THIS WEEK: The Jacksonville Jaguars will play their second straight road game when they travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens at 1:00 p.m. EDT Sunday at Ravens Stadium. The Jaguars hope to bounce back after their poorest performance of the season. Last Sunday, they were defeated 23-14 by the Tennessee Titans. Still, the Jaguars are off to their best start since 1999, when they last made the playoffs. The team is 3-2 and in second place in the AFC South, one game behind the Indianapolis Colts.
The Ravens game is the second of back-to-back road games, and the Jaguars will be out of town for five games in their current seven-week stretch. The Ravens are 2-3 and are coming off a 22-20 last-second loss to the Colts last Sunday.
Even with the loss to the Titans in Nashville, the Jaguars are the NFL's second-best road team with a 24-20 record dating back to the 1996 season, half a game behind the New York Jets. October is the only month in which the Jaguars have a losing record in their eight-year history. With the loss to Tennessee, they now have a 13-17 mark after going 0-3 last year and 1-7 over the last two Octobers coming into 2002. In the last six seasons, the Jaguars have the fifth-best record in the NFL, a 52-33 mark that is five-and-a-half games behind the Green Bay Packers.
Even after gaining only 198 yards against the Titans, in their first five games the Jaguars have gained 1,641 yards on offense, an average of 328.2 yards per game that is tied for the third most in the season's first five games in franchise history. The Jaguars also have scored 118 points, their third most ever in the first five games. They scored 23 or more points in each of their first four games after doing so just four times in all of 2001. Defensively, the Jaguars have allowed 95 points, an average of 19.0 points per game that ranks third in the AFC.
TELEVISION BROADCAST: The Jaguars-Ravens game will be televised regionally on CBS and locally on WTEV Channel 47 (Ch. 6 cable), with Ian Eagle calling the play-by-play and Solomon Wilcots adding analysis. The Jaguars Pregame Show airs at 11:30 a.m. on WTEV Channel 47 (Ch. 6 cable), with Brian Sexton, Ryan Elijah and Jordan Siegel.
RADIO BROADCAST: All Jaguars games are broadcast on WOKV (690 AM) and WKQL (96.9 FM) and the Jaguars Radio Network. Brian Sexton calls the play-by-play and former NFL quarterback Matt Robinson adds analysis, with Cole Pepper serving as field reporter for home games. Sexton and Robinson are in their eighth season together. Robinson, Vic Ketchman and Pepper handle the pre-game show (three hours before kickoff on both stations), and Pepper and ex-Oakland Raider Pete Banaszak do the post-game show. A total of 16 affiliates in three states on the Jaguars Radio Network will also broadcast the game.
ON THE INTERNET: The Jaguars website has unveiled a re-designed look for the 2002 season. For breaking news, columns, feature stories, press releases, historical information, video highlights, rosters, depth charts and statistics, go to www.jaguars.com Updated daily, the Jaguars' Official Web Site has been ranked among the 100 Best Sites in the World by PC Magazine. The site also features online ticket buying, new merchandise offerings and multimedia, including video of Jaguars television shows and live radio game broadcasts.
ON THE AIR THIS WEEK:
Monday — Jaguars Reporters, 6:00 p.m., WOKV Radio, with Brian Sexton, Vic Ketchman The Jaguars End Zone, 7:00 p.m., WJXT-TV4, with Sam Kouvaris, Donovin Darius and a guest
Wednesday — Jaguars This Week, 6:00 p.m., WOKV Radio, with Brian Sexton, Vic Ketchman, Jeff Lageman
Thursday — Tom Coughlin Show, 6:00 p.m., WOKV Radio, with Tom Coughlin, Brian Sexton THE Jaguars Show, 8:00 p.m., WJXT-TV4, with Brian Sexton, Jeff Lageman
Saturday — Tom Coughlin Show, 7:30 p.m., WJXT-TV4, with Tom Coughlin, Brian Sexton
THE OPPONENT: After a 12-year absence, NFL football returned to the city of Baltimore on February 9, 1996, when the NFL clubs approved the transfer of Art Modell's franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore. Now the owner of the Ravens, Modell's previous franchise competed in 20 postseason contests, including four NFL Championship games, three AFC Championship games and a victory in the 1964 NFL title game. The Ravens went 5-11 in 1996, 6-9-1 in '97, 6-10 in 1998 and 8-8 in 1999. In 2000, they finished 12-4 and in second place in the AFC Central Division with a defense that allowed an NFL-record-low 165 points. The Ravens swept through the playoffs, defeating Denver, Tennessee and Oakland and then beating the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV. Last season, they went 10-6 and finished in second place in the old AFC Central Division. They won their Wild-Card game against Miami before losing to Pittsburgh in the Divisional Playoffs.
THE SERIES: The Jaguars and Ravens have played 12 times with the Jaguars holding an 8-4 advantage, winning the first eight games before losing the last four games (Jacksonville also defeated the Cleveland Browns twice in 1995). In 1996, the Ravens' first season in Baltimore, Jacksonville swept the series, winning 30-27 in Jacksonville and 28-25 in overtime in Baltimore two weeks later. In 1997, the Jaguars won the season opener 28-27 in Baltimore and took the rematch at home 29-27. In 1998, Jacksonville won 24-10 at home and 45-19 in Baltimore. In 1999, Jacksonville won 6-3 at home, then won again 30-23 two weeks later at Baltimore. In 2000, the Ravens won 39-36 in Week 2 in Baltimore and again 15-10 in Jacksonville. Last season, the Ravens won 18-17 on October 28 in Baltimore and again 24-21 on November 25 at ALLTEL Stadium.
THE LAST TIME: The Jaguars lost for the seventh time in eight games on November 25, 2001, when Shannon Sharpe caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Elvis Grbac with nine seconds remaining to give the Baltimore Ravens a 24-21 victory at ALLTEL Stadium. The Ravens jumped out to a 17-0 lead, before the Jaguars struck back with three touchdowns in the final 17 minutes. However, the Ravens drove 74 yards in nine plays and 1:23 for the winning score. Stacey Mack scored two touchdowns on short runs and Jimmy Smith scored on a 12-yard pass from Mark Brunell, who returned to the lineup after missing one game. The Jaguars started slowly, gaining only 71 yards in the first half before getting on track late in the third quarter. The Ravens won their fourth straight game over the Jaguars, following eight consecutive losses to start the series.
A JAGUARS VICTORY OVER THE RAVENS WOULD: Give the Jaguars a 4-2 record — their best start in three years — and keep them over .500 after six games for the first time since 1999. It would be their first victory over the Ravens since 1999 and their fifth win in their last seven road games.
COUGHLIN IN EIGHTH SEASON WITH JAGUARS: Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin is in his eighth season as the team's head coach, tied for the third-longest tenure of any NFL coach with his current team. In addition, Coughlin has the seventh-best record of all current NFL coaches in division games (minimum of 20 wins) and the seventh-best record in home games (minimum of 16 home games). Records include all teams coached by an individual during the regular season.
THE COACHES: Jacksonville head coach Tom Coughlin (65-52 in regular season, 4-4 in postseason) has led the Jaguars to two AFC Central Division championships and two appearances in the AFC Championship game in seven seasons as the only head coach in franchise history. In his first seven seasons, Coughlin posted a 39-23 division record against the AFC Central, including 22-9 at home and 17-14 on the road. The Jaguars made the playoffs all four seasons from 1996 to '99 — a first for an NFL expansion team. In 1999, the Jaguars had the best record in the NFL (14-2), advancing to the conference championship game before losing to Tennessee. In 1998, Coughlin guided his team to its first AFC Central Division championship with an 11-5 record. The Jaguars defeated the New England Patriots in a Wild-Card game before losing to the New York Jets in the Divisional playoffs. In 1997, the Jaguars were 11-5 and finished second in the AFC Central, and they were defeated by Denver in the Wild-Card playoffs. In their second season in 1996, the Jaguars advanced all the way to the AFC Championship game, finishing second in the division with a 9-7 record. In the playoffs, the Jaguars upset the Bills and Broncos on the road before losing at New England. In 1995, the Jaguars finished with four victories in their inaugural season. Coughlin became head coach of the Jaguars on February 21, 1994 following three successful seasons as head coach at Boston College. He compiled a record of 21-13-1 from 1991 to '93 at Boston College, and had two bowl game appearances, as well as a ranking of 13th in the final AP poll of 1993. A veteran of 31 years in coaching, he was previously an NFL assistant coach with the New York Giants (wide receivers, 1988-90), Green Bay Packers (wide receivers and passing game coordinator 1986-87) and Philadelphia Eagles (wide receivers, 1984-85).
Brian Billick, in his fourth season as the Ravens' coach, faces the challenge of remaking a team that won Super Bowl XXXV just two seasons ago. Billick has posted a record of 37-22, including a victory in Super Bowl XXXV (34-7 over the New York Giants). The 2000 Ravens allowed just 165 points, the fewest ever in a 16-game NFL season. Injuries hit the Ravens last season, but Billick guided the team to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth that included a victory over the Miami Dolphins. Prior to becoming head coach in Baltimore, he served as Vikings' offensive coordinator (1994-98). During his final season in Minnesota, his offense scored an NFL-record 556 points. Billick earned All-Western Athletic Conference honors and was an honorable mention All-America in 1976 as a tight end at Brigham Young. He played linebacker at Air Force before transferring to Brigham Young. Billick was selected by the 49ers in the eleventh round of the 1977 NFL Draft. Billick was an assistant at Brigham Young (1978), Redlands (1979), San Diego State (1981-85), Utah State (1986-88), and Stanford (1989-1991, under former Minnesota Vikings head coach Dennis Green). He was an assistant director of public relations for the San Francisco 49ers in 1979-1980.
JACKSONVILLE-BALTIMORE CONNECTIONS: One Raven has ties to the Jaguars: S Anthony Mitchell, who spent the 1999 training camp in Jacksonville … Five Ravens have ties to the state of Florida: LB Ray Lewis (Lakeland, University of Miami), WR Travis Taylor (Jacksonville, Ribault High School, University of Florida), QB Jeff Blake (Sanford), OT Damion Cook (Fort Lauderdale) and LB Peter Boulware (Florida State). Ravens LB coach Mike Smith is from Daytona Beach … Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin and Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh were a part of the New York Giants' 1990 Super Bowl team … Jaguars LB coach Steve Szabo began his coaching career at Johns Hopkins University in 1969 and played for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, and assistant special teams coach Mike Priefer played at Navy from 1985-88 and coached there from 1994-96 … Jaguars defensive coordinator John Pease was a member of the Baltimore Stars coaching staff from 1983 to '85 … Players who were college teammates include: Jaguars LB T. J. Slaughter and G Daryl Terrell with Ravens DE Adalius Thomas at Southern Mississippi; Jaguars TE Kyle Brady and Ravens FB Sam Gash at Penn State; Jaguars RB Fred Taylor and Ravens WR Travis Taylor at the University of Florida; Jaguars DT Larry Smith and OL Todd Fordham with Ravens LB Peter Boulware at Florida State; Jaguars LB Eric Westmoreland and DT John Henderson with Ravens RB Jamal Lewis at the University of Tennessee; Jaguars CB Ike Charlton and Ravens LB Cornell Brown at Virginia Tech; and Jaguars FB Patrick Washington and TE Chris Luzar with Ravens LB Shannon Taylor at the University of Virginia.
JAGUARS VS. RAVENS: Here are the accumulated statistics for players in the Jaguars-Ravens series:
Jaguars QB Mark Brunell — 11 games (7-4 as starter); 256 completions on 406 attempts for 3,164 yards, 16 TDs, 11 INTs; 47 rushes for 209 yards and 1 TD
Jaguars RB Fred Taylor — 4 games; 69 attempts for 281 yards and 1 TD; 18 catches for 211 yards, 78 long, 1 TD; one 100-yard rushing game
Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith — 12 games; 81 receptions for 1,344 yards and 10 TDs; long of 72 yards and a 16.6 yards-per-catch average; six 100-yard games
Jaguars TE Kyle Brady — 6 games; 19 catches for 220 yards
Ravens RB Jamal Lewis — 2 games; 22 rushes for 51 yards
Ravens WR Travis Taylor — 4 games; 11 receptions for 192 yards and 1 TD
Ravens PK Matt Stover — 12 games (two with Cleveland); 24 of 26 FGAs and 18 of 18 PATs for 90 points
Ravens DE Peter Boulware — 7 games; 9.5 sacks
Ravens LB Ray Lewis — 12 games; 77 tackles; 3 sacks; 1 forced fumble; 1 fumble recovery; 1 INT
SMITH VS. RAVENS: In 12 career games against the Baltimore Ravens, Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith has caught 81 passes for 1,344 yards, an average of 112.0 yards per game that is the second-best per-game receiving mark by a player against an opponent since 1970 (minimum five career games). Smith has six 100-yard games against Baltimore.
INJURY UPDATE: Two players were injured in the Titans game: QB Mark Brunell (concussion) and OT Maurice Williams (broken right leg). LB Edward Thomas (hamstring) was inactive. The status of all players will be updated during the week.
ROSTER MOVES: On Monday, LB T.J. Slaughter was activated to the 53-man roster and OT Maurice Williams was placed on injured reserve. Slaughter had been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and illegal substances and received a one-game roster exemption last week.
DAILY SCHEDULE: Interview and practice times for this week are as follows:
LAST WEEK: The Jaguars were defeated by the Tennessee Titans 23-14 at the Coliseum, losing their fourth straight game in Nashville. QB Mark Brunell suffered a concussion on the first series of the game. He played one more possession, then left the game and was replaced by rookie David Garrard, who had his first extended playing time in an NFL game. Garrard scored both of the Jaguars' touchdowns, becoming the team's first quarterback to score two TDs in a game. But the Jacksonville passing game struggled, accounting for only 68 yards and a franchise-low 13 attempts and seven completions. The Titans controlled the clock for 37:43 and gained 370 yards but were forced into field goal attempts on four occasions, hitting on three of them. They also scored their two touchdowns on long drives. Garrard rushed for 71 yards, followed Fred Taylor's 59 yards, and WR Jimmy Smith caught four of the team's seven completed passes. For the Titans, Eddie George rushed for 113 yards and scored both touchdowns.
NOTES FROM THE TITANS GAME: The Jaguars' 13 pass attempts broke the record of 15 set two weeks ago in a victory over the New York Jets when the team rushed for 223 yards. … The seven completions broke the mark of nine set twice previously (11/9/97 vs. Kansas City and 11/8/98 vs. Cincinnati). … The Jaguars' 68 net and 84 gross passing yards were their fewest since their inaugural game vs. the Houston Oilers on 9/3/95 when they had 45 net and 69 gross passing yards. … The Jaguars' 198 total yards on offense marked just the third time the team has been held under 200 yards. The last time was 11/14/99 vs. Baltimore. The other was the inaugural game. … David Garrard's 71 yards rushing are the most ever by a Jaguars quarterback. … The Jaguars converted 4 of 9 third downs (44 percent), while the Titans converted 10 of 17 (59 percent). … The Titans' 77 plays tied for the sixth most ever by an opponent, and the Jaguars' 42 plays was their fewest ever. … The Jaguars had two turnovers and one takeaway and are now plus-four for the season. … The team's 22:17 time of possession was their fourth-lowest total and the lowest since their trip to Tennessee on 11/4/01 (22:12). … Mark Brunell completed 3 of 6 passes for 31 yards. He has now thrown 103 passes without an interception, the fourth-longest streak in team history. … Garrard was 4 of 7 for 53 yards and two interceptions. He was sacked three times. … Jimmy Smith led the team with four receptions and 49 yards. … Chris Hanson punted four times for a 49.5-yard average, with two touchbacks and none inside the 20. He had two punts returned for 9 yards for a net average of 37.3. … PK Hayden Epstein scored two points on two extra points. … The team got one sack, by Rob Meier, and allowed a season-high three sacks. … MLB Wali Rainer led the team with 22 tackles (9 solo), followed by WLB Danny Clark with 16 tackles (7 solo). Rainer's 22 tackles is tied for the second-highest single-game total in franchise history. … Every player saw action. The inactive players were: CB Robert Bean, RB Dan Alexander, LB Edward Thomas, G Daryl Terrell, C/G Drew Inzer, DE Stalin Colinet, DT Clenton Ballard and QB Kent Graham (third QB). … Jaguars captains were: QB Mark Brunell, TE Kyle Brady, DE Marco Coleman and S Donovin Darius.
FROM COACH TOM COUGHLIN ON THE TITANS GAME: "I didn't think we played our best game by far. I didn't think we were as physical as we can be. Don't ask me any questions about Eddie George or the Titans. They were down, they had their backs against the wall, and they did exactly what we knew they would do. They play us the same way. It's not complicated — it's just physical. They knocked our quarterback out of the game and the starting right tackle with a broken leg. It's a frustrating thing to come over here and see it happen again. We didn't come up with enough plays. When adversity strikes, someone has got to rise up and take over."
(on David Garrard) "He's a talented young man who has to prepare himself as if he's going to be the starter each week. His talent and his ability to manuever obviously was there. They tried to blitz him and pressure him and get off and do some things that would cause him to either get caught in the blitz or not have enough time to get an adjustment, but he did alright with that. I really think that if not for that second interception late, I thought we had a little momentum and we would go in and score and then it would have been interesting."
FROM QB MARK BRUNELL: (on the team) "We're only going to miss out on Mo (Williams) next week. It's one game, and we're 3-2. Next week we need to come out and perform and play well as as we're capable of doing. Baltimore has a good defense and will be a big challenge for us, but this team has the character to bounce back."
(on his concussion) "Yes, it was worse than last year. It was a little more severe. My head was pounding pretty hard and I was a little foggy — not as clear as it usually is as far as getting the plays called and seeing the defense."
(on David Garrard) "David is a competitor. He has a bright future in this league. He's a hard worker and he went out and competed. I thought he did a good job."
FROM QB DAVID GARRARD: "It's a tough environment. I needed to go out there and do the best that I could and handle it. That's all I was asking of myself."
(on the team) "They rallied behind me and I was trying to do everything I could for them to be able to come out with a victory today. They're still behind me with the loss, but it would have helped if I could have done everything the coaches asked me to do. That's just something I'm just going to have to go through right now as a young quarterback."
(on next week) "I'm just going to continue to study like I have been getting myself ready to play, even though I don't know when I'll play. I want to always be prepared and ready to go."
(on being the No. 2 quarterback) "There are not a lot of quarterbacks that go through the entire season without getting hurt one or two times. I knew I would get my chance to go out there I just wanted to take hold of it the best that I could."
FROM WR JIMMY SMITH: (on David Garrard) "He showed great poise. He's just going to need some games under his belt."
(on injuries) "They're devasting. They will hurt you. You cannot win in this league unless you have all of your main guys on the field. You just have to forget about the injuries and go play with the guys you have."
FROM DT MARCUS STROUD: "We just didn't play very well today. We had a chance to win the game, but we came up short. Win, lose or draw, we're going to go out there and give it 110 percent, and that's what we did today. It was nothing that they did. The reason we lost today is that we beat ourselves. If we hadn't made some of the mistakes we made, we would be in here celebrating right now."
NEXT WEEK: The Jaguars will return home to face the Houston Texans at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, October 27 at ALLTEL Stadium. It will be the Jaguars' first game against the NFL's newest expansion team, and will pit Tom Coughlin against Texans head coach Dom Capers, who was the Jaguars' defensive coordinator in 1999 and 2000. Coughlin is 4-1 against his former assistant coaches (4-0 vs. Chris Palmer, 0-1 vs. Dick Jauron). This year, the Texans are 1-5, losing five straight games since winning their season opener. It will be the Jaguars' third game vs. an AFC South team.
THE TEAL IS REAL . . . In the last six seasons, the Jaguars' record is the fifth best in the NFL, five-and-a-half games behind the Green Bay Packers. The Jaguars have won 52 of their last 85 regular-season games (they also won their final five games in 1996).
JAGUARS HAVE FOURTH-BEST HOME RECORD AND SECOND-BEST ROAD RECORD SINCE 1996: After the Jaguars went 7-1 at ALLTEL Stadium four times from 1996 to '99, they have a 37-14 record that is tied for the fourth-best mark at home since the start of the 1996 season. On the road, the Jaguars have the second-best record (half a game behind the New York Jets) and they are one of only six NFL teams with a better-than-.500 mark on the road dating back to November 24, 1996.
CONSISTENT SACKERS: The Jaguars have made at least one sack in 29 consecutive games, the fourth-longest active streak in the NFL. Also, since 1999, the Jaguars have made 149 sacks, the fifth-highest total in the NFL. Here are the lists
JAGUARS HAVE BALANCED OFFENSE ... Although the Jaguars are often referred to as a passing team, in reality they have a balanced attack that features the run. In the last five seasons, the Jaguars have rushed for 8,366 yards on the ground, the sixth most in the NFL. They were the only team to have more than 2,000 yards rushing each of the three seasons from 1998 to 2000 (an injury to Fred Taylor held them to 1,600 rushing yards in 2001).
JAGUARS SCORE ON THE GROUND … In the last six seasons, the Jaguars have rushed for 97 touchdowns, tied for the most in the NFL.
… AND STOP THEIR OPPONENTS: In the last seven seasons, the Jaguars have allowed only 67 rushing TDs, the NFL's fifth-best mark.
THE TAYLOR-MACK ONE-TWO PUNCH: In the offseason, faced with a contract offer from another team, RB Stacey Mack re-signed with the Jaguars — even though he knew he would be Fred Taylor's backup — because he felt the Jaguars would have the one of the best running back duos in the NFL. Through four games, the statistics seem to prove just that. The duo has combined for 488 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.
Against the New York Jets on September 29, Taylor and Mack accounted for 212 yards rushing, more than any other duo in a single game in Jaguars history. The two also accounted for 318 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving), and their four combined touchdowns was also the most for a duo.
This season, the Jaguars rank seventh in the NFL in rushing. Taylor has 446 yards and three touchdowns, and Mack has 101 yards and four touchdowns. In his last 17 starts dating back to mid-2000, Taylor has 11 100-yard games and 16 touchdowns (14 rushing). And, in his 45 career games played, Taylor has scored 40 touchdowns and turned in 20 100-yard outings. Mack, meanwhile, had three 100-yard games in his last four starts in 2001, and he has 13 touchdowns in his last 16 games.
TAYLOR HAS SEVENTH-MOST TOUCHDOWNS LAST FIVE YEARS: Despite missing 24 full games and parts of nine others, Jaguars RB Fred Taylor has the seventh-most touchdowns over the last five seasons among active players.
THE BRUNELL AND SMITH CONNECTION: Mark Brunell and Jimmy Smith have already connected on one touchdown this season, giving the tandem 39 scores in eight seasons, ranking second among active players.
SMITH RANKS 25TH AMONG ALL-TIME RECEIVERS: Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith is in 25th place on the NFL's all-time receiving list, and he ranks 38th in career receiving yards. Smith has 602 career receptions for 8,548 yards. Over the six years from 1996 to 2001, Smith averaged 94 receptions and 1,329 yards per season, and another year like that would put him among the top 20 in both receptions and yards.
SMITH IS NFL'S LEADING RECEIVER SINCE 1996 ... Since the start of the 1996 season, Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith has the most receptions in the NFL. He was the NFL leader in 1999 with 116 receptions — the sixth most in a season in NFL history — and he finished the 2001 season with 112 catches to rank second in the league. Smith has a total of 606 career receptions.
... AND SMITH LEADS ALL RECEIVERS IN YARDAGE: Over the last seven seasons, Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith has amassed more receiving yardage than any receiver in the NFL.
SMITH HAS MORE RECEPTIONS THAN 14 OF 19 HALL OF FAME RECEIVERS: Even though he is in only his eighth season as a Jaguar, Jimmy Smith already has more receptions and receiving yards than 14 of the 19 receivers who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here's the list:
SMITH HAS SIX STRAIGHT 1,000-YARD SEASONS: Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark receiving six straight seasons, a feat accomplished by only four other players in NFL history. Currently, he ranks fifth all time behind Jerry Rice (11 straight 1,000-yard seasons), Tim Brown (9 straight), Cris Carter (8 straight) and Lance Alworth (7 straight).
BRUNELL'S TOUCHDOWN TARGETS: Mark Brunell has thrown 130 TD passes in eight seasons with the Jaguars. Here are the 20 players who have caught them: Jimmy Smith (39), Keenan McCardell (26), Damon Jones (11), Willie Jackson (10), Pete Mitchell (8), Kyle Brady (6), James Stewart (5), Fred Taylor (4), Ernest Givins (3), Cedric Tillman (3), Alvis Whitted (3), Andre Rison (2), Elvis Joseph (2), Patrick Johnson (2), Derek Brown (1), Ty Hallock (1), Desmond Howard (1), Natrone Means (1), R. Jay Soward (1), Stacey Mack (1).
BRUNELL HAS 10TH-BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE: Jaguars QB Mark Brunell has the 10th-best career winning percentage of active quarterbacks (minimum 20 wins). Also, in the last eight seasons, Brunell has the most victories of any quarterback other than Green Bay's Brett Favre.
JAGUARS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS: Through six weeks, the Jaguars rank 16th in the NFL in total offense (7th rushing, 24th passing), and they are 24th in defense (26th rushing and 16th passing). They have allowed 95 points, an average of 19.0 per game that is the third best in the AFC. … The offense is 12th in the AFC with 17.4 first downs per game and 10th in the conference in third-down percentage (25 of 61, 41.0 percent). The defense is 14th in allowing 21.4 first downs a game and is last in the AFC in opponent's third-down conversions (37 of 74, 50.0 percent). … The Jaguars are plus-four on the turnover table, fourth in the AFC. … The Jaguars are fourth in the AFC with a 69.2 percent rate on scoring touchdowns inside the red zone (9 of 13). They are the only AFC team to score every time inside the red zone. Defensively, the Jaguars are sixth in the AFC with opponents scoring touchdowns on 47.4 percent of red zone opportunities (9 of 19). … QB Mark Brunell is third in the AFC in passing with a 99.4 passer rating. He is second in the NFL with an average gain of 8.18 yards per pass and tops the AFC with only one interception. … RB Stacey Mack is tied for 12th in the AFC with four touchdowns, and RB Fred Taylor is tied for 15th with three. … PK Hayden Epstein is 13th among AFC kickers in scoring with 24 points. He is tied for third in the AFC with seven touchbacks on kickoffs. … RB Fred Taylor ranks seventh in the AFC with 446 rushing yards. RB Stacey Mack is 26th in the AFC in rushing with 101 yards. … WR Jimmy Smith is tied for 24th in the AFC in receiving with 22 receptions. His 337 receiving yards is 14th. … Taylor ranks sixth in the AFC with 641 yards from scrimmage. … Chris Hanson is first in the AFC in gross punting (47.9) and third in net punting (37.6). … S Marlon McCree's two interceptions is tied for eighth in the AFC. … DT John Henderson's three sacks is tied for 13th in the AFC. … The Jaguars are an NFL-best 5 of 5 on fourth-down conversion tries. … They have had eight goal-to-go possessions in 2002 and have scored touchdowns on all eight of them. They have also scored points in all 13 trips inside their opponents' 20 yard-line this season (nine TDs).
STATS AND SUCH: There are 22 new players on the Jaguars' roster: seven of the nine draft choices (DT John Henderson, OT Mike Pearson, LB Akin Ayodele, QB David Garrard, TE Chris Luzar, DT Clenton Ballard and PK Hayden Epstein), three unrestricted free agents (WR Patrick Johnson, G Chris Naeole and WR Bobby Shaw), six veteran free agents (LB Bobby Brooks, DE Marco Coleman, DE Stalin Colinet, QB Kent Graham, TE Pete Mitchell and G Daryl Terrell), one first-year free agent (WR Jimmy Redmond), two trade acquisitions (CB Ike Charlton and LB Wali Rainer) and three waiver pickups (RB Dan Alexander, CB Robert Bean and C/G Drew Inzer). Jacksonville opened the season with 10 new starters: C John Wade, RG Chris Naeole, WR Patrick Johnson, LDE Marco Coleman, DTs Larry Smith and Marcus Stroud, SLB Danny Clark, MLB Wali Rainer, WLB Eric Westmoreland and RCB Jason Craft (Zach Wiegert also moved from RG to LT). There were no rookies in the starting lineup on Opening Day for the first time since 1997, although Ayodele has started three games at strongside linebacker and DT John Henderson started the last two games.
Mark Brunell is 60-44 in 104 regular-season starts, 64-48 overall. He has won more games under head coach Tom Coughlin than any current NFL quarterback under his head coach. … In five games, the offense has used two different starting lineup combinations and the defense has used three different starting combinations. … The Jaguars have had seven plays of 30 or more yards so far this season. They had only 11 plays of 30-plus yards in 2001, 26 in 2000, 23 in 1999, 29 in 1998, 22 in 1997, 26 in 1996 and 12 in 1995. The Jaguars have allowed only two 30-plus plays this season… Of the Jaguars' 77 completed passes, 41 have been to wide receivers, 18 to tight ends and 18 to running backs. … The Jaguars are 5 for 5 on fourth-down conversions this season; their opponents are 5 for 9. … On 13 drives inside the opponent's 20, the Jaguars have scored 9 touchdowns and 4 field goals. Their opponents have had 18 trips inside the red zone and have come away with 10 touchdowns and 4 field goals (and 4 drives with no points). … Jaguars opponents have begun 10 possessions inside their own 20 and they scored on 3 of those drives (2 TDs and 1 FG). The Jaguars have begun 12 possessions inside their own 20 and scored on 3 of those drives (2 TDs, 1 FG). … The Jaguars have used turnovers to score 44 points, while their opponents have scored 17 points off Jaguars' turnovers. … In eight seasons, the Jaguars are 16 for 23 on two-point conversions (2 for 2 in 2002), while their opponents are 6 for 22 (1 for 1 in 2002). … In eight seasons, the Jaguars have a winning record in every month except October (they are .500 in January). They are 1-0 in August, 16-13 in September, 13-17 in October, 17-10 in November, 17-11 in December and 1-1 in January. … In 2002, the Jaguars have outscored their opponents in the second quarter (41-29) and third quarter (31-10) and have been outscored in the first quarter (10-17) and fourth quarter (36-39).
The average age of the 53-man roster as of October 14 is 25.92 years old. … There are 27 players 25 or younger, 19 players between 26 and 29 years old, and seven players 30 or older. The youngest player is PK Hayden Epstein (21 years, 11 months); the oldest player is QB Kent Graham (33 years, 11 months). … More than two-thirds of the players (36) have four years or less of NFL experience, and seven players are in their eighth season or more. … The Jaguars have eight players who were first-round selections in the college draft, including five of their own picks: DE Marco Coleman (1992, Dolphins), TE Kyle Brady (1995, N.Y. Jets), G Chris Naeole (1997, Saints), RB Fred Taylor (1998, Jaguars), S Donovin Darius (1998, Jaguars), CB Fernando Bryant (1999, Jaguars), DT Marcus Stroud (2001, Jaguars) and DT John Henderson (2002, Jaguars). … WR Jimmy Smith has played in 116 of the 117 games in Jaguars history. Of this year's players, next are QB Mark Brunell (107) and DE Tony Brackens (92). … The longest streak of consecutive starts is held by G Brad Meester (37), followed by TE Kyle Brady (35) and WR Jimmy Smith (28). … Five players have played in 100 or more games during their careers: DE Marco Coleman (160), WR Jimmy Smith (123), TE Kyle Brady (113), QB Mark Brunell (109) and TE Pete Mitchell (103). … Coleman leads with 158 career starts, followed by TE Kyle Brady (107) and QB Mark Brunell (104).
