Jacksonville

Jaguars 2023 Season Overview: What’s New?

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2023

Jaguars 2023 Season Overview: What’s New?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – As the Jaguars continue their preparations for their first preseason game Saturday, 8/12 at 5:00 p.m. in Dallas against the Cowboys, here’s an overview of what you need to know for the coming season.

WR Calvin Ridley will return to the field for the first time since October 24, 2021, when he was still with the Atlanta Falcons. The Jaguars’ addition of Ridley to the roster gives third year QB Trevor Lawrence another target. Ridley has shown great promise during preseason practices, and should quickly demonstrate his value to the team.

Familiar names on this year’s roster include WR Jamal Agnew, OLB Josh Allen, CB Tyson Campbell, S Andre Cisco, P Logan Cooke, TE Evan Engram, RB Travis Etienne Jr., RB JaMycal Hasty, CB Tre Herndon, S Rayshawn Jenkins, WR Zay Jones, WR Christian Kirk, LB Devin Lloyd, LB Foyesade Oluokun, and OLB Travon Walker. OL Cam Robinson also returns, but will miss the first four games of the season after the NFL suspended him for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

The Jaguars offseason moves include the signing of draft picks OT Anton Harrison (Oklahoma), TE Brenton Strange (Penn State), RB Tank Bigsby (Auburn), LB Ventrell Miller (Florida), DE Tyler Lacy (Oklahoma State), LB Yassir Abdullah (Louisville), S Antonio Johnson (Texas A&M), WR Parker Washington (Penn State), CB Christian Braswell (Rutgers), DB Erick Hallett II (Pittsburgh), OT Cooper Hodges (Appalachian State), DT Raymond Vohasek (North Carolina), and FB Derek Parish (Houston). S Latavious Brini (Arkansas) was not drafted, but impressed coaches in the rookie minicamp, and is now competing for a spot on the roster, or perhaps the practice squad. Other undrafted signees include OLB D.J. Coleman (Missouri), WR Elijah Cooks (San Jose State), WR Oliver Martin (Nebraska), TE Leonard Taylor (Cincinnati), CB Kaleb Hayes (BYU), CB Divaad Wilson (UCF), LB Dequan Jackson (Colorado State), and OL Samuel Jackson (UCF). OT Coy Cronk has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. The Jags also added free agents RB D’Ernest Johnson from the Cleveland Browns, DL Michael Dogbe from the Arizona Cardinals, DL Henry Mondeaux from the New York Giants, OL Chandler Brewer from the Los Angeles Rams, K Brandon McManus from the Denver Broncos, and OL Josh Wells, who returns to Jacksonville, where he played from 2014 to 2018, before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019 until 2022. The Jaguars have also signed TE Sammis Reyes, who is the first player in the NFL from Chile, who also played basketball as a youth member with the Chilean national team. TE Josh Pederson played in the USFL last season, and has now joined the Jags to play for his father, Coach Doug Pederson.

Gone from the roster are RT Jawaan Taylor, who signed with Kansas City, DL Arden Key, who signed with Tennessee, TE Chris Manhertz, who signed with Denver, CB Shaquill Griffin, who signed with Houston, WR Marvin Jones, who signed with Detroit, TE Dan Arnold, who signed with Philadelphia, and K Riley Patterson, who was traded to Detroit. S Tyree Gillespie was released and has signed with Houston, WR Willie Johnson was waived due to a failed physical, and DT Corey Peters has announced he’s retiring after twelve years in the NFL.

The Miller Electric Center just opened its doors several weeks ago, and the Jaguars held their preseason practices on the new practice fields. This $120 Million, 125,000 square-foot facility features state of the art amenities, including locker rooms, training and medical facilities, concession stands, a team store, and fan viewing areas. For a look inside this impressive facility, click here: https://youtu.be/77Fc9zTA-Dw.

The Jags hope to improve upon last year’s performance, finishing 9-8 with a victory over the Tennessee Titans in the final game of the season. They went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild card game, coming back from a 27 point deficit to win 31-30 thanks to a Riley Patterson walk-off field goal. But they lost the following week against the Kansas City Chiefs, who went on to win the Super Bowl. Many preseason polls predict a slightly better record for the 2023 season, and the Jaguars are currently the favorite to win the AFC South.

So while fans wait to return to EverBank Stadium (note the name change from last season’s TIAA Bank Field), be sure to practice your chants of “DUUUVAL,” and remember to add the hashtag #IWATJ to your social media posts. (“It was always the Jags.”) The Jaguars will also be playing two games across the Atlantic in London this season, on Sunday, 10/1 and 10/8. If you’re thinking about attending those games, you may want to start making your travel plans and searching online for tickets.

After the game in Dallas, this weekend, the Jaguars head to Detroit to play the Lions on Saturday, 8/19 at 1:00 p.m., before kicking off in Jacksonville against the Dolphins on Saturday, 8/26 at 7:00 p.m. for their final preseason game. The regular season schedule starts on the road in Indianapolis against the Colts on Sunday, 9/10 at 1:00 p.m. The Jaguars first home game will be against the world champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, 9/17 at 1:00 p.m. Stay tuned to Florida National News for more news throughout the season.

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Topple Titans in Final Home Game of the Season

Published

4 months ago

December 29, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) beat the Tennessee Titans (3-13) 20-13 on a rainy afternoon, as Jacksonville remained under a tornado watch for much of the game. Today’s game was the team’s annual “fan appreciation game,” celebrating the fans’ support of the Jaguars all season long, and for the past 30 years.

The Jaguars’ first drive ended with a 48 yard K Cam Little field goal. But neither team managed to score during the rest of the first quarter, as the score remained 3-0.

In the second quarter, Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd intercepted a QB Mason Rudolph pass intended for RB Julius Chestnut, which excited the hometown fans. The Jags capitalized on that opportunity, as QB Mac Jones threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to WR Parker Washington, followed by Cam Little’s extra point, to extend their lead to 10-0. Little later added a 44 yard field goal, but the Titans scored their first points of the game at the end of the second quarter on K Matthew Wright’s 39 yard field goal. The Jaguars were ahead 13-3 at the half.

QB Mac Jones and QB Mason Rudolph (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

Midway through the third quarter, Mason Rudolph completed a 8 yard touchdown pass to TE Nick Vannett, followed by Matthew Wright’s extra point, narrowing the Jags’ lead to 13-10, which remained the score heading into the fourth.

Midway through the fourth, Mac Jones found WR Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown, followed by Little’s XP, to put them ahead 20-10. Matthew Wright’s 28 yard field goal moved the Titans within a touchdown at 20-13, just before the two-minute warning. The Titans had one final drive to score, but were stopped by the Jaguars defense.

DE Travon Walker’s sack today moved him into the top 10 in franchise history with 23.0, breaking his tie with Marcus Stroud and Bobby McCray. Brian Thomas Jr. also tied WR Randy Moss’ NFL rookie record of eight games with at least 60 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Mac Jones finished with 174 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 49 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. was the leading receiver with 91 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 61,995.

The Jaguars head to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Sunday, 1/5. Kickoff time has not yet been announced for this final game of the season. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

Jacksonville

Jaguars Fall to the Jets 32-25

Published

4 months ago

December 15, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Photo credit: Harry Castiblanco, Florida National News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) lost to the New York Jets (4-10) at EverBank Stadium, 32-25. This marked Mac Jones’ first loss to the Jets after winning his first five games in his career against the team.

The Jaguars scored on their first drive of the game, with a 3 yard touchdown pass from QB Mac Jones to WR Brian Thomas Jr., with K Cam Little adding the extra point. On that play, Thomas also broke the team rookie record of 865 receiving yards, previously held by WR Justin Blackmon in 2012, as well as the franchise rookie record for receiving touchdowns of six, previously held by WR Allen Hurns in 2014. The Jets responded with a scoring drive that ended with a 22 yard touchdown pass by QB Aaron Rodgers to WR Garrett Wilson, followed by K Anderson Carlson’s XP. The score remained 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

QB Mac Jones (Photo credit: Harry Castiblanco, Florida National News)

At the end of an eleven minute scoring drive, Cam Little kicked a 28 yard field goal late in the second quarter for the Jags. Little added another 23 yard field goal as the half ended, to put the team ahead 13-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Jaguars DT Jeremiah Ledbetter sacked Aaron Rodgers for a loss of 14 yards, and entertained fans with a celebratory backflip. While the play prevented a Jets touchdown, Anders Carlson did manage a 43 yard field goal on the next play. The Jaguars responded with Cam Little’s 43 yard field goal soon after. But Rodgers’ 1 yard touchdown pass to WR Davante Adams tied the game, and the XP by Carlson put the Jets ahead 17-16, which was the score at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth, Mac Jones found Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for a 19 yard touchdown pass. Their two point conversion attempt was incomplete, so the Jaguars pulled ahead 22-17. Anders Carlson missed a 48 yard field goal midway through the quarter. But Aaron Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for a 71 yard touchdown pass, and a two point conversion, to put the Jets ahead 25-22. But Cam Little’s 43 yard field goal tied the game at 25-25 with 1:51 remaining. But the Jets managed to score on a 1 yard touchdown run by RB Breece Hall, and the XP by Carlson. While the Jags had a chance to score, an interception ended their hopes. The final score was 32-25.

The Jaguars wore their “Prowler Throwback” jerseys in celebration of the team’s 30th season. The team debuted the ‘90s-inspired alternate uniform in week 5, when they beat the Colts 37-34.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is out for the remainder of the season, as he continues to recover from the concussion he suffered in week 13 by Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Lawrence is also expected to undergo surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in the coming weeks.

Mac Jones finished with 294 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 65 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. was the leading receiver with 105 yards and 2 TDs. Today’s attendance was 63,251.

The Jaguars head to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Sunday, 12/22. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. The Jaguars’ final home game of the season will be against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, 12/29 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

Jacksonville

Jaguars Eliminated From Playoffs By Texans

Published

5 months ago

December 1, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Jaguars vs. Texans (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) lost to the Houston Texans (8-5) 23-20, eliminating the Jags from the playoffs. Today’s game marked the Jaguars’ return to the field after a week 12 bye. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence started the game after missing the last two with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, but left the game late in the second quarter after suffering a concussion in a heated moment between the two AFC South rivals.

QB Trevor Lawrence (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

The first quarter set the tone for today’s defensive battle, with no scoring by either team. Texans’ K Ka’imi Fairbairn was the first to put points on the scoreboard with a 53 yard field goal early in the second quarter. Fairbairn later added a 30 yard field goal to put the Texans ahead 6-0. A few plays later, QB Trevor Lawrence had to be taken off the field in a cart, after a rough helmet-to-helmet hit by Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair and Jaguars’ CB Jarrian Jones were both ejected after the ensuing brawl between the teams. Lawrence was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a concussion, so QB Mac Jones entered the game to take his place. On that same drive, K Cam Little kicked a 33 yard field goal, to leave the Jaguars trailing 6-3 at halftime.

QB Mac Jones (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

Little added a 30 yard field goal early in the third quarter, to tie the game at 6-6, extending his streak to 15 consecutive field goals made, the longest by a rookie in Jaguars’ franchise history. The Texans’ next drive ended with a 7 yard touchdown run by RB Joe Mixon and extra point by Fairbairn, putting Houston up 13-6. Fairbairn kicked a 28 yard field goal late in the third quarter, extending their lead to 16-6.

Early in the fourth quarter, Little missed a 55 yard field goal attempt, ending his franchise rookie streak at 15 consecutive field goals made. The Texans scored on a 22 yard pass by QB C.J. Stroud to TE Dalton Schultz, followed by Fairbairn’s XP, extending their lead to 23-6. Jaguars TE Evan Engram joined Jeremy Shockey and George Kittle as the only three tight ends in NFL history to record at least 40 receptions in each of their first eight seasons. Soon after, the Jaguars added a 22 yard touchdown pass by Jones to WR Parker Washington. A failed two point conversion attempt left the Jags down 23-12. Jones later connected with WR Brian Thomas Jr. for a 6 yard touchdown pass, tying Thomas for first place in receiving touchdowns by a rookie in franchise history (six). A two point conversion narrowed the deficit to 23-20. But the Texans were able to run out the clock to seal their victory, and knock the Jags out of the postseason.

During today’s game, players, coaches, and staff wore customized cleats and sneakers in support of various charitable organizations that they support, as part of the NFL’s “My Clause My Cleats” campaign. In all, more than fifty charitable causes were represented, including youth health and wellness, cancer research, and social justice.

Mac Jones finished with 235 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 46 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 103 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 62,588.

The Jaguars head to Tennessee to face their AFC South rival Titans on Sunday, 12/8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Jaguars’ next home game will be against the New York Jets on Sunday, 12/15 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.comfor more.