Jack Del Rio

From 1999 to 2001, inside linebacker Ray Lewis and linebackers coach Jack Del Rio worked in tandem, eventually assisting the Ravens to their first and only Super Bowl title in 2000. On Monday night, the duo will meet again but on opposing sidelines - Lewis playing his 16 th season for the Ravens and Del Rio in his ninth year as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. “Jack was always just a true man's man, a true professional, and I think it truly comes from his experience of playing in the game himself,” Lewis said Wednesday.

Trend sets that tone Dan Pompei Chicago Tribune It is possible teams will follow the Jaguars' lead and start their offseason housecleaning during the season. It used to be that NFL teams waited until the season ended to do their dirty work. But it seems a trend has begun. Last year four teams fired their coaches before the season ended, as Brad Childress, Josh McDaniels, Wade Phillips and Mike Singletary bit the dust early. People in the know would put the over/under at eight for coaching changes during and shortly after the season.

Offensive tackle continues to be a position in flux for the Jaguars . Eugene Monroe, sidelined with a shoulder injury on Sunday in Pittsburgh , was not in the first unit during the media viewing time. Guy Whimper was at left tackle in Monroe's spot and undrafted rookie Cameron Bradfield was at right tackle in place of Eben Britton at the start of the practice. The Jaguars were without both Monroe and Britton in Pittsburgh, when Bradfield made his first start at left tackle and Whimper played at right tackle.

Mike Preston, Ravens columnist: The Ravens probably turned in the worst offensive performance in the team's history. Kevin Van Valkenburg, reporter: It's been a long time since the Matt Cavanaugh Era, so some of my memories are blurry, but I can't remember the offense ever looking this bad. Just an all-around atrocious performance. The execution was poor, the strategy was stale, and the lack of energy (which starts with the quarterback, it has to be said) was a real problem.

Monday night's meeting between the Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars marks the first time in three years that the teams will clash. But it wasn't always like that. From 1996 to 2001, the Ravens and Jaguars tangled twice a season as members of the AFC Central. Over that span, Jacksonville won the first eight meetings before the Ravens spun off four consecutive victories. The Jaguars captured division titles in 1998 and 1999, but it was the Ravens who won the Super Bowl in 2000.

It was like going to a new school for the first time, only Dawan Landry came into Jacksonville with his status already set. He was coming in to start, to be a part of Jacksonville's great defensive rebuild. "I was kind of nervous, not knowing what to expect," Landry said. " ... The whole organization welcomed me with open arms. Have a lot of players willing to learn and coaches that's willing to [listen to players]. " Landry brought leadership and veteran safety experience -- something that was lacking last year -- to the Jaguars' secondary.

Mike Preston, Ravens columnist: The Ravens probably turned in the worst offensive performance in the team's history. Kevin Van Valkenburg, reporter: It's been a long time since the Matt Cavanaugh Era, so some of my memories are blurry, but I can't remember the offense ever looking this bad. Just an all-around atrocious performance. The execution was poor, the strategy was stale, and the lack of energy (which starts with the quarterback, it has to be said) was a real problem.

Blaine Gabbert probably already figured that he would face a lot of heat when the rookie quarterback leads the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Ravens Monday night. But Gabbert's evening might be foretold depending on the availability of offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. Monroe, the left tackle, sat out Jacksonville's 17-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a shoulder injury. Britton, the right tackle, also missed Sunday's contest due to a recurring back ailment.

Trend sets that tone Dan Pompei Chicago Tribune It is possible teams will follow the Jaguars' lead and start their offseason housecleaning during the season. It used to be that NFL teams waited until the season ended to do their dirty work. But it seems a trend has begun. Last year four teams fired their coaches before the season ended, as Brad Childress, Josh McDaniels, Wade Phillips and Mike Singletary bit the dust early. People in the know would put the over/under at eight for coaching changes during and shortly after the season.

The Ravens have been unkind to opposing running backs this season. The Ravens have allowed an average of 76.6 yards per game thus far, which ranks third in the league. Only the Dallas Cowboys (69.6) and the San Francisco 49ers (74.7) have been tougher against the run. “We play completely as a unit,” 12-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker Ray Lewis said Thursday. “We have a certain way that we play defense to where wherever the play breaks down, we don't believe in being blocked one-on-one.

Even after Monday night's dismal performance, the Ravens are still one of the better teams in the AFC. But it's by default. The NFL has become a league of one great team, Green Bay, and the rest are either average or downright terrible. The Ravens are better than most because of their defense, but after that they are just as mediocre or as bad as everyone else. We've all been waiting for the offensive line to get better, and it hasn't after six games. Left offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is still slow.

Monday night's meeting between the Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars marks the first time in three years that the teams will clash. But it wasn't always like that. From 1996 to 2001, the Ravens and Jaguars tangled twice a season as members of the AFC Central. Over that span, Jacksonville won the first eight meetings before the Ravens spun off four consecutive victories. The Jaguars captured division titles in 1998 and 1999, but it was the Ravens who won the Super Bowl in 2000.

Whenever Ray Lewis got the opportunity this past week, the Ravens' middle linebacker and vocal leader approached one of his younger teammates and delivered a message he learned long ago. "Whatever opportunity you want to leave, whatever legacy you want to leave, these are the nights you leave it," Lewis told his teammates about the Ravens' coming game. "Not that you don't play hard every other day, but these nights are special. So save the moment, man, and have a great time doing it. " During his 16-year career, Lewis has played on Monday night 13 times.

Blaine Gabbert probably already figured that he would face a lot of heat when the rookie quarterback leads the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Ravens Monday night. But Gabbert's evening might be foretold depending on the availability of offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. Monroe, the left tackle, sat out Jacksonville's 17-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a shoulder injury. Britton, the right tackle, also missed Sunday's contest due to a recurring back ailment.

It was like going to a new school for the first time, only Dawan Landry came into Jacksonville with his status already set. He was coming in to start, to be a part of Jacksonville's great defensive rebuild. "I was kind of nervous, not knowing what to expect," Landry said. " ... The whole organization welcomed me with open arms. Have a lot of players willing to learn and coaches that's willing to [listen to players]. " Landry brought leadership and veteran safety experience -- something that was lacking last year -- to the Jaguars' secondary.

From 1999 to 2001, inside linebacker Ray Lewis and linebackers coach Jack Del Rio worked in tandem, eventually assisting the Ravens to their first and only Super Bowl title in 2000. On Monday night, the duo will meet again but on opposing sidelines - Lewis playing his 16 th season for the Ravens and Del Rio in his ninth year as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. “Jack was always just a true man's man, a true professional, and I think it truly comes from his experience of playing in the game himself,” Lewis said Wednesday.

After conducting his most extensive review in 15 years, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver decided to stick with coach Jack Del Rio . At least for another year. Weaver held a half-day meeting with Del Rio on Tuesday, then said the two would continue their rebuilding project with the Jaguars. "I believe in Jack, that he's the guy," Weaver said two days before his 75th birthday. "After going through this process, Jack is the guy that can get us there.

Even after Monday night's dismal performance, the Ravens are still one of the better teams in the AFC. But it's by default. The NFL has become a league of one great team, Green Bay, and the rest are either average or downright terrible. The Ravens are better than most because of their defense, but after that they are just as mediocre or as bad as everyone else. We've all been waiting for the offensive line to get better, and it hasn't after six games. Left offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is still slow.

The Ravens have been unkind to opposing running backs this season. The Ravens have allowed an average of 76.6 yards per game thus far, which ranks third in the league. Only the Dallas Cowboys (69.6) and the San Francisco 49ers (74.7) have been tougher against the run. “We play completely as a unit,” 12-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker Ray Lewis said Thursday. “We have a certain way that we play defense to where wherever the play breaks down, we don't believe in being blocked one-on-one.

Offensive tackle continues to be a position in flux for the Jaguars . Eugene Monroe, sidelined with a shoulder injury on Sunday in Pittsburgh , was not in the first unit during the media viewing time. Guy Whimper was at left tackle in Monroe's spot and undrafted rookie Cameron Bradfield was at right tackle in place of Eben Britton at the start of the practice. The Jaguars were without both Monroe and Britton in Pittsburgh, when Bradfield made his first start at left tackle and Whimper played at right tackle.