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Jacksonville Jaguars: Preseason games will determine play time

By Larry Brake

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 07: Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash waits on the sideline in the first half of the AFC Wild Card Round game against the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Field on January 7, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 07: Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash waits on the sideline in the first half of the AFC Wild Card Round game against the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Field on January 7, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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The defending AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars begin their preseason slate on Thursday night against the visiting New Orleans Saints.

August has arrived for the Jacksonville Jaguars (and every other NFL team). Preseason games will determine many roster positions due to player’s performances. Obviously, starting jobs will be determined by which guy proves himself on the field.

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The Jaguars’ defense is an elite force but has two open slots. Middle linebacker Paul Pozluszny opted for retirement. Aaron Colvin played as the slot corner but has left the team in free agency and signed with the rival Houston Texans.

Myles Jack is the new middle linebacker, but that opens the strong side linebacker (SAM) job open. Rookie Leon Jacobs is listed on the newly released depth chart as the starter at SAM (via Jaguars.com. The defending NFC South champion New Orleans Saints are coming to town this week. And all eyes will be on the newcomer. “Jacobs has been the flag bearer for the SAM linebacker job since the start of camp and it’s starting to feel like the spot is the rookie’s to lose,” explained Mike Kaye of FirstCoastNews.com.

If Jacobs is able to handle the job, the linebacking crew will be solid. Most of all, he has the speed to cover running backs. Jacobs ran a 4.48 second 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine. Jacksonville will have a quick set of linebackers.

The competition to claim the slot corner will be fierce. D.J. Hayden and Tyler Patmon are the current front runners. “These preseason games are going to be big,” said defensive coordinator Todd Wash to Kaye. “Once again, we have to find out how well people are going to tackle. … We have to find out who can blitz…can he win one-on-one battles. Those are all things we are going to find out in the games here in the next month.”

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While preseason games seem like a waste of time and a chance for injuries for those not in the know, the Jacksonville Jaguars have some decisions to make and they will be dictated by what they see on the field this summer.

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