I have to fight off the immense temptation to be bitingly sarcastic and caustic after sitting in 86 degree, sweltering heat yesterday and watching that debacle of a game. So, instead, I thought it might be helpful for any Jaguar defensive player who could be reading this if I pass along some basic tackling instructions which I was taught way back in my Pop Warner football days. I call it " Tackling 101". Obviously, the entire defense must have skipped this class while growing up.


First, the target: That's the person wearing the other teams' jersey. He also is carrying an elliptical leather object in his hands which is called a football.

Second: Your task is to approach the target, engage him, and bring him to the ground in as short a period of time as possible. Be aware that the target objects to your intentions, and will try to make it as difficult as possible for you to succeed. He will do such things as quickly changing direction, stopping suddenly, then starting again, putting his arm out to fend you off, jumping over you if you approach him below the knees, etc.

Third: in order to succeed in your task, you must approach the target carefully, not too quickly, not too slowly. If you approach too quickly you will be more vulnerable to the deceptive moves of the target. If you approach too slowly, your inertia ( look it up ) will prevent you from reacting quickly enough, and a failed " arm tackle" is likely to occur.

Fourth: most importantly, focus your eyes on the mid-section of the target's body, not his feet, not his legs, not his head or shoulders. The further away from his mid-section that you focus your eyes, the easier it becomes for the target to fool you into thinking he's going "this" way, when really he's going "that" way.


I hope this first lesson will be helpful to all of you Jaguar defensive players who aspire to become NFL players some day.

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Sign this guy up to a minimum salary contract Caldwell.  He's a future Hall of Famer.

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Agreed the mistackling was hard to watch again... this falls on the coaches ...

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