Jacksonville

Tank for Trevor? Jaguars say no way despite roster purge

Published

4 years ago

September 4, 2020

FNN SPORTS

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Attention shoppers: There’s a fire sale going on in Jacksonville.

Starters. Team leaders. Pro Bowlers. Up to 50% off. Hurry. Supplies are limited. Time is running out.

The Jaguars might as well place fliers on windshields in every NFL parking lot: “Got a hole? Have an injury? Need help? Call now! Make offer!”

General manager Dave Caldwell and coach Doug Marrone are clearly cleaning house, trying to make their salary cap and locker room more manageable just three years removed from being a few plays away from the Super Bowl.. They have dumped six potential starters, including three former Pro Bowlers, in the last six months. Three of those players — defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, running back Leonard Fournette and safety Ronnie Harrison — were sent packing this week.

Reactions have ranged from “good riddance” to “what are they thinking?” The most common perception: Jacksonville is intentionally tanking in hopes of getting the No. 1 draft pick in April and setting itself up to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

It’s a seemingly different feeling inside the facility, where players, coaches and front office personnel roll their eyes at the mere mention of such a notion.

“I think more than anything it really just shows that people aren’t watching us very closely,” quarterback Gardner Minshew said. “I think people see it from afar and see, ‘Oh, they’re losing their biggest names.’ But that’s not how we feel.”

Minshew went on to echo Marrone’s comments about reputations and careers being on the line.

“Realistically, I know if we’re tanking, coach Marrone, Dave Caldwell and me are probably going to be out of jobs,” Minshew said. “So I know us three and a lot of those other guys in the locker room are not going to let that crap happen.

“I feel very confidently in everybody’s desire to win and that’s absolutely not anything that we envision happening.”

Las Vegas disagrees, dropping Jacksonville’s odds of winning the Super Bowl from 150-1 to 175-1. The revamped Jaguars are the league’s ultimate underdogs heading into next week’s season opener against Indianapolis.

“I think there’s a lot of guys on our team that thrive off of that mentality,” said linebacker Joe Schobert, who played for the 0-16 Cleveland Browns in 2017. “In the NFL, everybody got here, everybody deserves to be here who is here, and when you are slighted in terms of preseason expectations or what people think of you, I mean, that puts a chip on your shoulder.

“As competitive individuals you want to prove everybody wrong so that’s definitely something that we’ll be able to take and use to our advantage.”

The Jaguars accumulated three more draft picks from their moves in the last week. They now have 11 selections in 2021, including nine in the first five rounds. They made 12 picks this past April, the start of the team’s makeover.

More dramatic changes could be on the way before Saturday’s deadline to set 53-man rosters.

Here’s a closer look at what Jacksonville has done and why:

HARRISON TO CLEVELAND

Why it looks bad: A third-round pick in 2018, Harrison started 22 games in two seasons and was far from a liability. He has 101 tackles, 12 pass breakups, three sacks and three interceptions.

Why it makes sense: He wasn’t the team-first guy Jacksonville wanted and had been passed in training camp by fourth-year pro Josh Jones.

FOURNETTE WAIVED

Why it looks bad: Jacksonville got nothing in return for Fournette, a 1,000-yard rusher in two of his first three years who scored 19 touchdowns and rarely fumbled. He was coming off a career year in which he totaled nearly 1,700 yards from scrimmage.

Why it makes sense: Caldwell already declined the fifth-year option in Fournette’s rookie contract. Moving on now from a player with a checkered past could save $4.17 million against the cap and clears the way for Devine Ozigbo and rookie James Robinson to get more touches.

NGAKOUE TO MINNESOTA

Why is looks bad: The Jaguars wanted a first-rounder in return for Ngakoue, who has 37½ sacks and 14 forced fumbles in four seasons. They settled for a second and a conditional fifth. The team has given two disgruntled starters (Jalen Ramsey to Rams in 2019) the trades they demanded.

Why it makes sense: Between scuffles with teammates and a Twitter spat with the owner’s son, Ngakoue had worn out his welcome in Jacksonville. The Jags have his replacements: Josh Allen, who made the Pro Bowl in 2019, and rookie K’Lavon Chaisson.

NICK FOLES TO CHICAGO

Why it looks bad: The Jaguars gave the oft-injured quarterback and Super Bowl 52 MVP more than $50 million guaranteed last year and are taking on $18.75 million in dead money this season.

Why it makes sense: Minshew was the better option. He was the league’s best rookie QB in 2019, going 6-6 in 12 starts, and deserves an opportunity to see what he can do with a potentially improved supporting cast.

CALAIS CAMPBELL TO BALTIMORE

Why it looks bad: The five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman was a stabilizing force in the locker room, a stalwart in the community and Pro Football Focus’ top-rated run defender in 2019.

Why it makes sense: He started showing his age down the stretch last season, partly because he played close to 80% of the defensive snaps. Jacksonville got a fifth-rounder for a 34-year-old guy nearing retirement.

A.J. BOUYE TO DENVER

Why it looks bad: Team whiffed on two potential replacements: Free agent Darqueze Dennard failed a physical and Rashaan Melvin opted out because of COVID-19 concerns. Rookie CJ Henderson, the ninth overall pick, will be forced onto the field without a preseason game.

Why is makes sense: Bouye wasn’t at his best in 2019, finishing with one interception for the second straight season, and was due nearly $13.5 million.

“I’m doing everything I can to make sure that we have the best team to win football games,” Marrone said. “That’s as simple as I can be on it.”

Jacksonville

Jaguars Topple Titans in Final Home Game of the Season

Published

2 weeks 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 weeks 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

1 month 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.