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| | Friday, August 11 Jaguars: Super outlook | |||||||||||||||
| By Mark Cannizzaro Special to ESPN.com With apologies to the defending AFC champion Titans and the upstart Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the most polished, experienced, hungry team in the AFC and should be considered the definite favorites to finally reach the Super Bowl. Jacksonville has done everything but get to the Super Bowl, and anything short in 2000 will be considered a colossal disappointment. Tom Coughlin's regular-season record is 49-31, but his postseason mark is only 4-4, lowlighted by last season's AFC Championship Game loss in which his team, which had turned the ball over only 18 times all year, turned it over six times in a loss to Tennessee. "We should be the favorites," Jags quarterback Mark Brunell said. "We have more talent than any other team in the league."
Brunell is the man, one way or another. Brunell, who mirrors his team, has done everything except win the big game. He was 19-for-28 for 226 yards and two interceptions in the AFC title game. Brunell must stay healthy in 2000 and find a way to beat the Titans. This, too, is the second-to-last year on Brunell's contract, and his 2001 cap value is going to be some $13 million, so the team must make a decision about whether to continue its long-term commitment to him. Key position battle There are some uncertainties on the offensive line, where guard Zach Wiegert was re-signed, but needs to show more consistency. The other guard position is also unsettled. Last year's third-round pick, Anthony Cesario, is projected to start, though some believe he's not ready. Biggest adjustment Running back Fred Taylor absolutely must keep himself on the field this year, because there's no James Stewart safety net anymore with Stewart (931 yards for the Jags last year) having moved on to Detroit as a free agent. Taylor was healthy in his rookie year and rushed for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns along with catching 44 passes. Last year, though, battling nagging hamstring problems, he played fewer than half the 16 games and rushed for only 732 yards and six touchdowns. Rookie report The No. 1 pick was USC receiver Jay Soward, who should help on punt returns right away and could become the No. 3 wideout. Northern Iowa center Brad Meester is expected to push for the starting job at either center or left guard.
| ALSO SEE Ravens: Playoff expectations Bengals: Some bright spots Browns: Couch leads the way Steelers: Last chance for Stewart? Titans: Success brings expectations AUDIO/VIDEO   Injured Tony Boselli will take it slow while his team continues to improve.wav: 254 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Tony Brackens comments on signing an one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.wav: 187 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
