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This sounds like a "first drive suspension" not a gamer. Oh Del Rio why you so
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This sounds like a "first drive suspension" not a gamer. Oh Del Rio why you so
.SEATTLE — Coach Jack Del Rio has been stressing the importance of work ethic and dedication this year and how it translates into team success.
The Jaguars also made a concerted effort to get rid of players who had a negative effect on the team chemistry last year.
Yet the team had three off-the-field incidents in the last two weeks, including two over the weekend.
Linebacker Brian Iwuh was inactive for the Houston game for breaking a team rule. Wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker suffered the same fate this week when he violated the team itinerary during the team’s weekend stay here.
And linebacker Quentin Groves was involved in a traffic accident on the way to the airport Friday and was issued a citation for improper lane change and driven by airport police to the airport.
Said quarterback David Garrard of not having Sims-Walker in the game: “He didn’t cost us a loss or anything, but whenever you have a dynamic player like that, you want him to be on the field.’’
Groves, who was recently demoted and listed as playing on special teams during the game, missed the team charter and had to travel to Seattle on his own.
Del Rio, asked how these incidents meshed with his emphasis on the team’s work ethic, said: “It certainly tarnishes those kind of feelings and statements.’’
Del Rio brought the team here on Friday to help get it prepared for the game. The team usually travels on Saturdays.[Hipple add:this move seems to have worked out well]
Early gamble doesn’t pay off
The Jaguars were 1 for 2 in fourth-down gambles Sunday, leaving them 4 for 6 for the season.
But the one they missed in the first quarter of their 41-0 loss turned the momentum.
They faced a 4th-and-1 at the Seattle 2 when Del Rio went for it rather than kick a field goal that would have tied the game at 3.
They lined up in what appeared to be a running formation, but Garrard rolled out with tight end Ernest Wilford and running back Greg Jones as his two targets.
The Seahawks weren’t fooled. They covered both receivers and rushed Garrard, who had no option but to toss a desperation pass that fell incomplete.
“They played it great,’’ Garrard said. “They had three or four guys barreling down on me.’’
12th man helps Seahawks
Garrard was sacked four times and said the offensive tackles, rookie Eben Britton and veteran Tra Thomas, couldn’t hear signals because of the crowd noise.
“That allows their defensive ends to get off the ball a little faster. We still have to be able to handle it,’’ Garrard said.
Britton, who came back after sitting out a week with a knee injury, said he aggravated the injury during the game, but said he should have no problems playing next week against St. Louis
Of the noise, he said, “They’ve got the whole 12th man thing and they get all excited about it. That’s great for them.’’
Shuffling the line again
Although Britton got his starting job back, the offensive lineman who replaced him, Mo Williams, lost his starting job.
Williams moved from guard to tackle to replace Britton and Uche Nwaneri came off the bench to play right guard.
Nwaneri played well enough that when Britton returned to the lineup, Nwaneri stayed at right guard and Williams went to the bench although he did see brief action. Tra Thomas started at left tackle in place of rookie Eugene Monroe, who was ill last week. Monroe saw some action.
Etc.
Linebacker Justin Durant sat out the game with a hip injury. ... Luke McCown made his Jaguars debut when Garrard was pulled in the fourth quarter, but he threw only one pass for 2 yards because the Seahawks ran the final 11:53 without throwing the ball.
vito.stellino@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4279
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