SB Nation Tampa Bay - Jaguars Vs. Vikings: Jacksonville And Minnesota Share Similar Questionshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-09-11T18:48:51-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30526882012-09-11T18:48:51-04:002012-09-11T18:48:51-04:00Week 2 NFL Power Rankings: Jaguars Are No. 30
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> lost a thrilling Week 1 game in overtime against Adrian Peterson and the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a>, in a game that very few thought the Jaguars would win.</p>
<p>The consequences of that loss (well, besides an 0-1 start)? A one-spot drop in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/9/11/3315268/nfl-power-rankings-week-2">SB Nation's Week 2 NFL power rankings</a>. Jacksonville fell from No. 29 to No. 30 after losing to Minnesota.</p>
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<p>If the Vikings miss that field goal at the end of regulation, then the Jaguars are ranked 24th in our power rankings, like the Vikings are.</p>
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<p>And yes, as advertised, the Vikings are the No. 24 team in the power rankings.</p>
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<p><span>Adrian Peterson</span> is back, which means I can take Minnesota out of the running for the No. 1 overall pick next year.</p>
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<p>Elsewhere in the AFC South, the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texans</a> are No. 4, the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> are No. 21 and the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Titans</a> are No. 22.</p>
<p>Jacksonville will play host to the Texans in Week 2, and an upset win could certainly vault the Jags up the rankings next week.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on all things Jaguars, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com">check out Big Cat Country and join the discussion.</a></i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/9/11/3318020/week-2-nfl-power-rankings-jaguars-are-no-30JP Starkey2012-09-11T17:44:43-04:002012-09-11T17:44:43-04:00Jaguars Sign TE Stephen Spach, OL Herb Taylor
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/09/11/jaguars-sign-te-spach/" target="_blank">announced a series of roster moves on Tuesday afternoon</a>, signing tight end <span>Stephen Spach</span> and offensive lineman <span>Herb Taylor</span>.</p>
<p>Jacksonville will be Spach's third team he's suited up for in his professional career. In 2005, Spach was a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, appearing in 13 games. Spach did not appear in any games in 2006, and signed with the New England Patriots in 2007, and was a member of New England's record-setting 16-0 team that went on to lose the Super Bowl. Spach appeared in two games with New England in 2008, and latched on with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> between 2008-2010. Spach appeared in 10 games with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> last year.</p>
<p>For his career, Spach has just 22 receptions.</p>
<p>Taylor was a sixth-round draft choice by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> in 2007, and spent two seasons with Kansas City. Taylor has also spent time with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, though he never appeared in a regular-season contest for any of those teams.</p>
<p>In corresponding moves, tight end <span>Colin Cloherty</span> and wide receiver <span>Brian Robiskie</span> were waived.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Jaguars, <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com" target="_blank">check out Big Cat Country.</a></i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/9/11/3317708/jacksonville-jaguars-stephen-spach-herb-taylorJP Starkey2012-09-11T14:35:18-04:002012-09-11T14:35:18-04:00NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Jaguars Still At The Bottom Of The League
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> are still lingering around the basement of most NFL power rankings, including our own Joel Thorman's at the SB Nation NFL page:</p>
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<p>30. Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 29, 0-1): If the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vikings</a> miss that field goal at the end of regulation, then the Jaguars are ranked 24th in our power rankings, like the Vikings are.</p>
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<p>The Cats didn't move up or down over <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings">at ESPN, also coming in at No. 30</a>:</p>
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<p>Sure, the loss to the Vikings was tough, but Blaine Gabbert looks better. (John Clayton)</p>
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<p>Former <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a> head coach Brian Billick adds to the consensus, putting <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/powerRankings">the Jags at No. 30 over at Fox Sports</a>:</p>
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<p>At least Blaine Gabbert is making improvements. He actually looked like an NFL QB on Sunday -- stepping into throws, reading defenses and driving balls into tight windows. For the Jags' sake, let's hope Sunday wasn't the exception to the rule.</p>
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<p>NFL.com actually has the Jags higher than any other outlet, <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000061073/article/nfl-power-rankings-robert-griffin-iiiled-redskins-shoot-up?module=HP11_cp">at No. 27 and actually moving a notch down</a> after the loss to the Vikings:</p>
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<p>Getting <span>Maurice Jones-Drew</span> back was nice, but all eyes remain on <span>Blaine Gabbert's</span> development. Hopefully Gabbert's eyes stay off the pass rush.</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/9/11/3316554/2012-nfl-power-rankings-week-2-jacksonville-jaguarsSteven Godfrey2012-09-11T12:27:58-04:002012-09-11T12:27:58-04:00Mike Mularkey Says Eugene Monroe Was 'On A Mission'
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<p><a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> offensive tackle <span>Eugene Monroe</span> was tasked with blocking <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a> defensive end <span>Jared Allen</span> on Sunday. Monroe blocked well enough to keep Allen off the defensive stat sheet. Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey thought that his performance was encouraging for the rest of the season:</p>
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<p>Eugene, I think he was on a mission because he played well...A lot of times he was one-on-one with Jared Allen. I thought he held his own against him. I was very proud of the way he was kind of quietly did his number over there when called upon. Hopefully that's going to help him against these guys that he has to line up against every week, but he played well.</p>
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<p>The Jaguars host the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> in their home opener at EverBank Field on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on CBS.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Tampa Bay</a>. For more in-depth coverage of this game, visit <a href="http://bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars blog Big Cat Country</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">NFL hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/9/11/3316004/eugene-monroe-jaguars-on-a-missionTim Blank2012-09-11T11:39:29-04:002012-09-11T11:39:29-04:00Uche Nwaneri Injury: Jaguars OL Should Be Available Sunday
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> offensive lineman <span>Uche Nwaneri</span> has been battling injuries for a couple of weeks now, since suffering an ankle sprain against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> in the final week of the preseason. Nwaneri was also one of three offensive linemen to go down in the Jags' season opener against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>, though he was able to return to the field and is expected to play against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> on Sunday.</p>
<p>Jags head coach Mike Mularkey spoke about Nwaneri at Monday's press conference:</p>
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<p>"Uche Nwaneri returned to the game. His actually looked the worst when the play occurred. He came back and finished up pretty strong. He had already had that thing rolled up and had some issues with it going into the game. I thought it was going to be more serious. I am glad he got back into the game and helped us going back out there and playing on it. He should be fine. He should be ready by next week."</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/9/11/3315752/uche-nwaneri-injury-update-jaguarsBrandon Scott2012-09-11T10:12:19-04:002012-09-11T10:12:19-04:00Injuries Change Jaguars' Game Plan, Says Mike Mularkey
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> played without linebacker <span>Daryl Smith</span> and cornerback Derek Cox in Sunday's overtime loss to the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a>. The Jags could have used both of them, as second-year quarterback <span>Christian Ponder</span> had the game of his career, going 20-for-27 with a 105.5 passer rating.</p>
<p>When asked if the depleted defense changed play calling, Jacksonville head coach Mike Mularkey said:</p>
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<p>"It changes game planning if you have any idea that a player may not be active or limited or he's had some concerns over the injury. It plays right into the game plan. How do you attack that weakness? That injury weakness. How do you attack a good player that's out there that would typically not be, or the special teams, like a Daryl Smith."</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/9/11/3315260/jaguars-injury-report-game-planBrandon Scott2012-09-11T09:38:34-04:002012-09-11T09:38:34-04:00Mike Mularkey Surprised By All The Jaguars Foot Injuries
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> not only lost their season opener to the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a> on Sunday, they also might lose key members of their offensive line as well, with <span>Eben Britton</span>, <span>Cameron Bradfield</span> and <span>Uche Nwaneri</span> all sporting walking boots after the loss.</p>
<p>As Jacksonville prepares for its next opponent, the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> and their vaunted pass rush, on Monday head coach Mike Mularkey remarked that so many ankle/foot injuries at the same time is something he's never experienced before:</p>
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<p>"It's the most foot injuries I've ever been around. Foot, ankle, you think about the number of lineman we have lost with it, it's just unheard of. I don't know if it's bad luck. I am putting a little research out there with some of the turf teams if they're experiencing the same kind of issues we are with our ankles and feet. We have had an unbelievable number of injuries to that part of the body. More than I've ever been around."</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/9/11/3315124/jaguars-injury-report-mike-mularkeyBryan Crawford2012-09-11T08:40:59-04:002012-09-11T08:40:59-04:00Maurice Jones-Drew Benefitted 'A Lot' From Vikings Game, Says Mike Mularkey
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<p><span>Maurice Jones-Drew</span> played a bit more than expected in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a>' season opener against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> on Sunday. Jones-Drew, who had only been with his team for a week since returning from a contract holdout, was supposed to be the Jags' third-down back, while <span>Rashad Jennings</span> would be the starter and primary ball carrier.</p>
<p>But after Jennings went down with a knee injury, Jacksonville turned to its franchise running back. Head coach Mike Mularkey had this to say at Monday's press conference when asked how much Jones-Drew's playing time against the Vikings would benefit him:</p>
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<p>"A lot. Obviously that was not the plan to play him as much as he did. I thought he did well. Really there was nothing blatant that stood out as far as mental errors with him. He may have lined up on the wrong side of the protection but he was protecting the right guy. He was just on the wrong side in the shotgun. Actually, it looks like we have other protections with him having to come across to block it. I was pretty pleased. I think a couple of those runs I have seen him on tape in previous years get out of. I think that's going to come as he gets more playing time."</p>
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<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Tampa Bay</a>. For more in-depth coverage of this game, visit <a href="http://bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars blog Big Cat Country</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">NFL hub</a>.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/9/11/3314850/mjd-fantasy-football-start-jacksonville-jaguarsBrandon Scott