Inside the Playbook
NFL
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Weekly lineup

 Thursday, December 9
Jags' gut, check with me
 
By Sean Salisbury
ESPN.com

 

<img src="hhttp://espn.go.com/i/nfl/playbook99/wk14_denjac_1.jpg" width=400 height=480 border=0>

About the play: "Gut check with me" is one way to run the football to the best spot without guessing. "Check with me" means check with the quarterback at the line of scrimmage. The Jacksonville Jaguars will go to the line of scrimmage and look for the best place to run the ball, then quarterback Mark Brunell will call out a live color and number, which will tell the offense the best place to run the ball.

If Brunell calls one play in the huddle and the Denver Broncos are playing a defense to take that play away, then the Jaguars would face the chance of running a bad play. With "gut check with me," it becomes a defense-can't-win attitude and also alerts the offense that there will be an audible at the line of scrimmage.

After Brunell decides the best place to go, then the play is executed by the right guard blocking the middle linebacker and everyone taking the man in front of them, so one of the Jaguars running backs, James Stewart or Fred Taylor, can run to daylight.

Keys to the play: The key to "gut check with me" is Brunell being able to read the defense and give his offense the best audible available.

Critical players: It is critical that left tackle Tony Boselli cut off the weakside linebacker and give the running back a cutback lane. It is also critical that the H receiver, Jimmy Smith, on his fake whiz motion, cuts off the defensive end and doesn't let him chase down the cutback play from behind. If the Jaguars offense can operate "gut check with me," Jacksonville has a great chance to win.

 


ALSO SEE
Monday night breakdown

Week 14 previews

Week 14 picks

Week 14 injury report