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ORLANDO — Jaguars coach Gus Bradley didn’t get into specifics Tuesday morning at the Ritz Carlton about the team’s draft plans, but he did share a few nuggets.
The Jaguars will draft a receiver … at some point.

And the Jaguars will select an offensive lineman … at some juncture.

During their free-agent flurry earlier this month that included seven additions, the Jaguars pursued receivers Emmanuel Sanders (he signed with Denver) and signed Tandon Doss to a two-year contract.

The Jaguars had 64 “explosive” receptions last year (16 or more yards). Cecil Shorts and Ace Sanders led with 15 and 10, respectively. But especially because Justin Blackmon’s status is uncertain, the Jaguars need to add a premium playmaker.

“It’s something we’ll address,” Bradley said.

The top receiver available is probably Clemson’s Sammy Watkins, who had 101 catches for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

“He’s very explosive and dynamic,” Bradley said. “He can catch the deep ball and take a bubble screen for a touchdown. He provides so many opportunities for you. You’re looking for guys who can score points, and he can do that from any part of the field.”

The Jaguars also need to add offensive linemen to their equation. They filled their left guard hole with Zane Beadles but expect a camp competition at center (between Mike Brewster and names to be determined) and right guard (between names to be determined).

“We understand that somewhere in those 11 picks, we’ll have an offensive lineman drafted,” Bradley said.

The Jaguars remain confident their free agent additions — chiefly along the defensive line — don’t corner them on who they must take in the draft.

But even with the arrival of Red Bryant, Chris Clemons and Ziggy Hood, the Jaguars should waste no time on Draft Night if Jadeveon Clowney is on the board.

Draft order set

The seven-round order for this spring’s NFL Draft was completed late Monday when the compensatory selections were distributed. The Jaguars have 11 picks — Nos. 3, 39, 70, 101, 114, 144, 150, 159, 179, 205 and 222.

When Baltimore traded its fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Jaguars last October for left tackle Eugene Monroe, the Ravens had an idea they would get those selections back. And they did. Baltimore received four compensatory picks (one third, two fourths and a fifth) and re-signed Monroe.

Compensatory draft picks can’t be traded.

Concussions down, league says

The league office reported its injury data to the teams this week, and it reflects a decrease in fines and concussions.

Fines for hits on defenseless receivers went from 40 in 2012 to 25 in 2013.

Concussions for defensive backs went from 53 in 2012 to 32 in 2013.

Concussions for receivers and tight ends went from 52 in 2012 to 41 in 2013.

“It’s very clear that the rule changes we have made have had the positive impact we intended,” commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Players have adjusted to the rules … and it’s a safer, better game because of it.”

The Jaguars who sustained concussions last year among the defensive backs and receivers were safety Dwight Lowery and receivers Ace Sanders and Stephen Burton (two).

Around the meetings

■ Bradley on Blackmon: “I wish I could have a more extended conversation with him. My feelings toward him haven’t changed. I still care about him. We’ve reached out to him and been able to text back and forth. To sit down and visit with him, that part I miss.”

■ Conspicuous by their absences this month at the pro day workouts for quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles have been the Cleveland Browns, who have the No. 4 overall pick. “You get a lot more out of a private workout when it’s a little less scripted or it’s scripted the way you want it. You can kind of throw some curveball at a player and see how they react to it,” coach Mike Pettine said. “Also, I felt it was more important for the staff to be together in the spring for as many days as possible.”

■ Cornerback Brandon Browner will serve a four-game suspension to start the year and then play the next four games without a paycheck due to a settlement with the league. The Jaguars weren’t interested in the former Seattle player, but he signed a three-year contract with New England. “Rare size for a corner [6-foot-4, 220 pounds],” coach Bill Belichick said. “Obviously, there are things we liked, or we wouldn’t have signed him.”

■ NFL.com reported a proposal to ban dunking the football on the cross-bar was approved by the owners. Recently retired tight end Tony Gonzalez said on Twitter: “Looks like I got out just in time.”

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ORLANDO – The struggles for Denard Robinson last year for the Jaguars have been well documented – he had more jersey number changes (one) than touchdowns (zero).

There were ball security issues, chiefly when the fifth-round pick fumbled at the goal-line against Buffalo in Week 15 and although active for every game, he played only 52 of 1,056 snaps and had 20 rushes for 66 yards.

“Around Week 14 last year, he came to me and said, ‘Gus, what do I need to do?’” coach Gus Bradley said this week at the NFL’s Annual Meeting.

Bradley’s response: Concentrate on running back.

The Jaguars remain committed to giving Robinson a shot in the running back rotation with projected starter Toby Gerhart and projected back-up Jordan Todman.

Bradley said Robinson, listed at 197 pounds at the end of 2013, now weighs 212 pounds.

“He has a different mindset than when he came in after the draft,” Bradley said. “He’s coming in, getting ready to play and he understands he’s a running back.”

The opinion here remains unchanged – it would be surprising if Robinson has a regular role. Gerhart can play all three downs and Todman proved to be a decent third-down back last year (pass protection, receiving, etc.).

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The Maurice Jones-Drew Era in Jacksonville ended today when the 29-year old running back/face of the Jaguars signed a three-year contract with the Oakland Raiders.

CSN Bay Area reported this morning the Raiders and Jones-Drew agreed to terms Thursday night and would take a physical today. ESPN reported around 3 p.m. the deal was signed.

Allowed to test unrestricted free agency earlier this month for the first time in his career, Jones-Drew found a light market for his services and settled for a projected back-up role to Darren McFadden.

"I have a ton left," Jones-Drew said in a conference call with Bay Area reporters. "People look at running backs, and say, 'Oh, you're 29, you're done.' But people don't take into account that I had major foot surgery and came back to play the next year, which a lot of people don't do.

"I have a ton left in the tank."

The Jaguars issued a two-paragraph statement about Jones-Drew and said he would be honored in the future, which likely means a place in the Pride of the Jaguars.

Part of the statement ...

"Maurice’s toughness, determination and competitive spirit on the field served as a great example to all of his teammates. Maurice has been one of the great Jaguars and he holds several team records for touchdowns that will remain for a long time. His place in Jaguars history is firmly established and we look forward to honoring him in Jacksonville at the appropriate time in the future."

Joining the Raiders will represent a homecoming for Jones-Drew, who grew up in and still has a home in the northern California area.

The Jaguars last talked to Adisa Bakari, Jones-Drew’s agent, two months ago, content to let Jones-Drew visit with other teams but never publicly closing the door on his return although it became unlikely once Toby Gerhart signed a three-year contract on March 12.

A second-round pick from UCLA in 2006, Jones-Drew leaves the Jaguars as the franchise’s leader in touchdowns (81) and the second-leading rusher (8,071 yards).

Among Jones-Drew’s accomplishments while wearing No. 32 and playing for three head coaches (Jack Del Rio, Mike Mularkey and Gus Bradley) and front office chiefs  (James Harris, Gene Smith and Dave Caldwell) apiece and two owners (Wayne Weaver and Shad Khan):

*The NFL rushing title in 2011 with a franchise record 1,606 yards.

*The aforementioned  81 touchdowns (68 rushing, 11 receiving and two kickoff returns).

*Twenty-seven 100-yard rushing games (but only two in the last two years).

*Made three Pro Bowls (2009-11).

*Fifteen multiple touchdown games (none in the last two years).

At least until the Jaguars use the No. 3 overall pick in this May’s draft, the franchise’s face will be Bradley; no other player comes remotely close to having the national name recognition as Jones-Drew carried.

But from the Jaguars’ perspective, the decision to let Jones-Drew walk was easy. He was limited to six games in 2012 because of a broken foot that required surgery and labored to a career-low 3.4-yard per-carry average in 2013 while nursing ankle and hamstring injuries.

Jones-Drew’s departures leaves Gerhart, Jordan Todman, Denard Robinson and Delone Carter – who have a combined 508 career carries for 2,134 yards and 12 touchdowns – as the Jaguars’ tailbacks.

Jones-Drew played three years at UCLA (2,503 rushing yards and 26 touchdown runs) and was the 60th overall pick in the 2006 draft. He was the sixth running back drafted and chose jersey No. 32 to signify each NFL team passing on him.

“You can say I play with a chip on my shoulder, but I call it a whole ‘Pringles’ can because there’s 32 chips inside,” Jones-Drew said in 2006. “Basically, there were a whole lot of draft analysts who said because I was 5-7, I wasn’t going to make it in this league. Mel Kiper said I would just be a return man.”

Jones-Drew has been the most productive back from his draft class, leading with 1,804 carries for 8,071 yards and 68 touchdowns.

Selected ahead of Jones-Drew were Reggie Bush (No. 2 to New Orleans – 5,168 rushing yards and 33 touchdown runs), Laurence Maroney (No. 21 to New England – 2,504 and 22), DeAngelo Williams (No. 27 to Carolina – 6,627 and 46), Joseph Addai (No. 30 to Indianapolis – 4,453 and 39) and LenDale White (No. 45 to Tennessee – 2,349 and 24).

Jones-Drew’s first three years (2006-08) were seasons of 941 yards-13 touchdowns, 768-9 and 824-12 as he paired with Fred Taylor. Jones-Drew also handled kickoff returns his first two years.

But when Taylor departed for New England after the 2008 season after rushing a Jaguars record 11,271 yards, Jones-Drew went to work as the team’s feature back.

Twenty-two of Jones-Drew’s 100-yard games came after Taylor left.

As the starter, Jones-Drew rushed for 1,391 (2009), 1,324 (2010) and 1,606 yards (2011).

In April 2009, the Jaguars signed Jones-Drew to a contract extension worth $31 million.

“We believe he’s the feature guy and it’s his time,” Del Rio said at the time.

Del Rio was right – it was Jones-Drew’s time and he produced.

In 2009, he scored a team-record 15 rushing touchdowns.

In 2010, he averaged 4.4 yards per carry and missed only two games despite playing with a torn meniscus in his knee.

And in 2011, he was unstoppable.

Although the team was terrible – Del Rio was fired 11 games into the year (3-8 record) – Jones-Drew carried 343 times and averaged 4.7 yards per attempt to win the rushing title.

Jones-Drew was voted first-team All Pro by the Associated Press, only the fifth player in team history to earn that distinction.

That was about it for Jones-Drew’s highlights with the Jaguars, the last two years marred by a holdout, a serious foot injury, an off-the-field altercation at a St. Augustine bar/restaurant and lots of losses.

With two years remaining on his contract, Jones-Drew wanted a new deal during the 2012 off-season but Khan, who had recently bought the team from Weaver, was steadfastly against that idea.

Jones-Drew skipped the entire off-season program and then held out for the first 38 days of training camp. He missed all four preseason games and didn’t report until Sept. 2, a week before the regular season opener at Minnesota.

Jones-Drew’s streak of 49 consecutive starts ended in the 2012 opener – Rashad Jennings started and Mularkey hoped to ease Jones-Drew into the line-up (although he did return two punts). But that plan was wiped out when Jennings was injured.

Thrust into the game, Jones-Drew carried 19 times for 77 yards. He was back as a starter the next week and in Week 3, he rushed 28 times for 177 yards and a 59-yard touchdown to help give Khan his first win as the Jaguars’ owner (at Indianapolis).

But on the opening series of the Jaguars’ Week 6 game in Oakland (Oct. 21, 2012), Jones-Drew sustained a broken foot (Lisfranc fracture). Although he was kept on the roster for another two months, his season was over and he underwent surgery in late December.

Jones-Drew spent the 2013 offseason attending classes at UCLA and wasn’t able to start rehabilitation until the late spring/early summer.

On May 26 of last year, Jones-Drew was involved in an altercation in St. Augustine and but a month later, authorities decided not to press charges.

On the field, Jones-Drew’s final year with the Jaguars was disappointing.

His 3.4-yard per carry average was by far the worst of his career (the previous low was 4.2 yards in 2008).

He had only one 100-yard game (103 against Houston on Dec. 5).

And he was slowed by ankle (Week 2 at Oakland) and hamstring (in that same Texans) game injuries.

On Dec. 31, Caldwell said the Jaguars would let Jones-Drew test the free agent market, but as the offseason developed, it became clear Jones-Drew’s opinion of his worth wouldn’t match the Jaguars’ opinion.

On Jan. 30, during an appearance in New York, Jones-Drew said: “I gave everything I could to the organization. I appreciate them giving me that opportunity. Wherever I go next year, they’ll have a person ready to play at a high level.”

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The Maurice Jones-Drew Era in Jacksonville ended Friday when the 29-year old running back/face of the Jaguars signed a three-year contract with the Oakland Raiders.
Jones-Drew leaves the Jaguars after eight seasons, a franchise record 81 touchdowns and 8,071 rushing yards, which is second in team history.

Joining the Raiders will represent a homecoming for Jones-Drew, who called it a blessing to “start my career in [his hometown of] Antioch and finish it in Oakland … for an organization I have loved since I was a little kid.”

Jones-Drew will likely start training camp as a backup to Darren McFadden, but the opportunity for playing time could be available since McFadden has yet to play a full NFL season because of injuries.

Jones-Drew’s production has dipped the last two years because of his own injuries, but in a conference call with bay area reporters, he said he has “a ton left in the tank.”

“People look at running backs and say, ‘Oh, you’re 29, you’re done,’ ” he said. “But people don’t take into account that I had major foot surgery [in December 2012] and came back to play the next year, which a lot of people don’t do.”

Jones-Drew admitted he has a “chip on my shoulder,” and also fired one salvo at the franchise that drafted him in the second round eight years ago.

“I know I felt like I was done wrong,” he said of the Jaguars.

Jones-Drew didn’t get specific but he could be referring to owner Shad Khan’s steadfast refusal to renegotiate his contract in 2012 (Jones-Drew held out for 38 days), the team’s decision to delay his inevitable foot surgery by at least a month later that year and their lack of interest in re-signing him this month.

Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said this week at the NFL’s Annual Meeting in Orlando that he had not spoken to Jones-Drew’s camp in two months.

The team’s stated strategy was to let Jones-Drew test the market and circle back to them at his choosing.

In reality, the Jaguars moved on from Jones-Drew — and probably vice versa — on March 11 when Caldwell signed running back Toby Gerhart to a three-year contract.

“He’s a great player,” Khan said of Jones-Drew on Tuesday. “He’s part of Jacksonville history and he’s one of our iconic Jaguars players.”

The Jaguars released a two-paragraph statement recognizing Jones-Drew once he officially joined the Raiders.

It read, in part: “Maurice’s toughness, determination and competitive spirit on the field served as a great example to all of his teammates. … His place in Jaguars history is firmly established and we look forward to honoring him in Jacksonville at the appropriate time in the future.

“… Of equal importance, Maurice was a great ambassador in the community and his foundation played a major role in making our city a better place for children.”

Honoring Jones-Drew in the future could mean the team will put him in the Pride of the Jaguars after he retires.

Jones-Drew visited the Pittsburgh Steelers March 19-20 and was linked to New England, Miami and the Jets before Oakland emerged on Thursday.

Jones-Drew joins a Raiders team that has had 11 consecutive non-winning seasons but has loaded up on veteran players this month, acquiring quarterback Matt Schaub, receiver James Jones, linebacker LaMarr Woodley and defensive ends Justin Tuck and Antonio Smith.

His 2012 season over after six games because of a broken foot that required surgery, Jones-Drew averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry in 2013 and only 10 of his 234 attempts gained 12 or more yards.

Jones-Drew played for three head coaches, three front office chiefs and two owners after being selected No. 60 in the 2006 draft. Among his accomplishments:

■ The NFL rushing title in 2011 with a franchise-record 1,606 yards.

■ A team record 68 rushing touchdowns.

■ Twenty-seven 100-yard rushing games.

■ Three Pro Bowl appearances.

When Fred Taylor was released after the 2008 season, Jones-Drew became the team’s feature back. As the starter, he rushed for 1,391 (2009), 1,324 (2010) and 1,606 yards (2011).

In 2011, he was unstoppable.

Although the team struggled — coach Jack Del Rio was fired 11 games into the year (3-8 record) — Jones-Drew carried 343 times and averaged 4.7 yards per attempt to win the rushing title.

That was about it for Jones-Drew’s highlights with the Jaguars.

With two years remaining on his contract, Jones-Drew wanted a new deal during the 2012 off-season but Khan declined. Jones-Drew didn’t report to the Jaguars until a week before the regular season opener.

Jones-Drew’s 2012 season ended early in the Jaguars’ Week 6 game at Oakland when he sustained a Lisfranc foot injury that had him in a walking boot until April.

Jones-Drew was ready for training camp last July and although he played in 15 games, he was slowed by ankle and hamstring injuries and had only a single 100-yard game.

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Jaguars owner Shad Khan and general manager Dave Caldwell each had 15-minute briefings during the NFL’s Annual Meeting last week in Orlando and coach Gus Bradley clocked in with a 68-minute breakfast session.
Among their many comments, here are three that stood out (with my analysis):

1. “You can never have enough pass rushers and we’ll continue with that approach.” — Bradley.

My take: Right this way, Jadeveon Clowney … if he’s available when the Jaguars are on the clock May 8. If Houston takes a quarterback and St. Louis an offensive tackle with the first two picks, the general feeling at the meetings was the Jaguars would draft Clowney at No. 3.

Just because the Jaguars added defensive ends Red Bryant and Chris Clemons and re-signed Jason Babin doesn’t mean they’re done at that position.

Bradley wants four Leo-types and right now he has Clemons, Babin and Andre Branch. Drafting Clowney would give the dormant pass rush an instant boost.

2. “We feel there could be some options for us at 3 if a team wants to move up.” — Caldwell.

My take: If Clowney is there, the Jaguars’ phone will ring off the hook and there will be interest from Cleveland, Oakland and Minnesota — currently in the fourth, fifth and eighth spots, respectively — if they are in love with one player and want to make sure they get him.

If the Texans go Clowney and the Rams go Auburn left tackle Greg Robinson, the Jaguars could very well trade down if they aren’t inclined to take one of the three quarterbacks. In the process, they could add picks in the second and/or third rounds.

The rookie wage scale encourages teams to take quarterbacks (not as financially crippling if the player flames out) in the first round. That would be my suggestion for the Jaguars.

3. “We have so many picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds … that’s an area of the draft we’ll really concentrate on.” — Bradley.

My take: The Jaguars have two picks in the fourth and sixth rounds and three in the fifth round. It gives Caldwell a ton of options over the final two days of the draft.

Let’s say the Jaguars covet a player late in round 3 on that Friday night. Caldwell could flip one or two of those mid-round picks to find an immediate starter.

He could also trade down a few spots on that Saturday and pick up a mid-round pick in the 2015 draft.

Most recognizable

Now-former running back Maurice Jones-Drew was easily the most recognized Jaguars player on the national scale. Once he signed with Oakland on Friday, I threw out on Twitter that running back Denard Robinson now held that title (at least until the draft).

Some fans agreed but others offered four suggestions: linebacker Paul Posluszny (team’s leading tackler), punter Bryan Anger (a third-round draft pick) and receivers Justin Blackmon (multiple suspensions) and Cecil Shorts (fantasy football).

Of course, if the Jaguars take Clowney, Sammy Watkins or any quarterback with the third pick, they will instantly be the most high-profile player.

Staying out of it

Last month, Khan attended his first NFL Scouting Combine, spending one day watching the workouts. But don’t expect him to be involved in pre-draft visits like some of his colleagues.

“I kind of enjoyed some of the interaction [at the Combine],” Khan said. “I don’t think [visiting with the players] is appropriate, frankly, but it was good to see who some of the future leaders of the teams would be and their personalities and learning how Dave and Gus and the rest of the staff evaluate the players.”

Texans owner Bob McNair will reportedly be among those meeting with Clowney later this week and two owners — Dallas’ Jerry Jones and Cincinnati’s Mike Brown — run their team’s personnel departments.

Under contract

According to the NFLPA, the Jaguars have a league-high 78 players under contract. Teams are allowed to have 90 on their roster until a cut to 75 players after the third preseason game.

The Jaguars are likely to make several roster moves between now and the draft — they have 11 picks and will want to sign several undrafted free agents.

Through Friday, the Jaguars were $25,107,265 under the $133 million salary cap (not including the $19,645,333 of available roll over money).

The Jaguars’ cap space was fourth-most in the league, behind Cleveland ($31.8 million), the New York Jets ($28.7 million) and Cincinnati ($26.3 million).

Three and out

■ According to the Jaguars’ website, jersey numbers have been assigned to most of the new players: Bryant (79), running back Toby Gerhart (21), linebacker Dekoda Watson (57), left guard Zane Beadles (68), receiver Tandon Doss (80) and defensive tackle Ziggy Hood (92). Clemons didn’t have a number listed.

■ While offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch has been making the rounds visiting the top-rated quarterbacks, position coach Frank Scelfo has also been busy. He was at Virginia Tech’s Pro Day on March 19 (Logan Thomas) and traveled to Ithaca, N.Y., on Thursday to watch Cornell’s Jeff Mathews throw. Mathews played in the East-West All-Star game in January and threw 87 touchdowns in his four years at the Ivy League school.

■ Pro Days continue to wind down. The big draws will be South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington on Tuesday and Miami on Wednesday.

Caldwell said the evaluations from the Jaguars coaching staff are due this week.

Quote (Hako @ Apr 3 2014 05:00pm)

Tad Dickman ‏@Tdickman89  1h
#Jaguars have announced the following dates:

OTAs: May 27-29,  June 2-3, June 5, June 9-10, June 12-13.

Mandatory Minicamp: June 17-19.

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Ryan O'Halloran ‏@ryanohalloran  5h
Source: Mack came into Jacksonville Friday and left this morning. #jaguars

Ryan O'Halloran ‏@ryanohalloran  5h
Source: Alex Mack had dinner with GM Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley Friday night. #jaguars

Ryan O'Halloran ‏@ryanohalloran  5h
League source estimated a Mack offer sheet would need to include "$22 million fully guaranteed over first 3 yrs of deal," to make Cleve pass

Quote (Hako @ Apr 5 2014 10:54pm)

plz sum Alex Mack