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From Orlando Sentinel

Titans expose the Jaguars' problems

Alan Schmadtke | Sentinel Staff Writer
September 10, 2007

JACKSONVILLE - They can't hang this one on the quarterback.

This one goes much deeper. And potentially much more serious issues.

New starter David Garrard didn't give Jacksonville reason to think it has an instant Pro Bowler behind center, but that's the least of the Jaguars' worries. Suddenly, there might be a defense to be concerned about, for Sunday the Jags made Tennessee look as if it has all-world blockers and a new stud in the backfield next to Vince Young.

Tennessee stung Jacksonville 13-10 Sunday with a franchise record for single-game rushing (282 yards), and in the process handing the Jags a new pair of franchise lows for rushing yards allowed and carries (49).

"It just didn't look like us," said Jags Coach Jack Del Rio, whose team was second in the NFL in overall defense and second against the run last year. "We can't play like that and be any good on defense. We've got to play better than that."

Rarely has a team been able to beat Jacksonville by running the same trap play over and over and by giving the ball to a pedestrian runner to gain yards. But Sunday at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, fifth-year pro Chris Brown gained a career-high 175 yards -- 19 yards more than he had in all of 2006 -- many of them gained while dragging defenders into the secondary.

The Jags (0-1) discovered Young couldn't beat them with his arm, but they couldn't stop the Titans' running game long enough to make him.

"We're very disappointed in ourselves," Jags defensive tackle John Henderson said. "We're veteran guys. Everybody has bad days; you just wish everybody wouldn't have a bad day on the same day."

Added defensive end Paul Spicer: "You ain't gonna see that again. You ain't gonna see our defense play like that. We pride ourselves on being one of the best. We played like one of the worst."

Garrard assumed the offensive reins for a season opener for the first time and was more than adequate, given the circumstances. He completed 17 of 30 passes for 204 yards and a 47-yard touchdown pass to John Broussard and no interceptions, but he received only minimal help beyond pass protection.

Jacksonville's normally productive ground game was non-existent. The Jags gained 72 yards rushing, their worst outing in 13 games. They ran the ball only 18 times.

"I think we were just matched against a tough team with a tough defensive line," Garrard said. "You hope you can come up with some things to get the running game going, but there's going to be days when that's tough and you have to go with the pass more. I think we just have to make more plays in the passing game to help out the running game."

Whatever the reasons, they all added up to the Jags' fourth loss in a row over two seasons and its fifth loss in seven games against teams in the AFC South.

The Jags had their chances, but their margin for error was minimal on a sun-splashed afternoon. Kicker Josh Scobee strained his thigh muscle in pregame warmups and suddenly wasn't available to do anything other than attempt extra points and short field goals.

Trying to extend a 7-3 lead in the second quarter, Matt Jones bobbled a jump-ball in the end zone, fighting with Cortland Finnegan. The Jags settled for a 22-yard field goal instead of a touchdown

Early in the third period, Jacksonville gave the ball back to Tennessee in the third quarter when it was forced to go for a first down on third-and-10 from the Titans' 19-yard line.

"I wish I could give you all some answers," linebacker Mike Peterson said, "but I'm looking for answers myself."

Alan Schmadtke can be reached at aschmadtke@orlandosentinel.com.

Copyright © 2008, Orlando Sentinel

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