freedom on the opposite side. Jaguars Special Teams One area where the team doesn’t need to worry is at kicker where Josh Scobee has been a stalwart on the team for the last 10 years. He will be an important piece for the offense again this year after last year’s impressive performance when he made 92 percent of his kicks with five of those coming from 50-yards or more, including a 55-yarder against the Buffalo Bills. If the offense can’t cross the goal line, Scobee will be leaned on heavily to put the ball through the uprights. Coming back for his third year with the team, Bryan Anger will handle the punting duties once again in 2014. He showed off a booming leg last year as he averaged 45.7 yards per punt while putting 31 inside the 20. His touchback percentage increased slightly last year, he will need to allow his punt team a chance to make a play downfield without putting it in the end zone. Prediction The Jaguars will improve in several areas of their team, especially in the pass-rush. Also expect a solid season out of Gerhart, as he will be the focal point of the offense until Bortles is ready to take control of the team. Add these players to defensive end Andre Branch, who came on strong towards the end of the season as he recorded five sacks in his final seven games, and the defensive front could turn out to be an unexpected source of strength for the Jaguars in the upcoming year. To anchor the middle of the defense, the Jaguars will rely on Paul Posluszny. The underrated middle linebacker finally got his due last season as he made his first Pro Bowl after years of being overlooked. The Penn State grad made an astounding 162 tackles last year with three sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions and even scored a touchdown from the defensive side of the ball. More of the same will be expected out of the former Dick Butkus award-winner if the Jaguars defense is to improve as a unit. One area where management will have to make a decision is in the secondary. Who will the starting cornerbacks be? This situation will sort itself out, but rookie Aaron Colvin should make an appearance in the secondary once he is fully recovered form an ACL tear he suffered just before the draft at a Senior Bowl practice. He could turn out to be the lock-down corner the team has been searching for, as long as he returns to his old self. Defensive Player to Watch While the Jaguars brought in Clemons for his pass-rushing expertise, the 32-year old is coming off of a 4.5 sack campaign due in part to an ACL tear he suffered in a 2013 playoff game against the Washington Redskins. He played in 14 games, but started in only eleven as he was not yet fully recovered. For the Jaguars to be successful, Clemons has to be the player he was in his first three years with the Seahawks when he compiled 33.5 sacks for one of the top defenses in the league. If he returns to that level, his impact could cover up a glaring weakness in the defensive backfield while also allowing Andre Branch some SCOREBOARD 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 Playoff Finish - - - - - Regular Season W-L 4-12 2-14 5-11 8-8 7-9 Points Per Game 15.43ppg 15.93ppg 15.19ppg 22.06ppg 18.13ppg Points Allowed Per Game 28.06ppg 27.75ppg 20.56ppg 26.19ppg 23.75ppg Yards Per Game 293.81ypg 299.25ypg 259.31ypg 341.25ypg 336.56ypg Yards Allowed Per Game 379.38ypg 380.5ypg 313ypg 371.81ypg 352.31ypg Turnovers 27 25 21 30 22 Takeaways 21 23 28 18 25 Key Additions: G Zane Beadles, DE Chris Clemons, RB Toby Gerhart, DE Ziggy Hood, LB Dekoda Watson Key Subtractions: LB Russell Allen, DE Jason Babin, DE Red Bryant, QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, C Brad Meester, G Uche Nwaneri, G Will Rackley Rookies: QB Blake Bortles, WR Marqise Lee, WR Allen Robinson, G Brandon Linder, CB Aaron Colvin, LB Telvin Smith, DE Chris Smith, C Luke Bowanko, RB Storm Johnson Chris Clemons STACY REVERE/GETTY IMAGES SPORT
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