It’s a younger team, no question. Better? That’s where the debate will begin.

Twenty-one of the players on the Jaguars’ roster at the beginning of 2009 were not on the squad last year.

When you’re only carrying 53 players, that’s a 40 percent turnover. Most notable, the Jaguars released Tony Pashos, Brian Williams and Long Snapper Joe Zelenka -- all veteran players, all with big salaries (Zelenka with 11 years in the league was scheduled to make over $800,000 according to the CBA).

They’re replaced by rookies, high draft picks and free agents who will be getting their first taste of NFL action Sunday against Indianapolis on the road.

In fact, the top four draft picks of the Gene Smith era, Eugene Monroe, Eben Britton, Terrence Knighton and Derrick Cox will most likely be starters when the whistle blows next Sunday.

Most of the players taken in the last six years in the draft are gone. Only Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves remain from last year’s class. Reggie Hayward is the only big money free agent signed in the last six years still on the team.

So Gene Smith has already put his stamp on the Jaguars. And while they won’t say it, it’s clear they’re building, and this year is part of the process.

Jack Del Rio must have gotten some kind of assurances that he’ll keep his job through this transition because it could be painful to watch this team grow at times.

Here’s the Jaguars’ release regarding the trade for Luke McCown, a clear sign as to why they haven’t drafted a quarterback, plus the eight guys on the practice squad: Jaguars Complete Trade For McCown, Sign 8 Practice Squad Players.