The Jacksonville Jaguars concluded their 2003 training camp today with a spirited morning practice. It was the team's 38th scheduled practice since training camp opened on July 25.
"Players, coaches, everybody's happy to get through camp," said head coach Jack Del Rio. "I thought we had an outstanding camp. Guys came in very committed throughout the offseason, and that allowed us to practice and accomplish what we needed to get done the last few weeks. When you break camp, that means the start of the regular season is right around the corner, and we're looking forward to it. Now we get into more of the in-season mode. After this weekend's game, we'll have more of a normal look at how we game plan and how we will do things the following week."
The Jaguars will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8:00 p.m. Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, and they will close out their 2003 preseason on August 28 at home vs. the Washington Redskins.
Cornerback James Trapp, the team's nickel back, suffered a sprained ankle in the morning practice, but Del Rio said he hoped it wasn't serious.
A total of 84 players remain on the roster, and the cutdown to 65 players is next Tuesday. Del Rio said every player still has a great chance to make the opening day roster. "A player can still give us a reason to believe he deserves to be a Jaguar, and that's still fairly wide open," Del Rio said. "There are some situations that will hinge on the (Tampa Bay) game and many more as we get close to the 53-man cut. The guys that are still here in camp have an opportunity, and it's up to them to show us why they are worthy of a spot."
On Thursday, the Jaguars will practice at 10:30 a.m., and media can attend through the first individual period (approximately 20 minutes). Del Rio will be available in the media workroom at 12:25 p.m., with players interviews to follow in the media workroom. There will be no media availability on Friday (player walk-through and travel to Tampa). Del Rio will be available to the media on Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
