Players chosen with eighth pick
The Jaguars own the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft for the second consecutive year. The club obtained the eighth pick in 2008 with a draft day trade with Baltimore and selected defensive end Derrick Harvey. The only positions not selected with the eighth overall pick since 1980 are quarterback, tight end and specialists (kicker, punter). Here's the list of players selected with the eighth pick since 1999:
Where the draft picks come from
There have been 125 players drafted by the Jaguars since 1995. The most have been from the University of Florida with seven selections, and Southern California ranks second with six picks including two in 2008. The Jaguars have drafted three players each from Georgia, Washington, Illinois, West Virginia, Syracuse, Colorado State and Notre Dame.
In the Jaguars' 14-year history, they have yet to select a player from many of the major Division I schools. Some of the notable universities are South Carolina, Clemson, Boston College, Miami (Fla.), Ohio State, Iowa State, Texas A&M, Louisville, Pittsburgh, California and Brigham Young.
Proud member of Auburn alumni
Jaguars defensive end Quentin Groves played in 49 games over four seasons at Auburn and shares the school's career sack record with 26. Groves has remained supportive of his alma mater while living in Jacksonville. The first Quentin Groves Auburn Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, April 20 at Queen's Harbour Yacht & Country Club. Groves, a second-round pick of the Jaguars in 2008, is hosting the tournament to benefit the Jacksonville Auburn Club Educational Scholarship Fund. Students from Jacksonville will be able to attend Auburn for an in-state scholarship.
Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 11:00 a.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided. For more information, please contact Kathy Harris at (904) 221-1500 or Matt Moyer at (904) 234-6881.
Trivia question
How long did the first round of the 2008 draft last?
Tim Shaw hits the links]
Linebacker Tim Shaw played in the Balfour Beatty Golf Tournament on Thursday at Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. Balfour Beatty Communities develops homes for military men and women who need specially adapted homes. The organization also provides financial support to children of military families in the form of scholarships and grants for colleges.
Witherspoon builds relationship with local organization
Second-year defensive back Brian Witherspoon visited The Sanctuary on 8th Street Tuesday. Witherspoon plans to make weekly visits this year to interact with the children. The organization "works to provide an enriching, affirming environment for children living in marginalized neighborhoods through after school programs, summer camps and a small home school."
Lowry to speak at JALACARE event
Defensive back Calvin Lowry will participate in a training for The JALACARE program (Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Credit Abuse Resistance Education) on April 29 at the United States Courthouse of the Middle District. The program is the Jacksonville Chapter of CARE, a nationwide consumer education movement to educate students about the dangers of consumer debt. The program focuses on 12th grade economics high school students in three Duval County high schools. The program is funded by the Jaguars Foundation. Lowry will meet with local attorneys as they are trained on how to teach financial literacy to high school students.
Players spend time at Children's Home Society
Vince Manuwai, Mkristo Bruce and Atiyyah Ellison spent time with kids at the Children's Home Society of Florida on Wednesday. The Buckner Division, located on the southside, is the founding home of the Children's Home Society of Florida. The organization provides services to children and families in Duval, Baker, St. Johns, Nassau and Clay counties.
Ellison spent nearly two hours inside working with several children on their homework and helping them solve various problems. Manuwai and Bruce took a group outside and played football.
Trivia answer
The first round of the 2008 draft consumed three hours and 30 minutes. The second round took two hours and 23 minutes.
What Moves U event
Running back Montell Owens and defensive lineman Mkristo Bruce spent Friday morning at Mayport Middle School for a What Moves U event. The players led the students in several exercises on the football field and spent time talking to the students about the importance of being active and eating healthy.
The last word
"The front office had some difficult decisions, but like I stated before, as a player we learn to grow with those decisions. We're just going to go out there and work hard. They're putting together a roster that's going to be able to compete to win a championship, and we believe in them and they believe in us and that's what we're going to do. Football is not gray; it's black and white. Either you win or you don't. And I think our coaching staff and our front office is putting together a team that's going to win games. As an offense we've got to put up points and as a defense we've got to stop people, and special teams has to do their job, and I think that's what we're doing now."
Running back Maurice Jones-Drew on the club's offseason moves
