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HOT TOPIC
When the Jaguars drafted UCLA players Marcedes Lewis and Maurice Drew on the first round, they knew the two players would miss 12 of their 14 organized team activities.
That's because their class didn't graduate until mid-June.
Now it turns out that while Lewis will attend the final two, Drew will miss all 14.
That's because when the Jaguars close their OTA sessions on June 20-21, Drew will be in Los Angeles facing felony assault charges.
Drew is scheduled for arraignment on the charges on June 21, the final day of the workouts.
Chicago Bears defensive back Ricky Manning and former UCLA player Tyler Ebell and Drew have been charged with one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily harm for allegedly beating Soroush Sabzi, 25, outside a Denny's restaurant near the school's Westwood campus according to police.
Drew has admitted he was at the restaurant but he continues to deny any involvement in the incident, which allegedly stemmed from the players making fun of Sabzi for using a laptop computer.
The victim's lawyer has said that three witnesses have come forward to say that Drew participated in the beating.
Even if Drew is convicted, he could be placed on probation, but then he would face a possible suspension from the NFL.
He is currently free on $30,000 bail.
The incident, which occurred right before the draft, raised questions about the Jaguars' decision to draft the 5-foot-7 Drew. The Jaguars said that Drew told them about it and they were satisfied with his denial that he was involved.
Although Drew's main role may be as a kick returner, he was considered a gamble as a running back on the second round because he's only 5-7.
Coach Jack Del Rio cautioned against a rush to judgment until the case goes through the courts, but the drafting of Drew also raised questions about whether the Jaguars were taking too many risks on character players.
They also signed free-agent lineman Wayne Hunter after he was cut by Seattle after being suspended twice for off-the-field problems and then was charged with misdemeanor assault and malicious mischief after an incident in a sports bar.
When Hunter joined the team, he said, "I know my leash is really short."
They also signed free-agent rookie defensive tackle Tony McDaniel of Tennessee, who was caught on video beating a student in a pickup basketball game more than a year ago. McDaniel said it was totally out of his character and a spur of the moment thing.
All three players figure to be under the microscope in training camp.
PLAYER NOTES
--The Jaguars invested a $1.4 million signing bonus in offensive tackle Mike Williams, but they currently aren't getting much for their investment.
Williams was sidelined in the team's organized team activities last week with back problems that probably stem from the fact he's overweight.
Williams was a first-round bust with the Buffalo Bills, but the Jaguars gambled he just needed a second chance. They may be losing that gamble.
The Jaguars hoped he could compete for a starting job, but coach Jack Del Rio has ruled that out.
"At this point in the offseason, he's not even practicing, so he can't possibly be competing for a starting job if he's not even practicing," he said.
The Jaguars thought he might challenge Vince Manuwai, who struggled last year, at guard, but those plans are now on hold.
--The Jaguars got good news when they learned that running back Derrick Wimbush won't need surgery after breaking his wrist two weeks ago in the offseason drills.
Wimbush said when he suffered the injury that he'd probably need surgery and could miss training camp.
The club said at the time it didn't have any information to release on Wimbush's injury, but coach Jack Del Rio said last week that he wouldn't need surgery and would be ready for camp.
Del Rio, who tends to be combative with the news media, said the injury was "misreported or misrepresented."
In reality, what was reported was what Wimbush said and the club had no comment at the time.
The Jaguars didn't announce the injury at the time but a Florida Times-Union reporter discovered it when he requested an interview with Wimbush, who came out of the locker room with a cast on his arm. The practice in which he was injured was closed to the media.
--Safety Nick Sorensen, one of the team's best special teams players, has returned to practice. He missed the start of the offseason drills after suffering a broken ankle last year, but is now ready to play.
Sorensen said, "It's such a relief to be back out there. The past few months have been really tough."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The passing game remains a question mark for the Jaguars. At the only organized team activity that was open to the media last week, several receivers dropped passes and quarterback Byron Leftwich wasn't sharp.
The team still appears to miss wide receiver Jimmy Smith, who suddenly retired in May, and the team is still looking for a young receiver to emerge. And Leftwich may be handicapped by the lack of a top receiving corps.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB Greg Favors (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--CB Terry Cousin: UFA; terms unknown.
--LB Tony Gilbert: Potential RFA; terms unknown.
--QB Quinn Gray: ERFA; terms unknown.
--WR Cortez Hankton: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--TE Brian Jones: ERFA; terms unknown.
--OG Vince Manuwai: RFA; terms unknown, had been tendered at $721,600.
--DT Rob Meier: Potential UFA: 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--C Dennis Norman: Potential UFA; terms unknown.
--CB David Richardson: ERFA; terms unknown.
--C Brett Romberg: ERFA; terms unknown.
--RB LaBrandon Toefield: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--DE Marcellus Wiley: UFA; terms unknown.
--TE George Wrighster: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--WR Troy Edwards: UFA Lions; terms unknown.
--P Toby Gowin: FA; terms unknown.
--LB Nick Greisen: UFA Giants; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--OT Wayne Hunter (waivers Seahawks).
--WR Randy Hymes: UFA Ravens; terms unknown.
--OT Stockar McDougle: UFA Dolphins; $1.065M/2 yrs, $100,000 SB/$100,000 WO; 2006 cap: $735,000.
--CB Brian Williams: UFA Vikings; $32M/6 yrs, $10M SB.
--OT Mike Williams: FA Bills; $5M/2 yrs, $2M SB.
--DT Tony Williams: FA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--LB Akin Ayodele: UFA Cowboys; $17M/5 yrs, $5M SB.
--S Deke Cooper: UFA Dolphins; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--OT Mike Pearson: UFA Dolphins; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--OT Ephraim Salaam: UFA Texans; terms unknown.
--WR Jimmy Smith (retired).
--LB Tracy White: Not tendered as RFA/Packers; $555,720/1 yr, $25,000 SB.
--LB Jamie Winborn: UFA Buccaneers; $1.6M/2 yrs, $200,000 SB.
--CB Kenny Wright: UFA Redskins; terms unknown.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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