Del Rio’s head has been on the chopping block for a couple of seasons now, but it is surprising to see him go in the middle of the year. He most recently came under fire when he tossed his offensive coordinator under the bus when criticized over the play-calling.

Del Rio was essentially set up for failure this year when the team opted to cut quarterback David Garrard at the end of training camp. It left the Jaguars with rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert as their starter, giving them virtually no chance at competing for a playoff berth.

A blogger put out a report on the internet that Jones-Drew underwent knee surgery, setting off panic everywhere.

As much as Jacksonville fans must have been freaked out, fantasy football owners were terrified.

Del Rio said that surgery will not be necessary and that the running back is working hard to rehab and strengthen the knee for the season.

The head coach plans to rest Jones-Drew for the rest of the preseason and take it easy on him in practice.

The Jaguars nearly drafted a quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft but ultimately decided to improve other areas.

Garrard has been a tease ever since he replaced Byron Leftwich as the team’s starting quarterback.

He is excellent at avoiding interceptions, but he struggles to consistently move the offense down the field.

Some of it isn’t his fault considering the lack of pass-catching weapons on the team, but he does deserve a portion of the blame.

The good news for the Jacksonville Jaguars: four home games in the first six weeks of the 2010 schedule.

The not-so-good news: four road games in the final six weeks.

The National Football League has released game times and dates for the 2010 season. It’s hard not to notice the number of home games the Jags have at the start of the season, and how many road games they have at the finish.

Jacksonville begins 2010 at home against Denver on Sept. 12. A visit to AFC West champion San Diego is next, followed by two challenging home games: against Philadelphia and against AFC champion and AFC South rival Indianapolis. After a road trip to Buffalo, the Jags play at home again, on Monday Night Football Oct. 18 against Tennessee.

Two consecutive road games wrap up the first half of the season, with trips to Kansas City and Dallas. The bye week comes in week 9 on Nov. 7.

Jacksonville begins the second half with consecutive home games against Houston and Cleveland. Then the difficult finishing stretch, four road games in six games, commences.

It starts with trips to the New York Giants and Tennessee. Jacksonville returns home for a home game against Oakland on Dec. 12, followed by a visit to Indianapolis, the final home game against Washington, and the final game of the season, at Houston.

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By Bud L. Ellis

The good news for the Jacksonville Jaguars: four home games in the first six weeks of the 2010 schedule.

The not-so-good news: four road games in the final six weeks.

The National Football League has released game times and dates for the 2010 season. It’s hard not to notice the number of home games the Jags have at the start of the season, and how many road games they have at the finish.

Jacksonville begins 2010 at home against Denver on Sept. 12. A visit to AFC West champion San Diego is next, followed by two challenging home games: against Philadelphia and against AFC champion and AFC South rival Indianapolis. After a road trip to Buffalo, the Jags play at home again, on Monday Night Football Oct. 18 against Tennessee.

Two consecutive road games wrap up the first half of the season, with trips to Kansas City and Dallas. The bye week comes in week 9 on Nov. 7.

Jacksonville begins the second half with consecutive home games against Houston and Cleveland. Then the difficult finishing stretch, four road games in six games, commences.

It starts with trips to the New York Giants and Tennessee. Jacksonville returns home for a home game against Oakland on Dec. 12, followed by a visit to Indianapolis, the final home game against Washington, and the final game of the season, at Houston.

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After the season opener at home against Denver, things get very hard in a hurry for Jacksonville.

The Jaguars play at San Diego followed by back-to-back home contests against Philadelphia and Indianapolis.

Games at Dallas and the New York Giants in the middle of the season will prove difficult, but Kansas City, Cleveland, Oakland, Buffalo and Washington are all mixed in.

Jacksonville is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2009 season, but taking down divisional foes will be a tall order.

Five of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 16 games this season will be against four teams that combined for 49 wins last season.

That’s why the Jags have one of the more difficult schedules in the National Football League in 2010.

The NFL has released the list of home games and road games for each of its teams. Dates and times will be announced later this spring.

The Jags look at a schedule that ranks fifth-toughest in the league, based on opponents’ winning percentage. A big reason why is a home-and-home with AFC champion and AFC South rival Indianapolis, a home game with NFC wild-card team Philadelphia, and road games at AFC West champion San Diego and NFC East champion Dallas.

Those four teams combined to go 49-15 last season.

Jacksonville also plays home games against Houston, Tennessee, Denver, Oakland, Cleveland and Washington. On the road, the Jags travel to Houston, Tennessee, Kansas City, Buffalo and the New York Giants.

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