Jags RB Pearman might be without a job (1 Viewer)

[Chairman]

Jags RB Pearman might be without a job

Bart Hubbuch

7/23/2006

Second-year RB Alvin Pearman had a major role as a rookie, serving as both punt returner and the third-down replacement for Taylor. He showed flashes of promise at both spots, but his fumbling problems prompted the team to take UCLA's Maurice Jones-Drew in the second round this spring. As a result, Pearman might be without a job or a roster spot this fall. If Jones-Drew proves to be as good as advertised (he was the leading punt returner in college football last year), then there won't be any room for Pearman. The team likes Pearman's burst and terrific hands out of the backfield, but the Jaguars tend to play a lot of close games and coach Jack Del Rio won't stand for players who can't hang on to the football.

Source: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=110900

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

That clears things up a lot. It's either Greg Jones or Fred Taylor @ HB.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

assuming Pearman doesn't make the team, how will LaBrandon Toefield and Maurice Drew fit into the offensive plans?

 

[Chairman]

assuming Pearman doesn't make the team, how will LaBrandon Toefield and Maurice Drew fit into the offensive plans?

Drew is already said to be replacing Pearman as a return man, due to Pearman's consistent tendency to fumble.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

assuming Pearman doesn't make the team, how will LaBrandon Toefield and Maurice Drew fit into the offensive plans?

Drew is already said to be replacing Pearman as a return man, due to Pearman's consistent tendency to fumble.

thanks, I read that in the first post.I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about how much either and/or both would be used on offense. The Jaguars running game seems like it could be a real mess this year to me.

also, here is the full text of the article (from SportingNews):

Jaguars Team Report

Posted: July 23, 2006

Bart Hubbuch

Florida Times-Union

The team can't wait to get a look at RB Fred Taylor when training camp opens this week. There are two reasons: Taylor hasn't been seen around the Jaguars' facility since May while working out on his own in Miami, and all reports indicate the team's all-time leading rusher is in the best shape of his career. Taylor apparently has dropped nearly 15 pounds from his 2005 listed playing weight of 234 and is showing burst in workouts that he hasn't displayed since the late 1990s. But Taylor's biggest challenge -- staying healthy -- has yet to be overcome. He missed five games due to injury last season and has yet to prove his reliability to the current coaching staff. . . .

Keep an eye on the quarterback position during camp. Not on Byron Leftwich or David Garrard -- they're both secure in their respective positions. Instead, the battle for the No. 3 job between Quinn Gray and undrafted rookie Paul Pinegar bears watching. Gray has a big arm and excellent size, but Pinegar was one of the country's most productive college quarterbacks at Fresno State and likely will challenge Gray for the third spot.

SCOUTING REPORT: The team continues to give former No. 1 pick Reggie Williams every chance to show that his selection with the ninth overall pick two years ago wasn't a huge mistake. Williams has just one touchdown catch as a pro and was benched in favor of Ernest Wilford after suffering a concussion midway through last season, but the former University of Washington standout is expected to open camp as a starter for the third year in a row. Look for Williams to have a big showing in workouts, because that's been his history: He remains one of the club's best practice players. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, Williams never seems to be able to carry those performances over into actual games. He's a big target but immature and still too slow getting off the line of scrimmage.

SOMETHING TO PROVE: Second-year RB Alvin Pearman had a major role as a rookie, serving as both punt returner and the third-down replacement for Taylor. He showed flashes of promise at both spots, but his fumbling problems prompted the team to take UCLA's Maurice Jones-Drew in the second round this spring. As a result, Pearman might be without a job or a roster spot this fall. If Jones-Drew proves to be as good as advertised (he was the leading punt returner in college football last year), then there won't be any room for Pearman. The team likes Pearman's burst and terrific hands out of the backfield, but the Jaguars tend to play a lot of close games and coach Jack Del Rio won't stand for players who can't hang on to the football.

RUNNING BACKS ANALYSIS: Grade: B-plus. Taylor remains a home-run threat when healthy, and the depth behind him is impressive. Greg Jones is among the top power backs in the league, and rookie Maurice Jones-Drew shows promise.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=110900

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

also, is Maurice Drew really going to go by Maurice Jones-Drew? This article is the first time I recall hearing him being referred to that way.

 

[Jiggyonthehut]

also, is Maurice Drew really going to go by Maurice Jones-Drew? This article is the first time I recall hearing him being referred to that way.

Yes. I believe he's already gotten his jersey printed as such but I really dont want to dig up that article. As for the main topic, this is purely supposition. While this has been rumored for quite some time since Jones-Drew was drafted, there has been no word from JDR, who has been quite blunt and definitive this offseason. Seeing as though Pearman's spot hasnt been officially up in the air (a la Mike Williams) I wouldnt put too much stock in these allegations. He does, however, have much to prove.

Jack Del Rio has been on the record by saying he will keep 5-6 RB's on the roster. If 6 RB's are kept, it would seem Pearman has himself a spot this season; if 5 are kept, he is the one presumably to go. (Behind Taylor, G.Jones. M.Drew, Wimbush and Toefield). In actuality, the battle for that 5th spot will be between Toefield and pearman but seeing as though we're hearing superb things about Toefield, coupled with Pearman's heir apparent in Jones-Drew, my money is on Toefield to stick on the roster before Pearman.

However, dont let supposition fool you. The Jags have been burned by Special Teams failure in the last few years. The Chad Owens experiment crashed, ushering in Pearman, who was as close to a sure thing on Special Teams as the Jaguars have had in a long while. Let it be known that JDR will scrutinize Jones-Drew's return ability to the highest degree before letting Pearman go; and that decision probably will be made well into TC. If Jones-Drew does not perform, then Pearman is a lock to be on the roster.

*If* this report has validity from inside sources, then it must mean that Jones-Drew is really wowing with his all-around ability (most importantly return and recieving skills) or that Chad Owens is expected to regain a roster spot. (Pearman hence would be expendable and his roster spot taken by Owens)

This being said, Pearman is on the bubble, and as roster spots will be taken up by the OT acquisitions, his chances rest on TC. Id rather Owens have his roster spot however.

 

[Jiggyonthehut]

also, is Maurice Drew really going to go by Maurice Jones-Drew? This article is the first time I recall hearing him being referred to that way.

ConfirmedJones-Drew