Jaguars sputter in preseason opener, failing to generate offense, protect David Garrard

Jaguars off to rocky start in preseason

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Playing just three series in Jacksonville’s preseason opener, David Garrard was pressured often, knocked down several times and sacked once.

With Garrard under center, the offense managed just 28 total yards. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 22 of those yards and managed only one first down.

It was an ominous start for a team that opened training camp with hopes of casting aside last year’s troubles and getting back to being a physical offense capable of moving the ball in a variety of ways.

“We’re still working to be where we want to be,” running back Maurice Jones-Drew said Wednesday. “Obviously, with some guys getting hurt and new guys stepping in, we’re a little behind.

“At the end of the day, we want to be the No. 1 offense in the league. Some of you guys don’t think we can do it. But that’s the beauty of the game — proving people wrong — so that’s what we’re going to do.”

The Jaguars haven’t proven much during training camp. Garrard threw two interceptions in the team’s first scrimmage, was 4 of 7 passing for 22 yards against Miami on Monday night and hasn’t been exactly sharp in practice. Granted, he’s been without two of his top receivers, starter Mike Walker (ankle) and fourth-round draft pick Mike Thomas (hamstring), and the offensive line has been shuffled around like iPod songs.

Guard Vince Manuwai is still recovering from a knee injury, first-round pick Eugene Monroe is trying to get caught up after missing the first 12 days of camp because of contract negotiations, and Maurice Williams, Uche Nwaneri and others are switching positions almost daily.

The line received much of the criticism following Monday’s 12-9 loss to the Dolphins.

“If we keep me upright and do things protection-wise, it could be a great year for us,” Garrard said.

Added receiver Torry Holt: “I thought David was on the ground a little too much.”

Even the linemen agreed.

“As offensive linemen, we take the challenge,” Williams said. “And you know what, we need to play better than what we played. There’s no need for us to panic right now. Let’s make the corrections and let’s get better. Every guy in our room knows we need to have a better performance.”

Jacksonville’s line was a major problem last season. Starting guards Manuwai and Williams suffered season-ending injuries in the opener. Center Brad Meester missed six games because of a biceps injury. And just when backup guard Chris Naeole got healthy enough to help out, he was lost for the year.

Garrard and Jones-Drew may have been affected most.

A year after his best season (18 touchdown passes, three interceptions and a 102.2 passer rating), Garrard had 15 TD passes, 13 interceptions and a 20-point drop in passer rating. He also was sacked 42 times, twice as often as he was in 2007.

Jones-Drew, meanwhile, saw his yards-per-carry average drop to 4.2, his lowest in three seasons.

Jacksonville addressed the line in the offseason, signing free agents Tra Thomas and Jordan Black, then drafting Monroe and Eben Britton. But coach Jack Del Rio has yet to solidify a starting five that could practice together, play together and develop the kind of chemistry that helped the Jaguars rank in the NFL’s top three in rushing in 2006 and 2007.

“There are a lot of big issues, but for me, it starts in the trenches,” Del Rio said. “Certainly that cohesiveness in the front five is something we are looking to have. I talked to the guys this morning about the fact that I thought we were a little measured Monday night with our line play. The pad level got a little high and we weren’t really coming off together, and those are things that will come as a unit with reps.

“We should see improvement in that area, but we need that unit to gel for us. To be what we want to be offensively, we need that unit to lead the way to allow David to have time, to allow our backs room to run, to allow our receivers to do their thing. It starts with the guys in the trenches.”