Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.The Jacksonville Jaguars were arguably the biggest disappointment in 2008 (the Lions were worse, obvs, but such an enjoyably watchable train wreck that they don't count). Plenty of people had them going to the Super Bowl, and nearly everyone, after their run in the playoffs last season, thought they would be back in the postseason.
Well, um, they weren't.
David Garrard regressed, the offensive line fell apart, the running game was nonexistent and their free agent signings were busts. At least Derrick Harvey showed up for camp. Sigh. Anyway, the Jags have since released Fred Taylor, arguably the biggest "face" of the franchise if there is/was one, and are preparing for a season that probably needs to be a winner if Jack Del Rio wants to avoid "hot seat" chatter.
All the help in the world might not stop the rumors from rolling though: take a look at this team, assume that the real Garrard is somewhere in between 2007 and 2008, realize how much work they have ahead to compete in a tough division and tougher conference, and then join me in proclaiming them "in trouble" for 2009. Already.
Free Agents: Brad Meester (UFA), Chris Naeole (UFA), Alvin Pearman (UFA), Mike Peterson (UFA), Pierson Prioleau (UFA), Gerald Sensabaugh (UFA), Scott Starks (UFA), Brian Iwuh (RFA), James Wyche (RFA)
Draft Picks: 1 (8), 2 (40), 3 (72), 4 (105), 5 (138), 6 (168)
Needs
1. Offensive Line Help
The Jags have to revive the offensive line; the passing game isn't going vertical on anyone without someone to protect Garrard, and it isn't going to go anywhere if they can't establish Maurice Jones-Drew on the ground. Andre Smith is going to be awfully tempting when he falls to No. 8 (and he will, easily), but Michael Oher seems like a safer play. In the same vein as below, though, the Jags basically have to decide if they want to try and pull a franchise lineman or a franchise wide receiver out of the draft. Their success with wide receivers in the first round is "quite extensive" (read: "embarrassingly bad"), so maybe they rethink that route.
2. Wide Receiver
This position is still in shambles for the Jaguars, as it has been since Jimmy Smith retired (/fights off urge for "Chickenshack" joke). Considering the impact-ready draft class in 2009 -- at least compared to the free agent class -- you may see the Jags address other areas of team need in free agency and look to pick up a wideout with the eighth overall pick. Or trade down and grab Hakeem Nicks.
3. Linebacker
Mike Peterson and Del Rio aren't really "friends" at this "stage of the game." With Peterson's impending free agency, it stands to reason he'll be all "He Gone!" and whatnot. That leaves a pretty big hole on defense for Jacksonville to fill. There's interweb chatter that they could consider Rey Maulauga at with the eighth overall pick, but, um, that would be silly; there's way too much talent at OL and WR to either not trade down or just pick one up.
