Jacksonville
Jaguars - Team History
Jacksonville Jaguars, professional football team and one of six teams
in the Central Division of the American Football Conference (AFC)
of the National Football League (NFL). Under the league’s realignment
plan, which will take affect in 2002, the Jaguars will play in the
South Division of the AFC. The Jaguars play at ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville,
Florida, and wear uniforms of teal, black, and gold.
Jacksonville
joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995. During the Jaguars’
first year, the team fielded the AFC’s worst defense, losing
nine games by more than 24 points. Offensively, however, they were
successful. Mark Brunell—who had previously played in only
two NFL games—posted the highest rating of any expansion-team
quarterback in league history. He also led all NFL quarterbacks
that year in rushing, becoming the first AFC quarterback to run
for more than 400 yards in a season since Mike Pagel of the Baltimore
Colts (now Indianapolis Colts) in 1983. Overall, Jacksonville’s
offensive performance ranked third all-time among first-year franchises.
In 1996 the
Jaguars won nine games and earned a wild-card berth to the playoffs.
Wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith each compiled 1,000
or more yards receiving. Brunell passed for more than 4,300 yards
and was Jacksonville’s third-leading rusher, averaging five
yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns. In the playoffs the
Jaguars advanced to the AFC title game, where they lost to the New
England Patriots.
Jacksonville
advanced to the playoffs again in 1997 but lost in the first round
to the Denver Broncos. In 1998 Brunell and rookie running back Fred
Taylor led the team to a 11-5 win-loss record and the Central Division
championship. They defeated the New England Patriots in the first
round of the playoffs before being bested by the New York Jets.
In 1999 Jacksonville repeated as Central Division champions but
lost to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game.
<p>Mike Thomas is fun-loving, relaxed and speaks with a slow Texas drawl. But don't mistake this for a lack of confidence or intelligence for the Jaguars second-year pro. Thomas is quick-witted, smart and extremely confident in his abilities as a wide receiver in the National Football League.</p>
<p>It took Thomas just 14 games in 2009 to set the franchise record for receptions by a rookie with 48. His 453 receiving yards were also the most by a rookie receiver in team history. And now, with veteran Torry Holt departed, Thomas has a chance to become the Jaguars No. 2 receiver behind Mike Sims-Walker who is firmly entrenched as the team's top receiver.</p>
<p>Thomas said he's constantly asked about becoming the No.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis has reported to training camp after skipping offseason workouts in hopes of getting a new contract. First-round draft pick Tyson Alualu, the 10th overall selection, missed the start of camp after failing to sign a contract. It's unclear how long Alualu will sit out -- only one top-10 pick has been signed -- but it marks the third consecutive year...
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jaguars got a much-needed financial boost Tuesday, striking a five-year deal with EverBank that includes changing the name of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium to EverBank Field.
NFL preseason capsules as training camps open: AFC EAST BUFFALO BILLS (6-10) OPEN CAMP: July 29 LAST YEAR: Popgun offense that Terrell Owens couldn't spark, instability at quarterback and inability to stop the run conspired to prompt yet another coaching change (Dick Jauron fired after 3-6 start) as bumbling Bills celebrated their 50th year by capping a decade of ineptitude and missing...
Fantasy football buff Maurice Jones-Drew is getting his own radio show to share his expertise with fans. The Pro Bowl Jacksonville Jaguars running back will host the program every Friday night during the season on the new all-fantasy-sports station on satellite radio service Sirius XM. Jones-Drew lost the NFL Players Association fantasy league title to Cato June in 2008.
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