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Popular thinking in Jacksonville is that the presence of No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel at right tackle will have a direct bearing on tight end Marcedes Lewis.

The team got poor play from Cameron Bradfield and Guy Whimper on the right edge of last year’s offensive line, which meant Lewis, a solid blocker, was held in to help far more often than was ideal.

Joeckel will be a far steadier player. That should free Lewis up to be a target more often for quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne.

“You like to think you can block these guys by yourself, one-on-one, every play,” Joeckel said. “But you’re going against some of the best athletes in the league and if you’re having trouble, there are protections set up to get help from Marcedes and the other tight ends. It’s something that’s part of the game now because the pass-rushers are so good and so athletic.

“So I accept the help whenever I can get it. Everyone needs help sometimes and it is a big help when they are able to do that for us. But we’ve got to have the mindset that we’ve got to be able to block guys one-on-one to get more guys out for routes.”

At Texas A&M, Joeckel was very close friends with Jake Matthews. Matthews will now flip from right tackle to left tackle for the Aggies and figures to be a high draft pick next year.

Jake Matthews' father, Bruce Matthews, is an Oilers-Titans Hall of Fame offensive lineman who now coaches the Titans' offensive line. (Here are his thoughts on Joeckel after the draft.)

Joeckel got to talk football with Bruce Matthews during A&M spring practice as Joeckel watched his twin brother, Matt, and Matthews watched his son.

“I had a chance to talk to him about what to expect, he knew the schedule and all that stuff, he had a lot of good tips about what I need to be ready for and was a big help that way,” Joeckel said.

I wondered if Bruce Matthews told Joeckel that there will come a time that such advice gets cut off, considering the Jaguars and Titans play in the same division.

“I hope he keeps giving me advice when he can,” Joeckel said. “I’ll probably have to ask Jake to ask his dad now, that’s probably the route I’ll have to use.”

Reading the coverage…

Houston Texans

Arian Foster has joined NFL players supporting LBGT Pride Month, says Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle.

Breaking down the sacks and season of J.J. Watt with Cian Fahey of Pre Snap Reads. "Maybe surprisingly, half of his sacks, 12, came on first and 10, while six came on third down. Only three times did he sack a quarterback on second down, with one sack coming on fourth down. Twenty of his sacks came when the line of scrimmage was more than six yards away from the first down marker."

Indianapolis Colts

I believed we missed this from Clark Judge of CBSSports.com: A conversation with Andrew Luck.

Ryan Grigson has looked objectively at his roster and has done well to upgrade it, says Brad Wells of Stampede Blue.

Laura Calloway of Colts Authority considers the health-related disadvantages at play with regard to a team or teams playing in Europe.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Breaking down the Jaguars’ defense with Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. (Video.)

How coverages determine the methods a team chooses to defend the run, from Eric Stoner of Big Cat Country.

Tennessee Titans

Will a more comfortable Tayler Thompson be more productive for the Titans in his second year? John Glennon of The Tennessean looks at Thompson.

A look at the Titans third and fourth quarterbacks, Rusty Smith and Nathan Enderle, from Tyler Whetstone of The Tennessean.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Even in a world of rules and schemes and responsibilities, most players have small idiosyncrasies.

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Denard Robinson's is odder than most: He doesn’t tie his shoelaces.

Thus his nickname of “Shoelace.”

“I wasn’t tied, but coach told me to knot it up, so I knotted it up, but loose,” he said. “It’s something I always did my whole life.”

Thursday following the team’s final minicamp practice, he let me snap a photo to share with you.

“My first year playing football I ran out of them a couple times, and I ran out of one last year,” he said. “As long as they stay on my feet. Coach told me if they come off he’s going to tell me to tie them up.”

Coach Gus Bradley said he saw a shoe come off Robinson this week when Robinson got kicked.

“If it doesn’t have an impact on the game and it’s within the rules, whatever allows you to play the best,” Bradley said. “It’s comfort level. Do you get your ankles taped or not? Players have a rhythm or a routine they like to follow. As long as it’s within the rules, I’m fine with it.”

The Michigan quarterback was a fifth-round pick of a team in dire need of playmakers. The Jags had the NFL announce "running back" from the podium, making their intentions for a guy changing positions immediately clear.

While Robinson can line up in a lot of different spots, he is in the running back meeting room and works with the group in practice.

Much has been reported about the Jaguars' desire to use him in inventive ways that can cause dilemmas for defenses.

In the first walkthrough snap of Thursday’s public practice, quarterback Blaine Gabbert lined up wide left, with Robinson at quarterback. He gave the ball to Ace Sanders on an end-around and Sanders then gave it to Gabbert who was moving back toward him. Gabbert threw it to the Robinson on the right.

"I think there is always a place for it in a game, no doubt,” Bradley said of such trickery. “Any time you have an opportunity to get an explosive play, the chances of scoring go up. Those types of plays allow for an opportunity to get an explosive play.”

I believe Robinson and Sanders, a fourth-round receiver, will do a lot to give the Jaguars a much-needed rocket charge. They've often ranked as a plodding team during their recent struggles.

But not everyone is sold on Robinson as a running back.

“I am not big on it, especially if they truly plan on making him 'just a running back,’” said Matt Williamson, ESPN.com’s resident scout. “If they have other plans, such as a specialty package at quarterback, some wide receiver routes and as a returner, then I am OK with it. But running as a quarterback versus running as a running back is just so different.

“He doesn't really run low or with power to take handoffs repeatedly out of the backfield and get downhill against defenses that are not unsuspecting.”

I do expect specialty packages and snaps lined up wide, and if Robinson picks up on stuff, those roles should grow. He could easily be the kick returner, unless the team really loves undrafted receiver Tobais Palmer in the role.

Robinson has not been completely himself in recent weeks.

He sliced a big cut on his right hand between his thumb and forefinger while working in his kitchen.

“A little cooking deal, cutting potatoes,” he explained. "I thought I was a chef, like I am. I got some new knives and I was cutting potatoes and it got me pretty good, I got 10 stiches. I didn’t think it was that bad. I was just like, whatever. But my brother and my girlfriend were there, and she was like, 'You need to go to the hospital.' It wouldn’t stop bleeding.

For a good stretch, because the stitched up hand was wrapped up and tender, he was carrying the ball only in his left hand and couldn’t really throw, but he appeared to be back to normal by the time minicamp came to a close. We saw him switch the ball to his right hand on a run toward the right sideline.

Ball security is an issue for him coming in. He put it on the ground a lot for the Wolverines.

Bradley said the Jaguars need him regularly holding the ball high and tight rather than low and loose.

“There is a lot of newness for him,” Bradley said. “He’s going on that learning curve. But he’s progressing, even with the mindset of taking care of the ball. That’s going to be a constant work in progress with him. But he’s buying into it, and he’s demonstrating it.”

On a team lacking star power, Robinson has a chance to quickly become a fan favorite. He’s saying all the right things about the chance in front of him.

“I’m a fifth-round draft pick and I’ve got an opportunity to play a lot,” he said. “Anybody that got drafted this year wants to play a lot. I’ve got the opportunity, and I want to make the most of it.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Reading the coverage…

Houston Texans

The five biggest questions that are still unsettled as the Texans head into their summer hiatus, says Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle.

These Texans have a better Super Bowl chance than last year’s version, says Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle.

Undrafted rookie linebacker Willie Jefferson could follow a path blazed by Bryan Braman, says Ganguli.

Guard Brandon Brooks and defensive end Jared Crick are in position to be breakout players in 2013, says Lance Zierlein of the Houston Chronicle blogs.

July 17 is a key date for Brian Cushing, who expects to get a green light from his doctor regarding his surgically repaired ACL, says Nick Scurfield of the team’s website.

Indianapolis Colts

His high school coach rates Colts’ first-round pick Bjoern Werner as "a force of nature," writes Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star.

Will the Colts be better in 2013? They could be better but not have as good a record, says Bob Kravitz of the year after Chuck Pagano’s battle with leukemia gave them something to rally around. “I want to see us make the transition away from me and toward our players,’’ Pagano said. “ChuckStrong still exists because I have this unique platform now where I can help raise money and awareness, and I’ve been doing that and I’m going to continue to do that. But I’m not the story anymore. Even last year, I didn’t want to be the story. The story is the players on this team. That’s the way it should be."

The inside linebackers are a great value, says Kyle Rodriguez of Colts Authority.

An early stab at the Colts’ 53-man roster from Brad Wells of Stampede Blue.

Darius Heyward-Bey arrived in Indianapolis with a catch rate of 14.6 on balls thrown 20 yards or more downfield, says Josh Wilson of Stampede Blue.

Jacksonville Jaguars

An early attempt to shape the 53-man roster of the Jaguars, from Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. He sees the team carrying only two quarterbacks.

Former Jaguars defensive end Austen Lane was claimed off waivers by Kansas City, says O’Halloran.

Some Jaguars fans enjoyed a Father’s Day brunch at EverBank Field, says Roger Bull of the Florida Times-Union.

The offseason is over, but the Jaguars are hardly finished revising their roster, says O’Halloran. GM David Caldwell said: “I expect some more movement. I don’t know where and at what position, but everybody will have ample opportunities to claim one of those positions.”

Not having most of their draft picks signed yet is not a big deal at all for the Jaguars, says John Oehser of Jaguars.com.

A getting-to-know-you video with Denard Robinson from the team’s website.

Julian Stanford may push Geno Hayes for a starting outside linebacker spot, says Alfie Crow of Big Cat Country.

Tennessee Titans

Receiver Nate Washington is in great shape and is ready to fight for his role among a bunch of high draft picks, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

Mike Munchak is doing some hands-on work with the offensive line again, says David Climer of The Tennessean.

New special teams coach Nate Kaczor is injecting life into his units, says Marc Torrence of The Tennessean.

Kicker Rob Bironas is aiming for better accuracy in 2013, says Tyler Whetstone of The Tennessean.

Single game tickets go on sale July 12, says The Tennessean.

Steelers tight end Heath Miller may not be healthy enough to play on opening day against the Titans and Music City Miracles reflects on what his absence could mean.

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

The major question facing each team in the AFC South as summer break looms:

Houston Texans: Even if Derek Newton recovers well from his knee surgery, are they sure he can be good at right tackle? In Newton's first year as the starter there, veteran Ryan Harris still got a share of the snaps. Now the team has to see how Newton recovers, will consider rookies Brennan Williams and David Quessenberry and brought Harris back as veteran insurance. They’ve surely got comfort in numbers, but you’d much rather have a sure thing at the front of the line. If second-year man Brandon Brooks doesn’t play well from the start at right guard, right tackle could be an even bigger problem. And the Texans need to be able to send Arian Foster both left and right to be unpredictable in the run game. They also need to protect Matt Schaub from all angles.

Indianapolis Colts: The team’s biggest defensive moves have been keyed on stopping the run. Outside linebacker Erik Walden is an edge-setter, defensive linemen like Ricky Jean Francois and Aubrayo Franklin should help stop backs and safety LaRon Landry is a force in the box when he’s healthy. If cornerback Greg Toler pans out, he will help the pass rush, and rookie outside 'backer Bjoern Werner could be an impact rusher if he transitions quickly from college end. But can this team consistently rush the passer? The only truly proven rusher on the defense is Robert Mathis, and for the first time he’ll be playing without Dwight Freeney drawing some of the blocking attention. To me, the major question is: Can they rush the passer effectively?

Jacksonville Jaguars: Who is the quarterback? Blaine Gabbert had most-favored status from the last regime, because the general manager of the last regime traded up to draft him 10th overall. That doesn’t mean anything to new GM Dave Caldwell or new coach Gus Bradley. They are looking for a guy who will give them the best chance to improve. If it’s Gabbert, that’s fine. But Chad Henne has said he believes there isn’t a charade element to this competition, and the team is talking as if new addition Mike Kafka and even undrafted rookie Matt Scott have an equally good chance of winning the job. Odds are very high this team will be looking for its long term-quarterback in next year’s draft. In the meantime, opportunity abounds.

Tennessee Titans: All Titans questions start with the quarterback. Jake Locker is now protected by a great offensive line, which should also greatly improve the run game. The new offense will give him a lot of play-action as well as rollouts and bootlegs, which will be threatening because of his extraordinary speed. His short-yardage targets should be dangerous -- Kevin Walter is super reliable; Kendall Wright should blossom; Delanie Walker and Chris Johnson need to be consistently reliable. The deep guys are a solid bunch if healthy. Kenny Britt and Nate Washington are capable of making downfield plays, and the team is super high on rookie Justin Hunter. The defense will be better, which means the Titans will have the ball more. What can Locker do with it?

Houston Texans

First-round pick DeAndre Hopkins made an impression on coach Gary Kubiak during minicamp, reports the Houston Chronicle's Chris Shelton and Tania Ganguli. Kubiak: "The last three days he’s impressed me because he hasn’t had Matt [Schaub] and he hasn’t had Andre [Johnson] out here and he’s been on top of what he’s doing. He’s obviously very gifted. We’ve just got to make sure we’ve got him doing what he does best."

The Texans announced Thursday that they will adhere to new NFL security guidelines that limit the size and types of bags that may be brought into the stadium on game days.

A wrap-up of the final practice of minicamp from Nick Scurfield of HoustonTexans.com.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts made protecting quarterback Andrew Luck, who took 41 sacks last season, a priority this offseason, writes Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star. "We have to do a premium job of protecting our quarterback," GM Ryan Grigson said. "He’s obviously an outstanding player. We don’t need him running for his life. We need him to feel as comfortable as possible."

As minicamp broke, coach Chuck Pagano's message to his players was to make good choices and not create distractions before training camp, AP reports. "The big thing was, number one, make great choices," Pagano said. "Spend time with family, do what you have to do mentally and physically, but make great choices. Don't put yourself in bad situations. Really, the only thing that would derail us from having a successful training camp and start of a great season is a distraction."

The Colts are coming off a season in which they improved nine wins over the previous one. Although history tells us to expect them to take a step back in 2013, ESPN Insider Chris Sprow writes that a combination of luck and Luck could help them buck the trend .

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars wrapped up their offseason program on Thursday but their roster is still under construction, writes Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. GM Dave Caldwell: "I expect some more movement. I don’t know where and at what position, but everybody will have ample opportunities to claim one of those positions."

The team waived defensive end Austen Lane before the start of Thursday's final practice, AP reports. Lane, who had been with the Jaguars for three seasons, compiled 103 tackles and three sacks. Th team also signed cornerback Lionel Smith and punter Ken Parrish.

The Jaguars are in no rush to anoint a starting quarterback, AP reports.

Tennessee Titans

Wide receiver Damian Williams said the Titans' new playbook is making him feel more confident in the offense, writes The Tennessean's John Glennon. Williams: "We've been able to show our talent more. We’re allowed to play fast, and we're not out there thinking all the time."

Some observations from Thursday organized team activities (OTAs) from Glennon.

The Titans agreed to terms with their second-round pick, Justin Hunter, AP reports.

Linebacker Colin McCarthy's goal this season: stay healthy, writes Greg Pogue of Fox Sports Tennessee. McCarthy: "It's good to get back out there on the field and get these injuries behind me and just focus on my game, making sure of technique and assignments and be on top of my game."

Jaguars guard Uche Nwaneri told me about how the offensive linemen will cut block in a scheme with more zone plays. But I figured it would be better for him to show me.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Throwing on the move, by design, should be easier than making plays dropping back.

I generally think that, and the Jacksonville Jaguars certainly do too based on what they are doing on offense.

“I think those are easy throws, generally for a quarterback: bootlegs, quick passing game, things like that where he’s on the move,” coach Gus Bradley said. “Easy, but not simple. They’ve still got to execute and we’ve still got to execute things in the protections. But that’s one way of getting a quarterback in a rhythm, by executing some of those passes.”

Wednesday at their final practice of minicamp, I paid particular attention to Blaine Gabbert on the move. And he wasn’t making throws on the run look like simpler plays.

Some of them were throwaways, like a red zone play where he barreled out of bounds right at me and a team staffer and let it fly before he stepped out. You tell a guy to put that one in the stands, and he did the practice equivalent.

“Oh, over the fence,” he said matter of factly but loud enough for the people in the first couple rows to hear.

Later he rolled hard to his right and hit Jordan Shipley on the right sideline, completing the pass against veteran cornerback Marcus Trufant.

Overall though, he struggled on the run just as he did from the pocket.

This week I had the chance to ask Gabbert about throwing on the run.

“The more reps you get throwing on the move the more comfortable you are,” he said. “I felt confident going on the move and that’s a big part of our offense, being able to run keepers and get the ball outside the pocket. It just boils down to getting reps in practice, feeling comfortable with it, going through your progressions on the run and at the end of the day if nothing’s open taking off.”

He and the Jaguars need more work at it.

On this day, in this practice, none of the quarterbacks -- Gabbert, Chad Henne, rookie Matt Scott or newcomer Mike Kafka -- looked very good.

Gabbert threw a red zone TD in team drills, and had another dropped. Henne had a pick that would have been a score the other way dropped.

It’s still the early stages of a new offense. Gabbert still shows a good arm. He’s still got time to get more comfortable.

He is, however, approaching now or never.

Reading the coverage…

Houston Texans

Rookie tackle David Quessenberry's recent surprises include a stolen truck and a lot of playing time at right tackle, says Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle.

Like most starters, Danieal Manning isn’t participating in minicamp but he offered a coaching eye, say Ganguli and John Brannen of the Chronicle.

A couple former Texans -- Connor Barwin and Eric Winston -- are among the 10 players who have lent their names to a new line of clothing which is being sold by the NFL Players Association in honor of LGBT Pride Month, writes Ganguli.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are sorting through four players and 1,300 pounds as they seek to fill their nose tackle position, says Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.

The Colts were an 11-5 playoff team in 2012, but that hasn’t stopped general manager Ryan Grigson from a massive roster overhaul that could yield nine new starters, says Chappell.

Until they signed Ahmad Bradshaw, the Colts commitment to improving the running game had been mostly verbal, says Conrad Brunner of 1070 The Fan.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Veteran Marcus Trufant is sharing his expertise with a young group of defensive backs, says Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.

The Jaguars will wrap up minicamp with a public practice, says Vito Stellino of the Times-Union.

Mike Mularkey said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he would start Chad Henne over Blaine Gabbert if he had to pick one right now. (Audio.)

Thoughts on how the quarterback situation could shake out between Gabbert, Henne and Mike Kafka from Cole Pepper.

Tennessee Titans

The No. 2 cornerback job is open for the taking, partly because Alterraun Verner doesn't exactly fit what the Titans now want to do, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

While the offense is simplifying, is the Titans defense getting more complicated and too complicated, asks Music City Miracles.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have no clear No. 1 quarterback, though I still believe Blaine Gabbert’s going to wind up their best option at the start.

Mike Kafka didn’t work in team drills Wednesday, his first session with the Jaguars since they claimed him off waivers from New England after the Patriots let him go to make room for Tim Tebow.

But Kafka, 25, will get a fair crack at more than a backup job with a team that is preaching competition and giving everyone at virtually every position a chance.

General manager Dave Caldwell said he considered Kafka early in the offseason, but the quarterback already had committed to the Patriots.

In 2011, when Caldwell was part of the Falcons front office, he saw the best of Kafka’s limited NFL work. Michael Vick got hurt, Kafka took over for him and the Eagles and hit on 7-of-9 passes for 72 yards in a game Philadelphia lost 35-31.

Caldwell said Kafka’s got “just as good an opportunity” to win the job as Gabbert, Chad Henne or undrafted rookie Matt Scott.

Kafka said very little in a media session I had to miss but got a transcript of. He’s happy to be here and excited for the opportunity.

Jordan Rodgers is also on the team. He's out until camp after recent sports-hernia surgery.

The Jaguars are one of only two teams currently in the NFL with five quarterbacks on the roster. The other is Philadelphia.

Reading the coverage …

Houston Texans


Ed Reed offered reassurance that all will be fine with regard to his surgically repaired hip, says Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle. Reed is still not sure precisely when he will be back.

Ganguli points us to video of Tom Brady’s kick at Reed in the AFC Championship Game that Reed said he thinks caused his hip issue.

Tim Dobbins stands by his decision to skip OTAs to work on building his house in Nashville, says Ganguli.

To which I say: It sounds odd, but voluntary is voluntary and if he proves the team’s best option at inside linebacker next to Brian Cushing, the OTA absences won’t factor into a decision.

Gary Kubiak is concerned about right tackle, but Derek Newton and rookie Brennan Williams are expected to be ready for the start of training camp, says James Palmer of CSN Houston.

Vonta Leach would like to return to the Texans, he told Mark Berman of Fox Houston.

To which I say: Don’t know why he’d say it publicly, since the presence of Greg Jones means it can’t happen.

Indianapolis Colts

Robert Mathis on LaRon Landry: “He brings ugly. He brings a streak to us that we haven’t had.” Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star has this story on Landry, who was not part of OTAs.

Ahmad Bradshaw feels like he will bring a spark to the Colts’ young offense, writes Chappell. Bradshaw said he looks forward to helping Vick Ballard and the rest of the running backs.

The Colts' offensive tackles, Anthony Castonzo and Gosder Cherilus, have a friendship that dates back to Boston College, says

Remembering a funny slip up Chuck Pagano made at the combine regarding Leach, who’s now a free agent, with Brad Wells of Stampede Blue. (I've been told this morning that they won't pursue Leach).

Pagano said nose tackle Josh Chapman amounts to an immovable 800-pound safe on the middle of the field, says Marcus Dugan of Colts Authority.

Jacksonville Jaguars


It’s never been an easy ride for Alan Ball, who signed with the Jaguars because of the chance to start, says Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union. Safety Dwight Lowery sees a perfect system for Ball.

To which I say: Ball really struggled when he had opportunities with the Texans last season, so he’ll need a big turn-around to be effective for the Jaguars.

The Jaguars claimed former Patriots quarterback Mike Kafka, who they cut to make room for Tim Tebow, says Ryan O’Halloran of the Times-Union.

“(Maurice) Jones-Drew's future with the Jaguars will be tied to his production on the field, not his culpability in a bar altercation where somebody is clearly sticking to a bold-faced lie, says Gene Frenette of the Times-Union.

Tennessee Titans


“Seeing (Marc) Mariani on the practice field is a testament to modern orthopedic medicine and his dedication,” writes David Climer of The Tennessean.

Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey sees Gregg Williams and Jerry Gray balancing each other out, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

Chris Johnson disputes the notion that he’s selfish, says The Tennessean’s notebook.

To which I say: He sold himself as not just a running back, but a playmaker, when he held out for, and received, a new contract. He has hardly been the guy he said he’d be. Despite his assertion, him getting 2,000 yards isn’t the best route for the Titans to get to the playoffs.

Johnson speaks highly of Shonn Greene in this piece from Crag Peters of the team’s website.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Four notes from my first day with the Jaguars before diving into Day 2 of minicamp.

1) Coach Gus Bradley said that Maurice Jones-Drew spoke to the entire team on Monday night, offering an apology for his recent distraction.

2) What happens in team periods in these practices is off the record and can’t be shared by the media. But when Bradley fields a question about something that unfolds and choses to address it, some details can be revealed. The coach acknowledged that seventh-round rookie cornerback Demetrius McCray got some work with the first team and said McCray “did a good job with it.”

3) A couple of the regular reporters sought out one of the team’s four tryout players after practice. Tight end Lance Kearse, a cousin of one-time Titans star defensive end Jevon Kearse, s 6-foot-6, 240 pounds. The Jaguars are quite thin behind Marcedes Lewis. Lance Kearse vomited as practice was getting started, but AP’s Mark Long spoke to him and Kearse said it wasn’t nerves, he just ate too much.

4) I am sure in time I’ll get used to them, but that doesn’t mean they’ll get any better. The gold and black helmets are bad. From a lot of angles, they look like someone made the same mistake over and over with a can of spray paint. The franchise tried to hard to be different. But if different is bad, being different isn't the way to go.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Offseasons and minicamps are loaded with stories of second chances.

One good one in the AFC South belongs to Mohamed Massaquoi, the former Cleveland Browns receiver who looked to add depth for the team behind Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon.

Now with Blackmon slated to miss the first four games of the regular season due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Massaquoi looks to be an opening day starter opposite Shorts in a two-receiver base offense.

“We’re careful of saying, ‘Now we need more from him,’” coach Gus Bradley said. “We always want more. Regardless of Blackmon’s situation, we’re challenging him. We think that he’s got a high level, a high standard, and we’re pushing him to max out.”

Chosen in the second round, 50th overall, in 2008 out of Georgia, Massaquoi hardly lit it up for the Browns. In four years, he pulled in 118 catches for 1,745 yards, a 14.8-yard average and seven touchdowns.

The new Jaguars regime still saw upside in a 6-foot-2, 207-pound receiver.

Bradley said he thought Massaquoi was a little bit shocked by the Jaguars' early tempo in organized training activities (OTAs).

“There was a little bit of surviving going on,” Bradley said. “I think he has stepped it up now.

Massaquoi is settled in and more comfortable. Regular observers say he’s not stood out in Jacksonville’s spring work in a negative or positive way.

I liked the addition and expect him to be a contributor, as I think Jerry Sullivan is an excellent receivers coach who can find a way to get the most out of guys.

“I absolutely love Gus, love Coach Sullivan, love their approach to it, love learning from them,” Massaquoi said. “I’m working hard relearning things …

"Missing Justin is definitely a huge thing, he’s definitely a talented guy. For me coming in, even before the situation, I wanted to come in and learn as much as I could from Sullivan and refine my game as much as possible, put the best product on the field that I can.”

For a fifth year and a second act, he wants to do more and seems confident that he will. Blackmon is getting plenty of work now. At some point in training camp the Jaguars will have to taper that to ensure they are ready to play four games without him.

In the first quarter of the season, Massaquoi should find a big chance to produce.

“Cleveland didn’t go exactly the way that I envisioned it,” he said. “So whenever you do get a second chance at anything, a new opportunity, you embrace it and you attack it wholeheartedly and you go out there to do the best you can learning from the mistakes of the past.”

As you read this, I hope to be napping in an aisle seat next to an empty middle seat on a not-close-to-full Nashville to Jacksonville flight.

Provided all goes smoothly, I will talk to you in a bit from the media work room at EverBank Field before working an open locker room and taking in the first of three minicamp practices.

By the time I return Thursday evening, I hope to have a much better feel of the direction the Jaguars are heading, and the people who will take them there.

Talk to you in a bit.