Jaguars' offseason ends with several position battles | jacksonville.com
The Jaguars’ offseason programs were a time for learning, installation and, for some, acclimation to the heat in which all of training camp will happen. It was also the beginning of some key position battles. Rarely do performances in OTAs and minicamps seal a player’s fate, but they are the start of this year’s evaluation process. Quarterback appears set with Blaine Gabbert as the starter and Chad Henne as his backup. Here are five position battles which have materialized.
Dwight Freeney And Robert Mathis Needed This New Defense - Stampede Blue
I'm a big proponent of new. When things are new, people get excited. When people get excited, especially when they are working, they become more productive and enjoy doing what they do. I've learned this through experience. Rarely do people enjoy their work, or do that work well, when they are told, "Do it, or you're fired!"
First Year Lessons: Jerry Gray Made an Immediate Impact - Music City Miracles
What We Learned: He is well-deserving of his reputation as a good secondary coach. Jason McCourty established himself as an above average outside cornerback for this team, and Gray's decision to use Finnegan in the slot for nickel and dime packages was brilliant. Alterraun Verner continued to improve on his strong rookie year, and Gray intends to use ATV the same way he used Finnegan. Even the safeties weren't as bad this year.
I know a lot of us suspected that Bob McNair may have convinced Wade Phillips to pass on that scheduled interview with Tampa Bay last January, but we didn't have any confirmation of that suspicion. Until today, that is, when Paul Kuharsky mentioned ol' Wade in his report about Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith getting contract extensions.