Better Know the Jacksonville Jaguars: Defensive Tackle Theo Horrocks

Clodknocker — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:47:52 -0000

[Note by River City Rage, 06/03/08 1:04 AM PDT ] Clodknocker was kind enough to do an interview with one of my favorite Defensive Tackle Prospects in Theo Horrocks. Theo, in my opinion, is playing for a spot on the practice squad, unless there is a major shakeup on the defensive line. There are only 53 roster spots, and to add guys like Horrocks could mean a serious deficiency elsewhere. Regardless, he's a serious prospect and someone the Jaguars should develop!

-C

Better Know a Player: Theo Horrocks!

Theo attended Lincoln High in Fayetteville, Tennessee, a small town south of Nashville. Both he and fellow defensive tackle, Lamar Divens, were signed by Vanderbilt. Lamar later transferred to Tenn. State and is now an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers.

As a true freshman, Theo played in nine games while starting in two. In his sophomore year, he played in 10 games and led the Commodore's defensive tackles with 15 solo tackles. While starting every game as a junior, he set single-season career highs in virtually every defensive statistical category with 31 solo tackles and 49 total tackles.

Theo says he is pleased with the way things are going at his first OTA's, considering that he is trying to fill the jersey worn by Marcus Stroud: #99. A veteran player told him that he had better "bring his lunch pail" every day , if he expected to play at the level that Marcus played.

He gives Jimmy Kennedy credit for being the most helpful veteran player. Jimmy is also a defensive tackle who was the 2003 first-round choice of the St Louis Rams. By showing an unselfish attitude Jimmy could be helping the very player that might replace him on the final roster. However, that is what teamwork is all about .

Theo tells me that there are at least three reasons he chose the Jaguars. First; his agent researched his options and recommended the Jaguars. Second; the Jaguars kept in touch with him during the draft, especially during the 7th round, and even though they didn't draft, they let him know that they still wanted him and told that he was the only defensive tackle they were bringing in. Third; Jack Del Rio has been a player and is a player's coach. How does he feel about his chances? He feels quite well. He is looking forward to putting on the pads and getting into Training Camp and letting the Pre-season begin.

College Stats:

Year

Tackles

TFL

Sacks

INT

FF/FR

2007	18-21-39	6.0-16	2.0-10	0-0	0/1
2006	31-18-49	6.0-35	5.0-34	0-0	4-1
2005	15-6-21	2.0-2	1.0-1	0-0	0-0
2004	13-6-19	1.0-3	0.0-0	0-0	0-0
Career	59-30-89	9.0-40	6.0-35	0-0	4-1

[Note by River City Rage, 06/03/08 1:09 AM PDT ]: Again, a big thanks to Clodknocker for setting this up. Horrocks is in an interesting place on the roster as there's certainly a place for a developing prospect, but considering the contracts ahead of him, the practice squad seems to be a best case situation for the guy. Still, watch him this weekend as we get into minicamp. As mentioned above, he's wearing #99, so you can't miss him.

Poll

Will Theo make the Team

Final 53 man roster

14 votes

Practice Squad

64 votes

Good guy, but no spot

15 votes

93 votes | Poll has closed

Jaguars in the Community: The Wuerffel Benefit Luncheon

Clodknocker — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:44:24 -0000

[Note by River City Rage, 05/23/08 3:11 AM EDT ] Clodknocker was a participiant in the recent Wuerffel Benefit Luncheon at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. He was kind enough to write his observation and thoughts on the event for us. On behalf of everyone at Big Cat Country, thank you for writing this!

The Luncheon was held at the Touchdown Club at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Thursday May 15th. Former Quarterback Danny Wuerffel was humble, yet well-armed to reveal his strengths on the football field that made him a Heisman Tropy winner after leading the Florida Gators to four straight Southeastern Conference Championships, and defeating the Florida State Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl for the consensus National Championship. He had a supporting cast of former standout Gators present; Kerwin Bell, Chris Doering, and Shane Matthews. Former Gators and present Jaguars, Reggie Nelson and Mike Peterson, were also listed as being present.

An ESPN video showed an interview with Danny and the Desire Street Ministries . Danny started working with the minisitry after being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1997. Jack Del Rio was the Strength and Conditioning Coach at the time under Head Coach Mike Ditka. Living in New Orleans, Danny saw the poor conditions that the childern lived in just a few blocks from the Super Bowl, where he played football. He discovered Desire Street Ministries, which was founded by Mo and Ellen Leverett in 1990.

Mo started by volunteering to coach football at Carver High School. He also led Bible studies and tutored football players. In 2002 the Desire Street Academy was established, and by 2004, a staff of 50 did mentoring and tutoring, led Bible studies, and held summer camps. A pediatric clinic was also set up and Danny joined full-time when his 7 year NFL career was over. Shortly afterward ,in August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans destroying the Wuerffel family home and flooded all the minisitry's buildings. Along the coast of Louisianna, Mississppi, and Alabama, over 2,000 were killed with over $81 billion in damage. Many of the 190 students in the academy are still missing. It relocated at a Florida camp with only 80 students. Then in 2006, it moved to Baton Rouge as a boarding school for junior and senior high African-American males displaced by the Hurricane.

Danny is now the Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries. Coach Jack Del Rio told us that he was on the New Orleans Saints' coaching staff when Danny was drafed. They grew to know each other through Bible studies. After the luncheon, Steve Pajcic, a Florida State Alumni and local Jacksonville Lawyer gave Danny $100,000 for the ministry. Steve's donation would match one made by his brother Gary, who passed away in 2006. Gary was the Quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles for three years. His donation, as well as his brothers, illustrate that the charity and generosity knows no football rivlalry.

[Note by River City Rage, 05/23/08 3:19 AM EDT ] It's fantastic to see our Jaguars representing the city and the community well with their involvement with Desire Street Ministries. There's enough bad news about player misbehavior out there that it's nice to read something nice.