The Good, The Bad & The Ugly! Jaguars

The Good

Jeff Garcia - Garcia displayed the athleticism and escape ability every Buccs fans was hoping for when he signed with the Buccs way back in March. On one particular play early in the game, Jeff was caught in the cross hairs of a looping DE who stunted with the DT. He ran through the line untouched and hit Garcia. Somehow Jeff stayed on his feet and escaped the pocket. Only Jeff and the defensive end were the only two people to know Jeff hadn't been brought down. The live crowd, the viewing audience and the commentators were all fooled on that play. Jeff went 6 of 6 for 43 yards and 1 TD. Jeff's eyes are always focused down field looking to make a play when he vacates the pocket. That was certainly evident on his lone touchdown play when he was inches from going out of bounds, but found an open David Boston in the end zone and delivered the ball. When Garcia is under center, opposing defenders better know the play is over until the ref blows the whistle.

Tanard Jackson - Tanard Jackson was a man possessed Saturday night. He was a man on a mission. A man who has set his sights on making the Buccaneers' 53 man roster, and it appears he's not going to let anyone stand in his way. Jackson could be seen all over the field the other night, simply put, making plays. He defensed two touchdown passes in the end zone, and tripped up Labrandon Toefield behind the line of scrimmage not allowing him to get any steam as Toefield lunged for the end zone. Every pile of bodies in the middle of the field, you could be sure Tanard was somewhere inside it. He played with a sense of urgency, and a sense of purpose. He keeps playing like that, and he'll make the final roster cuts no sweat.

Aaron Sears - Aaron Sears was flat out mauling people in Jacksonville. The Jaguar defense is widely known as having one of, if not the best front seven in all of the National Football League. That did not intimidate, nor did it stop Sears from making a serious case to justify Tampa drafting him early in round 2 in April 2007, just in case there still are some doubters out there. Sears made one mistake that I saw, and that was on a defensive end stunt when DE looped around the defensive tackle. That assuredly can be chalked up to a rookie mistake, that will surely be looked at during film session this week. Other than that one play, Sears played a perfect game. As good as his book end Guard Davin Joseph is, it would appear that Sears is much further along in his development than Joseph was at this point last season. Get used to the name Sears, he's going to be around a long time.

The Bad

Ryan Nece - I included Nece in the bad category this week, because of three plays. I realize Ryan is learning a new position, but for a guy with his ability, experience and knowledge of the system, I feel there is no excuse for the tackles he totally whiffed on. Nece tied three other defenders with 5 tackles on the night to top the list. Unfortunately with 3:16 left in the 1st half, Greg Jones takes the handoff straight up the middle, then breaks to the outside. Nece unblocked has a great angle on Jones and just misses him. On the very next play at 2:31 on Toefield's touchdown run, Nece appears to have a good angle of pursuit but either misjudges or slows up thinking Toefield is going to make a move as #22 runs right by him on his way into the end zone. With 0:23 on the clock, Toefield takes the ball right up the gut behind the lead of his fullback. Sure the FB got an arm on him, but I would hardly call it a block. Nece gets pushed aside, and Labrandon follows right behind to the 3 yard line. Nece has to take that block head on, and hold his ground. Either shed that blocker and make the play, or at the very least make the RB have to slow up go around his blocking FB, and maybe help arives. I expect better from Nece.


Torrie Cox - Like Nece, Cox ends up on this list because of two plays. Two plays that in my mind are unacceptable as members of the Tampa Buccaneers defense. A defense predicated on sound tackling was let down on consecutive plays by Torrie. At 0:14 in the 2nd quarter after a time out taken by Jacksonville, Garrard passes to the right, just outside the end zone to Matt Jones. Cox drops his head and tries to tackle the huge Jones using just a shoulder. While Cox does force Jones backwards, Matt is still on his feet and lunges toward the pylon for what would have been a touchdown had he not stepped out of bounds by a fraction of a inch. On the very next play with 0:08 left in the half, Garrard drops back and as the pocket collapses from the outside in, David takes off through a seem up the middle. Cox meets Garrard at the goal line, and has a clean shot at him. Torrie again drops his head, as if to see if his shoe is untied, and Garrard runs right by him into the end zone. This type of play coming from a five year pro who has issues off the field is unacceptable. Look for Torrie to be cut if Zemaitis can improve and continue his development.

Julian Jenkins - There really is no way to say this nicely. Jenkins was pushed around like the nerdy kid in the school yard Saturday night. If Julian wasn't being stonewalled and kept out of the back field on passing plays, he was being driven back five to seven yards on running plays. It was a horrible display, and I don't expect Jenkins to make is past the first round of cuts.

The Ugly

Josh Bidwell - Wow! What can you say about a Pro Bowl punter going into the 9th season of his career and has two punts, one for 28 yards and one for 32 yards? Both giving the Jaguars exceptional field position that eventually led to two touchdowns. Josh, I'm sorry but Saturday you were ugly!!!
...JJC/ABuccsFan