The Jaguars tied with Atlanta at No. 19 in total defense last season, yielding 333.4 yards per game, but 25th against the run (129.4 ypg).

Jacksonville's defensive strength may lie in its D-line, where first-round picks Marcus Stroud (2001) and John Henderson (2002) expect to hold their own, allowing DEs Marco Coleman and Douglas to contain the edges. The 'backers are solid with Peterson flanked by Eric Westmoreland and Akin Ayodele/Mitchell. Fernando Bryant and Jason Craft are at the corners, while Donovin Darius and Marlon McCree are the safties. The Jags also selected S Rashean Mathis in the second round of the draft.

If Del Rio can get the group to play up to its potential, there are several Pro Bowl candidates in the mix.

However, the buzz in Jagville surrounds QB Byron Leftwich. The team's first-round draft choice is expected to eventually supplant incumbent Mark Brunell, but not so fast.

Brunell is coming off an efficient season (17 TDs, 7 INTs) and is still smarting from a sub-.500 year that could have been 8-8 if not for a gimmick punt return by the Texans and a game-winning "Hail Mary" by the Browns. And if this is Brunell's swan-song season with the Jaguars, he'll have the weapons to go out with both barrels blazing.

Long in need of a bonafide No. 2 receiver, Jacksonville signed free agents Donald Hayes and J.J. Stokes in an effort to take pressure off Jimmy Smith. In the backfield, Fred Taylor is coming off a 1,300-yard season, his third 1,000-yard season in five years.

All the pieces are in place for the Jags to improve on their 6-10 record. What remains to be seen is whether the money Jacksonville spent upgrading its defense was well spent. If the defense is better, the Jaguars could punch their ticket into the postseason.

 

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