The Jacksonville Jaguars today released 14 players, including six veterans, and they claimed tight end Rod Monroe off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons.

The veterans who were waived were: CB Corey Chamblin, LB Matt Finkes, WR Damon Gibson, WR Lenzie Jackson, G Kevin Landolt and DE Chris White.

Also waived were five first-year players: WR James Battle, FB Trevor Bollers, RB Leroy Collins, G Eric Moss and QB Roderick Robinson, as well as three rookies: TE Brandon Christenson, DT Ryan Reilly and C Eric Thomas.

Monroe had been waived by the Falcons on Saturday. A second-year player who was originally drafted in the seventh round in 1998 by the Dallas Cowboys, Monroe spent most of the '98 season on Atlanta's practice squad before being elevated to thre 53-man roster for the final two games of the year. He was inactive for those games, as well as the playoffs and Super Bowl XXXIII. Last season, The 6-5, 254-pound Monroe played in two games and was inactive for the other 14. He caught one pass for eight yards in a game against San Francisco. Monroe played for the University of Cincinnati's nationally ranked basketball team, then walked on to the football team as a senior. He is a native of Hearne, Texas.

The Jaguars' roster now stands at 70 players because the team still has five exemptions from the NFL Europe League. All rosters must be down to 53 players by next Sunday.

JAGUARS-FALCONS GAME TO BE TELEVISED

Thursday night's preseason home opener game between the Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons at ALLTEL Stadium will be televised in the Jacksonville area after a sufficient number of tickets were sold to lift the blackout. The game had to be sold out by 7:30 p.m. last night to avoid being blacked out according to NFL guidelines. It will be televised on WTLV Channel 12.

However, tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the Internet at www.jaguars.com or by calling 1-888-397-0100. Single-game ticket prices are $65 and $90 per ticket.