First, Jimmy Smith, one of the most consistent WRs ever retires.  Then RB Greg Jones, who was expected by most to have a breakout season is lost for the year.  And you have to know that eventually RB Fred Taylor is probably going to be banged up because that just seems the way of the world and things always happens in threes, right? 

But, who’s going to tote the rock IF Taylor does in fact get hurt.  Perhaps rookie Maurice Jones-Drew, who is versatile and explosive, but short at only 5’7”.  Alvin Pearman?  Maybe, but he doesn’t really have the speed to take it to the house.  Or will it be LaBrandon Toefield?  Jags fans better hope that Taylor can stay healthy if the aforementioned are your choices.  Although, I do have to acknowledge Jones-Drew’s upside.

Another thing that needs acknowledgement?  The Jaguars defense.  There’s the ubiquitous talent, size, and speed up and down the defensive roster.  And, SS Donovin Darius returns this season after tearing his ACL last season.  Add Darius to the secondary and it’s above average.  At LB, Mike Peterson plays the middle like he was Billy Joel and the position was a piano.  But, it all pretty much starts with the front four with John Henderson and Marcus Stroud being the main men on the defensive line.  I’d look for the defense to continue to succeed similar to the past few seasons.

QB Byron Leftwich, I keep waiting to see him truly breakout and be considered an elite level QB.  But, I guess I was spoiled by his Marshall days.  Who can ever forget the time when he had his offensive linemen carry him downfield on successive plays after moving the chains?  Speaking of which, Leftwich still has durability issues.  He’ll need to stay healthy the whole season to make that next step.  But, who is he going to throw to with Smith now retired?

The super freakish WR Matt Jones quickly comes to mind as I’ll never forget how stupid he made defenses look when he played at Arkansas.  Jones is tall, big, and fast!  WR Ernest Wilford and Jones will in all likelihood be on the field at the same time, and will probably be WR1a and WR1b.  Rookie TE Marcedes Lewis, a very good pass catching TE is another very good option for Leftwich and they’ve seemed to have cliqued during the preseason.

Will the Jaguars be good to enough to bring the Colts down off their perch?  Maybe, but it’ll depend on if they can stay healthy; Jones, Wilford, or both breaks out; and how long it will take for Darius to be his old self again.  But, probably most of all, if the Colts implode.  It’s there’s to lose.