Jaguars report: Notes, quotes
--The Jaguars want to end their reputation of being a roller-coaster team that plays to the level of their competition.
Using his hands as an example, defensive tackle John Henderson said, "We're up here for the great teams and down here for the little teams. We can't be like that. We've got to be like every team is a Super Bowl team and we've got to go get them."
Marcus Stroud, who anchors the interior of their line along with Henderson, echoed that theme.
"We're treating everybody like they're the Super Bowl champions. We've got 16 Super Bowl championship teams to play this year and we want to beat them all. We have too much talent on this team for us to be up and down," Stroud said.
Last year, they beat the Steelers and Cowboys and split with the Colts for a 3-1 mark. But they were also 1-3 against the 6-10 Texans and 8-8 Titans and finished 8-8.
Since Jack Del Rio became head coach in 2003, they've been 3-5 against the Texans and 4-4 against the Titans. The Colts have gone 7-1 against both teams while winning the division all four years.
In 2005 when the Jaguars went 12-4, they were 4-0 against the Titans and Texans. In 2004 when they were 9-7 and last year when they were 8-8, they were 1-3 against those two teams.
That's why Del Rio has spent the offseason stressing consistency against all teams.
"We're striving to be a consistent football team and it begins with preparation. I believe that our guys understand that concept better. We certainly have been hammering that home and we will continue to hammer that home," he said.
--Owner Wayne Weaver has given Del Rio the dreaded vote of confidence.
"I have every confidence in Jack Del Rio. Jack Del Rio is my football coach and I expect him to be here next year and the year after that and into the future," he said.
In reality, if the Jaguars don't make the playoffs, he's probably gone.
Weaver did say it would take a "disaster" not to bring Del Rio back, but didn't define "disaster." Not making the playoffs probably qualifies.
--Weaver also gave James Harris, the vice president of player personnel, his backing even though Harris' first-round picks, including Leftwich, have been disappointments.
"This business is not an exact science. We're not the first club to have to cut a first-round draft pick. James Harris has done a good job," he said.
--Fred Taylor, who has 9,513 rushing yards in his career, thinks he'll break the 10,000-yard mark in the fifth game against Houston.
Taylor said his goal this year is 1,500 yards, a total he's reached only once in 2003 when he gained 1572 yards.
--The Jaguars have never played at home in temperatures higher than 88. But the forecast for Sunday is 93. That's a huge advantage for the Jaguars, who are 15-8 at home in September. Opposing teams tend to wilt in the heat.
BY THE NUMBERS
9-3 -- The Jaguars' record on opening weekend, which is the best in the NFL with a .727 percentage. Dallas is second at 31-15 for a .674 percentage.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Clearly, I have high expectations for this team. This team is built to win now." -- Owner Wayne Weaver, on his expectations.
Copyright (C) 2007 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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