Dan Pompei

Seeing the Super Bowl will be played in Tampa, you might say those in Jacksonville are close enough to the big game to sniff it. The Jaguars certainly operated that way in the offseason, with a go for it all mentality.

The team quietly was very good last season. The only teams in the AFC with more victories were the Patriots and Colts.

But the Jaguars had two obvious deficiencies—edge pass rush and a receiver who could threaten defenses.

There were 59 players in the NFL who had more receiving yards than the leader on the Jaguars, Reggie Williams. So the team signed free agent Jerry Porter from the Raiders and traded with the Vikings to acquire Troy Williamson.

Neither player has been a big producer in the NFL, but both players have tantalizing abilities. It will be up to offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to get the most out of them. For what it's worth, the combination of David Garrard to Porter has been drawing raves in the offseason.

The Jaguars had only 19.5 sacks from all of their defensive ends—or four more than NFL sack leader Jared Allen had all by himself. Solution: the team traded up in the first round to selected Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey, and then chose Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves in round two.

Harvey may have been the most consistent pass rusher in the draft. Groves came into the 2007 season as the top ranked defensive end in college ball, but had a disappointing season. His flash around the corner can't be denied, however.

Harvey and Groves won't be the only differences in the Jaguars defense this year. New coordinator Gregg Williams will put his stamp on the unit, meaning the Jags could be more aggressive than they were under Mike Smith.

Williams is keeping the old Jaguars playbook so learning will be kept to a minimum, but he does plan on tweaking things so the team reflects his style. In Washington, Williams had the Redskins in the top 10 defenses three times in four years.

Williams also is pushing the Jaguars defenders more than they have been pushed in the past—which could lead to a more competitive defense.

Hot seat
David Garrard wasn't appreciated nearly enough last season. After being named the Jaguars' starter shortly before the season began, Garrard completed 64 percent of his passes and threw 18 touchdowns to three interceptions.

He was the best quarterback that nobody knew about.

But the stakes are higher for Garrard this time. He signed a massive contract extension in the offseason and needs to play up to it. The Jaguars also gave him more weapons to throw to, so more is expected of him.

Garrard is capable of taking his game to a higher level. But it isn't going to be easy to avoid mistakes as well as he did a year ago.

Overheard at camp
The Jaguars may be on the brink of a Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean they aren't trying to get younger.

Among the veterans who were shown the door in the course of the Jaguars' spring cleaning were defensive tackles Grady Jackson and Marcus Stroud, defensive end Bobby McCray, safety Sammy Knight, cornerback Terry Cousin and offensive linemen Chris Naeole and Stockar McDougle.

The team still will rely on a number of wily vets, however. Among them are running back Fred Taylor, defensive linemen John Henderson and Paul Spicer and middle linebacker Mike Peterson.

Comings and goings
On the same day last March, the Jaguars traded Stroud and signed free agent cornerback Drayton Florence.

Stroud had been a mainstay with the Jaguars for seven years, but his production had tailed off in recent years. Last season he missed time with an ankle injury and a suspension for violating the league's performance enhancing drug policy. Stroud asked for a trade and the Jaguars were happy to accommodate.

Florence provides the team with depth at a critical position. Together with Rashean Mathis and Brian Williams, Florence will help give the Jaguars the ability to match up against teams with strong multiple wide receiver packages.

Prediction
It seems like the Jaguars have been on the doorstep for a few years. Now they are ready to bust down the door.

This team could join the elite in the AFC if they get a few breaks. They have the talent, and coach Jack Del Rio knows how to use it. Look for the Jaguars to take another step this year. They could even be playing in games normally reserved for the Colts and Patriots.

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