Jacksonville Jaguars Preseason Week 2: Thursday Practice
By Daniel Lago
The Jacksonville Jaguars hit the practice field equipped only with helmets on Thursday to finish getting ready for their preseason game against the New York Jets. Some key players didn’t practice and are likely going to be held out of the game on Saturday.
Jaguars without WR Cecil Shorts, LB Russell Allen and RT Luke Joeckel today. Doubt they play at Jets
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) August 15, 2013
The “big story” of the day was who would get the starting nod at quarterback against the Jets. Blaine Gabbert came out with the ones right away like he has over the last few practices.
Blaine with ones in first team work #Jaguars
— J.P. Shadrick (@jpshadrick) August 15, 2013
Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert working with 1s in practice, which essentially confirms him as starter vs Jets
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) August 15, 2013
Gabbert with the one's. Shad and Dave watching practice together. pic.twitter.com/aWDRbRd5gS
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) August 15, 2013
It was all but official by the time practice got underway that Gabbert is going to start the game on Saturday. If he manages to be anything better than terrible he’ll likely start the third preseason game and lock down the job for the start of the regular season.
There were a few highlights reported from practice, starting with linebacker LaRoy Reynolds who supposedly has been lights out in camp. He’s going to get the start in place of the injured Russell Allen this week so we’ll see what he can do in live action.
LaRoy Reynolds just keeps making plays.
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) August 15, 2013
Cyprien will start. Reynolds will start at sam lb in NY. #Jaguars
— Rick Ballou (@Ballou1010xl) August 15, 2013
Justin Blackmon continues to impress in his return from groin surgery. He’ll get some time on the field Saturday but he’ll probably get yanked after a few plays to be careful. Maurice Jones-Drew has also flashed in camp and will finally get on the field against the Jets.
Btw. Justin Blackmon had a crazy catch in QB receiver drills. It was against air but man he makes it look easy.
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) August 15, 2013
#Jaguars QB @mscottqb10 hits WR @JustBlack81 on deep pass. http://t.co/LP38jzY5p5 | #StandUnited | #NFLTrainingCamp
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 15, 2013
Maurice Jones-Drew will play. Snap count will be basically determined during the game. Blackmon will play as well. #Jaguars
— Jessica Blaylock (@JessBlaylock) August 15, 2013
The official announcement of Gabbert’s anointment came after practice ended. Head Coach Gus Bradley is trying to emphasize that this does not signal the end of the competition, but unless Gabbert is an abject disaster out there we won’t see a change in the depth chart.
Bradley says Gabbert will start for #Jaguars vs. #Jets.
— Hays Carlyon (@HaysCarlyon) August 15, 2013
Bradley cites Gabbert needing reps after missing so many games last season.
— Hays Carlyon (@HaysCarlyon) August 15, 2013
Bradley says he talked to Henne about gabbert starting. Bradley said henne understood. Bradley emphasized not final decision in any way.
— John Oehser (@JohnOehser) August 15, 2013
Gabbert will be without Cecil Shorts III, but he’ll have Justin Blackmon and Maurice Jones-Drew at his disposal. Unlike last week, Gabbert will have a majority of the projected starting lineup around him on Saturday so he should perform better. Expectations are low, especially against a pretty good Jets defense, but Gabbert needs to put some separation between Chad Henne and himself.
Preseason Week 2 Links
Big Cat Country – Jaguars players buying into Gus Bradley philosophy
– Daniel Lago
Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89