The Jacksonville Jaguars have a young core they can build around for the next few seasons. Their offensive game features two young players that can have monster seasons in 2012-2013, Blaine Gabbert and Justin Blackmon.
Blackmon was considered the only wide receiver that was NFL ready in the draft. So far in the preseason he is third in the team with 120 yards and a touchdown.
Gabbert will look to build on last season's 12 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 2,294 yards passing. Blackmon will give Gabbert a target to hit, which should improve their lackluster, 164 yards passing per game averaged in 2011.
So far in the preseason, Gabbert is 29/47 with 291 passing yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Of course, the only way this could happen is if the Jaguars retain Maurice Jones-Drew. Without Jones-Drew, the air and ground attack is thrown off balance.
Jones-Drew was not only the leading rusher in the league and for the Jaguars, he was also tied for first in receiving touchdowns with three and he caught the second most yards (375).
Mike Thomas continues to be the Jaguars' No. 1 receiver. He had 415 yards receiving in 2011 for most in the team, which is mediocre, but so far in three preseason games, he is second in the the team with 124 yards.
It is too early to say the Jaguars will present a challenge to teams like the Houston Texans and possibly the Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars have a very poor defensive unit.
Now that they have a decent quarterback, a future No. 1 receiver in Blackmon and the NFL's leading rusher (tentatively), they can focus their energy on building the defense and then possibly challenging the Texans and Colts for the top spot in the AFC South.
