With the N.F.L.’s trade deadline approaching (Oct. 18) and the Jets in need of a jolt, should they be among the teams looking to buy? If so, Jacksonville could be a place to look.
Did Jacksonville’s game against Carolina two weeks ago rub off on Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio that much?
As the rest of the N.F.L. world is in the process of discovering, Carolina has decided to turn the rookie quarterback Cam Newton loose. Newton was supposed to have trouble adjusting to the rigors of an N.F.L. passing offense, but instead has lit up the skies in the first four weeks of the season, throwing for 1,386 yards and 5 scores. Carolina is 1-3 under the new coach Ron Rivera, but the message is clear: The Panthers are going to win or lose with the ball in Newton’s hands.
The Newton-Del Rio connection comes into play based on how the Jaguars played the Saints last Sunday. Del Rio, a coach who loves to run the ball, called seven consecutive pass play in the Jaguars’ first possession after winning the coin toss. The possession ended with Blaine Gabbert, Del Rio’s rookie quarterback, throwing incomplete on fourth-and-six from the Saint 38.
It didn’t stop there. The Jaguars threw on 75 percent of their plays in the first half as they fell behind, 14-10. Gabbert was busy, completing 12 of 24 passes for 165 yards and a score. He also ran twice for 14 yards.
And what of Maurice Jones-Drew?
He rushed three times for 0 yards.
The Jaguars were held scoreless in the second half of the Saints’ 23-10 victory. Gabbert struggled in that half and finished 16 of 42 for 196 yards. What bears watching, though, is the approach Jacksonville (1-3) may be taking. Are they going to continue to let it fly with Gabbert? If so, how does that affect the status of Jones-Drew? The Jaguars have already cut David Garrard, their former starting quarterback, in a cost-cutting move. The Jaguars are committed to going with a younger roster. On a financial note, Jacksonville regularly has trouble selling out its stadium.
If the Jaguars were to lose this Sunday to Cincinnati, they would be 1-4 with a game at Pittsburgh the following Sunday. Would another cost-cutting move be out of the question? Would they dare part with the popular Jones-Drew?
If Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum is going to earn his money this season, he needs to continue to monitor every situation around the league. And not just at running back. The Jets reportedly have some room to maneuver under the salary cap.
Jones-Drew, who finished the game against the Saints with 84 yards on 11 carries, is in the third year of a five-year, $30.95 million contract. He is due to make $4.05 million this season.
Jets fans may only be able to dream of a backfield of M.J.D., L.T. and Shonn Greene — instantly one of the N.F.L.’s best.
But the least Tannenbaum can do is make a phone call.
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