Big Cat Country

HBO Hard Knocks: Redskins, 49ers Decline

2012-05-17T13:17:38Z

HBO is trying to decide on which team they will feature on their "Hard Knocks" series for the 2012 NFL season. The Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets both declined to be on the show, but the Jacksonville Jaguars made it known they would be interested in the program. HBO has not decided a team yet, but two more NFL teams have declined.

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said on PFT Live that the Redskins would not be on the Hard Knocks program. "I just didn't feel comfortable with being in that situation," Shanahan said on PFT Live. "You know, I can't be myself. I don't think coaches can be their self and I'd like players to concentrate on their job. I don't know if it's old school or what. You know, for me I just didn't feel comfortable with that atmosphere."

The San Francisco 49ers have also declined to be on the program, according to owner Jed York on Twitter.

No Hard Knocks for the @49ers RT: @ProFootballTalk: No Hard Knocks for Redskins wp.me/p14QSB-38Iw
— Jed York (@JedYork) May 17, 2012

We've joked about it, but it might just come down to no one else but the Jaguars wanting to be on TV.

Jacksonville Jaguars Roundup

2012-05-17T12:33:57Z

Jaguars notebook: Rain welcomed by players at OTAs | jacksonville.com

The Jaguars started their second organized team activity of the week in a light rain Wednesday, but coach Mike Mularkey said they actually had a better practice than they did on Tuesday. Mularkey said it was good to get a chance to work in the rain and added, "It was cooler and the guys were flying around." But Mularkey said that even though the Jaguars have only had to move one practice indoors, the weather has been a topic of discussion for each practice.

Time to work

There’s a limit to what they can say right now. Eugene Monroe knows this. Brad Meester and Uche Nwaneri do, too. The Jaguars’ offensive linemen know although they believe they are a quality group – and that they aren’t a one-dimensional unit good at the wrong dimension – now is not the time to prove it. Now, is the off-season. Now, is the first week of organized team activities. So, now, is the time to work.

Inside the Jaguars, 05/16

Paul Posluszny is making the progress he wants this off-season. The Jaguars’ starting middle linebacker returned to practice Tuesday, working in the starting lineup on the first day of organized team activities. He spoke with the media following Wednesday’s practice, and said while he has not yet been cleared for contact, his shoulder "feels great."

Blaine Gabbert thinks he could throw a football over them mountains.

2012-05-16T20:33:47Z

Blaine Gabbert thinks he could throw a football over them mountains.

In a media session after the Jaguars OTA's, Gabbert was asked about some reporters questioning his throwing ability. Gabbert responded by saying, "I'd like to challenge them to a throwing competition. Like Uncle Rico."

SB Nation Wants Your Deployment Sports Stories

2012-05-16T18:50:56Z

SB Nation Wants Your Deployment Sports Stories

SB Nation is putting together a video to honor veterans on Memorial Day with a video. Matt Ufford, a former marine, is soliciting your stories about watching sports while on deployment. Email him or tweet at him your stories.

Please include your name, your service, and the years you served.

Jaguars Offseason Review: Wide Receiver

2012-05-16T15:00:18Z

With the majority of the offseason in the books, at least with NFL free agency and the NFL Draft, we can start to look at the Jacksonville Jaguars position by position and see what we can begin looking for when training camp rolls around. After the quarterback position, the position that holds the most interest is at wide receiver with the new additions of Laurent Robinson and Justin Blackmon.

Returning Players

Mike Thomas - Thomas was a disappointing player last season, to say the least, as his play really tapered off after he got his new contract. Thomas gave up on some routes and had issues with drops during the season, but he was also forced into trying to be something he's not, a full-time outside receiver.

Cecil Shorts III - Shorts looked fantastic in training camp and the preseason last year, but completely disappeared when the real lights were on during the season. Shorts finished last season with just two receptions, but one of them was for a touchdown.

Chastin West - West was a late waiver addition by the Jaguars and came in with a lot of promise, but never really delivered. His playing time was kind of spotty, but he seemed to do a nice job when he was on the field.

Brian Robiskie - Robiskie was also a waiver addition, but suffered a season ending injury before really being able to do anything. He's a former second round pick who was productive in college, but has been a massive disappointment so far in the NFL.

Taylor Price - Price was a forme mid-round pick by the New England Patriots, who Jaguars fans are familiar with. Price tore up the Jaguars defense in the preseason last year, but that's about all he's done. Price suffered a foot injury in the first set of OTAs, so he'll be unavailable until training camp most likely.

Lost Players

Mike Sims-Walker - The Jaguars also lost Sims-Walker last season and the Jaguars receivers looked awful. It wasn't necessarily because of the loss of Sims-Walker but it happened. Sims-Walker was re-signed after he was released by the Rams, but blew out his knee in his second game back with the team.

Jarett Dillard - Dillard was cut about a week ago, to the surprise of some. As mentioned, the Jaguars clearly didn't think Dillard would make the roster so he was cut early to give him a chance to make another roster.

Kassim Osgood - Osgood wasn't a shocking release at all. He held a high salary for playing a specialized position and not really contributing much as an actual wide receiver. Though, I will say I was disappointed with the lack of chances he had last year, given the whole wide receiver situation.

New Players

Lee Evans - Evans was signed to a one-year "show me" type deal, as head coach Mike Mularkey is familiar with what a healthy Evans can offer the team. If Evans can stay healthy, I'd expect him to make the Jaguars roster.

Laurent Robinson - Robinson was given a big deal in NFL free agency and will instantly inject some big play ability into the Jaguars offense, offering up a guy who can get down the field, which is something they haven't had in a while.

Justin Blackmon - The Jaguars traded up for Blackmon and he should be an opening day starter for the team. Blackmon's impact on the offense remains to be seen, but he can do nothing but help it.

Kevin Elliott - Elliot is an undrafted free agent who has received a lot of praise from the Jaguars coaching staff after just one rookie mini-camp. The FAMU product has good size and big play ability.

Mike Brown - Brown was signed after a three-day rookie mini-camp tryout. He offers ability after the catch, potential added value as a kick returner, and can run some Wild Cat if the Jaguars so choose to.

Chris Forcier - Forcier, like Brown, made the 90-man roster after a tryout at the rookie mini-camp. Forcier has good size and speed, but still needs to adjust to the move from quarterback to wide receiver.

Blaine Gabbert Has To Be The Jaguars Starter

2012-05-16T14:27:15Z

Blaine Gabbert Has To Be The Jaguars Starter

Feature on SB Nation Tampa Bay about why Gabbert has to start in 2012.

Jaguars Fire Drew Hampton, Equipment Manager

2012-05-16T13:00:54Z

Jacksonville Jaguars equipment manager Drew Hampton was fired on Tuesday evening, according to a report by Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. The circumstances behind Hampton's termination are not known at this time.

The #Jaguars have fired long-time equipment manager Drew Hampton, according to several sources.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) May 15, 2012

Hampton was the long time equipment manager for the Jaguars and had a bit of a following with fans, as he interacted with them on Twitter on a regular basis. He also came from a family of equipment managers if you will, as both of his brothers were/are equipment managers and his father was an equipment manager for the New York Jets for almost 40 years.

As of now, there's no other information on the reason for the termination or who will replace Drew Hampton as the Jaguars new equipment manager. If anything develops, I will be sure to let you know.

Jacksonville Jaguars Roundup

2012-05-16T11:00:26Z

Jaguars kick off OTAs

Justin Blackmon worked full-speed with the first team. Blaine Gabbert did, too – and there’s no indication that’s going to change any time soon. As for Maurice Jones-Drew . . . Well, Jones-Drew wasn’t at EverBank Field Tuesday, and while Jaguars Head Coach Mike Mularkey would prefer it if he were, he’s not going to worry that he’s not

Ranking the AFC South defenses - AFC South Blog - ESPN

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: The AFC South has a shot to have two top-five defenses in 2012. Mike Malarkey takes over as the Jaguars’ head coach, but his focus will be getting quarterback Blaine Gabbert’s career straightened out and improving a dismal Jacksonville passing game.

Inside the Jaguars, 05/15

"WE’RE GOING TO BE GOOD" Jeremy Mincey doesn’t bother hiding his optimism. As he sees it, there’s no reason. Mincey, the Jaguars’ fifth-year defensive end and sacks leader last season, was asked Tuesday as 2012 organized team activities opened about realistic expectations for next season.