
MULARKEY: RETURN TO BUFFALO “NO BIG DEAL”
Mike Mularkey has been back to Buffalo before.
So, in the eyes of the Jaguars’ first-year head coach, going back there again isn’t that big of a deal – even though Sunday will be the first time he has returned as a head coach since he resigned the same position with the Bills shortly after the 2005 season.
“I discussed this with the local media in Buffalo, and they’re trying to make it bigger than it really is,” Mularkey said Wednesday as the Jaguars (2-9) prepared to play the Bills (4-7) at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. N.Y., Sunday at 1 p.m.
“That was a long time ago. I have some really good memories.”
The Bills went 9-7 in Mularkey’s first season, recovering from an 0-4 start, then finished 5-11 the following season. He resigned with time remaining on his contract, and has declined to discuss publicly the specifics surrounding that decision.
“That’s a personal matter, and I’m going to leave it at that,” Mularkey said, adding, “I’m very proud of the things that we accomplished, especially in 2004. There are disappointments there as well – just like every place I’ve been.
“You get the highs we have and have the lows of losing playoff games. Those are things that will bother me my whole life, but there’s also very memorable things that took place and that 2004 season is one of them that I am very proud of with what we accomplished.”
INJURY REPORT
Running back
While Mularkey didn’t want to officially rule Jones-Drew out of the Buffalo game, the head coach said Wednesday it was unlikely he would play Sunday. He sustained a foot injury against the Oakland Raiders on October 21 and has been out since.
Also missing practice for the Jaguars Wednesday were cornerback
Cornerback
Mularkey said he wouldn’t rule out Cox – who missed the second half of the victory over the Titans – as of Wednesday.
“He looked better than I thought he was going to after the game this week, Tuesday and Wednesday,” Mularkey said.
MULARKEY SAYS
“We want to find the best runs, the best formations, the best personnel groupings to give us an edge, and we’ll continue to do that. I thought we were very balanced last week and that’s what this offense is designed for. We could use some more explosive runs. We had a number of explosive passes which I think helped us win. The runs certainly help, and get some bigger chunks.”
HENNE SAYS
“Coach Mularkey’s mentality is we’re not going to give up – we’re not a give-up group and neither are the coaches. We are in it together. Whether people are with us or behind us, we’re going to stay together as a locker room and as a team. Character builds a lot of things. There is a great bond and everybody believes in each other that we can get this done.”
WR CECIL SHORTS SAYS
“The more reps you get with him (Henne), and I think practice helps too, you get more comfortable with him. Like I said before, he knows where we are supposed to be, we know where he wants us to be, so with that being said you know the sky is the limit for the offense.”
QUICK TAKE
Running back
WHAT’S NEXT
The Jaguars will have a non-padded practice Thursday and another Friday as they continue preparing for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
*Running back
*The Jaguars this week awarded game balls to the following players for their performance in Sunday’s victory over the Titans: Parmele (offense), linebacker
*Henne said it’s reasonable to assume the Bills will utilize the blitz Sunday, particularly after the Titans did so this past week and registered seven sacks. That was the most allowed by the Jaguars this season. But Henne also said the Bills front, a group that includes end Mario Williams (8.5 sacks) and tackles Marcell Darius (3.5 sacks) and tackle Kyle Williams (5.0 sacks) can generate pressure by itself. “With Buffalo’s front four, that starts everything,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to protect, get the ball out on time, stay in rhythm and if they do pressure know where to go with the football quickly and have our guys make plays off of it.”
*Henne, like several other Jaguars players, grew a moustache for “Movember,” but said after throwing six touchdown passes in the last two games he’s in no hurry to shave. “If we keep on the winning streak we’ll let it ride for a little bit,” he said.