DEVELOPING CHEMISTRY
The numbers weren't staggering, but they were better than no numbers.
And Laurent Robinson said they could be a start.
Robinson, a wide receiver who signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason, on Sunday returned after a three-game absence with a concussion. He played extensively in the second half of a 31-14 loss to the Lions, catching six passes for 41 yards.
While all six of Robinson's catches came in the second half after the Jaguars fell behind 21-0 at halftime, Robinson said it should benefit him to have worked with quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
"It was good to get in that no-huddle offense, and get into a rhythm," Robinson said. "It took us too long to get started, but we got into a rhythm late in the game. I think it will help us to have that chemistry together. Hopefully, we can get into that rhythm early on."
Said Gabbert, "It was great to have him back. He's happy, and we're all happy that he's healthy and feeling good. When you have another receiver who can do some things out there and stretch the field, it's going to help me and help this offense."
SEARCHING FOR PROGRESS
The end result wasn't what the Jaguars wanted, and the first half certainly wasn't.
But while Gabbert and the Jaguars' offense took a step back this past Sunday, according to Mike Mularkey, the Jaguars' head coach said this week there were positives to be gleaned from the second half of the loss.
Gabbert completed 21 of 27 passes for 179 yards in the second half for two touchdowns with two interceptions.
"There are some positives that you got to take out of that football game on offense in the second half," Gabbert said. "That's what you've got to look at. Of course, me talking about it isn't going to change anything. Still a loss is a loss.
"We just have to move forward, learn from our mistakes in that game and move on."
INJURY REPORT
Fullback Greg Jones (hip), cornerback Rashean Mathis (groin) and center Brad Meester (foot) each missed practice for the Jaguars Tuesday.
Jones, Mathis and Meester were among five players not participating in practice, with the others being safety Dwight Lowery (ankle) and running back Maurice Jones-Drew (foot). Jones-Drew has been ruled out of Thursday's game with Indianapolis, and Mularkey said Lowery likely won't play.
Fullback Montell Owens (shoulder) worked limited Tuesday, as did cornerback Derek Cox (back). Quarterback Blaine Gabbert (non-throwing shoulder) worked full.
MULARKEY SAYS
"I thought we were making some progress and I thought we maybe took a step back last week. The big thing that I've been stressing is making progress each and every player, each and every phase of our team, and our team as whole. That's what we want to see. We just want to see progress and hopefully that progress turns into wins."
GABBERT SAYS
"Their (the Colts') defensive ends (Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis) are elite, elite pass rushers. We know that. We have to be conscious of that, but at the same time you can't worry about that."
DE AUSTEN LANE SAYS
"You have to utilize the 24-hour rule. You think about it for 24 hours, you learn from it, you move on. This week, it's going to be even shorter. You watch as much film as you can from the last game, you correct your mistakes and then you look forward to the next game. You don't have time to dwell in the past right now, especially with a Thursday night game coming up.
LB PAUL POSLUSZNY SAYS
"He (Colts quarterback Andrew Luck) is a different player. He's playing at an elite level, especially for someone who is a rookie and is so young. He's very athletic. He has a command of the offense and knows exactly what he wants to do. We have to be prepared for him, and we're not treating him as a 22-year old rookie. He's not playing like that."
WHAT'S NEXT
The Jaguars will hold a non-padded practice Wednesday in preparation for their Thursday night game at EverBank Field against the Colts.
INSIDE SLANT
The Jaguars and Colts have been rivals since the 2002 inception of the AFC South, and in the last two seasons, the Jaguars have had more than their share of success against the Colts. They have won the last three games between the teams, sweeping the series last season and winning in Indianapolis, 22-17, in Week 3 of this season. That victory came when quarterback Blaine Gabbert passed 80 yards to wide receiver Cecil Shorts with 45 seconds remaining. "You really can't worry about that," Gabbert said. "I know we are familiar with the team but at the same time they do have a new coach, new defense. They still have to brush up on some of their new tendencies, but it is nice having already played them once in the year." The Colts have won four of five games since the Jaguars' Week 3 victory while the Jaguars have lost their last five games.
QUICK HITS
*The Jaguars' practice on Tuesday featured 400 crew members from the USS Bataan. The ship is docked at Mayport Naval Air Station to host Friday's Navy-Marine Corps Amphib Classic basketball game between the University of Florida and Georgetown University. Mularkey had Commanding Officer Erik M. Ross spoke to the team after practice, and Mularkey and running back Maurice Jones-Drew wore caps representing the ship. Jones-Drew wore the cap on an NFL Network interview following the session, with players also signing autographs for the crew members after practice.
*While Mularkey said Monday there may have been times in a loss to the Lions Sunday that the team didn't have as much intensity as he would have liked, Posluszny said that shouldn't be an issue Thursday. "I view that as a game-day issue," he said. "We're going to prepare well and be great in our preparation up to the game. When it's game time, it's Thursday night under the lights, you can't lack intensity in this game, in this atmosphere."
