JAGUARS 101

Jaguars 101 has reached the final installment of its position-by-position pre-free agency confidence ratings. Fittingly enough, we will be dissecting the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most questionable position group…defensive backs. 

 

 

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd (80) scores on a 53 yards touchdown pass as he gets away from Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis (R) and into the end zone during their NFL football game in San Diego, California September 19, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

 

Question To Answer: Can the Jaguars find a coverage-minded safety? 

 

Breakdown: The unit was dreadful last year. Cornerbacks Rashean Mathis and Derek Cox were both ineffective and Cox was actually benched for a while. Mathis is over the hill and is entering the twilight of his career. Courtney Greene and Don Carey were given opportunities at safety but neither one stepped up. Green has some potential but he’s very much so a wildcard. The Jaguars drafted Chris Prosinski, an athletic free safety from Wyoming, in hopes of adding a quality starter in the secondary. 

 

This Group Will Be Fine If…Cox plays like he did as a rookie. 

 

Worst Case Scenario: Mathis has nothing left in the tank and a safety isn’t added via free agency. 

 

Prediction: This might be the pre free-agency rankings but the Jaguars are without a doubt doomed in they do not add a safety this offseason. I think the Jaguars will ultimately obtain Eric Weddle to solidify at least part of the secondary. Even if that does happen, the team will also need Cox and Mathis to bounce back as well as for Greene to step up. One of those players might, but all three will not.

 

My Confidence Rating: 3 – Improved safety play might have a positive ripple effect on the entire defense but there are too many glaring weaknesses here to feel any sort of confidence.