Look at that uniform stretching! Source: US-Presswire

Mularkey has made a point of getting the players to ask questions, understand what needs to be done, and learning how to do things right.  It isn’t just about making sure that the players are ready to compete, it’s also about making sure that the team is as disciplined as it can be heading into the season.  Being disciplined is a lifestyle more than it is a directive. Discipline is a learned trait that influences everything you do.  Disciple in the reason you get up to run a mile or two in the morning no matter how you feel, but it is also a conformity to a scheme or ideology.

In Jacksonville, that scheme is the Mularkey scheme.

Mularkey expects everyone to be in sync.  While he says that the offense being installed is user-friendly, he knows that players can’t pick it up on day one, nor can they pick it up effectively unless they pick it together.  Mularkey’s focus is so great that he expects uniform stretching and play performance,

We want to look like a team that would like to win a championship, and the way you do that is you do things right,” he said. “Whether it’s stretching, lining up your helmets right or doing jumping jacks together as a team, I tell them, ‘There are 11 guys in that row. Why have one helmet out of whack? You can’t have one out of sync any time when you have 11 guys together, so let’s just do it.

That discipline is something that has lacked in recent years.  The Jack Del Rio tended to focus more on trying to draw in some attention on the small market franchise during the offseason.  A way to do that is to have fun drills that showcase individual skills.  Mularkey’s approach is to get everyone doing the same things os that pieces and players are interchangeable and can perform all the tasks of the offensive scheme being installed.  That type of reliable interchangeability is something gained from being in sync and learning how to be a disciplined unit.

It looks like Mularkey is the guy to lead and enforce that discipline and get the team on the right page.

- Luke N. Sims

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Here at B&T, Daniel Lago and David Johns have been writing about the Jaguars’ Post-Draft Roster and projecting who will be in the final 53 man roster.  It’s a tough go of it, slogging through hours of video and sifting through coach speak to find the truth, but things get easier every time the team releases who they’ve cut and who they’ve signed.

The Jags got a jump on and opened their rookie mini-camp this past weekend to evaluate talent.  The camp ended Sunday and yielded some interesting changes:

Cuts:

• QB Dan LeFevour (3rd string)
• WR Jarett Dillard
• S Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (special teams)
• WR Nelson Rosario
• WR Jarrett Boykin
• DE Frank Trotter

Signings

• QB Jordan Palmer
• FB Naufahu Tahi
• DT Odrick Ray
• WR Mike Brown
• WR Chris Forcier
• LB Donovan Richard
• DB Jeremiah Brown

Of the Players cut, the biggest name is Jarett Dillard who was always kind of been a sacred cow for Gene Smith.  A talented player who was often injured and could never truly translate his skills to the game.  Dan LeFevour’s cutting isn’t much of a surprise following the recent touting of newly signed Jordan Palmer.

Of the signings, there is one really intriguing one:  Naufahu Tahi is now the third fullback on the roster behind Brock Bolen and Greg Jones.  Tahi played for the Vikings sporadically over the past five seasons.  I doubt the Jags will carry three fullbacks into the season, but if Tahi is worthy of a signing it could be an indication of what the front office and coaching staff thinks of current fullbacks Jones and Bolen.  Money may be becoming an issue with Jones’ contract despite his superb play.

The roster will continue to be tweaked over the next few months.  If the results continue to add intrigue like this then the offseason could be more enjoyable than usual!  Expect more changes with the new coaching staff finally getting to work hands-on with the players.

- Luke N. Sims

Ok, Blackmon's definitely got better hair... Source: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

Before the season, I doubt the Nationals thought Harper was going to be that catalyst for the team.  But there he is, slugging it out and making it look excellent.

Who on the Jaguars roster will be that man?  Who can provide the catalyst for the Jaguars?

No offense to Maurice Jones- Drew, but I believe that Blackmon is that man.

Blackmon may not be the best rookie receiver this year.  He could end up not being the best receiver on the team – which I doubt.  But he makes catches that nobody else on the team is able to do.  It isn’t just about setting record numbers, it’s about the effort being put into every play.  The effort to find a way to catch that ball.  The effort to make every errant pass turn into a positive.

He’s just smooth.

Blackmon provides a spark because he plays the game the way it was meant to be played.  Run first?  He can block pretty well.  Pass happy modern era?  The guy can catch pretty well.  Need some speed?  His game film is much faster than his 40 time.  Need to beat that corner?  He’s got it.

Expect some similar looks from Blackmon this season. Source: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

There weren’t any circus catches for Blackmon during the rookie mini-camp this past weekend, but it’s not all about show.  We’ll see our fair share of circus catches from the athlete, but it isn’t all about the grace and showboating.  It’s also about him getting his hands dirty, coming up with dirt clogged into his facemask, smiling like Hines Ward.

Blackmon plays the game with a level above in his mind.  He doesn’t think he can be covered.  He knows he can make plays.

And when Blackmon is making plays this season, he’s providing a spark for the entire team.

He is Jacksonville’s Bryce Harper.

He is the Jaguars’ Catalyst.

- Luke N. Sims