Several reporters from the Florida Times-Union sat down with Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver this week at EverBank Field.
"At the end of the day, the only way we can sustain ourselves as an NFL market is filling up our stadium on Sunday afternoons just like they do in Pittsburgh and Green Bay and some other small markets. Having said all that, I realize it&39;s a tough economy out there, but we can fill up this stadium. We did it in 2010. We can&39;t take a step back. We&39;re doing everything we can..."
Indeed, the small-market Jaguars have been big-time players in the NFL's free-agent frenzy — spending millions to overhaul a defense that ranked 28th in the league last season and gave up a franchise record 419 points.
Meet the Jaguars' six free agents.
Jason Spitz is excited about the chance to play in his hometown.
"I was absolutely excited. I think a little less than my mother was when I told her I was coming home. It&39;s a great situation. Actually, you can&39;t ask for anything better than coming home," he said.
Sunday's notebook from the Times-Union
Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union caught up with tight end Marcedes Lewis.
Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe looks at how the lockout really impacted the NFL
Jack Del Rio opens up about the recent release of longtime Jaguar Vince Manuwai
Could the Jaguars free agents begin practicing on Monday?
Steve Wyche of NFL.com gives his take on the free agent frenzy.
Peyton Manning agrees to a new contract with the Colts.
Vito Stellino of the Times-Union touches on several subjects in his NFL Confidential.
Action News takes a closer look at how the lockout being lifted helps local businesses.
It's Go Time for the Jaguars!
Tweet, Tweet
Good day at practice, learn from my mistakes
@Murph4_13 (rookie running back Richard Murphy)
Quietly, Jacksonville's defense got better with Dawan Landry, Clint Session and Paul Posluszny
@ClaytonESPN (ESPN's John Clayton)
Great day at practice. Can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow. But for now, playbook study, and then bedtime. Onelove
@Phrozen_Star (rookie cornerback T.J. Heath)
Felt good to put the pads on tonight!!!!
@TheSeventyFifth (offensive tackle Eugene Monroe)
Time to go get these mental reps! Got to start somewhere I guess! Who is coming to watch?
@ZachPotter88 (tight end Zach Potter)
Learning from the vets and at the same time competing, we all making each other better with one goal in mind and that's the Lombardi trophy
@CShorts10 (wide receiver Cecil Shorts)
Gotta break these old habits and shake the rust off
@WillRackley (rookie offensive lineman Will Rackley)
Sorry to see Manuwai leave. He was soft spoken but always classy. Should have made a few Pro Bowls for how he played vs. Albert Haynesworth
@JagsVoice (Jaguars radio play-by-play announcer Brian Sexton)
Soreness!!!!
@HartUCA (defensive end Larry Hart)
Camp will make you lose track of the days rather quickly. Gotta thank the most high for all the Blessings!
@MikeThomasJax (wide receiver Mike Thomas)
I asked Dawan Landry if he played strong or free safety more often he said he played "whatever ed didn't want to play" in Baltimore
@taniaganguli (Florida Times-Union writer Tania Ganguli)
Stat of the day
There are only eight players on the current roster who played in all 32 games for the Jaguars the last two seasons. The list: Russell Allen, Jeremy Cain, Terrance Knighton, Brad Meester, Uche Nwaneri, Montell Owens, Josh Scobee and Daryl Smith.
Schedule
10:45 a.m. – walkthrough/special teams
7:00 p.m. – First practice in full pads.
The last word
"We expect to play good defense. We've brought in some guys that played well in their respective cities. They have a nice start to their career, we think they're the kind of guys that will come in and play their role and help our team. But it is a team effort. We're going to need some of our younger players, that have been young players - they're not young players anymore - they've been here a year, two years, it's time for them to play. We're going to need them to step up as well and develop. I think that's the one part of what we do as coaches that is maybe not talked about enough because everybody likes to talk about the 'name' guys that are proven quantities. What happens is there's a lot of development across the league of players that are going to break out and play well for you."
Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio on how he sees the defense shaping up
