2003 Jacksonville Jaguars season
9th season in franchise history
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The 2003 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the franchise's 9th season in the National Football League and the 1st under head coach Jack Del Rio. The Jaguars failed to improve upon their 6–10 regular season record in 2002 and failed to make the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. An 0–8 record in road games eliminated any chance of postseason play.
| 2003 Jacksonville Jaguars season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Wayne Weaver |
| General manager | James "Shack" Harris |
| Head coach | Jack Del Rio |
| Offensive coordinator | Bill Musgrave |
| Defensive coordinator | Mike Smith |
| Home stadium | Alltel Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 5–11 |
| Division place | 3rd AFC South |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | DT Marcus Stroud |
| Uniform | |
Oddly, despite being in existence since 1995, this season marked the first time that the Jaguars played the San Diego Chargers.[1] This is due to old NFL scheduling formulas in place prior to 2002; the Jaguars had played the Chargers’ division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs four times;[2] the Denver Broncos[3] three times and the Oakland Raiders twice (though not since 1997).[4]
Week 3 was Mark Brunell's last game as a Jaguar, as he was benched forcing rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich to take his spot for the rest of the season. Brunell left the team at the end of the season.
Jacksonville defeated New Orleans 20–19 in the week 16 game despite the River City Relay, a play that has gone down in NFL lore.
Offseason
Acquisitions
During free agency, the Jaguars signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas and former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Mike Peterson.
| Additions | Subtractions |
|---|---|
| DE Hugh Douglas (Eagles) | WR Patrick Johnson (Redskins) |
| LB Mike Peterson (Colts) | DT Larry Smith (Packers) |
| WR Troy Edwards (Rams) | DE Marco Coleman (Eagles) |
| WR Jermaine Lewis (Texans) | LB Wali Rainer (Lions) |
| G Jamar Nesbit (Panthers) | |
| FB Marc Edwards (Patriots) |
NFL draft
| 2003 Jacksonville Jaguars draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Byron Leftwich | Quarterback | Marshall | |
| 2 | 39 | Rashean Mathis * | Cornerback | Bethune-Cookman | |
| 3 | 72 | Vince Manuwai | Guard | Hawaii | |
| 4 | 108 | George Wrighster | Tight end | Oregon | |
| 4 | 132 | LaBrandon Toefield | Running back | LSU | |
| 6 | 176 | Brandon Green | Defensive end | Rice | |
| 6 | 179 | David Young | Safety | Georgia Southern | |
| 6 | 193 | Marques Ogden | Offensive tackle | Howard | |
| 7 | 218 | Malaefou MacKenzie | Fullback | USC | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career | |||||
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Brown | Cornerback | UAB |
| Chris L. Brown | Cornerback | Grambling State |
| Cortez Hankton | Wide receiver | Texas Southern |
| Matt Leonard | Defensive Tackle | Stanford |
| Seth Marler | Kicker | Tulane |
| Curtis Randall | Linebacker | Louisiana Tech |
| Brett Romberg | Center | Miami (FL) |
| Kevin Simmons | Wide receiver | Howard |
| Joe Smith | Running back | Louisiana Tech |
Staff
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Final roster
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 9 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 16–14 | 1–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
| 2 | August 15 | Miami Dolphins | W 27–23 | 2–0 | Alltel Stadium |
| 3 | August 23 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 6–10 | 2–1 | Raymond James Stadium |
| 4 | August 28 | Washington Redskins | W 17–15 | 3–1 | Alltel Stadium |
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7 | at Carolina Panthers | L 23–24 | 0–1 | Ericsson Stadium | 72,134 |
| 2 | September 14 | Buffalo Bills | L 17–38 | 0–2 | Alltel Stadium | 58,613 |
| 3 | September 21 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 13–23 | 0–3 | RCA Dome | 55,770 |
| 4 | September 28 | at Houston Texans | L 20–24 | 0–4 | Reliant Stadium | 70,041 |
| 5 | October 5 | San Diego Chargers | W 27–21 | 1–4 | Alltel Stadium | 48,954 |
| 6 | October 12 | Miami Dolphins | L 10–24 | 1–5 | Alltel Stadium | 66,437 |
| 7 | Bye | |||||
| 8 | October 26 | Tennessee Titans | L 17–30 | 1–6 | Alltel Stadium | 55,918 |
| 9 | November 2 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 17–24 | 1–7 | Ravens Stadium | 69,486 |
| 10 | November 9 | Indianapolis Colts | W 28–23 | 2–7 | Alltel Stadium | 45,037 |
| 11 | November 16 | at Tennessee Titans | L 3–10 | 2–8 | The Coliseum | 68,809 |
| 12 | November 23 | at New York Jets | L 10–13 | 2–9 | Giants Stadium | 77,614 |
| 13 | November 30 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 17–10 | 3–9 | Alltel Stadium | 60,543 |
| 14 | December 7 | Houston Texans | W 27–0 | 4–9 | Alltel Stadium | 43,363 |
| 15 | December 14 | at New England Patriots | L 13–27 | 4–10 | Gillette Stadium | 68,436 |
| 16 | December 21 | New Orleans Saints | W 20–19 | 5–10 | Alltel Stadium | 49,207 |
| 17 | December 28 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 14–21 | 5–11 | Georgia Dome | 70,266 |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Carolina Panthers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 0 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 23 |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 24 |
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | 14 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 38 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: September 14, 2003
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C)
- Game attendance: 58,613
- TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
| Colts | 0 | 0 | 17 | 6 | 23 |
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
After being down 3–0 at halftime, the Colts scored 17 third quarter points followed by six points in the fourth quarter to beat Jacksonville 23-13 and improve to 3–0. A standout moment from the game occurred when Colts' rookie DB Mike Doss caused a fumble by Jaguars' RB Fred Taylor. Doss reportedly quipped, "Hey, Fred, you forgot something." In retaliation, Taylor told reporters ahead of their next encounter, "I'm going to bust his (butt). I'm going to punish him."[5]
Week 4: at Houston Texans
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
| Texans | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| Jaguars | 7 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: October 5, 2003
- Game time: 1:05 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C)
- Game attendance: 48,954
- Referee: Tom White
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots
- Box score, Game Book
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 10 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Week 8: vs. Tennessee Titans
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 10 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: October 26, 2003
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 55,918
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Week 9: at Baltimore Ravens
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Ravens | 7 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 24 |
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Week 10: vs. Indianapolis Colts
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 7 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| Jaguars | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
By the start of the fourth quarter, the Jaguars rallied with two touchdowns to take the lead. On the next possession, Peyton Manning connected with Marcus Pollard, who raced 70 yards to set up a go–ahead field goal. The Jaguars then moved deep into Colts' territory, but a fumbled field goal snap by punter/holder Mark Royals thwarted their efforts. After the Colts went three–and–out and a strong punt return set Jacksonville up at the Indianapolis 31–yard line, Fred Taylor made a 32–yard run, evading Mike Doss as he fell, to score a touchdown and put the Jaguars ahead with just a minute remaining. Manning's attempt to respond ended in an interception, sealing the Jaguars' first–ever victory over the Colts in a surprising upset. [5] After the game, Doss remarked, "I guess you'd have to say he got the final word today." Taylor expressed that his frustration arose from Doss forcing his head to the ground after he recovered the fumble, expressing "I felt he truly disrespected me,"[6]
Week 11: at Tennessee Titans
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Titans | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Week 12: at New York Jets
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Titans | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 16 |
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Week 13: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaguars | 7 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Week 15: at New England Patriots
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| Patriots | 7 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 27 |
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Week 16: vs. New Orleans Saints
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 3 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: December 21, 2003
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C)
- Game attendance: 49,207
- Referee: Gerry Austin
- TV announcers (Fox): Curt Menefee and Tim Green
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information |
|---|
|
Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Falcons | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Game information |
|---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Standings
Division
| AFC South | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (3) Indianapolis Colts | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | 447 | 336 | W1 |
| (5) Tennessee Titans | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 435 | 324 | W3 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 3–9 | 276 | 331 | L1 |
| Houston Texans | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 255 | 380 | L4 |
Conference
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division leaders | |||||||||||
| 1 | New England Patriots | East | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 5–1 | 11–1 | .484 | .492 | W12 |
| 2 | Kansas City Chiefs | West | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .418 | .385 | W1 |
| 3[a] | Indianapolis Colts | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .492 | .448 | W1 |
| 4 | Baltimore Ravens | North | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .457 | .400 | W2 |
| Wild cards | |||||||||||
| 5[a] | Tennessee Titans | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .473 | .401 | W3 |
| 6[b] | Denver Broncos | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .500 | .406 | L1 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
| 7[b] | Miami Dolphins | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .512 | .388 | W2 |
| 8 | Cincinnati Bengals | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .457 | .469 | L2 |
| 9[c] | Pittsburgh Steelers | North | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .500 | .365 | L1 |
| 10[c][d] | Buffalo Bills | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .570 | .438 | L3 |
| 11[d] | New York Jets | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 6–6 | .527 | .396 | L2 |
| 12[e][f] | Jacksonville Jaguars | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .543 | .453 | L1 |
| 13[e][g] | Cleveland Browns | North | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .539 | .363 | W1 |
| 14[f][g] | Houston Texans | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .570 | .463 | L4 |
| 15[h] | Oakland Raiders | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .516 | .484 | L2 |
| 16 | San Diego Chargers | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .504 | .359 | W1 |
| Tiebreakers[i] | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||