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Jaguars: Dline additions yet to pay off

PFF-headlinesThe Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line struggled last season, their first under Gus Bradley, so it came as no surprise when they made changes ahead of the 2014 season. Jason Babin, Jeremy Mincey and Brandon Deaderick were deemed surplus to requirements, with  Chris Clemons, Red Bryant (both of whom played for Bradley when he was defensive coordinator in Seattle) and Ziggy Hood recruited to replace them.

Having struggled in his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hood has predictably failed to make much of an impact in Jacksonville, with his 3.2 Run Stop Percentage and 3.1 Pass Rushing Productivity grade ranking fourth and fifth among the defensive tackles on his own team.

Bryant has lived up to expectations. He is stout against the run, with a +5.3 grade in run defense, and a team leading 7.8 Run Stop Percentage; however he's offered little as a pass rusher.

Unfortunately Clemons has not been able to replicate his Seahawks form for the Jaguars. He has registered three sacks, but his tally of seven total pressures is poor return on 151 pass rush snaps. Clemons' 4.0 Pass Rushing Productivity (PRP) not only compares unfavorably with his predecessor Babin (who recorded a 10.3 PRP as a Jaguar in 2013 and a 14.0 as a rush linebacker with the Jets this year), but also with his own previous performances. In four seasons playing the same role in Seattle, Clemons recorded PRP scores of 12.5, 10.5, 9.4and 9.2, a gradual decline, but he was still solid in 2013. The Jaguars need him to quickly find something approaching that form if the off-season changes are to be a success, otherwise they will be addressing the same issues again in six months time.

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