MoJo and Dallas Clark give '09 preview

Thoughts from a Colts win that disappointed many Ravens, Patriots, Dolphins, and Jets fans who wish David Garrard could throw a touch pass in the red zone
1. Is there a more consistently entertaining recent rivarly in the NFL than Jags-Colts? I happened to watch both games in their entiriety this year and they were among the best two games of the year. The themes have repeated since the pre-Garrard era: The Jaguars hold the ball, push Indy around, and the Colts often find a way to come back. The Jaguars managed to respond in Week 3 after the comeback, but fell just short Thursday.
2. Where is Maurice Jones-Drew going to get drafted next year? I say top-ten, possibly top-five. And why have the Jaguars waited so long to make him the primary back? It's easy to forget what an awesome and consistent player he is because of his inconsistent workload.
3. The Colts offense is better without Marvin Harrison. It allows Dallas Clark to play out wide more and gets Anthony Gonzalez in the mix. When Harrison is inevitably gone next season, one year too late, Clark will benefit. This Colts passing game is peaking at the right time. They are at full throttle. The rest of the team; not so much.
The Colts have come back and closed so well, so many times, it can't be called a fluke. They have come back from ten down three times. They have won by one score or less nine times. They remind me of old Patriots teams. Every team thinks they out-played the Colts, but they don't win. That's dangerous.
4. Dominic Rhodes was robbed of a second touchdown, while Dallas Clark and Peyton Manning got an extra one. That could decide some leagues. The Joseph Addai usage was frustrating, but at least we knew before the game Rhodes was the starter. Addai is going to be a difficult person to rank next year.
5. The Jaguars just aren't built to throw all at once, especially deep. They have spent so many resources at receiver and still don't have much to show for it. Mike Walker seems to be missing explosion. Northcutt is a passable slot receiver and Matt Jones would have helped in this game. They need at least one more dynamic threat. Kudos if you somehow played Northcutt.
David Garrard's performance the last two weeks will help rehab his 2009 value. He threw well with pressure in his face (until the final play.) Still, the Jacksonville defense was a bigger disappointment all year. The secondary is another area where Jacksonville has poured resources into with terrible results. Look for a front office shakeup.





Comments
Should be interesting to see how MJD holds up next year under a full and consistent workload. He has the potential to be the back that everyone expected Reggie Bush to be. It'll be tough to take him in picks 4-6, but he'll be first round material, barring any off-season incidents. He may be a PPR goldmine....
Posted by: RMSJ | December 19, 2008 12:17 PM