Jones-Drew, Taylor aren’t busting out; they just look like busts

By Adam Sweeney  |   Tuesday, September 30, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jacksonville Jaguars were on the better end of a 30-27 overtime decision versus the Houston Texans on Sunday, but running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor were both held under 50 yards rushing for the third time in four games. The injuries to the Jaguars' offensive line have left little running room for the talented tandem.

Commentary: If the Jaguars hope to make noise in the AFC South, it will have to come from a balanced run attack; that's the staple of their offensive philosophy. However, it is starting to seem that quarterback David Garrard is the only one who can find a way to get substantial yardage.

Everyone knows the game is won in the trenches, and that's a bad sign for a team that has lost four O-linemen so far this season (center Brad Meester, guards Maurice Williams and Vince Manuwai, and left tackle Richard Collier). Jones-Drew and Taylor have had a hard time finding any running room and the only reason Garrard has been able to get past the line of scrimmage is through holes that have opened up on broken passing plays.

The Jaguars were Super Bowl sleepers heading into the season and are still somehow sitting in second place in the AFC South at 2-2. While it's not time to abandon the running game yet, the Jags will have to ask more of Garrard and a receiving corps that has been decent at best.

Fan Pulse: Some Jags fans think the way to spell the running woes is through the deep pass: http://www.ultimatejaguars.com/cgi-bin/msgboard/view.cgi?section=22429.

Fantasy Football Commentary: Jones-Drew was the 20th overall talent in most drafts. He certainly has not lived up to that ranking and it may be time to sell him.

Injury Watch: Free safety Reggie Nelson was out for Sunday's game versus the Texans. Look for him to be questionable against the Steelers in Week 5.
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About Adam Sweeney

Adam Sweeney spent 4 years as an opinions and arts & entertainment columnist with the Lone Star Lutheran, also working with Sports Illustrated.com. Along with his work on Realfootball 365 he currently is a contributor for Film School Rejects, SLAM Online, Talkhoops.net, and C-Heads Magazine.
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