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It’s called the war room, which evokes visions of black and white movie scenes. Generals and colonels lean over a table covered with a map. They push mini-troops around with a stick. They call in people from outside a heavy door who bring them important news. They plot and strategize.

Sure, there are some similarities between NFL brass on draft day and military planners during battle.

But let’s not go crazy. The stakes are not remotely comparable.

I’ve not been in a lot of draft rooms -- OK, I’ve not been in any -- but based on conversations I’ve had, I believe both scenes are perceived as frenzied.

“People think it’s like the trading floor in Wall Street and it’s not like that,” Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said. “I think some of it has to do with the personalities of the people that are in charge. But the ones I’ve been around tend to be very methodical. It’s actually a very slow moving thing. It's much more of a methodical thing than chaos.”

We’re three weeks away from the first prime-time first round of the draft, so I thought we could visit some other areas where they may be some draft misconceptions. Reinfeldt, who runs a team that looks to draft by consensus of scouts and coaches, offered thoughts on my categories.

Just trade: With the draft broken into three days and teams having more time to consider people and picks, we may see more trades. Reinfeldt expects that to happen. But those talk radio voices calling for a trade up or a trade down aren’t always factoring in the intricacies of the process, including the one mandatory thing -- a willing partner.

“There are lots of calls and lots of conversation, but when it gets down to the time of doing it, it’s much harder than it seems,” Reinfeldt said. “We’ve been through that a couple times; people change their minds. A guy is there all of a sudden they want. Somebody’s given them a better offer. It’s not a gimme just making a trade.”

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Jack Del Rio’s comfortable with his rookie tackles starting Sunday in Indianapolis, and he’s comfortable not revealing who his starting right guard is.

Maurice Williams was the starter at the spot on the final preseason depth chart, though he gave way to Tony Pashos in the preseason finale. Pashos has since been let go and signed with San Francisco. So it’ll be Williams, who missed last season with a biceps injury suffered warming up for the season opener, or Uche Nwaneri, who replaced him.

Del Rio didn’t offer a clue as to who it will be and wouldn’t say if players know when he talked to the local media Monday.

He was more revealing about starting left tackle Eugene Monroe, right tackle Eben Britton and cornerback Derek Cox and said he wasn’t wary of relying on youth and inexperience.

“I think that’s where you start, is you start with your best players,” he said. “Ideally you would like to have guys that are two-, three-, four-, five-year veterans, maybe older, that have been doing it, they’re proven commodities. I think we have to trust our judgment and the work that we put in and the evaluation process. We have some younger guys that are going to play right away and we expect them to play well. We expect to play well as a team.”

Later, he talked about the paths the team’s two top draft picks took to the starting lineup.

“I think Eugene came in a little bit of a delay at the start but then really came into camp and has been pretty steady throughout,” Del Rio said. “I think Eben on the other side probably started at a lesser place, maybe lower down the rung, but each week got better and better and better and then played very well even in our last preseason game. So each week he got better, dramatically better.

“So they both in different ways came in and earned a spot. We wanted to have good competition and make them earn it and I feel like through the whole process, the evaluation of all the exposure that we had with them was enough to evaluate. We do feel like the body of work that we have to look at with the offseason, with training camp, with preseason games, all of that, that they are our best options.”

I think the Jaguars are taking the right approach here. They’ve said they are re-tooling, most of us outside team headquarters view it as a rebuilding year. And when a team’s rebuilding the best course of action is to get those high draft picks on the field, provided they’ve showed they aren’t in over their heads, and let them learn from real experience. If Monroe and Britton live up to the pre-draft expectations they’ll do OK early and show quick and steady improvement.

That said, I expect Marcedes Lewis to line up beside Monroe often at Lucas Oil Stadium to try to help keep Dwight Freeney away from David Garrard.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Biggest surprise: The Jaguars continue to be willing to part ways with veterans who disappoint. While their depth is questionable at cornerback, they cut Brian Williams, who’s played corner, safety and nickel for them. Tyron Brackenridge, an offseason waiver claim from the Jets, joins Scott Starks and Brian Witherspoon as the depth with rookie Derek Cox likely to start opposite Rashean Mathis. Two undrafted players made it -- defensive end Julius Williams and linebacker Russell Allen, while expensive veteran offensive lineman Tony Pashos did not.


No-brainers: Nate Hughes was productive all through camp and in his preseason action and on a team that drafted three receivers and brought in Torry Holt, he still had to make it. He stayed and could start, while the third of the drafted wideouts, Tiquan Underwood, was cut. Ernest Wilford, brought back recently when he was let go in Miami, made the team as a tight end ahead of Richard Angulo, who was seen by some as “just a guy.”

What's next: Backup quarterback was going to be one big concern, but the team dealt an undisclosed draft pick to Tampa Bay for Josh McCown. Todd Bouman will likely be gone once McCown passes his physical. With fullback Greg Jones likely to be the top alternative for carries to Maurice Jones-Drew and rookie Rashad Jennings the only other running back on the roster after Alvin Pearman and Chauncey Washington were cut, the team is thin at the spot. Expect a practice squader, or two, at least.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

The Jaguars cuts, just announced by the team:

Tight end Richard Angulo

Safety Marlon McCree

Running back Alvin Pearman

Offensive lineman Tony Pashos

Linebacker Tim Shaw

Running back Chauncey Washington

Punter Steve Weatherford

Defensive back Brian Williams

Linebacker Thomas Williams

Long snapper Joe Zelenka

Wide receiver Tiquan Underwood

Quarterback Todd Boeckman

Fullback Brock Bolen

Safety Michael Desormeaux

Cornerback Pete Ittersagen

Defensive end Jeremy Navarre

Center Cecil Newton

Wide receiver Todd Peterson

Guard Cameron Stephenson

Running back Josh Vaughan

Linebacker Johnny Williams

The team also placed defensive tackle Rob Meier (shoulder) on injured reserve.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

Houston Texans

• Rex Grossman gets his last big chance to sell the Texans on three quarterbacks Friday night, writes John McClain.
• Who McClain will be watching as Houston plays in Tampa.

Indianapolis Colts

• Jim Sorgi qualified as the lone bright spot for the Colts in their big loss at Cincinnati.
• Adam Vinatieri was back in action, but missed his lone field goal attempt, says Phil Richards.
• Contemplating the Colts and a third quarterback, with John Oehser.
• The Colts losing a preseason finale is hardly a new development, says Oehser.
• Stampedeblue.com reviews the game and picks a 53-man roster.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• The final preseason game produced the first win and answered a lot of questions for the Jaguars, says Michael C. Wright
• Maurice Jones-Drew should be OK but Jack Del Rio couldn’t say for sure that the running back will practice Wednesday, says Vito Stellino.
• Assume nothing about Jones-Drew’s status, advises Gene Frenette.
• Mike Sims-Walker grabbed a touchdown in his return, says Stellino.
• Tony Pashos was at right guard as the Jaguars pushed forward, says Garry Smits.
• Fans should be able to understand that rebuilding is part of the cyclical life of the NFL, says Vic Ketchman of jaguars.com.
• Jordan Black got an extension. What does that mean for the team’s other tackles who qualify as backups?
• The blackout didn’t drive fans to the stadium, says Frenette.

Tennessee Titans

• The Titans pounded the Packers in their fifth and final preseason game, says Jim Wyatt.
• GM Mike Reinfeldt says nothing is imminent with veteran receivers the team tried out, writes Jim Wyatt. I heard Samie Parker was impressive and Jerry Porter was, to put it lightly, not. Mark Jones heads the list if the Titans go to it.
• Mark Jones may have done enough to secure the job as returner, says Gary Estwick.
• Starters didn’t play much, says Wyatt.
• Vince Young and Dominique Edison were the stars, says Terry McCormick.
• Roger Goodell has broadened the league investigation into tampering possibilities with Albert Haynesworth, blogs Wyatt.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

The Jaguars played well and got their first preseason win Thursday night, 24-17 over Washington in Jacksonville.

Jack Del Rio said he was pleased with the play of his offensive line, which included rookie tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton and Tony Pashos at right guard.

But most important was a status report on Maurice Jones-Drew, who left the game with what Del Rio called a leg bruise.

“I guess the best way to describe it, he took one of those UFC shots to the shin or to the lower leg,” Del Rio said after the game. “Those guys will stun each other with a kick. I think he took a good shot there and got a bruise. The X-rays were negative, all that stuff. He’s probably a little sore but he’ll be OK. I think he was frustrated more than anything that the guy went low there. I think he wanted to get his hands on him if he could, but he’ll be OK.”

Those assurances are fine, but every coach, player and fan goes into the preseason finale fearing an injury that could impact opening day.

We’ll have to monitor it as the team begins to prepare for Sept. 13 in Indianapolis.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

The Jacksonville Jaguars are presumed set at tackle for the long term with first-round pick Eugene Monroe and second-rounder Eben Britton. They started at left and right tackle, respectively, in Thursday night’s preseason finale against Washington.

But earlier in the day the team made a move that may indicate more about its veterans, Tony Pashos and Tra Thomas. The Jaguars signed backup Jordan Black to a deal that runs for three years and is worth $3.65 million with an additional $1.8 million in possible incentives, according to ESPN.com senior write John Clayton.

So something is brewing and the team will be dealing or cutting a name lineman.

Pashos, who started at right guard Thursday night against Washington, or Thomas, the left tackle signed as a free agent this offseason, could be on the way out.

Uche Nwaneri and Maurice Williams are valuable because of their versatility. Nwaneri can play all three inside spots and Williams, who was listed as the starter at right guard before Pashos' shift, can play anywhere on the line if needed.

Pashos signed as a free agent in 2007, getting a five-year, $24 million contract. Thomas’ incentive-laden deal was for three years and from what I can find the financial details were never reported.

Brad Meester is the starting center and Vince Manuwai, the team's best run blocker, is back at left guard after suffering a season-ending knee injury in last year's opening game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

With three of our four teams playing Thursday night and the fourth preseason game meaning little or no time for starters in many instances, we reduce our previews.

Here’s one thing from each game to be closely monitored.

Washington at Jacksonville

Right tackle Eben Britton and right guard Tony Pashos: Word is this is what the right side of the line will look like against the Redskins. Once the starters are out of this game, the Jags will have all the evidence they can get and have to decide on a starting line. Is Pashos at guard to test his versatility as a potential backup or is he a better option than Maurice Williams or Uche Nwaneri? Will they go with veteran Tra Thomas to start the season at left tackle, or conclude it makes sense to get top pick Eugene Monroe out there ASAP?

Indianapolis at Cincinnati

Lots of chances to look dumb here, talking about someone who doesn’t wind up dressing as the Colts put no real value on starters getting work in their preseason finale. So the guys to watch are the undrafted rookies making a bid for roster spots. Big games for players like linebacker Ramon Humber or Mike Tauiliili, cornerback Jacob Lacey, defensive tackle Adrian Grady or receiver Brett McDermott could have a big bearing on their fates. Yes, it’s hard to measure them against second or third stringers on the Bengals, but coaches and the front office make big dollars to translate such things and find their meaning.

Green Bay at Tennessee

Jeff Fisher talked this week like his plan for the game was a super secret. I think it’s a secret until he knows what it is, at which point we will see it. Mark Jones is sure to get a lot of opportunity against the Packers, and the Titans will be hoping to force a bunch of punts and kickoffs. But they should be looking at Javon Ringer for kickoffs and saying prayers for the health of Ryan Mouton who seems a good punt return candidate but is recovering from a high ankle sprain. It would be good for Jones if he could make something out of chances at receiver too, if he gets them.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

In the first half of Mike Silver’s annual owner rankings, he’s got Wayne Weaver 25th and Bud Adams 21st.


Houston Texans

Brian Cushing is out, James Casey is in for the preseason finale, says John McClain.

Battleredblog.com considers Dunta Robinson’s status.

Is Matt Schaub injury prone? Stephanie Stradley considers.

Bob McNair denies being part of any secret meeting, the AP says.


Indianapolis Colts

The back of the roster will take shape in the preseason finale, says Mike Chappell.

The Colts continue to sort out their return situations, writes Chappell.

The Colts were one of eight franchises to lose value, according to Forbes’ analysis.

Clint Session, Kelvin Hayden and Mike Hart are among the players who aren’t with the Colts in Cincinnati, says John Oehser.

Adam Vinatieri has been cleared and is off the PUP list, says Aaron Wilson. Thanks to stampedeblue.com for the link.


Phillip B. Wilson hits multiple Colts’ topics in a blog entry.


Jacksonville Jaguars

According to bigcatcountry.com, Tony Boselli said this on the radio this morning: Eben Britton will start at right tackle Thursday night and Tony Pashos will shift to right guard. Jason La Canfora of NFL.com wonders if Pashos’ salary puts him in jeopardy.

The Jaguars are guarding against offensive line woes with Pashos, says Gene Frenette.

Some starting positions are still on the line as the Jaguars ready for Thursday night’s preseason finale against Washington, says Michael C. Wright.

Troy Williamson is one of five players around the league whose stock has risen in the preseason, says Clifton Brown.

The defense is looking for sacks, says Vito Stellino.

A look at who’s on the bubble from Vic Ketchman of jaguars.com.


Tennessee Titans

The Titans are looking at Jerry Porter and Samie Parker in addition to Matt Jones, reports Jim Wyatt. My two cents: Porter would be a bad call. The Jags would love to see the Titans make that move.

Is Jeff Fisher a title away from greatness?

Wyatt doesn’t expect Nate Washington to play in the opener at Pittsburgh.

Patrick Ramsey on the possibility of being a third QB. Audio from Titans Radio.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Congratulations are in order for Colts linebacker Gary Brackett.

Brackett

He's won the 11th annual Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award, a Pro Football Weekly honor presented to an NFL player whose contributions to the community and charitable organizations are especially outstanding.

Brackett won the award over finalists Chris Draft of St. Louis, Israel Idonije of Chicago, David Thornton of Tennessee and Jason Witten of Dallas.

From PFW's news release:

Through his IMPACT Foundation, Brackett has turned the tragic loss of his brother into a relentless quest to provide resources and unique opportunities for children and families affected by pediatric cancer. By continuously offering a number of programs through the foundation, Brackett is helping to spread his contagious, undying message of eternal optimism to those who need it the most.

Despite the time and effort he puts in with the IMPACT Foundation, he still makes room to take part in a plethora of other community service activities throughout the country. It is for his off-the-field work and his embodiment of the cliché 'triumph over tragedy' that he earned this year's award.

The other nominees for the award included Vonta Leach of Houston and Tony Pashos of Jacksonville.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

I watched the early part of the Jaguars' 12-9 loss in Miami Monday night looking for what jumped out, and one predominant theme wasn't hard to find at the start.

New general manager Gene Smith wants to build inside out and considers the lines the foundation, The Jaguars offensive line has gotten healthy and been reinforced with two high draft picks, tackle Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. But the initial performance of the starters was not good.

The starting offensive line included Uche Nwaneri at left guard, not the scratched Vince Manuwai, as well as Tra Thomas at left tackle and Tony Pashos at right tackle. The group got pushed back by Miami's top defensive linemen, who also had some blitz help.

Randy Starks beat Nwaneri and hit quarterback David Garrard low on the last play of the Jags' first possession. Garrard limped off after taking the hit. On the second series, fullback Greg Jones stepped over to pick up charging Channing Crowder, but Crowder pushed Jones back into Garrard who threw incomplete before landing hard.

Not long later, under pressure from a blitzing Nate Jones and with Jason Taylor arriving to help bring him down, Garrard tried to flip the ball forward, apparently to Nwaneri, and was lucky it wasn't intercepted by Starks.

In three possessions with Garrard at quarterback, the Jaguars managed just one first down and netted 18 yards. Under fire, he managed just four completions in seven attempts for 22 yards.

The frontline offensive line would appear to have a way to go.

	Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
	The Jaguars know they want to give the ball to Maurice Jones-Drew and run the ball often. Beyond that, however, Jacksonville is still searching for an identity.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars always intend to be physical.

Beyond that, coach Jack Del Rio isn't looking to shoehorn his team into a predetermined personality.

"What it was when we got here with Marcus Stroud and John Henderson was the Twin Towers," he said. "And that got talked up quite a bit, and now that's changing. Marcus is not here. That's kind of not been what we are. What we are gets described by other people. What I want us to be is a team that works at it, shows tremendous commitment, focus, unselfishness and then we see how people want to label it.

Camp Confidential: AFC South • Titans: Mon., Aug. 3 • Jaguars: Sat., Aug. 8 • Colts: Sat., Aug. 15 • Texans: Fri., Aug. 21 • Training camp index

"I'm not concerned with putting a label on it now and then living up to it."

Still, the Jaguars must answer the most basic NFL questions, the ones that provide the fallback plan when things are difficult: Who are we? And what do we do?

They will be a run-centered team, keyed around trying to build big drives with good line play from a group that's healthy and has reinforcements and looks to spring feature back Maurice Jones-Drew. They will be a linebacker-centered team, looking for three athletes to start showing up as big playmakers.

Beyond that, a 5-11 team from 2008 that has a new general manager in Gene Smith and 32 new players on the roster is still feeling things out, and could be for a while.

That search isn't necessarily a bad thing if it's ultimately fruitful.

"The team identity right now, I really can't answer that question," said Greg Jones, the fullback who's expected to get carries behind Jones-Drew. "I think if you ask me a month from now, a week into the season, I probably can. I think we are still trying to find ourselves, we are still trying to get this train going. We still are working towards it, working hard. We're rejuvenated, and excited about a fresh start. New logo, new uniforms, new GM -- we're just trying to have a fresh start and a great year."

Del Rio's positive disposition comes from the roster turnover. Gone are the team's primary character issues and high-paid players who didn't live up to their contracts. Smith's worked with his coach to retool with high-character guys who have good football smarts, who will buy in and fight through tough times.

In a division where the other three teams won at a .688 clip in 2007, the Jaguars aren't expecting Tennessee, Indianapolis or Houston to come back to them. Ultimately, they will have to track those teams down.

"This team has been flipped upside-down," defensive tackle Derek Landri said. "Everybody is searching themselves for who they are, who they want to be and what they want to accomplish in this league. As a whole, our identity is yet to be made, yet to be found.

"Which is, I think, a scary thing but in a good way. Because nobody really knows what we're capable of. I think we've got something special here that is up and coming, and for a lot of people that's bad news. It's good news for us."

Key questions

	Steve Mitchell/US Presswire
	Can David Garrard prove this season he is the team's franchise quarterback?

1. Is David Garrard the guy?

Two years into his tenure as the starter, the question is unresolved. In 2007, he was 9-3 as a starter with a 102.2 passer rating. Last year, behind a broken line and with shaky weapons, he was 5-11 with an 81.7 rating.

The Jaguars don't want him to try to carry the team, just to orchestrate things. He talks of getting the ball into his playmakers' hands. But at crucial moments, can he make the right decisions and throw the ball to the right spots?

If he can't, the franchise will be looking for a quarterback in 2010 and Tim Tebow's name will ring out in Jacksonville from just 115 miles away in Gainesville.

2. Where's the pass rush coming from?

The Jaguars traded up for Derrick Harvey at No. 8 in 2007 and drafted Quentin Groves in the second round. They are trying to spark Henderson back to form while sifting through the options for the rest of the defense tackles. Collectively, they must generate a consistent pass rush that alleviates pressure on the secondary and allows linebackers the team keeps praising to start making plays regularly.

Maybe there is a surprise contributor or two. Undrafted rookie Julius Williams out of UConn drew early raves.

3. How will J
ones-Drew do as the No. 1 guy?

In letting Fred Taylor go, Jacksonville was opening more possibilities for MJD. The Jaguars will work hard to get the most out of Jones-Drew, but they also must be conscious of monitoring his workload to maximize the chances of getting the same November and December production as they get in September and October.

That means Jones or rookie Rashard Jennings or another back must prove a viable second option who can take a share of the running back touches on a weekly basis.

Nelson

Alexander

Market watch

The company line is that third-year free safety Reggie Nelson is entrenched as a starter and set to be a key cog in the defensive scheme. But there was a big drop from his first season to his second.

There is a growing buzz among some close to the team and scouts that Nelson isn't the player the team hoped he would be and could even slip out of the starting 11 if he underperforms once the season is under way. Gerald Alexander arrived recently in a trade from Detroit and could make a push for the job if Nelson doesn't recover and find better footing. Still, it's hard to imagine he doesn't get a third season to prove himself.

Newcomer to watch

The Jaguars gave the Patriots a 2010 second-rounder to take cornerback Derek Cox out of William & Mary in the third round. With no clear starter opposite Rashean Mathis on the outside in the secondary, Cox has an early opportunity to stake a claim.

He was carrying himself with confidence early in camp and already working to break a habit he brought from college: a tendency to refocus on the quarterback too soon, giving a receiver a chance to break away.

Observation deck

Kicker Josh Scobee was hitting the ball great in the first week of camp, a good sign for a team likely to win close when it wins. ... Of the three rookie receivers, seventh-rounder Tiquan Underwood has been the most impressive. Meanwhile, fifth-rounder Jarret Dillard has  struggled with drops. ... Tackle Tony Pashos reacted just the way a team that drafted two tackles and brought in a free agent (Tra Thomas) would want him to. He lost weight, re-committed and looks quite good. ... Defensive tackle Rob Meier will give great effort, but the team realizes it overextended him last season and will limit him to 20-25 plays a game. ... Left guard Vince Manuwai didn't have a full load early in camp but will be ready to go in the opener. The loss of the line's best run-blocker to a torn ACL in last year's opener began the team's downfall. ... Justin Durant has moved to middle linebacker and it's time for him. Between him, and the outside backers, Clint Ingram and Daryl Smith, a defensive leader must emerge and set a tone. ... While they know they can shift him to safety if they need to, the Jaguars are working Brian Williams at cornerback and nickel and expecting him to be in one of those spots or provide depth there. ... Receiver Mike Walker worked in the weight room on his legs and is confident he can keep them healthy. Now the question is whether he gave up any of his shiftiness by bulking up below the waist. ... Marcedes Lewis is best on routes where he can track the ball the whole way instead of having to find it. If he can catch more consistently, he can do some things after the reception. And yards after the catch may be key for this team considering deep balls aren't Garrard's specialty.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Oklahoma drill is a great thing for the Jaguars.

It creates buzz and anticipation. It's become a tradition. It's something people won't likely see in any similar setting. There are full-speed collisions, popping pads, hoots from the players and fans alike.

That's why practice Wednesday night drew nearly 2,500 people.

But I must admit, for the hype that's built up from a couple of years of hearing about it, it was a bit underwhelming. It wasn't like the scene I was told about when Marcellus Wiley tossed a handful of candy at Mike Williams, then got clobbered by the giant offensive tackle after the stunt.

There were as many draws as wins and it's hard to know for sure what you saw in a very fast couple of seconds, so I'll send you elsewhere to more expert eyes for any sort of scorecard.

Julius Williams toppled Tony Pashos in one crowd-pleaser and linebacker Tim Shaw twice created major thumps against Zach Miller, but I felt like Miller did well enough to allow the running back to get somewhere.

It's very cool that Jack Del Rio does it -- fans, players, staff and media all enjoy it.

But there was plenty more to see as well, so here are some things that struck me:

• In a nine-on-seven run period, Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams were rotating at left guard while Uche Nwaneri manned right guard.
• In a blitz pickup drill, Greg Jones did just that -- he picked up Johnny Williams off ground, then tossed him aside. Williams then tied his shoe.
• Mike Walker looks great and seemed to be the target of the first pass of every team period. Looks solid, shifty, and consistent. The first pass he caught was a touchdown from 21-yards out on which David Garrard got good protection.
• Derek Landri knocked a ball out of Todd Bauman's hand, something that shouldn't be able to happen in a practice.
• Garrard hit Torry Holt at the right sideline near the pylon and he got in, beating Rashean Mathis. Later, during a special-teams period, I watched Holt play catch with a coach, watching the ball in to his hands from about eight yards away at a variety of angles with a wide array of loft or lack thereof.
• In seven-on-sevens, when a quarterback should be close to perfect working against no pass rush, Garrard had one 1-for-3 stretch -- lucky that Mathis didn't pick a pass for Jarett Dillard and throwing a ball away when he could find nothing. A throw away is generally a good thing, but not something that should happen often in that context. Maybe somebody botched a route?
• Garrard saw Nate Hughes pull away from Kennard Cox and Mesphin Forrester, and delivered a bomb for a 60-yard touchdown. When I visited organized team activities, I didn't think Garrard was throwing well deep to the sidelines. This made for twice on the day he had a guy break open and put the ball where he had to, well down the field.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Some quick first impressions from the last piece of the Jaguars' morning practice and some conversations that followed:

• Marlon McCree worked with the first-team defense as the second safety with Reggie Nelson. Brian Williams was at right corner. But insiders said it still boils down to Sean Considine at that safety spot -- he's on the PUP list with a left calf issue that should soon be resolved -- or Derek Cox at the second corner. So it'll probably be Cox at corner with Williams at safety or Williams at corner with Considine at safety. [Another take says it's not so simple, that Nelson could be in trouble, that the Williams-as-a-safety experiement is over and that he'll be a well-paid nickel supplementing Mathis and Cox.]
• Marcedes Lewis ran up the middle and made a nice play on a David Garrard pass, snatching it despite good coverage from Gerald Alexander, who actually got a piece of the ball. Later Lewis said he's been working on reaching out of frame to get balls instead of waiting for them to get to him.
• Atiyyah Ellison was at defensive tackle alongside John Henderson with the ones.
• Tiquan Underwood, who could wind up being this team's best deep threat based on the buzz, sneaked behind everyone and ran wide open up the right side and Garrard did well to get a bomb to him for an easy, long touchdown.
• Among those who hung around after practice: right tackle Tony Pashos, who worked with an assistant strength coach who pulled on a giant rubber band that provided resistance as the big tackle backed out of his stance.

Thanks to the quick hospitality of the PR staff, I've already chatted with several guys. I'm in Jacksonville through Saturday night's scrimmage and am looking forward to getting more in depth.

I'll provide periodic live thoughts and observations from practices via Twitter (@espn_afcsouth) which also ties to my Facebook: Paul Kuharsky Espn.

	Chris Gardner/US Presswire
	Jack Del Rio plans to be more of a teacher during training camp this season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Jack Del Rio's on everyone's list of coaches on the hot seat. But sit down with him and you realize that he's not spending time pondering that position.

His 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars crumbled, first from injuries, then from locker-room division. Out went vice president of player personnel James "Shack" Harris, and owner Wayne Weaver promoted Gene Smith to general manager, giving him final say over all personnel matters.

Together, Smith and Del Rio combed through the roster, emphasizing character and leadership. In a division with three strong teams that finished ahead of them last year, the Jaguars can improve a lot and still have trouble getting out of last place.

But when they hit tough stretches, the odds that Del Rio's players will continue to hear him, to follow his voice, to give him what he asks, stand to be a lot higher.

"Two years ago we had the best locker room I've ever been around, and then last year it kind of spoiled on us," Del Rio said. "We'll get it back. That's coaching. I've talked to a few coaches and they say, 'Hey, there are years like that. Sometimes it all clicks and you've got a rabbit's foot in your pocket, and some years you have tough sledding.'"

Del Rio's early messages will come in the context of a tougher camp when players hit the field Monday morning. His training camps in years' past haven't been especially difficult, but the reviews this time around might be different as he tries to mold a team loaded with new, young players.

"I think there will be a little more edge to it; that comes with having a rough year," he said. "Do it right, do it light. And we've got some work to do. We've got a young team, we've got a lot that we need to work through. At the same time, we've got some veteran guys we know we've got to take care of.

"If I grind Torry Holt through a camp like I will with the young receivers, then he's not going to have much juice for us when we get out of camp. So we'll be smart about it, but this team needs to work. We've got a team that needs to really get back and resharpen, refocus and have a good, hard, tough camp."

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