Last season the Jaguars went 5-11-0 and finished last in the AFC South, missing the playoffs.

Offense: In 2008, quarterback David Garrard was sacked 42 times, which is more than his past two seasons as a starter combined. So the Jaguars focused their offseason on improving their offensive line through both the draft and free agency. With their first two picks of the draft Jacksonville took offensive tackles Eugene Monroe of the University of Virginia and Eben Britton from the University of Arizona. They resigned center Brad Meester and signed free agent tackle Tra Thomas. Jacksonville hopes that these improvements to their offensive line can help improve 20th ranked offense in yards and 24th ranked offense in points scored last season.

Defense: Jacksonville released their leading tackler from last season, Mike Peterson, this offseason after six solid seasons with the club. His release allows fourth-year linebacker Clint Ingram to get his shot as a starter after recording 37 tackles and two sacks last season in a back-up role. The Jaguars also hope for improved production out of their 2008 first round draft pick Derrick Harvey. Harvey was a holdout for most of camp last season and took a while to pick up the defense, leading to his 19 tackle and 3.5 sack season last year. Jacksonville hopes that continued time learning the defensive schemes will give Harvey a chance to prove why he was drafted eighth overall in 2008.

Star Power: Maurice Jones-Drew burst on to the NFL map his first year out of UCLA in 2006. Jones-Drew had almost 1,400 total yards rushing and receiving to go along with 15 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Overall, he has averaged almost 850 yards a season on the ground and another 470 in receiving all while splitting time with Fred Taylor, who was released this offseason. Without having to split as many carries this season, Jones-Drew should have his first 1,000 yard rushing season while continuing to put up big numbers touchdown-wise.

Biggest Addition: Torry Holt is coming a season of less than 1,000 yards receiving for the first time since his rookie season, back in 1999. Holt’s numbers are starting to decline a bit, but that doesn’t mean he has no value to the Jaguars. Jacksonville needed a solid number two receiver, a position that Holt can fill. But the Jaguars also have had a run of wide receivers coming in via the draft or free agency and then becoming busts. Holt can help mentor the guys in camp and on the field because he was in the league when many of the receivers on the roster were still in high school or younger.

Biggest Loss: Mike Peterson was one of the more consistent players for the Jaguars in the past and his presence both on and off the field will be missed. His release may open the door for younger players to get the chance to step up and be a big part of this team, but at what price. Peterson has moved on to become on of the vocal leaders of the Atlanta Falcons and the Jaguars are left with three inexperienced linebackers to try and develop as a unit.

Biggest Game: Sunday, September 13th the Indianapolis Colts play host to the Jaguars in Week 1. With the pass rushing skills of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will test the rebuilt offensive line. Peyton Manning and the two headed running back system of Joseph Addai and Donald Brown will test the defensive line and youth of the linebackers very early in the season. This game will determine if Jacksonville can be a contender or will need to rebuild again next season.