Pride on the Line Up North

It has been embarrassingly long since I've posted. And speaking of embarrassing, that's what the Jaguars' season has been. It's been a difficult year to be a new fan. I just heard on TV that the Jags signed a new punter who will get his first NFL start. Damn it, I knew I should have tried out!

In a week when former Jags' lineman Richard Collier--now in a wheelchair with one leg--spoke candidly to the press about his experience, life, and psyche, in the wake of his own shooting in Riverside, the 4-8 Jags battle another mediocre team, the 6-6 Chicago Bears at frigid Soldier Field. Today's mostly meaningless game pits my childhood loyalty--the Bears--against the local favorite of my post-college life--the Jaguars. The Bears' season started out hopefully but has been miserable for the last four games. The Jaguars have been miserable all year long. The Bears do have something to play for--the slight chance of still making the playoffs out of the subpar NFC North. For the Jaguars, we can no longer say "Well, if they win this won and then go on a streak..." but have succumbed to the reality that the Jags will be watching the playoffs from their living rooms. 

While the Bears have little to be impressed with lately, I cannot see the warm weather Jags winning in single digit weather in Chicago. All that is left to do in the last four games for the Jaguars is to see how some young guys respond in game situations. I have little optimism left. It will be interesting to see what offseason personal changes are made in the offseason among the coaching staff and players. In light of last season's success and this season's disappointment, drastic changes seem appropriate. The offensive line and defensive secondary seem like good places to start, but the gaping wholes are everywhere. Even QB David Garrard and RBs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew deserve to be looked at closely. About the only person that has been reliable all year is Kicker Josh Scobee.