Not Just Another Day at OTAs

For the first time in nearly a month, I visited the Jaguars OTAs (Organized Team Activities) Thursday.

Why the long absence?  For a while, I was on vacation, then I was (and am) out of a job.

So today, I stopped by practice and acted like I was employed.  First, I must thank my colleagues in the Jacksonville sports media, who have, without exception, been supportive of me since word got out of my predicament.

Times-Union columnist Gene Frenette put it well today I think that anyone could find themselves in the same situation in this economic climate. 

But enough about me.

What about the practice?  How do the Jags look, you ask.

Let's put it this way: Clint Ingram conducted a press conference without a shirt on and that wasn't the most notable thing at practice today!

John Henderson was.  Or more pointedly, what Henderson didn't do.

As expected, Big John was limited in the amount of work he did today...he has a Grade 2 separation if his shoulder, and much to the dismay of the head coach, Henderson has things throttled back.  

In the heat of the day, with heat indeces in the triple digits, Henderson was laboring when he was working.  At one point it looked like Big John was going to keel over.

Then came Strength and Conditioning coach Luke Richesson, who was set to work Big Hen in some wind sprints.  After a couple of sets, Henderson walked over to the covered area of the practice fields, disappeared from my view and didn't return.

Richesson called Henderson back to run, but it was clear that Big John was through for the day.  Score: veteran defensive tackle 1 new strength coach 0.

But these things have a way of turning around in a hurry.  While Henderson didn't work the rest if the day, I have to think that the Big Hen vs..  Del Rio and Richesson is far from over.  Maybe he is upset about the way Del Rio called him out.  Maybe he was just hot and tired.  What ever the reason, I have a feeling that we'll hear more about this saga the rest of the off-season and maybe into training camp.

Practice Notes: The Jaguars announced that they had cut cornerback Will James and tight end Charles Davis.  James did not play well last year with the team.  Davis was a developmental tight end who I'll remember most as a judge for the 2009 Jacksonville Backyard BBQ Championships (along with David Garrard, Greg Estandia and former Jag Kyle Brady)...Seems like those moves are going to pave the way for some rookies to sign contracts.  I would expect more cuts over the next couple of weeks...Vince Manuwai worked out on the bike and on the side with head trainer Mike Ryan.  His knee seems to be responding but he's dealing with some gout in his foot.  That has limited him.