2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars ended the disappointing 2008 season in last place in the AFC South, but they’ve made improvements in the offseason that should lead to a more successful 2009. Criticized in the past for running training camps that were too laid back, head coach Jack Del Rio has really stepped it up and is running a much tougher and more physical training camp this year. After failing to live up to expectations running back Fred Taylor was released, which means that Maurice Jones-Drew will finally be allowed to start. Jones-Drew scored 40 touchdowns in his first three seasons, and that kind of scoring power is exactly what the Jags need. Will the changes be enough to return Jacksonville to the success of the past? Find out for yourself with tickets to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and watch the Jags in action in 2009!

Some Jacksonville Jaguars history: Jacksonville joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995. During the Jaguars' first year, the team fielded the AFC's worst defense, losing nine games by more than 24 points. Offensively, however, they were successful. Mark Brunell -- who had previously played in only two NFL games -- posted the highest rating of any expansion-team quarterback in league history. He also led all NFL quarterbacks that year in rushing, becoming the first AFC quarterback to run for more than 400 yards in a season since Mike Pagel of the Baltimore Colts (now Indianapolis Colts) in 1983. Overall, Jacksonville's offensive performance ranked third all-time among first-year franchises.

In 1996 the Jaguars won nine games and earned a wild-card berth to the playoffs. Wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith each compiled 1,000 or more yards receiving. Brunell passed for more than 4,300 yards and was Jacksonville's third-leading rusher, averaging five yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns. In the playoffs the Jaguars advanced to the AFC title game, where they lost to the New England Patriots.

Jacksonville advanced to the playoffs again in 1997 but lost in the first round to the Denver Broncos. In 1998 Brunell and rookie running back Fred Taylor led the team to a 11-5 win-loss record and the Central Division championship. They defeated the New England Patriots in the first round of the playoffs before being bested by the New York Jets. In 1999 Jacksonville repeated as Central Division champions but lost to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game.