Maurice Jones-Drew Denies Report Of $800,000 Fine

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has vehemently denied an NFL.com report that he was fined $800,000 for his 38-day holdout. Jones-Drew had declined to comment on specifics as to how much he was fined and claimed that it was an internal matter.

Gene Frenette of Jacksonville.com also looked at the numbers in the NFL.com report and equated the report to his regular season salary:

If the $800,000 figure was accurate, that would mean Jones-Drew would miss three full game checks, plus another $1,500.

Jones-Drew held out for 38 days during training camp, attempting to get an extension on his current deal, which has two years remaining and pays him $4.45 million in 2012 and $4.95 million in 2013.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, visit Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Adds Another Chip On His Shoulder

Maurice Jones-Drew reported to Jaguars camp on Sunday and later in the day a press conference was held for the star running back to address the media. In true Jones-Drew fashion, it was like him against the world in that presser.

Big Cat Country's Alfie Crow has this on the press conference and MJD's frustration possibly being a good thing for the Jaguars and fans. Keep in mind Jones-Drew is the same guy who wears No. 32 because that's how many players were taken ahead of him in the 2006 NFL Draft. The guy doesn't let anything go. He uses it as fuel to keep pushing to be even better.

Here's a slightly combative Jones-Drew when he was asked why he held out as long as he did if he knew he wouldn't get a new deal:

"Yeah well Vito (Stellino) if I listened to what everybody told me I wasn't going to do you think I'd be here right now? Because you told me I wasn't going to be here. A lot of guys told me I wasn't going to make it. I knew it was going to be difficult.

"Let me put it this way I knew it was going to be a difficult situation. I had two years left. I understood that. I understood the whole point of it, but the way I was raised, the way I was grown is if you believe something you fight for it and that's for everybody, you fight for whatever you believe," Jones-Drew said. "My production stated something, I fought for it. Plain and simple. So, yes it went into a holdout and yes it went into all these different things, reports being written, all that. At the end of the day that's what it was about, my production and my value. Simple as that."

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, visit Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Jaguars Running Back Maurice Jones-Drew Discusses Holdout

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew ended his 38-day holdout on Sunday, and he held a news conference Sunday afternoon to discuss the holdout and his return to practice leading up to Sept. 9's season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

According to the Associated Press' Mark Long, who was at the news conference Sunday, Jones-Drew kept reiterating that his holdout was nothing more complicated than a principled stand, one that even the running back's agent advised against.

From Long's Twitter account:

MJD: "The way I was raised, if you believe in something, you fight for it. ... At the end of the day, it's about my production and my pay."

Also from Long:

MJD: "I read some articles that said you can never outperform a contract. That's a lie." #Jaguars

Jones-Drew said he had a 40-minute meeting with Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey just before Sunday's news conference, and that there are no hard feelings over the holdout between the two.

Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,606 yards, almost 250 yards more than second-place Ray Rice's 1,364 yards. Jaguars running back Rashard Jennings was named the starter for the Week 1 game against the Vikings, but Jones-Drew is eligible to play.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, visitJaguars blog Big Cat Country. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew Can Practice Right Away

Now that running back Maurice Jones-Drew has ended his holdout, he can begin practicing with the Jaguars right away. Had Jones-Drew returned during the preseason, he would have been subjected to a three-day waiting period before he could practice in pads. That rule goes away following the final preseason game, so Jones-Drew will be eligible to practice as soon as Monday provided he is in shape.

The Jaguars begin preparations for their Week 1 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday and Rashad Jennings is still expected to be the starter. It is, however, likely that Jones-Drew will play substantially during the game.

Jones-Drew had a big 2011 season for the Jaguars, totaling 1,606 yards and eight touchdowns.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, visit Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Ends Holdout, Will Report To Camp

The Maurice Jones-Drew holdout has ended and the Jaguars star running back is expected to report to camp on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

Big Cat Country cites a source that said Jones-Drew was going to wait until after the preseason to end his holdout, since he was waiting on a deal that was never coming anyway.

From BCC:

According to the source, Jones-Drew was not going to report until the preseason was over if he was not going to get a new deal and now that the Jaguars have played their final preseason game, he will now report to the team and get his playbook. Jones-Drew will need to hit the playbook and begin learning the offense and blocking assignments if he wants to be ready for the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey has said Rashad Jennings will be the starting running back in Week 1, since Jones-Drew hasn't been around all of the preseason, but it will be interesting to see how everything unfolds this week.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, visitJaguars blog Big Cat Country. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Gene Smith Says No Trade

While Jacksonville and Maurice Jones-Drew have yet to solve their dispute over the running back's contract, Jaguars general manager Gene Smith says that the team is not thinking about a trade.

"Maurice is a Jaguar," Gene Smith told Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union before bluntly answering "No," when asked if he was considering trading the running back. When asked if he would still have the same conviction if Jones-Drew's holdout continued 10 months longer, he again responded, "Maurice is a Jaguar."

Related: Falcons Vs. Jaguars 2012: Game Preview, Kickoff Time, TV Schedule And More

The Jaguars are planning to move ahead with Rashad Jennings as their Week 1 starter at running back.

Jones-Drew piled up a career-high 1,606 rushing yards in 2011 and scored a total of 11 touchdowns.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, visit Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars Owner Has 'No Regrets' Over How Situation Was Handled

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is taking the way he handled the Maurice Jones-Drew holdout in stride, and he believes that he is making the right decision in how he has handled the situation.

MJD Holdout: Is This Maurice Jones-Drew's Last Year With The Jaguars?

Big Cat Country writer Alfie Crow wonders if this season will be Maurice Jones-Drew's last with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Because the running back has held out all of training camp, Crow wonders if Jones-Drew has hurt his long-term sustainability in the NFL

The Jaguars are learning a completely different offense from last year's under new head coach Mike Mularkey. Crow wonders if this will hurt his ability if he decides to end his holdout before the regular season begins.

While Jones-Drew had all of five carries in the preseason in 2011 and lead the NFL in rushing, he's got to learn an entirely new offense under an entirely new coaching staff for the 2012 season, which is going to affect not only his on-field production but his playing time while he gets acclimated. As such, Jones-Drew's stats are going to suffer which are going to force his future earnings to suffer

Rashad Jennings has already been announced as the week one starter for the Jaguars. Crow says that Jones-Drew needs to show up by this weekend for the coaches to feel comfortable enough to play him in week one.

For the latest on the Jacksonville Jaguars, be sure to check out Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay. Head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for even more NFL news. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video commentary.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Clinton Portis Thinks MJD Deserves New Contract

Former NFL running back Clinton Portis is on Maurice Jones-Drew's side when it comes to the holdout situation. Portis thinks highly of MJD and says the Jaguars need to pay the man.

Portis can identify with Jones-Drew's predicament because he went through something similar with the Broncos in 2004. That ultimately resulted in him being traded to the Redskins for Champ Bailey.

Here is some of what Portis had to say to NFL AM:

"I really think he's the last every-down back left. I think Maurice Jones-Drew plays the game the right way, and if there was one player I had to pick, there are a lot of amazing running backs in the NFL for what they are asked to do, but Jones-Drew reminds me so much of a lot of the situations that I was in. I think he is a tough, fierce player, and I really wish they would have given him his money. I think the holdout is fair when you look at what he's doing for that organization."

For the latest on the Jacksonville Jaguars, be sure to check out Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay. Head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for even more NFL news. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video commentary.

MJD Holdout: Rashad Jennings Set To Start Week 1 For Jaguars

As Jacksonville Jaguars starting running back Maurice Jones-Drew continues to hold out of training camp, the team has had no choice but to move on and continue to prepare for the start of the regular season without him.

As such, when the team opens their 2012 campaign against the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Mike Mularkey has appointed Rashad Jennings to be the Jaguars starter at the starting running back position according to a Big Cat Country report:

"Again, Rashad Jennings is going in as a starter," Mularkey said when asked about Maurice Jones-Drew's playing time. "I don't know how that came out being any different. I think what I said was I've never been in this situation before where any player, let alone a running back, has held out through training camp. I don't know how it will all unfold. The conditioning, the mental part, I have no idea. I have nothing to compare it to."

For the latest on the Jacksonville Jaguars, be sure to check out Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay. Head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for even more NFL news. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video commentary.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars RB Could Still Start Week 1, If He Shows

Maurice Jones-Drew's future in Jacksonville looks bleak and there's been no indication he's willing to rejoin the Jaguars, but head coach Mike Mularkey said Jones-Drew could still start Week 1 if the former UCLA RB does end his holdout.

It's impossible for the Jaguars to know what kind of football shape Jones-Drew is currently in, but his fitness would determine when and if he plays, Mularkey said:

"It depends on him. What kind of shape he's in, how fast he picks up the system. I think I said it, I don't know what day it was, I'm not going to put him in a position where he has any chance to fail because in the long run we all fail. I'm not going to expose him to failure. It's not going to happen. If he's ready and all that conditioning-wise and he picks it up immediately, the faster he can progress."

Jones-Drew rushed for 1,606 yards and eight touchdowns on 343 carries (4.7 ypc) in 2011, and he's nearing 7,000 career yards after six seasons. Health should not be a concern -- in the three seasons he's been the Jaguars' full-time starter, he's missed just two games.

When asked if there was a point of no return for Jones-Drew, Mularkey was unsure. "I've never gone through this process with any player at any position, so I don't know where we'll be when we get to it," he said.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country, and be sure to check out SBNation's dedicated NFL hub.

Jaguars Players Expect Maurice Jones-Drew To Be Fined, According To Report

Around the Jacksonville Jaguars locker room, there's a shared sentiment that the players "want" running back Maurice Jones-Drew to be fined, according to a video on CBSSports.com. Here's an excerpt from what Pete Prisco had to say:

"As far as the fines, the language in the CBA says ‘up to $30,000 a day.' Now I was in the locker room the other day and I talked to a bunch of the players and they all expect him and they want him to be fined something because there has to be a message from Mike Mularkey. So I think he's going to get fined, I think they'll lower the fine and sometimes these guys go ‘alright I'm going to fine you and wink wink we won't really collect it.' But I do think he has to be fined something by the front office."

With Jones-Drew's holdout sitting at day 31, the Jaguars could fine the seventh-year running back up to $930,000. But at this point, the club is in a bit of a rock and a hard place.

If head coach Mike Mularkey begins billing Jones-Drew, it could make for some more bad blood in an already tumultuous situation. But if Mularkey decides to completely waive the fine, it seems the rest of the players could be quite upset with the Jaguars holding their star to a higher standard.

At least the organization, and the rest of the world, is now aware where most of the other Jaguars stand with the decision looming.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars RB Needs To Drop Diva Attitude

Maurice Jones-Drew is being a diva, and it's time to give it up. At least that's what Gene Frenette at the Florida Times-Union says about the Jacksonville Jaguars holdout.

Frenette prods 'Jones-Diva' and says he becomes that way with the slightest media criticism, while also imploring him to drop the act in favor of the workhorse, win-at-all-costs Jones-Drew that made him Jacksonville's main (or only) offensive star for the past few years. Frenette goes on to say:

"At some point, Jones-Drew will report to the Jaguars, but he implied Thursday at a car dealership appearance that he's expecting this impasse to break when the team makes him an offer. The telling remark was when he said: 'If I ever get a call to come back.'

Why does he need a call? There's two years left on his contract. Perhaps Jones-Drew can talk some sense into Jones-Diva. ..."

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Maurice Jones-Drew Says He Would Like To Stay With Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew's contract situation is moving forward "day by day," as he put it in on Thursday during a promotional appearance at a Jacksonville car dealership. He also said he'd like to finish his career with the Jaguars, but that's if the business side of things pan out.

Here's a quote from Jones-Drew:

"It's a part of the business, but I'd rather be here," Jones-Drew said Thursday via WTEV-TV. "I'd rather stay here with my team, my family. I talk to my teammates every day, my kids go to school here, I'm rooted here in Jacksonville with the NFL. I'd love to end my career here in Jacksonville, but part of the business is sometimes you can't do things you want."

Jim Irsay's tweets, never lacking for entertainment, made some speculate on whether MJD would be traded within the division to the Indianapolis Colts, but we just have to wait and see on this one.

Read more on the Jaguars at Big Cat County and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Maurice Jones-Drew Trade Rumors Affecting Entire NFL

No one knows when the Maurice Jones-Drew saga will end and if he has played his last game as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Because of the uncertainty, reporters and fans are beginning to ask if Jones-Drew is a fit for their own team.

Jones-Drew's name has been connected to the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets recently. The latter is definitely more a case of speculation that fact.

Sure, he'd raise the Jets' fantasy-football profile (MJD himself is an avid fantasy player), but the trade would make no sense on several levels. They have needs more pressing than running back. They couldn't squeeze another long-term contract under the cap. He's 27 years old, meaning he's probably a year or two away from the start of his decline. And, lastly, the Jets really like Shonn Greene.

The Jaguars will take the field again on Thursday without their starting running back.

For the latest on all things Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion, and go visit SB Nation's NFL hub for more news around the league.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: NFL Executives Weigh In

The official NFL site has a roundtable of NFL executives (all anonymous, of course) weighing in on the holdout of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew. There's little consensus -- some say the organization should make a move to get the situation handled as soon as they can, and some say not to reward a player who is not in training camp.

What's interesting is that the executives agree on Jones-Drew's value in a three-year frame, despite the wear and tear he's already seen with the Jags. When viewed in that framework, the argument shifts to Jones-Drew's effectiveness this season because of the time he's missed, and the opinions are foreboding, at least for Jags fans in 2012:

"I'd look at him being the same guy over the next three years, and then decline, but I think this year is gonna be a wash," said one AFC personnel director. "Running backs do not come back after a holdout with the same effectiveness. You need the timing with the O-line, especially with a new offense in there. You need to take hits. ... He's gonna limp into this year."

For the latest on all things Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion, and go visit SB Nation's NFL hub for more news around the league.

Maurice Jones-Drew Hold Out: Running Back Says, 'I Think Things Are Going To Work Out'

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is still holding out for a new contract and he is still open to being traded, though the Jaguars have said they are not likely going to move him to another team. That doesn't seem to bother the Pro Bowl running back, though.

In a recent fantasy football chat over at NFL.com, Jones-Drew said, "I think things are going to work out." He also talked about how he picks himself first every year when he plays fantasy football. Jones-Drew's comments did not, however, offer any information on whether a trade would happen or he would get a new deal with the Jaguars.

For the latest on all things Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion, and go visit SB Nation's NFL hub for more news around the league.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars Should Offer Ultimatum

Maurice Jones-Drew is still holding out from joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since owner Shad Khan has indicated the organization has no willingness to offer the running back a new deal before the start of the season, SB Nation blog Big Cat Country is arguing that Jacksonville should offer an ultimatum and then be done with Jones-Drew:

Currently, the Jaguars can be fining Jones-Drew $30,000 a day during his hold out, which is now pushing nearly $1,000,000 in total fines as the Jaguars head towards their third preseason game. The Jaguars should publicly state that if Jones-Drew reports to the team by Friday (Aug. 24) and ends his hold out, they will waive the fines outright. If Jones-Drew does not report however, they will fully impose the $30,000-a-day fines he may be incurring.

For perspective, the fines alone would constitute one-ninth of the remainder of Jones-Drew's current contract ($9 million for two more seasons). And considering a trade seems like a far-fetched possibility, the Jags appear to have the upper hand at the moment.

For the latest on all things Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion.

Maurice Jones-Drew Trade Rumors: Jaguars RB 'Is Pretty Much Screwed'

New Jaguars owner Shad Khan has not relented to running back Maurice Jones-Drew's request for a new contract. The running back is now looking for trade options.

Jones-Drew has two years remaining on a contract he signed in 2009. At the time of that signing, he was about to become the featured back, replacing veteran Fred Taylor who signed with the New England Patriots. Since signing the contract, Jones-Drew has rushed for over 1,300 yards each season culminating with last year's league-leading 1,606 yards as the starting running back.

Jones-Drew has held out all summer looking for a new contract that would reflect his status as one of the top running backs in the game. Khan doesn't want to set a precedent for paying a player with more than one year remaining on their contract.

Because of this holdout, fan support of Jones-Drew has been dwindling. He's losing leverage in negotiations and is eligible for $30,000 in fines for each day of training camp missed. Joel Thorman of SB Nation also addresses the possibility that he may sit out the entire season.

If he doesn't show up this season, his contract will just reset to next year, which would put him in the exact same situation ... only a year older. The Jaguars seemingly haven't even blinked without him.

For the latest on all things Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion.

Maurice Jones-Drew Trade: Jaguars RB 'Willing To Bridge Fractured Relationship'

After Jaguars owner Shahid Khan intimated that Maurice Jones-Drew was open to a trade on Tuesday, the running back fired back on Wednesday morning that he is still interested in fixing his fractured relationship with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

According to Steve Wyche, Jones-Drew is willing to bridge the "fractured relationship ... The issue is who is going to extend the olive branch if there is going to be a reparation, because Jones-Drew, he is further entrenched in his holdout -- he does not like the situation, the fact that Khan is discussing publicly what was supposed to be handled in private."

It is not surprising that last year's rushing leader is willing to repair his relationship with the Jags, considering he is under contract to play with them for the next two seasons and seems to have very little leverage in negotiations.

Both parties are all too aware that Jones-Drew will have to return to camp soon to have any chance at playing in the Jaguars' season-opener, which is in less than 20 days away.

For the latest on all things Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion.

Maurice Jones-Drew Trade: Jaguars Not Likely To Move MJD

With Maurice Jones-Drew publicly stating he is open to a trade, it begs the question if the Jaguars would send arguably its biggest star

Alfie Crow at Big Cat Country gives his thoughts on the matter and states that while Jones would like to be traded, it is highly unlikely that the Jaguars' front office will cater to his demands.

Now Jones-Drew wants a new deal, for leading the league in rushing on one of the worst offenses in the league and because other backs around him, including other players repped by his agent, are getting big time deals. Now that the Jaguars have made it totally clear they will not cave to his demands, he's asking for a trade.

The problem with asking for a trade, is it's not likely going to change the stand of the Jaguars. Owner Shad Khan is a smart business man, and if he was not willing to cave on giving Jones-Drew a new deal, why would he cave and allow Jones-Drew out with a trade? Facilitating the trade over a contract dispute would would be caving all the same as caving with a new contract. Not to mention the fact that Jones-Drew has absolutely no leverage whatsoever.

Crow also notes that the Jaguars offense has looked great with Jones-Drew on the sidelines as he holds out and that backup running back Rashad Jennings looks comfortable with the first-team offense. So while Jones-Drew tries to force his way to a new deal, the Jaguars look dead set on keeping to their plan and forcing Jones-Drew to honor his contract.

For more on Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars, make sure to head over to Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Open To Being Traded, According To Report

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is open to a trade following comments made by owner Shad Khan.

Shad Khan Comments On Maurice Jones-Drew: 'Train Is Leaving The Station'

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan had a somewhat encouraging if not cryptic comment regarding holdout running back Maurice Jones-Drew on Tuesday afternoon:

Jags owner Shad Khan on Jones-Drew still being absent: "Train is leaving the station. Run, get on it."

— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) August 21, 2012

Jones-Drew has been a no-show for Jaguars activities since workouts in April, and Khan stated back in July that there were no plans to give the running back a new contract before the start of this season. Khan has also stated that the holdout is "not a great concern:"

"I've been involved in many kind of industrial business dealings," Khan said. "I've encountered strikes and violence. And if you don't handle that, you're not around to see them through.

"Believe me, on a zero-to-10 level of stress, this doesn't even move the needle."

Jones-Drew has two years remaining on his contract with the Jaguars, which would pay him $9 million over two seasons. The six-year veteran was the bulk of the team's offense last season, rushing for 1,606 yards and eight touchdowns, in addition to 374 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop bySB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation'sdedicated NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: 'This Is His Choice' Says Mike Mularkey

Maurice Jones-Drew is still not in Jaguars camp due to a lengthy contract holdout, and progress doesn't seem to be coming at all. Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey is prepared to start the season without last year's NFL leading rusher, he said Sunday.

"We're locked in with the guys that we have and there has been zero distraction," Mularkey told NFL.com in a phone interview the weekend following the team's win over the New Orleans Saints. "There are choices and consequences. This is his choice. There is nothing I can do that could persuade him to do anything different."

Rashad Jennings has played well during his time as Jones-Drew's backup and as the starter in the preseason thus far, and if Jones-Drew misses time in the regular season, he will continue to tote the rock. SB Nation's Jaguars blog, Big Cat Country, has been covering MJD's holdout with the best of them, and here's what BCC's Alfie Crow had to say about the latest development:

As we've covered in the past, neither side seems to be willing to budge on the issue and it's become of staring contest. Who's going to blink first? [...] As it stands right now, the Jaguars don't seem to be missing the 2011 NFL's leading rusher much in the preseason.

For more on the Jags, make sure to visit Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Blaine Gabbert Gave All Leverage Back To The Jaguars

The apparent value of Maurice Jones-Drew has diminished significantly in just three weeks and the running back no longer has the leverage that many felt the Jaguars would be forced to concede to.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars Owner Not Worried About Holdout

New Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan isn't stressing much about his team's best offensive player, Maurice Jones-Drew, holding out for more money than the $9.5 million dollars he's set to make during the team's 2012 campaign.

Khan told NFL.com that it is Jones-Drew's decision to sit out, not his:

"He's not here, and that's his decision," said Khan, who acknowledged that he met privately with Jones-Drew last month. "Believe me, it's not a great concern. You hope for the best, and you plan for the worst. Our goals for the season don't change, and if he isn't here, he isn't here. I don't control it. It's his choice."

Maurice Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing last season and holding out seems counter-productive as his absence from training camp is costing him $30,000 per day in fines from the team.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars, visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. Check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more on all 32 NFL teams throughout training camp and the regular season.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Rashad Jennings Will Be First To Welcome Him Back

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings spoke about several different topics during a recent interview, including Maurice Jones-Drew's holdout.

"It’s a nice vibe that’s rolling around here in Jacksonville. … Whenever everything’s taken care of from the other side, which as a ball player we all know our lanes, but when that day comes that everything’s taken care of, when he walks back in the locker room, I’ll be the first person — of many — to welcome him with open arms."

Related: Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert Learned To Take Criticism Early

Jennings missed all of 2011 because of a knee injury. In 2010, he ran for 459 yards and scored four touchdowns.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars, visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. Check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more on all 32 NFL teams throughout training camp and the regular season.

Jacksonville Jaguars Preseason: Jags Make Plans Around Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout

The Jacksonville Jaguars travel to face the New Orleans Saints for their second game of the 2012 NFL preseason, and there are plenty of questions the team needs to answer. SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country highlights a few of those questions, including when Maurice Jones-Drew might return, and where he might fit into things if/when he does. They quote head coach Mike Mularkey:

"I think it would be a disservice to put him in if he was not fully prepared. It would be a health risk to do that. If he's not prepared, it is not going to help us offensively and it's not going to help our team if he's not ready to go at full strength. I would never put our team in jeopardy of being in that position."

Special teams ace Montell Owens has pushed himself to that position, listed as the No. 2 running back on the latest depth chart, capping off his preseason performance against the New York Giants that saw him truck over a safety for a touchdown.

For details on those stories and more, as well as to voice your opinions on the Jaguars options, head over to Big Cat Country.

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Jaguars Depth Chart: Maurice Jones-Drew Won't Start Immediately When He Shows Up

When Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew shows up to Jaguars training camp, the Pro Bowler will not immediately jump to the top of the depth chart, head coach Mike Mularkey told reporters following Tuesday's practice. Via Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union:

"I think it would be a disservice to put him in if he was not prepared. It would be a health risk to do that. If he’s not prepared it’s not going to help us offensively and it’s not going to help our team if he’s not ready to go at full strength. I will never put our team in jeopardy of being in that position."

Fourth-year back Rashad Jennings would reportedly continue to be listed as the starter.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. Still not enough football news for you? Check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more on all 32 NFL teams throughout training camp and the regular season.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars RB Prepared To Skip Training Camp, According To Report

Jacksonville Jaguars fans thought that running back Maurice Jones-Drew would show up when training camp would begin. Not so, the running back is still holding out, looking for a new contract. Whats even more disheartening, is that he could be willing to skip all of training camp to get a new deal, according to NFL writer Steve Wyche.

The running back didn't report to the team Thursday and could face $30,000 in daily fines during his holdout. Jones-Drew is willing to sacrifice the fines in order to get a new contract, a source said. Jaguars owner Shad Khan said Wednesday the team doesn't plan to re-do the final two years and $9.4 million on Jones-Drew's contract, drawing an opposing line in the sand.

Jones-Drew has two years left on his contract. He led the NFL in rushing last year with 1,606 yards and eight touchdowns. Since the team won only five games last season, one of the arguments being floated by the Jaguars is that they could possibly be fine without him signed for the long haul. Jones-Drew is training on his own, so he should be ready to go when this is resolved.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. Check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more on all 32 teams.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: What's The End Game?

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has decided to not report for training camp, still looking for a new contract. What is his end game?

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Running Back 'Angry' With Jaguars, According To Report

With a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter that Maurice Jones-Drew would not report on time to training camp with the Jaguars that was later corroborated by other reporters, Jones-Drew's holdout will officially cut into training camp starting on Thursday.

How long it will last is an answer that remains to be seen, but according to Mike Freeman of CBS Sports, it could certainly be a lengthy holdout as he says that the three-time All-Pro is "angry" with the Jaguars. While Jones-Drew's desire for a new contract is likely justified with just two years left on the contract he signed in 2009, to be "angry" would imply that he is much more underpaid than he currently is.

With Gene Smith and Shad Khan both saying that the running back needs to honor his current contract, it is highly unlikely that Jones-Drew even gets the opportunity to talk about a new contract with the team this offseason, let alone receive one.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. Check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more on all 32 teams.

Maurice Jones-Drew Contract: No Deal In Place For Jaguars Running Back

Even though running back Maurice Jones-Drew intends to holdout of Jacksonville Jaguars training camp which begins on Thursday, team management has no plans to give him a new contract, owner Shad Khan told the Florida Times-Union on Wednesday.

Jones-Drew is not expected to report.

"There'’s no decision here,''’’ Khan told the Times-Union. “"It'’s his choice. There'’s been very little for us to do rather than wait on whatever he might chose to do,’>

The former UCLA standout has two years left on the five-year, $31 million contract he signed in 2008. The deal, though, is frontloaded and he received $21 million over the first three years with $9.4 million due over the next two. As a result, he has been looking for a restructured deal and has missed all of the team's offseason activities as a result.

Jacksonville has not budged, though.

"“There'’s more than 50 players under contract," Kahn added. "There are other people under contract in management, coaches. Does that mean if you do it for one, you do it for everybody? Where do you draw the line?"

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country. Check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more on all 32 teams.

Jaguars Can Fine Maurice Jones-Drew Heavily For Missing Training Camp Time

It still hasn't been revealed whether or not Maurice Jones-Drew will miss some time during training camp, but if he does it could hit him square in the wallet. According to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, the Jaguars will have the option of fining the three-time All-Pro running back as much as $30,000 per day missed if he chooses not to report.

With Jaguars general manager Gene Smith essentially saying there is zero chance of Jones-Drew getting a deal, the possibility of a fine could convince the running back to report on time or it could continue to stoke a fire between the two sides that could extend into the future beyond the 2012 offseason.

All eyes will be on Jones-Drew on Thursday when the Jaguars report to camp, that is, if they can find him. If he's not there, all eyes will divert to the Jaguars as they will have to make the next move.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Wanted To Be An Astronaut

Maurice Jones-Drew Drafts Himself First Overall In Sirius XM Fantasy Football Draft

Maurice Jones-Drew dropped a subtle hint that he will most likely not miss any time during the regular season. Jones-Drew, a participant in the Sirius XM Celebrity Fantasy Football League, took part in their draft on Thursday and was lucky enough to have the first overall pick. With that pick, he selected a familiar name.

With the 1st pick in the Celebrity Fantasy Football Draft, Jaguars RB Maurice @Jones_drew32 selects....Jaguars RB Maurice @Jones_drew32

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) July 19, 2012

While this appears to be self-serving, it's apparent that Jones-Drew now has no intention of missing any time during the regular season. Why else would he draft himself at No. 1 in a fantasy football draft if he had any intentions of missing a single game? Jaguars fans can probably rest assured that No. 32 will be ready to go come opening day.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Likely To Miss Some Training Camp, Says Fred Taylor

When Maurice Jones-Drew was drafted by the Jaguars in 2006, Fred Taylor was finishing his final years with the team. Despite spending just three seasons together, the pair became friends and apparently work out with each other during the summers.

In an interview on 1010XL in Jacksonville, Taylor spoke to Jeff Prosser about Jones-Drew and his current contract dispute with the Jaguars that has withheld the 2012 rushing champion from all offseason activities with the team so far. While all indications are that the Jaguars will not be negotiating a new contract with the star running back this offseason, Taylor believes Jones-Drew's hold out is not going to end anytime soon.

Taylor told Prosser that he believes Jones-Drew is unlikely to report to camp on time due to "hurt pride" that stemmed from a miscommunication between the two sides.

All Jaguars players are required to report to training camp on Thursday, July 26.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Sits Idly By During Running Back Pay Days

On Monday afternoon the deadline for teams to reach long-term agreements with their franchise players forced teams to make last second negotiations to avoid having their star players on one-year deals. The result was brand new contracts for a few players, including two running backs.

Ravens running back Ray Rice, a player consistently compared to Maurice Jones-Drew, and Bears running back Matt Forte, who shares the same agent as Jones-Drew, each got the long-term deal they've long pursued. Even Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee got in on the Monday pay day. But not Jones-Drew.

As Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports said, there's little doubt that Jones-Drew suffered from a bad "case of the Mondays:"

Let's consider the perspective of another terrific halfback, the Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew, who undoubtedly came down with a severe case of the Mondays. The NFL's leading rusher in 2011 was already unhappy with his contract; now two more backs are ahead of him on the salary charts, and the Jags just coughed up cash for a teammate who, if he so chooses, can devote much of his workday to online shopping.

The new contracts, though, don't do much to help Jones-Drew's cause. Like Silver says in the article, there are a list of reasons why the Jaguars should be content to sit on the contract of their star running back for now and wait to see if it's an issue worth taking on during the 2013 offseason.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Will Report On Time, Predicts John Clayton Of ESPN

Jacksonville Jaguars fans holding their breath over a holdout by running back Maurice Jones-Drew need not worry says one expert. ESPN's John Clayton said Monday on Sports Center that MJD will report before the first week of the season. Clayton also ventured a prediction that MJD would be in training camp on time.

Also worth noting is that Clayton said MJD will report without a new contract.

"I think he now realizes the team is going to do nothing as far as giving him anything on a contract. He has two years left on the contract. And even though he's outperformed that contract, the organization feels as though they've come back, they've given him a deal even before he was a starter, and taken good care of him. ... There's no chance of him getting a new deal."

Jones-Drew skipped the team's spring practices.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Greg Cosell On Maurice Jones-Drew: 'At His Core, He's Somewhat Of A Power Runner'

While Maurice Jones-Drew continues to hold out for a new contract, more is made of his skill set as a running back. Given the fact that he led the league in rushing on the worst offense in the NFL, there's something to be said about his abilities. Greg Cosell of ESPN's NFL Matchup talked with Evan Silva of Rotoworld about what Jones-Drew brings to the Jaguars.

I love Maurice Jones-Drew. I don't know how most people talk about him, because he's short. He's obviously not small, he's just short. He's really, to me, a power runner who's tough to get a hold of. What I mean by that is, he's very difficult to bring down. But because he's small, hard to see, and shifty as well, guys don't really get a full grasp of him. And he runs through an awful lot of arm tackles. So even though he's shifty and has elusiveness, I think at his core, he's somewhat of a power runner.

Despite the lack of size, there's no questioning that Jones-Drew certainly has some abilities of a power back, that's why he's had the success that he has had in his early career. So far in six season, Jones-Drew has rushed for 6,854 yards on 1,484 carries, bringing his rushing average to 4.6 yards per carry.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Should Be Proud To Be Featured In "The Body Issue"

Maurice Jones-Drew Thinks Someone Can Break Emmitt Smith's Record

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew thinks that he could have a chance to break Emmitt Smith's all-time rushing record. Can his body hold up under the stress of playing in the NFL?

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout Adds More Pressure To Gabbert

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars are at a stalemate with regard to the seven year pros contract situation and things don't look to be improving. Jones-Drew signed a $31 million dollar contract for five years, three years ago and he has two years and $9.4 million dollars left on his current deal.

General manager Gene Smith is unwilling to re-negotiate and as a result, the diminutive running back could possibly be fined by the team if he holds out of training camp to the tune of $30,000 per day and quite possibly, $60,000 for missing a three-day, mandatory mini-camp.

All of this puts pressure on second year quarterback Blaine Gabbert who is looking to have a much better year than he had as a rookie. ProFootball Weekly has more in how the stalemate between the organization and Jones-Drew affects Gabbert:

With neither side budging, we hear it is very likely Jones-Drew misses all of training camp and his status for Week One is very much up in the air. QB Blaine Gabbert is already in a pressure-packed situation trying to turn the page from a disastrous rookie season. The potential absence of Mojo from the offense increases the pressure on Gabbert exponentially.

For more on the Jags and the developing Maurice Jones-Drew holdout, head over toJacksonville Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones Drew Breaks Silence About Holdout

Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew became the first and only Jacksonville player to be featured on NFL Network's list of the top 100 players of 2012 on Wednesday night when he snagged the 12th spot. Following the conclusion of the show, the three time All-Pro broke his silence about his current contract dispute that has withheld him from all offseason activities with the Jaguars so far, including a mandatory three day mini-camp last weekend.

"What I can say about it is this is the side of the NFL that is just as real as Sunday: It’s the business side," Jones-Drew told NFL Network. "It doesn’t get publicized as much as on the field and the Top 100 and those things, and this is what the NFL is really about. What I can say is that I hope that we can get something done, but to talk about it in the media is not going to help. Hopefully we can have something where we can be able to get out there and play in the future."

Jones-Drew was 30th on the NFL Top 100 list in 2011 and, for the second consecutive year, is the only Jaguars player to be featured on the list.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

NFL Top 100: Maurice Jones-Drew Ranked In Top 20

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is trying to get a new contract and his ranking on the NFL Top 100 could give him a bit more leverage. Last season, Jones-Drew was No. 30 on that list.

Tania Ganguli of The Florida Times-Union reports that she got a note about Jones-Drew's inclusion on the list.

Got a note saying the first Jaguar would be on Wednesday's show, and that he was on last year's list as well.

Only one player fits that description: Maurice Jones-Drew.

Jones-Drew will rank ahead of at least 12 other running backs in the Top 100, including the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice (No. 22), the Houston Texans' Arian Foster (No. 25) and the San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore (No. 28).

Jones-Drew could potentially use this ranking by his fellow players as leverage to get a more lucrative contract extension done with the Jaguars organization ahead of training camp.

The episode that should show what position Jones-Drew should be ranked, which will be positions 11-20, will air Wednesday at 8 p.m. on NFL Network.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Hold Out: A Resolution Won't Come Easy

The lines are clearly drawn in Maurice Jones-Drew hold out. The running back clearly wants a deal done so that he can get a contract comparable to running backs such as Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson before he exits his prime. As of right now, the Jaguars appear to not want to give the contract just yet.

Ryan Van Bibber of SB Nation says that Jones-Drew's incentive for this holdout is because his current deal, one that he signed in 2009 when he was still splitting time with former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, wasn't as rich as it could have been.

On the surface, his deal probably looked very good in 2009, a nice bump for a player who had yet to shoulder the load on his own. Nevertheless, it took away his best shot at unrestricted free agency, keeping him tied down in Floridian bliss through the prime years of his career, years when he could have been chasing a very lucrative deal on the open market. Jones-Drew clearly did not negotiate the best deal he could have at the time. It makes the Jaguars' position much more tenable.

Given the current situation of the Jaguars now with second year quarterback Blaine Gabbert, the Jaguars could really use Jones-Drew to take pressure off Gabbert and the recievers, which gives them incentive to get a deal done. Adding to that is that the only backup for Jones-Drew is Rashad Jennings, coming off a knee injury.

If this goes into the regular season, which it has every opportunity to do, it could get really ugly and cause a bitter divorce between the two parties.

For more on the Jags and the developing Maurice Jones-Drew holdout, head over to Jacksonville Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars Star Could Miss Regular Season Games

Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported the Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew wil not be attending the team's mandatory three-day mini-camp, which begins today. Jones-Drew will face up to $60,000 in fines if he misses all three days.

However, the holdout could extend way past the upcoming mini-camp. According to Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union:

Wrote yesterday MJD wasn't coming to minicamp, barring a change of mind. Have heard it's possible he takes this into the season. #Jaguars

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) June 12, 2012

The Jaguars open their season on September 9 in Minnesota against the Vikings. Their home opener is the following week against the Houston Texans. Then they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts and host the Cincinnati Bengals for weeks three and four, respectively.

For more on the Jags and the developing Maurice Jones-Drew holdout, head over to Jacksonville Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars RB To Skip Mandatory Mini-Camp

After Jaguars general manager Gene Smith said that he had no plans to renegotiate Maurice Jones-Drew's current contract on Monday, the running back will not participate in Jacksonville's mandatory mini-camp. As ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Twitter:

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew will not attend the Jaguars mandatory minicamp that begins today. He is seeking a new contract.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 12, 2012

Since this is a mandatory mini-camp, Jones-Drew is expected to be fined $10,000 for missing the first day, $20,000 for missing a second day and $30,000 for missing three days in row. That's a total of $60,000 in fines if he skips out on the entire mini-camp.

Jones-Drew is in the fourth year of a five-year, $31 million contract. He's scheduled to make $4.95 million for the 2012 season.

For more on the Jags and the developing Maurice Jones-Drew holdout, head over to Jacksonville Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Jaguars Will Not Be Giving A New Deal To Maurice Jones-Drew

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith confirmed that starting running back Maurice Jones-Drew wants a new contract. Jones-Drew had a career year in 2011 by leading the league and rushing and feels that he should be rewarded.

However, Smith has no plans to renegotiate a new deal with Jones-Drew since he is currently under contract for another two seasons, and Smith expects Jones-Drew to fulfill the rest of his contract.

Jones-Drew signed a five-year deal worth $31 million back in 2009 and is expected to make $4.95 million this upcoming season. That amount is much less than other running backs in the league, and Jones-Drew wants to be paid in a similar fashion.

A tipping point could come on Tuesday when the Jaguars have a mandatory three-day mini-camp, and if Jones-Drew skips out on those he will be fined $60,000. Smith expects all players under contract to attend, but he acknowledges that it is up to Jones-Drew if he wants to attend.

For more on the Jags, head over to Jacksonville Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Not As Explosive?

Maurice Jones-Drew has been the face of the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise since he signed a contract extension with the team in 2009. Part of the reason why the Jaguars may be so hesitant to pay the running back is because now that Jones-Drew is getting closer to 30 years old, the team is worried that he's losing some explosiveness, according to CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco.

Jones-Drew will be 29 when his current deal expires. He is smart enough to know that backs nearing 30 usually don't get big deals, which is why he wants one now. That's understandable. It's also the reason why the Jaguars won't give him one. Let him play out this deal, and then see what happens. This isn't a back league anymore, and teams are more and more reluctant to pay backs.

Prisco says that despite his hold out from OTAs with two years remaining on his contract, he is getting largely a free pass from fans in Jacksonville because of his status as the face of the franchise. Prisco says that that may not be a bad thing, as it could help pave the way to really helping the establishment of the passing game under quarterback Blaine Gabbert

He is seemingly getting a pass from the fans for not being around Jacksonville, even if the work isn't mandatory. The good thing is that with Jones-Drew gone, the team can start morphing from being so run-heavy to a team that is built around the passing game.

The Jaguars certainly hope that any issues between them and Jones-Drew can be resolved before the start of the season.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Jaguars Offseason: Maurice Jones-Drew Looking For An Extension

The Jacksonville Jaguars began voluntary workouts this week, but running back Maurice Jones-Drew and kicker Josh Scobee were not present at Tuesday's OTAs, raising a few questions. For Scobee, he has yet to sign his franchise tender, and thus, can't participate. But the talk around Jones-Drew has been that he is hoping for a contract extension. Jacksonville coach Mike Mularkey confirmed as much earlier today, per Jaguars beat writer Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union:

"He's talked about trying to get an extension for his contract."

For now, though, Mularkey sounded OK with Jones-Drew's absence.

"It's all voluntary. I wish he was here. He knows we wish he was here."

Last season, the 5-foot-7 running back led the NFL in rushing yards with with 1,606 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns on 343 carries -- nearly five yards an attempt.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Skips Voluntary Workouts

The Jacksonville Jaguars will hit the field again on Tuesday for another set of voluntary workouts. The team will be without kicker Josh Scobee, who has refused to sign his franchise tag, but the team will also be without their biggest offensive weapon.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew skipped the first set of voluntary workouts, with rumblings that he's looking for a new contract after leading the NFL in rushing in 2011, and he's not expected on Tuesday when the team gets back out on the field. Currently, Jones-Drew is preparing for the season down in Miami, as he does every year.

Jones-Drew is expected to report to EverBank field when the workouts become mandatory, with or without a new contract to go with his impressive season last year. With the worst passing offense in the league, Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing with just over 1,600 rushing yards.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.