JACKSONVILLE – On Day 2, the storylines picked up at Jaguars 2013 Training Camp.
Not coincidentally, the intensity did, too.
On a day when the competition between quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne went back and forth in the middle of practice, there also was some pushing and shoving on the interior line – all as Jaguars Training Camp 2013 moved into its second day at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness practice fields adjacent to EverBank Field.
With quarterback the focus of media and fans, Gabbert – who worked mostly with the starters on Friday – struggled early in practice, fumbling two snaps and throwing an interception in a mid-practice two-minute team drill.
"That's all under our control," Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said afterward, adding that such plays are "great tape" for review and work the rest of camp.
Henne then worked with the starters on the ensuing series in "two-minute," throwing two completions to first-year wide receiver Mike Brown, the second of which took the offense inside the 5. Henne capped the drive with a touchdown in the corner of the end zone to veteran wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi.
Gabbert worked with mostly the second team on the ensuing series, moving the offense to the red zone with passes to the sideline to Toney Clemons and Ace Sanders. Tight end Isaiah Stanback dropped a pass inside the five and Clemons couldn't hold a pass in the back of the end zone, with the drive ending with an incomplete pass to Jordan Shipley.
Gabbert finished practice going three of three in 11-on-11, with Henne completing four of five passes in the drill.
"It felt good with what we did," Henne said. "I thought both of us did a good job."
Shortly after the two-minute period, camp had its first skirmish, with veteran center Brad Meester and free agent defensive tackle Roy Miller exchanging words and a shove during a pass-rushing drill.
"I didn't see that," Bradley said, laughing. "One of our fundamental rules, Rule No. 1, is protect the team. We want to make good decisions. We understand there are situations, but we're also a team and we want to illustrate that on the field. We understand things like that may occur. We just want to make sure nothing jeopardizes our trust."
INJURY WATCH
Safety Johnathan Cyprien (hamstring) remained on the reserve non-football injury list on the second day of camp, with offensive lineman Mark Asper (knee). Wide receiver Justin Blackmon (groin), wide receiver Taylor Price (foot) and offensive guard Stephane Milhim (knee) remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Defensive Jason Babin (groin) worked with the first unit at times after being limited Friday, while running back Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) also continued to work with the starters before leaving drills for backups. Each is being brought along slowly after offseason surgery.
PLAY OF THE DAY
There was no real highlight play, but Henne's performance caught the idea of some observers.
He looked more efficient on Day 2 after struggling at times on Day One with an interception. He worked the ball well to Brown in a two-minute drill midway through practice, and while there was debate about Massaquoi's touchdown – officials ruled he went out of bounds before coming back in – the drive was perhaps the best of the day.
Bradley praised Henne in the drill after practice.
"I don't know that we're worried about results," Henne said. "I think we're just going to work each and every day and trying to get better."
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HIGHLIGHTS**
1.Cornerback Alan Ball registered an interception for a second consecutive day, intercepting Gabbert in the two-minute drill.
2.Sanders continued to impress, catching intermediate routes early and turning several short passes into long gains.
3.Denard Robinson continued to show good speed, and though he had one drop late in practice, he caught passes out of the backfield and showed good breakaway speed.
4.Gabbert hit a long pass down the seam to Jordan Shipley late in practice, perhaps the day's best throw from either quarterback.
5.Linebacker Geno Hayes, safety Ray Polk and safety Josh Evans had passes defensed.
6.Bradley praised not only Henne after practice, but Jones-Drew, tight end Marcedes Lewis, linebackers Paul Posluszny and Russell Allen, Sanders, running back Justin Forsett and safety Dwight Lowery.
LOOKING ON . . .
*It's hard to overestimate the performance of wide receiver Cecil Shorts III early in training camp. On Friday, Shorts shone in the first training camp practice, being targeted about 20 times during team and 7-on-7 drills and he caught somewhere between 10 and 15 passes. This is a theme that began in the offseason workouts and continues. Shorts had a breakout season last season, but could be better this season.
*A huge issue entering training camp was the defensive tackle rotation. Early on, it appears Sen'Derrkck Marks and Miller – two players signed as unrestricted free agents -- will start out in the starting lineup. Miller missed much of the offseason program with knee issues, but has worked full the first two days of camp and Marks remains in the starting lineup, where he was in the offseason.
*One area to watch will continue to be defensive line. While Marks and Miller are starting there, the unit has rotated heavily early in camp. That should remain the same, as the team tries to find the right combination for a group that likely will rotate heavily in the regular season.
