Stretching the Field
by Luke Paul Chandler
The Jacksonville Jaguars were aggressive in this year’s draft to upgrade their pass rush to match their new defensive scheme. The trio of Paul Spicer, and rookies Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey are primed for a big season.
The 2008 NFL Draft saw a record number of trades, but the Jacksonville Jaguars made two of the most aggressive moves on the first day, trading up to select defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves. The Jaguars have lacked a consistent pass rush from their defensive ends in recent years, but still have played overall solid defense in their front seven. The reworking of the Jaguars line was due, as the team prepares to becomes more creative under new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and his zone-blitz defense, which will be a sharp contrast to former coordinator Mike Smith’s schemes.
Under former defensive coordinator Mike Smith, now the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, the Jaguars line was held down with the interior presence of two-gap tackles John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, the former being traded to Buffalo this offseason. Stroud and Henderson were never great pass rushers, but both did an amazing job absorbing blocks and getting one-on-one matchups for their defensive ends. The team lost consistency from Stroud, though, due to his lagging health, which ultimately lead to his departure from the team. Stroud was penetrating the backfield less, and didn’t have the quickness he used to after having microfracture surgery on his ankle. In his absence, Rob Meier took over and proved he could handle a full-time workload, and played very well in the playoffs. Meier’s aggressiveness at the point of attack and quickness were what Stroud had been lacking over the past two seasons. Despite not being overly athletic or quick, Meier’s consistent pressure in the Pittsburgh game in this year’s playoffs opened many eyes.
Smith favored having bull rushers on the outside, and the team managed decent two-way play out of defensive ends during his tenure. They never featured a solid double-digit sack threat, minus Bobby McCray’s 10 sacks in 2006. Smith’s front four relied on solid timing, and understanding of angles to create pressure, because of the aforementioned one-on-one matchups Henderson and Stroud created. Rarely did Smith create much pressure outside of the front four, though he did blitz more when the situation necessitated it. The team made advances in free agency to better the defensive end position, but never could get consistent production from it. The failures of both Hugh Douglas and Reggie Hayward paved the way for this year’s draft, where the team grabbed two of the best pass rushers. Groves and Harvey will help bring Jacksonville’s pass rush into a new era with their versatility, which the team needed greatly.
Groves will be a pass rush specialist, though he has the upside of an every-down end. Groves was a starter for two seasons at Auburn, but was in the mix all four of his years. He tied for the team lead in sacks as a redshirt freshman with 7.5, and got better every year after that. His value will be a weapon who can line up at end or linebacker, rushing from either spot or dropping into coverage. Groves played linebacker extensively his senior season, due to injuries and the emergence of Antonio Coleman at end. Groves looked awkward and a bit stiff playing a traditional linebacker role, but that was from a lack of experience at the position rather than athleticism. Groves will never be a full time linebacker in their base defense, but as a decoy could be very effective. He will be moved around to create matchups, and should thrive in that role.
In Harvey, the No. 8 overall pick, Williams gets an athletic edge rusher with a long wingspan. Harvey is expected to grow into his frame more in the NFL, and has transformed his game in his three seasons at Florida. He went from being a pure speed rusher, to growing into a more versatile defensive end who added depth to pass rush moves, and his overall understanding of the game. Harvey has the ability to line up in a two-point stance, and to drop back into the flat in short zone coverage, and looks fluid when doing so. In the NFL, his size likely means his best spot is lining up on the strong-side. Harvey was knocked in draft coverage as not being a guy who could get consistent double digit sack seasons, but in Williams defense he will be a star. Williams has worked with less, and made out well.
As Williams has shown in previous stops in Tennessee and Washington as the defensive coordinator, and as the head coach of Buffalo, he’s able to create pressure from unique angles, but having consistent pass rush threat from his ends makes his job so much easier. In 2005, Williams took a line of players thought to have little talent, and transformed their pass rush. He made Phillip Daniels, a journeymen weak-side end, and he had a career season. Daniels was able to get a better grasp mentally on the game, and Williams made Daniels into a better player. On roster in Jacksonville is a similar player in Paul Spicer, the team’s current starting right end.
Spicer is a no frills defensive end who will never be a star, but he plays an aggressive, sturdy game. Like Daniels, he plays angles well and positions himself when rushing the passer. He is not a traditional right end, in an era when that position is played mostly by speed rushers like Dwight Freeney. Spicer creates consistent pressure with his strong motor and ability to wear out opponents. He’s similar to Daniels, and could have a career year playing under Williams.
While Smith did a marvelous job in Jacksonville, creating a consistently physical and dominating defense, Williams may end up doing more if Groves, Harvey and Spicer play up to their expectations. All three will be asked to play in a complex defense, but each has the talent to diversify Jacksonville’s pass rush. Opposing quarterbacks in the AFC South will have to continue to worry about the Jacksonville defensive line, just for different reasons now.
Contact Luke at Luke@newerascouting.com.