National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Jacksonville Jags released running back Fred Taylor today. I wasn’t surprised and I’m sure Fred wasn’t, either. He hasn’t been the team’s number one running back for several seasons and didn’t fit with the team’s ongoing, offseason facelift. So after 11 years in Jacksonville, Fred was given his walking papers. It’s difficult to see this happen — especially when the guy has been such a good player for one team for so long. But I can understand why the decision was made. And apparently, it wasn’t about the money. Fred is 33-years-old and was …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
It’s been a really bad season for the Jacksonville Jags. Not only are they playing some of the worst football in their recent history, the Jags are a mess off-the-field as well. Most troubling was when offensive lineman Richard Collier was tragically shot, taking his leg and ending his pro football career. That’s enough to ruin any team’s season. Now, Jag’s top receiver Matt Jones (65 catches, 761 yards, two touchdowns) has been officially suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Head coach Jack Del Rio issued the following brief statement …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
To follow-up my September 2 post on the shooting of Jacksonville Jags offensive tackle Richard Collier, the news is not good. Richard is paralyzed from the waist down and he had his left leg amputated. Jags head coach Jack Del Rio reacted upon hearing the news yesterday:
“It’s a tragedy this young man was caught up in this violence. It’s a great tragedy for a young man who had such a promising future.”
This comes as a surprise because the media and Richard’s teammates were kept in the dark this past month. His family wanted to make …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Rookie defensive end Derrick Harvey ended his 33-day holdout and signed a five-year, $33.4 million contract with the Jacksonville Jags today. The deal includes $17.177 million guaranteed. Derrick is the last first-round Draft pick to sign a contract. The whole process frustrated Jags head coach Jack Del Rio, who just a few days ago was ultimately blaming Derrick’s agent for his client’s absence. He wasn’t thrilled with the system either:
“What’s happened at the very top of the first round is ridiculous. When you’re paying the guys who have never done anything more than star football …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Following his recent arrest for felony possession of cocaine, Jacksonville Jags wide receiver Matt Jones‘ father made the following statement to the Arkansas Razorback nation at NWAHomepage.com this past week:
“Matt is anxious to make a statement and wants to make a statement. His attorney has advised him to not say anything until they have had a chance to speak together. They will release a statement at the appropriate time. We want to make it clear that Matt was not in possession of any drugs, but that there were drugs in the vehicle and …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Jacksonville Jags wide receiver Matt Jones was arrested on felony drug charges after police found him cutting up cocaine with a credit card in his car today. Police said they searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag filled with a white substance that tested positive for cocaine and a jar with possible marijuana residue. Matt was released on $2,500 bond but his arraignment on a charge of felony possession of a controlled substance was set for August 11.
Matt was already in head coach Jack Del Rio’s doghouse most of last season, but …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The winter storm that has an icy grip on Indianapolis has slowed things down outside. But as promised, today was a whirlwind of activity around the Media Work Room here at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine. The players being shuttled in and out were mostly wide receivers, running backs and quarterbacks.
My day was really one big press conference with a few of my own interviews thrown in for good measure. I took part in every head coach presser — Tom Coughlin (Giants), Brad Childress (Vikings), Gary Kubiak (Texans), Tony Dungy (Colts), Herm …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Jacksonville Jaguars QB David Garrard was making throws he hadn’t made all season. Bad throws. One of the main reasons the Jags were in the playoffs with an 11-5 record was the consistent, virtually error-free play of one David Garrard. That’s the main reason head coach Jack Del Rio sent Byron Leftwich packing and handed the starting job to David. But with a push of playoff pressure, David had already thrown two INTs. Big deal? Well, in the playoffs, it most certainly is. But factor this in — he had only thrown three …read more

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith talks with the media.
(photo David Kindervater)
It was another beautiful day here in Indianapolis. Cold, for sure. But not a cloud in the sky. I spent most of my day inside as the action picked up considerably from yesterday with more than 15 head coaches speaking with the media and an endless stream of QBs, WRs and RBs.
I arrived early and set up shop in Media Work Room 105 here at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome. This is one of several “overflow” rooms for the media, but I prefer it because …read more