By CHARLIE BERNSTEIN
JagNation.com Editor
In this edition of the Jaguars Notebook, we discuss how the Jaguars turnover difficulties are finally catching up to them and how a second-year safety has become one of the most important players on the defense. We will also discuss which Jaguars may be playing in Hawaii and this week's injury report.
Giving it All Away
In Sunday's 34-24 loss to Indianapolis, the Jaguars were minus-two in turnover ratio as David Garrard threw an interception and Mike Thomas muffed a punt. Any coach will tell you that turnover ratio is certainly one of the most important game statistics but the Jaguars success this season directly contradicts that adage.
Jacksonville is minus-12 on the season in turnover ratio which is good for 31st in the NFL. They have by far the worst turnover ratio of any team with a winning record, as San Diego is 26th in the NFL with only a minus-six ratio.
"We've managed to achieve despite some glaring weaknesses, and one of them has been protecting the football," Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said. "You've got to win the turnover battle in this league and that's not the way to do it. You're not going to do it turning it over and losing that battle."
Back in September, Jaguars safety Courtney Greene was no lock to earn a roster spot. With a serious lack of depth in the secondary, the Jaguars decided to take a chance on the second-year safety from Rutgers. Injuries forced Greene in the lineup sporadically through the first five weeks of the season and Courtney showed enough to earn the starting job as the team traded veteran Anthony Smith to Green Bay and cut ties with Gerald Alexander.
Greene was seemingly improving each week, right up until injuring his shoulder in the Jaguars 17-6 victory over Tennessee early in December. Greene was playing his best football and was clearly the most reliable safety on the roster.
"He's been missed since he's been out because that's the one thing that he is is a hitter," Del Rio explained. "I mean Courtney, the one thing he does is come up and strike people, so there's no question and we're not looking for any alibis. So you plug in the next guy and you expect to continue to play well."
Plugging in the next guy has been the problem for the Jaguars as veteran Sean Considine has missed several key tackles and blown assignments leading to big plays. Amazingly enough, a guy who was little more than a special teams player at the beginning of the season has been one of the Jaguars biggest losses.
Injury Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE:
Wednesday - LB Justin Durant (groin), RB Maurice Jones-Drew (knee), WR Mike Sims-Walker (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE:
Wednesday - T Jordan Black (ankle), S Courtney Greene (shoulder), RB Greg Jones (back), DT Terrance
Knighton (back), DE Austen Lane (knee), G Vincent Manuwai (foot), G Justin Smiley (head)
Maurice Jones-Drew was hobbled all of last week and many feel that it showed on Sunday as he had his second- lowest rushing total of the season with 46 yards on 15 carries.
"Every week takes on its own identity, match-ups, health of a team, all those things go in it," Del Rio explained. "So with Vinny (Manuwai) and Maurice, probably two of the key cogs of our running game being a little battered going into the game, that was a little bit of a concern for us."
Defensively, the Jaguars were without linebacker Justin Durant as well as safety Courtney Greene last week and if they are going to continue to make a run at the postseason, they will need all hands on deck on a defense that's ranked 26th in the NFL.
"I'm hopeful, I don't know for sure yet. I'll know more later in the week," Del Rio said when asked about the health of Durant and Greene. "I think Courtney is further ahead of Justin at this point. Courtney returned to practice on a limited basis last week but Justin did not, so right off the top I would say Courtney has a better opportunity right now but I'm hopeful that we have a shot to get them both back."
Scobee To Hawaii?
The all-important fan voting for the Pro Bowl has concluded and Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee led all AFC kickers in votes.
"Just found out I finished #1 in fan voting for the Pro Bowl! Thank you everyone who voted! All that's left is coaches and players votes," the Jaguars kicker tweeted on Wednesday.
Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew finished second amongst running backs behind the NFL's leading rusher Arian Foster while tight end Marcedes Lewis finished second in the AFC at his position behind Antonio Gates.
Fan voting is only part of the Pro Bowl selection process as both players and coaches will have a say in who gets selected for a game in which hardly anyone wants to play.
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