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Jaguars sign rookies Cyprien and Gratz

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:24:10 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars signed two 2013 draft picks today to contracts in second-round draft pick Johnathan Cyprien and third-round pick Dwayne Gratz, the club announced today. Cyprien, a strong safety, was the 33rd overall pick in the draft while Gratz was selected with the 64th overall pick. The Jaguars have four of eight draft picks under contract.

Cyprien was a four-year letterman at Florida International where he finished his career with 365 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, a school-record six forced fumbles and seven interceptions. He was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year by The NFL Draft Report in 2012 and was a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection. He led the team as a senior with 93 tackles and four interceptions. The North Miami Beach native played both strong safety and wide receiver at North Miami Beach High School.

Gratz appeared in 50 games with 39 starts at Connecticut and finished his career with 189 tackles, 30 passes defensed and eight interceptions. He returned two of his eight picks for touchdowns. As a senior, he started all 12 games and was a first-team All-Big East selection. He attended Piscataway High School in New Jersey where he played wide receiver and cornerback.

Jags Dads: Gus Bradley

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:49:49 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Gus Bradley is in charge of 90 players on the current roster, but at home it's four children that help shape his most important role.

Bradley's four kids recently moved to Jacksonville after finishing up the school year in Seattle. The Bradleys enjoy spending quality time on the practice field and in a more quiet setting like out on the water and fishing.

Click on the video link to see our story on Jags Dad Gus Bradley.

Jaguars sign cornerback Lionel Smith and punter Ken Parrish

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:43:33 -0400

JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Jaguars signed two first-year players today in cornerback Lionel Smith and punter Ken Parrish, the club announced. Both players participated in the club’s mandatory minicamp this week on a tryout basis.

Smith, 5-11, 184, has spent time with Dallas and Detroit since entering the league as a rookie free agent with the Cowboys in 2012. He spent time on the Lions’ practice squad last season. The Bellaire, Texas native was a three-year letterman at Texas A&M where he started seven games as a senior and totaled 51 tackles and 16 passes defensed. He began his prep career at St. Bernard High School in Louisiana before transferring to Bellaire High School.

Parrish, 6-2, 2010, has spent time with San Francisco, Philadelphia, the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2007 with the 49ers. He finished his collegiate career at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania with a 40.3-yard average on 174 punts with 59 inside the 20. He was a two-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honoree.

Jaguars release defensive end Austen Lane and cornerback Trey Wilson

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:10:00 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars released fourth year defensive end Austen Lane and rookie cornerback Trey Wilson Thursday.

The announcement comes as the Jaguars continue their Stand United caravan throughout the region. The Jaguars will stop in Waycross on Friday and Valdosta on Saturday.

Defensive end Jeremy Mincey, offensive lineman Will Rackley and wide receiver Cecil Shorts will appear at both events with the ROAR cheerleaders and former Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli.

Jags Brackett has surgery

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:41:18 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brett Brackett will be sidelined until training camp following groin surgery.

Coach Gus Bradley says Brackett had surgery Tuesday after getting a second opinion on his injured groin. Bradley adds that Brackett should be ready for camp, which starts July 26.

Brackett is the team's second player to undergo groin surgery in the last two weeks, joining defensive end Jason Babin.

A second-year player from Penn State, Brackett is competing for a roster spot in Jacksonville. The Jaguars claimed Brackett off waivers from Philadelphia early last season, but he injured his knee during his first practice and spent the rest of the year on injured reserve.

Brackett, originally signed by Miami as an undrafted rookie in 2011, has not played in a regular-season game.

Jaguars to give scholarships to Jackson High School grads

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:21:00 -0400

JACKSONVILLE Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan will give 11 scholarships to students at Andrew Jackson High School.

The scholarships total more than $25,000.

The Jaguars established a scholarship fund to help students who have successfully completed the Jaguars Foundation Honor Rows program.

The students receiving the money will be attending schools including the University of Florida, University of North Florida, Florida State College at Jacksonville and Bethune-Cookman University.

The awards will be handed out Thursday, June 13, along with an unveiling of a new "Jaguars Reading Den."

The den is a multi-purpose meeting room filled with hundreds of books for students, teachers and staff at the high school.

Jags give Kearse a chance

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:52:41 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Lance Kearse's first football practice in nearly a decade got off to a rough start.

Before he even caught a pass, he ran off the field and vomited.

It was understandable if he was a little nervous since he hadn't played football since middle school and was trying out for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But Kearse, a former 6-foot-6 professional basketball player and cousin of retired NFL player Jevon Kearse, insisted his queasiness had nothing to do with anxiety. He simply "ate a little bit too much."

Kearse's stomach settled down, and he ended up opening eyes during the first NFL minicamp.

The 24-year-old was a basketball forward in Spain last year, and until Tuesday when he was playing tight end, hadn't strapped on a football helmet since he was 13.

Jaguars awarded QB Kafka off waivers

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:14:50 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The Jacksonville Jaguars have claimed another New England castoff.

The Jaguars were awarded quarterback Mike Kafka off waivers from the Patriots on Tuesday, the third New England player claimed by Jacksonville in the last four weeks.

The team also picked up defensive tackles Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick off waivers last month.

With rookie quarterback Jordan Rodgers recovering from sports hernia surgery, the Jaguars could use another arm for this week's minicamp. Jacksonville has Blaine Gabbert, Chad Henne and Matt Scott.

The Patriots waived Kafka on Monday, creating a roster spot for free agent Tim Tebow.

Kafka played in four games for Philadelphia in 2011, completing 11 of 16 passes for 107 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Jaguars have to cut someone to create room for Kafka.

Mark Brunell hosting summer camp for champions

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:09:10 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A legendary NFL and Jaguars quarterback has teamed up with local and state family organizations to benefit nearly 100 local foster care children with the kickoff of "Camp for Champions with Mark Brunell" at the University of North Florida.

The weeklong Camp for Champions starts Monday night and runs through the end of the week.

Brunell will be the keynote speaker for the event, while Florida Department of Children and Families Region Director, David Abramowitz, and Family Support Services of North Florida CEO, Lee Kaywork, will also briefly speak to the children.

"Going to a sleepover camp is a wonderful learning opportunity for children," Kaywork said. "Our Camp for Champions is much more than just games; it's a life experience. The camp will also give our children an up-close look at a college campus that we hope will excite and inspire them."

During the week, foster children will participate in one of two summer camps offered to the community by UNF. At the UNF Youth Sports & Fitness Camp, they will swim daily, get instruction in various sports and engage in team-building activities and games. At the UNF Eco Camp, they will canoe, explore a wildlife sanctuary, swim, and take a field trip to a nature location.

Sponsors who helped make this event possible for foster children to attend are: Wells Fargo, the Mark Brunell Foundation, BB&T, Whataburger and the local Guardian ad Litem office.

FSS is the lead agency for foster care, adoption and family preservation in Duval and Nassau counties.

Jones-Drew speaks out

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:57:15 -0400

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Maurice Jones-Drew admitted on Monday there was an incident a couple of weeks ago at the Conch House in St. Augustine, but would not elaborate when asked about the details how much he was involved.

"It's a big distraction and I've never wanted to be that." said Jones-Drew.

Jones-Drew chose to hold a news conference on Monday to avoid any further distraction to his teammates when a mandatory three day minicamp begins on Tuesday.

The seventh year running back knows the last couple of weeks have impacted more people than his teammates and organization.

"My kids are affected more then anything, my children have nothing to do with what went on" said Jones-Drew

While Jones-Drew couldn't say much about his legal issue, the running back got fired up about his offseason football regimen.

"I've always played at a high level, I've trained down in South Florida and it's nothing new. I've come back in shape and went on to do all theses great things but people question my ability to play the game. That's upsetting." said Jones-Drew "more then the legal issue I am more frustrated about that."

Jones-Drew said he thinks he'll be ready for training camp and he will continue to work out down in Miami after mini-camp concludes on Thursday.