Jacksonville Jaguars Part Ways With Starting Safeties
by John OehserThe Jacksonville Jaguars throughout the offseason talked of the need for their safeties to improve. Apparently, they didn't improve enough.
The two players listed as starting safeties throughout training camp?
They're no longer with the team.
The Jaguars on Saturday released one of the players listed as a starting safety, Gerald Alexander, and also traded Reggie Nelson -- a starter much of his career and a first-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft from Florida -- to the Cincinnati Bengals.
In return for Nelson, the Jaguars received received cornerback David Jones and a conditional draft selection.
Among the notable cuts as the Jaguars released 21 players to pare down the opening-day roster:
Tight end Ernest Wilford, a 2004 selection in the NFL Draft by Jacksonville who played tight end for Jacksonville last season; and wide receiver Troy Williamson, a 2005 first-round selection by Minnesota.
by John OehserRaheem Brock spent eight seasons playing defensive line for the Indianapolis Colts.
Now, it appears those might be the extent of his NFL career.
Brock, who parted ways with the Colts this past spring, was among several higher-profile veterans released on Saturday by the Tennessee Titans as they worked to trim their roster to the NFL-mandated 53-player limit. He signed with the Titans early in training camp.
The Titans also released veterans quarterback Chris Simms, cornerback Tye Hill and running back Samkon Gado, along with two drafted rookies -- sixth-round safety Myron Rolle and seventh-round defensive tackle David Howard. The Titans retained rookie quarterback Rusty Smith over Simms, along with undrafted running back LeGarrette Blount.
Smith, according to Jim Wyatt and John Glennon of The Tennessean, "showed a strong arm and good upside during the preseason." Smith completed 18 of 33 passes for 198 yards with two interceptions and a passer rating of 47.3. 
by John OehserOnce again, Maurice Jones-Drew said he's absolutely not injured.
Jones-Drew, the Jacksonville Jaguars' leading rusher and cornerstone of the offense, spoke to the media for the first time in a week and a half on Monday, with the subject yet again the health of his knee.
It had been reported two and a half weeks ago on the internet that Jones-Drew underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Jones-Drew missed the last two preseason games, but said Monday that he did not undergo surgery.
Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio previously also refuted the report.
Jones-Drew also called his knee "a non-issue." 
by Dan Graziano
FanHouse's 2010 NFL Season Preview features division-by-division predictions based on our tried and true "Heat Index" formula. Each team is graded on a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest) in five key categories: Offense, Defense, Special Teams, Coaching and Intangibles. The higher the score, the better we think the team will be this season. Coming Sept. 6: NFC South.
Things were looking surprisingly good in Jacksonville through Week 12 of the 2009 season. The Jaguars stood at 7-5 and were poised to make the playoffs with a strong finish. Unfortunately, they lost their last four games and blew the opportunity. Not that anybody was paying much attention. All but one of Jacksonville's home games were blacked out locally and their average home attendance was a mere 49,652. It's hard to imagine what, if anything, can save the Jaguars from having to leave mid-market Jacksonville in the coming years. The question is whether the few fans they do have there will have anything fun to watch before that happens.
Offense -- The Jaguars do exactly one thing very well -- run the ball with Maurice Jones-Drew. With Fred Taylor having left for New England, the offense became Jones-Drew's entirely last year, and he quite literally took the ball and ran with it. He rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns and continued to build on his reputation as one of the top running backs in the NFL. Jacksonville's offensive line woes didn't seem to bother him, and neither did the inconsistent and inefficient passing game run by QB David Garrard. The Jaguars are at their very best when they can get Jones-Drew the ball and watch him work his magic. Unfortunately, no team can live on rushing alone.
More AFC South Previews: Colts | Titans | Texans
Complete 2010 NFL Season Preview
FanHouse's 2010 NFL Season Preview features division-by-division predictions based on our tried and true "Heat Index" formula. Each team is graded on a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest) in five key categories: Offense, Defense, Special Teams, Coaching and Intangibles. The higher the score, the better we think the team will be this season. Coming Sept. 4: NFC South.
Last year was two seasons in one for the Tennessee Titans, who started out 0-6 and looked buried after a snowy 59-0 loss in New England in that sixth game. But after that game, they elevated Vince Young to the starting quarterback position and took off. Chris Johnson became a 2,000-yard running back. Young's spry legs and strong arm rejuvenated the offense. The Titans won 8 of their final 10 games and actually made a run at the playoffs in spite of their miserable start. So as long as they can figure out how to win a game or two in September, everything should be fine. Right?
Offense -- Nobody runs the ball like the Titans, and the main reason for that is Johnson. Only the Jets had more rushing yards but, and New York needed 100 more carries to amass just 150 more yards than the Titans did on 5.2 yards per carry. Johnson is back and still motivated after failing to get the contract extension he sought, and having Young behind center from Week 1 should help Johnson in his quest to break the league's single-season rushing record. The questions here is whether Young has matured enough as a person and a passer -- and whether he has enough options at receiver -- to become a playoff-caliber quarterback. Heat Index: 7
More AFC South Previews: Colts | Texans | Jaguars
Complete 2010 NFL Season Preview