Dec. 18, 2011; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver (11) Mohamed Massaquoi catches a pass in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The final 53-man roster is still nowhere near being settled but the  Jacksonville Jaguars have a pressing problem in the suspension of second-year wide receiver Justin Blackmon.  Blackmon was suspended on April 30th for the first four games of the season due to a violation of the league’s policy on substance abuse.  We all hope that he solves this problem on and off the field, whether while playing football or not, but it does leave the Jaguars in a bit of a bind at wide receiver.

The Jaguars have a number of receivers under contract but the primary players will be Cecil Shorts III, Jordan Shipley, Mohamed Massaquoi, and Ace Sanders.  With Shorts and Blackmon expected to start opposite each other, there is now a void as a number two wide out.  Blackmon fit this well with a 6’1″ frame and 207 pound body.  The next closest receiver left on roster, in terms of size, is Mohamed Massaqui at a near identical 6’1″ and 210 pounds.  He seems like the logical size fit to slide into the number two position while Blackmon is suspended.

The undersized Sanders, drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, figures to play in the slot, competing with Shipley for reps.  Shipley is considerably larger at 5’11″ and 190 pounds, but Sanders (5’7″ 173 pounds) is shifty and could be more explosive than Shipley out of the slot.

The way I see it, the Jaguars have a pretty strong receiving corps  The current four players projected to pick up the slack could all do well in the absence of Blackmon, especially if Massaquoi steps up and is much better than he was in Cleveland, wehre he was drafted in the second round.  I’m excited to get Blackmon back, but for now (unless offseason workouts tell me otherwise) I’m excited to see what the other receivers can do.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

Dec 23, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jordan Shipley (16) is defended by New England Patriots linebacker Tracy White (58) during the second half of the game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Longtime center Brad Meester and young receiver Jordan Shipley re-signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday to increase the Jags’ number of free agent signings to seven.  How do these signings grade out in the eyes of Jaguar nation?  Well, let your voices be heard!

Brad Meester

• Meester was brought back for his 14th season with the Jaguars.  He is a wily veteran center who is lacking in power at this point in his career but could extend his playing time in the new zone blocking scheme the Jags are planning on featuring.  Meester knows all the tricks and could have a resurgence if the hole at left guard is adequately filled.  I like this signing and give it a B.  I like Meester a lot and hope he can find a way to dig deep and finish with a good 14th season with the franchise, but my hopes are slim.  What do you guys think?

Jordan Shipley

• It’s no secret that I am happy about Jordan Shipley being brought back by the Jaguars.  He had the lowest drop rate of receivers for the Jaguars in 2012 and he was a steady target for quarterback Chad Henne in the latter half of the season.  He is sure-handed and has the potential to return to his rookie form (600 yards, three touchdowns) which would make him one of the more productive Jaguar receivers in recent years.  I grade this as a B because Shipley isn’t really quick enough to be a consistent slot receiver but he does add quality depth behind Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts III.  What do you think?

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

Dec 30, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jordan Shipley (16) runs for a touchdown after a reception against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced the re-signing of receiver Jordan Shipley.  I was intrigued when the Jaguars did not tender Shipley as a restricted free agent this offseason, therefore letting him hit the open market.  Shipley was easily the third best receiver for the Jaguars during the 2012 season and was proving to be a competent slot and fourth receiver with sure hands.  Shipley’s development and play helped alleviate the loss of Laurent Robinson to concussions.

Shipley had the lowest drop rate of all receivers for the Jaguars and was quickly becoming a reliable target.  I liked his play from 2012 and think that if he can return to the kind of receiver he was his rookie season (52 receptions, 600 yards, three touchdowns) then the Jaguars will be in good shape moving forward.

With Shipley’s re-signing the Jaguars now have a strong trio of receivers with Justin Blackmon, Cecil Shorts III, and Shipley.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims