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Looking to hitch your wagon to a sleeper? Jacksonville could be the ticket.
First-year head coach Jack Del Rio began overhauling the Jaguars' roster on Day 1, shaping the franchise in a defensive mode. J'ville signed three key free agents to play defense:
DE Hugh Douglas
LB Keith Mitchell
LB Mike Peterson
The Jaguars tied with Atlanta at No. 19 in total defense last season, yielding 333.4 yards per game, but 25th against the run (129.4 ypg).
Jacksonville's defensive strength may lie in its D-line, where first-round picks Marcus Stroud (2001) and John Henderson (2002) expect to hold their own, allowing DEs Marco Coleman and Douglas to contain the edges. The 'backers are solid with Peterson flanked by Eric Westmoreland and Akin Ayodele/Mitchell. Fernando Bryant and Jason Craft are at the corners, while Donovin Darius and Marlon McCree are the safties. The Jags also selected S Rashean Mathis in the second round of the draft.
If Del Rio can get the group to play up to its potential, there are several Pro Bowl candidates in the mix.
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First-year head coach Jack Del Rio began overhauling the Jaguars' roster on Day 1, shaping the franchise in a defensive mode. J'ville signed three key free agents to play defense:
DE Hugh Douglas
LB Keith Mitchell
LB Mike Peterson
The Jaguars tied with Atlanta at No. 19 in total defense last season, yielding 333.4 yards per game, but 25th against the run (129.4 ypg).
Jacksonville's defensive strength may lie in its D-line, where first-round picks Marcus Stroud (2001) and John Henderson (2002) expect to hold their own, allowing DEs Marco Coleman and Douglas to contain the edges. The 'backers are solid with Peterson flanked by Eric Westmoreland and Akin Ayodele/Mitchell. Fernando Bryant and Jason Craft are at the corners, while Donovin Darius and Marlon McCree are the safties. The Jags also selected S Rashean Mathis in the second round of the draft.
If Del Rio can get the group to play up to its potential, there are several Pro Bowl candidates in the mix.
MORE...
