SB Nation - Richard Collier

Quick Bytes 11/4/2009

Jonathan Loesche — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:31:45 -0000

Jaguars Coach Del Rio Used to be a LB for the Chiefs - Arrowhead Pride
Jaguars Coach Del Rio Used to Play for the Chiefs

Compensation for head coaches is still possible | ProFootballTalk.com
Read this and think just substitute Jeff Fisher with Jack Del Rio.

Player perspective: MJD on power rankings - AFC South - ESPN
Maurice Jones-Drew comments on ESPN's Power Rankings

Garrard isn't the bad guy in audible-gate, blame the staff | Jacksonville.com
Michael Wright says to not blame Garrard in the audible debacle. Blame the coaches.

Jaguars Q&A: 'Pot Roast' enjoying experience | Jacksonville.com
Q & A: Terrance Knighton,

Gus Johnson apologizes for saying Chris Johnson had 'getting-away-from-the-cops speed' - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com
Gus Johnson apologizes for saying Chris Johnson had 'getting-away-from-the-cops speed' during the Jags-Titans game.

Defense tries to discredit star witness in Hartsfield trial | Jacksonville.com
The defense is up in the trial of Richard Collier's alleged shooter.

Quick Bytes: 10/30/2009

Jonathan Loesche — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:42:26 -0000

Scobee delivers for Jaguars | Jacksonville.com
Josh Scobee talks about his routine of preparing for a big kick. Though Scobee is only 8-12 this season, his misses have been from 63, 58, and 56 yards out.

Pass defense key to improvement for Jaguars | Jacksonville.com
Michael Wright looks at the Jaguars pass defense.

Q&A: Jaguars receiver Mike Sims-Walker | Jacksonville.com
A Q&A with Mike Sims-Walker

Key witness testifies Hartsfield got his revenge in Jaguar’s shooting | Jacksonville.com
More from the trial of Tyrone Hartsfield, the man who allegedly shot Jaguars tackle Richard Collier.

Young returning to face Jaguars | Jacksonville.com
Vince Young's last regular season game was his infamous performance against the Jaguars in the 2008 opener. Will he have similar results this time?

Jaguars ignore Titans drama over Young | tennessean.com | The Tennessean
Linebackers Daryl Smith and Clint Ingram say it doesn't matter to them if Vince Young is the QB or not.

Koetter ready to mix it up | Jacksonville.com
Dirk Koetter gives credit to the vastly improved wide receiver corps as the reason the Jags offense has improved this year.

Quick Bytes: July 7th, 2009

Jonathan Loesche — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:02:23 -0000

Click here for all the latest news links

The Jaguars aren't interested in Derrick Brooks | Jacksonville.com
It appears Gene Smith won't go for a hat trick with signing veterans

Coughlin: McNair "could do it all"
Former Jaguar's head coach Tom Coughlin speaks about Steve McNair.

Jones Graduates Drug Court, Charges Dropped
In a case of too little, too late, Matt Jones has graduated drug court and has had his charges dropped. Here's hoping another team picks you up Matt.

Jaguars Player Remembers Steve McNair | Firstcoastnews.com | Local News
Tony Pashos, a teammate of Steve McNair in Baltimore, speaks out about the late quarterback's tragic murder.

Do the Jacksonville Jaguars Own One of the NFL's Top-50 Players? | Bleacher Report
CBSSports.com writer Pete Prisco recently revealed his annual top-50 list of the NFL's best players, spanning all positions. No Jaguars.

NFL Power Rankings by Weakest Link - MVN Outsider
The Jaguars "lead" the list as having not only the worst wide receivers in football, but the weakest unit in the entire NFL. I think the author is a year late on that one.

Scout.com: Whose Seat is Hottest?
Jack Del Rio checks in at #11 of coaches who may be feeling the heat this season.

UFL faces major challenges | Wichita Sports - High School Sports | Wichita Eagle
Former Jaguars executive, and now UFL commissioner, Michael Huyghue leaders the UFL into it's inaugural season.

Steve McNair Shooting Puts Gun Violence Back in Focus for the NFL | Bleacher Report
Steve McNair, Richard Collier, Sean Taylor, Darrent Williams, and others have all been NFL players who have been on the tragic end of gun violence.

Poll

Are the Jaguars wide receivers the worst unit in football?

Yes

48 votes

No

158 votes

Not until the Lions win a game

51 votes

257 votes | Poll has closed

Perspectives on a Lost Season: Richard Collier Speaks

River City Rage — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:50:00 -0000

Perspectives on a Lost Season:

This season, without a doubt, is the strangest one I've ever followed. 2000 was a surprise, sure, and the years of salary cap hell were difficult, but nothing compares to how this season has played out. From picking up Jerry Porter and Drayton Florence in free agency to the absolute shock on draft day, the moment the season "started", things have gone drastically different than expected. (My friends at Stampede Blue and Mile High Report can attest to the draft shock, I nearly missed the Jaguars move-up do to an unfortunate bathroom break).

Nothing that happened at the combine, the draft, training camp or preseason could compare to the tragic events of September 2nd. Up-and-coming left tackle Richard Collier was shot 14 times, just as the season began it's downward spiral against the Tennessee Titans.

Richard Collier spoke to the Orlando Sentinel recently in his first interview with the media since the incident. While we're all spun out over the absolute meltdown the Jaguars gave us on Monday Night Football, Richard's words offer a bit of perspective, something that I certainly appreciate as I begin to break down some tape from the game.

Words to Live By:

"Everything happens for a reason," Collier said. "I don't know my purpose in life yet, but I just know that this didn't happen for no reason."

I'm awed by his wisdom. Some people shut down after tragedy, some give up, others find inspiration and continue to grow. Richard, clearly, chose the latter. Richard is also passing along his approach to life to his nephews:

"All three of them took it hard," Collier said about telling his nephews about his condition. "Early on I talked to [the youngest nephew, Jaylon,] I was like, 'Be strong, I’m not at home right now so everybody needs to be on the money. A tight ship should be ran while I’m gone.' That’s how I run my house with them. Make sure they have no trouble in school, everybody’s grades are good. ... Growing up, other than my dad, I just never had an athlete to show me. My dad, he played ball, but my dad was a hard worker. There were times when he couldn’t come to a game or show me a move. I’m not even talking about just sports. I look at them as closer to my nephews. I love them so much, I just want to see them succeed in life as young men."

I'm stunned by the emotional maturity and perspective. We're talking about someone who had his life completely turned upside down. Football, you'd imagine, is an afterthought to Richard right now. You'd be wrong.

"It used to be hard for me to watch the Jags," Collier said. "I remember sitting here in the hospital and just crying. Being around those guys, you have a bond with them. Without it you're like man, it's gone."

The first Jaguars game he watched this season was Jacksonville's win over Indianapolis on Sept. 21. He planned to watch his team "beat up on Houston" Monday night. He still considers that his team.

Jack Del Rio brings him lunch, Clint Ingram and Tutan Reyes visit regularly, and I imagine that the front office will do the right thing and pay him for this season despite the "off the field" nature of his situation. He's an inspiring young man, someone who should be remembered for his relentless pursuit of his dream. Richard wasn't a big school prospect, he played at Valdosta State and was an undrafted free agent, that he was in a battle with Khalif Barnes to start at the most premium position in football is remarkable, though not nearly as much as his recovery from the shooting.

I'm going to be back in a few hours with more serious look at the 2008 Jaguars. Just do me a favor, as we struggle to deal with a season gone horribly awry, let's keep a little bit of perspective. When we're cheering for the team to win on Sunday, no matter how bad it looks on the field, cheer for Big Rich too.

-Chris

Guns and the NFL

JasonB — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:30:37 -0000

The big story this week in the NFL is of course Plaxico Burress. Burress was accidentally shot in the leg when the unregistered handgun he was carrying went off in an NYC nightclub. Burress turned himself in to police and will be charged for carrying an unregistered firearm. If convicted, Burress faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to make an example of the WR.

"I don't think that anybody should be exempt from that," Bloomberg said. "It would be an outrage if we don't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."

Not prosecuting celebrities would make "a sham, a mockery of the law," the mayor asserted.

The mandatory sentencing would not necessarily apply if Burress is offered a plea bargain.

Defense lawyers said prosecutors are loath to cut a deal. "The DAs ... have been very hard-nosed on this," said veteran criminal defense lawyer Martin Geduldig. "They expect jail time."

The Eagles have been no stranger to gun incidents as Reuben Frank points out today. There was the minor Jabar Gaffney arrest, Broderick "Desert Eagle" Bunkley had several of his guns stolen, and the most serious was the shooting of Jerome McDougle a few years ago. In the past year we've seen Shawn Taylor be shot and killed and Richard Collier paralyzed by a gun shot.

After seeing what happened to Collier and Taylor it's hard to blame a player for wanting to protect themselves, but as Lito Sheppard says it's about responsibility.

"You've got to know when and where you can do things,” Sheppard said. "You don't want to put yourself in that position. Mine's always been registered. And I try not to carry it half the time. Even if I have to use it, do I really want to use it?”

"Anybody in this profession, you get a lot of publicity on TV, but you still like to do normal things, can be a target. I still like to go Wal-Mart or the mall. You're definitely a target. You just hope you don't get put in a bad situation.”

I have to agree with Lito here. I can fully understand an NFL player feeling the need to carry protection and I can't say I'd do any different if I were them. However, it's about being responsible.

Tuesday Notes: Jon Kitna Looking Healthy

Sean Yuille — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:32:43 -0000

According to the Free Press, Jon Kitna practiced yesterday and didn't look injured at all.
Rod Marinelli isn't acknowledging that he is a lame-duck coach and claims to not even know what the phrase means. Well, Rod, basically it means you're coaching on a temporary basis until a new general manager is hired and he brings in his own guy. There's a long way to go until we get to that point, but Marinelli probably won't be back next season if a new GM is hired, so he's like a substitute teacher in a sense.
Matt Millen apparently was at the Lions' headquarters in Allen Park on Monday. I assume he was there to pick up his belongings or something like that as there is no other reason for him to be there anymore.
The Lions haven't received any phone calls about trading Roy Williams and they don't plan on making any, either.
The Free Press has a photo gallery of the Lions' first practice without Matt Millen.
The Raiders finally fired Lane Kiffin. Al Davis didn't even do it in person and "fired him without pay." I'm sure Kiffin and his agent will do everything they can to get the money he is owed, especially considering how rude Davis was throughout the entire process.
Before Kiffin was fired, he sent Sebastian Janikowski out to kick a 76-yard field goal at the end of the first half of Sunday's game against the Chargers.
The halftime entertainment for the 2009 Super Bowl will be Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier, who was shot 14 times earlier this month, is paralyzed from the waist down and had his left leg amputated as a result of the shooting.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans 5 Questions

Jimmy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:30:05 -0000

It is awesome that the regular season is here. With the return of the regular seaosn we have the return of 5 questions with the opposing team's blogger. This week we have Chris, the head blogger over at Big Cat Country:

MCM- It seems there has been a lot going on around this team in the last few weeks with the Fred Taylor arrest and the shooting of Richard Collier. First, how is Collier, and second, do you think these distractions will have any baring on Sunday's game?

Big Cat Country- Fred Taylor's situation, despite being an unnecessary annoyance, is a pretty ridiculous situation. Someone told a police officer in Miami that Fred's car had guns and drugs in it, and when Fred was pulled from the car and searched, he got a vocal about what happened. He was not arrested, booked, or bonded out, he was given a citation. While it's more than a parking ticket, I think the Taylor situation is overblown. Now, in all seriousness, I'm unhappy that several Jaguars have had the time to go out past midnight on the biggest week of the season. The Richard Collier situation is very sad. He's a player the Jaguars have developed and saw as their future at left tackle. Now we're all hoping and praying he can have a regular life, football's merely an afterthought. Collier is still in critical but stable condition. As far as distractions go, I hope that the Collier incident helps put things into perspective. They're going to play for their absent teammate and will be in everyone's hearts and minds on Sunday.

MCM- How is Derrick Harvey coming along after the long hold out? Will he be a factor in this game?

BCC- He played in the final preseason game only a day after ending his hold out, which means that he was in good enough condition to take the field despite the Jaguars having a temporary roster exemption, so there's that. He'll get some time, but I'd expect him to be a situational player at first. Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer will start at DE, Harvey will be a 3rd down or passing downs DE. Frankly, I don't like the idea of Harvey going after Vince Young on his first game, simply because Harvey is probably not used to pursuing a quarterback like Young and could get exposed by over-rushing the passer.

MCM- In Nashville we love Gregg Williams. How is his system coming along down there? Do you think he makes your defense even better than it has been?

BCC- Yes, we've already seen a little more blitzing and some more exotic formations and it's only the preseason. Williams brings an attitude and an approach to defense that has us all really excited. Look for Reggie Nelson to be the featured player in his defense, Gregg has alluded to Reggie being the focus of his scheme quite a few times. Of course, that could be smoke and mirrors, but the preseason has already seen Reggie be wherever the ball goes, so keep an eye on that.

MCM- David Garrard played really well last season. Was last season a fluke, or do you think he is on his way to being a star in this league?

BCC- He better, the Jaguars gave him a 60 million dollar contract, so the team must see some serious potential in him. In all seriousness, I expect David to increase both his touchdowns and interceptions this season. Last year's low INT rate was an outlier, there's no chance that they can repeat that, but if he offsets it by increasing his touchdowns, I'm OK with it. 28 TD's and 10-12 interceptions would be fine with me. He's very much embraced the leadership role that Byron Leftwich lacked, so if it's enough to make him a star in Jacksonville, I'd be pleased.

MCM- What is the headline for the story in Monday morning's Tennessean?

BCC- Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Tennessee Titans in Ground Pounding Slug Fest: 21-20

As always head over the Big Cat Country to see his questions with my answers.

Horse Tracks 9/3/08

mdierk — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:34:37 -0000

Here's a Wednesday edition of Horse Tracks. Enjoy!

The Denver Post discussed the fresh start that Domonique Foxworth will have in Atlanta. See here

Foxy is still sad that he is leaving Denver. See here

Mike Klis responed to some letters about the Broncos. See here

Jim Armstrong talks about the youth movement. See here

Wesley Woodyard and a number of others have opened doors to the NFL by playing special teams. See here

This story talks about the working relationship between Jay Cutler and Jeremy Bates. See here

A writer in Summit County, Colorado wondered if the Broncos will be good again. See here

Denver's receivers are ready to go against the conquered fader nation despite not having Brandon Marshall. See here

We need to say a prayer for Richard Collier of the Jags. He ws in the wrong place at the wrong time. See here

That is all I have today. Enjoy your Wednesday!

Wednesday Notes: Stanton Back in a Month?

Sean Yuille — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:09:55 -0000

Rudi Johnson is ready to study the playbook and is ready to play.
To listen to an interview Johnson did with Stoney and Wojo yesterday, click here.
Had he not signed with the Lions, Johnson had a visit scheduled with Houston and Cincinnati actually showed some interest in taking him back as well.
Drew Stanton likely will be back from his thumb injury in a month.
The transcript of Barry Sanders' chat on ESPN's SportsNation can be found here.
George Foster, like many Lions players, was happy when Mike Martz was replaced. The move obviously worked out well for Foster as he is likely going to be the starter at right tackle on Sunday.
Leigh Bodden and Travis Fisher are battling for a starting spot at cornerback and Rod Marinelli hasn't indicated who is leading that competition.
I posted who I think the Lions' best fantasy player and best fantasy sleeper will be this upcoming season over on Fake Teams.
The Falcons are discounting tickets to Sunday's game all the way down to $10 in order to avoid a blackout.
Roger Goodell is in favor of shortening the preseason and expanding the regular season.
The Saints will be able to open their season at home as originally planned despite Hurricane Gustav rolling through New Orleans on Monday.
ESPN's NFL Primetime is back for the 2008 season. It won't actually be called NFL Primetime, but Chris Berman and Tom Jackson will host Sunday's 7 p.m. SportsCenter alongside John Saunders. I'll admit that I'm not a fan of Chris Berman at all, but I always did enjoy NFL Primetime back when it was still on. He and Tom Jackson have a great chemistry that makes the show work.
Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier is in critical condition after being shot multiple times early Tuesday morning.
A broadcast map for this Sunday's games can be found over at Awful Announcing.