Jaguars Notes: Coughlin, Ramsey, Jack
Here’s a look at the Jaguars as they gear up for the most important game in nearly two decades:
- Last year, Jaguars owner Shad Khan wanted to hire Tom Coughlin as the team’s chief decision maker and make then interim head coach Doug Marrone the team’s full-time HC. He feared putting the two in a “forced marriage,” but Coughlin independently named Marrone as his top choice for the role, Jarrett Bell of USA Today writes. It’s an unusual arrangement, but Marrone says that he does not mind operating in Coughlin’s shadow. “I’ve never been the boss, just so you know,” he said. “I’ve got one at home, and when I go home with my wife, my father-in-law (James “Boots” Donnelly, the longtime football coach at Middle Tennessee) is the boss. Or my mother-in-law, depending on the situation. When I visit my parents, they’re the boss. I’m never the boss. So it’s the same.”
- The culture change in Jacksonville is a big reason for the Jaguars’ success, but the team’s 2016 draft under Dave Caldwell should not be discounted, as Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com writes. In that year, the Jaguars selected Jalen Ramsey (No. 5 overall), linebacker Myles Jack (No. 36) and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (No. 69). With those picks, the Jags came away with a first-team All-Pro, a starting linebacker, and one of the league’s top young pass-rushers. Of course, the team’s 2017 free agent class – including defensive end Calais Campbell, cornerback A.J. Bouye, and safety Barry Church – is also a big reason for the team’s surprising playoff run.
- Earlier this week, the Jaguars auditioned Brock Miller, but that was probably just to give Jacksonville some practice against a left-footed punter in preparation for Ryan Allen of the Pats.
NFL Workout Updates: 1/18/18
Here are today’s workout updates, courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer.
Baltimore Ravens
LB Ja’Gared Davis, LB Quentin Gause, LB Jeff Knox, RB Roy Finch, RB Travon Van, S Daniel Henry, QB Matt McGloin, WR DeVier Posey, CB Cody Riggs (Twitter links)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers
- S Ironhead Gallon, S Deron Washington, DE Praise Martin-Oguike (Twitter link)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/16/18
Today’s practice squad updates:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Walt Powell
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Nick Truesdell
- Waived: T Storm Norton
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/14/18
Today’s minor moves:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted to active roster: LB Deon King
- Waived: WR Montay Crockett
Jags To Send Bills Better 2018 Pick For Dareus
- The Jaguars making the playoffs will slightly alter their trade for Marcell Dareus. The Bills received a conditional 2018 sixth-round pick for Dareus in the parties’ October trade, but now that the Jags ventured to the postseason, that pick will become a fifth-rounder, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Jaguars Could Keep Blake Bortles?
Blake Bortles failed to clear 100 yards passing in an interesting wild-card win, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears (video link) the Jags are not opposed to retaining their 2014 first-rounder on the $19MM fifth-year option salary. Bortles has been wildly inconsistent this season, and Sunday’s 87-yard showing marked a season-low. Although, his 88 rushing yards were vital in the 10-3 victory. Doug Marrone also said he’s concerned about his offense heading into the team’s divisional-round game in Pittsburgh. While it should be expected the Jags will explore an upgrade prior to making a final call on Bortles, it might not be a certainty the franchise moves on from him.
- While Tyrod Taylor did not fare well against the vaunted Jags pass defense, the Bills are not against bringing him back. Rapoport reports the Bills are not expected to cut Taylor this offseason. Instead, they would rather give him a chance to compete to be the starter for a fourth season or trade him to another team in need of a quarterback. Taylor is due a $6MM roster bonus if he’s on the Bills come Day 3 of the 2018 league year and stands to earn $10MM in base salary. On a trade market that could include Eli Manning and Alex Smith, Taylor would be an interesting name — if not a consolation prize for a team that cannot land its desired upgrade. The Bills brought Taylor back in March when many expected him to be jettisoned, and Nathan Peterman does not look to be close to ready for a competition with the incumbent.
The Jaguars have been mentioned as a quality destination for one of the higher-end quarterbacks expected to be available in free agency or via trade during what should be an intriguing offseason for teams in search of passers. But they might not be done with their current quarterback just yet.
NFL Workout Updates: 1/4/18
Today’s NFL workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account:
Arizona Cardinals
- G Greg Pyke (link)
Buffalo Bills
- RBs Cedric O’Neal, Jhurell Pressley (link)
Carolina Panthers
- CB Lorenzo Doss (link)
Cleveland Browns
- Ts Chauncey Briggs, Taylor Hart (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- DE Evan Panfil (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- TEs Gavin Escobar, Colin Jeter (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- DE Sean Daniels; LB Shakeel Rashad; CBs Sheldon Price, Ezra Robinson; S Malik Golden (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- QB Marcus McDade; TEs Steve Donatell, Patrick Towles; K Roberto Aguayo; LS Derek Hart (link)
Los Angeles Rams
- C Jon Toth; DT Toby Johnson; LB Reshard Cliett; S Bennett Jackson (link)
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
- LS Anthony Kukwa (link)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- RB Joel Bouagnon; DE Darnell Leslie; LBs Kenneth Olugbode, Max Valles; DBs Lorenzo Jerome, Andrew Williamson (Twitter links)
San Francisco 49ers
- DE Ryan Delaire; DT Alameda Ta’amu (link)
Jaguars' Marqise Lee To Play?
- Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee did not practice on Wednesday and may not practice this week. However, the belief is that he will be able to take the field against the Bills this weekend, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Lee had the most receptions of any Jags receiver this year (56) and finished second in receiving yards (702). If Lee cannot go, Jacksonville will have to lean a bit more heavily on Allen Hurns, Dede Westbrook, and Keelan Cole.
NFL Workout Updates: 12/31/17
Here are today’s workout notes from around the league:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- WRs Mario Alford, Corey Brown, Tevaun Smith, Rannell Hall, Quan Bray (tweet via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union)
New Orleans Saints
- S Kelcie McCray (tweet via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Jags WR Jaelen Strong Tears ACL
An encouraging comeback game turns out to be the final one of the 2017 season for wide receiver Jaelen Strong. After catching his first touchdown pass of the season against the 49ers, the 23-year-old wideout revealed on his own personal Instagram that he has torn his ACL, effectively ending his third professional season.
“I was cut in September by the Texans. Jags claimed me a day after. 14 weeks later I am finally active. My first reception goes for a TD. IM SO EXCITED to finally be out here w GANG grinding w my dogs and then I tear my ACL. I walked off on my own power cause i immediately thought of who was watching me, our youth! Let this be a testimony for you. No matter what knocks you down you gotta pull ya self back up and what better way to show you then this… can’t wait to watch my dogs in the OFFS! Love everybody who been in my corner.”
Strong had spent his first two seasons in the NFL with the Texans, who had selected him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Strong was cut by Houston in September, but was signed by the Jaguars after the team needed wide receiver depth. Strong was activated for the first time this season as Jacksonville dealt with injuries to starters Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns.
Strong responded by catching three balls and a game tying touchdown at the end of the first half. It’s a cruel turn of events for what was looking to be a nice turn around story. Now the Jaguars will have to hope for the likes of Lee and Hurns to return for the postseason. Rookies Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook and Jaydon Mickens have stepped up admirably for quarterback Blake Bortles over the past few weeks, but Jacksonville would certainly like their more veteran playmakers to get back in the lineup with the playoffs just two weeks away.