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Jacksonville Jaguars
It's been next-to-impossible for Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow to get lost in the spotlight (even Linsanity has included ancillary references to Tebow-mania), but he has suddenly become superfluous with the impending signing of Peyton Manning. Tebow and Manning couldn't be more different, and it's clear that Broncos executive VP John Elway decided that his team is better off with a traditional quarterback than with whatever variation of the position you care to apply to Tim Tebow. Tebow made an impact in Denver, but if he is traded, would he have the same effect elsewhere?
Trade value?
Both the Jaguars and Dolphins have been floated as likely destinations for Tebow, but he could draw interest from a number of other teams looking for a jolt at quarterback.
Lightning in a bottle?
Tebow's run to the playoffs was one of the most talked-about topics in sports last year. Since much of it was due to his defense, was this just a one-time thing for the young signal-caller?
A position switch?
Tebow's running game was as widely praised as his passing game was roundly derided. If he wants to stick in the NFL, will he eventually move to a different or hybrid position?
The worst job in the NFL?
The Jaguars have three winning seasons this century and play in a stadium with tarps over unsold seats. Did new coach Mike Mularkey just take the worst job in the NFL?
Is Mularkey the man for the job?
Mularkey was just 14-18 in his stint as head coach of the Bills, but he built good offenses as a coordinator with the Steelers and Falcons.
Do the Jaguars have their quarterback?
Byron Leftwich was the team's first try at a franchise quarterback (No. 7 overall draft pick in 2003). After throwing 12 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions as a rookie, does Blaine Gabbert's future look better?
What's the tougher challenge?
Partly because of guys like Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jaguars have never bottomed out, winning at least five games every year since 1996. But does that just make it tougher to escape mediocrity?
Different priorities?
The Colts' season had been one long losing streak, but Thursday night's comeback against the Texans has given them two wins in a row. Might they not be as committed to drafting Andrew Luck as the rest of the NFL?
Play to win?
The Colts face off against the Jaguars next week, and a win could knock them out of the top spot in the draft. Should they make less than a fully committed effort to beat Jacksonville?
More surprising?
This week saw two unexpected events: the Packers' undefeated season going down the tubes and the Colts actually winning two games in a row.
The 2011 Luke McCown era in Jacksonville lasted two games (with zero touchdowns and four interceptions), and now it's time for the Jaguars' great draft hope to take his turn. Blaine Gabbert will be behind center when the Jaguars take the field against Cam Newton's Panthers (and as an aside, isn't it interesting how fast the Panthers have become Newton's team?) Sunday, and honestly, if Gabbert throws for more than 59 yards, it'll be an improvement.
Vote: Who has a brighter NFL future: Gabbert or Newton?
- "As long as the run game and defense shows up and Gabbert can keep his mistakes to a minimum which is difficult as a rookie, he should have a respectable first season. Not good enough to save Jack's job but enough to give Jag fans some hope.." -- SN commenter johnygators
- "I would expect Gabbert to not have a lights outs game like Cam has had the past two games, but you can bet your last dollar that Drew is going to have 150+ yds and a pair of TD's with Carolinas D banged up." -- SN commenter jagsryder
What is Gabbert's future?
The Jaguars will be looking for Gabbert to be their next franchise quarterback, but is he truly up to the task?
The first game of the NFL season kicks off in a little more than 24 hours, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't at least a little excited. Pro football can be a messy affair at times -- see the entire labor battle during the offseason -- but it's a glorious sport at its heart. Most every team's fan base has something to look forward to this weekend, although Colts fans may be dreading a future without Peyton Manning after the news that he'll miss at least his first game with a neck injury.
- Rank: Is Peyton Manning still in the MVP race? | Which are football's best teams?
- Vote: Which teams are the favorite to win each division?
Best game?
There are a lot of good matchups in Week 1 of the NFL's 2011 regular season. Steelers-Ravens, for example, could be a preview of a future AFC playoff game.
Colts without Manning?
Peyton Manning is out for an undetermined amount of time. This could be a prime opportunity for other teams to break Indianapolis' stranglehold on the AFC South.
At least the Jaguars didn't let David Garrard actually put on his uniform Sunday before cutting him. Just two days before the start of the regular season, and five days before their opener against the Titans, the Jaguars surprised many by releasing Garrard and handing the starting job to Luke McCown. Does Garrard have a brighter future than Jack Del Rio?
- "This really just reflects on the organizational ineptitude of the franchise. Preseason and camp reps lost to a guy who is released for nothing, whilst a high pick watches. Garrard hasn't been great, but hey, it's not like Jacksonville has been set elsewhere." -- SN commenter ben212352
- "I mean, Garrard wasn't the future or anything for Jacksonville, but at this point and time, he gave Jacksonville the best chance at winning right now. So this is pretty poor move by the management of the Jaguars organization." -- SN commenter Moneyduck2008
What would you have done?
The Jaguars owed Garrard $9 million this year and apparently felt that money could be put to better use elsewhere. Like moving boxes, perhaps.
Jack Del Rio or David Garrard?
Del Rio seems to have a permanent place on the hot seat, but is his former quarterback a better bet for employment a year from now?
Is Blaine Gabbert the future?
Luke McCown gets the starting job for now in Jacksonville, but is the future in sure hands with first-round pick Blaine Gabbert (above).
Is this just the first domino?
The timing may make it difficult for Garrard to win any starting jobs, but is he better than Rex Grossman or some of the starters currently in possession of that label?
AFC East
The Patriots responded to their 14-2 record last season by signing or trading for several marquee names. Are they good enough to beat the Jets?
AFC North
The Steelers fell just short of winning the Super Bowl last season, as their vaunted defense wasn't able to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
AFC South
Peyton Manning took a pay cut in order for the Colts to keep some of their key players, but is it enough for Indianapolis to win the AFC South?
AFC West
There's a brewing quarterback controversy in Denver, with Kyle Orton delaying the seemingly inevitable succession of Tim Tebow to the starting job. Can the Broncos compete with Orton?
NFC East
The Eagles made a number of humongous moves this offseason, including trading Kevin Kolb and signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Are they the team to beat in the NFC East?
NFC North
Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on an incredible run to a Super Bowl title last year. Are they the favorites in the NFC North once again?
NFC South
The Saints looked to make another deep run at a Super Bowl, but were stunned by the lowly Seahawks. Are they still an elite team?
NFC West
Speaking of the Seahawks, they won the NFC West despite a 7-9 record. Will they sneak into the playoffs once more?
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
The AFC South came down to the wire, a fitting fate in a division in which all four teams had legitimate shots at the postseason. The typical power structure prevailed, however, as the Indianapolis Colts ended up at the top of the heap. What grade would you give each team in the AFC South? Cast your vote now!
AFC Grades: East | North | West | NFC Grades: East | North | South | West
Tennessee Titans
The Titans' season was dominated by controversy involving quarterback Vince Young, whose conflicts with coach Jeff Fisher finally reached a boiling point.
Houston Texans
The Texans' high-powered offense went to the ground this season, but breakout RB Arian Foster couldn't put the Texans over .500.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars were one game ahead of the Colts with three to play, but lost those games in a slow-style end-of-season choke.
Indianapolis Colts
It wasn't a cakewalk for the Colts this year, but as has become routine in the Peyton Manning era, they managed to outlast the competition.
Vote: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
1. Michael Vick or Eli Manning as pocket passer?
2. Which team has tougher final two games?
3. Tom Coughlin or Andy Reid?
4. Who is this game's best running back?
5. Which team will win in New Jersey?
Have your say on Eagles at Giants
Vote: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
1. Which team's season is more surprising?
2. How good a season is David Garrard having?
3. Which defense has a weaker link?
4. Which team has tougher final two games?
5. Which team will win in Indianapolis?
Have your say on Jaguars at Colts
Vote: New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
1. How good is the Steelers' defense?
2. Mike Tomlin or Rex Ryan?
3. Do you doubt Mark Sanchez's potential?
4. Will the Jets be distracted?
5. Which team will win in Pittsburgh?
Have your say on Jets at Steelers
Vote: New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
1. Does a great offense trump a great defense?
2. Would you follow Drew Brees or Ray Lewis?
3. Just how good is Joe Flacco?
4. Is John Harbaugh the family's best coach?
5. Which team will win in Baltimore?
Have your say on Saints at Ravens
Vote: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
1. Should the Vikings always play outside?
2. Which team really has home-field advantage?
3. What did last week say about the Bears?
4. Would you shovel out your team?
5. Which team will win in Minnesota?
Have your say on Bears at Vikings
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