Every year, with every football team, there is a moment, or a game, or an injury or a decision that is not only symbolic of the season, but one that defines the course of the a team's fortunes.

Last year, that moment came when Jack Del Rio asserted his influence and chose David Garrard over Byron Leftwich.

In 1996, the moment was when Tom Coughlin unloaded Andre Rison in November. After that, the Jaguars went on a run that ended in the AFC Championship Game.

Sometimes, the watershed moment doesn't bear the same kind of fruit.

In 2000, the watershed moment came in training camp when Leon Searcy was lost for the year with a knee injury. The Jaguars were never the same. They missed the playoffs, and it was the first of three straight losing years for Tom Coughlin that ultimately led to his firing.

So we come to 2008. Sunday, Peterson recorded a rare sack for the Jaguars, then celebrated by going into his flexing routine. At the time, the Jaguars were on the way to giving the Bengals their first victory of the season. It did not sit well with Del Rio.

Wednesday, he and Peterson met. That didn't go well either and Del Rio sent Peterson home for the day.

Del Rio's only direct comment on the matter came in a written statement:

"Mike Peterson was sent home today and did not practice. We're working through this process seeking an appropriate conclusion."

However, during his press conference, Del Rio addressed the unacceptable behavior on the field, like Peterson's flexing and John Henderson's laughing and joking with the fans in Cincinnati after being ejected on Sunday. Also brought up was the incident in the locker room immediately following the game where several Jaguars players were laughing and cutting up after the loss. That didn't please the head coach.

"Those are some of the things that I've addressed privately that aren't a good reflection of me and what I stand for," Del Rio said. "I take pride that this team is a reflection of me and I want it to be a reflection of me and I don't like that reflection."

So where do the Jaguars go from here? Even though Del Rio referenced the 2000 Ravens who started 3-4 and wound up as Super Bowl Champions (on The Jack Del Rio Show on WOKV), I don't think the Jaguars can make the playoffs now based on their schedule, the losses that they have already sustained and the impact on the tie-breakers that would hurt the Jaguars chances should they get close.

But while the Jaguars might lose the battle, Jack Del Rio might win the war. This could be the moment when Del Rio completes his statement about being THE guy who is directing the football operations of the franchise. The first salvo came when he chose Garrard, and the way the season finishes and the off-season to follow has the chance to be the final flourish of Del Rio's declaration.

For the next couple of months, we'll be listening.