2002 RECORD: 6-10 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (20th); Offense (25th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- OL Jay Humphrey (Panthers), WR Donald Hayes (Patriots), LB Mike Peterson (Colts), DE Hugh Douglas (Eagles), WR Jermaine Lewis (Texans), S Johndale Carty (Falcons), WR J.J. Stokes (49ers). Draft picks -- 1. QB Byron Leftwich (Marshall); 2. Rashean Mathis (Bethune-Cookman); 3. G Vince Manuwai (Hawaii); 4a. TE George Wrighster (Oregon); 4b. RB LaBrandon Toefield (LSU); 6a. DE Brandon Green (Rice); 6b. S David Young (Georgia Southern) 6c. OT Marques Ogden (Howard); 7. RB Malaefou MacKenzie (USC). SUBTRACTIONS: OL Zach Wiegert (Texans), WR Patrick Johnson (Redskins), WR Bobby Shaw (Bills), OL Todd Fordham (Steelers), CB Robert Bean (released), G Aaron Koch (released), OL Derrick Chambers (released), RB Stacey Mack (Texans), RB Patrick Washington (released), OT Chris Ziemann (released), S James Boyd (released). Team news | Roster | More on Jaguars draft

		Tue., June 24 What are the chances of Garrard or Leftwich overtaking Brunell this season? Only injuries could speed up the quarterback transition in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are paying Brunell $6.75 million this year in what is going to be his last year as the starter. It would be a waste of money to bench him unnecessarily. Keeping Brunell around for the year is an effort to keep the fans believing the Jaguars have a chance at the playoffs. That strategy allowed season ticket sales to bounce back to around 54,000 and put the team within reach of getting sellouts each week. Garrard has looked pretty good this offseason, but leg problems bothered him toward the end of the minicamps. While Garrard looks more ready to take over an offense at this stage than Leftwich, this is Brunell's team until he either fails or gets hurt. Garrard and Leftwich are the future. But if the Jaguars get off to a horrible start, maybe 2-6 or worse, coach Jack Del Rio may start to think of making some changes. The Jaguars are a team in transition and no position is in more transition than the quarterback spot. Brunell expressed concern about trying to be a leader on a team that knows he will be gone after the season. In many ways, he's playing for himself in trying to set up his next stop. That's a shame. He built a $5 million home in the area because Jacksonville was the city in which he wanted to finish his NFL career. Brunell is a true pro who only has this last season to live out his Jacksonville dream.

Two of the four teams in the AFC South (Tennessee and Indianapolis) joined the playoff party last year, leaving the Jaguars (6-10) at home licking the wounds of their third consecutive losing season. Jacksonville owner Wayne Weaver announced the firing of head coach Tom Coughlin on Dec. 30, paving the way for first-year coach Jack Del Rio.

Del Rio knew he wanted speed to bolster his defense and wasted no time attaining players with this coveted attribute.

The Jags made two blockbuster moves with the larger, a five-year, $27 million signing of free agent defensive end Hugh Douglas. The other is a six-year, $21 million contract to former Colt, Mike Peterson.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Jaguars selected quarterback Byron Leftwich with the seventh pick in the NFL draft, but still retain Mark Brunell as the squad's starter. Also, the health and production of running back Fred Taylor plays a great deal into potential success for the Jaguars.

What they've added?
In 2002, the Jaguars tallied 36 sacks as a team, placing them 16th in the NFL, but this should change with the offseason acquisition of Douglas. Last season, Douglas amassed 12½ sacks with the Eagles -- six more than any member of the 2002 Jaguars defense.

Douglas has posted double-digit sack totals during four of his eight NFL seasons, including a career high of 15 in 2000, via the speed-rush technique. By drawing double-teams and extra attention, Douglas' presence should increase last season's combined 18 sacks for fellow d-linemen John Henderson, Marcus Stroud, and Marco Coleman.

Joining Douglas on defense is Peterson, who in 2002 tormented opposing offenses with 136 tackles and three interceptions. At middle linebacker, Peterson should improve last season's eighth worst rushing defense, while maintaining the club's middle of the pack pass defense.

Also thrown into the mix at linebacker is seventh-year player Keith Mitchell. Mitchell has started during five of his six NFL seasons and is currently vying for the starting strong-side linebacker position along with Akin Ayodele and last year's starter, Danny Clark.

Touted as a future NFL star after being the 10th overall selection by the 49ers in 1995, wide receiver J.J. Stokes failed to live up to expectations. He had a career high 63 receptions in 1998, but quickly fell into Terrell Owens' shadow after the current 49ers star broke out for 97 receptions and 1,451 yards in 2000. Last season Stokes only started eight of his 13 games played, finishing with 31 catches and one touchdown.

The Jags signed Stokes to a one-year $805,000 contract with his potential upside in mind. Listed as 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, he has the prototypical NFL wide receiver body. Stokes is competing with Kevin Lockett and Donald Hayes for the team's second receiver spot behind Jimmy Smith.

According to various reports, Taylor is aiming for a 2,000-yard rushing season. If he is to accomplish such a feat, Taylor needs help. Enter Marc Edwards.

A former standout at Notre Dame, the Jags picked up the veteran via free agency from New England. Although Edwards only rushed the ball 31 times for 96 yards last season, he is an asset because of his lead blocking ability.

While Leftwich waits, Jacksonville's second- and third-round picks, Rashean Mathis and Vince Manuwai, should accrue substantial playing time this season. The Florida Times-Union reported on June 20 that Mathis' role is undefined. The newspaper reported that Del Rio is split between Mathis challenging Marlon McCree for the starting free safety job or right cornerback Jason Craft for his spot.

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli initially reported in his Jaguar draft analysis that guard Manuwai had the best shot of any Jacksonville draftee at starting this season because he played in the June Jones Run-and-Shoot offense at the University of Hawaii and is versed in the art of pass blocking.

Fantasy Focus

Many things are falling into place for Fred Taylor to produce a career-best fantasy season. Although he missed parts of games with injuries, Taylor played in all 16 contests for the first time in his five-year career. Unlike former coach Tom Coughlin, new coach Jack Del Rio plans to use Taylor extensively. The Jaguars decided to not re-sign Stacey Mack because they will give Taylor more carries and let him handle the short-yardage and goal-line situations. Taylor will also have an increased role in the passing attack. Taylor is preparing for the increased responsibilities by dieting with a nutritionist used successfully by Ricky Williams last year. Taylor hopes 10 fewer pounds will lead to fewer injuries. It's not out of the question for a healthy Taylor to total 2,000 yards and score 14 touchdowns. Grab Taylor in the second round and receive first-round production. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

What they're missing?
Brunell was a Pro Bowl quarterback in 1997, '98, and '00, but lacked the magic last season. Unless he re-establishes himself in 2003, the Jags will lack a viable passing game. Top receiver Smith is one of the best wideouts in the game, yet last year's reception total dropped from 112 in '01 to 80 last year. Brunell has to find Smith. In turn, the team's second receiver must earn respectable coverage to make the Brunell-to-Smith connection more effective.

Last season Jacksonville was 25th in the NFL with 303.2 yards per game and the league's fifth worst passing productivity at 172.6 passing yards per game. Brunell only found the end zone 17 times last season, but on the brighter side only threw seven picks. This care for the ball contributed to Jacksonville tying for second best in the AFC at plus-12 in takeaways.

What it all means?
Jacksonville's 6-10 record in 2002 did not accurately reflect its talent. Last year, eight of the team's 10 losses were by seven points or less. The Jags ranked 9th in scoring defense in the NFL last season, allowing only 19.6 points per game. With just the combination of Douglas and Peterson alone, Jacksonville's pass rush and rush defense are delivered a boost.

Taylor must stay healthy. After missing all but two games in 2001 with a severe groin injury, Taylor rebounded for 1,314 rushing yards last season. While his goal of 2,000 yards is lofty, it is not inconceivable. The key to Taylor's dream is balance in the offense. If Brunell can return to his Pro Bowl form, defenses will have to respect his arm, thus opening up the ground game.

If the Jaguars speedy defense plays to its capability and Taylor and Brunell have quality seasons, there is no reason 6-10 cannot turn into 10-6. The Jags play in the competitive, but not overpowering AFC South. This division allows two contests against the Texans. Also, the Colts' suspect defense and Tennessee's myriad of issues could be what the Jaguars need to return to the playoffs.

Elliott A. Wiley, Jr. is an intern for ESPN.com and can be reached at Elliott.A.Wiley.-ND@espn3.com.