Jaguars News | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

OVERVIEW … EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – This start was impressive. Really impressive. And because fast starts were a really important issue entering the game that made a lot about the Jaguars’ 2016 preseason opener against the New York Jets feel impressive, too. The Jaguars lost to the Jets 17-13 at MetLife Stadium Thursday in the preseason opener for both teams, but it was the first two offensive series that stood out for the Jaguars – a pair of series that gave Jacksonville an early 10-0 lead and produced a positive feeling from the night overall. “I thought it was good,” Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles said after completing 6 of 7 passes for 105 yards on the opening two series. “We want to come out and be sharp with our operation in and out of the huddle – No mental errors, lining up correctly, shifts and motions, and all that. And, obviously take care of the ball. “I thought for the most part it was good. We will correct some things when we get back.” The Jaguars, after talking throughout training camp about starting fast offensively, did just that, moving 55 yards on 12 plays after receiving the opening kickoff. The drive ended with a 33-yard field goal by Jason Myers. The first-team offense moved effectively on the drive, and was particularly impressive early running with backs Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon. The next drive was even more effective, with Bortles completing three of three passes for 74 yards, including two to wide receiver Allen Robinson for 61 yards and a 13-yarder to wide receiver Allen Hurns that gave the Jaguars a first-and-goal at the Jets 1. Ivory scored two plays later for a 10-0 lead with 1:31 remaining in the first quarter. “For us, it was just about starting fast – going out there and doing what we have been practicing,” Robinson said. “Sticking together and being in communication and on our ‘P’s and ‘Q’s as far as assignments … I think we were able to do that.” The Jets took a 14-13 halftime lead with a four-yard touchdown run by Bilal Powell and a 17-yard pass from quarterback Geno Hayes to wide receiver Charone Peak. They extended the lead to 17-13 early in the third quarter with a 23-yard field goal by Ross Martin.PLAYER OF THE GAME … Robinson. The Jaguars’ third-year wide receiver started the preseason as he spent the entire 2015 season – making impressive catch after impressive catch. His 45-yard, leaping reception moved the Jaguars to the Jets 17 and set up Ivory’s one-yard touchdown that gave the Jaguars a 10-0 first-quarter lead. The Jaguars’ lone Pro Bowl selection last season, Robinson also had two other acrobatic, win-the-ball receptions in the first quarter. OFFENSIVELY … The first-team offense couldn’t have started more impressively, moving 55 yards (12 plays) on its first drive for a 33-yard field goal by Myers and 86 yards (seven plays) on the second drive for Ivory’s touchdown run. Robinson caught three passes for 80 yards on the two drives, and Bortles played just those two series – with his only incompletion a drop by tight end Julius Thomas. Ivory rushed for 26 yards on six carries and Yeldon rushed for 24 yards on four carries. Overall, it was as good a start as the Jaguars could have imagined.DEFENSIVELY … The defense had a rough second possession, allowing a four-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a four-yard run by Powell. The first drive was more what the defense wanted, with rookie defensive end Yannick Ngakoue ending the series with a four-yard sack of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on 3rd-and-10 from the Jets 39. The Jaguars’ defense held the Jets to 114 first-half yards and 279 overall. SPECIALLY … This area struggled in kickoff returns, allowing Jets wide receiver Jeremy Ross a 51-yard first-quarter return and Jalin Marshall an 84-yard return late in the second quarter. The Jaguars held the Jets without a first down after the first return, but Marshall’s return set up a go-ahead touchdown late in the first half. Myers converted field goals of 33 and 24 yards and converted his lone extra-point attempt.INJURY UPDATES … Jaguars wide receiver Tony Washington was evaluated for a concussion earlier in the third quarter, but was cleared to return. Strong safety James Sample sustained a right arm stringer in the third quarter. Cornerback Aaron Colvin sustained a right ankle sprain in the second half and did not return. The following Jaguars players did not play against the Jets: cornerback Jalen Ramsey (precautionary), offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (knee), safety Tashaun Gipson (precautionary), wide receiver Shaq Evans (lower leg), defensive tackle Sheldon Day (back), wide receiver Rashad Lawrence, center Brandon Linder (groin), running back Jonas Gray, offensive tackle Josh Wells (thumb), offensive lineman Kadeem Edwards, offensive lineman Luke Bowanko (ankle) and defensive end Jonathan Woodard (Achilles). Bowanko and Woodard remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list. All of the above mentioned players had missed practice time in recent days with the exception of Ramsey. The No. 5 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ramsey has practiced full since the beginning of training camp but was held out Thursday for precautionary reasons. Beachum has missed practice for much of the last week while the team remains cautions with his return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained with Pittsburgh in Week 6 of last season. STANDING OUT … With the above-mentioned players out, Peyton Thompson started for Gipson at free safety, Tyler Shatley started for Linder at center and Chris Reed started for Mackenzy Bernadeau at left guard. … Luke Joeckel started at left tackle with Beachum out. The two are expected to compete for the position with the loser likely to start at left guard. Joeckel played exclusively at left tackle after playing both tackle and guard in practice. … Wide receiver Marqise Lee, playing with backup quarterback Chad Henne after Bortles, Robinson and wide receiver Allen Hurns left the game after the second series, had four receptions for 49 yards. He showed no aftereffects of the hamstring issue that kept him out much of the first week and a half of training camp. … Washington had a 36-yard reception from Henne just before the two-minute warning to set up the Jaguars’ third score. That continued an impressive training camp for Washington. Reserve running back Denard Robinson rushed for 23 yards on seven first-half carries and finished with xx yards on xxx carries. Henne completed 8 of 9 passes for 94 yards.

Jaguars News | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

First off the Field: Jets 17, Jaguars 13