Team Report: Inside Slant
The Jaguars are deep at running back.
Coach Jack Del Rio says it's the deepest position on the team.
Maurice Drew, their second round pick, has joined a group that includes Fred Taylor, Greg Jones, Derrick Wimbush, Alvin Pearman and LaBrandon Toefield.
Unless one of them is injured -- and they're all healthy right now -- one of them is likely to be headed out of town.
The conventional wisdom is that one of the youngsters -- Wimbush, Pearman or Toefield -- will be on the chopping block.
But the possibility has to be raised that the Jaguars could cut Taylor if the young players emerge.
The key to Taylor's future may be Greg Jones.
He suffered a serious knee injury in his junior year in college and appeared to lose the burst that made him a projected first round choice before he suffered the injury.
In his final year in college and his first two years with the Jaguars, he wasn't the player he was before he was injured.
The Jaguars turned him into a fullback and a short yardage runner.
But as he heads into his fourth season since he suffered the injury, he's been getting rave reviews by coach Jack Del Rio. Del Rio was particularly impressed with him in the team scrimmage. He averaged almost five yards a carry with 19 yards in four carries.
"I think his feet are as alive and active as they have been since he's been here. He was outstanding (in the scrimmage). He made some terrific cuts. He ran with power and determination," he said.
Del Rio said it's fair to suggest that his running ability is improving because it's been four years since the surgery.
If he can replace Taylor as an every down back and Drew shows he can add explosive threat, the Jaguars might decide they don't need Taylor.
The relationship between Taylor and Del Rio went downhill when Taylor, who wanted a new contract, skipped the team's offseason program.
Then he suffered a mild hamstring pull in the conditioning run before camp. He saw limited duty the first week although he did go in the scrimmage and got nine yards in three carries.
But the Taylor situation bears close watching. It could be that Taylor will have such a good preseason that the Jaguars decide they can't let him go.
There's no doubt, though, that he's fighting for a job.
The Jaguars are deep at running back.
Coach Jack Del Rio says it's the deepest position on the team.
Maurice Drew, their second round pick, has joined a group that includes Fred Taylor, Greg Jones, Derrick Wimbush, Alvin Pearman and LaBrandon Toefield.
Unless one of them is injured -- and they're all healthy right now -- one of them is likely to be headed out of town.
The conventional wisdom is that one of the youngsters -- Wimbush, Pearman or Toefield -- will be on the chopping block.
But the possibility has to be raised that the Jaguars could cut Taylor if the young players emerge.
The key to Taylor's future may be Greg Jones.
He suffered a serious knee injury in his junior year in college and appeared to lose the burst that made him a projected first round choice before he suffered the injury.
In his final year in college and his first two years with the Jaguars, he wasn't the player he was before he was injured.
The Jaguars turned him into a fullback and a short yardage runner.
But as he heads into his fourth season since he suffered the injury, he's been getting rave reviews by coach Jack Del Rio. Del Rio was particularly impressed with him in the team scrimmage. He averaged almost five yards a carry with 19 yards in four carries.
"I think his feet are as alive and active as they have been since he's been here. He was outstanding (in the scrimmage). He made some terrific cuts. He ran with power and determination," he said.
Del Rio said it's fair to suggest that his running ability is improving because it's been four years since the surgery.
If he can replace Taylor as an every down back and Drew shows he can add explosive threat, the Jaguars might decide they don't need Taylor.
The relationship between Taylor and Del Rio went downhill when Taylor, who wanted a new contract, skipped the team's offseason program.
Then he suffered a mild hamstring pull in the conditioning run before camp. He saw limited duty the first week although he did go in the scrimmage and got nine yards in three carries.
But the Taylor situation bears close watching. It could be that Taylor will have such a good preseason that the Jaguars decide they can't let him go.
There's no doubt, though, that he's fighting for a job.
Wimbush's injury was reported as a broken arm, but was later retracted and diagnosed as a broken hand, which kept him out IIRC 3-4 weeks from the date of the injury. Since, he was ready for the start of camp and has been participating regularly, maintaining his role as a returner and getting his reps as a backfield reciever. Del rio is in love with this guy; theres simply no reason to thik he would be kept off the roster for any reason.JDR has arepeatedly stated that he would keep 5-6 RB's on the roster. That would include Taylor, Greg Jones, Maurce Drew and Wimbush for sure with Toefield and Pearman on the bubble. That being said, both may still make it but I believe more and more everyday that Pearman is the odd man out. His return job has been in jeapordy in camp as Chad Owens again has emerged as an early favorite, and, coupled with Owens' newfound skils at WR, may end up making the roster. Pearman suddenly has both his primary assets taken away from him (ST, pass catching to Drew)If i were JDR, Id look to move toefield however. He looks great in camp, and while he has bulked up and Greg Jones has slimmed somewaht, he still is not a better short-yardage option than Jones. Besides, I believe he is going to be a UFA at the end of the season. The Jags may be looking to feature him in the preaseason and then move him, allowing them to get at least something out of him.
Teams are in need of RBs. Michael Bennett gets traded for a 4th. Unless he's hurt Jax will not cut him, they will trade him.But I think he remains a Jag for this year and is the opening day starter.
IF Greg Jones somehow wins the starting spot, he'd be a steal at his ADP. Especially since he'll be getting the goal line work.
and he has been a very solid pro thus far in his career. And Fred Taylor is not the RB he once was at the start of his NFL career. IF Jones is back to his college form as is being reported, he is definitely one to upgrade in drafts this year. Especially considering his current adp. The Greg Jones from his college days, is better than the Fred Taylor of today. 
