Matt Jones Just the Latest of Jaguars’ Troubles

Matt Jones’ arrest for violation of his probation and his subsequent release by the Jacksonville Jaguars is yet another black spot on what has been a tumultuous year for the team.

The team’s troubles began in September, right before the start of the regular season. Offensive lineman Richard Collier was shot 14 times outside of an apartment building in downtown Jacksonville while waiting for a friend with his teammate, Kenny Pettway. Two of the bullets struck Collier’s spine, leaving him paraplegic, and his left leg had to be amputated.

Just like that, Collier’s football career was over, and his teammates were in shock.

The team lost its first two games, including a tough rivalry game against the Tennessee Titans.

And though they won the two games that followed, they would win only three more for the rest of the season, and would end the season at 5-11.

Most of the on-the-field struggles can be attributed to injuries, primarily on the offensive line, which had almost every starter suffer a significant injury.

The receiving corps was also of little help. The team led the league in dropped passes. The team’s leading receiver was, incidentally, Matt Jones.

Jones is not even the only player with legal troubles.

Wide receiver Reggie Williams was arrested for DWI and possession of marijuana. Like Jones, he was released. Another receiver, Dennis Northcutt, is being sued in Los Angeles for allegedly arranging the beating of his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

Now, the team must recover from its character issues as well as fill the many holes on the roster that were created this offseason. The team needs to find quality players for its offensive line, its receiving corps, and nearly its entire defense.

Those are tough tasks, and its up to head coach Jack Del Rio and recently-promoted general manager Gene Smith to put together a team that can bounce back from what might be the most difficult year in franchise history.

If they don’t succeed, Del Rio will likely be looking for a new job next year.