We're less than 24 hours away from tomorrow afternoon's matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars. In order to better prepare you for what to expect from those pesky Jaguars, Alfie Crow of Big Cat Country (SB Nation's Jaguars affiliate) was kind enough to answer a few questions about his favorite team.
Yes. Trent Edwards is covered. The interview starts now, and continues after the jump. My questions are in bold, and his answers follow. You can see the reciprocating interview here.
The Jags have been solid, awful, pathetic and outstanding, respectively, through four games this season. What's the primary factor behind the inconsistency?
Crow: A lot of it had to do with a young football team in transition. The team is in the middle of rebuilding and filled with new young players. Then on the other hand you have the inconsistent play of David Garrard. In both losses Garrard was atrocious. In both wins he's been mistake free and efficient. So, it's a combo of inconsistent quarterback play and a young roster being rebuilt from bad drafting under the previous regime.
Josh Scobee has put your special teams units on the map, but they belonged there without his late-game heroics. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Russ Purnell's various units?
Crow: Special teams on the Jaguars is excellent across the board. Punter Adam Podlesh has rebounded from an inconsistent season in 2009 to have a great first four games. Josh Scobee has been perfect on all his field goals, all of which are over 40 yards. The Jaguars return game that was supposed to be headed up by two rookies that were injured hasn't skipped a beat so far. On the coverage unit, it's headed up by two elite gunners in Kassim Osgood and Montell Owens who bottle everything up and allow for minimal returns.
I can't not ask about Trent Edwards, but there's not much that's interesting about his current situation, so... how terrified are you at the idea that he'd have to play in Buffalo with barely a week under his belt in Jacksonville?
Crow: Given the ups and downs at QB for the Jaguars, some Jaguars fans actually want it. They'll joke that what kind of playbook does he need, since the Jaguars offense at times looks like it's called off a Tecmo Bowl playbook. In reality however, I'm not sure it will change much. He's known for checking down a lot and holding the football, right? Par for the course for the current situation.
How hot is Jack Del Rio's proverbial "seat"? With next year in mind, is he currently coaching for the job he already holds?
Crow: Del Rio is essentially the proverbial dead man walking as a head coach. Unless he somehow manages to make the playoffs, which at 2-2 isn't out of the question, he's likely fired. Owner Wayne Weaver is exceedingly patient, but he can only take so much. The city has been calling for Del Rio's firing since last season ended.
Jacksonville is struggling defensively - so much so that they're rated even lower than the Bills defense that has surrendered over 200 rushing yards in each of the past two games. Where are the Jags weakest defensively, and which Bills players do you believe can exploit that weakness?
Crow: The Jaguars are at their worst in the back seven. Their defensive line and pass rush has actually been pretty good, considering where it was at last year. They're defensive backfield has been abused week in and week out. Second year corner Derek Cox was yanked in the first game of the season and hasn't played in a game since. New Jaguar David Jones has started in his spot, and he's been lit up as well. The safety position was a giant cluster until last week when Gerald Alexander was re-signed and Anthony Smith finally recovered from an injury. If anyone will exploit the Jaguars weak spot on defense, it's going to be Buffalo's tight ends, Lee Evans, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.