by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
Like most of the fans who follow his team, Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio has seen the predictions in magazines and heard them on the radio. More than a few big-name prognosticators have picked Del Rio’s team as this year’s turnaround story. Sports Illustrated even picked the Jaguars to play at home when Jacksonville hosts the Super Bowl.
The predictions are primarily designed to sell magazines and get fans talking, and Del Rio told the Rotary Club of Jacksonville Monday that’s about all they’re good for.
“The hype is terrific . . . and I hope you all have fun talking about it,” said Del Rio. “But we’re going to go about our business working to improve day by day.”
Beyond the headlines and hype, Del Rio thinks there’s some substantive reasons for Jaguars fans to get excited about this year’s season, his second as head coach.
He said his coaching staff is better with the promotion of Bill Musgrave to offensive coordinator and the addition of Pete Rodriguez as special teams coordinator. Del Rio said hiring Rodriguez to replace friend Bill Bates was one of the toughest decisions he’s made as coach.
“It was a tough decision to let a friend go, but Pete is the coach of the 1990s for special teams, and I saw a chance to improve our team,” he said.
Del Rio expects an improved defense with the addition of [Deon Grant] at safety and a better motivated, better conditioned Hugh Douglas returning at defensive end. Douglas was a Pro Bowl with Philadelphia,but Del Rio said he didn’t meet the expectations of the team and himself last season his first with Jacksonville after signing as a free agent.
“He’s coming in in better shape and he’s more committed and hopefully that will allow him to recapture some of that youth,” said Del Rio.
But Del Rio’s biggest reason for optimism will be lining up behind center. Del Rio said second–year quarterback Byron Leftwich showed a commitment to be special, and to carry the team to that level.