2005 JAGUARS FANTASY FOOTBALL

The suddenly-surging Jaguar offense could be missing its two elder statesmen when the team travels to Tennessee for an AFC South clash with the Titans.

Running back Fred Taylor, who missed last week's point explosion in Baltimore, is listed as doubtful with a bruised ankle. Wide receiver Jimmy Smith appeared on the official injury report as questionable with a hamstring issue, though the team has declined to provide specifics about the injury.

Neither player practiced Wednesday, meaning Sunday could be the first time the Jags wouldn't have at least one of the two stars on the field since Taylor entered the league in 1998.

Fragile Fred has missed two of the team's last four games—but he's also rushed for 131 yards or more in two of the last three he's played in. Greg Jones shifted from fullback to feature back to rip the Ravens for 106 yards and a touchdown last week, and he would stand to get the bulk of the carries again should Taylor fail to suit up. But before you pencil Jones in for big money against the Titans, consider that Tennessee is surrendering an average of just 81 rushing yards per home tilt.

Smith's injury may be something that's been kept under wraps, as he's done nothing over the past five games. Meanwhile, Ernest Wilford and Matt Jones have emerged as legitimate pass-catchers for Byron Leftwich. Somebody has to exploit Pacman Jones and a Titans secondary that has allowed more passing scores than any other NFL club, and history indicates it won't be Smith; he's amassed just 215 yards and two touchdowns in his last six against Tennessee.

That leaves the door wide open for Jones, who has touchdowns in three of his last four games, and Wilford, who has scored in two of three. Both are big, which could help them collect YAC against a Titans secondary that appears to have done graduate work at the Deion Sanders School of Poor Tackling.

Wilford appears to have shaken off a shoulder injury suffered last week, while Jones has been under the tutelage of former Titans receiver coach Steve Walters—the guy credited with the development of Drew Bennett. He may know a few tricks, and if Jones and Wilford are a quick study this would be a great opportunity to apply them.

Last week, the Jaguars ended an embarrassing 58-game stretch of games in which they failed to score at least 30 points—and it took a defensive touchdown to do so. This week, with the franchise's all-time leading rusher and receiver limited by injury, they may yet have the weapons to make it a two-game string on the plus side of 30.

That's right, the Jaguars may be changing their offensive spots, right before your very eyes. 

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