JAGUARS

This has been a season of change for the Jaguars . They have a new general manager, defensive and special teams coordinators, 26 new players and improved team chemistry. Yet they're off the same start as last year - 0-2. Last year's team finished 5-11. How this year's team will finish will likely depend on the team's veteran core. Will they provide leadership for the younger players and keep the season from quickly unraveling? Or will they fail to prevent a culture of losing? While the Jaguars' roster is young (13 rookies are on the active roster), most of the veterans were on the team that went 11-5 two years ago, and one of the new additions, Torry Holt, has played in two Super Bowls. Coach Jack Del Rio specifically mentioned the team's veterans as a key to success. "They're going to have to carry us and we don't have a win yet, so they're not delivering where they need to,'' Del Rio said. "I do believe that. You can only expect so much out of that younger group that's here. I think the guys that have been here are going to carry us wherever we're going to go. I think there are some examples of some guys that are playing very well.'' He singled out cornerback Rashean Mathis and running back Maurice Jones-Drew. ""I think Rashean [who limited Larry Fitzgerald to four catches last week] has started off very well this year. I think there are others that need to pick it up and I think as coaches we could do a better job,'' Del Rio said. "I really do. I see things that our staff needs to do better, that I need to do better. What we need to do right now is not start pointing, just look internally at what we can do. Be willing to sacrifice, be willing to take the heat if that's the case and persevere and go forward.'' One veteran who needs to step up on and off the field is quarterback David Garrard, who has completed only 52 percent of his passes and has been sacked five times. "I absolutely need to play better,'' he said. Garrard not only wants to play better, he needs to take a leadership position. "We still have a lot of young guys that are hungry, but they are looking right now to see how I act, how I perform in practice and how I handle myself as well as some of the other veterans on the team [like] Torry Holt and Rashean Mathis,'' he said. "They are looking at all of us as leaders to see what we are going to do. Are we just folding the [tent] or are we coming to meetings two minutes before [they start], or are we here early, getting our film studies in, going over the plays? We definitely have what it takes and there is nothing like getting that first win.'' That's why today's game game at Houston is so important as the Jaguars attempt to avoid 0-3. "We don't want a losing culture to set in,'' Garrard said. "We don't want guys to get used to losing. Losing always hurts and makes you feel sick.'' The only time the Jaguars started 0-3 under Del Rio was his first season. They started 1-7 and finished 5-11. As the Jaguars go for their first victory today, veteran Torry Holt, who's been mentoring the young receivers since camp started, thinks it's more a matter of players relaxing instead of pressing. Holt, who went into a rant on the sidelines after the Jaguars failed to convert a 3rd-and-1 on their first possession last Sunday, said, "We feel like we're a good Football team and at times, you can press too much instead of relaxing and just going out and playing Football. So I think that's been the case.'' Holt, though, doesn't think he needs to step up his leadership role. "Not at all. I'm not going to overexert myself just because we're young. Those guys are young pros as well so I'm going to keep doing what I've always done and that's practicing hard, continuing to give words of encouragement where I see fit, but I'm not going to step outside my box to be more of a leader than what I am,'' he said. Jones-Drew tries to lead by sending the message to others that he doesn't like losing. "I'm really not a big talker. I'd rather just show them. I come in, work every day and stick to my routine,'' he said. "You understand I'm upset when we lost [last Sunday] and that it's good to be upset because you see my drive and I want to win so bad that I do take it personally when we lose. I hope that gets contagious and everybody starts taking it personally that teams come in here and they beat us and pull their quarterback in the third quarter - stuff like that you should take personally.'' He was referring to the fact the Arizona pulled quarterback Kurt Warner in the third quarter last week with a 31-3 lead although the Cardinals said that Warner had aggravated a shoulder injury earlier in the game. Mathis said, "you have to lead by example,'' and makes it a point to talk to the younger players. "There's does come a point when you have to sit them down and be like, 'OK guys, this is the type of team we have and we have to play like it on Sunday.' Just rally the troops. Just to let them know it's not a panic mode,'' he said. The younger players seem to be following the veterans' lead. "You don't see sad faces walking around here. That's good for the young guys. We feed off the older guys,'' said rookie wide receiver Jarett Dillard, who'll make his NFL debut today. Players say morale remains high and Holt credits Del Rio for keeping the team upbeat. "I think coach Del Rio has done a good job in keeping his energy up, his enthusiasm, and just focusing and telling us exactly what we need to do in order to win games. As long as [the head coach's] head is good, it trickles down and it doesn't seem that anyone is really panicking,'' Holt said. vito.stellino@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4279