In Depth 2015: Jacksonville Jaguars

by | Mar 2, 2015 | 2014 season, 2015 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost double-digit games the last four seasons and five of the last seven. They’ve won just nine games in three seasons and have not made the playoffs since after the 2007 season.

That said, the 3-13 campaign in 2014 may at least provide some hope for the future. This team is still quite a ways in-depthfrom a complete turnaround, but the coach/QB tandem of Gus Bradley and Blake Bortles, coupled with some young, hustling defenders and intriguing talents like Denard Robinson mean this squad may at least finally be pointed in the right direction.

How far off are they? Luke Sims, an editor with the Black & Teal, shared his thoughts.

Zoneblitz: The Jaguars followed a 4-12 season with a 3-13 campaign in 2014. In 2013 there were signs, at times, of a positive direction – how would you assess the 2014 season? (more…)

In Depth 2015: Tennessee Titans

by | Feb 27, 2015 | 2014 season, 2015 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Ken Whisenhunt inherited a bit of a mess when he took over the Tennessee Titans in 2014, so maybe a rough seasonin-depth was not a surprise. But QB injuries, subpar offensive line play and almost everything else went off the rails for Tennessee last season.

The result was a 2-14 record and the second pick in the draft.

So how does this team start picking up the pieces in an effort to again become relevant?

Jimmy Morris, editor in chief of the Music City Miracles blog, shares his thoughts on what went wrong and what needs to happen to spur a turnaround.

Zoneblitz: The Titans went from seven wins to two, albeit with a new coach. What’s your assessment of the 2014 season? (more…)

In Depth 2015: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by | Feb 25, 2015 | 2014 season, 2015 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Tampa Bay started the 2014 season seen as a sleeper playoff team by some, including Tony on this site. But things in-depthunraveled quickly – and more brutally in Lovie Smith’s first season as head coach than even the most pessimistic could have expected.

So what went wrong? And what does it take to get the ship heading in the right direction again? Nick Houllis, a Bucs historian and editor of the fan blog BucStop.com, joined us to share some thoughts. Here’s what he had to say.

Zoneblitz: This is a team some saw as a sleeper playoff contender in 2014 – while those expectations may have been too high, what happened that led to a 2-14 season?

Houllis: You can wrap up everything in a nutshell with two words. JEFF TEDFORD. (more…)

Way Too Early 2015 Power Rankings

by | Feb 2, 2015 | 2015 season, Power rankings

The 2014 NFL season is officially in the books, following a thrilling Super Bowl that went right down to the wire.power-rankings

The New England Patriots are champs again for the first time in a decade… And we’re left to wait. And wait. And wait.

It’s going to be another seven months before we get to watch another meaningful pro football game—a dreadful thought that actually makes you long for a Titans-Jaguars game on Thursday Night Football.

But, instead of crying into our coffee, it’s time to start looking ahead to next year.

We’ll revisit this throughout the offseason, but you’ve got to start somewhere. So with that said, here it is—our way too early 2015 power rankings.

(more…)