SB Nation Pittsburgh: All Posts by Alfie Crow

Jaguars OTAs 2013: Jonathan Cyprien in Dwight Lowery's ear

2013-05-18T14:00:06Z

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be young in the secondary this season, likely starting at least two rookies in the defensive backfield, including second-round pick Jonathan Cyprien. By all accounts so far Cyprien has looked like the real deal in rookie mini-camp and OTA practices, but he's still going to have a big learning curve as a starting NFL safety.

"He has really taken things to the next level. Every play, every rep, everything he’s doing. He really wants to be good. And D-Lo is a good one to talk to." -Gus Bradley

Luckily for Cyprien and the Jaguars, he's willing to learn and has been in the ear of veteran safety Dwight Lowery.

"We just make sure we're on the same page before every play," Lowery said of his communication with Cyprien. "He's a rookie, so I think the more he talks the more he'll be comfortable with how he fits within the defense and then he'll be able to play how he did in college."

Lowery is one of the few veterans in the Jaguars defensive backfield, one of the few holdovers at the position from the last regime, but he's been helping Cyprien call plays, line up, and understand what he needs to be doing and watching for at his position.

"He helps me a lot on the field and off the field," Cyprien said of Lowery. "He's a great player and I'm learning beside him.

"Sometimes I'll ask him as far as where do you drop (in coverage), and there's so many things to a defense to be specific about and just the little things I can go to him when the coach isn't around or on the field and ask him," Cyprien added.

Keep reading:

• The rise of "Generation Jaguar"

• David Garrard calls it quits

• Tyson Alualu moving to DE

• 2013 NFL schedule: Times, dates for preseason announced

• Jaguars claim Brandon Deaderick

ESPN not sure where Denard Robinson was picked

2013-05-18T11:55:52Z

ESPN not sure where Denard Robinson was picked

Yes... the fourth-round... that's it!

Kyle Love passes Jaguars physical, still receiving diabetes treatment

2013-05-17T23:09:57Z

Recently claimed defensive lineman Kyle Love has passed his physical with the Jacksonville Jaguars, officially joining the team according to Jarrett Bell of USA Today. Love will still need to continue treatment for his recently diagnosed Type-2 diabetes, which is part of why some believe he was surprisingly released by the New England Patriots.

Richard Kopelman, Love's agent, told USA Today that Love is down 20 pounds from his 2012 listing of 315 pounds and should be ready to get back on the football field in "a matter of weeks". Kopelman publicly criticized the Patriots after Love's release came so quickly after his diagnosis.

The 26-year old defensive lineman was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes this offseason, which reportedly prompted the Patriots to ask Love to retire for a season and then rejoin the team, else he would be released. Love was obviously released and claimed by the Jaguars who are willing to let him deal with his health issues and still try to make the roster.

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

"Having consulted with leading authorities on the effects of Type-2 diabetes, we have every reason to believe that Kyle will, in the immediate future, be at 100 percent, and will be prepared to participate in training camp in a couple of months," Kopelman told ESPNBoston.com "As Kyle said, 'there is no way something like this is going to stand between me and a long and successful NFL career.'"

Type-2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes with millions of Americans having the diagnosis, according to the American Diabetes Association. With Type-2 diabetes, the effected's body either doesn't produce enough insulin naturally or their cells ignore the insulin. Type-2 diabetes can be regulated with proper diet and exercise and is often brought on by poor habits of the aforementioned.

Love started 11 games for the Patriots in 2012 and ranked as a Top 20 run defender according to Pro Football Focus. Love ranked 14th in stop percentage and 19th in overall run defense.

The timing of Love's release with his diabetes diagnosis is curious, but Love's release appears to be more from a logjam of players at the position and the Patriots desire to play more 4-3 fronts on defense than anything else.

Keep reading:

• Jaguars offensive line should be vastly improved

• The rise of "Generation Jaguar"

• Breaking down Jedd Fisch - Part 1

• Jaguars should be working the waiver wire

• How Duval helped me battle with depression

ALERT: Austen Lane has a Vine

2013-05-17T18:36:13Z

ALERT: Austen Lane has a Vine

Ridiculousness should occur.

Jaguars 2013 predictions: Offensive line will be most improved group

2013-05-17T18:24:41Z

The Jacksonville Jaguars had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL for the 2012 NFL season, giving up 50 sacks on the season and ranking as one of the worst rushing teams in the NFL. It wasn't simply just because the players on the offensive line were bad however, it had a lot to do with injuries and inconsistency.

For the 2013 season, with health on their side, the Jaguars offensive line as a whole could be drastically improved from the last two seasons.

Left tackle Eugene Monroe has been on a steady upswing with his ability and is one of the top left tackles in the NFL. At the left guard position, Will Rackley struggled as a rookie making the big leap from Lehigh to the NFL and needed to get stronger, but after missing last season with an injury he's finally healthy and has two full offseasons in a weight training program. Center Brad Meester is back for at least one more year, and while his skills are eroding, he's still a serviceable player on the interior. Uche Nwaneri played on one leg most of the 2012 season, but prior to that has always been a reliable blocker.

Then you insert what should be a massive upgrade to the right tackle position in first-round pick Luke Joeckel, and the Jaguars could have one of the best offensive lines they've had in four or five seasons.

This isn't to say it's instantly going to upgrade the offense, but if the unit can stay healthy heading into the season, it could be the most improved unit as a whole on the Jaguars in 2013.

Keep reading:

• Who's on your Jaguars Mt. Rushmore?

• The rise of "Generation Jaguar"

• Breaking down Jedd Fisch - Part 1

• Tyson Alualu moving to DE

• How Duval helped me battle with depression

Evening to Benefit the Boselli Foundation

2013-05-17T18:09:44Z

Evening to Benefit the Boselli Foundation

Please join us Saturday, June 1, from 7:00PM –10:00 PM at Intuition Ale Works for an evening to benefit the Boselli Foundation.

Jaguars should and will likely work the waiver wire

2013-05-17T13:47:06Z

The Jacksonville Jaguars have claimed two players over the last two days of the NFL waiver wire, defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love, both of which were waived by the New England Patriots. Currently, the Jaguars have the No. 2 spot in the waiver wire, so they will have near "first dibs" on players who are released going forward.

The Chiefs hold the No. 1 spot in the waiver order, but their roster compared to the Jaguars is significantly better, so it's likely they will continue passing on players who are waived.

The Jaguars on the other hand are likely going to keep claiming players if they fit the team's vision going forward, because why not? The Jaguars roster is going to be churned over going forward, exactly like the Seattle Seahawks were when Gus Bradley was there in 2010.

Both Love and Deaderick have a good shot of making the Jaguars final roster, given how they fit on the defensive line and are exactly the type of players the team will be looking for on the waiver wire.

Expect Jacksonville to be active with their waiver order, as they should be.

Keep reading:

• Who's on your Jaguars Mt. Rushmore?

• The rise of "Generation Jaguar"

• Breaking down Jedd Fisch - Part 1

• Tyson Alualu moving to DE

• How Duval helped me battle with depression

Jaguars release Montell Owens

2013-05-16T13:49:00Z

In a bit of a surprise move, at least with the timing, the Jaguars have release fullback Montell Owens according to a report by Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.

Owens, 29, joined the Jaguars in 2006 as an undrafted free agent and made the roster do to his play on special teams, where he has been a vital cog the past seven seasons. Owens made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2011 as a special teamer and was second on the team in rushing yards in 2012 after a rash of injuries at the running back position.

Owens ended his Jaguars career with 292 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and 118 special teams tackles, which is a franchise record.

The emergence of Lonnie Pryor likely led to Owens released, as the team wasn't likely going to keep two fullbacks on the roster, especially with Owens $2.35 million cap hit.

Keep reading:

• Who's on your Jaguars Mt. Rushmore?

• The rise of "Generation Jaguar"

• David Garrard calls it quits

• Tyson Alualu moving to DE

• 2013 NFL schedule: Times, dates for preseason announced