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Pre-Game Recon With Big Cat Country

The fellas over at SB Nation's site for all things Jacksonville Jaguar--the aptly named Big Cat Country--were kind enough to field five questions from me in advance of Sunday's game. Here's what they had to say:

1. Judging from what I've seen and read at Big Cat Country, things ain't so rosy in the Land of the Jaguars right now. While you can't call a Week Three game a true "must-win," I'm gathering that this game is awfully close to that for Jags fans. Based on what you saw the last two weeks, what's the biggest problem on the field for the Jags these days?

BCC: The Jaguars' two biggest problems right now are inexperience and coaching. The Jaguars have four rookies starting and all 8 of the draft picks were expecting to contribute from the start. Any team with that much youth is going to make for some bad moments. However, bad coaching leads to being down 31-3 and allowing Kurt Warner to complete 92% of his passes before the Cardinals nearly made a huge blunder and benched Warner in the 3rd quarter. If that didn't happen, that game might as well have been Florida vs. Troy. That falls completely on coaching and is another example of the ups and downs of Jack Del Rio.

2. Entering last season, the Jags were thought to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender by many pundits. After the troubles of '08, that bandwagon is considerably less hopping in 2009. What do you attribute this paradigm shift to--player turnover, questions about management, questions about coaching, or something else?

BCC: I think the 2008 bandwagon was fueled with Kool-Aid and two inch thick Teal and Black glasses. The problems were there to be seen; we just didn't see them. The abysmal 2008 campaign and the ticket sales issues are the reason for the current bitterness in the River City.

3. The very early returns on Maurice Jones-Drew this season, his first without Fred Taylor around to share the workload, look fairly positive (4.8 yards per carry). Do you think the offense is better with MJD as the big dog, or have you noticed that not having Taylor hurts? Furthermore, are you worried about MJD wearing down over the course of the season thanks to the additional workload?

BCC: MJD has been a 20+ touch back when you factor in receptions for a while now, and I think he'll hold up well enough through the year. However, it is still vital for either Rashad Jennings or Greg Jones to become a consistent threat to allow MJD some time to rest on the bench.

4. Prior to the 2007 NFL Draft, I was one of many fans intrigued by the notion of Reggie Nelson becoming a Texan. As he marches through his third year, what's your view on him? Has he met or exceeded expectations?

BCC: After Nelson's excellent rookie year, he has been regressing ever since. One play he'll make a perfect break on the ball, the next forget his zone area and be the reason the defense gave up six. In other words, there is a reason I have Eric Berry at the top of my "prospects to watch" list for the Jags.

5. PUT YOUR NAME ON IT: The final score of Sunday's game will be Jaguars _____, Texans _____. Come the end of the regular season, the Jags' record will be ___-___ and the Texans' record will be ___-___.

BCC: Jaguars 24, Texans 17. Jaguars' record: 7-9. Texans' record: 9-7.

Thanks to the guys over at Big Cat Country for taking the time. Head on over there to see what the Jags' frustrated fan base thinks about how their beloved team will fare against your Houston Texans on Sunday.

0 recs  |  Comment 34 comments |

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I wrote the game preview at BCC

and I think more Texan fans stopped by than Jag fans. You guys are so much more polite than the Colts fans. I think you understand our frustrations.

I wrote that if the Jaguars jump out early, expect Battle Red to become Bloody Red. This could turn into a real dogfight. I am hoping we put on a good show for you.

Best of luck.
 - Terry

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by Tkopa on Sep 25, 2009 10:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think the game will be alot closer than most "experts" think.

Mobile QBs like Garrard scare me to death with our inconsistent pressure from the interior, especially now that we’re playing more “aggressive” this year and more apt to give up the big play. I hope i’m wrong, but I think on more than one occasion Garrard is going to take off up the middle for big gains just as he did last year. Our LBs are more athletic and talented this year, but Diles and Cushing both make BIG mistakes from time to time overpersuing or missing an assignment, I think there’ll be enough big plays given up to keep the Jags in the game but I think our passing attack will be too much to overcome at the end of the day.

by Bryan72076 on Sep 25, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mobility.

I dont think Garrad isn’t as mobile as he used to two years ago when the Jags made their playoff run. I think his injury last season(I think he had one and im too lazy to look up what it is) really slowed him down.

by Jordann on Sep 25, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

Garrard is not as mobile as he was like in 2007. He’s slightly faster pocket passer now. He can outrun DTs and some DEs but thats about all.

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
"As for me, Life goes on."-TheTealDeal

by TheTealDeal on Sep 25, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ditto.

It’s refreshing to interact with civilized football fans for once.

Getting tired of dealing with all the same old meth head tits fans.

It’s gonna be a shootout. I think both our teams defenses will allow it.

by Jordann on Sep 25, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

word.

every week i’m gonna go to the opposing team’s pages and see what the deal is. im only trying to get banned from:
cowgurls page…
those turd raiders….
and probably the colts. lol

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.
Now you are banned. That is what you wanted, right?

by chrisd21 on Sep 25, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

1/3 on the way there.

Ive been banned from the colts blog for a while now. lol

by Jordann on Sep 25, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

reason # 3,456,434,554,656,777,000 why i hate the TITS:

posted from the MCM site (talking about AJ):
Unliekly because of how saintlike and good he is, right?
Give me a break, i read the interview with him about the penalty being on the wrong guy, and he sounded like a complete punk.

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.
Now you are banned. That is what you wanted, right?

by chrisd21 on Sep 25, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

in unrelated news.....

im over at the cowgurls site trying to get banned.

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.
Now you are banned. That is what you wanted, right?

by chrisd21 on Sep 25, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

strike that...

make that banned. lol

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.

by chrisd21 on Sep 25, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I got banned after one comment.

Suggested Jerry Jones get another facelift and quit charging hard working fans to sit outside his ugly new stadium.

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance....

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.
Happy Now Tits?

by CFHTim on Sep 25, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

The Colts fans love the Texans

hard to get on their nerves.

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance....

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.
Happy Now Tits?

by CFHTim on Sep 25, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

close one

jags vs texans is always a dog fight. best part of game will be last 2 minutes.

DMUNOZ

by dmunozimatxan on Sep 25, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5610
“This is insane,” he said. “To see these guys go out here and practice like this, they’re going to bring in a lot of wins this season. I want to do so much to contribute to this team and help them win. It’s going to be a fun, fun opportunity.”
-Pollard

Any chance he actually plays? i really want to see him jack someone up.

by nolander on Sep 25, 2009 12:16 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Rec'd

For the shared love we have for a safety that isnt Barber or Ferguson

Looking forward to not having an 8-8 year!

by BattleRedHusker on Sep 25, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ha!

that’s pretty funny

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.

by chrisd21 on Sep 25, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Mook

I haven’t been to that site in a few years. Every so often, he hits a homerun such as this prediction:

Tennessee at New York Jets (-3)

Last week Rex Ryan robo-called Jets fans and told them the team needed their loud support against the Patriots. The Jets won. Also last week, Jeff Fisher robo-called Titans fans and fist-pumped into the phone. The Titans lost. Lesson learned: vigorous fist-pumping just doesn’t translate well over the phone.

My pick: New York Jets

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStroKets!

by Shake on Sep 25, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was a secret

:)

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
"As for me, Life goes on."-TheTealDeal

by TheTealDeal on Sep 25, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I usually enjoy playing the Texans more so than the

Tits or Colts, where its just hatred of them. The Texans and us play great games. from the memories i have of watching our teams play together i’ll never forget Jabar Gaffney flipping away the ball before he goes into the end zone and an Andre Johnson long pass reception.

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
"As for me, Life goes on."-TheTealDeal

by TheTealDeal on Sep 25, 2009 3:49 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

24-17??!!!

u expect us to do worse offensively against a worst secondary? no offense BCC but i don’t see how one good player in yall’s secondary can do better than three pro bowlers did against us. (griffin, hope, and finnegan). more like 31-17 us.

"We don't need refs, but i guess white guys need something to do."- Charles Barkley

by Rockets 4 Life on Sep 25, 2009 5:28 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The Titans haven't had good secondary play yet this season.

They looked good last year when they had one of the best pass rushing lines in the league, but so far this year now that they have to cover a second or two longer they’re being exposed a little bit. I’m not certain the Jags have a lesser secondary than the Titans, but they have had trouble getting consistent pressure themselves this year and we’ve seen how smoothly the Texans’ offense runs when the QB isn’t hurried.

by Bryan72076 on Sep 26, 2009 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well thats better then

cuz other than john henderson (who will get doubled) i cant name a person on their D-line.

"We don't need refs, but i guess white guys need something to do."- Charles Barkley

by Rockets 4 Life on Sep 27, 2009 1:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You Self-Aggrandizing SOB

This is why “Sam Requisite” hates you so.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Sep 25, 2009 9:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Weird

I just thought it was because he doesn’t have a good head-shot next to all his posts.

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStroKets!

by Shake on Sep 25, 2009 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My eyebrows only move in unison

So I have no chance to pull off that look.

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Sep 26, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I aggrandize myself...

to draw attention away from my other big 2008 prediction re: a certain WLB. I have no shame.

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Sep 26, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m saying this now and again…The d has given up 87 points so far in 3 games and this game is not over…..thats almost 30 pts/gm….the bush led d sucks dunta is done..btu we are stuck with him(get rid of him next year)…..until they can stop the run……you will not see this team in the playoffs

by flitemedic on Sep 27, 2009 2:56 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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