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The youngest team so far on the History of the Franchise series is up, the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2010, the Jaguars had some crazy moments including this one against the Texans. They came within one game to win the AFC South and actually knock the Colts out of the playoffs. Jacksonville also traded up to draft Blaine Gabbert in the 2011 draft. Its a new beginning for the Jags, but first lets look back at their past.

Best Coach: Jack Del Rio (2003-present)

For a franchise that has only had two head coaches, the Jaguars have done a good job picking the guys to run their orginazation. The guy who didn't make the cut, Tom Coughlin, is now a Super Bowl winning coach with the Giants. Jack Del Rio is the current head coach of the Jaguars and the best head coach in Jacksonville history. Del Rio took over a rebulding franchise in 2003 and had a less then a perfect year going 5-11. During Del Rio's second season, the Jaguars ended a streak of five straight losing seasons when Jacksonville went 9-7 barely missing the playoffs. Jacksonville had one of their best finishes in 2005 when they went 12-4, but they lost to the Patriots in the wild card round. After an injury plagued 2006 season, a change at QB in 2007 (David Garrard for Byron Leftwich) helped the team to their first playoff victory in eight years, but the Jaguars eventually ended up losing to the undefeated Patriots in the Divisional Round. Starting in 2008, the Jaguars started a slow decline in attendance and preformance. In 2010, however, the Jags barely missed a chance to knock off the rival Colts and get to the playoffs. Though the team failed, Jacksonville decided to bring back Del Rio for another season and he is expected to groom future starter Blaine Gabbert, who the team drafted in the 2011 draft. I feel Del Rio is on the hot seat this season, but what he has done for a rebuilding franchise makes him the best Jaguars coach in history.

 Best Player: Maurice Jones Drew (2006-present)

The biggest little guy on the field, MJD is one of the most vesatile players in the NFL today and is the greatest Jaguar of all time. The 5'7 running back was drafted 60th overall in 2006 out of UCLA. Drew is actually the youngest player ever to make our best player list (26). Drew started as a return specialist for the Jaguars and eventually made it as a third round back behind Fred Taylor in his rookie season. On a game against the rival Indianapolis Colts on December 10, Drew exploded and set a franchise record with 303 all purpose yards. On top of that record, Drew is also the first Jaguar to rush for at least one touchdown in eight consecutive games. Drew finished his rookie season second in the balloting in offensive rookie of the year as he finished third in kickoff returns (27.7 yd avg) and touchdowns scored (16). After a slow start to the 2007 season, Drew broke out for his first 100 yard game of the season agains the Houston Texans. Even though Drew's running back role was diminished in the playoffs that season, he managed to help the Jaguars upset the Steelers in the wild card round as he had 198 all purpose yards and two touchdowns. Drew's production in the 2008 season was cut short due to the fact of injuries to the Jaguars offensive line. In 2009, Drew became only the second running back in NFL history to rush for two TD's of 75 yards or more. I remember Drew's 2010 campaign  mainly for a battle against Raider running back Darren Mcfadden during a week 14 matchup. Both players exchanged TD's and MJD had 101 yards on 23 attempts with one touchdown. On top of being a two time Pro Bowl selection and a first team all pro, MJD is the greatest Jaguar of all time. Click here to look at Drew's stats.

Best Draft Gem: David Garrard (2002-present)

To me, David Garrard is one of the most under rated QB's in the league. Garrard was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 draft and was apparently going to be the successor of Mark Brunell until Tom Coughlin was fired. After that GM James Harris drafted Byron Leftwich and it seemed that Garrard's hopes of ever starting were gone. Despite being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and having surgery, Garrard did play in week nine of the 2004 season. Instead of leaving after the season to find a starting job, Garrard voted to stay as the Jaguars back-up. After a injury to Leftwich in 2005, Garrard started the last five games for the Jaguars going 4-1 in that span and leading the team to a wild card berth. The team lost to the Patriots 28-3. Garrard had a very shaky 2006 season going 5-5 and missing the playoffs. To avoid a QB controversy, head coach Jack Del Rio named Leftwich the starter before the preseason. In the preseason Garrard out-played Leftwich and was soon named the starting QB. Leftwich was then let go by the team. In his first year as a starter, Garrard led the Jaguars to a 31-29 upset victory over the Steelers in the wild card round. The team nearly beat the undefeated Patriots the next week in the divisional round, but despite Garrard's 278 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, the Jaguars lost 31-20. Garrard seemed to finally be guaranteed a starting job in Jacksonville after signing a six year $60 million contract after the season, but it seems the team could go in a whole different direction after drafting QB Blaine Gabbert in the 2011 draft. Even though this might be true, Garrard's time in Jacksonville has been a tale of detemination and has made him Jacksonville's all time draft gem. Click here to look at Garrad's stats.

Biggest Draft Bust: Matt Jones (2005-2008)

Nothing says NFL draft bust like going to prison. Matt Jones was lucky enough to play both for the NFL and go to prison. Jones was one the biggest suprise picks in the 2005 draft after being picked 21st overall out of Arkansas. Jones actually was a QB in college before the Jaguars converted him to a WR. Heads up to every GM out there, don't draft a guy at a position that he hasn't spent any time playing. Jones actually had a pretty good rookie season catching five touchdown passes. The 2007 season was actually the start of Jones' decline and he pledged to the media that he would not shave his beard until he scored a touchdown, good thing Jones didn't hold his breath because he didn't score one unti week eight. Jones was soon let ago from the Jaguars in 2009 due to substance abuse problems with the NFL, to put it lightly. This was not only a suprise pick in the 2005 draft, it was a stupid one. If the Jaguars wanted players who actually played at WR they could of had guys like Roddy White or Vincent Jackson. Or if the team actually wanted to rebuild, they could of chosen QB Aaron Rodgers but they get a past on that one considering that 24 other teams passed on him. Click here to look at Jones' stats.


This game was huge for the Jaguars considering that that the franchise was only four years old and they were in the NFL's final four. During the 1999 season, QB Mark Brunell and RB Fred Taylor led the Jaguars to the best record in the NFL at 14-2. Amazingly the only team they lost to that season were the Tennessee Titans, the team they would eventually face in the Championship Game. Even though this game didn't go the Jaguars way, it made them go from a expansion franchise to a serious contender. Plus after the amazing postseason the Titans had made it almost seemed like fate. It is also crazy that the Jaguars lost three straight times to the Titans, the losses would also define the rivalry they have today. More importantly it defines their franchise.