Panthers vs. Jaguars: Blogger Q & A

Welcome to the next edition of Blogger Q&A, the longest running theme for a post I have to date. This week it’s Chris (River City Rage) over from Big Cat Country SB Nations Jacksonville Jaguars blogger. Chris has been writing some good stuff over there as his Jags come in to the game 8-4 and give him plenty of good stuff to write about. Without further delay here’s Chris’s answers to my five questions:

Question 1: QB David Garrard has been the Jaguars starting QB for 12 games now. Are there any parts of the Jaguars offensive game plan Garrard executes better than others? Any parts he still struggles with?

BCC: I hate to say it, but I've not seen a game where Garrard has particularly struggled in one area or another. I'd say his biggest weakness might be in throwing the deep ball, as most of our long passing plays have been big on the YAC, not on the throw.  Then again, that could be because we've been missing our speedy "get down the field as fast as possible guy" in WR John Broussard, who should be available.  With David not throwing the deep ball, I'd say that a competent secondary can keep the receivers in front of them and hope to jump a route, rather than dropping so far back in coverage that the underneath routes open up.

We still need to worry about he TE and the middle of the field. Also, Garrard is mobile and can hurt you if you don’t keep a spy on him.

Question 2: I gave up on the Jaguars WR’s fantasy-wise after last season and it doesn’t look like anyone has stepped up as the #1 WR this year. In your opinion who should the Panthers focus on shutting down in the passing game?

BCC: While we lack the "Steve Smith" of an offense, the lack of true "number one" does have its benefits to the Jaguars.  David spreads the ball around to 8 or more receivers a game, including the Tight Ends, Running Backs, Full back, as well at the WR's.  His progressions are sound enough and the protection long enough so that he's able to find the open receiver, no matter who they are.  He does favor throwing to Ernest Wilford on 3rd downs, but I can't tell if that's a designed thing or a matter of him just being the open guy.  Don't ever rely on a Jaguar wide receiver for Fantasy Football.  Ever.

The key will be the protection. If the Panthers can pressure him he may make some bad throws.

Question 3: RB Fred Taylor is on a nice run these past few games. What’s the key to stopping Fred Taylor and the Jaguars running attack?

BCC: Score.  Put the Jaguars in a situation where they have to throw the ball.  Even when teams have completely sold out to stop the run (Tampa Bay) and put 8 or 9 guys in the box, Jacksonville has still found a way to move the ball on the ground.  Part of what makes this so hard is the different styles of Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor.  MoJo stays between the tackles and then bursts to the outside, Fred makes the cutback and gets to the edge.  If you focus on one, the other can hurt you.  Buffalo, for example, decided to focus on stopping Jones-Drew, thinking that Fred wasn't gonna burn them.  Instead, he had his first hundred yard game of the season.  The best way to stop this attack is to get Jacksonville out of it's ball control offense and make em throw.  Though, even when down 21-0 against the Colts, they stuck to the run.

That’s a huge point. If the Panthers can get the lead early and make the Jaguars work the entire field we may get some 3rd down stops and hold them out of the end zone.

Question 4: In researching this match-up I was surprised to see the Jaguars defense ranked so low. What’s been the Jaguar defenses biggest weakness in 2007? How should the Panthers exploit it?

BCC: Let's be frank about the rankings, what's holding Jacksonville back is its 27th ranked pass defense.  They're great against the run, they're great at not allowing points (7th), But the secondary is allowing a whole lot of yards.  If I were the Panthers, I'd put Steve Smith on Mathis, and run him deep, just to see how his groin injury is holding up.  You might find that he's a lost a step or two and that the Jaguars are cheating the safeties over to cover Smith.  If this happens, you'll have more options open up in the Running Game (less guys in the box) or better match-ups for your slot receiver or tight end.  I'd defiantly try and see how the Jaguars react to the passing game, considering how many yards we've given up through the air.  If Mathis is still a bit hurt, you could find the deep ball as a good option.

I’m sure Smitty is raring to go against that backfield. I bet he and Vinny connect for at least one deep pass of 40+.

Question 5: What’s you prediction for the game? Jaguars Game MVP?

BCC: I always assume games will be close, so I'm gonna say something like 21-17, not a shootout by any stretch, but something interesting.  Because the Jaguars have struggled with the Pass Rush, I'd like DT Marcus Stroud to be the MVP after coming back from his suspension.

Shroud does worry me as we have trouble handing the bull rush up the middle at times. I’m just hoping for a good mistake free game from the Panthers.