Blog: Opener on the horizon

All the players are here and collectively the Jaguars are getting ready to open the season on the road this weekend with a trip to Minnesota. The team donned the pads Wednesday for a hard hitting practice heading into the Vikings game.

That includes Maurice Jones-Drew who continues to integrate himself into the Jacksonville offense. Mojo spoke highly of the help he's received from teammate Rashad Jennings in picking up the new offense. When asked if he was more concerned about Jones-Drew physically or mentally, head coach Mike Mularkey responded mentally as MJD learns the new playbook. Mularkey went on to add that the coaching staff won't throw too much at the running back and will avoid setting him up to fail.

One part of this weekends game plan is stopping Vikings defensive end Jared Allen by any means possible. Mularkey said the team plans to use every trick in the book to keep Allen out of the backfield and quarterback Blaine Gabbert upright. Speaking of Gabbert, the 2nd year QB spoke about his relationship with opposing signal caller Christian Ponder. The two worked out together prior to being selected in the same draft and spend time in the offseason fishing and golfing.