Ron Borges

There shouldn't be a quarterback controversy in Jacksonville, but one remains because neither starter Byron Leftwich or backup David Garrard have had much success moving an offense that was the team's Achilles’ heel a year ago and appears to remain so.

Leftwich's durability is in question after being injured for significant portions of each of the past two seasons, and he failed to lead the starting team to a score in the exhibition season against opposing team's first defenses. A former No. 1 draft choice, he has shown flashes of the potential that intrigued the Jaguars three years ago, but he is being pressed hard by equally young Garrard, who was 4-1 last year as a starter and has become a favorite of Jaguars fans because he not only can throw as hard and deep as Leftwich but is far more mobile, thus avoiding many of the drive-ending sacks that Leftwich is vulnerable to. Problem is, Garrard was terrible this summer, too, so Leftwich retains the job shakily as the season begins.

The job is still Leftwich's to lose after throwing 15 touchdown passes to only five interceptions last season, but his 175 completions accounted for only 2,123 yards and there are concerns about his mobility, conditioning and accuracy. A decision must be made on whether they are committing to him long-term. Jacksonville wants to go with a more vertical passing game this season, and whoever gets the ball there most often and most accurately will play. That figures to be Leftwich, but if he struggles or is hurt again he could open a door that Garrard could close on him.

If the Jags want to go vertical, they need to establish their No. 1 receiver, if they have one. With the retirement of Jimmy Smith, there is a vacancy at the heart of the passing game that has to be filled.

Jacksonville would like that to be done by Reggie Williams, a No. 1 pick in 2004 who was the ninth player taken that year. In two years, he has done nothing to remind anyone of Smith however, having scored one touchdown. But there is opportunity here for someone and a question mark for coach Jack Del Rio.

That trend continued this summer, so the season opens with Ernest Wilford, who scored seven times last season and averaged 16.6 yards a catch, and another former No. 1 pick, Matt Jones, as the starters. Does Wilford have the ability to stretch defenses consistently, as Smith did? He appears to be a complementary wideout rather than a lead one, and the wild card in the search for a No. 1 receiver is Jones, the former Arkansas quarterback who was converted to wideout last year in his rookie season and responded as expected — with spotty play. Jones scored five touchdowns and had 36 catches, but he'll have to do a lot more to convince anyone he's ready to replace Smith as the leading receiver.

Defensively, the Jaguars finished sixth in the league, allowing only 269 points or 16.8 per game. Unfortunately their offense scored about as often as opponents did, which is a problem because there isn't much the defense can do this season to improve.

Del Rio likes to play it close to the vest to keep that defense out of difficult circumstances, but it has the size, speed and depth to dominate. The return of strong safety Donovan Darius from a torn ACL only adds to their weaponry. But one question has to be answered. Who will replace departed Akin Ayodele on the weakside?

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The Jags signed New York Giants' backup Nick Greisen in the offseason and he has the inside track, but he has to prove he can make plays. The Jags' other options are limited. Del Rio would like to avoid rushing third-round draft choice Clint Ingram into a starting position, but if Greisen doesn't hold up he might have to.

Hot seat
The offense. Jacksonville has a playoff-quality defense, but its offense is suspect. A year ago they were the fourth-lowest scoring playoff team and that finished them in a hurry once the postseason began.

The passing game has questions at quarterback and wide receiver that remain to be answered, and running back Fred Taylor resides in Del Rio's doghouse because he chose to reside in Miami in the offseason, refusing to join the club's workout program. Taylor is a big-play threat, but he is too often injured to suit Del Rio, which is why they drafted UCLA running back Maurice Drew in the second round. Taylor averaged 4.1 yards a carry a year ago, but the Jags seem intent on trying to get rid of him. Now Greg Jones (3.8 yards a carry) is lost, so it all falls on Taylor at an age when that may be more than he can handle.

Overheard
Problem could arise in the coaching offices before long. Offensive coordinator Carl Smith, who has done a good job with the Jags, had some of his power usurped when coach Jack Del Rio added former Vikings coach Mike tice to the staff. Tice is technically not calling the plays, but the Jags are incoporating some of his offensive philosophy and it does not really dovetail with Smith's. In addition, Tice can be an overbearing and heavyhanded guy, and unless Jacksonville's offense starts fast, it might not be long before Tice is calling the plays. Or at least cutting off Smith's headset.

Outlook
The Jags' defense is playoff quality. If the offense can improve just a little Jacksonville could challenge and perhaps even overcome the AFC South supremacy of the Colts.

Prediction
Second.

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