2009 NFL Draft
Jacksonville Jaguars sign 18 Undrafted Free Agents
by River City Rage on Apr 27, 2009 7:24 AM EDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
25 comments
Between the end of the draft and this morning the Jacksoniville Jaguars have signed 18 undrafted free agents. These are players who sign with the Jaguars because they believe they have a chance to make the roster. On a team with as many holes as the Jaguars, hitting a home run or three with the UFA's is key.
We'll preview these guys in more depth later on, but for now, here's the list.
Russell Allen, LB, 6-3, 230, San Diego State
Kyle Bell, FB, 6-1, 233, Colorado State
Brock Bolen, FB, 6-0, 233, Louisville
Nathan Brown, QB, 6-1, 219, Central Arkansas
Weldon Brown, CB, 5-10, 185, Louisiana Tech
Michael Desomeaux, SS, 6-0, 204, Louisiana-Lafayette
Maurice Dupree, WR, 5-10, 168, Jacksonville State
Jason English, WR, 5-10, 188, Tuskegee
George Hypolite, DT, 6-1, 299, Colorado
Pete Ittersagen, CB, 5-10, 191, Wheaton
Tyler Lorenzen, TE, 6-5, 226, Connecticut
Mike McClendon, RB, 5-9, 196, N. Alabama
Jeremy Navarre, DE, 6-3, 283, Maryland
Cecil Newton, C, 6-2, 300, Tennessee St.
Kevin Patterson, SS, 5-10, 185, Wake Forest
Todd Peterson, WR, 6-4, 215, Nebraska
Johnny Williams, LB, 6-2, 236, Kentucky
Julius Williams, DE, Connecticut
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2009 Draft Reactions
by FSBlueApocalypse on Apr 26, 2009 8:46 PM EDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
32 comments
First off, a huge thank you to everyone who participated this draft weekend. Without a doubt Big Cat Country set a two day record for activity this weekend. From the first thread up Saturday until now, there have been 27 threads or stories up on the front page. However, the real eye popping number is the nearly 3000 comments left by readers. Once again, thank you for making Big Cat Country the best Jaguars site on the net.
Second, it's my one year anniversary of registering at BCC. I discovered this site during the last off-season and remember going "What, somebody actually bothered to have a site devoted to the Jaguars" and "Who is this guy and why does he keep saying we're going to get Philip Merling."
This was Gene Smith's first draft as General Manager and it'll be remembered for more than that. Did Gene stick strictly to BAP? Doubt it. However, compared to last year's de facto two player class, I'm thrilled with the results. I won't give a "Grade" as that is pointless at this point. That doesn't mean I don't have my own thoughts.
1. Eugene Monroe, LT, Virgina: Read my thoughts here
2. Eben Britton, RT, Arizona: Honestly, I felt Everette Brown should have been the pick here. However, you can never have too many good tackles on the roster. It seems that Pashos and Britton will be battling it out for the Right Tackle spot in training camp, with the loser becoming the right guard.
3. Terrance Knighton, DT, Temple: The third round is where things seemingly started going down hill. Knighton was a reach here in the third round; however, he certainly has potential and provides another body to clog up the middle. Assuming Derek Landri can "Come off the shelf" the Jaguars have their new jar on the shelf DT.
4. Derek Cox, CB, William and Mary: Mr.Cox, let me be the first to formally welcome you to the Jaguar's family. In addition, congratulations, you'll likely be the most scrutinized draft pick since Byron Leftwich.
Why do you trade a second round pick to select a guy in the third round who most draftniks had at best as a "Late round/UDFA gem"? Honestly, I don't know. Cox has impressive size and off the charts measurables. However, then why was he playing at William and Mary and not Southern Cal?
5. Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona: The Jaguars go back to the desert to get a quality WR and returner. Thomas is a poor man's Percy Harvin. He is also the anti-Shack Harris wide receiver. Instead of a basketball player, Thomas is 5'7 and a blazer. Great pick with excellent value.
6. Jarrett Dillard, WR, Rice: Dillard put up bigger numbers than Michael Crabtree and will give 110%. A safe pick who can help out on special teams until he adds some bulk.
7. Zach Miller, TE/QB, Nebraska-Omaha: The self described "poor man's Tim Tebow" will apparently be Mike Tice's pet project. He can become a quality receiving TE who offers plenty of after the catch potential. In addition, maybe the Jaguars have their "Wild Cat" quarterback.
8. Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty: A terrific value pick and another body in the running back stable.
9. Tiquan Underwood, WR, Rutgers: I'll be honest, I don't know anything on the guy.
On non-jaguar related draft news
1. Biggest Boom or Bust pick: Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings. Harvin can be the rookie of the year or he could be serving a four game suspension before he even plays a down.
2. Facepalm of the draft: Darrius Heyward-Bey going to the Raiders followed by my initial reaction of learning Gene traded a 2nd rounder to draft Cox.
3. After Stafford, the rest of the Lions' draft left me unimpressed. Especially puzzling was selecting Brandon Pettigrew over Michael Oher and Alex Mack. If history has taught us nothing else, make sure your franchise QB can stay upright before worrying about getting him weapons. My gut reaction is they'll be the same ole Lions.
4. Steal of the draft: James Laurinaitis, LB, St.Louis Rams. I honestly think the Road Warrior is going to be ten year fixture for them.
5. I love Pat White. However, there is no way he is worth a 2nd round pick. He's a Wildcat QB, lovely; the Phins already had Ronnie Brown.
32 comments | 0 recs |
2009 NFL Draft: 6th/7th Round Open Thread
by River City Rage on Apr 26, 2009 4:25 PM EDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
270 comments
This is it, final round and a half for the Jaguars. Not much for them to do other than wait for their 7th round picks.
I'm cooking dinner and starting to compose Monday's draft analysis, so pardon my slow response time.
-Chris
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2009 NFL Draft Live Blog/Open Thread
by River City Rage on Apr 26, 2009 2:39 PM EDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
393 comments
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2009 NFL Draft Live Blog/Open Thread: Part 3
by River City Rage on Apr 26, 2009 1:04 PM EDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
309 comments
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Jacksonville Jaguars 4th Round Draft Pick: Arizona Wide Receiver Mike Thomas
by River City Rage on Apr 26, 2009 12:48 PM EDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
15 comments
Arizona Wide Receiver Mike Thomas
When Torry Holt, Mike Walker, Dennis Northcutt and Troy Williamson round out your wide receiver corps, adding a new threat through the draft is key. The Jaguars selected Arizona Wide Receiver Mike Thomas with the 107th overall pick in the 4th round.
Thomas is a different sort of receiver for the Jaguars, he's shorter and faster than the "Basketball team on grass" that the last group, he's a short and speedy threat that set records for both Arizona and the Pac-10.
Mike Thomas: By the Numbers:
Mike Thomas is about as safe as a draft pick gets. He ensures that "safety" with his punt return ability. He projects as a top punt returner, a position Seattle could easily upgrade at. Great punt returners can be worth two touchdowns over average over a season. A good punt returner is still valuable and would still contribute at a decent clip for a third rounder, and that's about Thomas' floor: good punt returner.
Thomas could be a great wide receiver. He has the short, squatty build of Wes Welker or Steve Smith, and is arguably a better athlete than either. He's also shorter than either - somewhat significantly. Thomas is under 5'8". And that's really the essence of any critique against him. He's really, really short. He's the all-time receptions leader in Pac-10 history, but he's really, really short. He can slam dunk a basketball or outrun Percy Harvin, which is impressive, because Thomas is really, really short and has really, really short legs. He's a crisp route runner that gets monster separation, has the kind of open-field moves, speed, agility and body control to turn almost any pattern into a home run, and is known for his high character, hard work and good hands, but he's real-
It's not that his height doesn't matter, it's just how much does his height matter? He's never going to be Randy Moss, of that we can be certain. There are some patterns he won't excel at, and therefore he's not the complete wide receiver prospect like Calvin Johnson. He's not the prototypical wide receiver, but that's kind of the point. Were Thomas four inches taller, he'd probably be a top ten pick. He certainly played better, longer against top competition than Jeremy Maclin, and he certainly rates better in skills and tools than Maclin, too. So what's to say Thomas couldn't be Welker, Smith, Deion Branch or Santana Moss? Is that too short of a ceiling for a third round pick?
Scouting Reports: NFL Draft Scout:
Analysis
Positives: Short, but has a strong, surprisingly think frame. Good initial burst off the snap and can quickly eat up the cushion if unchallenged at the line of scrimmage. Can sink his hips and shows good immediate burst out of his breaks. Good toughness as a receiver and returner. Not afraid of contact and will go over the middle or attack the seam as a returner with reckless abandon. Good vision for the cutback and sets up his blocks well. Soft hands for the reception. Can pluck outside of his frame. Good body control to make extend and make the tough catch. Short, but times his leaps well. Returned two punts as a senior -- his first year as a returner. Solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Well suited to moving inside to the slot position.
Negatives: Will be limited to a slot position in the NFL, as he lacks the size and strength to play outside. More quick than fast. Good timed speed, but lacks the top end speed to consistently beat defenders over the top. Prone to lapses in concentration and drops more passes than he should. Production is inflated due to Arizona's spread offense and lack of surrounding playmakers throughout much of Thomas' career.
2005: Suffered fractured bones in his forehand vs. Washington (11/12) and underwent surgery to have screws inserted. Despite wearing a cast, he was back in the starting lineup the following game vs. Arizona State.
2006: Suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener vs. Brigham Young (9/02) and the injury lingered for more than a month.
I like the pick. More to come.
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2009 NFL Draft: Open Thread/Live Blog , Part 2
by River City Rage on Apr 26, 2009 11:34 AM EDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
207 comments
The 3rd round was 80% more dramatic for the Jaguars than we expected. Derek Cox, the corner from William & Mary (or the Flat Hat Club, as I call them) was a stunning pickup that cost the Jaguars their 2nd round pick next year. I get the impression that he's a stealth prospect that other teams were hoping would fall, but Jacksonville pulled the trigger early.
(H/T to Leon321 for finding these Cox videos)
At this link you can find a great video of an 89 yard punt return for a touchdown against Northeastern in 2008:
http://www.tribeathletics.com/files/fb/2008/video/nu/cox89pr.html
Here’s a video of Cox’s 45 yard interception return against N.C. State:
http://www.tribeathletics.com/files/fb/2008/video/ncst/coxtd.html
http://www.tribeathletics.com/files/fb/2008/video/nu/coxhit.html
Terrence Knighton is a more traditional run-stuffing defensive tackle. Not much drama there.
What do you think of the draft so far? Any other surprises?
-Chris
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Jacksonville Jaguars 3rd Round Draft Pick: William and Mary Cornerback Derek Cox
by River City Rage on Apr 26, 2009 11:24 AM EDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
20 comments
William and Mary Cornerback Derek Cox snags an interception
In what may be the most unexpected 2nd day move so far, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded a 7th round pick in 2009 and their 2010 2nd round pick for the 73rd overall pick to select Derek Cox, a cornerback from William & Mary.
Derek, for obvious reasons, is somewhat unknown. All my usual draft sources are coming up very short. He's a small school prospect who had every good measurables at his Pro-Day. The senior clocked in with times of 4.39 and 4.42 in the 40-yard dash — elite marks for any player — while displaying a 36.5-inch vertical jump and an outstanding mark of 11’8" in the broad jump.
He played against weak competition, but the Jaguars clearly feel that he is a prospect that can develop into a shutdown corner. The Patriots, Eagles, and Colts all visited with Cox in the run-up to the draft, so there's clearly talent there. The Jaguars, lets not forget, have outstanding luck with small school prospects. Rashean Mathis and Justin Durrant can all vouch for that.
Measurables: 6-1, 186 lbs.
Experts Take: Consensus Draft Services:
Overview
Derek is a 2004 graduate of J.H. Rose High School in Winterville, North Carolina where he was a two-year letter winner at running back, defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner. His team won the 2003 4A State Championship. Derek was named first-team All-Pitt County at defensive back and was also named to the NCpreps.com all-state squad. He tallied 10 interceptions as a junior and led the squad in tackles in the state championship game. Cox also ran five kicks back for touchdowns as a senior. He also played center field for the state championship baseball team.At William & Mary, Derek ran with scout team as a freshman in 2004. In 2005, he began to show the promise of things to come when he played special teams in all 11 games, and earned his first two starts as a CB near the end of the season during which he was fairly productive. In 2006, Cox emerged as one of the top cover corners in the league in first full season as a starter. He tied for fifth on the team that year with 59 total tackles and he led the squad with 41 solos. He also led the team with nine pass break-ups and added an interception and two fumble recoveries.
In 2007, Derek earned his first career All-CAA honors, by being named as a third-team selection and served as a team co-captain. He started all 11 games and led the team with three interceptions. He tied for sixth on the team with 51 tackles and was second on team in pass break-ups with five.
In 2008, he compiled 43 tackles, 2 TFLs, 3 interceptions and 5 other passes broken up.
LATE NOTE: Set the NFL scouting world on its ear with an outstanding Pro Day workout where he ran 4.39/4.42 seconds in the forty with a 36.5" vertical, an 11'8" (best this draft season by any player from any school at any position) broad jump, a 4.11 short shuttle, a 6.80 3-cone drill, and 12 reps on the bench.
Strengths
Big, rangy corner who has some really nice coverage skills. Legitimate makeup speed. Has decent hands and has become more and more dangerous as an interception maven and big play corner every season. Fluid and athletic.
Weaknesses
Level of competition concerns. Not all that strong. May get abused by physical receivers. Good, but not a great openfield tackler.
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