SportsCrack

Playoff Interview Special: Jacksonville Jaguars

In anticipation of the upcoming NFL playoffs, I've taken the liberty to find a fan from each team in the Wild Card round and ask them some questions about them. Next up: The Jacksonville Jaguars.


For this interview I got TWO different Jaguars fans. First up is Jamile, a Jaguars fan who answered his teams calling on the ESPN.com NFL message boards. (Handle: DuvalJag904)

Football Crack (FC): What ever happened to Jack del Rio’s suits? Did he realize he and Mike Nolan were the only ones wearing them? Did the fans enjoy it?

Jamile: I think he wore it once this year for the Monday night game against the Colts. But this time he only wore a shirt and tie, I guess the jacket was too hot. I'm pretty sure he knew he and Nolan were the only coaches wearing it but he didn't care, he's all about being and looking like a professional. Yea, the fans enjoyed it, it got us on ESPN didn't it? Haha!

FC: Is there a Jaguars fan nickname for the Fred Taylor/M.J.D. duo? Something like Thunder and Lightning? Maurice Jones Taylor? I’m aware that those nicknames suck… there just examples, but I’ve always wondered this.

Jamile: Nope, no nicknames. We call Fred: Freddie T and we call MJD: Mojo, Superman, Bowling Ball, and Pinball. I think ESPN did a special on the Mayne Event about all of his nicknames.

FC: Before David Garrard got the starting job what was the fan reaction to him? Did you guys want him to start over Byron Leftwich?

Jamile: Fans were highly in favor of Garrard or any other quarterback except for Leftwich for that matter. You have to think about it, Leftwich was the 7th pick in the draft, so a lot was expected from him but he never delivered because of all his injuries. Whenever Garrard got in the game he always performed well until last season when he single-handily lost the last three games of the season causing us to miss the playoffs. But this preseason the coaches saw him progressing while Leftwich stayed the same, and we all know what happened after that.

FC: What was your favorite moment of the regular season?

Jamile: Beating the Steelers in Jacksonburgh, I mean Pittsburgh, in there weather conditions and at there game, which is running the ball, stopping the run and physically dominating the other team. It was fun to see the "loyal" Steeler fans leaving Heinz Field with almost a whole quarter left to play.

FC: What about the worst moment?

Jamile: Losing to the Colts on Monday Night, when David Garrard got hurt… I knew it was over.

FC: What's your prediction for the Jags/Steelers game?

Jamile: Of course, the Jaguars: 34-21. The Steelers will play their hardest and they will get a lot of help from their fans but still won't be enough. They have too many injuries with no depth to replace the injured players and we are just more talented than they are, its that simple. If you stop our running game, we have the luxury this year of passing the ball with Garrard.

FC: What do you drink, if anything, during a Jaguars game?

Jamile: 2 Elevens, their pretty popular down south. Its like a very strong beer. One can will have you feeling good. I plan on drinking a couple this week!

FC: If you had to think of a motto for this year, off the top of your head -- what would it be? Real quick!

Jamile: Get the job done!

FC: Who is your choice for the MVP of the Jaguars for the 2007-08 season?

Jamile: Fred Taylor, he is the face of the franchise. At 31, he's still the best player on our team, we wouldn't be in the playoffs without Freddie T!


FC: And the big question: What's your prediction for the year?

Jamile: I think we will beat the Steelers and give the Patriots a run for their money. Our running game eats up a lot of clock and that’s the best defense to the best offense of all time.

FC: Of course you'll give the Pats a run for their money, but your not going to win, haha! Thanks for the interview, Jamile. Great job!

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Next up, another die-hard Jaguars fan: Robert (Handle: Leeway04).

FC: Is there a nickname for the Jaguars team as a whole and/or the offense/defense this year? A la, Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain, and Minnesota's Purple People Eaters?

Robert: Teal Curtain. The Duval Wall.

FC: Jacksonville had a lot of draft picks in the past draft. Out of the one's that played, who is your Jaguars Rookie of the Year?


FC: Put Fred Taylor in a time machine and send him back in time to whatever age MJD is (early 20's). Put them side by side. You can only keep one on the team... who is it and why?

Robert: Freddie....Better all-purpose back and while MJD is a great utility player, that's exactly what he is...a utility player (good for kickoffs and certain scenarios)...he isn't an every down back.

FC: As a fan, who are your biggest rivals? Still the Colts/Titans, or is it the Bucs cause they live so close?

Robert: 5 years ago? The Titans due to the 99 season... but now? The Colts...they stand between us and the division title every year.

FC: Good stuff, Robert. And that's it! Stay tuned for the two remaining Saturday playoff teams tomorrow (Redskins and Seahawks)!

Playoff Interview Special: The Steel Curtain Edition

In anticipation of the upcoming NFL playoffs, I've taken the liberty to find a fan from each team in the Wild Card round and ask them some questions about them. The first edition: The Pittsburgh Steelers.


The fan: Dave (aka ReconGuy55 on the ESPN.com Message Boards). He is an avid contributor to the NFL Message boards over at ESPN.com


Football Crack (FC): I lost a LOT of money when the Steelers lost to the Jets a couple weeks back (screwed up my 3 team parlay)… what are your thoughts on that game?

Dave: The Jets game sucked. My thought at the time was that they just can't lose that game. Unacceptable. I wouldn't mind it as much if they had finished the year strong but they didn't.

FC: What exactly did you do when you realized Willie Parker was out for the season? Shit your pants? Drop your beer?

Dave: Honestly, I have always thought Parker was good but not an everydown back. I was a little bummed but not ready to hit the panic button. I think Davenport will do OK. The offensive line injuries worry me ALOT more than Parker.

FC: Good point, the offensive line situation would be more of a concern.

FC: Big Ben: Why did he return to form this year?

Dave: I think Big Ben wouldn't admit it last year but he was hurting all year from hit cycle accident and appendix surgery. I think the biggest difference this year is that he is healthy and realized how hard he needs to work to be good in this league.

FC: Yeah it was good to see him back on track. Especially since I had him on my fantasy team, although I traded him halfway through the season... I make very dumb trades after I've been drinking, which isn't very smart.

FC: What’s the deal with Steely McBeam and why hasn’t there been a mass petition by Steelers fans to have him ‘erased’?

Dave: I don't think McBeam is really that big a deal and nobody really remembers him until they see him. I was at the Pitt/Miami game a few weeks ago and I saw McBeam outside the stadium. Until I saw him I actually forgot he existed. Even then I just walked by.

Steeley McBeam

FC: Good to know. I shouldn't even be talking, since Pat the Patriot isn't the most masculine looking guy either... and come to think of it--his name is kind of retarded, too. Oh well.

FC: What is your prediction for the Jaguars game?

Dave: "Prediction..hmmm. I think if Essex and Colon can give Ben time to throw the Steelers will put alot of points up. That is a big if however. The Steelers play better when nobody gives them a shot and they are mad. I really think they will beat the Jags..I'll say Pitt 34 Jax 24."

FC: Mike Tomlin… Omar Epps' cousin? What do Steelers fans think about this?

Dave: "Thats pretty funny. I never noticed that before. Hopefully Tomlin isn't just an actor. Jury still out!!!"

Mike Tomlin and Omar Epps... distant cousins?

FC: What is your prediction for the entire year? Be honest!

Dave: "I think we will beat the Jags (see above). I think we will go to New England next week and play much better than we did the last time. Unfortunately it still won't be enough. They will lose to the Pats in a closer game than people think."

FC: Well, there you have it -- straight from a Steelers fan's keyboard. I forgot to ask him who he thought the Steelers 2007-08 MVP was, so if your reading this and your a Steelers fan, please state who you think the team MVP is in the comments. Stay tuned for interviews with fans from every wild card playoff team in the next couple hours/days. And thanks again, Dave!

Playoff Previews: Redskins @ Seahawks

First up, the first game of the weekend: Redskins @ Seahawks.

The main storyline of this game obviously, is the Redskins inspired play in the wake of Sean Taylor's murder. Also, Todd Collins is 3-0 as the starting Skins QB.

Redskins offense: I can't say I'm sold on Todd Collins yet. Although he was at the helm for key victories over the Giants and Vikings, I'm not counting the Cowboys game since they were disinterested and benching key starters. Not to mention, this is a playoff game. It's hard to say how he'll respond in such a pressure filled fourth start.

I am sold on Clinton Portis, however. He's been running better than ever in the wake of his friends death and this game will be no different.





The Seahawks D let up an average of just over 100 yards rushing per game, so there's that. Santana Moss has stepped up his game recently and Collins should be looking for Chris Cooley frequently over the middle.

Seahawks defense: The Seahawks defense finished the 2007 season in the middle of the pack in many categories, which is what I think of them as a team, for the most part as well. There not facing a powerhouse of an offense by any means in the Redskins, however the game is in Seattle which by all accounts gives them some pretty good home field advantage.

At home this season, the Seahawks defense has let up a bit under 14 points per game (compared to 22 1/2 on the road). They've also only lost one game when playing in front of their home crowd.

Edge: Seahawks.


Seahawks offense: The good thing for the Seahawks offense is that Matt Hasslebeck is battle tested in the playoffs. The bad thing is that Shaun Alexander has apparently fallen off the map. Even so, they have the 9th ranked offense in the NFL and when it's on, it's on.



While I'm sure we'll see both Alexander and backup Maurice Morris, expect a pass heavy attack from the Seahawks.

Redskins defense: The Redskins defense, as per usual has been quite strong this year, especially considering it lost one of it's starting safeties during the season (R.I.P. Sean). It's hard to say but I think for a playoff caliber game, the defense might just play it's most inspired game since the untimely passing of their teammate.

I do think this will be the key to the game. Whoever wins the battle between the Seahawks offense and Redskins defense is going to be key for the overall game. It will be interesting to see how the home field advantage plays into this matchup. If the Redskins can force a turnover or two early, it will do wonders in keeping the home crowd out of the game.

Edge: Redskins.


Coaching: I can't really give anyone a clear edge for this one. Joe Gibbs and Mike Holmgren are both fantastic coaches and both teams will be well prepared for the game. Greg Williams always puts out a quality defensive gameplan and so does Gil Haskell (offensively for the Hawks). All in all, I would say this is pretty even.

Edge: Even.


So there we have it, at the end of it all it's tied 1-1. Nate Burleson did return a kick for a TD, but that's it -- just one. I don't put too much stake special teams wise unless Devin Hester is involved so... I can't really say either team has much of an edge on special teams.

It's hard to look past the Seahawks home field advantage, since they always play a good game there. But if Todd Collins can manage the game and minimize his mistakes, and the defense can cause a turnover or two, they have a definite shot at winning this one. I'll take them in an upset.

Prediction: Redskins: 27 Seahawks: 20

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