Tag: JAGUARS

Jaguars re-sign TE James O’Shaughnessy

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed fifth-year veteran TE James O’Shaughnessy, the club announced today.

“I knew once I came to Duval a couple years ago that this is the place I wanted to be,” O’Shaughnessy said. “From the team environment, to the people I work with every day, they just made it fun for me to come to work.

“Going through this whole process and seeing where I could possibly go, at end of the day if I had the opportunity to play with the Jags again I wanted to. I am fortunate that they have given me this opportunity. I want to thank everyone that is a part of this organization from Coach Coughlin, Coach Marrone, Mr. Khan, Dave Caldwell and all of my other coaches. I am very happy to be back in Duval.”

O’Shaughnessy has appeared in 53 career games with 16 starts since entering the league as a fifth-round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015. Following a two-year stint with the Chiefs, he was traded to the New England Patriots during the 2017 NFL Draft. O’Shaughnessy was waived by New England during final roster reductions on Sept. 2, 2017 and was claimed off waivers by Jacksonville.

He has spent the last two seasons on Jacksonville’s active roster, appearing in 30 games with 10 starts, and catching 38 passes for 363 yards (9.6 rec. avg.) and one TD. For his career, he has caught 46 passes for 449 yards (9.8 rec. avg.) and one TD.

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Foles: ‘I think the greatest year of football I had was St. Louis (2015) because I lost the joy of football’

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After the 2015 NFL season, newly signed Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles was pretty much done with football. Foles, who was traded by the Eagles to the Rams after the 2014 season, was ready to walk away from the game after he struggled mightily in St. Louis, but he changed his mind and slowly rebuilt his career.

In 2016, Foles reunited with Andy Reid in Kansas City, the man who drafted Foles in 2012 when Reid was in Philadelphia. Foles would be the backup to Alex Smith in 2016.

Then, in 2017, the Eagles came calling, and Foles would sign a two-year deal to backup Carson Wentz. Unfortunately for Wentz, his season would end after tearing his ACL in Week 14 against the Rams. Foles started the final three games of the 2017 regular season and all three postseason games for the Eagles. He completed 77 of 106 passes (72.6 comp. pct.) for 971 yards and six TDs in the postseason, registering a 100-plus passer rating in all three games. Foles threw for 373 yards and three TDs and added a 1-yard TD reception in the Eagles’ 41-33 victory against the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, earning Super Bowl LII MVP honors.

Last season, the Eagles went 4-1 in Foles’ five regular season starts, including three straight victories to conclude the season and earn a spot in the postseason.

Now, Foles is moving on. The 30-year-old quarterback has signed a four-year deal with the Jaguars, and according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the contract is worth $88 million.

As tumultuous as the 2015 season was for Foles, he believes it made him a better person.

“I think through all the ups and downs, I just sort of figured out who I am,” Foles said at a press conference on Thursday. “I think a lot of times, especially in the NFL, you sort of lose your identity or this [football] just becomes who you are and deep down there is something more inside of you than that.

“I think the greatest year of football I had was St. Louis (2015) because I lost the joy of football and I was going to step away. Without that season, I wouldn’t be the player I am today or the person I am. That’s through the trials of life. I have talked about the trials and the ups and downs and it’s all come down to that I’m not afraid to speak on what’s really going on in my life or my heart and how to overcome it.

“I’m not afraid to speak that way with my teammates, so they know. Because the more transparent and real I can be, it’s important. When I step on the field, I want my teammates to know that this is who I am. I’m not this way on the field, and then I leave the stadium, or I leave the facility, and I’m one way. This is who I am as a person. It’s those ups and downs through football and through life that have made me equipped to handle this. Again, this is a new challenge for me. This is something that I look forward to because it is a challenge. It takes faith.”

Foles has a great story. It’s the stuff that makes great movies. In 2019, he will be expected to perform at a high level in Jacksonville, but if what we saw in the past is any indication, Foles will handle the pressure just fine.

Jaguars re-sign G A.J. Cann

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed four-year veteran G A.J. Cann, the club announced today.

According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it’s a three-year deal worth just over $15 million.

Cann, 6-3, 315, was originally drafted by Jacksonville in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft and has appeared in 61 games with 59 starts. He emerged as a starter in Week 4 during his rookie season and has started at least 13 games each of his four seasons in the NFL. In 2018, Cann started 15 games, only missing the team’s Week 2 victory over New England.

A native of Bamberg, S.C., Cann attended the University of South Carolina and was the highest Gamecocks player drafted in Jaguars history.

Eagles, Malik Jackson agree on three-year deal

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The Philadelphia Eagles and DT Malik Jackson have agreed to terms on a three-year contract. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the contract is worth $30 million.

Jackson is entering his eighth NFL season after spending time with the Denver Broncos (2012-15) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-18). Originally selected by the Broncos in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft, Jackson was a key member of Denver’s Super Bowl 50-winning defense. He also earned his first career Pro Bowl nod with the Jaguars in 2017.

 One of the most productive defensive tackles in the NFL, Jackson (6-5, 290) has registered five-plus sacks in three of the last four seasons (ranked fifth among NFL defensive tackles with a career-high eight quarterback takedowns in 2017). Since 2015, he ranks ninth among NFL defensive tackles in sacks (23) and tackles for loss (36) and has posted the second-most passes defensed (15).

 Jackson has amassed 239 tackles (184 solo), 55 tackles for loss, 32 sacks, 23 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 110 career regular-season games (66 starts). The 29-year-old veteran has played in a combined 121 regular-season and postseason games since 2012, which leads all NFL defensive tackles in that span. He has also appeared in 106 consecutive regular-season games, marking the second-longest active streak by an NFL defensive tackle, behind Ndamukong Suh (115).

Jackson, who was a member of five playoff teams between Denver (2012-15) and Jacksonville (2017), has recorded 29 tackles (22 solo), three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two sacks and one fumble recovery in 11 career postseason games. In the first quarter of Super Bowl 50, he recovered a fumble by Panthers QB Cam Newton and returned it for his first career touchdown, giving the Broncos a 10-0 lead in the game.

Marcedes Lewis on Jaguars: ‘I think they get (Nick)Foles for a couple of years’

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The Jacksonville Jaguars had a lot of struggles at the quarterback position last season. QB Blake Bortles was very inconsistent, and he was one of the reasons the Jaguars were 5-11 in 2018. This was after the team made it to the AFC title game in 2017.

At this point, Jacksonville has a decision to make at the quarterback position. Do you bring back Bortles, which seems unlikely, or do you go out and get a quarterback in free agency or the draft.

According to reports, soon-to-be free agent QB Nick Foles, who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017, and led them to the playoffs last season, has been connected to the Jaguars, and according to former Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis, who himself will be a free agent after spending last season with the Packers, signing Foles is not a bad move for Jacksonville, but he thinks it will be a short-term deal.

“They get a guy that can distribute the ball,” Lewis told TMZ Sports. “Foles has proved that he can go out there and do his thing. What do you do? Do you bring Foles in for a couple of years and draft a quarterback? That’s the biggest question.

“Do we want to go out and get a quarterback in the draft, or do we sign Foles to a long-term deal? I think they get Foles for a couple of years, pay him whatever it is, 16 a year, 17 a year; draft a quarterback.”

Lewis is a big fan of former Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins. He thinks signing Foles and drafting Haskins might be the way to go for Jacksonville.

Foles, 30, is an upgrade for the Jaguars, but at times, Foles has been inconsistent. We saw bad Foles during his time with the Rams, and we saw good Foles during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run in 2017. Also, with the Jaguars bringing in John DeFilippo as the offensive coordinator, who was Foles’ QB coach in 2017 with the Eagles, it’s only logical to think  Foles to Jacksonville makes sense.

I think signing Foles to a short-term deal and drafting a QB is not a bad idea, especially if Jacksonville, who has the seventh overall pick in the draft, can get their hands on a QB that they like. Unfortunately, if the Jaguars do like Haskins, he might not make it past the Giants, who pick six, but all that will be sorted out soon.

In the meantime, free agency gets started next week, so we’ll see what direction the Jaguars decide to go at the QB position.

Dom Capers joins Jaguars as defensive assistant

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Dom Capers, a veteran of 31 seasons as an NFL coach including two as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator, has joined Jacksonville’s coaching staff as senior defensive assistant. Under Head Coach Doug Marrone, he will work closely with Defensive Coordinator Todd Wash and the team’s defensive coaches.

Capers previously served as Jaguars defensive coordinator from 1999-2000 under then-Head Coach and current Executive Vice President of Football OperationsTom Coughlin. In 1999, the Jaguars were 14-2 – their best record ever – and won the AFC Central Division before hosting the AFC Championship game. Capers has been the head coach of two NFL expansion teams – the Carolina Panthers from 1995-98 and the Houston Texans from 2002-05. Most recently, he was the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 2009-17.

“Dom Capers is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the game today, and he has been for many years,” Marrone said. “His defenses have long been among the most effective and productive in the NFL. He has career experiences and accomplishments that will benefit our coaches and our players. He adds a unique perspective and veteran presence that will be valuable assets to immediately help us. I look forward to working with Dom and having him on our staff.”

Capers’ NFL coaching career includes 17 seasons as a defensive coordinator. His first coordinator role came in 1992 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the defense ranked in the top three twice and the Steelers advanced to the playoffs all three seasons. He was defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins from 2006-07 and the Packers from 2009-17. The Packers went to the playoffs in each of Capers’ first eight seasons there, and they won Super Bowl XLV following the 2010 season.

Capers’ coaching career began with 12 seasons at the collegiate level from 1972-83. His stops included Kent State, Hawaii, San Jose State, California, Tennessee and Ohio State. He spent two seasons with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL before entering the NFL coaching ranks in 1986 with the New Orleans Saints.

Among the head coaches Capers has served under are Jim Mora Sr., Bill Cowher, Coughlin, Nick Saban and Mike McCarthy. He also spent one season as special assistant-secondary under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots. Capers has been recognized as coach of the year (Panthers), assistant coach of the year (Steelers, Jaguars) and coordinator of the year (Packers).

Josh Lambo re-signs with Jaguars

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed K Josh Lambo to a contract extension, the club announced today. Lambo was set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.

“I’m not quite sure it has set in yet. This whole NFL journey has been a little wild and very unexpected,” Lambo said. “Now that I’ve gotten to the point where I can sign an extension with this club, it’s really special, and it’s a great day for myself and [my wife] Megan and our dogs and our whole family.”

Lambo, 28, has appeared in 55 career games, including 23 games for the Jaguars, since being signed as an undrafted rookie by the then-San Diego Chargers on May 12, 2015. Following a 32-game stint with the Chargers, Lambo signed with Jacksonville on Oct. 17, 2017. Lambo set Jacksonville’s franchise record for consecutive made field goals, converting 24 straight from Nov. 19, 2017 to Nov. 11, 2018.

Since joining the Jaguars, Lambo has made 38 of 41 field goals, and his 92.7 pct. field goal conversion rate is the highest in franchise history among players with at least 10 field goal attempts. In 2018, Lambo made 19 of 21 field goals (90.5 pct.), becoming the first player in franchise history to post back-to-back seasons with a field goal rate of at least 90.0 pct.

Jaguars’ Calais Campbell named to Pro Bowl

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Jacksonville Jaguars 11th-year DL Calais Campbell has been named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster, the NFL announced today. Campbell is replacing Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt, who is unable to participate due to injury.

This marks Campbell’s fourth career Pro Bowl selection (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018). He’ll join CB Jalen Ramsey as the two Jaguars players selected to this year’s Pro Bowl, both of whom are making their second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. Campbell finished the 2018 season with 72 tackles (53 solo), including 20 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He also added 22 QB hits, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Campbell’s 20 tackles for loss were tied for the third-most in the NFL, and according to Pro Football Focus, his 43 run stops were the most ever by an edge defender in a single season. For his career, he has totaled 631 tackles (474 solo), 141 tackles for loss, 81.5 sacks, 47 passes defensed, 12 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my family, the Jaguars organization, my teammates, my coaches and all of our incredible fans at this year’s Pro Bowl,” said Campbell. “Although this season didn’t go as any of us had planned, the Pro Bowl provides one final opportunity to throw on the pads and lace up the cleats before turning the page to a new chapter. I’m grateful to be returning to Jacksonville for the 2019 season and I know that we have the people and the mentality to get this turned around and bring playoff football back to Duval County.”

This season, Campbell was also recognized by his peers around the league as the Bart Starr Award winner for his outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. Campbell is the first player in Jaguars history to win the Bart Starr Award. In addition to his stellar play on the field, Campbell is very active in the community, running the CRC Foundation named after his late father, Charles Richard Campbell. The foundation strives to educate youth on critical life skills through sports, vocational platforms, financial training and health and nutritional awareness, among other programs. The award was first presented in 1989 and the list of recent award winners includes Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Thomas Davis and Jason Witten. He will receive the award on Feb. 2 in Atlanta at the 32nd annual Super Bowl Breakfast.

In his first season with the club in 2017, Campbell broke the team’s single-season franchise record with a career-high and AFC-leading 14.5 sacks, en route to first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press. After posting 10.5 sacks during the 2018 campaign, he became the first player in franchise history to post double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons. Campbell is one of eight players to post at least 10.0 sacks in each of the last two seasons.

Campbell, 6-8, 300, originally joined the Jaguars after he was signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 10, 2017, following a nine-year career with the Arizona Cardinals. Campbell joins Tony Brackens (1999) and Yannick Ngakoue (2017) as the only defensive ends to be named to the Pro Bowl in franchise history.

NFL announces matchups for the five international regular-season games in 2019

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The National Football League today announced the matchups for its five 2019 international regular-season games – four in the UK and one in Mexico.

The quality of the 2019 international offering is apparent in three division games and five playoff participants, including the NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams.  Two of the four London Games will feature teams playing in the UK for the first time, while Mexico City will host a meeting of long-time AFC West division rivals.

​​The 2019 international games:

​Country Visiting Team Home Team
Mexico Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers
UK Carolina Panthers Tampa Bay Buccaneers
UK Chicago Bears Oakland Raiders
UK Cincinnati Bengals Los Angeles Rams
UK Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars​​

Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium will host a matchup between the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. Both teams, who finished the 2018 regular season with identical 12-4 records, will be playing in Mexico City for the first time.

The AFC South champion Houston Texans – who face the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars – and the Carolina Panthers – who face their NFC South foes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – will both make their London debuts. It will bring the total number of NFL teams to have played in the UK to 31 in 28 regular-season games by the end of the 2019 season. The Jaguars will be playing a home game in London for the seventh consecutive season.

The Rams, who will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, will host a London game for the fourth time when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Oakland Raiders will return to London for the second straight year, facing the NFC North division champion Chicago Bears.

The NFL will play two games at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, with two at Wembley Stadium.

Dates, kickoff times and venues for all international games will be announced in conjunction with the release of the full NFL schedule this spring.