Grass Stains

Taylor nominated for player of year honor

2008-01-22T10:33:00.000-05:00

Fred Taylor has been selected as one of three finalists for the 2007 FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year honor. San Diego Chargers' running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Minnesota Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson round out the award finalists.

Taylor won the player of the week honor once in the regular season and was nominated twice. The player of the year will be announced Jan. 30 in Glendale, AZ.

The winning city's children's hospitals will receive $25,000 each.

Fans can vote for the winner until 12 noon on Wednesday at NFL.com.

That's a wrap from New England

2008-01-13T04:05:00.000-05:00

The game is over and I am waiting for the last of our intensive video coverage from both Foxborough and Jacksonville to finish uploading. I figured I would take a second to reflect back on the short time here in New England.

It's 4:00 A.M. currently and I've been up since 5:00 A.M. yesterday morning. Gillette Stadium is a very nice stadium but I must say that Heinz Field was much better. The internet connections issues were a big problem for not only myself but everyone else in the press area as well.

I also never saw an empty seat in the stadium when the game was in progress. Patriots fans fill their stadium to the top. I also must say that the stadium is the only attraction around. A new "Patriots Place" is being built though that seems very intriguing and I hope to visit again to experience it when it is finished.

I am going to wrap up here putting the remnants of the video on the site and head downstairs to revisit the airport. Another 30+ hours of no sleep but an enjoyable time nonetheless.

Be sure to check for all the video coverage on Jacksonville.com on the video page and click on the "Jaguars" tab.

Jaguars lose 31-20

2008-01-12T22:57:00.000-05:00

The Jacksonville Jaguars playoff run ended tonight in Foxborough, MA losing to the Patriots 31-20.

The Jaguars did keep the game close though up until the second half. The Jaguars were unable to get into the endzone and were forced to settle for field goals while the Patriots were able to convert their drives into touchdowns.

Stay tuned for a full story from AP Sports Writer Mark Long.

Scobee adds another field goal

2008-01-12T22:32:00.001-05:00

The Patriots scored seven on their last possession. The Jaguars scored three. Keeping that ratio up will not result in a victory for the Jaguars as the Patriots now lead 28-20 over the Jaguars.

Scobee converted a 25-yard field goal to bring the Jaguars to 20 points on the day.

Patriots add another touchdown

2008-01-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

As I said in my last post the Jaguars' defense had to stop the Patriots' offense. Apparently the coaches do not listen to me. ON the Patriots' next drive, Laurence Maroney achieved his first career 100-yard rushing game in the postseason. That 100-yard rushing is the sixth in Patriots' postseason history. The last to achieve this was Corey Dillon on January 16, 2005 against the Colts with 144 yards.

That Patriots drive ended in a nine-yard touchdown pass to Benjamin Watson. Watson's two touchdown receptions in tonight's game ties a Patriots' postseason record. The record was originally achieved by Stanley Morgan against Denver on January 4, 1987.

The Patriots now lead 28-17.

Scobee cuts Pats lead to four

2008-01-12T22:10:00.001-05:00

Josh Scobee converted a 39-yard field goal to keep the Jaguars within four of the Patriots. A dropped pass by Dennis Northcutt forced the Jaguars to settle for the field goal.

With a four point differential the Jaguars defense has to find a way to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots' offense. On five possessions for the Patriots tonight, three have resulted in touchdowns. The other two were a missed field goal and the end of the half.

Brady fakes for TD

2008-01-12T21:55:00.001-05:00

The Patriots have broken the even score on their first drive of the second half. Tom Bray found Wes Welker in the endzone for a six-yard touchdown reception. Brady faked the handoff on the touchdown pass that had just about everyone on the field fooled.

Patriots now lead 21-14 over the Jaguars.

Jaguars tailgate photos

2008-01-12T21:42:00.001-05:00

Photos from the Jaguars tailgate party out in Lot 20 of Gillette Stadium are now posted in the photo gallery.

View photos of Jaguars' fans tailgating

Halftime report

2008-01-12T21:32:00.001-05:00

Going into halftime the Jaguars are tied with New England 14-14. If it wasn't for a couple of mistakes by the Jaguars including a forced fumble on David Garrard and a Maurice Drew muffed kick the score could be a little bit different.

Some more photos from pregame are currently uploading and I will let you know when they are ready for viewing.

Reason for slow updates

2008-01-12T21:25:00.000-05:00

As some of you may have noticed I haven't been posting during the game yet. Have no fear. I am still here but have been having internet connection issues. I found a new spot with a connection so will try and get all the pregame photos up and keep you updated here at the blog.

Foxborough or Foxboro?

2008-01-12T19:50:00.001-05:00

If anyone has noticed Foxborough is spelled two different ways: Foxborough and Foxboro. Online and throughout the city both spellings are seen prominently. Signs on overpasses are spelled Foxboro, advertising is spelled Foxborough.

The Times-Union style is Foxborough which is why in all stories the city is named Foxborough. Any readers out there have any insights to how the two spellings came to be or why there is such a differential between using the two spellings.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Jaguars-Patriots inactives

2008-01-12T19:06:00.000-05:00

Inactives have just been announced for tonight's game against the Patriots. The inactives for both teams are listed below:

Jaguars:
17 WR Charles Sharon
22 RB LaBrandon Toefield
31 CB Aaron Glenn
34 S Lamont Thompson
53 LB Shantee Orr
54 LB Mike Peterson
77 G Uche Nwaneri
78 OL Tutan Reyes

Patriots:
7 Matt Gutierrez (3rd QB)
26 S Eugene Wilson
28 CB Antwain Spann
38 FB Kyle Eckel
41 S Ray Ventrone
65 T Wesley Britt
74 G Billy Yates
95 DL Rashad Moore

The Jaguars have one roster change to announce. 84 WR Chad Owens is replaced by 17 WR Charles Sharon.

Calm before the storm in stadium

2008-01-12T18:53:00.000-05:00

Photos are now live from Gillette Stadium prior to fans arrival. Coming in the next 15-20 minutes are photos from Jaguars' fans tailgating outside the stadium and Gene Frenette's pregame video report.

Click here for photos of Gillette Stadium before the fans take over

Welcome to Gillette Stadium

2008-01-12T16:15:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Gillette Stadium. The lights are coming on and the stadium is in it's calm before the storm. In a little less than four hours from now the stadium will be packed full of both Patriots and Jaguars fans.

The weather looks like it will be gorgeous tonight with temperatures around 40 degrees with not just a few high clouds in the sky. Should be a great night for a fan watching the game but the weather will not play well for the Jaguars.

Snow and wind would have proved to be perfect conditions-keeping the Patriots from throwing the ball and allowing the Jaguars to run. With the conditions tonight the game will favor the Patriots more heavily then they already have been.

Safe in New England...

2008-01-12T12:26:00.001-05:00

Welcome to New England. I have arrived here in Providence, RI ready for the game tonight against the Patriots.

Jacksonville.com's Amanda Warford has been extremely busy both yesterday and today putting together video coverage of all the events locally in Jacksonville. Here in New England myself, Tracy Collins and Rich Ray will be bringing you photos, video and more of the Jaguars fans the followed the team for tonight's game.

I'll keep you informed as we add to the site but for now be sure to check out some of Amanda's videos from yesterday.

View photos of fans arriving into Providence
View all of Jacksonville.com's AFC Divisional game coverage

Going to New England?

2008-01-10T15:53:00.001-05:00

It sounds like Jaguars fans are getting together in Massachusetts this weekend for the Jaguars' divisional game against the New England Patriots.

Are you going to the game? Let me know in the comments below or shoot me an e-mail at kevin.basarab@jacksonville.com.

Whether you're going to the game or not though, I want to see your photos and videos. How are you partying Saturday night? Upload photos and videos here.

Late field goal seals victory

2008-01-05T23:36:00.000-05:00

A late 25-yard field goal with 40 seconds remaining on the game clock propelled Jacksonville to a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday night 31-29. The Jaguars had momentum in the first half but lost their lead to the Steelers throughout the second.

The turning point of the drive was a David Garrard 32-yard run to the Pittsburgh 11-yard line on fourth and two. If Tennessee defeats the Chargers tomorrow Jacksonville will travel to Indianapolis. Otherwise the Jaguars will travel to New England to play the undefeated Patriots.

Momentum grows; Steelers take lead

2008-01-05T23:06:00.001-05:00

Momentum continues to build for the Steelers in the second half. After just adding a touchdown the Steelers' Ike Taylor intercepts David Garrard and returns the ball 31-yards to the Jaguars' 16-yard line.

After holding Pittsburgh to fourth down on the one-yard line Brian Williams was called with defensive pass interference allowing a new set of downs for the Steelers. Davenport took the next play up the middle for the touchdown. The two-point conversion failed for the second consecutive time.

The Steelers take the lead for the first time since their first drive 29-28.

Steelers convert again

2008-01-05T22:53:00.001-05:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the momentum in the second half. A 14-yard pass to Heath Miller was the third consecutive drive the Steelers have converted into points. After a holding penalty on a successful two-point conversion try, the Steelers' second attempt failed.

The Steelers now trail by five, 28-23.

Steelers touchdown

2008-01-05T22:34:00.001-05:00

Roethlisberger is doing all he can to keep the Steelers in the game. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger found Santonio Holmes for a 37-yard touchdown reception after Rashean Mathis missed a tackle.

The Steelers drive consisted of 10 plays, 74-yards and 4:46 off the clock. Pittsburgh now trails by eleven points, 28-17.

Drew adds another

2008-01-05T22:17:00.000-05:00

Jacksonville answered Pittsburgh's field goal with four additional points. Jones-Drew ran 10-yards into the endzone to put the Jaguars up 28-10.

The Jaguars' drive was eight plays, 82-yards and 4:45. The touchdown is Jones-Drew's second touchdown of the evening. He had a 43-yard reception earlier in the game.

Steelers convert INT

2008-01-05T22:05:00.001-05:00

The David Garrard interception resulted in three points for the Steelers when Jeff Reed hit a 28-yard field goal attempt. The Jaguars lead 21-10.

Garrard intercepted

2008-01-05T22:02:00.001-05:00

On Jacksonville's second play of the second half the Jaguars made their first mistake. David Garrard threw a pass intended for Dennis Northcutt right into the hands of James Farrior. Garrard seems to have not even seen Farrior.

Jaguars up 21-7 at half

2008-01-05T21:44:00.000-05:00

The Steelers' looked like they would add at least three points to the scoreboard before the half ended driving deep into Jacksonville territory. A quick pass over the middle was intercepted by Derek Landri. The interception is Roethlisberger's third interception of the game.

Going into the half, Jacksonville leads 21-7.

Three and out for Steelers

2008-01-05T21:25:00.000-05:00

After two drives ending in interceptions for the Steelers their next drive didn't end much better. The Steelers' went three and out giving the ball back to Jacksonville on a 46-yard punt to Jacksonville's 46-yard line.