Jacksonville
Jaguars

That's a group that won't scare a lot of opposing defenders right now. There looks to be talent in the newcomers, Holt has certainly shown he's one of the game's all-time bests and everyone still talks about the potential that has not come out yet in Walker.

But with the team giving veteran Dennis Northcutt the option of trying to create a trade for himself, it's a sign that he won't be in Jacksonville this season. Quarterback David Garrard has talked all spring how he likes the young receivers, words that coach Jack Del Rio has echoed.

Liking someone and having them produce are often far apart. The passing game looked woeful last year, somewhat due to the lack of solid play by the offensive line. That should be better with the return of starting guards Vince Manuwai and the addition of the team's first two picks in the draft, offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. It may give Garrard extra time to find a receiver, time Garrard my need.

OFFSEASON STANDOUT: The coaching staff raved about the play of newly acquired cornerback Sean Considine. Not only has he looked solid on the field, but his knowledge and experience should be of help to the other starting corner in Reggie Nelson who did not have a strong year in '08. Considine is the ultimate professional the coaching staff wants on the field and in the locker room. His arrival has been a big plus thus far.

LINEUP WATCH: The two battles going on at the offensive tackle spots between a pair of veterans and a pair of rookies. Tra Thomas was brought in to solidify the left tackle spot for the departed Khalif Barnes, but he's locked in a fight with the first-round draft choice Eugene Monroe. Monroe has left no doubts that as the team's first pick in the draft, he's here to win a starting spot.

There's an equal amount of confidence in the other rookie tackle, Eben Britton, who's after Tony Pashos' job at right tackle. The two should push each other to the point that whoever wins it will have to play at a high level in order to keep his starting status.

ROOKIE IMPRESSIONS: Every direction you turn with this rookie class, Jack Del Rio is singing praises. He likes all three rookie receivers and may find room for them on the regular roster, thinks highly of his two offensive tackles who could be starters on opening day, foresees defensive back Derek Cox no worse than a nickel back for the time being and would love to see Terrance Knighton develop quickly enough to win the starting spot at defensive tackle adjacent to John Henderson. This may be as deep a draft class that Del Rio has acquired in his seventh year with the club.

INJURY WATCH: Everyone seems to have recovered from last year's injuries, but the team will keep close tabs on offensive guard Vince Manuwai. The ACL tear that he suffered came in the season opener last year, which gives him a full year to recover. But he was used sparingly in the team's OTAs and may receive the same consideration up until the regular-season opener in September.

CONTRACT TO WATCH: The one that had a number of fans concerned was that of Maurice Jones-Drew. But the club knew they had to lock Jones-Drew up for multiple years after it released Fred Taylor. Jones-Drew got the money and years he was looking for, which locks up all of the key Jaguars' players. There is not a prime player who will be looking for a new contract or extension between now and the season opener. And the Jaguars are well under the salary cap.

A little over a year ago, an F5 tornado ripped through the small Iowa town, destroying a number of homes, buildings and the high school and leaving a number of families homeless.

"It's just really hard to see this happen," said Meester. "No matter who you were on that field, whether you started or didn't play a single down, (coach Thomas) cared so much about each and every player. (He tried) to get everything out of every person, that hard-work ethic, character and pride in what you do.

"One of his big things is just being able to take those values and use them in everyday life with your family, your job, your Christian life, everything. He's definitely going to be missed."

--Dennis Northcutt's days in Jacksonville are nearing an end after Northcutt's agent, Jerome Stanley, confirmed the Jaguars were looking to trade the veteran receiver or release him. The club has apparently given Northcutt permission to shop around for his own deal.

Northcutt's age (31) and the $2.75 million contract that he's scheduled to make this season are the reasons for the parting of ways between player and team. The Jaguars drafted three rookie receivers in April's college draft in Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard and Tiquan Underwood, all of whom looked good in the team's recent organized team activities (OTAs). That made Northcutt and his pricy contract expendable.

Northcutt was signed as a free agent in 2007 and agreed to a five-year, $17 million contract that included a $4.5 million signing bonus. But Northcutt never lived up to the billing. He caught 44 passes in each of the last two regular seasons for the Jaguars, gaining a combined 1,146 yards and scoring 6 touchdowns.

-- The Jaguars announced that they will begin their 2009 training camp on Sunday, Aug. 2 when all players are to report. The first practice will be the following day.

Training camp practices will once again be held on the team's practice facility adjacent to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. All practices will be open to the public through Aug. 13.

To provide fans a better view of practices, the Jaguars for the first time will move bleacher seating onto the FieldTurf field, close to the two parallel grass fields. Seating for approximately 1,400 fans will be provided.

The team's first preseason game is Aug. 17 at Miami.

-- Don't look for the Jaguars to become advocates of the Wildcat formation that several other NFL clubs have adapted. Coach Jack Del Rio was posed the question after the team was seen running a couple of plays from that formation during their OTAs.

"We've had a couple looks at it for our defense. We've done stuff for each other this offseason to make sure that we're getting a look. It's not going to be a major part of what we're doing."

When pressed as to whether he's a big believer in the new formation, Del Rio was a bit more coy.

"I'm a believer in anything on offense that gives you a chance to get first downs and score points."We're looking at a bunch of different things but none of which I care to share with the league. We'll just kind of let it play out over time."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We need to be conditioned in it so when other teams come down to it, when we have those one o'clock games, we'll be acclimated to it where they will be sucking wind by the second quarter." - Jaguars defensive end Quentin Groves when asked about practicing in hot, humid temperatures of mid-90s the last week of team OTAs.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)

--OG Chris Naeole (not tendered as UFA June 1).

--WR Reggie Williams (not tendered as UFA June 1).

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED

--TE Zach Miller (6/180): Terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--TE Greg Estandia: ERFA; terms unknown.

--DT Jonathan Lewis: ERFA; terms unknown.

--C Brad Meester: UFA; terms unknown.

--DE Jeremy Mincey: ERFA; terms unknown.

--LB Brian Uwuh: Potential RFA; terms unknown.

--FB Montell Owens: Potential RFA; terms unknown.

--CB Scott Starks: UFA; $2.6M/2 yrs, $1M SB.

--DE James Wyche (not tendered as RFA); terms unknown.

--LS Joe Zelenka: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--S Gerald Alexander (trade Lions).

--QB Todd Bouman: FA Ravens; terms unknown.

--CB Tyron Brackenridge (waivers Chiefs).

--S Sean Considine: UFA Eagles; $3M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

--WR Torry Holt: FA Rams; $13M/3 yrs, $4M guaranteed.

--S Marlon McCree: Not tendered as UFA by Broncos; terms unknown.

--OT Tra Thomas: UFA Eagles; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--OT Khalif Barnes: UFA Raiders; $1.2M/1 yr.

--CB Drayton Florence (released).

--CB William James (released).

--WR Matt Jones (released).

--QB Cleo Lemon (released).

--DT Tony McDaniel (traded Dolphins).

--DB Chad Nkang (released/failed physical).

--WR Dennis Northcutt (traded Lions).

--MLB Mike Peterson: UFA Falcons; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

--WR Jerry Porter (released).

--S Pierson Prioleau: UFA Saints; terms unknown.

--S Gerald Sensabaugh: UFA Cowboys; $1.75M/1 yr, guarantees unknown.

--OT Charles Spencer (released).

--DE Paul Spicer (released).

--RB Fred Taylor (released).

--TE George Wrighster (released).