Win or go home for Jags' Del Rio?
Tommy Morris |Aug 17,2007
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Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio has led the Jags to at least an 8-8 season in all of his four seasons but his first. He turned a team that went 6-10 in 2002 into one that went 12-4 in 2005. Del Rio’s leadership though has not translated into success in the playoffs. The Jags are 0-1 in the playoffs during Del Rio’s tenure at the helm. With the window closing is this the year that he needs to find success or a new job? His efforts at rebuilding have turned the Jags defense into one of the best in the NFL and consistently rank in the top five against the rush. Offensively, the team has had some struggles with keeping their players healthy. Running back Fred Taylor seems perpetually ready to go down with an injured hamstring and quarterback Byron Leftwich’s immobility makes him a consistent threat to get teed off on by opposing pass rushers. The team’s lingering weakness at wide receiver since the departure of Steve Smith gives the offense relatively few options. Fortunately for Del Rio, the basics of what makes a successful playoff team are in place. With the addition of rookie all-purpose phenom Maurice Jones-Drew last season the Jags two pronged rushing attack ranked in the top five in rushing. Usually a team that controls the run and can play ball control like that should be in a position to go deep in the playoffs, the team finished just outside of qualifying. This season should see much of the same on both sides of the ball. The Jags hard-nosed attacking 4-3 defense is one built in Del Rio’s image as a tough NFL linebacker. The running attack should continue to shine behind Jones-Drew and Taylor and a healthy Leftwich could solidify the offense. How Del Rio responds to the challenge will be one of most interesting sub-plots of the season in J-ville. He’s been quick to shake up the offense by yanking QBs in the past and for the team to have success he'll have to be patient with his field general. Barring injury Leftwich has the skills and the motivation (he’s in a contract year) to lead this team on a postseason run. How deep the team goes will determine how much longer Del Rio is in charge.
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