Whether the Chargers face the hurry-up offense Monday night in Jacksonville, the Jaguars have been speeding up things in general since the firing of Jack Del Rio earlier this week, that during his ninth season as Jags head coach.
Interim head coach Mel Tucker, the coordinator whose defenses seemed to be the team’s most dynamic and productive aspect, clearly is trying to light a fire under his 3-8 team in preparation for the Chargers.
“Today was a marathon,” said star running back Maurice Jones-Drew after Jacksonville’s first practice with the new man in charge. “All we did was run. That’s it … I don’t know what he’s trying to do, but it worked. Guys were crisp running routes and on the ball … I’m not talking about just straight running, but we were running from drill to drill, sprinting. He’s bringing a lot of excitement.”
If the Jags indeed are rejuventated, Chargers head coach Norv Turner said the changes that have taken place in Jacksonville the past week shouldn't create a sense of the unknown when it comes to the Jags' actual plays or schemes.
"I don't think so," said Turner. "The defensive coordinator is the same guy, obviously, now the head coach. Offensively, I don't see them making dramatic changes. They've got their things based on the running back (Maurice Jones-Drew, the NFL's second-leading rusher) and they've got a very young quarterback (rookie Blaine Gabbert)."
Liuget "questionable"
Defensive end Corey Liuget (fibula) was listed as "questionable," offensive tackle Bryan Dombrowski (foot) and linebacker Na'il Diggs (chest) as "doubtful," for Monday night's game at Jacksonville. None of the three took part in the final workout before the Chargers departed for Florida on Saturday.
On the field for drills were the five players -- tight end Antonio Gates, wide receiver Malcom Floyd, linebacker Shaun Phillips and offensive linemen Louis Vasquez and Tyronne Green -- on the "probable" list.
The only player declared "out" for Jacksonville is defensive end Luis Castillo.
Interim head coach Mel Tucker, the coordinator whose defenses seemed to be the team’s most dynamic and productive aspect, clearly is trying to light a fire under his 3-8 team in preparation for the Chargers.
“Today was a marathon,” said star running back Maurice Jones-Drew after Jacksonville’s first practice with the new man in charge. “All we did was run. That’s it … I don’t know what he’s trying to do, but it worked. Guys were crisp running routes and on the ball … I’m not talking about just straight running, but we were running from drill to drill, sprinting. He’s bringing a lot of excitement.”
If the Jags indeed are rejuventated, Chargers head coach Norv Turner said the changes that have taken place in Jacksonville the past week shouldn't create a sense of the unknown when it comes to the Jags' actual plays or schemes.
"I don't think so," said Turner. "The defensive coordinator is the same guy, obviously, now the head coach. Offensively, I don't see them making dramatic changes. They've got their things based on the running back (Maurice Jones-Drew, the NFL's second-leading rusher) and they've got a very young quarterback (rookie Blaine Gabbert)."
Liuget "questionable"
Defensive end Corey Liuget (fibula) was listed as "questionable," offensive tackle Bryan Dombrowski (foot) and linebacker Na'il Diggs (chest) as "doubtful," for Monday night's game at Jacksonville. None of the three took part in the final workout before the Chargers departed for Florida on Saturday.
On the field for drills were the five players -- tight end Antonio Gates, wide receiver Malcom Floyd, linebacker Shaun Phillips and offensive linemen Louis Vasquez and Tyronne Green -- on the "probable" list.
The only player declared "out" for Jacksonville is defensive end Luis Castillo.
