The Jacksonville Jaguars held the first of 12 on-field pre-camp practice sessions today at Ferrell Fields. A total of 77 players were in attendance, including 17 rookies.

"We're trying to take the next step in trying to do all the things that are necessary for us to raise it a notch higher than what it was last year," said head coach Tom Coughlin. "There are certain things we're working on - little details - in trying to make ourselves a better team, a listening team, a team that pays attention to all the little details. The players responded well, and I'm pleased to be back out here.

Coughlin added that four players who underwent reconstructive knee sugery last fall were able to practice again for the first time: DE Eric Curry, LB Erik Storz, G/OT Todd Fordham and FB Trevor Bollers. "They got the green light to go and did pretty well today - and that's a big plus," Coughlin said. "They didn't have the full green light, but they worked through individual drills and then did a little bit of team drills. I was pleased with that."

Four players who are participating in the NFL Europe League will not take part in the pre-camp -

S Blaine McElmurry, LB Brandon Southward and CBs Zebbie Lethridge and Kevin Peoples. The only other player who did not practice was DE Tony Brackens, who has been designated a franchise player but has not signed a contract.

"He (Brackens) was supposed to be here. That's all I can tell you," said Coughlin. "He was here this morning for weightlifting, and then I came out to the field and he was not here. I'm going to have to look into this. We have good-faith negotiations going on and we expected that Tony would progress in the offseason program and that he would be here for the field work."

The Jaguars' training camp will begin on July 21. The team's first preseason game is August 4 at the Carolina Panthers.