No lack of confidence for the Jaguars’ defense

By Jason Kirk  |   Saturday, August 13, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Miami Dolphins
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
The Miami Dolphins first-string offense will face a major test tonight when they face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their second game of the pre-season. According to several Jaguar defensive players, Jacksonville will have the top defenses in the league this season. Last year the Jaguars defense ranked 11th in the league in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, giving up an average of 17.5 points per game. They did that without three of their top defensive ends due to injury, which forced the Jaguars to put linebackers at the end position.

This year, though, is different. With most of the players back healthy, the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense is playing with a lot of confidence, ready to establish themselves as not only one of the best defenses in the league this season, but one of the best ever. Star middle linebacker, Mike Peterson, has come out and said that the offense only needs to score 10 points a game this year for the Jaguars to win. Some of the best defenses in the history of the NFL have given up more than 10 points a game. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens, the benchmark for defensive excellence, gave up 165 points that year averaging a little more than 10 points a game. With standards that high the Jaguars may be setting themselves for disappointment, right? Not according to Peterson and the rest of the defensive players. Arrogance and cockiness is what this 2005 Jaguar defense is all about, and they show an over-abundance of it during practice, dominating their offensive counter-parts.

Head coach Jack Del Rio and defensive coordinator Mike Smith were on that Ravens' 2000 coaching staff, so they know what their defense is aspiring to. So far, they're embracing and encouraging their player's confidence and swagger. Just don't confuse them with being the 2000 Ravens; they want to set their place in history as the 2005 Jaguars.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report