Jaguars News

Jaguars' Meester to carry on high school coach's legacy
Comment
July 2
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"Brad Meester didn't have to say a word. The redness around the eyes of the Jaguars center said it all. Meester will never be the same again. Not as a God-fearing man, as a football player, as a teammate, as a husband, or as a father to his four little girls. No, he will be better in every way possible. Now, more than ever, Meester sees it as his duty. That's how much of an impact Ed Thomas had on his life. And if Meester owes anything to the Aplington-Parkersburg High football coach whose casket he carried Monday to its final resting place in Iowa, it's to carry on the values - faith, family, and making this world a better place -that Thomas treasured the most. As hard as it seems at the ..."
The Lions have officially announced the trade that sent safety Gerald Alexander to Jacksonville for wide receiver Dennis Northcutt.
Comment
July 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"The teams agreed to the trade Friday, but it was contingent on both players passing physicals. Although the Jaguars acknowledged the trade Tuesday on their official Web site, the Lions did not until today. Northcutt, 31, is a 5-foot-11, 172-pounder who could fit in the slot between Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson and return punts. He caught 44 passes each of the past two seasons for the Jaguars, averaging 573 yards and three touchdowns, after seven seasons with Cleveland. He has returned punts throughout his career. Alexander, 24, was one of three recent second-round picks the Lions had at safety. The Lions drafted him in 2007, between Daniel Bullocks ('06) and Louis Delmas ('09). He ..."
Jaguars' trade with Lions finalized
Comment
July 1
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jacksonville Jaguars made their trade with the Lions official on Tuesday, sending receiver Dennis Northcutt to Detroit in exchange for safety Gerald Alexander, the Jaguars announced. The rare player-for-player swap appears to fill pressing needs for both teams. Alexander, who suffered a fractured vertebra last season, passed a physical for the Jaguars on Monday, but it wasn't until Tuesday that satisfactory results came back from Northcutt's physical in Detroit. A second-round pick in 2007, Alexander is expected to bolster a relatively thin group of safeties led by starters Reggie Nelson and Sean Considine. In fact, Alexander could wind up becoming a bargain for the club. In just 21 ..."
Jaguars sign sixth-round draft pick Miller
Comment
June 30
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars announced the signing Monday of rookie sixth-round pick Zach Miller, who became the first of the team's nine draft picks to sign a contract. Miller signed a four-year contract for minimum salaries with escalators and a signing bonus of approximately $111,000. A college quarterback at Nebraska-Omaha, Miller (6 feet 4, 245 pounds) became the third tight end taken by the Jaguars in the last seven years, and so far at minicamps and organized team activities, he's drawn rave reviews from the club's coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter talked about being pleasantly surprised by the rookie's speed. General manager Gene Smith said Miller is faster than Pro Bowl tight end ..."
Lions agree to trade Alexander for WR Dennis Northcutt
Comment
June 27
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Lions have agreed to trade safety Gerald Alexander to Jacksonville for wide receiver Dennis Northcutt, a person familiar with the situation said today. Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said the team had nothing to announce. The deal likely is contingent on the players passing their physicals and cannot become official until after the NFL reopens for business Monday. The Lions had a logjam at safety, but they had a need at wide receiver and in the return game. Northcutt, 31, is a 5-foot-11, 172-pounder who could fit in the slot between Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson and return punts. He caught 44 passes each of the past two seasons for the Jaguars, averaging 573 yards and three ..."
Taylor leads list of outspoken ex-Jaguars players
Comment
June 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"On Page 22 of the June 22 edition of Sporting News magazine, there it is - Fred Taylor, arms stretched wide, huge smile on his face - sporting a New England Patriots uniform. Talk about odd sights. "The initial shock of being released [from the Jaguars] was something," Taylor told the magazine. "All of a sudden, it's time to close that chapter. I have the same passion and love for the Jaguars fans and my old teammates. But it's time to more forward. Being an older guy I've seen guys come and go. I never thought I'd be that guy. Unfortunately I am. So now it's time to settle in and make this my home and do my job. That's what I was brought here for, to do a job, and that's what I intend ..."
Ex-Jaguar LB Peterson still loves to "Bring It"
Comment
June 26
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"You'd think Mike Peterson never left the Jacksonville Jaguars, judging from the outpouring of support for his Bring It football camp held Thursday at Raines High School. Earlier in the day, former teammates Justin Durant, Clint Ingram, Tony Pashos, Quentin Groves, and Drayton Florence helped Peterson put close to 300 campers through drills in 94-degree heat along with his brother, Adrian Peterson, and new Jaguars tackle Tra Thomas. Jags safety Reggie Nelson and receiver Mike Walker strolled through for the autograph session afterward in the Raines High cafeteria. Over the weekend, Peterson's foundation will put on another camp in Gainesville, along with a charity bowling tournament and a ..."
Jaguars looking to trade WR Dennis Northcutt
Comment
June 25
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Another high-priced Jaguars acquisition appears to be headed out of town. Multiple league sources confirmed Wednesday that Jacksonville seeks to trade Dennis Northcutt, one of the longest-tenured receivers remaining on the roster. Northcutt's age (31) and salary (scheduled to make $2.75 million), combined with the addition of veteran Torry Holt and rookies Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard and Tiquan Underwood, appear to have made the 10-year veteran expendable. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio didn't immediately return calls seeking comment, and general manager Gene Smith didn't respond to an e-mail. Northcutt's agent, Jerome Stanley, was unavailable for comment, but he confirmed the club's ..."
Agent: Jags 'intend to trade' Northcutt
Comment
June 25
ESPN.com
 
"The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to trade veteran receiver Dennis Northcutt, the most productive receiver they have left from last year's team, Northcutt's agent confirmed. "They have indicated that they intend to trade him and are trying to do so," agent Jerome Stanley said in an email exchange with ESPN.com. Northcutt joined the Jaguars as a free agent in 2007 and in 29 games caught 88 passes for 1,146 yards and six touchdowns. He also did some work as a return man. He came into the league as a second round pick by Cleveland out of Arizona in 2000. The Jaguars have already parted ways with two receivers who they once valued as first-round draft picks. They were uninterested in ..."
Jaguars announce training camp dates
Comment
June 23
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jacksonville Jaguars' 2009 training camp will begin Sunday, Aug. 2 when all of the players on the team's roster are scheduled to report. The first practice session is Monday, Aug. 3 at 10:45 a.m. on the practice fields northwest of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Training camp practices will be open to the public through Aug. 13. To provide fans a better view of practices, the Jaguars for the first time will move bleacher seating onto the Field Turf field close to the two parallel grass fields. This arrangement will give fans a much closer and more enjoyable view of the practice sessions. Seating for approximately 1,400 fans will be provided. Training camp will feature 20 open ..."
Jaguars cut Lemon; Bouman to be No. 2 quarterback
Comment
June 18
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars' backup quarterback battle ended almost before it began. The team terminated Cleo Lemon's contract Wednesday and awarded the job to Todd Bouman, with one organized team activity session remaining today. Lemon's departure - as a vested veteran he doesn't have to go through waivers and is free to sign with any team immediately - was one of several roster moves and left the Jaguars with 81 players, one more than they're allowed to bring to training camp. To give them four quarterbacks in training camp, the Jaguars signed Todd Boeckman, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State who lost his job to freshman Terrelle Pryor three games into Boeckman's senior season last year. Boeckman ..."
Jaguars are smart to stop throwing money at Lemons
Comment
June 18
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"This much can be said for the Jaguars' front-office philosophy with Gene Smith at the helm: He understands addition by subtraction, and putting an end to the nonsense of overpaying for questionable production. After a thorough housecleaning of expensive underachievers Jerry Porter, Drayton Florence, Khalif Barnes, Reggie Williams and Matt Jones this offseason, the Jaguars took care of the one glaring wasteful expense among their backups Thursday by terminating the contract of No. 2 quarterback Cleo Lemon. Really, the only question about jettisoning Lemon is this - what took so long? Looking back, it's amazing that Lemon actually started seven games for the Miami Dolphins in 2007 and threw ..."
Jones-Drew is already making plays for his post-NFL future
Comment
June 16
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Maurice Jones-Drew likes to look at the big picture, even though he's on the fast track to success in the NFL. The Jaguars standout recently signed a $31 million contract extension and is the team's featured running back now that Fred Taylor has departed. Jones-Drew is one of the faces of the franchise on billboards around town and is involved in the community. He held a free football camp last Saturday for 150 kids. Despite all that, he knows playing pro football isn't a long career, which is why he applied for a spot in the NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp. He was one of two Jaguars - second-year linebacker Thomas Williams is the other - who was selected to participate in the program at NFL ..."
Jaguars release CB James, TE Davis
Comment
June 12
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Looking to lighten the roster before the start of training camp in July, the Jaguars released cornerback Will James on Thursday along with tight end Charles Davis today. The moves, announced in a press release today, will shave the current roster down to 83 players. The Jaguars need to cut three more players in the coming weeks to reach the NFL's 80-man training camp roster limit. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio expected some of those cuts to come soon as the club prepares to start signing some of its draft picks. An eighth-year veteran, James played eight games last season for the Jaguars, starting in one. James finished the season with 15 tackles, but struggled when called upon to play ..."
Jaguars' Tice happy out of the spotlight
Comment
June 12
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Mike Tice has a picture of the Vince Lombardi Trophy taped to the inside of his office door. It serves as motivation as he enters his 28th year in the NFL - 14 as a player and 14 as a coach. "I feel like that is one thing I haven't been able to accomplish in my career. I don't have one of those," said the Jaguars' assistant head coach/tight end, about the trophy given to the Super Bowl championship team. "The reason I work is not for the money, not for the headlines. It's for that. I look at it every day when I leave my office. [Winning a championship] will go a long way in me deciding, 'Have you fulfilled your career dreams?' " The quest for that trophy has enabled Tice to overcome the ..."
Jacksonville coach's slam of ex-Vol was undeserved
Comment
June 6
Tennessean
 columnist Joe Biddle
"It appears the heat is getting to Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio. We're not talking about the Florida humidity. A team with high expectations last season crashed and burned on its way to a 5-11 report card. So Del Rio is feeling the pressure. It was never more apparent than it was earlier this week when Del Rio launched a verbal tirade at defensive tackle Big John Henderson. The former Pearl-Cohn and UT star removed himself from a drill after landing on his shoulder with, as he called it, "all this weight.'' Given the fact this is early June and it was a normal organized team activity, Del Rio went off the road. He publicly berated Henderson, said that the late Packers coaching legend Vince ..."
After facing Del Rio's criticism, Jaguars DT said he's "getting back to work."
Comment
June 5
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Defensive tackle John Henderson returned to practice Thursday and responded to criticism from Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who publicly blasted the two-time Pro Bowl player for skipping drills earlier in the week because of a shoulder injury. Henderson revealed sustaining a Grade 2 shoulder separation from performing a forward roll shortly after the team stretch Monday, but he expressed surprise about Del Rio's harsh criticism. Henderson also reiterated his commitment to assuming a leadership role on defense. "I was a little surprised, but like I said, he talked to me and let me know what he said," Henderson said. "Just like your daddy getting on you, you tell somebody else, then he comes ..."
The former Colts coach talks Jaguars, Tebow and Vick during stop.
Comment
June 5
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Tony Dungy has many football opinions and shared some of them during his visit to Jacksonville on Thursday. The former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers spoke at the AAA Auto Club South Office to help introduce a new Family First project. Family First is a national nonprofit organization based in Tampa that promotes parental involvement in public schools. Family First is partnering with AAA and Florida's Division of Driver Licenses to encourage citizens to donate a dollar when they renew their driver licenses in an effort to start family strengthening programs in local public schools. "It's wonderful to come to Jacksonville for once and get a receptive crowd and ..."
Jaguars' Del Rio sets the tone with Henderson
Comment
June 4
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"You know Jack Del Rio was legitimately steamed when he pulled out the "Back-when-I-played" card. Because if there's anything that the Jaguars coach hates to use as a reference point, it's drawing any correlation to his NFL playing days and today's game. The moment those words came out of Del Rio's mouth Tuesday, there was no mistaking that his unsolicited public scolding of defensive tackle John Henderson wasn't some manufactured drama to spice up an organized team activity. Jack was hot. His irritation with Henderson had been building for a while now, and he just didn't feel like holding it in any longer. Del Rio spent this offseason of discontent trying to set a tone about players ..."
Safety McCree set to rejoin Jaguars
Comment
June 3
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Expect a familiar face to rejoin the Jaguars for Thursday's session of organized team activities. Former Jaguars safety Marlon McCree agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract - believed to be a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum - to join the club as a potential third safety behind starters Reggie Nelson and Sean Considine. Originally a seventh-round selection by the Jaguars out of Kentucky in 2001, McCree has played for the Houston Texans (2003-04), Carolina Panthers (2005), San Diego Chargers (2006-07) and Denver Broncos (2008). McCree played the first three years of his career in Jacksonville, but the club abruptly released him just two games into the 2003 season, the first year ..."
Jaguars coach blasts Henderson for leaving workout
Comment
June 3
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Not one to publicly criticize players, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio didn't resist releasing verbal venom Tuesday in expressing frustration about the status of defensive tackle John Henderson. Henderson missed his second consecutive day of organized team activities after suffering what Del Rio characterized as a "minor" shoulder injury. Henderson hurt the shoulder Monday performing a forward roll shortly after the team's pre-practice stretch. "I would think that [Hall of Fame coach Vince] Lombardi's probably rolling over [in his grave] right now," Del Rio said. "John's got a shoulder that back when I played, even prior to [then], I don't think anybody would've ever missed a snap for it. I ..."
Full-speed ahead for Jaguars safety Nelson
Comment
June 2
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"With the players off last week for the Memorial Day holiday, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio strolled down the facility's empty hallways into the locker room. Once inside, he saw third-year safety Reggie Nelson hitting the showers after a workout. "We were off, yet I go in and see him doing that," Del Rio said. "He's just putting in that extra right now." It's a sight the coach and team are becoming more accustomed to as Nelson - nicknamed "Eraser" - looks toa forgettable 2008 campaign after a promising rookie season in 2007. The statistics tell just a portion of a season in which Nelson seemingly went from playmaker to liability in the Jaguars' secondary almost overnight. Nelson tied for the ..."
Jaguars' running back splits time between music, football
Comment
May 31
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Tony Smith, a mentor for Montell Owens when the Jaguars running back was in high school at Wilmington, Del., calls him "a natural." Smith wasn't talking about Owens' football prowess. He was describing Owens as a trumpet player. Owens comes from a musical family - his mother is a vocal artist and his father loves jazz - and has played the trumpet since fifth grade. "I really wanted to play the sax, but I wound up falling in love with the trumpet," said Owens, who performed last weekend in the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. By the time Owens was a senior in high school, Smith, who taught Owens for two years, said Owens played lead trumpet in the all-state jazz ensembles and was the top ..."
Agent: Jones fined for violating program
Comment
May 26
ESPN.com
 
"Former first-round pick Matt Jones, a free agent receiver who was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars in March, has been notified he will not be suspended as the result of his violation of a court-mandated drug program, his agent said. Jones was informed by the NFL last week that he will be fined $50,000 but not suspended. Even then, the NFL Players Association has convinced Jones to appeal the fine, according to Dave Butz, his agent. Jones was suspended for the final three games of the 2008 season after he lost a league appeal stemming from his arrest for cocaine possession last July. In that case, Jones entered an Arkansas drug diversion program but was sent to jail for five days in ..."
Offense gets makeover, defense gets do-over
Comment
May 24
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The statistics tell the story of the Jaguars' 5-11 season in 2008. They ranked 20th in the league in yardage gained and 17th in yardage allowed - below average on both sides of the ball. By contrast, when they were 11-5 in 2007, they ranked seventh and 12th in those categories. So the Jaguars went into the offseason knowing they'd have to improve on both sides of the ball this fall if they're to be a contender again. And they took very different approaches to improving the offense and defense. On offense, new general manager Gene Smith did a lot of retooling. The team signed free agents in offensive tackle Tra Thomas and wide receiver Torry Holt and drafted two offensive tackles, three ..."
Jaguars find value in rookie wide receiver Jarett Dillard
Comment
May 20
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"There's a new look in the Jaguars' young wide receiver corps - on and off the field. "At least they're clear-eyed and ready to work in meetings," coach Jack Del Rio said, when he was asked if the team's young receivers look better this year. That was an obvious reference to the fact that the three veteran receivers who departed, Matt Jones, Reggie Williams and Jerry Porter, didn't exactly fit that description. Including veteran Torry Holt, the Jaguars have had a makeover at the position. One of the young receivers who has a chance to make an impact is Jarett Dillard, a fifth-round pick out of Rice who might turn out to be a value pick. Dillard was one of the three receivers the team ..."
Dallas-Fort Worth venues announced for Super Bowl XLV ancillary events
Comment
May 13
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Super Bowl XLV Host Committee announced today the locations of eight major events and venues - from the NFL Experience to the headquarters hotel - for the 2011 game in Arlington. Dallas will get the largest share of marquee events and venues. The NFL Experience, an 850,000-square-foot theme park, football museum and memorabilia show, will be held at the Dallas Convention Center. That announcement was expected since there are no other indoor venues large enough to accommodate it. In warm weather states, such as Florida or Arizona, the NFL Experience is sometimes held outdoors. The event is booked indoors in regions where cold weather is likely. The Hilton Anatole was chosen as the NFL ..."
Jaguars waive three, add two
Comment
May 9
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars today waived three players and signed two rookies, both of whom participated in last weekend's minicamp. Waived were offensive tackle Stefan Rodgers, cornerback Isaiah Gardner and rookie quarterback Nathan Brown. Added to the roster were defensive tackle Nader Abdallah and defensive back Mesphin Forrester. Abdallah, 23, is a 6-foo4, 289-pound defensive lineman from Ohio State. Forrester, 6-2, 201, is a former defensive back at Washington."
Commissioners of the big four sports gather to discuss 'The Future of Sports'
Comment
May 7
New York Daily News
 
"They are portrayed as having the job security of a Supreme Court justice or the president of North Korea, but even the commissioners of the four major North American sports have to occasionally answer questions about the future of their sports at a time when, as one of them said, the economy is in the greatest downturn since the Great Depression. Wednesday, Bud Selig of Major League Baseball, Roger Goodell of the National Football League, David Stern of the National Basketball Association and Gary Bettman of the National Hockey League assembled at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Midtown Manhattan to discuss some of the issues facing an enterprise with a combined revenue of $21.2 billion. ..."
Signs point up after Jaguars' minicamp
Comment
May 4
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Jacksonville concluded its annual T-shirts and shorts Olympics (minicamp, with seemingly every player resembling an All-Pro) with coach Jack Del Rio stepping away from the action Sunday feeling encouraged about what transpired. There were no major injuries and no disappointing performances. "I told the team just now I thought we came out and got a lot accomplished in five practices over three days," Del Rio said. "[There was] a lot of teaching going on." The optimistic vibe might make the perfect foundation to return the Jaguars to prominence. But don't forget that it was just minicamp. With the season months away, the team still needs to sign its draft picks and make it through training ..."
Jaguars make draft moves for relative unknowns on defense
Comment
April 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Auspicious morphed into suspicious for the Jaguars from Day 1 to Day 2 of their first draft under new general manager Gene Smith. Opening with what appeared to be safe picks in the first two rounds, the Jaguars started Round 3 of the NFL Draft on Sunday by making seemingly questionable acquisitions in defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (Temple) and William"
Journey into unknown for Jaguars on second day of draft
Comment
April 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"A receivers club: Three Florida players were picked in the draft, and all were receivers. Louis Murphy was picked by the Oakland Raiders and Cornelius Ingram went to the Philadelphia Eagles. Percy Harvin was selected by Minnesota on Saturday. Shutouts: No local players and no Florida State players were selected Sunday. 11 players drafted from Southern Cal. 6 players drafted from Georgia. 5 combined players drafted from the Big Three schools in Florida - Florida, Florida State and Miami. In 2007, the three schools combined for 19 picks. In 2004, Miami had six first-round picks. Auspicious morphed into suspicious for the Jaguars from Day 1 to Day 2 of their first draft under new general ..."
Draft notebook: Short, fast Pac-10 - Jaguars strike again
Comment
April 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars won their gamble on a short running back from the Pac-10 three years ago when they selected 5-foot-7 inch Maurice Jones-Drew in the second round. They decided to take another gamble on a short Pac-10 player Sunday when they drafted 5-foot-8 wide receiver Mike Thomas of Arizona in the fourth round. Thomas said he's 5-8 and "5-9 on a good day," but the NFL lists him at under 5-8. Still, Thomas has good credentials. He's the all-time leading receiver in Pac-10 history with 259 receptions, but he fell in the draft because of his size. Like Jones-Drew, Thomas is eager to prove he should have been drafted earlier. "I think it's going to fuel my fire inside,'' he said. "I definitely ..."
Jaguars Make Draft Moves for Relative Unknowns on Defense
Comment
April 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Auspicious morphed into suspicious for the Jaguars from Day 1 to Day 2 of their first draft under new general manager Gene Smith. Opening with what appeared to be safe picks in the first two rounds, the Jaguars started Round 3 of the NFL Draft on Sunday by making seemingly questionable acquisitions in defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (Temple) and William & Mary cornerback Derek Cox, who weren't highly-regarded players in most pre-draft publications. After selecting Knighton with the 72nd overall pick, Jacksonville traded New England its seventh-round pick (232nd) and a second rounder in 2010 to move into the Patriots' spot in the third round, where the Jaguars grabbed Cox at No. 73. To ..."
Gators' Ingram Surprised He Slippped to Round 5
Comment
April 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Cornelius Ingram thought his workouts proved his surgically repaired left knee was completely healthy. From the feedback he received after those workouts and during interviews, he thought NFL teams shared his opinion. On Sunday, however, he realized he might have been a bit optimistic. The former Florida tight end, who before suffering the knee injury last August was projected to be taken in the second or third round, slipped into the fifth round before the Philadelphia Eagles took him with the 17th pick (153rd overall). "I was thinking that I would [be drafted higher] but at the same time I know the knee problem was a question to a lot of teams," Ingram said. And that was even after his ..."
Draft Notebook: Short, Fast Pac-10 — Jaguars Strike Again
Comment
April 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars won their gamble on a short running back from the Pac-10 three years ago when they selected 5-foot-7 inch Maurice Jones-Drew in the second round. They decided to take another gamble on a short Pac-10 player Sunday when they drafted 5-foot-8 wide receiver Mike Thomas of Arizona in the fourth round. Thomas said he's 5-8 and "5-9 on a good day," but the NFL lists him at under 5-8. Still, Thomas has good credentials. He's the all-time leading receiver in Pac-10 history with 259 receptions, but he fell in the draft because of his size. Like Jones-Drew, Thomas is eager to prove he should have been drafted earlier. "I think it's going to fuel my fire inside,'' he said. "I definitely ..."
Journey Into Unknown for Jaguars on Second Day of Draft
Comment
April 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Auspicious morphed into suspicious for the Jaguars from Day 1 to Day 2 of their first draft under new general manager Gene Smith. Opening with what appeared to be safe picks in the first two rounds, the Jaguars started Round 3 of the NFL Draft on Sunday by making seemingly questionable acquisitions in defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (Temple) and William & Mary cornerback Derek Cox, who weren't highly regarded players in most pre-draft publications. After selecting Knighton with the 72nd overall pick, Jacksonville traded New England its seventh-round pick (232nd) and a second-rounder in 2010 to move into the Patriots' spot in the third round, where the Jaguars grabbed Cox at No. 73. To ..."
JaguarsTemple's Knighton
Comment
April 27
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Terrance Knighton figured he would have to sweat things out at least a little while before his name was called yesterday at NFL draft headquarters in New York. Turns out, he didn't have to wait very long at all.Temple's senior defensive tackle - who had been projected as a fourth-rounder but was called a sleeper at that position by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock in last Monday's Daily News - was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the eighth pick in the third round, the 72nd selection overall.The last time an Owl was taken that high was 1996, when linebacker Lance Johnstone went to the Oakland Raiders in the second round at No. 57. The last Temple player to get drafted was linebacker ..."
UA's Britton upset about draft spot
Comment
April 26
Arizona Republic
 
"Getting drafted into the NFL can cause all sorts of emotions to stir. Angry is the best way to describe former Arizona offensive tackle Eben Britton. The Wildcat junior, who declared early for the NFL, is thrilled about Jacksonville choosing him. He is ticked off about going in the second round of Saturday's NFL's draft. "I am extremely (upset) about not being taken in the first round," Britton told the Tucson Citizen. "I am the most underrated player in this draft. I will lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Super Bowl." Britton, projected by several news outlets as a first round pick, going as early as No. 22 to Minnesota, or No. 28 to Buffalo, fell to the 39th pick overall. The ..."
Jaguars add beef
Comment
April 26
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"First-year general manager Gene Smith said last week he was hoping the Jaguars would get lucky in the NFL Draft. It happened in the first round on Saturday when highly rated offensive lineman Eugene Monroe of Virginia fell to the eighth pick. "I always believed, and I can't remember who said it, but the harder you work, the luckier you get and we're hoping that this year we have a little bit of luck to go with the work that's put into all this,'' Smith said The selection of Monroe was an easy one for Smith because he was the highest player on the board when the Jaguars made the pick and filled an obvious need. Smith then showed he was going to stay with his draft board when he came back in ..."
Jaguars' second pick plans to make others pay
Comment
April 26
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Running back Maurice Jones-Drew rants even today about the chip on his shoulder, placed there in 2006 by the 32 teams that passed on him in the first round of the NFL Draft. Perhaps he and Eben Britton, the club's second-round pick (39th overall) on Saturday, should get together sometime - maybe go bowling. Like the running back, Britton didn't hold back in expressing frustration about his slide to the second round. "Every team that passed on me is gonna regret it for the rest of the history of that franchise," Britton said. "I was - - off [about not being drafted in the first round]. I wouldn't call it disappointed. I'm angry and the chip on my shoulder just got a little deeper. You know ..."
Jaguars select offensive tackle Eugene Monroe with No. 8 overall pick
Comment
April 25
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars didn't expect it to happen, but Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe fell right in the club's lap on Saturday with the No. 8 pick of the NFL Draft. The youngest of 16 children, Monroe (6 feet 5, 316 pounds) becomes just the second offensive tackle taken in the first round by the Jaguars since Tony Boselli in 1995. Monroe provides immediate help, and his acquisition could mean that right tackle Tony Pashos might be moving inside to guard. There appear to be concerns about Monroe's knee. Knee issues affected Monroe's play during the 2006-07 seasons."
Let time decide how serious Jimmy Smith is about remorse
Comment
April 25
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"At this stage of the game, as much as I hate to see former Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith continue to struggle with drug addiction, his public apology about his recent arrest for cocaine and marijuana possession begs just one question: Haven't we heard this before from J-Smooth? When you hear public statements of remorse from a high-profile athlete, entertainer or whatever, it obviously carries more weight if it's a first-time offense. But this isn't Smith's first go-around with getting arrested for drug-related offenses. It's not the first time that he's begged for forgiveness. The police report says he asked an officer to give him a break and not send him to jail after finding cocaine and ..."
It's the moment of truth for Jaguars
Comment
April 25
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"It's showtime today for Gene Smith, the new general manager of the Jaguars. One of the 14 original staff members who joined the Jaguars in 1994 and are still with the club, Smith has worked his way up the ranks. Now, the future of the franchise is in his hands. Smith was handed total control of the team's personnel decisions earlier this year by owner Wayne Weaver. Now, at age 45, Smith gets to run a draft for the first time. If Smith drafts well the next two or three years, starting with this year's draft today and Sunday, the Jaguars could return to those heady days in the late 1990s, when they made the playoffs four years in a row. They've made the playoffs only twice since 1999. Smith ..."
It's not easy recognizing Smith now
Comment
April 25
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"Look for the recent arrest of former Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith on several charges, including possession of crack cocaine and marijuana, to have an impact on his potential selection into the Pride of the Jaguars, an honor reserved for the team's elite players. Smith would be considered a slam dunk for induction because he's a five-time Pro Bowl selection and right there with lone inductee Tony Boselli in terms of on-field production. However, Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver and the committee that makes the decision on who gets chosen include a player's conduct as "part of the equation," according to team spokesman Dan Edwards, though to what degree is a subjective judgment. The bottom line is ..."
Prosecutors want Jimmy Smith returned to jail
Comment
April 25
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Prosecutors are seeking to have former Jaguar Jimmy Smith returned to jail by having his bail revoked on a previous DUI and marijuana possession case following his arrest on drug charges Wednesday. Assistant State Attorney Frank Gaulden, who is prosecuting the August DUI and drug charge, said he filed a court motion Friday seeking the revocation because Smith was charged with the subsequent crimes. That would be a violation of the conditions of his bail. Court records show Smith is free on a $500 bail in the August arrest, which occurred after being stopped during a DUI checkpoint. Police said he was found with an open container of beer and marijuana in his car. A final pretrial hearing ..."
Jimmy Smith Released on Bail After Arrest on Drug Charges
Comment
April 24
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Former Jacksonville Jaguar Jimmy Smith repeatedly sought a break from the trooper who pulled him over in his latest run-in with the law, but Smith ended up in jail on drug charges instead, an arrest report said. Smith had his bail set today at $11,500 on possession of crack cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges, a day after his arrest during a traffic stop. He posted bail and was released from the Duval County jail about 2 p.m., a jail officer said. Circuit Court Judge Roberto Arias found probable cause existed to detain Smith, 40, and set a condition that he undergo a substance-abuse evaluation within five days. His arraignment was scheduled for May 6. An arrest report written ..."