Jags loose nail biting season opener in OT

The Jaguars 2012 campaign started with a loss but it was a hard fought one. The offense opened up with a 3-0 lead in the 1st quarter off a drive that ate up much of the first quarter clock. That drive was lead by team captain/second year quarterback Blaine Gabbert who in my opinion shut up critics of of play from last season. Gabbert went 23/39 for 260 yards and two TDs in today's game. He found TE Marcedes Lewis in the end zone on a beautiful play action pass in the red zone early in the first half. His second TD was a fourth quarter pass to Cecil Shorts III that should have sealed the victory over the Vikings. Speaking of Shorts he has come into his own. Let me straight up right now: Under the Del Rio era Shorts would right now be on PR/KR duty. In the new Mularkey era Shorts is being used what he was drafted for as a change of pace receiver. Laurent Robinson has also started to show some emergeance as well. He ended the day with five catches for 66 yards including a nice 26 yard catch from Gabbert. First round draft pick Justin Blackmon had 3 receptions for 24 yards including a nice two point conversion catch in the fourth quarter.

Jaguars starting running back Rashad Jennings had 8 caries for 31 yards but by the end of the game you could tell who the true starting running back was in form of Maurice Jones-Drew had 19 carries for 77 yards. Earlier in the week MJD who had held out for 38 days said he'd have to earn back his starter position and based on his performance he took back his spot before the second half. Marcedes Lewis looked like a shadow of himself from last year as he ended the day with five receptions and the Jags first TD of the season after a nice redzone catch that was thrown by Blaine Gabbert.

Jaguars defensive tackles Tyson Alualu and Terrance "Potroast" Knighton both had sacks in the game showing why they are a dynamic duo that should be feared by both running backs and quarterbacks. 'Roast also forced a fumble today as he is starting the end of his rookie contract off with a bang. Look for more of this duo throughout the season as they will wreak havoc on some of the best offensive lines this season.

The Jags took some hard hits on the offensive side as well. It is reported by Big Cat Country that three members of the offensive line left in walking boots today. Uche Nanweri, Ebon Britton and Cameraon Bradfield all left with walking boots. The extent of these injuries is unknown but it cannot be good as an already tattered offensive line took some hard hits.



What did we learn from today's loss. Daryl Smith's return to the LB corp needs to happen. Derrick Cox also needs to get back in the secondary. Rashean Mathis seems to be doing well in his recovery from ACL surgery. This is Gabbert's offense. Critics need to shut the eff up. MJD has taken his rightful place back as the starting running back. Marcedes Lewis and Blaine Gabbert finally seem to be on the same page. Laurent Robinson seems to be turning into the free agent the Jags signed. Cecil Shorts is playing up to the potential that was seen in him last year but never allowed to be seen. Justin Blackmon is playing like Justin Blackmon. This season has just started and I'm already more proud of my team than ever even though they lost. Next week is the regular season home opener. Opportunity knocks... Jags are going to knock down that door.

Jaguars go 2-0 in the preseason...

Once again the Jags have lived up to the cardiac cats nick name. The beat the New Orleans Saints 27-24 after a game winning pass from Jordan Palmer to UDFA Kevin Elliot put them ahead of the Saints with 13 seconds left of the clock. The Jaguars now have a 2-0 record for the preseason. The game was one where the first team offense and defense both had great games. Defensive ends Jeremy Mincey and Andre Branch are going to be quite a tandem to deal with on the field. Both combined for a sack and the veteran Mincey had a sack and forced fumble which was recovered by Terrance Knighton. The offense has shown they are just as good as their counter parts as the team was lead by Blaine Gabbert on two touchdown drives and a field goal made by Josh Scobee. Gabbert's first TD came on the first series that was 9 plays and ended with a 16 yard pass to first round pick Justin Blackmon. The rookie wide receiver finished the half with four receptions for 48 yards and one TD. Each pass Blackmon caught showed his athleticism and that he was a great draft pick made by Gene Smith and co. Running backs Rashad Jennings and Montell Owens also proved to be quite the duo combining for 93 yards on the ground on a combined 16 carries.

A full wrap up of the game will be posted tomorrow including analysis on offense, defense and special teams.

Blackmon's NFL debut was in a word AWESOME!!

Justin Blackmon's debut in the Jaguars second preseason game was a great one. Blackmon played only the first half but it was one that says Gene Smith and the Jags front office made the right move in trading up to get the rookie out of Oklahoma State. Blackmon had four recptions for 48 yards including a 16 TD pass from Blaine Gabbert in the first series. You could tell that Gabbert and Blackmon have great chemistry together. Every pass caught by Blackmon tonight was away from his body. Before the end of the half the Saints were double teaming Blackmon as he was seen as a threat to them. Look for a great rookie season from Blackmon as the Jaguars have found that missing WR that they have been wanting since Jimmy Smith retired.

Jags waive Lee Evans and release Taylor Price

According to Jaguars.com the Jaguars have parted ways with Lee Evans and Taylor Price. Both receivers were released/waived today respectively . As the preseason continues more players will be cut. This release shows the Jags will focus on a core group of WRs that have performed well in training camp and in preseason. In an prediction as to what the Jags WR depth chart will look like I say the Jags will go with Laurent Robinson, Justin Blackmon Cecil Shorts, Mike Thomas, Brian Robiskie and Kevin Elliot in that order with Elliot also as special teams member.

Post Game Breakdown: Jags vs Giants

photo courtesy of jaguars.com 

Okay so here's what I thought of the game last night. As you all know the Jags pulled out a win over the Superbowl Champion New York Giants. They scored 11 points in the fourth quarter versus the Giants 7. Defense sealed the deal by holding the Giants of with 2 minutes to spare after they scored their last TD off a Keith Tolston TD followed by a 2pt conversion where Jordan Palmer found TE Matt Veldman in the back of the end zone.

Special Teams: The Jags can thank special teams for account for 10 points that were scored in last night win. Josh Scobee kicked one field goal from 29 yards out. His leg is as strong and sure as ever. Bryan Anger kicked 6 punts last night one of which the Giants muffed inside the 10 yard line resulting in the Jags getting touchdowns. While Gene Smith received flak and grief around the NFL for drafting a punter in the 3rd round of the NFL draft, Jaguars fans were finally getting to see the guy in action. Legaton, as fans have taken to calling him, has made a name for himself.

Offense: When the first team took the field for the Jags opening drive their was immediate fluidity and chemistry between all 11 men on the field. Jennings ran the ball well. He led all running backs with 12 carries for 56 yards. Though he did not find the end zone he did prove he can be the feature back while MJD is in holdout status. Cecil Short had the Jags first TD catch a 7 yard pass from Gabbert in the corner of the end zone. Shorts also had a brilliant end around play that would've gone for at least 20 yards had he not fumbled the ball and have it recovered by Justin Tuck. Montell Owens who is one of the Jags special teams ace had a bruising TD run when he ran over a Giants player for a nice 7 yard run. Brian Robiskie caught a nice pass from Chad Henne for a 2 yard TD. Robiskie and Mike Thomas both had great games catching 7 passes for 72 yards and 4 pass for 89 yards respectively. The performance last night was the kind of performance the Jags expected from Mike Thomas last year. With Thomas falling down the depth chart during training camp its obvious he is making a push to get back up there. The Jags won't cut him since they signed him to new five year contract early last season. Look for Thomas to get back on track this preseason as he wants to prove himself.

Defense: The Jags D picked up right where they left off last year. Defensive tackles Terrance Knighton and D'Anthony Smith started for the Jags and the both left the game with a notch in the sacks category. The Jags got a total of 6 sacks in the game. Aaron Morgan led the team with 1.5. The defensive end did good last night and fans liked his performance. Aaron Ross whom the Jags signed in free agency started at corner in place of Rashean Mathis. He was very aggressive at the position and in my opinion will win the starting position over Mathis who is coming back off an ACL tear. Jag Nation saw the debut of rookie DE Andre Branch who was drafted in the second round. He did good but can do better. Look for him to get more action next week while Austin Lane recovers from an ankle injury obtained in camp. This is Paul Posluzny's defense without a doubt. He's a natural born leader and I see him and Darryl Smith as captains along with Jeremy Mincey. Also look to see more of Kyle Bosworth and Russell Allen Daryl Smith is out recovering from a groin injury and Clint Session is still suffering from concussion issues from last year. Bosworth and Allen did well both getting a pair of tackle last night.

Two players left the game with injuries and would not return. CB Derrick Cox left with a calf injury and backup center John Estes left with a knee injury. There is no information on how serious the injuries are.

Side Note: GREG JONES IS HUNGRY!!!

Jags win preseason opener!!

The Jacksonville Jaguars won the preseason opener against the Giants living up to their cardiac cats nick name 32-31. One thing I did see was the Jags came to play four full quarters of football. A full wrap up of the game will be given tomorrow but here's a preview.

Anger IS A WEAPON!! Mike Thomas wants to keep his job. Jordan Palmer may survive the Jaguars regular season luncheon and if their was any doubt this is truly Blaine Gabbert's team. Potroast is hungry for QB's and RBs and Paul Posluzny will without a doubt be a defensive captain. I will provide a full break down of what I saw tomorrow but for now just now there is more work to be done before the regular season starts. Just know your Jacksonville Jaguars are going ALL IN!!

Jags and Blackmon agree to terms

The Jaguars and their first round pick Justin Blackmon have reached an agreement. The contract which is for four years worth $18.5 million will most likely be signed tomorrow. Blackmon who has been a hold out and has missed a lot of training camp will most likely take part in practice tomorrow after signing the contract although he will not be able to practice in pads. It is unknown if he will take part in Friday's preseason game against the Giants has the new terms of the CBA says that newly signed players can not practice in pads for a certain period of time.

The Jags most likely have some terms in the new contract that protect them financially should Blackmon get another arrest. Most of Jacksonville is glad to hear the news as they have been waiting to see what he can do  with QB Blaine Gabbert. There is still one more holdout however and that comes in the form of running back Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jags have stated that there is no plans to give the NFL's 2011 leading rusher a new contract as he still has two years left on his current one.