THIS WEEK: The Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers meet in their first-ever games in the 33rd Annual Hall of Fame game on Saturday, July 29 in Fawcett Stadium. Kickoff for the nationally televised preseason opener is 2:30 p.m. EST. The Jaguars and Panthers are the first expansion teams to enter the NFL since 1976, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks were born. This game marks the first time two expansion teams have ever faced each other in their inaugural games. Since 1971, the Hall of Fame game has matched an NFC team vs. an AFC team, with the NFC holding a 13-10 edge (the 1980 game was called early because of weather and resulted in a tie).
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally on ABC (WJKS-TV, Ch. 17 in Jacksonville), with Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, and Dan Dierdorf in the booth and Lynn Swann reporting from the field.
RADIO: This game and the rest of the Jaguars' preseason and regular-season games will be broadcast on WOKV (690 AM) and the Jaguars Radio Network, with play-by-play man Brian Sexton and color analysts Matt Robinson and Deron Cherry. Reporter Jennifer Kumik will contribute to the pre-game and half-time shows. More than 30 affiliates in five states on the Jaguars Radio Network will also broadcast the game.
TICKET INFORMATION: The game is sold out in Canton, and the Jaguars' allotment of tickets is also sold out. The projected attendance is 24,725, a Hall of Fame game record.
THE SERIES: This is the first game between the Jaguars and Panthers. They do not meet during the 1995 regular season.
THE OPPONENT: The Panthers were awarded a franchise on October 26, 1993, one month before the Jaguars were born. The Panthers are quarterbacked by veterans Frank Reich and Jack Trudeau and rookie Kerry Collins. Their top running back is former Steeler Barry Foster, who rushed for 1,690 yards in 1992 but was hampered by injuries the last two seasons. The Panthers signed 17 unrestricted free agents during the offseason, the most in the NFL. Familiar names on defense include linemen Mike Fox, Greg Kragen, and Gerald Williams; linebackers Lamar Lathon and Sam Mills; defensive backs Rod Smith, Bubba McDowell, and James Williams. The Panthers special teams are led by two veterans, punter Tommy Barnhardt, and placekicker John Kasay.
THE COACHES: Both Tom Coughlin (Jaguars) and Dom Capers (Panthers) are in their first year as professional head coaches. Coughlin served as the head coach at Boston College from 1991-93, compiling a record of 21-13-1, with two appearances in bowl games. Coughlin was previously an NFL assistant coach with the New York Giants (wide receivers, 1988-90), Green Bay Packers (wide receivers and passing game coordinator 1986-87) and Philadelphia Eagles (wide receivers, 1984-85). Capers was the defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1992-94. Previously, Capers spent six seasons (1986-91) as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and two seasons (1984-85) with the USFL Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars.
JAGUARS INJURY UPDATE: First-round draft choice OT Tony Boselli suffered a knee sprain on July 17 and is expected to be out for 6 to 8 weeks.
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE: The Jaguars are holding their first training camp at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Practices are held Monday through Saturday at 8:40 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Practices are usually two hours in length. Head coach Tom Coughlin is available for interviews immediately after the morning practice, or approximately 10:40 a.m. Players are available for interviews during their lunch time, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Check with the Jaguars' Communications Office in DeBot Center for credentials and to schedule interviews.
FAX ON DEMAND: All Jaguars press releases can be obtained through the InfoConnection fax-on-demand system. To receive the Jaguars' press releases each week via fax, dial (404) 399-3066 on your fax machine and enter the NFL password: 7575. Key in 1000 for an NFL directory of releases. More specific information will be provided when available. Press releases will be available late Monday.
ROSTER MOVES: Since the beginning of training camp, the Jaguars have made three roster moves: On July 10, TE Ty Hallock was placed on the Reserve/Retired list and CB Eric Stephens was signed. On July 11, CB Frank Robinson was released. The roster count stands at 89, with all players signed.
NEXT WEEK: The Jaguars travel to Miami to face the Dolphins at 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 4 at Joe Robbie Stadium. It will be the Dolphins' first preseason game of the year and it will be the Jaguars' first game in the state of Florida.
CONNECTIONS: Because of the 1995 Expansion Draft and free agency, both the Jaguars and Panthers have players who played on just about every other team in the NFL. Thus, this year's Hall of Fame game will be a reunion for many ex-teammates. Most notably will be the contingent of ex-Buffalo Bills playing in Canton. The Jaguars' defensive unit contains MLB Keith Goganious, CB Mickey Washington, and S Mike Dumas who should be very familiar with the Panthers offense which is led by QB Frank Reich, WR Don Beebe, and TE Pete Metzelaars, all ex-teammates with the Bills. Also joining the Panthers this year is ex-Bill defensive standout LB Carlton Bailey.
Others of note: Ex-Oiler now Panther LB Lamar Lathon will find familiar faces on the Jaguars sidelines in WR Ernest Givins, and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, who were with Lathon in Houston. ... Jaguars C/G Dave Widell will be re-united with the Panthers NT Greg Kragen. The two spent four years together with the Broncos (1990-93). ... Jaguars WR Charles Davenport was a member of the Steelers receiving corps with Panthers WR Dwight Stone. Other Steelers who are now with the Panthers include RB Barry Foster, CB Tim McKyer and head coach Dom Capers. ... Panthers QB Jack Trudeau and Jaguars DE Jeff Lageman were former teammates with the Jets. ... Jaguars RB Reggie Cobb will remember former teammate and now Panthers RB Vernon Turner from when they were teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ... Panthers LB Sam Mills and Jaguars CB Vinnie Clark were defensive starters for the New Orleans Saints in 1994.
The Hall of Fame game will also bring together many former teammates on the collegiate level. Panthers rookie CB Michael Reed will see his former head coach from Boston College, Tom Coughlin, now heading the Jaguars, as well as former B.C. standout MLB Tom McManus, now a Jaguars first-year player. ... Panthers reserve QB Jerry Colquitt and Jaguars RB James Stewart, both rookies, were offensive weapons at the University of Tennessee in 1994. ... Jaguars TE Derek Brown and Panthers CB Rod Smith were both class of 1992 products of Notre Dame. Others members of the Fightin' Irish are Jaguars QB Steve Beuerlein and Panthers LB Frank Stams, who played together while in South Bend. Panthers P Tommy Barnhardt and LB Carlton Bailey are both former University of North Carolina players who will find a trio of fellow Tar-heels on Jacksonville's roster in OLB Reggie Clark, RB Randy Jordan and OT Rickie Shaw.
Finally, this year's Hall of Fame game will bring together two veterans who remember all too well the last time they played against each other. Jaguars FS Darren Carrington, formerly of the San Diego Chargers, and Panthers T Harry Boatswain, an ex-49er, were both in Miami six months ago for Super Bowl XXIX.
JAGUARS IN PREVIOUS HALL OF FAME GAMES: The following players are alumni of Hall of Fame games: QB Mark Brunell (Green Bay Packers, 1993), S Darren Carrington (San Diego Chargers, 1994); CB Vinnie Clark (Atlanta Falcons, 1994); DT Don Davey (Green Bay Packers, 1993); DE John Duff (L.A. Raiders, 1993); DT Paul Frase (New York Jets, 1992); PK Mike Hollis (San Diego Chargers, 1994); RB Randy Jordan (L.A. Raiders, 1993); DE Jeff Lageman (N.Y. Jets, 1992); FB Dexter McNabb (Green Bay Packers, 1993); WR John Morton (L.A. Raiders, 1993); DT Kelvin Pritchett (Detroit Lions, 1991); QB Andre Ware (Detroit Lions, 1991); C/G Dave Widell (Denver Broncos, 1991); OT Bruce Wilkerson (L.A. Raiders, 1993); G Shawn Bouwens (Detroit Lions, 1991).
In addition, three Jaguars assistant coaches have been on the sidelines for Hall of Fame games: Dick Jauron (player, Detroit Lions, 1976 and assistant coach, Green Bay Packers, 1993); Nick Nicolau (Buffalo Bills, 1989); and Larry Pasquale (Philadelphia Eagles, 1992).
OHIO NATIVES: Eight Jaguars claim Ohio as their home state. They are: SS Deral Boykin (Kent), OLB Jason Carthen (Toledo), CB Vinnie Clark (Cincinnati), CB Michael Davis (Springfield), OT Brian DeMarco (Lorain), WR Desmond Howard (Cleveland), G Greg Huntington (Cincinnati), DE Jason Simmons (Akron).
ROSTER ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE (43) DEFENSE (43) KICKERS (3) AGE EXPERIENCE
QBs 4 DL 14 Ps 1 22 22 R 14
WRs 11 LBs 13 PKs 2 23 22 1 16
RBs 8 DBs 16 24 19 2 19
TEs 5 25 14 3 12
OL 15 26 13 4 9
27 10 5 8
28 3 6 4
29 0 7 2
30 5 8 3
31 1 9 1
Avg. 25.04 10 1
Avg. 2.77
OTHER CATEGORIES FOR FUTURE PRESS RELEASES
CONFERENCE CALL: Jaguars quarterback Steve Beuerlein and Panthers ___ (get from press release in Stevens Point)
TRAVEL/ADVANCE: Jaguars Executive Director of Communications Dan Edwards will arrive in Canton, Ohio on ___ and stay at the ___. He can be reached at (216)-_.
NOTES: ____
OFFENSE: __
DEFENSE: __
SPECIAL TEAMS: __
RECORD BREAKERS (OR OTHER TITLE): ____
Quotes from Coughlin, top players:
Rosters -- Alpha, with coaching staff
Roster -- Numerical
Stats
Defensive stats
Special Teams stats
Depth chart
Single Game bests
Game by game stats
Game by game starters
Other stats (ìStatistically Speakingî)
How the Jaguars Were Built
Player Participation Chart
Daily roster moves:
JAGUARS LEADERS: __
CONFERENCE CALL: __
LAST MEETING: __
WEEK IN REVIEW: __
INACTIVES: __
ROSTER MOVES: __
PROMOTIONS, NATIONAL ANTHEM, ETC.: ____
COMMUNITY RELATIONS: __
