Quote (JustAnother1 @ Jul 23 2013 01:35am)

dude stfu
i'd honestly have trouble starting RG3 over gabbert.

hes that fucking good
gabbert is honestly one of the best QBs in the nfl. just happens to have had a bad couple of games and played on a joke squad that has the brazenness to call themselves a team.

I wouldn't be surprised if the pats/saints/broncos/colts/steelers picked him up

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Training Camp 2013: Jones-Drew cleared to practice

Posted 5 hours ago

John Oehser Senior writer jaguars.com

Jacksonville Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew cleared to participate in 2013 training camp; S Johnathan Cyprien, WR Justin Blackmon on Physically Unable to Perform list.

JACKSONVILLE – Maurice Jones-Drew has been medically cleared.

Exactly how extensively the three-time Pro Bowl running back will participate isn’t yet known, but Jones-Drew will be able to practice when the Jaguars open 2013 training camp Friday morning at EverBank Field.

“We’re extremely excited about the progress he has made,” Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said, with Jones-Drew adding: “It’s a good sign.”

The news came the same day Bradley addressed the media for the first time in preparation for training camp, announcing that in addition to wide receiver Justin Blackmon, rookie guard Stephane Milhim and veteran wide receiver Taylor Price, rookie safety Johnathan Cyprien will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Blackmon, a second-year wide receiver, had been expected by many to start camp on PUP, having undergone groin surgery in early July.

Cyprien’s status was more of a surprise, with Bradley saying the rookie safety and 2013 second-round draft selection sustained a hamstring injury while training last week.

Bradley said the hope is Cyprien will begin practicing next week, adding of Blackmon: “We’ll wait and see. It might be a little longer.”

“We’ll be smart with those guys,” Bradley said.

Veteran defensive end Jason Babin, expected to start at the team’s Leo position, also has been cleared to practice. As is the case with Jones-Drew, Babin could be brought along slowly in camp, according to Bradley.

“You’ll see him getting on the field, but we’ll be smart with him and how we do it as well,” Bradley said.

Jones-Drew’s status had been an offseason issue since he underwent foot surgery last December.

Jones-Drew, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2011, missed the last 10 games of last season after sustaining the injury in an October game at Oakland. He underwent surgery late in the season and although he attended the offseason program for the first time since his rookie year, he did not participate.

Jones-Drew, who spent the last few weeks of the offseason training in South Florida, has not played or practiced in 10 months.

“Now, it’s back to football,” he said Tuesday. “It’s been a long time coming. I’m excited to be out there running and around and playing.”

Jones-Drew said his participation level will be “up to the coaches.”

“We’ve talked throughout the whole summer how rehab has been going and how my workouts and training have been going,” he said. “Whatever they want me to do. Obviously, not playing football for 10 months, I’m a little out of football shape. I feel like after a week or two I’ll be where I need to be.”

Jones-Drew, who said he was around 230 pounds during the team’s offseason program in May and June, declined to provide his specific weight Tuesday. He said he has lost weight, and that he would like to lose more. He said he hopes to start the season between 212-to-215 pounds.

Jones-Drew said he opened last season around 217.

“I lost a lot of weight, but not everyone’s exactly where they want to be,” he said. “That comes from me getting in football shape as well, just going out there and practicing I’ll drop a little bit more. I don’t need to drop much, just maybe a little more so I can be comfortable and ready to play.”

Jones-Drew said while practice will be critical, he can go either way on participating extensively in preseason games.

“The main focus is getting back to practice, working hard in practice and getting used to that tempo,” he said. “Whatever the coaching staff decides for me to go in preseason I’ll be ready to go.”

And when the time comes to play, Jones-Drew doesn’t doubt he’ll be ready.

“I’m the same guy,” he said. “That’s how I’ve been training, the same way, like I wasn’t hurt. For me, not playing football for 10 months, not wearing pads, not having that soreness – that’s the thing you want to get used to. Other than that, everything’s natural.”

Jones-Drew, who said a much-publicized off-field incident this offseason in St. Augustine is now behind him, said he also enters the season unconcerned about his future. He is entering the last season of his contract, and Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell has said the team will not address upcoming unrestricted free agents until after the 2013 regular season.

“Every year is a big year,” Jones-Drew said. “You take care of what matters first, which is on the field, and everything else has its place. That’s all I’m going to do.”

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Jacksonville Jaguars claim rookie free safety Ray Polk to bring roster to 90 players.

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Jaguars practice report: July 26

Submitted by Ryan O'Halloran on July 26, 2013 - 2:08pm Ryan O'Halloran's Blog

A recap of today's practice at EverBank Field:

INJURIES

*WR Jeremy Ebert did not return after hitting his head on the turf. Coach Gus Bradley said Ebert got his “bell rung,” but Ebert said afterward he was not experiencing any symptoms.

*Missing snaps because of cramps were WR Mohamed Massaquoi, WR Jamal Miles and S Josh Evans.

TOP PLAYS

*CB Mike Harris cut in front of an out route by TE Marcedes Lewis to intercept QB Blaine Gabbert near the sideline. It would have gone for a touchdown.

*CB Alan Ball intercepted QB Chad Henne when Massaquoi fell down.

*On a flea flicker, Gabbert got back his handoff from RB Justin Forsett and threw about a 20-yard pass to Ace Sanders.

*Gabbert found Sanders for a long completion down the left sideline.

THUMBS UP

*Nobody could cover WR Cecil Shorts during the team drills. He caught an unofficial 10 passes, including four of Gabbert’s first five completions.

*The Jaguars’ defensive ends were active in terms of getting their hands up. Pannel Egboh and Andre Branch both deflected passes.

THUMBS DOWN

*To the Jaguars for having the first practice in the middle field, far away from the two grandstands. Without a good view, most of the fans left well before the end of practice.

*OW Denard Robinson had a semi tough go of it. He bobbled the first handoff he got (out of a single-back formation) and later dropped a screen pass from Gabbert that was catchable.

*WR Isaiah Stanbeck had a Henne pass go right through his hands in the flat after he had looked up field.

*Ebert was fortunate to not being injured more significantly when he collided with Ball and Prosinski clobbered him near the goal-line.

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Jaguars practice report

Submitted by Ryan O'Halloran on July 27, 2013 - 2:12pm Ryan O'Halloran's Blog

ATTENDANCE

Physically unable to perform: WR Justin Blackmon (groin), WR Taylor Price (left foot) and OL Stephane Milhim (right foot).

Non-football injury: S Johnathan Cyprien (left hamstring) and OL Mark Asper (left knee).

Missed practice: WR Jeremy Ebert (head).

NEW INJURIES

None.

TOP PLAYS

*Jaguars cornerback Alan Ball had another solid day. His highlight was not buying on a double-move by receiver Cecil Shorts and then leaping to intercept Blaine Gabbert’s slightly-underthrown pass.

*Among the many quick throws to receivers down the line of scrimmage was one to Mike Brown. But he was wrapped up immediately by linebacker Brandon Marshall, who had the play snuffed out.

*On consecutive goal-to-go plays from the 9-yard line, safeties Ray Polk and Josh Evans made fine plays just shy of the end zone to result in incompletions.

THUMBS UP

*The practice script wasn’t calling for many long throws, but Chad Henne was effective regardless, completing 19-of-24 passes.

*Brown has picked up where he left off last month at mini-camp. Getting first-team reps, he made five catches.

THUMBS DOWN

*It was a tough day for Gabbert. His first three plays were nearly-botched hand-off, fumbled exchange, and a collision with left guard Will Rackley to cause a fumble. Later, Gabbert lost possession when he tried to pump-fake a throw and also bobbled a shotgun snap. He was 18-of-30 with one interception.

*Running back Denard Robinson made it two drops in as many days. He motioned from receiver to the backfield. At the snap, he flared left but he couldn’t corral Henne’s pass.

*The coaches may see something completely different, but rookie offensive tackle R.J. Dill is in a good news/bad news situation. The good news – he knows how to hold. The bad news – he was forced to hold during a few one-on-one pass protection reps.

ODDS AND ENDS

*Unlike Friday, there weren’t any noticeable cramping issues with the players. The weather was slightly more pleasant, too.

*An emphasis for receiver Ace Sanders was catching quick passes and then letting him get into the open field.

*One of Henne’s five incompletions was a goal-line drop by tight end Marcedes Lewis.

*Middle linebacker Paul Posluszny practiced with a wrap around his left knee, but still took all of the first-team defensive snaps.

*Posluszny was used on an A-gap blitz (between the guard and center) – that would be a new wrinkle compared to his role last year.

*Robinson’s shoes are tied but one still came off when he took a hand-off from Henne.

*Denard Robinson, Ace Sanders, Jordan Shipley, Jamal Miles and Justin Forsett caught kickoffs during an early-practice special teams period.

*Jeremy Mincey worked with the first-unit defensive line and Tyson Alualu was worked in later on.

*Quarterback Mike Kafka took only three 11-on-11 reps and Matt Scott had only one snap.

*Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is getting limited team reps but is making them count – running the length of the field after all three of his hand-offs.

*Receiver Cecil Shorts had an easier practice, catching only one pass.

*Rookie defensive end J.D. Griggs’ last name is spelled correctly on his No. 69 jersey but not his locker room name-plate. That reads, “GRIGG.”

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Jaguars Sunday practice report

Submitted by Ryan O'Halloran on July 28, 2013 - 2:22pm Ryan O'Halloran's Blog

ATTENDANCE

Physically unable to perform: WR Justin Blackmon (groin), WR Taylor Price (left foot) and OL Stephane Milhim (right foot).

Non-football injury: S Johnathan Cyprien (left hamstring). OL Mark Asper (left knee) passed his physical and was taken off the NFI list.

Missed practice: WR Jeremy Ebert (head) and four players got the day off – C Brad Meester, DE Jason Babin, RB Maurice Jones-Drew and DT Roy Miller.

NEW INJURIES

WR Tobais Palmer sprained an ankle and S Steven Terrell (arch) was limited to a stationary bike.

THUMBS UP

*Rookie DE Pannel Egboh and DT T.J. Barnes made a first-day-in-pads impression during one-on-one pass rushing drills. Egboh went 2-0 against C Jason Spitz and Barnes went 2-0 against C Mike Brewster and 1-0 against G Roderick Tomlin.

*Gabbert wasn’t spectacular (11-of-20) but it was a bounce back after Saturday’s rough workout (four fumbles and one interception). Henne was 8-of-15 but with three drops.

*WR Mike Brown continues to take advantage of his reps. He had four catches in the 11-on-11 periods and also got a hand-off when he went in motion along the line of scrimmage.

THUMBS DOWN

*Brewster took the first-team reps at center for C Brad Meester … until offensive line coach George Yarno at one point had seen enough and replaced him with Spitz.

*OW Denard Robinson will eventually figure it out … and he better. After one drop apiece the first two days of practice, Robinson dropped another pass Sunday. And given his first quarterback rep of camp in 11-on-11, he ran a down-the-option play and was stripped by LB Paul Posluszny.

ODDS AND ENDS

*For the diehards, the first kickoff coverage unit (minus a kicker): Jonathan Grimes, LaRoy Reynolds, Chris Prosinski, Demetrius McCray, Julian Stanford, Brandon Marshall, Antwon Blake, Isaiah Stanback, Lionel Smith and Jeremiah Green.

*Starters who got reps on kickoff coverage included LB Russell Allen, CB Alan Ball, CB Dwayne Gratz and S Dwight Lowery.

*Robinson participated on the fourth kickoff coverage unit before retreating downfield to field some kickoffs.

*Robinson, Brackett, Mohamed Massaquoi and Marcedes Lewis all had dropped passes in 11-on-11 work.

*Going 2-0 in 1-on-1 DL vs. OL drills: Egboh, Barnes, LT Eugene Monroe (against DE Andre Branch), C Dan Gerberry (against DT Brandon Deaderick), OT Cam Bradfield (against DE J.D. Griggs) and OT R.J. Dill (against DE Ryan Davis).

*Splitting two reps were Hazel and Asper, RG Uche Nwaneri and DT Sen’Derrick Marks, DT Tyson Alualu and LG Will Rackley, Hazel and OT Austin Pasztor, DL Jeremy Mincey and G Drew Nowak and DT Abry Jones and Nowak.

*From the defensive line side, the best moves were Mincey using his hands to shed Nowak, Alualu using a spin move against Rackley, Barnes using his power against Brewster and Hazel running over Asper.

*Through three days, Prosinski has remained with the first-team defense at strong safety (replacing the injured Cyprien).

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Jaguars practice report

Submitted by Ryan O'Halloran on July 31, 2013 - 3:18pm Ryan O'Halloran's Blog

ATTENDANCE

Physically unable to perform: WR Justin Blackmon (groin), WR Taylor Price (left foot) and OL Stephane Milhim (right foot).

Non-football injury: S Johnathan Cyprien (left hamstring).

Missed practice: QB Blaine Gabbert (right ankle) was limited to individual work in the first hour of the workout. S Steven Terrell (arch) and WR Tobais Palmer (ankle) returned after missing two practice and one workout, respectively.

NEW INJURIES

None.

TOP PLAYS

*On the second play of 11-on-11, QB Chad Henne looked left before returning to the middle of the field and throwing a pass to TE Marcedes Lewis down the seam. Lewis had gotten a step on LB Geno Hayes.

*It didn’t result in a completion but when Mike Brown caught Mike Kafka’s pass behind the line of scrimmage and threw long (at least 30 yards) across the field to the end zone, it was a nice thought. The pass was too long for RB Jordan Todman.

*WR Cecil Shorts lined up wide left and sprinted toward Henne at the snap to receive the pitch. But while he never got possession, LB Russell Allen snuffed it out and recovered the fumble.

THUMBS UP

*QB Chad Henne took advantage of the reps vacated by Gabbert. In 30 snaps of work, Henne was 14-of-19.

*DE Andre Branch hadn’t done much through the first four practices, but he was active on Wednesday. In 11-on-11, Branch didn’t look completely out of place on one snap when he covered RB Jonathan Grimes.

THUMBS DOWN

*Rookie WR Tobais Palmer was having a great practice Sunday when he sprained an ankle. Returning to the field Wednesday, he beat CB Lionel Smith but dropped a sure touchdown pass from QB Matt Scott.

ODDS AND ENDS

*Quarterback statistics – Kafka (22 snaps, 10-of-14 passing), Scott (seven snaps, 1-of-5) and Denard Robinson (five snaps, no pass attempts). Brown had the other pass attempt.

*Allen beat LG Will Rackley to run stuff Forsett on the first-team offense’s initial series.

*Rookie Lonnie Pryor was taking tailback reps with the second-team offense in a single-back formation.

*The first unit defensive line: Jason Babin/Jeremy Mincey at end and Sen’Derrick Marks/Roy Miller at tackle. The second unit: Tyson Alualu/Branch at end and D’Anthony Smith/Brandon Deaderick at tackle. The third unit: J.D. Griggs/Egboh at end and T.J. Barnes/Abry Jones at tackle.

*Todman had a nice carry when he started right, found nothing and cut back left to a wide open field.

*Kafka’s first completion (on his second attempt) was an accurate throw to WR Ace Sanders, who had broken outside to get open against CB Kevin Rutland.

*Rookie CB Jeremy Harris broke up a Kafka pass in the end zone.

*A recap of Robinson’s snaps at quarterback: Fake hand-off to Mohamed Massaquoi and keeper; handoff to RB Justin Forsett; hand-off to RB Maurice Jones-Drew; fake throw and hand off to Forsett; and keeper that was stuffed by DE Pannel Egboh.

*The most interesting personnel grouping when Robinson was at quarterback: Flanked by tailbacks Jones-Drew and Forsett.

*Henne’s first incompletion (on his sixth attempt) was almost a diving catch by TE Allen Reisner, who had a step on S Chris Prosinski.

*Scott fumbled a snap, but RB De’Leon Eskridge recovered.

*Henne ran a down-the-line option play, flipping to Jones-Drew. That won’t work in a game.

*Henne threw touchdown passes to WR Cecil Shorts and Reisner during an inside-the-10 sequence.

*Robinson was out on the field 20 minutes before practice to catch passes from Scott. Quarterbacks coach Frank Scelfo was present to observe.

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Jaguars practice report

Submitted by Ryan O'Halloran on August 2, 2013 - 2:27pm Ryan O'Halloran's Blog

ATTENDANCE

Physically unable to perform: WR Justin Blackmon (groin), WR Taylor Price (left foot) and OL Stephane Milhim (right foot).

Non-football injury: S Johnathan Cyprien (left hamstring).

Missed practice: DE Jeremy Mincey (head contusion), RB Justin Forsett (sprained right big toe) and CB Lionel Smith (quad strain). Getting the day off were C Brad Meester, LT Eugene Monroe, DE Jason Babin, DE Tyson Alualu, DT Roy Miller and LB Paul Posluszny.

NEW INJURIES

None.

TOP PLAYS

*During a red zone period, QB Blaine Gabbert threw a dart to WR Ace Sanders on a skinny post.

*It might have been the first time they ran it this camp – Gabbert was under center and took a big step left at the snap before turning right and shoveling it back to RB Jonathan Grimes. It’s a nice misdirection concept.

*A not-so-top play. QB Mike Kafka rolled right and opted to throw it away … and plunked LG Will Rackley.

THUMBS UP

*DT Sen’Derrick Marks has had a great training camp. His highlight Friday came on the second play of 11-on-11 when he was engaged with a blocker, but had the presence of mind to get his hands up to deflect Chad Henne’s pass.

*The enthusiasm of tight ends coach Ron Middleton. During a goal-line drill, the pads were popping and Middleton yelled, “I felt that one over here!”

THUMBS DOWN

*Veteran OL Jason Spitz got second-team center reps because Mike Brewster subbed for Meester, and it was a struggle. Spitz had two inaccurate shot-gun snaps and he and Henne had a botched exchange.

*On a punting drill early in practice, Jeremy Ebert dropped a punt and LS Jeremy Cain rolled a snap back to P Ken Parrish.

ODDS AND ENDS

*Quarterback snap totals in 11-on-11: Henne 15, Gabbert 13, Matt Scott 9, Mike Kafka 6, Denard Robinson 2.

*Passing stats during 11-on-11: Henne 9-of-13, Gabbert 6-of-12, Scott 4-of-4, Kafka 4-of-5 and Robinson 1-of-2.

*Henne again was first in line for the team drills. But he took only three snaps before Gabbert went in.

*Brewster, Cam Bradfield (for Monroe), Pannel Egboh (for Babin and Mincey), Andre Branch (for Alualu), Brandon Deaderick (for Miller) and Brandon Marshall (for Posluszny) got chances to work with the first team.