This team was destined for the playoffs, then they fell out of contention with an injury to their starting quarterback. Now there is talk about signing or trading for Daunte Culpepper, how does that make David Garrard and Byron Leftwich feel? I guess the Jaguars don’t care.

2006 Season: 8-8, 3rd AFC South
Missed Playoffs

Quarterback: Byron Leftwich
Whoever the quarterback is, they need to pray that their receivers have learned how to catch the ball. Leftwich doesn’t have the powerful arm out of him and Garrard, but he’s the starter after coming back from injury. If I’m Jack Del Rio, I give him one shot…one chance and then he’s replaced by Garrard. Grade: 3 out of 5

Running Back: Fred Taylor
Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew torched a few teams last season(see the win against the Colts in Jacksonville) and they should be able to continue to do that. Eventually teams will put 8 or 9 in the box on every down and force the Jags to pass the ball. Until that happens though, they might be a pair of 1,000 yard backs. Grade: 4.5 out of 5

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Key Player-Matt Jones
Jones, the converted quarterback from Arkansas, led the team in receiving yards and was tied for the team lead with 4 TDs. He is a good complement to Reggie Williams and Ernest Wilford because of his size and great speed to stretch the field. Grade: 3.5 out of 5

Offensive Line: Key Player-LT Khalif Barnes
The tackle tandem of Barnes and Tony Pashos is a good one, but the line needs to stay healthy in the middle for this team to be successful. Normally, the tackles are not the lead blockers for teams. However in Jacksonville, the Jags like to run off tackle and sweeps with the tackles moving around. Grade: 4 out of 5

Defense:  4-3
Defensive Line: Key Player-DT John Henderson
I would have to say that this defensive line rivals the Carolina Panthers for the best in the NFL. The two bohemiths in the middle, Henderson and Marcus Stroud, apply pressure up the middle, while RE Reggie Hayward rushes from the outside. Try to run inside on the Jaguars and see what happens. Grade: 5 out of 5

Linebackers: Key Player-MLB Mike Peterson
Peterson leads an inexperienced group that will rely on the pass rush of the line to allow them to roam free. Peterson was injured last season and Daryl Smith moved to the middle and replaced him. Smith is moving back to OLB because Peterson is healthy and this will make this defense better. Grade: 3.5 out of 5

Cornerback: Key Player-Rashean Mathis
Mathis lead the team with 8 INTs last season, but it’s the other side that could get burned. Brian Williams struggled last season. Hopefully he can pick it up for the Jags to make it to the playoffs. Grade: 3 out of 5

Safety: Key Player-Reggie Nelson
I hate putting rookies on the spot, but Nelson was drafted by one of his home state teams and he is going to have to be the star in the secondary. I have no doubts that he will be awesome down there. The Jags did release Donovan Darius a couple of days ago, that move did weaken the back like a little, but they should be ok. Grade: 3 out of 5

Special Teams
K: Josh Scobee
P: Adam Podlesh
Scobee is an alright kicker. I am curious how Podlesh will do as a rookie this season. I saw him play at Maryland and he was good, he may have some growing pains this season. Grade: 2.5 out of 5

Overall
I love the D-Line for the Jags and the running game, but if they have to rely on the passing game…they could be in trouble.

Defense: 4-3