Jaguars News Wire

Today the Jaguars announced the acquisition of WR Patrick Turner and the release of WR Jarrett Dillard. Head coach Jack Del Rio said at the press conference about the roster addition "Turner has the skills to be the WR2 that we needed to backup Mike Thomas at the position. Dillard simply was under-performing in clutch situations." Of Dillard, Del Rio was quoted as saying "We had hopes for Dillard that were never realized. We wish him good luck with his next team."

The Jaguars announced the acquisition in the midst of prepping for their matchup against the 3-2 Chiefs tomorrow. Del Rio placed an emphasis on the special teams play for this weeks game. "We can't let up after a division win against the Titans. Week six's special team play [against the Buffalo Bills] was unacceptable. 2 return touchdowns cannot happen again. I believe the player acquisitions of the past several days should improve our special teams play tremendously."

A first quarter filled with turnovers doomed the Jaguars to a 3 point loss as they gave up 21 points alone in the first 8 minutes of the game. With a loss to Kansas City, Jacksonville falls to 4-3, losing the division lead to the Colts in the process.

Jacksonville simply didn't show up to the game prepared to play; The first two series on offense lead to turnovers that would result in 14 points on the board, and the remainder of the quarter played out much the same. Of the loss head coach Jack Del Rio had to say, "Yet another loss due to sloppy play is simply disappointing. The team played with heart the remainder of the game, but the first quarter seemed to be played with lackluster effort at best." Post game reports from the locker room indicate that starting QB David Garrard has officially been put on notice by Del Rio.

Grumbling heard again from disappointed fans as the Jaguars lost 29-28 today. Another close game, another heartbreaking loss. Coach Jack Del Rio said later "We played with alot of heart, but just didn't bring our A-game".

Fans are beginning to wonder when a quarterback change will occur. Del Rio is not satisfied with Garrard's play but simply has no other options at this point. "We have to use what we have, we need to get a winning attitude and turn this season around now".

Another game, another loss. The Jaguars can't seem to pull their act together as they fall to 4-7 after a loss to the New York Giants 24-13. The team showed lackluster effort, with only one touchdown and two drives in the red zone resulting in field goals rather than TDs. At Coach Del Rio's press conference he only had to say:

"The offense was not explosive as usual, the pass rush was non-existent. We simply didn't play today and we lost. End of story."

With seven losses, the team is most likely eliminated from contention, and thus must begin rebuilding for next season. Another disappointing season for Jaguars fans leads to questions. Will the quarterback situation be resolved? Can Del Rio put together a winning team or simply a stat machine? With 5 games remaining, Del Rio will most likely now begin experimenting with personnel, seeing just how he can answer these questions.

The Jaguars defeated the division rival Titans 63-14 in an impressive showing by both the offense and defense in Tennessee. Altogether the offense totaled almost 400 yards, while the defense added 4 interceptions and 3 scores.

After game interviews with Coach Del Rio were very positive: "This is the jump start we need. We have a chance at the playoffs still, and really needed a comeback game."

Del Rio also called the team "dominant" and commented on the progression of Felix Jones in the offensive game compared to previous struggles. David Garrard also stepped up and managed to turn around his losing ways by contributing on offense with a 85% completion rate and a passing TD for over 200 yards. This was a much needed game for the now 5-7 Jaguars, and fans responded well to breaking a 5 game losing streak.

Today the Jaguars announced the signing of DL Ricardo Mathews and release DL C.J. Mosley in a change-up of defensive line depth.

The veteran Mosley had remained on the roster all season, but only recorded a pedestrian 1 tackle and 1 tackle assist as the 2nd string DT. The coaching staff seemed to favor DT Landon Cohen over Mosley as the future 2nd string and had been phasing out Mosley's play. Mathews is expected to take over the 3rd string DT duties as Cohen is upgraded to 2nd string.

Coach Del Rio declined to comment after the Jaguars/Titans game in Tennessee about the transaction.

As the exclusive free agent signing period began Tuesday, the Jaguars quickly scooped up several of their impending free agents before they could hit the open market. The team announced the resigning of DL Landon Cohen, DB Derek Cox, LB Russell Allen, and QB Jevan Snead early Tuesday morning.

Each player is currently an integral part of the team, with Cox starting opposite Rashean Mathis a CB and Cohen a regular sub for Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu at DT. Allen is a key member of the special teams and subs in at OLB. The rookie Snead is currently the backup QB and seeming future replacement for the aging David Garrard.

The Jaguars still have two impending free agents who are unsigned: DB William Middleton and OL Kevin Haslam. Coach Del Rio couldn't be reached for comment on the status of re-signing of both players.

Leading up to the draft each team is expected to announce their draft cuts; the Jaguars have yet to announce any of the 7 necessary cuts.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced another several roster moves Tuesday night in preparation for free agency ad the upcoming draft.

Jacksonville reached an agreement with DB William Middleton on a contract extension, but announced that their last remaining restricted free agent, OL Kevin Haslam, would not be resigned. Middleton served as the nickel back corner for the season, and barring an acquisition will return to the same role in 2011. Haslam only played as a reserve tackle last season.

Coach Del Rio also announced at the press conference several cuts in preparation for the draft. Among them are DB David Jones, DB Sean Considine, DL Nick Reed, OLB Steve Octavien, FB Brock Bolen, TE Zach Potter, and OL Seth Olsen. Del Rio also told the press the Jaguars wouldn't be very active in free agency leading up to the draft.

***Update***
Wednesday the Jaguars also released OL Fenuki Tupou, OL Austin Howard, OLB Jacob Cutrera, OLB K.C. Asiodu, DL Ricardo Mathews, and WR Patrick Turner.

Wednesday night the Jacksonville Jaguars selected at 12th overall C Benji Tuiloma. Tuiloma will immediately start at center for the Jaguars, according to Coach Del Rio.

Tonight the Jaguars used the rest of the draft to solidify some key positions. At 27th overall they took MLB Ben Jackson, who will seriously threaten Kirk Morrison at MLB this season. Their 2nd Round Pick (59th overall) was surprise pick HB Kenarious Fluellen. This is a wait and see pick to see his immediate contribution to the team. Lastly, in the 3rd Round (76th overall), the Jaguars selected CB Rashad Cook to shore up their defensive back core.

Later tonight teams will release their free agent signings; Del Rio had previously said the Jaguars would make very few moves in free agency this season.

***UPDATE***
The Jaguars announced the signing of several free agents after the draft. Surprisingly, the contracts indicate much more involvement in free agency than Del Rio had indicated. They beefed up the O-Line depth with the acquisition of OLs Johan Asiata and Jacques McClendon, added depth to the defensive backfield with contracts with veteran DB Erik Coleman and DB Kevin Ellison, and added linebacker depth with the acquisitions of LBs Andy Studebaker and Joe Mays while also resigning previously released LB K.C. Asiodu.

Del Rio tomorrow will announce this season's organizational award winners, including Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Most Improved Player.

Del Rio also let slip to the press that there would be a large announcement coming soon.

Late Thursday night the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the acquisition of DB Michael Huff and DL Hall Davis in return for RB Felix Jones.

The trade comes a mere season after Felix Jones was acquired along with Dallas' 2010 1st and 2nd round picks in a blockbuster trade in return for star RB Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones started 15 games for the Jaguars last season, amounting to 190 carries for 997 yards and 11 touchdowns. The organization seemed to want to go another direction at halfback, drafting RB Kenarious Fluellen in the 2nd round of tonight's draft.

Huff played sparingly for the Raiders last season, amounting only 14 tackles while registering a sack and an interception. He will assume a backup role in Jacksonville to starting FS Macho Harris. The acquisition of Huff marks the third addition of a safety to the roster today alone.

Davis played very few snaps as a rookie in Oakland, registering zero tackles. He will assume the role left empty by released DL Ricardo Mathews as reserve lineman at both end and tackle.

Coach Jack Del Rio announced the organizational award winners for 2010, while also applauding several players for winning league awards. Aaron Kampman won AFC Defensive Lineman of the Year and Pro Bowl honors while FB Greg Jones and WR Mike Sims-Walker were also elected to the Pro Bowl.

MVP: WR Mike Sims-Walker (72 Receptions, 1430 Yards, 11 TDs, 19.9 YPC)
Sims-Walker was a team player, on and off the field while also putting up the most impressive stats on the field.

Offensive Player of the Year: WR Mike Sims-Walker (72 Receptions, 1430 Yards, 11 TDs, 19.9 YPC)
Sims-Walker was the premiere player on the offense this past season, putting up career numbers in several categories as the #1 receiver for the team.

Defensive Player of the Year: RE Aaron Kampman (33 Tackles, 15 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble)
Kampman put up a very impressive season, winning the AFC Defensive Lineman award and Pro Bowl honors while acting as a veteran leader for the defense.

Rookie of the Year: DT Tyson Alualu (9 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble)
The first round pick by the Jaguars last year, Alualu started opposite Terrance Knighton at DT for most sets while contributing to the run defense significantly in his first season of pro ball.

Most Improved Player: WR Marko Mitchell (33 Receptions, 650 Yards, 6 TDs, 19.7 YPC)
Mitchell joined the team as an early free agent acquisition, serving as the #4 receiver for the majority of the season. Mitchell showed impressive breakaway skills in game and when paired with his 6'4" stature he became a deadly target off of the sideline.

***Update***
The Jaguars announced the signings of OL Fenuki Tupou and TE Tom Crabtree before Thursday night's game. Tupou returns for his second season as a reserve tackle with the Jaguars after his release during the offseason.

On another rainy Jacksonville night Thursday, the Jaguars defeated the Steelers 28-7 through a dominant run game. After a disappointing 6-10 season, Coach Del Rio made some big moves, including shipping away RB Felix Jones to the Raiders in return for shoring up the defense.

Behind rookie RB Kenarious Fluellen, the Jaguars put up 123 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Garrard put up another lackluster performance, throwing for only 174 yards and two interceptions on the game. Another disappointing game by Garrard leaves fans wondering why the quarterback problem wasn't addressed over the offseason.

Several new acquisitions showed immediate returns in tonight's game, including Ben Jackson's dominant LB play (2 sacks, 4 tackles), Fluellen (mentioned above), and S Michael Huff's run support (3 tackles, 1 forced fumble).

The Jaguars dropped a key division game to the Indianapolis Colts 52-24 late last night. Another crushing defeat in division, carrying on from last season, leads to questions as to Coach Jack Del Rio's ability to manage the team.

Over-matched by the Peyton Manning led passing game, the Jaguars defense gave up points in multitude throughout the game, while the offense just seemed to never get started.

David Garrard put up another disappointing game with only 14 completions for 216 yards with a 1:2 TD to INT ratio. Backup Jevan Snead entered the game late only to throw 3 incomplete passes.

The Jaguars beat division rival Houston tonight behind an impressive running game and explosive performance from WR Mike Thomas, routing the Texans 42-28.

The defense put up another poor performance giving up 429 yards total for 28 points. Coach Del Rio had no comment on the defensive issues recently. Additionally, the quarterback troubles are still worrying Jacksonville fans. Garrard put up another mediocre game, completing 12 of 21 for 145 yards while throwing 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Backup Jevan Snead, popularly considered to be the future replacement of the aging Garrard, came into the game and put up an impressive 7 of 8 performance for 57 yards and a touchdown as the game wound down.

The impressive running game was led by Kenarious Fluellen with 22 rushes for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns. Behind Fluellen, backups Deji Karim and Andre Brown each contributed a touchdown while Rashad Jennings got some time at halfback while time ran down. Greg Jones was out for most of the game and therefore made little impact.

In a game that quickly got out of hand, Jacksonville defeated San Diego 38-6 in San Diego Thursday night. The Jaguars run game was simply dominant, with Jacksonville jumping out to a 24-0 lead in the first half and dominating the rest of the way.

The offense put up only a little more than 350 yards on offense, but put up 266 rushing yards behind dominant efforts by running backs Kenarious Fluellen and Deji Karim. Meanwhile, quarterback David Garrard only passed 8 times, completing 6 for 73 yards and 1 touchdown. Backup quarterback Jevan Snead also played a couple snaps, only completing 1 pass.

In total, the Jaguars defense only gave up 239 yards on defense, playing a dominant pass defense scheme that allowing only 13 completions on 30 attempts.

On a rainy night in Jacksonville, the Jaguars fell in a tough game to Tennessee 28-24.

The game went back and forth several times, with the game decided on a tough 4th & long on the Titans side of the field after holding called back a converted 4th down on the previous play. The Titans defense held up, and the Jaguars took another hard loss to fall to 3-2.

So no Jaguars game means little action in Jacksonville this week. Coach Jack Del Rio announced a couple moves this week, adding DB Gerard Lawson to shore up the secondary and dropping WR Patrick Turner. With WR Brooks Foster once again healthy, Turner became an expendable player on the active roster. Next up is an away game in Indianapolis. Jacksonville is looking to come back from a humiliating 52-24 defeat at home in Week 2.