of the other incidents that have surrounded the franchise.

Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

July 10: Wide receiver Matt Jones was arrested and charged with possession of drugs. Police said he was cutting up cocaine with a credit card inside a vehicle.

Phil Coale, AP

Aug. 27: A lawsuit was filed against Dennis Northcutt in a California court. An ex-girlfriend claimed the wide receiver arranged for one of his cousins to beat her up.

Phil Coale, AP

Aug. 29: Fred Taylor was arrested outside a Miami Beach nightclub and charged with disorderly conduct. The running back later apologized for his behavior, and was not taken to jail.

Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

Aug. 30: Even retired Jaguars couldn't stay out of trouble. Five-time Pro Bowler Jimmy Smith was arrested for a DUI in Jacksonville.

Phil Coale, AP

Sept 2: Richard Collier was shot inside his car while parked outside a Jacksonville apartment. The tackle was waiting in his vehicle for a woman at 2:45 a.m. with another player cut just days before.

Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

11-14-2008 @ 6:43PM

Doug said...

Discipline and taking responsibility for your actions are a crucial part of sports and of being a good member of the team. Patterson made the decision to be insubordinate like an immature emotional teenager and is being held accountable. His tirade was disruptive, disrespectful and devisive, so this about far more than just him and the coach, this is about the team and the coach. Bravo to Del Rio. I loved his statement, " There will be no meetings." between him and Patterson. Offense committed, accept the consequences, case closed. Well spoken. Well done.

11-15-2008 @ 4:12PM

Don said...

Hey Doug, super statement, I thouroughly agree with what you said, without dicipline all you will have is situations that will get out of control.

11-14-2008 @ 6:42PM

Rick Litten said...

High School, Professional - What's the difference? Players cannot be allowed to be insubordinate. There is NO "I" in TEAM!

11-15-2008 @ 5:03AM

Nikoli said...

Maybe not, but there is a "ME" in team.

11-15-2008 @ 11:43AM

nvdesertdreamer said...

Doesn't change his overpaid salary, don't know what he has to bitch about. Just sit his happy ass on the bench and collect millions. We should all be so lucky.

11-14-2008 @ 7:09PM

mike said...

Enforcing discipline is an act of desperation? I guess you've never coached any team or been in charge of any organization that had to produce results. It's not desperation, it's essential.

11-14-2008 @ 7:19PM

� said...

D.Reid (#95) of the Colts is a starter stuck on special teams, too. Why isn't he starting DT yet?

11-16-2008 @ 7:05AM

Karen said...

He is not a 1st string starting DT because he doesn't want to be. He is happy where he is at. He is just happy to still be on the team. He isn't going to complain about his position.

11-14-2008 @ 9:09PM

Spoonman said...

MDS, I would expect you to be on the other side of this. He is trying turn the team away from becoming the Bengals. If you have a player that is turning into a cancer, you should put him in his place, and if he doesn't learn, then cut him.

11-14-2008 @ 9:12PM

Adam said...

Except the best way to bring a team together is to win, and keeping your better players on the bench is little more than cutting off your nose to spite your face.

11-15-2008 @ 9:45AM

Jon said...

So, what DO you do with a player that is insubordinate? Let it go, and send the message to everyone else that hey, if you are good, you can get away with it?

Uh, no. I think not.

Good on you, Jack.

11-14-2008 @ 9:58PM

Elsquare said...

Michael David Smith does not have the background and experience to grasp the basics of this situation. This is the head coach Peterson is challenging. The head coach must deal with this in a strong and forceful manner. Coach Del Rio understands what is at stake. Peterson might even figure it out, if he pays attention. '... when the One Great Writer comes to mark against your name, He will write not that you won or lost, but how you played the game...' Coach Del Rio will help Peterson have a better understanding of what he must do to become a team player.

11-16-2008 @ 8:44AM

Bill said...

Correct! There is already too much of the tail wagging the dog in pro team sports. Del Rio is one who takes control and takes responsibility for his actions. Good for him.

11-16-2008 @ 9:14AM

coltsangelbear said...

wow! awesome post! I totally agree! Life is not about what we have, if we win or lose a game, but HOW we have LIVED. Way to go coach!!

11-14-2008 @ 10:59PM

jimbo said...

Smith...........you are nuts , Del Rio is right on the mark . There are too many spoiled athletes these days , and their immature actions reflect on the rest of society.

11-15-2008 @ 1:16AM

John said...

There is an "i" in WiN!!!

11-15-2008 @ 4:17AM

Frank Enderle said...

There is also an " i " in "insubordination" as well as "Idiot"

11-15-2008 @ 4:41AM

AgMom04 said...

Insubordination is insubordination. If I was insubordinate at work I'd get fired. What makes a professional athlete different? While I don't want to paint all athletes with the same brush there is a culture of thugs in professional sports while the world...and impressionable kids...looks on. Good for Del Rio!

11-15-2008 @ 6:01AM

Steven said...

This THUG is too important in his own mind. He will DEMANDED to be TRADED to a place that will allow him to be important inhis own mind again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!