Quarterback Mark Brunell is coming off three consecutive 300-yard passing games, the first time that's happened in his career. Brunell had been struggling early in the season and appeared to be unwilling to make the chance throw. Some said he was pressing too hard because of the constant criticism of coach Tom Coughlin. But that has apparently subsided some and as it has, Brunell's play has risen.
The team has also stopped using the conservative approach that led to some criticism of Coughlin's play-calling. There was speculation that Coughlin was helping to hide Brunell's limitations caused by a strained rib muscle. Now healthy, Brunell has excelled the last three weeks.
The team has used more spread formations, which has helped open up the passing lanes. Brunell has always been a big believer that this offense is better suited to play up-tempo, getting in and out of the huddle quickly, and that's what's taking place now.
In the last three games, he has made a major effort to get the ball down the field to Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. The short passing game has now become a down-the-field attack.
Down the stretch, look for the team to stay aggressive in the passing game now that Brunell is back to his old ways and may be on his way back to the Pro Bowl. . . .
The Jaguars have 11 days between games, which led Coughlin to giving the team the weekend off after their victory over the Steelers. That can be an important time for running back Fred Taylor, who missed his third consecutive game with a sore hamstring. Taylor is practicing, and he is making progress, and he could play against the Broncos Monday night.
In his absence, James Stewart is on pace to rush for 1,000 yards, but he runs more as an inside-the-tackle runner than to the outside. . . .
Tight end Kyle Brady will miss 2-4 more weeks with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Brady is a key to the team's running game as a blocker, but Damon Jones can be an adequate fill in. Jones has the ability to get down the seam, as evidenced by his 24-yard gain last week against Pittsburgh. Brady does not have to have surgery and will be back for the playoffs.
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Jaguars Roster
Offense WR Jimmy Smith Alvis Whitted LT Tony Boselli Ben Coleman Steve Ingram LG Rich Tylski Ben Coleman Anthony Cesario C John Wade Quentin Neujahr RG Zach Weigert Rich Tylski RT Leon Searcy Zach Wiegert Steve Ingram TE Kyle Brady Damon Jones Rich Griffith WR Keenan McCardell Reggie Barlow QB Mark Brunell Jay Fiedler Jonathan Quinn RB Fred Taylor James Stewart Tavian Banks Chris Howard FB Daimon Shelton Stacey Mack Defense LE Renaldo Wynn Eric Curry LT Gary Walker Larry Smith RT Seth Payne Kevin Landolt Emarlos Leroy RE Tony Brackens Joel Smeenge LB Bryce Paup Lonnie Marts Erik Storz LB Lonnie Marts Bryan Schwartz Chester Burnett LB Kevin Hardy Brant Boyer CB Aaron Beasley Dave Thomas Corey Chamblin CB Fernando Bryant Jason Craft FS Carnell Lake Blaine McElmurry SS Donovin Darius Rayna Stewart Specialists PK Mike Hollis P Bryan Barker H Bryan Barker PR Reggie Barlow Tavian Banks Keenan McCardell KR Reggie Barlow Alvis Whitted Fred Taylor PC Troy Sadowski Quentin Neujahr KC Quentin Neujahr John Jurkovic John Wade
