Jaguars poised to spend big, rebuild quickly in free agency
Free agency feels a lot like recruiting to new Jaguars coach Urban Meyer. It certainly should help that the Jaguars have more salary cap space (nearly $73 million) than any other team. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Free agency feels a lot like recruiting to new Jaguars coach Urban Meyer. Clemson star Trevor Lawrence is the presumptive choice, and the Jaguars will use free agency to build around him. “That’s a room that’s going to have to be rebuilt in some ways,” said Meyer, who could sign Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith or Gerald Everett when free agency officially begins Wednesday.
Casting call: Skidding Jaguars holding QB, GM auditions
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)The Jacksonville Jaguars are holding all sorts of auditions during Christmas week. Khan fired Dave Caldwell late last month and made former San Francisco executive Trent Baalke the interim GM. Smith, who spent a dozen seasons as Texans GM, already met with Atlanta and is expected to also interview with Detroit. Jacksonville (1-13), which has lost a franchise-record-tying 13 consecutive games, has arguably the most attractive GM opening in the league. Caldwell and Marrone took a chance on Minshew this season, but the 2019 sixth-round draft pick showed more flaws than flashes.
Jaguars place rookie CJ Henderson on injured reserve
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s defense took another hit on Thursday as the team placed rookie cornerback C.J. Henderson on injured reserve. Henderson has started eight games for the Jaguars (1-8), missing only a Week 5 game against the Texans due to a shoulder injury. Henderson had his lone interception of the season in that 27-20 win and had three passes defensed. Hayden was designated to return from the injury list this week after spending time on there with a hamstring problem.
Jags on verge of tying another franchise record for futility
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The last time the Jacksonville Jaguars lost nine consecutive games, owner Shad Khan fired coach Gus Bradley before they left the stadium. Jacksonville (1-8) dropped its eighth straight at Green Bay on Sunday and can match the longest, single-season skid in franchise history against unbeaten Pittsburgh. “All I know is we’re putting everything in this thing and we’re fighting our butts off,” Marrone said. But the end results might not be enough to save Marrone and Caldwell, who have dropped 19 of their past 28 games. KEY NUMBER8 — number of consecutive games Jacksonville has with at least one turnover, coinciding with its losing streak.
Falcons WR Julio Jones out again with hamstring injury
Jones had been listed as questionable after missing practice throughout the week with a hamstring injury. Even so, the winless Falcons’ secondary gets a boost with safeties Keanu Neal (hamstring) and Ricardo Allen (elbow) returning from injuries. ___PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGHEagles: TE Hakeem Butler; RB Jason Huntley, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, QB Nate Sudfeld, DE Casey Toohill. Falcons: S Jaylinn Hawkins, WR Julio Jones, CB A.J. Ravens: RB Justice Hill, WR Chris Moore, QB Trace McSorley, DT Broderick Washington, DT Justin Ellis, OL Tyre Phillips.
Jaguars rule out top pass rusher Josh Allen at Texans
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without their best pass rusher at Houston on Sunday. Defensive end Josh Allen, who has two of the team's four sacks this season, was downgraded to out and did make the trip Saturday. Jacksonville (1-3) could be down three more defensive regulars against the Texans (0-4). The team could get a boost with the return of starting safety Jarrod Wilson (hamstring). Wilson and linebacker Quincy Williams (core muscle injury) were moved from the IR designated for return list to the 53-man roster Saturday.
Mixon's 3 TDs pace Bengals in 33-25 win over Jaguars
Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Jordan Evans (50) celebrates late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. The Bengals defeated the Jaguars 33-25. After linebacker Jordan Evans intercepted a tipped Gardner Minshew pass, the Bengals started on Jacksonville’s 40 and got nowhere, Burrow overthrowing an open A.J. The Jags added a field goal with 8 seconds left, but the ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful. He missed a 48-yard field goal in the first quarter but converted on four others, including a 50-yarder in the second half.
Still reeling: Jaguars can’t stop Bengals as slide continues
Gardner Minshew II of the Jacksonville Jaguars drops back to throw a pass during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 4, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bullied, banged up physically and not even competitive in spots, the Jaguars left Cincinnati with a 33-25 loss and momentum quickly careening in the wrong direction. That such a statement was delivered by the Bengals of all teams shows just how much work lies ahead for Jacksonville. The Jaguars visit the Texans (0-4) next week with sole possession of the cellar in the division at stake. After a woeful start to the second half (the Bengals outscored Jacksonville 20-3 in the first 22 minutes after the break) Jacksonville made a push.
Fitzpatrick handles Jaguars again, this time with Dolphins
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick laughs with coaches as he comes off the field after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ryan Fitzpatrick handles the Jacksonville Jaguars as well as anyone in the NFL. Fitzpatrick completed his first 12 passes — a career high — as Miami scored touchdowns on its first three drives for the first time since 2011. Fitzpatrick also ran for 39 yards and a score, his 37-year-old legs looking as fresh as any in Miami’s backfield. “As a group we just didn't get it done,” said Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew, who completed 30 of 42 passes for 275 yards and two turnovers. The Jaguars have won two in a row against the Bengals, notching victories in 2017 and 2019.
Jaguars, with shot to move to 2-0, eager to end slide in Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Starting 2-0 is an opportunity the Tennessee Titans simply haven’t seized in a very long time. “So, yeah, I think it’s a big game for us, it’s a big game because it’s a divisional game. Jack and Jones led the way Sunday as Jacksonville held Indy to 88 yards rushing — more than 50 yards under what it allowed last year. Henry also is averaging 104.3 yards rushing against AFC South teams since becoming the starter in 2018. His 1,251 yards rushing inside the division lead the NFL in that time, a total that includes 498 yards rushing against the Jaguars.
Win leads to national recognition for Jaguars, Minshew, Henderson
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After beating the Colts to open the season 27-20, the Jaguars were nominated four three league-wide awards. 5 attempts) pic.twitter.com/PJd2og6BHN — Tad Dickman (@TDickman89) September 15, 2020Rookie cornerback C.J. Henderson, who had an interception and the game-clinching pass defense was nominated for NFL rookie of the week honors, an award won by Minshew seven times last season. The nominated celebration was the bowling choreography with Laviska Shinault, Cam Robinson, DJ Chark, A.J. Cann and James Robinson, the latter four acting as bowling pins as Shinault celebrated his touchdown by bowling a strike with the football.
No. 5 Florida counting on early help from several newcomers
This much is clear: Florida will rely on a number of newcomers — some transfers, some freshmen — as it tries to dethrone rival Georgia in the Southeastern Conference’s East Division. The NCAA denied his waiver request to play right away, so he ended up sitting out last season under transfer rules. “He hasn’t played in live game situations or live football situations where people are coming, running at you to try to block the kick,” Mullen said. Dexter visited only one school — Florida — before signing day. DEREK WINGOAfter losing leading tackler David Reese, who led the team with 94 stops last season, the Gators have concerns at linebacker.
What a start: Jaguars stun Colts in opener
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback C.J. Panned, picked apart, ridiculed and accused of tanking for the top pick in next year’s NFL draft, the Jaguars made the statement that mattered Sunday. Eight-point underdogs against Indianapolis and projected as a team that was tanking after a roster purge, Jacksonville went out and shocked the Colts 24-20 in the opener at TIAA Bank Field. Safety Andrew Wingard picked off Rivers and the Jaguars parlayed that into a 46-yard field goal from Josh Lambo. Rookie Laviska Shenault grabbed Minshew’s second scoring pass on a 15-yard slant route with just over a minute left in the opening half.
Overlooked? Underrated? Marrone thinks Jaguars ‘can be special’
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance to surprise, possibly even shock, much of the NFL. 1 draft pick in April — and assembling one of the youngest rosters in the league, the Jaguars are mostly a league-wide afterthought. The Jaguars don’t care. “I really think that this team can be special,” coach Doug Marrone said Wednesday. “We don’t feel like we’re underdogs at all,” receiver DJ Chark said.
Florida has potential for championships in Mullens 3rd year
It also could be Mullen taking over-the-top precaution as the eighth-ranked Gators get ready to begin a championship-or-bust season. We have the potential to go compete for a championship and be a championship team, said Mullen, who is 21-5 in two seasons in Gainesville. But I think we have that potential, which is really good and its really exciting. Florida won 10 games in Mullens first season and 11 in Year 2. This season, Wilson has All-SEC potential and fellow cornerback Kaiir Elam is considered a rising star after a breakout freshman year.
Mock drafts favor defensive picks for Jaguars
A slew of mock drafts released over the past two days have the Jaguars doubling down on the defensive side of the ball with their two first-round picks. Only ESPN’s Todd McShay, who’s last mock was released more than two weeks ago, has the Jaguars using one of those picks on offense. Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and cornerbacks Kristian Fulton (LSU) and C.J. ILB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson20. OLB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson20.