Jaguars News

Mathis, Monroe to start for Jaguars
Comment
November 7
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"This time, the lineup shuffling should be a welcome occurrence. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said Friday that cornerback Rashean Mathis will start Sunday against the Chiefs, along with rookie left tackle Eugene Monroe. Mathis sat out last week because of a broken left index finger. Monroe didn't start at Tennessee because the team opted to go with veteran Tra Thomas, who had experienced success earlier this season against Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. Mathis' return means Reggie Nelson will resume his role as a starter at safety opposite Gerald Alexander. Monroe joins a starting offensive line that - partially due to injury and illness - switched out personnel on five occasions ..."
Mathis, Monroe to start for Jaguars
Comment
November 7
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"This time, the lineup shuffling should be a welcome occurrence. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said Friday that cornerback Rashean Mathis will start Sunday against the Chiefs, along with rookie left tackle Eugene Monroe. Mathis sat out last week because of a broken left index finger. Monroe didn't start at Tennessee because the team opted to go with veteran Tra Thomas, who had experienced success earlier this season against Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. Mathis' return means Reggie Nelson will resume his role as a starter at safety opposite Gerald Alexander. Monroe joins a starting offensive line that - partially due to injury and illness - switched out personnel on five occasions ..."
Jaguars nab safety Smith
Comment
November 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"The Green Bay Packers came close to reacquiring safety Anthony Smith on Friday but lost out to the Jacksonville Jaguars because of the National Football League waiver system. An executive in personnel for an AFC team confirmed what had been reported on nationalfootballpost.com, that Jacksonville was awarded Smith over a claim put in by Green Bay. The waiver system at this time of year is based on inverse order of the standings. At 3-4, the Jaguars had claiming priority over the Packers, 4-3. If Smith had been awarded to the Packers, they would have had to remove a player from the 53-man roster. A good guess is that the club would have released one of three backup safeties: Matt Giordano, ..."
Jaguars aim to rev up pass rush
Comment
November 6
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"In the wake of the Tennessee Titans' record-setting 305-yard rushing performance against the Jaguars last Sunday, much of the focus this week has been on improving the tackling and the run defense. But another important factor in the game against the 1-6 Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday might be the Jaguars' ability to put heat on quarterback Matt Cassel. Kansas City's overall offense and passing offense rank 30th in the league in yardage gained. The Jaguars' run defense figures to improve this week because Rashean Mathis is back practicing with a cast on his broken left index finger and has said it's not giving him any problems. His return enables Reggie Nelson to switch back to his safety ..."
Jaguars game vs. Chiefs blacked out
Comment
November 6
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars' home game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday is not a sellout and will be blacked out in the Jacksonville area and secondary markets, the team said this afternoon. The team could have requested a 24-hour extension, but did not. All of the Jaguars' home games have been blacked out so far this season. The Jaguars ticket office will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, and on 10 a.m. on Sunday."
In a down economy, NFL viewership is up
Comment
November 6
Washington Post
 
"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."
Man found guilty of shooting Jaguar Richard Collier
Comment
November 6
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"A jury convicted Tyrone Romero Hartsfield of attempted first-degree murder Thursday evening in the shooting of former Jacksonville Jaguar Richard Collier. Hartsfield shook his head as the verdict was read, and his sister, sobbing, had to be led out of the courtroom. The defendant was also found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. One day earlier, Hartsfield had emphatically and tearfully told jurors he is innocent. "I ain't shot nobody. That ain't me," he said. "… Y'all got an innocent man up here on the stand." But prosecutors accused Hartsfield of feigning his tears for sympathy and having "an explanation for everything." "You want to do any more crying before we get ..."
Jaguars game vs. Chiefs blacked out
Comment
November 5
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars' home game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday is not a sellout and will be blacked out in the Jacksonville area and secondary markets, the team said this afternoon. The team could have requested a 24-hour extension, but did not. All of the Jaguars' home games have been blacked out so far this season."
Jaguars practice in full pads, work on tackling
Comment
November 5
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars plan to remedy their woeful tackling performance last week at Tennessee with more than just tough talk from coach Jack Del Rio. For the first time since the regular season began, the players came out for workouts Wednesday in full pads. "Obviously, it's got to be an emphasis," Del Rio said of the team's tackling. "You've got to tackle to play good defense, we understand that. It's not going to be an issue for us. It can't be. We'll find a way." The Jaguars have rarely practiced in full gear during the regular season in Del Rio's tenure. Tennessee running back Chris Johnson played a role in the change. The Jaguars struggled with consistency in tackling in the first six games. ..."
Give ball to Jones-Drew
Comment
November 3
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars believe they've figured out a way to get the ball in the hands of running back Maurice Jones-Drew. They'll make what coach Jack Del Rio called "hard ball calls." That means quarterback David Garrard will be told on occasion not to call audibles out of running plays and into passing plays. Garrard changed the play from a run to a pass a few times in the first quarter-and-a-half of the Jaguars' 30-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, including on their first two offensive plays. That strategy worked in the first game against the Titans, when Garrard checked from runs to passes and threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-17 victory even though Jones-Drew had just ..."
Chiefs will give Charles a chance to run against Jacksonville
Comment
November 3
Kansas City Star
 
"Sooner or later, the day will come when the Chiefs no longer build their running game around the talents of Larry Johnson. That being the case, Jamaal Charles might be wise to consider Sunday's game against the Jaguars an audition of sorts. Chiefs coach Todd Haley might be looking at it that way. The game in Jacksonville will be their first of the season without Johnson, who is suspended. The Chiefs confirmed Monday they have reached a settlement with Johnson that will keep him out of Sunday's game. It also will be the Chiefs' first look at Charles as their featured back. He's been mostly a third-down back since joining the team as a rookie last year. "I think this is an opportunity for ..."
Drew runs big, but Jaguars are run over
Comment
November 3
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"This wasn't just losing a football game. This was more of an embarrassment for the Jaguars. The hallmark of a coach Jack Del Rio team is stopping the run. But the Tennessee Titans ran through the Jaguars Sunday as if they were tackling dummies. The Titans ran for 305 yards, including 228 yards by Chris Johnson, to rout the Jaguars 30-13. Both the 305 total yards and Johnson's 228-yard effort were records against the Jaguars. The Titans came in with a 0-6 record and had lost to the Jaguars 37-17 on Oct. 4, but the oddsmakers who installed the Titans as favorites turned out to have an accurate reading on the two teams. The Jaguars wasted 80 and 79-yard touchdown runs by running back Maurice ..."
Del Rio to Garrard: Give ball to Jones-Drew
Comment
November 3
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars believe they've figured out a way to get the ball in the hands of running back Maurice Jones-Drew. They'll make what coach Jack Del Rio called "hard ball calls." That means quarterback David Garrard will be told on occasion not to call audibles out of running plays and into passing plays. Garrard changed the play from a run to a pass a few times in the first quarter-and-a-half of the Jaguars' 30-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, including on their first two offensive plays. That strategy worked in the first game against the Titans, when Garrard checked from runs to passes and threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-17 victory even though Jones-Drew had just ..."
Titans taste victory at last
Comment
November 2
Tennessean
 
"Roughly 14 months ago, Titans quarterback Vince Young left LP Field on a cart, his body battered and ego bruised after being knocked out of the 2008 season opener against the Jaguars. He'd heard boos before he was injured. In the days that followed his emotions sent his career on a well- documented downward spiral. Many people wondered if he'd ever get another chance with the organization. On Sunday, Young got that chance. And in his first start since that fateful day, the scene as he left the field was far different. Fans chanted "VY" as he made his way into the tunnel, and Young raised his arms in celebration. Moments earlier he'd jumped into a teammate's arms. At least for a day, Young ..."
Titans rout Jags, finally end losing streak
Comment
November 2
Nashville City Paper
 
"For six weeks, the Tennessee Titans had been going backwards. On Sunday, they went back to doing the things that had made them successful in seasons past, leading to a 30-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and finally ending a losing streak that had reached eight games dating to the end of last season. While all the attention was on Vince Young's return at quarterback, running back Chris Johnson stole the show with a new franchise record 228 yards rushing in helping the Titans to finally crack the win column in 2009 and also to help erase a bit of the stench of a record 59-0 loss at New England just before the bye. The changes came from the top, where owner Bud Adams, displeased with ..."
Johnson enjoys record-setting day for Titans
Comment
November 2
Nashville City Paper
 
"It's not often a running back goes for 177 yards and gets upstaged. But that's exactly what Titans star Chris Johnson did to his Jacksonville Jaguars counterpart Maurice Jones-Drew in Sunday's 30-13 Tennessee victory at LP Field. Jones-Drew had just eight carries in the game, but scored on runs of 80 and 79 yards in averaging 22.1 yards per run on Sunday in putting up his 177-yard total. Impressive to be sure, but still short of the totals put up by Johnson, who had a franchise-record 228 yards on the ground on 24 carries, including touchdown runs of 52 yards and 89 yards in the second half to seal Tennessee's first victory of the season, 30-13 against the Jaguars. The efforts of Johnson ..."
Young easily passes first test
Comment
November 2
Nashville City Paper
 
"VY is still Bud Adams' guy, especially after a solid effort on Sunday that gave the struggling Tennessee Titans their first victory of the season after an 0-6 start. Young was plenty solid, playing efficient football and managing the game with few errors, especially given his rustiness from going 14 months between starts. Young completed 15 of 18 passes for 125 yards and threaded the needle on a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington, marking Tennessee's first touchdown in three weeks as part of Sunday's 30-13 victory over the Jaguars. "He managed the game well. ... He made some great throws," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. Adams, who has been one of Young's biggest supporters since the ..."
Baffling Jaguars find a new way to lose
Comment
November 2
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"At the postgame podium, ex-NFL linebacker Jack Del Rio had a glazed look of total bewilderment. Though he hasn't absorbed a hit on the field in nearly 14 years, a clear-headed Del Rio was still at a loss to explain how his Jaguars find ways to bottom out. Seriously, coach, what was that abominable display at LP Field on Sunday? How could the Jaguars seize all the momentum from the Tennessee Titans, tying the game on running back Maurice Jones-Drew's second spectacular home run touchdown, and then go … Pfttttt! The Jaguars went from a Josh Scobee extra point of taking the lead, which was snuffed out by the Titans' Michael Griffin, to a meltdown over the final 29 minutes that resulted in a ..."
Jaguars' defense running on empty
Comment
November 2
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"It was a record-breaking performance by the Jaguars' defense. But not the kind to brag about. More embarrassing than anything else. Jacksonville held opposing running backs to no more than 83 yards rushing in one outing through the first six games. Then Tennessee's Chris Johnson nearly tripled that to force his way into Jacksonville's record books Sunday while leading the Titans to a 30-13 drubbing. Jacksonville's run defense gave up a franchise-record for team yardage (305) and individual yardage as Johnson ran for 228 yards (9.5 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. Johnson also set the record for the longest touchdown run from scrimmage against the Jags (89 yards) with his TD in the ..."
More shuffling doesn't help Jags' offensive line
Comment
November 2
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Players complained earlier this season about a musical-chairs situation along the offensive line. It's likely those rumblings will continue after the Jaguars' 30-13 loss at Tennessee. The Jaguars offensive line struggled once again in the face of heavy Titans pressure Sunday, giving up three sacks as David Garrard threw two interceptions and finished with the second-lowest passer rating (35.9) of his career. Before the game, the Jaguars announced that Tra Thomas would start at left tackle in place of rookie Eugene Monroe. The change represented the fourth lineup on the o-line through seven games. "Tra played exceptionally well the last time against [Tennessee]. We feel like that was a ..."
Drew runs big, but Jags are run over
Comment
November 2
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"This wasn't just losing a football game. This was more of an embarrassment for the Jaguars. The hallmark of a coach Jack Del Rio team is stopping the run. But the Tennessee Titans ran through the Jaguars Sunday as if they were tackling dummies. The Titans ran for 305 yards, including 228 yards by Chris Johnson, to rout the Jaguars 30-13. Both the 305 total yards and Johnson's 228-yard effort were records against the Jaguars. The Titans came in with a 0-6 record and had lost to the Jaguars 37-17 on Oct. 4, but the oddsmakers who installed the Titans as favorites turned out to have an accurate reading on the two teams. The Jaguars wasted 80 and 79-yard touchdown runs by running back Maurice ..."
Vince Young gives Titans look of a winner
Comment
November 2
Tennessean
 
"Roughly 14 months ago, Titans quarterback Vince Young left LP Field on a cart, his body battered and ego bruised after being knocked out of the 2008 season opener against the Jaguars. He'd heard boos before he was injured. In the days that followed, his emotions sent his career on a well-documented downward spiral. Many people wondered if he'd ever get another chance with the organization. On Sunday, Young got that chance. And in his first start since that fateful day, the scene as he left the field was far different. Fans chanted "VY" as he made his way into the tunnel, and Young raised his arms in celebration. Moments earlier he'd jumped into a teammate's arms. At least for a day, Young ..."
Jaguars at 3-3. Overrated or underrated?
Comment
November 1
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"There's no way to anticipate which Jaguars team you'll see today when they face the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Will it be the scrappy, young team that lost to undefeated Indianapolis by two points in the opener, beat Houston on the road, and blasted the Titans 37-17 in the teams' last meeting? Or will fans see the Jags that suffered embarrassing blowout losses to Arizona and Seattle? Or the team that overcame self-inflicted wounds to topple a winless Rams team, in part, by virtue of an overtime coin toss? Simply put, how good are the Jaguars? Based on the team's six games thus far, nobody really knows. "We're a team that's capable, a team that's improving, a team that's committed and ..."
Jaguars at 3-3. Overrated or underrated?
Comment
November 1
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"There's no way to anticipate which Jaguars team you'll see today when they face the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Will it be the scrappy, young team that lost to undefeated Indianapolis by two points in the opener, beat Houston on the road, and blasted the Titans 37-17 in the teams' last meeting? Or will fans see the Jags that suffered embarrassing blowout losses to Arizona and Seattle? Or the team that overcame self-inflicted wounds to topple a winless Rams team, in part, by virtue of an overtime coin toss? Simply put, how good are the Jaguars? Based on the team's six games thus far, nobody really knows. "We're a team that's capable, a team that's improving, a team that's committed and ..."
Jaguars' Mathis won't play against Titans
Comment
October 31
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis will miss Sunday's game against Tennessee because of a broken finger. Mathis hasn't practiced since breaking a bone in his left index finger Oct. 18 against St. Louis. He had surgery last week toa screw in his finger."
Vince Young returning to face Jaguars
Comment
October 30
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Vince Young experiment continues where - and against the same team - it originally ended when the winless Titans play host to the Jaguars at LP Field on Sunday. Having basically placed the quarterback on hiatus as a starter for 20 of Tennessee's past 21 games when the teams met in September 2008, Titans coach Jeff Fisher announced Thursday that Young had regained the starting job. The Jaguars weren't surprised. "We figured all along that coach Fisher would start one of the two on the roster," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio joked upon hearing the news. Fisher's move ends speculation about Tennessee's quarterback situation, sparked in part by the club's surprising 0-6 start and exacerbated ..."
Koetter ready to mix it up
Comment
October 30
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"In their 37-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 4, Jaguars running backs had just five carries in the first half as Jacksonville jumped out to a 27-3 lead. That doesn't mean the Jaguars will use the same pass-first strategy against the Titans on Sunday. "I think every game unfolds differently," Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. "You go into every game as a play-caller hoping to be able to run it and throw it. "There's just so many variables that go into how the game unfolds." Jaguars quarterback David Garrard threw 25 times in the first meeting between the Jaguars and Titans, but Koetter didn't call that many pass plays. "Some of those are run plays that Dave ..."
Titans turn reins over to Vince Young
Comment
October 30
Tennessean
 
"Kerry Collins has a hunch about why it happened. He doesn't like it, but that doesn't matter. Vince Young doesn't care about the reason. He's just happy he has his old job back, and a second chance. The Titans pulled a U-turn at quarterback on Thursday — Collins is out and Young is in beginning with Sunday's game against the Jaguars at LP Field. Coach Jeff Fisher said the move is long-term. As the Titans try and make something out of a 0-6 start, Young will be at the controls, fulfilling the wish — and ultimately the command — of owner Bud Adams. So Young, the third overall pick of the 2006 draft, will once again be on full display come Sunday. "I'm still in Kerry Collins' corner because I ..."
Jaguars will face Young at quarterback
Comment
October 29
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars got the news during their lunch break today that Vince Young will start against them Sunday for the first time since they knocked him out of the season opener last year. Kerry Collins replaced Young as the Tennessee Titans' starting quarterback and held the job until this week. The Titans, who reached the playoff last season, have slipped to 0-6 this year. Linebacker Daryl Smith, who knocked out Young with a fourth quarter hit in last year's game, said the Jaguars have to be ready for Young to run more than Collins did."
Scobee delivers for Jaguars
Comment
October 29
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Josh Scobee knows what the fans are thinking when he trots on the field to try a game-winning kick. "People always ask me how come you're not nervous on those game-winning field goals," the Jaguars kicker said. Scobee said a routine attempt in the second quarter can be more difficult than a game-winner because of preparation time for clutch kicks. "It's just something you do so many times in practice, and you have that mind-set that you know you're going to make the kick," said Scobee, who kicked a 36-yarder in overtime to beat St. Louis 23-20 before the bye week. "It makes it a whole lot easier. That's when it's fun." In practice, Scobee visualizes booting the game-winner. "I try to put ..."
Jaguars' Mathis might not be ready Sunday
Comment
October 28
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis, who underwent surgery on his broken left index finger last week, said Tuesday he probably won't know before Friday whether he'll be able to play in Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. Mathis, who has a black and pink cast that extends from his fingertips almost to his elbow, said he'll have that cast replaced by a smaller one after four days. "Some injuries, you know the day of the game," Mathis said. "I'm sure Friday will be the day I pretty much know if I'm going or not. I've still got a couple of stitches [to get] out Thursday or Friday. "It's still questionable. Hopefully, I can go. [It depends] on how it feels. Listening to the doctors and ..."
Team prepares for two QB looks
Comment
October 28
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher is being coy about whether he's going to stick with Kerry Collins at quarterback or go to Vince Young. Young lost his job last year in the season opener, when he suffered an injury on a hit by Jaguars linebacker Darryl Smith. Smith said it wasn't the hit, but the awkward way Young fell, that injured his knee. "We had a little contact. He just came down a little awkward ... and did something to his knee," Smith said. About the question of which quarterback the Jaguars will face in Sunday's game at Nashville, Tenn., Smith said, "It doesn't make a whole lot of difference." Added Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis, "It's two different styles of quarterbacks. ..."
Jury intact, trial a go for Jaguars player's accused triggerman
Comment
October 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Testimony will begin this afternoon in the attempted murder trial of Tyrone Romero Hartsfield, charged with a 2008 shooting that left former Jaguar Richard Collier paralyzed and ended his NFL career. Lawyers worked into the night to select a six-member jury and three alternates from an initial panel of 49 prospective jurors. Hartsfield, 33, told Circuit Judge Mallory Cooper he didn't think he could get a fair trial because of publicity. Cooper replied that most jurors said they'd heard about the case but few knew many details. She said she saw no need for the trial to be moved."
Henderson's role aged to perfection
Comment
October 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"When Jaguars defensive lineman John Henderson was a rookie in 2002, he used to needle Tony Brackens about being the old man on the defensive front. Suddenly, Henderson finds himself in that role at 30 while playing on a defensive line with rookie Terrance Knighton and Atiyyah Ellison, who never took a snap in a regular-season game before this year. "That turned around fast," Henderson said with a big grin about his elder-statesman status. Henderson, off to his best start in three seasons, said he feels more energized by the young guys on the defense. "You have to be energized with these guys," he said. "I'm just having a good time. Being around these young guys makes you feel young." ..."
Henderson's role aged to perfection
Comment
October 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"When Jaguars defensive lineman John Henderson was a rookie in 2002, he used to needle Tony Brackens about being the old man on the defensive front. Suddenly, Henderson finds himself in that role at 30 while playing on a defensive line with rookie Terrance Knighton and Atiyyah Ellison, who never took a snap in a regular-season game before this year. "That turned around fast," Henderson said with a big grin about his elder-statesman status. Henderson, off to his best start in three seasons, said he feels more energized by the young guys on the defense. "You have to be energized with these guys," he said. "I'm just having a good time. Being around these young guys makes you feel young." ..."
Jury intact, trial a go for Jaguars player's accused triggerman
Comment
October 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Testimony will begin this afternoon in the attempted murder trial of Tyrone Romero Hartsfield, charged with a 2008 shooting that left former Jaguar Richard Collier paralyzed and ended his NFL career. Lawyers worked into the night to select a six-member jury and three alternates from an initial panel of 49 prospective jurors. Hartsfield, 33, told Circuit Judge Mallory Cooper he didn't think he could get a fair trial because of publicity. Cooper replied that most jurors said they'd heard about the case but few knew many details. She said she saw no need for the trial to be moved. Police and prosecutors say Hartsfield shot Collier on Labor Day outside a Riverside apartment after following him ..."
Why the Jaguars shifted to a 3-4 defense
Comment
October 26
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Other than a little excitement during the preseason, the Jaguars' new 3-4 defensive scheme hasn't generated much else. The Jags rank 25th or lower in passing defense and points allowed. They're last in the league in sacks. But given the circumstances surrounding the club's switch from a 4-3 scheme - which was utilized through six of coach Jack Del Rio's seven seasons - to a predominantly 3-4 front, the Jags might not be too far behind the learning curve, as crazy that sounds. "We're still learning the scheme," linebacker Daryl Smith said. "But once we really get it down and play it like it's supposed to be played, we'll be all right." Del Rio revealed at the NFL combine last February that ..."
Jaguars ready for Titans 'changes'
Comment
October 23
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher closed practices this week to the media in the wake of his team's 59-0 debacle at New England. In addition, Fisher said he'd explore the possibility of making "minor roster changes," according to the Tennessean. So should the Jaguars expect a totally revamped Titans squad next week? It doesn't matter, several Jaguars said. "I don't know what their plans are, but no matter what they do, we've got to be ready," linebacker Daryl Smith said. "It's a divisional game. All I know is they're gonna come out and play us hard. Regardless of what they try to do, they're still going to be a physical team that tries to impose its will." After averaging 23.4 points per ..."
Jaguars' WRs prove more reliable this season
Comment
October 22
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Playing quarterback in the NFL is a tough job in the best of circumstances. Doing it with receivers who can't be trusted to run the right routes, lack passion for the game and bicker in the locker room can make the job even more difficult. That's the situation quarterback David Garrard faced last year, when the Jaguars finished 5-11, and he took much of the blame for the slump from an 11-5 season in 2007. This year, Garrard is getting the credit for being the triggerman of a more explosive offense, but he's quick to credit the new receiving corps for playing a major role. "We have guys who are definitely dedicated to performing well, being at their best. It's a different feel with the guys ..."
Jaguars look for help for Jones-Drew
Comment
October 22
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Jaguars' news releases call Maurice Jones-Drew a "do-it-all back." He leads the club in rushing attempts (108), rushing yards (463), touchdowns (eight) and yards from scrimmage (628). But after last week's career-high 33-carry outing against the Rams, perhaps Jones-Drew is doing too much. Jones-Drew would never admit that, but Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio is more realistic about it: Too many 33-carry games equate to too much bodily punishment. "Maurice took the lion's share of work [against the Rams]," Del Rio said. "Now we have a bye week, so it worked out to where [his workload] was not a big deal, but [we] couldn't do that week in and week out." The club planned at the beginning of ..."
Jaguars in the Community
Comment
October 21
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Charles Broward
"Jacksonville Jaguars' 322-pound defensive tackle Atiyyah Ellison seems to love spending time with children. That's probably why Ellison, who often brings one of his two children along with him to many of the Jaguars' community events, said he was already familiar with the book he read Tuesday morning to a group of kids at Wolfson Children's Hospital. "It's funny," Ellison said. "We've got the same books at home through the Mayor Peyton's (Book Club) program, so I've read that book a couple times to my own kids." Ellison read "I Can Read!" to a group of children at Wolfson's rehabilitation center in the Aetna building on Prudential Drive. He then stayed for approximately an hour, signing ..."
Jaguars' Mathis injures left index finger
Comment
October 20
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis, who has struggled with injury problems the last two seasons, has had another setback. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said Monday that Mathis suffered a injury to his left index finger that might require surgery during Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory over the St. Louis Rams. Mathis finished the game. "There's potential there for an issue with his finger,'' Del Rio said. "We'll know more as we get into this.'' When Del Rio was asked if Mathis could play with a wrap on it, the coach said, "That's yet to be determined. It won't be a season-ending [injury]. What needs to be done if something needs to be done, what ends up being done, there'll be time for all that ..."
Maurice Jones-Drew backs up talk
Comment
October 19
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Maurice Jones-Drew spoke last week and the Jaguars listened. Jones-Drew said the team needed to go back to its running game. On Sunday, he carried the ball 33 times for 133 yards in the Jaguars' 23-20 overtime victory over the St. Louis Rams. Jones-Drew, who also caught five passes for 45 yards, had so many carries that coach Jack Del Rio cautioned about giving him the ball that often. "We don't want him to have to carry it 33 times every week. We'd like for him to carry about 25 times, 20-25 times," Del Rio said. "I think the special circumstance of this game and next week being a bye, I think we did what we had to do there." Jones-Drew had only 11 yards in eight carries in the first half ..."
Jaguars overcome much to keep season of hope going
Comment
October 19
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"There are moments in every NFL season when bad things happen, and how each team responds to it can determine a lot about who they are. So once David Garrard made the horrible decision to throw a screen pass that St. Louis Rams defensive end Leonard Little intercepted and returned for a touchdown, and after the Jaguars quarterback was done "cussing" in frustration over his faux pas, a team pushing so hard to attain league-wide respectability faced a bit of a crossroads. Do the Jaguars allow that shocking turn of events, which gave the winless Rams a 17-13 lead with 4:36 left in the game, to become a potential season killer? Or does this young team find some resolve, maybe use this ..."
Jaguars score win against The St. Louis Rams
Comment
October 19
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Let's keep it in perspective. The Jaguars' 23-20 overtime victory over the St. Louis Rams gives the club a needed lift and .500 record (3-3) heading into their bye week. Don't forget two of the three wins were against teams that still haven't won a game. But as important as the victory on Sunday was how the Jags achieved it; no matter how much adversity they faced, the Jags found a way to get it done. "In this league, you've got to find a way to win when you can," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "It was big for a young football team that's working so hard." The Jaguars overcame three turnovers c including a David Garrard interception returned for a touchdown with less than five minutes to ..."
St. Louis Rams's losing streak reaches 16 games
Comment
October 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"For a few brief moments Sunday afternoon, sunshine broke through the dark cloud that has been hovering over this franchise for a full calendar year. Rams defensive end Leonard Little pawed at the short pass in the flat intended for Jaguars fullback Greg Jones, and then got the football fully in his grasp. He sprinted to the end zone and dived in for a dramatic touchdown just before quarterback David Garrard could knock him out of bounds. Josh Brown's extra point gave the visitors a 17-13 lead with a mere 4 minutes 36 seconds to play at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. "You're thinking, 'It's about time something good happened for us,'" tight end Randy McMichael said. "A guy like Leonard, ..."
Torry Holt: Always ready for a reception
Comment
October 18
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"In his first summer job while in high school, Torry Holt would bend down, snap tobacco leaves off stems, and pack them under his arms for hours under the hot North Carolina sun. By the time his 7 a.m.-noon shift ended in the tobacco fields, Holt's hands and arms would be coated in sticky sap. Wash all he wanted to, that tobacco stick-'em wasn't going anywhere for Holt, who in 10-plus seasons has been one of the NFL's most sure-handed receivers. Heading into today's game against the St. Louis Rams - the team that drafted him in 1999 - Holt's sticky fingers have allowed him to catch at least one pass in 158 consecutive games. The streak ranks as the second longest (behind Pittsburgh's Hines ..."
Jacksonville is lagging
Comment
October 18
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"It was a shocking upset 16 years ago when Jacksonville was awarded an NFL expansion team over Baltimore, Memphis, and the city widely acclaimed as the frontrunner - St. Louis. "As an upset, I put this right up there with the Americans beating the Russians in hockey at Lake Placid," former Major League baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn said at the time. Kuhn, who died in 2007, was a Jacksonville area resident. "St. Louis flat out blew it," then ESPN analyst Fred Edelstein said. "They took a mortal lock and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory." Sad, but true. Because of stadium lease and ownership group issues, the would-be St. Louis Stallions never came into being. Jacksonville, which ..."