The Jaguars are down to three quarterbacks, but coach Tom Coughlin wouldn't confirm their positions on the final roster.
"We'll see what's out there Tuesday, before we make that decision," Coughlin said today, when asked if he might sign another quarterback.
Tuesday is the league deadline for roster cuts to the 65-player limit. Coughlin's comment would suggest he might be interested in a quarterback who's been cut by another team.
That might be especially true if that quarterback would help the Jaguars save money against their salary cap. Jamie Martin is due a $518,000 salary this season, and Jonathan Quinn, who is in the final year of his contract, is due to make $418,000. The minimum wage for a rookie is $209,000.
"They both looked pretty good the other night," Coughlin said of Martin and Quinn, "Jonathan made a nice audible and throw on the deep ball."
Martin and Quinn are each expected to play in Dallas this Thursday night. In the past, the quarterback who has performed the best in the final preseason game has earned the backup job to Mark Brunell. This year, depending on what becomes available on the waiver wire, the loser of the final-game battle may be cut.
The punting battle between rookie David Leaverton and journeyman Chris Hanson, who the Jaguars claimed on waivers from Miami last week, will be decided in Dallas. Of course, Coughlin will check the waiver wire and could opt to keep neither Leaverton nor Hanson.
"We're trying to keep pressure on both punters. We'd like to see a good performance by both Thursday night and make it a tough call," Coughlin said.
Rookie Randy Chevrier and journeyman Joe Zelenka are in a battle for the long-snapper job. It will be to Zelenka's advantage if he is judged to be capable of playing tight end in short-yardage situations. "That's a pretty good battle right there," Coughlin said. "How they fit in the 53 will be (important)."
The backup running back job remains a battle between Stacey Mack and Shyrone Stith, but it would seem Mack has the edge. "They're starting to define their roles a little better. Stacey could be short-yardage and goal-line, for example," Coughlin said.
No additional cuts were announced today. The Jaguars have until four p.m. this Tuesday to cut their roster to 65 players, plus NFL Europe exemptions. If they maintain all nine of their Europe exemptions, the Jaguars would have to cut just six more players.
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Vic Ketchman is the Senior Editor of Jaguars Inside Report, the official team newspaper of the Jacksonville Jaguars. One-year subscriptions may be purchased by calling 1-888-846-5247.*
